This post was originally published on Audible.com.
As a devoted resident of Romancelandia, I’m always on the hunt for a romantic plotline. The allure of tender moments and the promise of a heartwarming resolution have kept me hooked for as long as I can remember. When I caught wind of the romantasy, or romantic fantasy, trend that was causing serious buzz and raising the bar on what it means to be romantic, my curiosity kicked in. The growing popularity and love for this exciting microgenre sparked a quest to find stories that strike the perfect balance of romance and fantasy. Many listens later—from reality-based tales with doses of fantasy blended in, to high fantasy epics set in alternate magical worlds—I’ve got you covered with this collection of the best romantasy listens that will make picking your first, or next, romantasy a breeze.
Lovers of high fantasy will devour the world-building in From Blood and Ash, where Poppy, a young woman known as the Maiden, is destined to Ascend in the near future. Due to her Maiden status, she is restricted from interacting with people, except for a chosen few. When supernatural attacks start in her community, she is compelled to rely on Hawke, a mysterious man who becomes her protector. Stina Nielsen’s narration immerses listeners in a layered, high-stakes adventure with a tale of loneliness, friendship, love, and the power of choice at its center.
Ascension: Volume I, Part I is the perfect combination of sadness, angst, love, and magic. Parker has had no contact with the outside world for 11 years because of time spent in a mental institution. Upon his release, he meets Luna, who has been living under the evil thumb of her so-called guardian since she was eight years old. This slow-burn fantasy romance picks up when Luna and Parker both begin to ascend, waking up in a place they’ve never been before with powers that threaten to either save their kingdom, or destroy it. The multi-cast narration, led by Audible favorites Jason Clarke and Amanda Leigh Cobb, make The Ascension series an unpausable gem.
In Big Witch Energy, Molly Harper revisits her mystical island of haunted houses, resident witches, and very hot men. When Ben Hoult walks back into Caroline Wilton’s life 20 years after they broke up, there’s no denying the spark between them is still there. Teaming up to solve a centuries-old murder, Ben and Caroline must battle against gnarly ghosts and their own broken hearts to save their town and the people they love. Harper is known for her snarky humor, and her longtime narrator Amanda Ronconi brings it out wonderfully. Teddy Hamilton’s performance is also a great match to Harper’s comedic timing. This wickedly good listen is packed with dark magic, sexy spells, and a swoon-worthy romance.
A New York-based romance ghostwriter, Florence, finds herself being haunted by the spirit of her recently departed book editor, Ben. Before he walks into the light, he’s determined to help her finish her last, and most difficult, manuscript. We should mention that this is all happening as Florence is trying to make arrangements for her late, beloved father’s highly specific funeral. Ashley Poston’s debut adult romance stunned us with its heart-squeezing poignancy, which is excellently narrated by listener favorite Eileen Stevens.
House of Flame and Shadow, the much anticipated third installment in the Crescent City series, finds Bryce lost in an unfamiliar world, longing to return to Midgard where her loved ones await. Meanwhile, Hunt, her mate, is imprisoned in the Asteri's dungeons, with no way to help her. The stakes rise as their world faces impending doom, with the fate of the future resting on Bryce and Hunt's shoulders. Series narrator Elizabeth Evans keeps listeners hooked until the last moment of this epic tale.
Part underdog story, part enemies-to-lovers, Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing combines the best of both fantasy and romance. Violet’s world has just been turned upside down. Forced by her mother to join hundreds of cadets striving to become dragon riders, Violet must not only overcome dangerous obstacles to become a dragon rider, she must also navigate a complex romantic relationship with Xaden, a rival rider. Its rebellious romance plot, ushered along by Rebecca Soler’s narration, makes it a truly unpausable listen.
Heather Fawcett’s debut adult novel transports us to the tiny village of Hrafnsvik in the far north. Brought there by her research, preeminent faerie expert (and overall bookish curmudgeon) Emily Wilde is all business—until she finds herself chasing a mystery and coming head-to-head with her charming academic rival. You'll learn about how to make a deal with a faerie, how to chop firewood properly, and which fae should really be avoided at all costs.
In Trial of the Sun Queen listeners are treated to uneasy alliances, backstabbing, fated mates, and morally gray heroes. Imprisoned for 12 years because of the Aurora King, Lor’s never stopped dreaming of escape. She wants to get out and find justice for what she’s had to endure. When Lor’s suddenly whisked away to the Sun King’s realm to compete in the Sun Queen Trials, she’ll either die or go straight back to the prison she’d been plucked from. Narrators Corvin King and Soneela Nankani keep us at the edge of our seats as Lor fights for her freedom.
Hanna arrives in Finland from Los Angeles to lay her father to rest. When she finds out that he’s not in the coffin but being held in the underworld by Death himself, Hanna is coerced into setting out to rescue him. River of Shadows is the first novel in the Underworld Gods series, and will leave listeners eager to pick up the rest of the series.
Suspenseful, complicated, twisty, dark, and romantic, The Cruel Prince follows 17-year-old Jude Duarte as she becomes involved in political schemes in the immortal Faerie realm. As the novel charges to a climax full of surprises, Jude will find herself facing much more than a potential civil war.
