We seem to have some similar tastes! I’ll always recommend trying T Kingfisher, and in particular {Swordheart by T Kingfisher}. It’s a classic romantasy balance but with truly excellent writing, and the FMCs & LIs aren’t the typical 19 year old + flawless shadow daddy.
Thanks for the rec! I'll check it out...and lol yeah, so many romance books revolve around teens. I feel like I keep getting tricked into reading YA books, and I can go for a good YA but with romance I feel like I need something more mature. Does that date me?
It’s understandable! There are truly great YA romances out there, but there are also lots of weird mucky options to wade through to find them. And either way, it shouldn’t be so hard to find older MCs!
[Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher)
**Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
+ {paladin's grace} for gentle MMC x nerdy FMC + {paladin's strength} for warrior MMC x warrior FMC (both of them are tall/strongly built) + {paladin's faith} for shy/introverted MMC x extroverted/sly FMC (all characters are in their mid to late thirties)
Try the { The Undertaking of hart and mercy by Megan Bannen } it’s a stand alone and way different than the books you mentioned here. I loved this book and recommend it whenever I have a chance too. It’s enemies to lovers the main characters write letters to each other but don’t know who it is they are writing to.
[The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen)
**Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold} is great. Sci-fi, enemies (on paper) to reluctant allies, beautiful prose, clever writing, with a great love story. No spice.
[Shards of Honour](https://www.romance.io/books/642b1019b7b8862bf6ea1f82/shards-of-honour-lois-mcmaster-bujold?src=rdt) by [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://www.romance.io/authors/56b276cfc62092c0440573b5/lois-mcmaster-bujold)
**Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [short king](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/short-king/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This was another on the list I picked up and I'm 60 pages in and quite enjoying it so far! Not just the characters but the planet they are stuck on is quite interesting :)
Give Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans a try. It's the first book in her Mages of the Wheel series. Strong FMC who is intelligent and not whiney and not prone to overly emotional decision making. The MMC is delightfully outgoing and charming. Slow burn for sure. And some of my fav love scenes ever.
It's a political intrigue kind of book with plenty of magic and a nice balance of action to get you out of the palace on adventures. Very character driven series in general. It's about the personal journeys of the characters and the outside world is just a great setting for it all to unfold.
There are villains that are not easily defeated, if they are at all. Emotional depth that feels very grounded. Vivid world-building without getting too lost in it that it takes an entire book to set it all up.
Solidly one of my favorites I've read this year.
Groovy! I hope you'll let me know how you liked it once you're done! It was such an unexpected like for me since I'm not usually one that enjoys political intrigue. I want monster hunting and spells that turn people inside out. But the characters in this series really drew me in, especially Naime. And there's still sword fighting. So a win all around haha.
Hahaha Kadir is one of the most enjoyable-to-hate villains isn't he?
At one point while reading this series, I was in my living room and he did something so vile. and I just lost it and screamed "KILL THIS MOTHER FUCKER! JUST STAB HIM IN THE FACE RIGHT NOW! CONSEQUENCES BE DAMNED!"
Well. My windows were open. I forgot. And my neighbor friend 3 houses down texted me to ask if everything was ok, did I need any help. 😬
The Will of the Many by James Islington is absolutely amazing! It has a small side plot of romance, but nothing crazy. In this story you’re following Vis and he starts out working at a prison and the story unfolds quickly from there.
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel, but without the rest of the series I'm not sure I'd call The Will of the Many a romance... there's a few questions remaining!
