Honestly… I think it's because real life can be a bit too much sometimes. Work, study, tasks, chores — they all feel mundane, repetitive, and sometimes stressful.
Not to mention the political situation that's going on in the world right now…
Needless to say, we all want a bit of escape from reality. We want to disappear into another world — especially one with magic and hot fae 😏
That's where escapism romantasy books come in. They give us readers a mental escape from everyday life.
Whether you're seeking relief from stress, comfort through well-earned romantic stories, or emotional immersion rather than realism, this genre just delivers.
Are you looking for magical kingdoms? Powerful heroines? Sweeping love stories? Here are my top romantasy books that you can lose yourself in — stories that feel like a vacation for your mind. (If you also dislike messy love triangles, you might prefer my list of fantasy romance books with no love triangle instead.)
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A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
I can't talk about romantasy without mentioning ACOTAR. This series lives in so many readers' hearts. It also brought a lot of people back into reading (hands up, I'm one of them 🙋🏻♀️).
Why read it? Magical fae courts, romance that feels well-earned and very romantic, moderate spice, and immersive world-building. It's emotional, easy to read, and honestly addictive.
Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Another big name in romantasy right now. If you're a fan of dragons, come this way. This series has dragon riders, a fast-paced plot, complicated dynamics, and emotional bonding.
Very binge-worthy, with around 2–3/5 spice.
Why read it? Dragons, deadly trials, and nonstop tension.
The Crowns of Nyaxia series
by Carissa Broadbent
Who's a fan of vampires? You might like this one. It's very different from the vampire world we usually know (like Twilight), and it's darker and more gripping.
Why read it? Undeniable tension, deadly trials, slow-burn romance, and enemies to lovers.
Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
This one is heavier on plot than romance. But this world… oh my dear, you have to experience it.
The character arcs are insane. You really see their growth and development. I honestly feel like I'm growing older with them. The writing is well executed and full of plot twists.
Why read it? Epic fantasy with assassins, kingdoms, and long-term character arcs. Perfect if you want escapism with a large-scale storyline.
Quicksilver
by Callie Hart
Great banter — I laughed out loud (literally, I did!). Another fae world with a moving plot combined with intense romantic tension.
Very addictive, edgy, and emotionally charged. Though I didn't love the writing in the first book (it felt a bit immature for my taste), the second book (Brimstone) improved a lot. Still, I found it slightly less fun than the first.
Why read it? If you're in for romance, a lovable FMC, and fun banter — give it a try.
The Wolf King
by Lauren Palphreyman
I ate this series up. One of the MMCs I fell hard for (if you know, you know).
If you like wolves, alpha politics, and a good level of spice, you'll probably enjoy this.
(Also, I highly recommend the audiobook — Zara Hampton-Brown and Shane East did a great job bringing the characters to life.)
Why read it? Strong emotional romance and immersive power dynamics.
Dire Bound
by Sable Sorensen
This series is SO easy to read. Well written, and the FMC is actually lovable — one of the few where I didn't feel annoyed.
It has that academy romantasy vibe with structured deadly trials.
Why read it? Magical bond system, emotional stakes, and well-developed romance.
The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
YA and easy to read. Rich fae world-building, atmospheric, and very easy to get lost in.
The romance is subtle and not the main focus. If you're here for spice and emotional payoff, you might need to look elsewhere.
Why read it? Gripping political intrigue and the psychology behind why we love morally grey characters. (And once you've finished the trilogy, brace yourself—I wrote a whole piece on the emotional hangover after The Cruel Prince.)
Not worth the hype (for me)
Two escapism romantasy books I read but didn't quite make the list:
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
(Please don't come at me 😅)
It was enjoyable, but the writing felt too repetitive for me, and the FMC… honestly one of the most annoying I've read.
I loved Hawke/Casteel, but I just couldn't continue because of Poppy. I finished the first book but decided not to continue the series. Sorry!
Rhapsodic
by Laura Thalassa
I didn't like this one at all — which makes me sad because the concept is actually very unique.
Though maybe it's because contemporary romantasy isn't really my taste (that already put me off a bit), but the main issue was the FMC. I have zero tolerance for whiny characters who do nothing but wait to be rescued.
The romance also felt forced — I didn't really understand why they fell for each other. I just didn't buy it.
Final Thoughts
If you want romantasy that's not just aesthetic but actually hooks you with story, world, and emotion, this list is your perfect starting point.
These are the books that make you disappear into another world — and never want to leave. If you want to understand why these worlds pull us in so hard, my essay on why we get so emotionally attached to fictional men in fantasy romance is a good companion read.
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Save this list for your next reading escape 📚