Summer is the perfect season to sit by the pool with a relaxing read and a refreshment. But every year, suitcase-stuffing bookworms around the globe ask themselves the same question: which books are worth the weight?
One genre in particular is populating people’s luggage lately. I’m talking about romantasy — which weaves together heart-fluttering romance and spellbinding fantasy. While the piña colada cools you down, your next romantasy read is sure to warm your heart! In this post, I’ll share 10 hand-picked recommendations that are sure to have you swooning under the summer sun.
1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Let’s kick things off with a title you may already know, if you’ve got your finger on the romantasy (or cozy fantasy) pulse: T.J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, and he gets assigned to investigate a suspicious orphanage run by Arthur — the warm-as-sunshine caretaker. What starts as a routine job becomes so much more when Linus begins to fall for Arthur (and his rabble-rousing pack of magical orphans).
The House in the Cerulean Sea is chock full of fan-favorite romance tropes, from the lovable grumpy/sunshine dynamic between its leads, to the adorably ragtag found family they come to share. Linus’ move from the cold, sterile big city to the windswept Marsyas Island is the perfect escapist fantasy to enjoy on your own coastal vacation.
2. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
We’ll keep the cozy, found family vibes going with our second pick.
Witches are few and far between in modern Britain, and Mika Moon is one of them. She lives a quiet life, uploading videos about “fictional” spells to her eccentric social media page. After all, who’s going to take her seriously?
Well, one day, Mika receives a message begging her to teach three young witches how to control their magic. Against her better judgment, Mika agrees. What starts as a temporary tutoring gig grows into so much more, as Mika finds herself drawn into the warm chaos of her new abode, the mysterious Nowhere House. And it isn’t just her new students who find their way into Mika’s heart…
If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance developed over gentle banter and shared cups of tea, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches has you covered. Pick this one up for some good ol’ fashioned cottage-core comfort reading.
3. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
From an idyllic seaside chalet to a secluded woodland retreat, let’s wander into Emily Tesh’s Silver in the Wood.
Tobias Finch has spent centuries protecting the secrets of Greenhollow Wood from the outside world. He spends his days alone, toiling away with his cat, Pearl, and the odd visit from a dryad. That is, until Henry Silver — a curious folklore scholar — becomes the new owner of Greenhollow Hall. As the secrets of the ancient forest are unveiled, the pair must reckon with the magic of Greenhollow Wood and the unexpected romance that blooms between them.
Silver in the Wood is on the shorter side, clocking in at just 112 pages, so it’s most fitting for a quiet weekend getaway. Bonus points if said trip is to an atmospheric cabin deep in a lush forest — just make sure your book is the only thing you get lost in!
4. The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
These cozy romantasies are all well and good, but… where’s the drama? Never fear, messy love triangle fans — Alicia Jasinska has got you covered.
Inspired by the woefully underexplored mythology of Poland, The Midnight Girls provides a refreshing take on what a fantasy world can look like. The story takes place in the Kingdom of Lechija, a snow-cloaked country home to the charming Prince Józef. Two innocent young girls named Zosia and Marynka are vying for Józef’s pure heart… literally.
The truth is, Zosia and Marynka aren’t as wide-eyed as they seem. They’re supernatural beings, bound to dark masters who demand princely hearts as payment. They say you should keep your friends close, and your enemies closer… but what happens when your enemy becomes something more? Perhaps the Prince’s heart isn’t the ultimate prize after all.
Unique and compelling setting? Check. Enemies-to-lovers? Also check. A heartfelt Sapphic romance? Check, check, and check. Yes, The Midnight Girls has something for everyone. Don’t eat your heart out — give it a try.
5. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
While The Midnight Girls draws from Polish folklore, The Jasmine Throne takes its inspiration from Indian history and mythology — another culture often overlooked in mainstream fantasy.
The similarities don’t end there, however. The Jasmine Throne treats us to another slow-burn lesbian love story… though these sapphic sweethearts aren’t supernatural monsters in disguise. Instead, Priya is a lowly maidservant serving Princess Malini, who has been imprisoned by her despotic brother, Emperor Chandara. The story begins in media res, with Priya saving Malini from a brutal assassination attempt. The pair escape their confinement and embark on a dangerous quest to reclaim Malini’s rightful throne.
The Jasmine Throne offers everything romantasy fans crave: forbidden love, magical powers, and a fight against tyranny, all wrapped in stunning South Asian-inspired worldbuilding. This is epic fantasy at its finest, great for readers who want romance served with a side of revolution.
6. Tithe by Holly Black
You might recognize Holly Black as the author of the wildly successful The Folk of the Air trilogy. But you may be surprised to learn that her first foray into romantasy, Tithe, was released all the way back in 2002!