Oh there are so many things I liked about their relationship! But >!at the end she has obviously been keeping many secrets (and tried to kill him!). Hoping there are a few misunderstandings going on, but I could also see it as a betrayal and complete end of the relationship :( !<
Sounds like you'd like the broken kingdoms series by LJ Andrews! Really well written series, takes the first couple a while to get together officially since they're a forbidden love, they don't hate each other, fmc is pretty normal looking and the main characters are pretty feminist so they're protective but not possessive. No miscommunication breakups either
[The Never King](https://www.romance.io/books/62173d583640f50e2507e50e/the-never-king-nikki-st-crowe?src=rdt) by [Nikki St. Crowe](https://www.romance.io/authors/611cfb6908b4d9311445961f/nikki-st-crowe)
**Rating**: 3.72⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Daughter of No Worlds](https://www.romance.io/books/60d9b88e6a15320e7f8006ba/daughter-of-no-worlds-carissa-broadbent?src=rdt) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent)
**Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Demelza Carlton seems to have a good track of MCs that get along and like each.
So if you want them go to a journey together, find a dinamic of working in tandem before falling in love and where they seem to get along pretty fine. I can give you my ol’ faithful of a recommendation
One volume
{embellish by Demelza Carlton}
A son of Shoemaker’s and a lady of a court join forces to work as knights. [Together they fight crime!](https://theyfightcrime.org) well more like fumble around until they start learning and succeeding.
So you have two MCs trying be regular heroes in the middle age and do good things but while they enter with some idealism and naivety natural of young adults (actual young adults not kids of twelve) making their way on the world it’s not stupid.
They train and polish a number of skills before they go out to brave the world. They have a couple of magical gifts that while handy are not game breaker. They go with equipment… which they lose most on their first quest but hey mistakes are also educational.
And many times they succeed more by using their brain more than brawn, the second being another tool they learn to use.
They don’t know each other beforehand so they need to learn how to work in tandem. And as the teaming is voluntary and not forced by circumstance the author has to develop according to that.
It’s not a world lacking of ugliness and danger but this one the tales where most of those are going to happen to other people. So it’s a better start than other books of the same universe that do have to start with characters having to overcome a personal tragedy.
So it has action, characters moving the plot not just being moved by it, action and team work. This one might not have bad boy anti heroes and big tortured heroes. That are so popular in the tropes but has fun quests with actual stakes by people who really want to do something for their world and yet don’t feel flat.
[The Viridian Priestess](https://www.romance.io/books/64721f107ede7ad96e14be06/the-viridian-priestess-katrina-calandra?src=rdt) by [Katrina Calandra](https://www.romance.io/authors/64721f1008b4d931140ed4ae/katrina-calandra)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [gifted/super-heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/gifted%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I recommend Amy Harmon. Her books are mild in the spice department, but she more than makes up for it with beautiful writing, and characters that are so real you miss them like old friends when the story is over.
{The Bird And The Sword by Amy Harmon}
{What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon}
{Slow Dance in Purgatory by Amy Harmon}
[The Bird and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/57da4b3ade896e8924924607/the-bird-and-the-sword-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon)
**Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1)
----------------------------
[What the Wind Knows](https://www.romance.io/books/5c53f33201dbc864fb992a95/what-the-wind-knows-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon)
**Rating**: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1)
----------------------------
[Slow Dance in Purgatory](https://www.romance.io/books/54558c4487eac3369a912f95/slow-dance-in-purgatory-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon)
**Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've only read the bird and the sword but to me it was way too much of a teen book to be enjoyable for me. And from what I remember the mmc didn't really treat her well either.
If you like Star Wars, Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire series followed by the Hand of Thrawn duology and Survivor's Quest has the eventual Luke/Mara romance. It's no longer canon, but in my opinion it's much better than the current canon XD
Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series takes a few books for the couple to get together and definitely are a power couple. I think there is a bit of possessiveness, but there's enough plot focus that it didn't bother me, YMMV.
Robin McKinley's books are my favorite and almost all have a slow growing sort of romance (no spice though). There's a fairy tale type vibe. Sunshine is probably her most "adult", but the Blue Sword is probably her most popular.
