Romantasy new releases: January 2025 must reads you can't miss

Release date: January 7, 2025

Prepare for chaos, betrayal, and a whole lot of vengeance in Four Ruined Realms, the pulse pounding second installment of the Broken Blades series! If assassins, dangerous lies, and high stakes heists are your thing, this book needs to be on your TBR.

The charismatic and manipulative King Joon of Yusan is back and his sister's ring is the prize he's after. To claim it, he'll stop at nothing, including using the five blades, who are bonded by shared hatred for the king yet divided by their own distrust. Their task? Steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord from the Queen of Khitan before the king gets his way.

But the blades' mission is anything but straightforward. Lies, alliances, and King Joon's wrath loom large over every decision they make. Trust is hard to come by, but revenge is a powerful motivator, and they'll need every ounce of it to outsmart a king known for playing the long game.

Why it's a must read:

• Assassin squads with messy alliances
• High stakes heist meets epic fantasy
• Revenge plots, cunning villains, and betrayals

What to expect:

Mai Corland turns up the tension and the stakes in this immersive fantasy world. With secrets and vengeance fueling every chapter, Four Ruined Realms is perfect for fans of morally grey characters and intricate plots.

📖Pro tip: Start with Five Broken Blades to experience this series in order!

Release date: January 7, 2025

What happens when your soulmate is forbidden, your nights are consumed by war, and the line between reality and nightmares starts to blur? Enter Visions of Darkness, a dark romantasy from bestselling author A.L. Jackson that will grip you from start to finish.

Aria Rialta lives two lives: one in the waking world and one in the nightmarish realm of Faydor, where she's tasked with fighting the Kruen, sinister beings who spread sin and chaos into our reality. But Aria isn't alone, her dangerously alluring soulmate, Pax, is by her side. Their connection is undeniable, but his touch could destroy her.

As the battle intensifies, the lines between Aria's two realities begin to fade. The Kruen are closing in, and Pax must make a bold and risky move: stepping into Aria's world. Together, they embark on a high stakes, cross country journey to confront their enemies and the forbidden passion growing between them. But as Aria's hidden powers awaken, a force darker than anything they've faced before threatens to unravel everything.

Why it's a must read:

• Soulmates with a deadly, forbidden bond
• Dark romantasy vibes with a battle against evil
• A thrilling mix of action, passion, and mystery

What to expect:

A.L. Jackson masterfully weaves a story of forbidden love, untapped power, and the fight against darkness. Perfect for fans of steamy, action packed romantasy with high stakes and swoon worthy characters.

Release date: January 7, 2025

The stakes couldn't be higher in An Honored Vow, the heart stopping conclusion to Melissa Blair's Halfling Saga. Prepare for an epic showdown filled with rebellion, heartbreak, and a fight for the future of a kingdom torn apart by violence and secrets.

After uncovering a shocking truth about someone she trusted, Keera finds herself thrust into action once again. With King Damien launching a brutal blood purge against the kingdom's Halfling population, Keera and her rebel allies plan a daring rescue mission that could change everything. But opening the kingdom's magical seals has changed Keera in ways even she doesn't fully understand, and her transformation could be the key to saving or destroying everything they've been fighting for.

As the kingdom plunges into chaos, Keera and her allies must rally an army and face King Damien in a final, devastating confrontation. With lives, loyalty, and the future of the realm on the line, this is a romantasy finale you won't want to miss.

Why it's a must read:

• A fierce FMC transformed by power and purpose
• Epic battles, rebellion, and a fight for justice
• A lush and action packed finale with tragic twists

What to expect:

Melissa Blair delivers a powerful conclusion filled with high stakes action, complex characters, and a story that will leave fans of the Halfling Saga cheering and crying until the very last page.

📖Pro tip: Start with A Broken Blade to experience the full journey!

Release date: January 7, 2025

Get ready to lose yourself in Immortal, a breathtaking standalone romantasy set in the enchanting world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and a sizzling enemies to lovers romance make this an unmissable addition to your TBR.

Liyen, heir to the throne of Tianxia, is no stranger to danger, but when her life is saved with an enchanted lotus, the immortal queen sends the God of War to unleash chaos on her kingdom. Now thrust into power after her grandfather's death, Liyen vows to end her people's servitude to the immortals. Her daring plan? Infiltrate the Immortal Realm, learn their secrets, and form an uneasy alliance with the one being she can't trust, the ruthless and devastatingly attractive God of War.

As Liyen battles dark forces threatening her people, she's also fighting a growing, forbidden attraction that could unravel everything she's worked for. With her kingdom's future hanging by a thread, Liyen must decide how much she's willing to risk: her throne, her people, or her heart.