The Endless War is the fourth novel in the The Bridge Kingdom Series, and picks up shortly after the events of book three, with Keris facing the consequences of his actions. By saving Zara he has condemned her, as her aunt, the Empress, exiles her to the worst prison in the kingdoms. The “will they, won’t they” in this dual POV, paired with Summer Morton and Michael Pauley’s narration, will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.
A mesmerizing fantasy romance adventure set in the magical kingdom of Faerie, Stardust follows Tristan Thorn’s quest to capture a fallen star, which turns out to be a living woman named Yvaine. Author Neil Gaiman narrates as Tristan and Yvaine's journey takes them through enchanted lands, encountering mystical creatures and facing unexpected challenges.
Follow the intertwined destinies of Celia and Marco, two young magicians engaged in a mysterious competition. The Night Circus is an enchanting story, narrated by the incomparable Jim Dale, that leaves the listener with the feeling that magic must be just around the corner.
The human daughter of the vampire king, Oraya is struggling with feeling like an outsider. Tired of being seen as prey, she devises a solution to enter a dangerous tournament hosted by the goddess of death. But when it becomes clear that Oraya is being hunted by every single competitor, the last person that she expected to join forces with is Raihn, her father’s sworn enemy. Their blossoming attraction could be her downfall in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love. Amanda Leigh Cobb's memorable narration guides us through Oraya and Raihn’s adventures as they fight to make it out alive.
A Discovery of Witches follows Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch who stumbles upon a magical manuscript, setting off a series of events that entangle her in a world of witches, vampires, and daemons. As she navigates this complex realm, Diana must also learn how to navigate her growing feelings for Matthew, a mysterious vampire. Romantasy favorite narrator Jennifer Ikeda's memorable performance takes us on a magical journey through this forbidden romance filled with history, science, secrets, and enchanted love.
Raised in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery. When an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them. This enemies-to-lovers fantasy has Emily Ellet at the helm as narrator, and her performance follows through on keeping listeners engaged from beginning to end.
Emilia and Vittoria are two young witches who reside in Sicily, where they must remain concealed to avoid persecution. When witches begin to fall victim to murder, Emilia embarks on a journey to find her sister's killer. Marisa Calin narrates as Emilia goes to extreme lengths to deliver justice, even if it entails not only forbidden dark magic but a forbidden romance with Wrath, one of the princes of Hell.
Willow was bred to be a weapon against the Coven who stripped her family of their birthright. Her younger brother's safety is her top priority and she'll do whatever it takes to shield him from a similar fate. Willow embarks on a journey to the underground town of Crystal Hollow and Hollow's Grave University—an admired institution where magic is studied free from the inspection of humans. However, standing in her way is the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster Alaric Grayson Thorne, who despises Willow as much as she does him. Ellis Evans and Emilia Bauer's enchanting narration almost made us forget about that engrossing cliffhanger.
Persephone might be known as the Goddess of Spring, but without any powers of her own, she's opted for a mortal life, complete with school and a job as a journalist at a newspaper. When she stumbles upon an invitation to an exclusive nightclub owned by Hades, lord of the underworld, Persephone, driven by the winds of rebellion, seizes the chance to escape her mundane life. Little did she know this one night of revelry would unravel the threads of her destiny, leaving her with an attraction for the God of the Dead–which is forbidden. With Meg Sylvan's enchanting narration, this modern retelling of Hades and Persephone brims with fiery passion and spellbinding twists.
The Book of Azrael is the start of an epic forbidden romance fantasy series. Performer Ruthie Bowles brings to life the story of Dianna, a young woman who gave her life to a terrifying monster in order to save her sister. Whatever Kaden needs, she provides. Things take a turn when Kaden sends Dianna to retrieve an ancient relic, but she's not the only one who wants it. A legendary King has awakened too, and he’s got a past he’s outrunning.
After killing a wolf, Feyre, a young huntress, is taken to a perilous magical realm. Her captor, however, is not a beast, but one of the deadly, ageless faeries who once ruled over her world. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, Feyre's initial animosity toward Tamlin slowly transforms into an intense attraction. But things are not as they seem as a malevolent, ancient shadow is looming, and Feyre must find a way to stop it to save Tamlin and his world from destruction. Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda, this retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" delivers action, drama, and faerie politics wrapped in a slow-burn romance.
In this captivating romance, two rival journalists discover an unexplainable connection and fall in love. However, their love is tested as they are thrust into a war among gods that takes them to the depths of hell. To solidify their bond, they must overcome insurmountable odds. Duo Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk’s enchanting performances, paired with author Rebecca Ross's delightful world-building, add a layer of depth to the story that leave listeners wanting more.
Evangeline has always believed in true love. At least until her beloved announces that he's betrothed to another. In her desperation, Evangeline makes a deal with the wicked Jacks: three kisses in exchange for his help winning her lover back. However, the Prince of Hearts has greater ambitions for her than she originally committed to, and his intentions could lead to either the most magnificent happily ever after or a heart-wrenching tragedy.
In this romantic fantasy, a Faustian deal between a young woman and a God of the night leaves the young woman with immortality, but the cost is steep: Everyone Addie LaRue ever meets is destined to forget her. Julia Whelan brings tremendous heart to Addie’s pursuit of stability.