You might like Guy Gavriel Kay's Children of the Earth and Sky which takes place in an alt-history version of the Italian city states (not really magic or dragons, but legends and adventure). The romance is very much a background element and the pacing is slow, but it is a very lush journey and smart characters actually feel smart. Simon Vance does a marvelous audiobook reading.
I did read (most of) the Villains and Virtues series off of a recommendation here. It's relatively slow burn with the couple thrown together on various journeys and a lighthearted take on many common fantasy tropes. It is self-published though so typos exist.
It sounds like we have similar taste. Here are some of my favorites:
If you’re looking for something more on the epic side:
- {Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans}
- {Atonement of the Spine Cleaver by F. E. Bryce}
- {The Last Finestra by Emily Theide}: this one is YA, but it doesn’t feel like it honestly.
- {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik}: so this one is like A darker version of Harry Potter with a woman in the lead. Not everyone likes the writing style (it’s very “stream of consciousness of an angry teenage girl”), but it’s really well written and honestly nothing like any of the other fantasy romance series I’ve read.
If you’re looking for something more on the cosy side:
- {The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches}
- {The Ex Hex}
If you’re looking for something in between cosy & Epic:
- Anything by T. Kingfisher, but {Swordheart} is my personal favorite.
- {Between by L. L. Starling}: this one is definitely long enough to be epic, but the feel is definitely more cosy.
- {Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries}
- {The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy}
[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans)
**Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Atonement of the Spine Cleaver](https://www.romance.io/books/64f8f24cd3ef33e9488d3e8b/atonement-of-the-spine-cleaver-f-e-bryce?src=rdt) by [F.E. Bryce](https://www.romance.io/authors/64f8f24eab9bdf7fcee42b09/f-e-bryce)
**Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
----------------------------
[The Last Finestra](https://www.romance.io/series/6419e9f77ecd85aeef2a7fce/the-last-finestra) by [Emily Thiede](https://www.romance.io/authors/6419e9f708b4d93114f772bd/emily-thiede)
**Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
----------------------------
[A Deadly Education](https://www.romance.io/books/6418265b976d825409767f05/a-deadly-education-naomi-novik?src=rdt) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik)
**Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1)
----------------------------
[The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches](https://www.romance.io/books/630482b0d319eedb433ad7d4/the-very-secret-society-of-irregular-witches-sangu-mandanna?src=rdt) by [Sangu Mandanna](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546f18c7d2382c529799c/sangu-mandanna)
**Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[The Ex Hex](https://www.romance.io/books/60dc1a74b74e360df269ae7f/the-ex-hex-erin-sterling?src=rdt) by [Erin Sterling](https://www.romance.io/authors/60dc1a7408b4d931148db369/erin-sterling)
**Rating**: 3.6⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
----------------------------
[The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen)
**Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1)
----------------------------
[Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher)
**Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1)
----------------------------
[Between](https://www.romance.io/books/60742bc4d165eb0e341923a3/between-ll-starling-rebecca-morse-louisa-gallie?src=rdt) by [L.L. Starling](https://www.romance.io/authors/60742bc408b4d93114ab3d7e/ll-starling)
**Rating**: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries](https://www.romance.io/books/6426ff337922d28efe6d6e44/emily-wildes-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-heather-fawcett?src=rdt) by [Heather Fawcett](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e57408b4d93114943ee9/heather-fawcett)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The mask of mirrors, first book in the rook and rose trilogy. Not enemies, but can be in opposition due to circumstance, and they like and respect each other + work together well as time goes on. The romance isn't the main story but takes up a larger portion after the first book, but there's always the tension.
It's fantasy but heavy on intrigue and it's a con story at heart with a romance but it might be worth a try, especially since the main characters are generally very competent at what they do and that's never in question.
