Read These New Romantic Fantasy Books Before They’re TikTok Famous

Alcove Press, the publisher of The Book of Heartbreak

The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin

Dimitri was Tzar until his dead husband, Alexey, resurrected and overthrew him. These days, every move he makes with his court of exiled friends is stopped before it can even start. Vasily knows he can infiltrate the enemy court as their best spymaster, but he might not be able to survive Alexey’s demon armies. Plus, Dimitri’s not sure he can survive his longtime best friend and new lover’s absence. But to save their people, Dimitri and Vasily will do anything, even if they must study the very dark magic they seek to destroy in this Jewish folklore-inspired fantasy duology.

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

When the college’s best mage, Sebastian, accidentally casts a forbidden spell binding the noble class clown, Leovander, to him, their lives change forever. Journeying across a forbidden forest for a mysterious sorcerer’s help is Leo and Sebastian’s best shot at breaking the spell binding them together. They have broken more rules than Sebastian knows how to handle, but he will do anything to disentangle their lives. The fact that they are growing to like each other only complicates things further.

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang

In this sapphic fantasy novella, the king sends mysterious dragon hunter, Yeva, to investigate the rumor that there is a dragon hiding in the dragon-worshipping nation of Quanbao. After saving her sibling from a baby dragon attack, Yeva awoke her dragon-hunting powers, permanently injured her arm, and was sent north to train her abilities. She hasn’t been home since. On her latest mission, Yeva starts to remember the person she was before her training, now only a short trip from her family. That proximity has led her to relax her training, leave her armor behind, reveal her face, and fall for the Quanbao’s Queen, Sookhee. In doing so, she threatens everything as a hero with free will and the power to change her beliefs.

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

Rae was accustomed to being the mean cheerleader before she got cancer. So, when she’s told she could be cured by completing an impossible task in another world, she says yes with the determination to survive, no matter the cost. Immediately, Rai becomes the villainess from her and her sister’s favorite book series. Just one problem: she was so sick for so long that she doesn’t quite remember the plot. Now that she has a healthy body and a chance, though, even that can’t stop Rai from completing her task and surviving another day. This villainess portal fantasy novel also has a to-die-for romantic subplot with an unhinged love interest.

Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee

Sunny Cho is an immortal gumiho who has made a home for herself in the mortal American world after a bloody event marked her life in supernatural Korea. Working in Las Vegas casinos, no one cares about her past… That is, until an old PI friend, Ethan Lee, tracks her down and asks her to investigate his brother’s murder. As Sunny looks into the mystery further, she realizes that her past has caught up to her. Ethan is more than willing to help with his reassuring, handsome smile. Plus, if she wants to live a normal life, Sunny will have to resolve the supernatural threats knocking at her door.

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

Of course, Lady Theodosia Balfour hates that her stepsister, Princess Beatrice, told everyone Theo is an evil stepsister and her family is wicked. Now, Theo’s best bet out of financial ruin and marriage to a foul old husband is getting a wish from a fairy godmother. But summoning Cecily of the Ash Fairies did not magically fix her problems. Beatrice didn’t have to prove she was pure of heart, but the fairy wants Theo to perform three tasks to prove she is. At least Cecily’s familiars, Phineas and Karsa, can help. Discovering an unprecedented level of happiness and belonging was an unexpected perk of performing the dangerous tasks. Theo deserves a happy ending, and she will do anything to fight for one.

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley

In 1910s Coney Island, merman Río was stolen from the East River to become the newest sideshow exhibit. Benny was the orphaned Boricua blacksmith hired to create the ironwork tank for the man who captured him. As they spend more time together, Benny begins to relate to Río, and he becomes less mythical every passing day. When camaraderie morphs to a friendship and an undeniable soul-deep love, Benny yearns to release Río, even if it means losing him, his job, and his place in New York.

The Sun Blessed Prince by Lindsey Byrd

It’s a secret that Prince Elician has the power to heal anyone, resurrect the dead, and never die. If it were revealed, Elician wouldn’t be able to fight for his country in the war. But on the bloody banks of the battlefield, he finds his magical opposite—a man whose touch has the power to kill, he calls Cat. Elician unexpectedly offers Cat a comfortable place by his side, but court politics upend their unlikely partnership. Now, men with powers over life and death will have to fight to find peace together.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

In Penterra, dragons are extinct, magic is nearly gone, and humans reign supreme. As the adopted daughter of the royal family, Princess Tamsyn doesn’t have time to care about magic. She serves as the other princesses’ sister and whipping girl. If they make a mistake, Tamsyn is punished. The first time she is truly considered part of the family, they ask her to marry Fell, the brutal warrior who protected the northern border, demanding a princess’s hand in payment. After the wedding, Fell discovers the royals’ trickery, but remains committed to his new wife. Leaving the castle for the first time in her life with a group of warriors who hate her isn’t ideal, but Tamsyn’s committed to doing what she does best: enduring it.

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer (August 12, 2025)

A warrior, a princess, and an assassin are in an epic slow-burn power throuple while on the run from unknown political assassins. As part of a peace treaty, King Maddox negotiated his marriage contract to Princess Jory: in exchange for food and resources, Jory’s people will receive his army’s protection. But on their wedding day, the princess’s childhood best friend, Asher, received dual assassination contracts for Ky and Jory. Asher wants to save Jory and kill Ky, but she convinces him to save them both. Even if it means abducting Ky against his will and confronting all the problems that follow them.

Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark (September 30, 2025)

Agnir is the ward and hostage who ensures peace among the clans of the fens. Living alongside her enemies’ children, it is natural that she started to fall for Hadhnri, the chieftain’s daughter. It is slightly unnatural for them to awaken a hidden magical spring that changes them both forever. The love between Agnir and Hadhnri is tested by the growing tensions between the clans and the cost of their new powers in this sapphic fantasy novella.

Red City by Marie Lu (October 14, 2025)

Set in an alternate Los Angeles, Lu’s adult fantasy debut is reckless, ruinous, and rancorous in the best way. Crime syndicates’ alchemy dominates the black market to supply the world’s elites’ taste for sand, a drug that makes them the perfect version of themselves. Grand Central and Lumines control L.A.’s market, but when two childhood friends grow into stars of the opposing syndicates, the careful balance between the two is upended. There is no such thing as loyalty and love in a war that has the power to destroy the city of angels.  

The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri (October 21, 2025)

In Britain, over hundreds of lives, a knight and a witch are fated to continuously fall in love and doom each other. The witch of the woods, Simran, and the knight of the Queen’s court, Vina, want to break the pattern by telling a stronger story than the one they’ve been given; the only question is how. When an assassin begins to target tales like theirs, Simran and Viana’s timeline accelerates. Will they break their curse in time to secure their happy ending? One thing’s for sure: medieval-folklore-inspired sapphic fantasy has never been hotter.

Our Vicious Oaths by N. E. Davenport (October 28, 2025)

A king and his rival warrior-princess create an unbreakable alliance that will change the fae courts forever. King of the Apollyon Court, Malachi, came into his crown with the knowledge that the best time to weaken his enemies would be at the princess of the Aether Dominion, Kadeesha, and the Hyperion High King’s wedding. By wounding the High King, killing Kadeesha’s father, and taking her hostage, Malachi now has a chance at revenge. Luckily, Kadeesha hates her fiancée almost as much as Malachi does. The two team up to kill the king and, in return for Kadeesha’s cooperation, the Aether people will remain safe. But who is protecting her heart from her kidnapper?