It was a great time to be a romantasy reader in 2025, as many new books straddled the line between the fantasy and romance genres — and the best of them were reminders of why the joint category is booming.
After the viral success of books like A Court of Thorns & Roses and Fourth Wing, it's no surprise publishers are pursuing more fantastical narratives that focus heavily on romance. That shows no signs of slowing as we head into 2026. But before we get excited about new releases on the horizon, it's worth celebrating all the great romantasy titles that came out this year.
2025 started with a bang, with its most-anticipated romantasy release hitting shelves in January — and dominating the cultural conversation for months after. Perhaps that was reflective of the genre's trajectory over the year, as the following months gave us many other great stories to chew on. From one Diviners' quest to find her sisters and the truth about the gods to an adventure involving a fatal curse, these romantasy books were the most memorable of this year's lineup.
1. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Rachel Gillig became a master of gothic romantasy with The Shepherd King duology, but The Knight and the Moth might be her best book yet. The 2025 novel kicks off another duology, following a heroine forced to unpack her faith and unravel dark truths about the gods. Sybil's story opens with her sisters disappearing one-by-one, hooking readers with its gripping central mystery.
As Sybil embarks on a journey to find them — complete with a brooding knight and sassy gargoyle — the story ventures to interesting and unexpected places. It's simultaneously tense, thoughtful, and comedic, walking a careful balance between the three. The Knight and the Moth is the prime example of romantasy done right; there's a compelling romance, sure, but there's also much more at stake. And because we come to care about the characters and their bonds with one another, the larger crises hit even harder.
2. Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross returns to the world of her Divine Rivals duology in Wild Reverence, and her 2025 prequel continues to embrace lush, lyrical storytelling — just with more detailed world-building and a more mature focus. Wild Reverence repeats the strengths of the previous books in this world, centering two characters you want to root for both separately and together. It also contains plenty of nods to the power of the arts, something that makes me appreciate Ross' stories over and over.
What really makes Wild Reverence stand out are the ways that it's different from Divine Rivals, however. Ross puts a much larger emphasis on the world-building this time around, creating a hierarchy of gods and goddesses that feels like established mythology. I'd wager the gods and their history are the best element of this 2025 romantasy release.
3. The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem
Sara Hashem's Egyptian-inspired romantasy finale, The Jasad Crown, delivers an emotional and satisfying conclusion to the author's Scorched Throne duology. It demands a place among 2025's finest romantasy books, as its ending is likely to stick with readers long after they've closed the back cover. The stakes were high on the heels of The Jasad Heir, but Hashem repeatedly finds a way to raise them throughout the sequel.
Combined with the masterfully crafted relationship between Sylvia and Arin — one of romantasy's most compelling romances, in my opinion — it's a recipe for anxiety and heartbreak in equal measure. It makes for an incredible reading experience, though it may leave you wishing for more time with these characters and world.
4. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
While I'd argue Onyx Storm is the weakest of the Empyrean Series books currently published, that's not saying much — and the sequel demands a place among 2025's best romantasy titles for its sheer impact on the genre alone. Rebecca Yarros' much-anticipated return to Navarre came out in January, and it's a novel people are still talking about (and will be discussing until its follow-up finally arrives).
To its credit, Onyx Storm gets a lot right in spite of its shortcomings. Violet's relationship with Xaden progresses in a way that makes the book's ending both gutting and intriguing. The action is also intense and has believable consequences, and characters like Ridoc and Andarna get some much-needed attention. Humor and banter balances the more serious threats well, and Onyx Storm's ending does exactly what it needs to: gets readers locked in and eager for the next sequel.
5. Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
Kristen Ciccarelli's Crimson Moth duology is among the most underrated romantasy stories to hit shelves over the last few years. However, I'm giving Rebel Witch its flowers and placing it among 2025's best books in the category. The final chapter of Rune and Gideon's story, Rebel Witch does an excellent job of resurrecting its angsty enemies-to-lovers romance — and it weaves it seamlessly into the duology's political storyline.
The book offers a satisfying conclusion on both fronts, balancing the romantic storyline and the higher-stakes outcome of the witches' rebellion perfectly. The finale is fast-paced, full of twists, and deliciously tense. Basically, it's everything you could ask for in a conclusion.
6. A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Another 2025 romantasy release deserving of more love is A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim. A rare standalone in the category (though it does connect to Six Crimson Cranes), A Forgery of Fate blends East Asian folklore with a Beauty and the Beast reimagining. This results in an experience that feels both comfortably familiar and fresh.
Like many of 2025's best additions to the romantasy genre, A Forgery of Fate balances the two halves of the category well. The yearning and build-up to the romantic relationship are expertly executed, but the main plot still delivers epic stakes and an engrossing narrative.
That's not even accounting for the main character's magic, which is among the more unique abilities I've read about. The book also explores deeper themes of identity and free will, raising timely conversations. It's truly impressive how much Lim accomplishes in just one novel.
7. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Shield of Sparrows made a splash following its May 2025 debut, with Devney Perry's pivot into romantasy marking a promising change of pace for the author. Her background in romance ensures that this element of Shield of Sparrows is well handled — though it's worth noting that the book takes a slow-burn approach. While it may not appeal to every reader, that's something I'd argue is a breath of fresh air, especially in a landscape full of "instalove."
Even more impressive than Shield of Sparrows' romance, however, is the book's plotting and world-building — two strengths that are evident throughout. The pacing may not be quick and snappy, but Perry's gradual setup pays off. It's also lovely to follow a heroine who embraces a quieter strength than most romantasy heroines. This makes her encounters with the story's monsters and threats that much more interesting, and it's another point in the book's favor.
8. The Robin on the Oak Throne by K.A. Linde
The Oak and Holly Cycle continued with The Robin on the Oak Throne in 2025, and the sequel far surpassed the first book. The Robin on the Oak Throne amplifies everything that was great about The Wren in the Holly Library, using book one as a jumping-off point to take Kierse's story to new heights. And Kierse's growth alone is worth picking up the sequel for; she really comes into her own in this installment.
Kierse's evolution isn't the only reason The Robin on the Oak Throne lands among 2025's best romantasy titles, however. The sequel ramps up the stakes with its heists and twists, and it expands on K.A. Linde's world in really interesting ways. It will leave readers desperate to get their hands on the third book, The Raven at the Ash Door. Fortunately, it'll be here in 2026.
9. Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma
Tigest Girma's Immortal Dark trilogy returned with Eternal Ruin this fall, and the second book marked a step up from an already-strong first chapter. Girma continues to highlight the brutally realistic world that Kidan resides in, but the sequel expands on it, delivering all the political intrigue and surprising twists you could want. Its heroine leans deeper into her anger as well, which is compelling if you're like me and appreciate morally dubious characters.
Eternal Ruin also continues to deliver on the incredible dynamic between Kidan and Susenyos, and it's everything a proper enemies-to-lovers narrative should be. There are many great moments between the two characters, bringing enough tension to immediately land this among 2025's best romantasy.
10. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde series is cozier and lower-stakes than many of the other titles on this list, but it's no less appealing. In fact, those elements are part of its charm. And Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales recaptures the strengths of the first two books in this final installment, bringing Emily and Wendell's story to a satisfying close. The book takes the duo on their most daunting adventure yet, tasking them with saving Wendell's kingdom — and exploring how Emily feels about becoming its queen.
That willingness to truly dig into Emily's thoughts on the matter is a highlight of the sequel, and her relationship with Wendell shines brighter than ever. It's a testament to the book's quality that I'd readily devour more of these.