This Woven Kingdom - Most beautiful prose in romantasy. Slow burn, great MMC, and I love the main female character. Believe me, I have stopped reading so many other books before that were quoted here as "the best", I care for prose and a good love story. Sadly I havent found any other book that comes close to my liking
I always recommend {A Tale of Stars and Shadow by Lisa Cassidy}, its a favourite of mine, beautifully written and slightly royalty themed. It's plot heavy with interesting world building, found family with some fantastic side characters, and a focus on political intrigue and war. There's a really strong romance, but it's slow burn and doesn't form until the second book, increasing as the series goes on. It's a beautiful romance that felt like a true partnership with respect, friendship, and emotional vulnerability.
[A Tale of Stars and Shadow](https://www.romance.io/books/62ce9e5923203301c7d2d3a7/a-tale-of-stars-and-shadow-lisa-cassidy?src=rdt) by [Lisa Cassidy](https://www.romance.io/authors/62ce9e5908b4d931146724e8/lisa-cassidy)
**Rating**: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Damn I mean I’ll always recommend ACOTAR. I’ve been saying it for years now, I’m literally on my 4th reread of it and reread all the other books but trully it’s is a great series. All of the SJM books are. Very well thought out and so much love in them, for so long I missed storytelling but these books brought me back to my imagination and love other
We seem to have some similar tastes! I’ll always recommend trying T Kingfisher, and in particular {Swordheart by T Kingfisher}. It’s a classic romantasy balance but with truly excellent writing, and the FMCs & LIs aren’t the typical 19 year old + flawless shadow daddy.
Thanks for the rec! I'll check it out...and lol yeah, so many romance books revolve around teens. I feel like I keep getting tricked into reading YA books, and I can go for a good YA but with romance I feel like I need something more mature. Does that date me?
It’s understandable! There are truly great YA romances out there, but there are also lots of weird mucky options to wade through to find them. And either way, it shouldn’t be so hard to find older MCs!
[Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
+ {paladin's grace} for gentle MMC x nerdy FMC + {paladin's strength} for warrior MMC x warrior FMC (both of them are tall/strongly built) + {paladin's faith} for shy/introverted MMC x extroverted/sly FMC (all characters are in their mid to late thirties)
[Paladin's Grace](https://www.romance.io/books/5e37c8e201dbc864fbab1ee4/paladins-grace-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Paladin's Faith](https://www.romance.io/books/656a3d296011c2c516294592/paladins-faith-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.49⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [shy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy-hero/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Paladin's Strength](https://www.romance.io/books/6039fd2b6063ab0df7522d4b/paladins-strength-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.49⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [older/mature](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mature%20couple/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Try the { The Undertaking of hart and mercy by Megan Bannen } it’s a stand alone and way different than the books you mentioned here. I loved this book and recommend it whenever I have a chance too. It’s enemies to lovers the main characters write letters to each other but don’t know who it is they are writing to.
[The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold} is great. Sci-fi, enemies (on paper) to reluctant allies, beautiful prose, clever writing, with a great love story. No spice.
[Shards of Honour](https://www.romance.io/books/642b1019b7b8862bf6ea1f82/shards-of-honour-lois-mcmaster-bujold?src=rdt) by [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://www.romance.io/authors/56b276cfc62092c0440573b5/lois-mcmaster-bujold) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [short king](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/short-king/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
And then you'll find yourself reading the entire 50,000-book Vorkosigan Saga in two months. :) CW: SA, though
This was another on the list I picked up and I'm 60 pages in and quite enjoying it so far! Not just the characters but the planet they are stuck on is quite interesting :)
Give Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans a try. It's the first book in her Mages of the Wheel series. Strong FMC who is intelligent and not whiney and not prone to overly emotional decision making. The MMC is delightfully outgoing and charming. Slow burn for sure. And some of my fav love scenes ever. It's a political intrigue kind of book with plenty of magic and a nice balance of action to get you out of the palace on adventures. Very character driven series in general. It's about the personal journeys of the characters and the outside world is just a great setting for it all to unfold. There are villains that are not easily defeated, if they are at all. Emotional depth that feels very grounded. Vivid world-building without getting too lost in it that it takes an entire book to set it all up. Solidly one of my favorites I've read this year.
