That depends on what makes your heart race: dragons, dangerous deals, or a love interest with questionable intentions and excellent cheekbones. You don’t need to know every fantasy term to join the fun, just follow your curiosity and prepare to get attached.
Here are five romantasy books to start with, whether you’re here for the magic, the romance, or the delicious chaos of both!
The best romantasy books for your start:
Starting your first romantasy book can feel like stepping into an unfamiliar world. Fourth Wing makes that leap exciting with dragons, dangerous trials, and a romance that turns up the heat. Could it be the book that gets you hooked on romantasy? Find out in this article.
📚 1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
(Fourth Wing, The Empyrean, #1)
Why it’s a great place to start:
Dragons, deadly trials, and romantic tension—Fourth Wing gives you plenty to get hooked on. Its modern writing style makes the fantasy world feel approachable, even if you’re new to the genre.
Why you should read it:
- Dragons with big personalities. Enough said.
- A dangerous academy where survival is never guaranteed.
- An enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of heat.
Verdict: Start here if you want action, romance, and a strong temptation to cancel your plans for “just one more chapter.”
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
After hesitating to read this book I finally read it. “I don’t like dragons, so I shouldn’t read it, right?”
I was wrong.
View all my reviews
📚 2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
(A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)
What it’s about:
When Feyre, a young huntress, kills a wolf in the woods, she’s pulled into a magical land as punishment. Her captor, Tamlin, is a powerful Fae lord whose world is hiding dangers—and secrets—she never imagined.
Why it’s a great place to start:
The Beauty and the Beast-inspired premise gives you something familiar to hold on to while you discover the fantasy world. Expect a slower beginning, with time to explore the setting and watch the romance develop before the stakes rise.
Why you should read it:
- A magical world filled with beautiful courts, ancient curses, and dangerous creatures.
- A slow-burning romance with mystery and steamy moments.
- A determined heroine who must rely on more than physical strength.
- The beginning of a series with plenty more to explore.
Verdict: Start here if you love fairy tales with sharp edges, mysterious love interests, and a romance that takes its time. You might enter for the enchantment and stay for the drama.m insta reels just because the one line summary looks good. But maybe you don’t?
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOWWWW
View all my reviews
📚 3. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
(Letters of Enchantment, #1)
What it’s about:
Iris Winnow is a young journalist trying to support her family while searching for her missing brother. The letters she writes to him mysteriously reach Roman Kitt—her frustratingly talented rival at the newspaper. As an anonymous correspondence draws them closer, the war threatens to change both their lives.
Why it’s a great place to start:
The familiar setting of newspapers, deadlines, and career ambitions makes the fantasy feel approachable. The romance develops through heartfelt letters, making this a strong choice if you enjoy emotional connection and a gentler touch of magic.
Why you should read it:
- A rivals-to-lovers romance built on wit, vulnerability, and understanding.
- Magical letters that make every reply feel worth waiting for.
- A richly atmospheric world inspired by historical wartime settings.
- A story about love, family, and finding hope when life feels uncertain.
Verdict: Start here if heartfelt letters and quiet romantic moments make you swoon. Just keep a tissue nearby—the deadlines aren’t the only things putting these characters under pressure.Verdict: Read it with zero expectations.
📚 4. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
(Crowns of Nyaxia, #1)
What it’s about:
Oraya, the human adopted daughter of a vampire king, enters the Kejari—a deadly tournament held in honor of the goddess Nyaxia. To survive against competitors far stronger than herself, she forms an alliance with Raihn, a dangerous vampire who challenges everything she’s been taught to believe.
Why it’s a great place to start:
The tournament gives the story a clear, compelling focus while introducing its darker fantasy world. If you enjoy high stakes, complicated loyalties, and steamy romance, there’s plenty here to pull you in.
Why you should read it:
- A deadly competition where every alliance comes with a risk.
- An enemies-to-lovers romance built on reluctant trust.
- A determined human heroine navigating a world of powerful vampires.
- Complicated family bonds that make the emotional stakes just as gripping as the action.
Verdict: Start here if you want vampires, fierce competition, and a romance that makes trust feel like the most dangerous gamble of all. Expect bloodshed, explicit scenes, and some difficult choices.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa BroadbentView all my reviews
Why Romantasy Is Worth Exploring
- Discover what makes you swoon—slow-burning romance, witty rivals, or dangerous alliances.
- Let your imagination wander through enchanted courts, dragon academies, and worlds full of secrets.
- Enjoy both kinds of tension—will they survive, and will they finally kiss?
- Find your own favorites—whether you prefer dreamy fairy tales or darker adventures.
You don’t have to find your perfect romantasy book on the first try. Pick the story that sparks your curiosity and give it a chance. Maybe you’ll fall for the magic, the romance, or a dragon with a questionable attitude. That’s part of the fun.
Final Thoughts on Your First Romantasy Book
The best romantasy book to start with is the one that makes you want to turn the next page. Maybe that’s a dragon-filled adventure, a magical love letter, or a fairy tale with a dangerous twist. Everyone’s taste is different—and discovering yours is part of the pleasure.
So pick the book that caught your eye. Get comfortable, keep a cozy cup of tea nearby, and see where the story takes you. Your next favorite might be waiting in the first chapter. ☕