Strange as it might sound, the story is set in an alternate version of New Jersey. Hidden between recognizable real-life locations like Allaire State Park and the Ocean City Boardwalk lies the realm of the faerie — the site of an ancient war between two opposing magical factions.
Said conflict inadvertently spills over into the human world when sixteen-year-old Kaye Fierch rescues a handsome white-haired young man from bleeding out in the woods. This fateful meeting eventually leads to a dangerous entanglement with the fae courts, as Kaye discovers that she’s more connected to their world than she ever imagined.
A morally gray love interest, forbidden magic, star-crossed longing — Tithe helped to lay the groundwork for many of the dark romantasy tropes readers love today. Give it a read if you want a taste of “OG” romantasy narratives.
7. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Moving south from New Jersey to Georgia, we have Ilona Andrews’ Magic Bites. Post-apocalyptic Atlanta is subject to a strange cycle: when technology works, magic is unusable, and vice versa. The pendulum swings back and forth between the two, as each excursion into the magical leaves devastation in its wake.
Our protagonist, Kate Daniels, makes ends meet by cleaning up after these supernatural problems. Unfortunately, this line of work draws her into an intense power struggle between two of Atlanta’s most fearsome magical factions. In the process, Kate butts heads with the intimidating Curran — and their clashes are charged with more than just magical tension.
If you’re looking for a snarky, no-nonsense heroine that isn’t afraid to get her flirt on, Magic Bites is the story you’ve been seeking. The best part? This is only book one of ten in the Kate Daniels series (plus a couple of side stories). Of course, Magic Bites stands on its own — but if you like what you read, there’s plenty more where that came from.
8. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Since we’re on the subject of romantasy series, we’d be remiss not to cover the first entry in The Shepard King duology: One Dark Window. This series is less of a potential commitment than Magic Bites, and it’s just as full of romantasy goodness.
Elspeth Spindle thinks she’s done for when she’s left on death’s doorway by a strange fever. Instead of a lingering cough, Elspeth is left with a unique magical ability — she’s able to wield magic that can ordinarily only be accessed through special “providence” cards.
Elspeth needs to keep quiet about her newfound abilities, but a chance encounter with a mysterious (and handsome) highwayman named Ravyn exposes her secret. Fortunately for Elspeth, Ravyn has no interest in turning her in. What follows instead is a slow-burn romance, as the pair work together to overthrow their kingdom’s corrupt ruler.
As the name implies, One Dark Window is a Gothic romantasy with some dark undertones. It may be less outwardly wholesome than some of our previous entries, but the romance is just as compelling. If you’re in the mood for a broodier poolside page-turner, this is the book for you.
9. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Some of you may be getting impatient. After all, we’re eight entries in… and there are still no dragons!? Sorry to keep you waiting so long. The Priory of the Orange Tree covers our fictional firebreather quota for this list.
In this book, different cultures have different perspectives on how dragons should be treated. In the east, they are revered and respected — there is no honor greater than to be chosen as a dragonrider. Meanwhile, western nations fear and condemn the so-called “wyrms”.
It’s against this backdrop of ancient dragon lore and political tension that we meet Queen Sabran, and her mysterious lady-in-waiting, Ead Duryan. Their relationship begins as a careful dance of court politics and hidden loyalties, but gradually blossoms into one of the most beautifully crafted slow-burn romances in modern romantasy.
How do the dragons play into all this? No spoilers here. Get reading, and find out for yourself!
Clocking in at a staggering 848 pages, The Priory of the Orange Tree is best saved for an extended stay somewhere sunny. This book might be massive, but trust us: it’s worth the space in your suitcase. Or just get a Kindle already!
10. Basara by Yumi Tamura
While romantasy has only really caught on in the western world over the past few years, it’s been a genre staple in Japan for decades. Case in point: Yumi Tamara’s Basara, which began serialization all the way back in 1990.
The story follows Sarasa, a young girl on a mission to defeat the tyrannical Red King, who rules post-apocalyptic Japan with an iron fist. Along the way she meets Shuri, a strikingly handsome man with an eccentric streak. The two are immediately enamored with one another, though the perils of their grand journey put their budding feelings to the test.
Basara overflows with all the heartwarming romantic goodness you’d expect from the genre, matched only by the high-stakes drama of Sarasa’s quest. However, Tamura’s breathtaking artwork is what really brings this story to life. If you’re a long-time romantasy fan and you’ve never read a Japanese comic book (or manga), then give this one a try — you won’t be disappointed.
There you have it! Ten heartwarming romantasy stories for you to enjoy on your summer vacation. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll experience a magical romance of your own this summer… minus the spell-casting, of course.
Nick Bailey writes about writing and publishing for Reedsy, an online marketplace that connects authors with editors, designers, and marketers to help them publish a book. Aside from reading, Nick enjoys hiking, electronic music, and filling up his personal cookbook with new recipes.