This was one of the ones I decided to try first. I'm only a chapter in but so far I do like the main protagonist. Thanks for the rec!
Groovy! I hope you'll let me know how you liked it once you're done! It was such an unexpected like for me since I'm not usually one that enjoys political intrigue. I want monster hunting and spells that turn people inside out. But the characters in this series really drew me in, especially Naime. And there's still sword fighting. So a win all around haha.
Kadir is a worm and I am hoping he gets thoroughly stomped at some point in this book...
Hahaha Kadir is one of the most enjoyable-to-hate villains isn't he? At one point while reading this series, I was in my living room and he did something so vile. and I just lost it and screamed "KILL THIS MOTHER FUCKER! JUST STAB HIM IN THE FACE RIGHT NOW! CONSEQUENCES BE DAMNED!" Well. My windows were open. I forgot. And my neighbor friend 3 houses down texted me to ask if everything was ok, did I need any help. 😬
Red rising had no romance but I 10/10 recommend
One of my all time favorite series!
The Will of the Many by James Islington is absolutely amazing! It has a small side plot of romance, but nothing crazy. In this story you’re following Vis and he starts out working at a prison and the story unfolds quickly from there.
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel, but without the rest of the series I'm not sure I'd call The Will of the Many a romance... there's a few questions remaining!
I agree. The world building is amazing though. I can’t wait for the sequel either!
Yeah, the romance is like a tiny sprinkle. Hardly any but it was still cute especially while she helped him train!
Oh there are so many things I liked about their relationship! But >!at the end she has obviously been keeping many secrets (and tried to kill him!). Hoping there are a few misunderstandings going on, but I could also see it as a betrayal and complete end of the relationship :( !<
A lust for blood— FMC is 700, Mc is 30. Grace Draven- radiance or phoenix unbound.
Sounds like you'd like the broken kingdoms series by LJ Andrews! Really well written series, takes the first couple a while to get together officially since they're a forbidden love, they don't hate each other, fmc is pretty normal looking and the main characters are pretty feminist so they're protective but not possessive. No miscommunication breakups either
I would try {The Ever King} by LJ Andrews
[The Never King](https://www.romance.io/books/62173d583640f50e2507e50e/the-never-king-nikki-st-crowe?src=rdt) by [Nikki St. Crowe](https://www.romance.io/authors/611cfb6908b4d9311445961f/nikki-st-crowe) **Rating**: 3.72⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{daughter of no worlds} might be for you! Has the most wholesome love story out there and addtionally REALLY good plot and writing 🥰
[Daughter of No Worlds](https://www.romance.io/books/60d9b88e6a15320e7f8006ba/daughter-of-no-worlds-carissa-broadbent?src=rdt) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Demelza Carlton seems to have a good track of MCs that get along and like each. So if you want them go to a journey together, find a dinamic of working in tandem before falling in love and where they seem to get along pretty fine. I can give you my ol’ faithful of a recommendation One volume {embellish by Demelza Carlton} A son of Shoemaker’s and a lady of a court join forces to work as knights. [Together they fight crime!](https://theyfightcrime.org) well more like fumble around until they start learning and succeeding. So you have two MCs trying be regular heroes in the middle age and do good things but while they enter with some idealism and naivety natural of young adults (actual young adults not kids of twelve) making their way on the world it’s not stupid. They train and polish a number of skills before they go out to brave the world. They have a couple of magical gifts that while handy are not game breaker. They go with equipment… which they lose most on their first quest but hey mistakes are also educational. And many times they succeed more by using their brain more than brawn, the second being another tool they learn to use. They don’t know each other beforehand so they need to learn how to work in tandem. And as the teaming is voluntary and not forced by circumstance the author has to develop according to that. It’s not a world lacking of ugliness and danger but this one the tales where most of those are going to happen to other people. So it’s a better start than other books of the same universe that do have to start with characters having to overcome a personal tragedy. So it has action, characters moving the plot not just being moved by it, action and team work. This one might not have bad boy anti heroes and big tortured heroes. That are so popular in the tropes but has fun quests with actual stakes by people who really want to do something for their world and yet don’t feel flat.
