The Rise of Romantasy Novels: What to Read in 2025
In 2025, romantasy novels are dominating bestseller lists and captivating readers across the globe. This dynamic genre blends the enchanting world-building of fantasy with the emotional depth of romance, creating stories that are immersive, heartfelt, and truly irresistible. If you’re curious about this booming trend or hunting for your next reading obsession, here’s what you need to know about the rise of romantasy and the books you won’t want to miss this year.
What Is Romantasy?
Romantasy—a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy”—puts a central romantic relationship at the heart of a fantastical narrative. Unlike traditional fantasy, where romance might play a minor role, romantasy stories are driven by the evolution of a romantic bond, all set against magical backdrops filled with unique worlds and high-stakes conflicts. The result? Readers experience both the emotional sweep of a love story and the escapism of richly imagined fantasy realms.
The genre typically features:
- Detailed fantasy worlds with imaginative magic systems
- Romantic relationships that drive the main plot
- High emotional stakes—often intertwined with life-or-death fantasy conflicts
- Beloved romance tropes (like enemies-to-lovers and fated mates) in magical settings
- Character development that’s as important as the worldbuilding
Romantasy stories refuse to compromise, delivering both the swoon-worthy satisfaction of romance and the adventure of fantasy in equal measure.[1]
Why Is Romantasy Booming in 2025?
Several factors are fueling the surge of romantasy this year:
- Expansive Appeal: Romantasy draws in fans from both the romance and fantasy communities, broadening its readership across age and gender lines.[4]
- Fresh Takes: The genre flips classic fantasy conventions, often spotlighting strong, complex heroines and emotional journeys that resonate in today’s cultural landscape.
- Social Media Buzz: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are supercharging the popularity of romantasy, turning books into viral sensations and fueling word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Reader Demand: After years of fantasy stories with sidelined romance, readers are eager for books where the love story is front and center—and gets a happy ending.[1]
As a result, publishers are investing in new romantasy voices, established authors are launching fresh series, and readers are ravenously devouring each new release.
Defining Tropes and Themes in Romantasy
If you’re new to romantasy, look for these core tropes that have come to define the genre:
- Enemies to Lovers with Magical Stakes: Two rivals, often on opposite sides of a magical conflict or prophecy, find themselves irresistibly drawn together even as the world threatens to tear them apart.
- Fated Mates: Characters bound by destiny, magic, or prophecy must decide if fate truly equals love—and if they’re willing to fight for it.
- Reluctant Protector: A magical guardian or assassin is tasked to protect someone off-limits, leading to slow-burn chemistry and forbidden longing.[2]
- HEA/HFN Endings: Romantasy often promises a “happily ever after” (HEA) or “happy for now” (HFN), ensuring the central love story is both satisfying and meaningful.[5]
These tropes provide both comfort and excitement, letting readers anticipate emotional beats while always leaving room for surprise.
What to Read in 2025: Essential Romantasy Picks
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the genre, these 2025 romantasy releases and modern classics deserve a spot on your TBR (to-be-read) pile:
- “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas (ACOTAR Series): A modern classic that helped launch the romantasy boom, this series features a mortal heroine swept into a world of fae, danger, and forbidden love.[3]
- “Blood and Ash” Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout: With prophecies, ancient magic, and a slow-burn romance, this fan-favorite series is at the heart of the romantasy conversation.[4]
- “Fall of Ruin and Wrath” by Jennifer L. Armentrout: Another must-read from Armentrout, blending high-stakes magical intrigue with a passionate, central romance.[3]
- New for 2025: Watch the charts for breakout releases from emerging authors—publishers are betting big on diverse stories and new voices in romantasy this year.[1]
Romantasy’s Impact on Publishing and Pop Culture
The rise of romantasy is transforming not just what people read, but how books are marketed and discussed. Publishers are spotlighting female-led and diverse narratives, and more authors from underrepresented backgrounds are finding success in the genre. Romantasy’s crossover appeal is also introducing new readers to both fantasy and romance, expanding the literary landscape for years to come.[1]
Want to dive deeper? Here’s a great explainer video on what makes romantasy so compelling: