10 new romantasy books coming January 2026

Release date: January 6, 2026

In the last remaining human city of Vinguard, being dragon cursed is a fate worse than death, a slow, agonizing transformation into a mindless beast that destroys everyone you love. When Isola, hailed as Valor Reborn and the city's prophesied savior, begins to suspect she might be hiding the very curse she's meant to fight, her carefully constructed life starts to unravel. The only person who might know her secret is Lucan, a mysterious figure who shadows her every move, part protector, part tormentor, and keeper of unfathomable secrets of his own.

Why you should read this: Elise Kova is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author beloved for A Deal with the Elf King and the Air Awakens series, and this marks her highly anticipated return to dragon filled fantasy. With pulse pounding action, a hero who's equal parts infuriating and swoon worthy, and a deliciously tense "he knows her secret" dynamic, this YA duology delivers all the romantasy goods.

Release date: January 6, 2026

Aren Bellamore has zero interest in fairy tales or princes, she's perfectly content running her tavern and dreaming of escape. But when a near death experience binds her to a dangerously handsome stranger, she finds herself tangled in an impossible bargain. Prince Dietan has carried the cursed Rings of Fate since childhood, ancient weapons that are slowly killing him. He needs a fake fiancée to hide his secrets on the journey to break his curse. Aren needs freedom. It should be simple. But as political schemes, monstrous creatures, and undeniable attraction complicate their perilous journey, the line between pretend and destiny begins to blur.

Why you should read this: If you love your romantasy with sharp tongued heroines and fake dating that gets way too real, this one's for you. Melissa De La Cruz delivers a classic fairy tale setup with a cynical twist, Aren doesn't believe in happily ever afters, which makes watching her fall for one all the more satisfying. The banter alone is worth the read!

Release date: January 13, 2026

Rune Ryker has lost everything to the Immortals, her family, her home, her freedom. Now she's done playing by their rules. When humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms, Rune orchestrates her own selection, determined to find her family and destroy anyone in her way. But first she must survive the Forge, a cutthroat dark academia institution for learning deadly tarot magic. When her power reveals itself to be the rarest and most dangerous kind, she's forced to live and train with its only other wielder, the arrogant, ruthlessly ambitious Prince Draven. Some want to use her. More want her dead. And her growing attraction to Draven might just be the spark that ignites a brewing war.

Why you should read this:  Dark academia meets deadly tarot magic in this action packed debut! If you're a sucker for the enemies to lovers, slow burn, "touch her and die" energy, and morally gray princes with secrets, A Vow in Vengeance delivers. The unique tarot based magic system sets it apart.

Release date: January 13, 2026

Iona Night Singer thought she'd overthrown the gods. Her mortal rebellion won, barely, but the cost was devastating as she lost Taran, her betrothed, in the final battle against Death himself. Months later, grief stricken and haunted by the prayers the gods still answer when she sings, Iona strikes a desperate bargain with her former patron goddess. If she can convince Taran to follow her home from the Underworld, he'll live again. If she fails, they'll both be trapped forever. But when she finds him, the truth is worse than she imagined. The dead gods have been reborn and are plotting revenge, and Taran, it seems, was always one of them. This reincarnated trickster god wears her lover's face but doesn't remember her, and Iona must fight her deadliest battle yet to bring him home without him even knowing it.

Why you should read this: This Orpheus and Eurydice inspired romantasy flips the myth on its head, and the result is utterly devastating in the best way. The emotional stakes are sky high, the yearning is exquisite, and watching Iona fight for a love that may no longer exist? Heartbreaking perfection.

Release date: January 13, 2026

At a mysterious university in the Scottish Highlands where vampires study alongside humans, Rebecca Charity has one mission to find the lost Book of Blood & Roses, a legendary compendium of ways to kill vampires, and avenge her parents' murder. Going undercover as a student should be straightforward. But when Rebecca arrives to find a coffin in her room and discovers her new roommate is Aliz Astra, scion of one of the most powerful vampire families and the most beautiful woman she's ever seen, her carefully laid plans start to crumble. Aliz is everything Rebecca should hate, and everything she's ever wanted. When a moonlit rescue accidentally makes Rebecca Aliz's Familiar, binding them together, they'll have to work side by side to break the curse. But as they unravel the mystery, Rebecca and Aliz keep getting closer in ways neither expected.

Why you should read this: Sapphic vampire romance with enemies to lovers tension? Yes please! This debut takes beloved paranormal tropes and makes them feel fresh with skillful worldbuilding and tension filled romance. If you loved Carmilla or crave dark academia with sapphic yearning and just the right amount of "should I kiss her or kill her" energy, this one's unmissable.

Release date: January 27, 2026

Rosie has found a new home and fallen in love with four cursed fae princes. But everything could be taken from her in an instant. With the enchanted castle falling apart, one mate ready to give up his magic, another hiding secrets, and two princes still needing to find their actual mates, Rosie has her hands full. Oh, and the villainous Prince of Thorns keeps trying to kiss her, and she kind of wants him to. When whispers of war spread from the Spring Realm, alliances shift dangerously. A vicious enemy will stop at nothing to kill Rosie and claim the throne from high prince Ezryn, whose own brother has turned against him. Now Rosie must light the way for her princes and help Ezryn reclaim what's his, without losing herself to the darkness first.

Why you should read this: The Beasts of the Briar series continues to dominate for good reason, Elizabeth Helen delivers the perfect blend of why choose romance, high stakes fae politics, and delicious found family vibes. This Beauty and the Beast retelling raises the stakes with war, betrayal, and a stupidly hot villain who's impossible to resist.

Bests of the Briar reading order: 

1. Bonded by Thorns
2. Woven by Gold
3. Forged by Malice

Release date: January 27, 2026

The wolf sickness strikes without warning, stealing Bisclavret's body and confusing his mind. Since boyhood, he hasn't dared leave his isolated holdings, not to seek his father's lost estate, not to find brotherhood at court, not even to win the knighthood he yearns for. But when a new king ascends, Bisclavret must deliver his kiss of fealty or answer for his failure. The young king, half an exile himself, is immediately intrigued by this uneasy, rough hewn nobleman who seems a perfect knight, bold, strong, merciful, yet keeps his secrets close. As the king's fascination deepens into something more, the barriers between them multiply. Until one day Bisclavret vanishes beyond reach, and the king must face the greatest threats to his kingdom alone, with only duty to his people and the steadfast loyalty of the strangest wolf.

Why you should read this: This queer retelling of a 12th century werewolf tale is getting major buzz. It's a lyrical, yearning filled romance that explores identity, belonging, and the healing power of being truly seen.

Release date: January 27, 2026

Princess Bryony Devaliant was born to die, again and again. In Vartena, royal blood is the currency of peace, with every monarch sacrificed and resurrected to appease the gods. But when rebellion stirs, the god king sends his deadliest weapon to restore order via an immortal assassin known only as the Wolf. Evander has perfected the art of killing over centuries, until his latest target becomes the one person he cannot destroy. When forbidden desire burns between the assassin and the sacrificial princess, their connection threatens the fragile boundary between gods and mortals. And when gods fall in love with mortals, mortals are always the ones to break.

Why you should read this: This is a seductive new dark romantasy series inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Eros & Psyche. It has careful character development and undeniable spice. If you love Raven Kennedy's Plated Prisoner series or Callie Hart's Quicksilver, this villain gets the girl romance with death pacts, gothic vibes, and enemies to lovers heat should go straight to the top of your TBR.

Release date: January 27, 2026

When a vicious beast begins attacking her village, Riela reluctantly enters the forbidden forest to kill the monster, she's the only mage available, even if her power is fickle and untrained. Quickly overwhelmed when one beast turns into two, she's sure her death is at hand, until a scarred, strikingly handsome stranger with gleaming moonlit magic saves her life. Waking in a magical castle complete with a gorgeous library, a mysterious wolf, and the surly man who rescued her, Riela discovers that Garrick is far more powerful and dangerous than any mortal mage. But a century-long curse is weakening his magic, and as attraction ignites between them, the secrets connecting Riela's past to Garrick's threaten to unravel everything. Because her life, or her death, might be the key to everything he's lost.

Why you should read this: This is a riveting tapestry of romance and magic, with complicated curses and captivating characters. This Beauty and the Beast retelling has all the cozy castle vibes, grumpy/sunshine energy, and slow burn tension you crave. First book in a duology with book two coming late 2026!

Release date: January 28, 2026

While pirate ships and floating cities soar overhead, Amaya Sinclair keeps her feet firmly on the ground, until a violent tragedy results in her abduction by a villainous Sky Lord. Thrown into a beautiful, unforgiving world among the clouds, everything she believed about herself and her future is challenged. William Lexington has spent over a decade carving out a place for himself among the sky pirates, sacrificing his identity and ideals along the way. When fate lands Amaya on his airship, he writes her off as a pretty inconvenience, until he realizes she's the only thing standing between his monstrous former mentor and a brutal new era. As the enemy's shadow looms darker, their fight for freedom and their growing connection put everything at stake.

Why you should read this: Described as Treasure Planet meets Final Fantasy, this fast paced romantic fantasy offers something different with sky pirates, floating cities, and swashbuckling adventure! If you've been craving romantasy with a steampunk adjacent vibe and morally complex heroes, Bound by the Sky delivers an action packed escape. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo's heist energy and Rebecca Yarros's intensity.