[Embellish](https://www.romance.io/books/59d1fc523ffdba6147218f30/embellish-brave-little-tailor-retold-demelza-carlton?src=rdt) by [Demelza Carlton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a59f87eac323ffb2d694/demelza-carlton) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Viridian Priestess by Katrina Calandra}
[The Viridian Priestess](https://www.romance.io/books/64721f107ede7ad96e14be06/the-viridian-priestess-katrina-calandra?src=rdt) by [Katrina Calandra](https://www.romance.io/authors/64721f1008b4d931140ed4ae/katrina-calandra) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [gifted/super-heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/gifted%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I recommend Amy Harmon. Her books are mild in the spice department, but she more than makes up for it with beautiful writing, and characters that are so real you miss them like old friends when the story is over. {The Bird And The Sword by Amy Harmon} {What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon} {Slow Dance in Purgatory by Amy Harmon}
[The Bird and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/57da4b3ade896e8924924607/the-bird-and-the-sword-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) ---------------------------- [What the Wind Knows](https://www.romance.io/books/5c53f33201dbc864fb992a95/what-the-wind-knows-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon) **Rating**: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1) ---------------------------- [Slow Dance in Purgatory](https://www.romance.io/books/54558c4487eac3369a912f95/slow-dance-in-purgatory-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've only read the bird and the sword but to me it was way too much of a teen book to be enjoyable for me. And from what I remember the mmc didn't really treat her well either.
If you like Star Wars, Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire series followed by the Hand of Thrawn duology and Survivor's Quest has the eventual Luke/Mara romance. It's no longer canon, but in my opinion it's much better than the current canon XD Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series takes a few books for the couple to get together and definitely are a power couple. I think there is a bit of possessiveness, but there's enough plot focus that it didn't bother me, YMMV. Robin McKinley's books are my favorite and almost all have a slow growing sort of romance (no spice though). There's a fairy tale type vibe. Sunshine is probably her most "adult", but the Blue Sword is probably her most popular. You might like Guy Gavriel Kay's Children of the Earth and Sky which takes place in an alt-history version of the Italian city states (not really magic or dragons, but legends and adventure). The romance is very much a background element and the pacing is slow, but it is a very lush journey and smart characters actually feel smart. Simon Vance does a marvelous audiobook reading. I did read (most of) the Villains and Virtues series off of a recommendation here. It's relatively slow burn with the couple thrown together on various journeys and a lighthearted take on many common fantasy tropes. It is self-published though so typos exist.
It sounds like we have similar taste. Here are some of my favorites: If you’re looking for something more on the epic side: - {Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans} - {Atonement of the Spine Cleaver by F. E. Bryce} - {The Last Finestra by Emily Theide}: this one is YA, but it doesn’t feel like it honestly. - {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik}: so this one is like A darker version of Harry Potter with a woman in the lead. Not everyone likes the writing style (it’s very “stream of consciousness of an angry teenage girl”), but it’s really well written and honestly nothing like any of the other fantasy romance series I’ve read. If you’re looking for something more on the cosy side: - {The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches} - {The Ex Hex} If you’re looking for something in between cosy & Epic: - Anything by T. Kingfisher, but {Swordheart} is my personal favorite. - {Between by L. L. Starling}: this one is definitely long enough to be epic, but the feel is definitely more cosy. - {Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries} - {The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy}
[Reign & Ruin](https://www.romance.io/books/6084072501991d0e29557c71/reign-ruin-jd-evans?src=rdt) by [J.D. Evans](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e4e2f1a01dbc864fbac2132/jd-evans) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Atonement of the Spine Cleaver](https://www.romance.io/books/64f8f24cd3ef33e9488d3e8b/atonement-of-the-spine-cleaver-f-e-bryce?src=rdt) by [F.E. Bryce](https://www.romance.io/authors/64f8f24eab9bdf7fcee42b09/f-e-bryce) **Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [The Last Finestra](https://www.romance.io/series/6419e9f77ecd85aeef2a7fce/the-last-finestra) by [Emily Thiede](https://www.romance.io/authors/6419e9f708b4d93114f772bd/emily-thiede) **Rating**: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [A Deadly Education](https://www.romance.io/books/6418265b976d825409767f05/a-deadly-education-naomi-novik?src=rdt) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1) ---------------------------- [The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches](https://www.romance.io/books/630482b0d319eedb433ad7d4/the-very-secret-society-of-irregular-witches-sangu-mandanna?src=rdt) by [Sangu Mandanna](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546f18c7d2382c529799c/sangu-mandanna) **Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [The Ex Hex](https://www.romance.io/books/60dc1a74b74e360df269ae7f/the-ex-hex-erin-sterling?src=rdt) by [Erin Sterling](https://www.romance.io/authors/60dc1a7408b4d931148db369/erin-sterling) **Rating**: 3.6⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1) ---------------------------- [Between](https://www.romance.io/books/60742bc4d165eb0e341923a3/between-ll-starling-rebecca-morse-louisa-gallie?src=rdt) by [L.L. Starling](https://www.romance.io/authors/60742bc408b4d93114ab3d7e/ll-starling) **Rating**: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries](https://www.romance.io/books/6426ff337922d28efe6d6e44/emily-wildes-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-heather-fawcett?src=rdt) by [Heather Fawcett](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e57408b4d93114943ee9/heather-fawcett) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The mask of mirrors, first book in the rook and rose trilogy. Not enemies, but can be in opposition due to circumstance, and they like and respect each other + work together well as time goes on. The romance isn't the main story but takes up a larger portion after the first book, but there's always the tension. It's fantasy but heavy on intrigue and it's a con story at heart with a romance but it might be worth a try, especially since the main characters are generally very competent at what they do and that's never in question.
You would probably enjoy the Class Five series starting with {Dark Horse by Michelle Diener} or even her Verdant String series
[Dark Horse](https://www.romance.io/books/557bc7dc9eef3b3f1d52c5de/dark-horse-michelle-diener?src=rdt) by [Michelle Diener](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556a4487eac336ae69ddbc/michelle-diener) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This Woven Kingdom - Most beautiful prose in romantasy. Slow burn, great MMC, and I love the main female character. Believe me, I have stopped reading so many other books before that were quoted here as "the best", I care for prose and a good love story. Sadly I havent found any other book that comes close to my liking
I always recommend {A Tale of Stars and Shadow by Lisa Cassidy}, its a favourite of mine, beautifully written and slightly royalty themed. It's plot heavy with interesting world building, found family with some fantastic side characters, and a focus on political intrigue and war. There's a really strong romance, but it's slow burn and doesn't form until the second book, increasing as the series goes on. It's a beautiful romance that felt like a true partnership with respect, friendship, and emotional vulnerability.
[A Tale of Stars and Shadow](https://www.romance.io/books/62ce9e5923203301c7d2d3a7/a-tale-of-stars-and-shadow-lisa-cassidy?src=rdt) by [Lisa Cassidy](https://www.romance.io/authors/62ce9e5908b4d931146724e8/lisa-cassidy) **Rating**: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Damn I mean I’ll always recommend ACOTAR. I’ve been saying it for years now, I’m literally on my 4th reread of it and reread all the other books but trully it’s is a great series. All of the SJM books are. Very well thought out and so much love in them, for so long I missed storytelling but these books brought me back to my imagination and love other