Why it's a must read:

• A fierce, strategic FMC fighting for her kingdom
• Enemies to lovers with a dangerous immortal
• Lush world building and high stakes magic

What to expect:

Sue Lynn Tan brings her signature poetic prose and intricate storytelling to this unforgettable tale of love, sacrifice, and power. Perfect for fans of sweeping, romantic epics with morally grey characters and fierce heroines.

Release date: January 14, 2025

Get ready for shadow magic, sizzling tension, and enough angst to fuel a galaxy in Heavenly Bodies, now re-released as the first book in a dazzling romantasy series. If you're into mythology, star crossed lovers, and enemies who might (definitely will) fall in love, this one's for you.

Elara's fate? Cursed. The prophecy? A total nightmare: she'll fall for a Star, and it'll kill them both. So when Ariete, the Star of Wrath, War, and Chaos (yikes), comes for her kingdom, she bolts to Helios, the Kingdom of Light. Sounds safer, right? Well… not so much.

Cue Prince Lorenzo, the brooding (of course), slightly mysterious heir to Helios. He's got no choice but to turn Elara into a weapon strong enough to fight Ariete. But Elara's got a knack for secrets, and Lorenzo's hiding a past that could make their alliance combust. As they train, sparks fly, shadowy powers awaken, and their undeniable chemistry becomes the most dangerous thing of all.

Why it's a must read:

• Villain vibes meet reluctant ally romance
• Epic enemies to lovers tension
• Mythology, magic, and more twists than a labyrinth

What to expect:

Heavenly Bodies will sweep you off your feet with its lush world building, angsty romance, and characters who are just as dangerous as they are irresistible. Perfect for fans of forbidden love, prophecy drama, and powerful heroines with nothing left to lose.

Release date: January 21, 2025

Dragons, battles, and secrets! Rebecca Yarros is back with Onyx Storm, the electrifying third installment of the Fourth Wing series, and let's just say, it's time to hold on tight. If you thought Violet's journey couldn't get any wilder, buckle up, because the storm is here and it's not leaving survivors.

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail is out of time. The battle for Navarre has begun, and the lines between friend and foe are blurrier than ever. With threats closing in from all sides, Violet must step into the unknown, journeying beyond the Aretian wards to seek alliances in unfamiliar lands.

But this isn't just another field trip. Violet's wit, strength, and loyalty will be pushed to their absolute limits. She'll do anything to protect what she loves: her dragons, her family, her home, and Xaden. (Yes, him. Cue the swoons.) But let's not forget the bombshell secret she's carrying, one that could change everything.

Why it's a must read:

• More dragons. Always more dragons.
• High stakes battles, betrayals, and a desperate fight for survival
• Secrets big enough to destroy everything

What to expect:

Rebecca Yarros doesn't hold back in this thrilling sequel, delivering action, heartbreak, and just enough romance to keep us all feral. Perfect for fans of edge of your seat twists, strong heroines, and DRAGONS. Did I mention dragons?

📖Pro tip: Start with Fourth Wing to fall in love with Violet & Xaden, her dragons, and this unforgettable world!

Release date: January 21, 2025

Snowy islands, trickster kings, and a deadly tournament, Lyra Selene's A Crown So Silver takes the stakes sky high in the second installment of her Fair Folk series. If you're here for fae drama, complicated relationships, and epic battles, buckle up.

Fresh off her sacrifice under the Ember Moon, Fia is brimming with power and so ready to take on her sister Eala. But her new husband (cue romantic tension), Irian, has other plans. He suggests they hit pause and retreat to the mysterious Silver Isle. Sounds relaxing, right? Not so much.

The Silver Isle, ruled by a cunning smith king, is no sanctuary. Instead, Fia and Irian find themselves tangled in the Tournament of Kings, a brutal competition for a magical forging of immense power. With alliances shifting faster than the icy winds, ancient magic stirring, and their marriage tested in all the ways, Fia has to keep her wits sharp.

But with Eala's shadow looming and the tournament nearing its deadly end, Fia faces a gut wrenching decision: How much is she willing to sacrifice to take her sister down for good?

Why it's a must read:

• Deadly trials on a snowy fae island
• A marriage tested by ambition, magic, and secrets
• Sibling rivalry, betrayal, and so much tension

What to expect:

Lyra Selene delivers another breathtaking installment, with lush prose, intricate world building, and a plot as sharp as an enchanted blade. Perfect for fans of dark fae worlds, dangerous competitions, and morally grey heroines.

Release date: January 24, 2025

What do you get when you mix forbidden love, court intrigue, and a rebellion against a ruthless ruler? Between Smoke and Shadow by Bree Wilde, a romantasy that'll have you rooting for freedom, swooning over a prince, and gasping at every twist.

In the brutal kingdom of Savoa, Rune Ealde is an indentured servant determined to win her freedom. With nothing left to lose, she joins a rebellion to overthrow the Architect, the kingdom's merciless founder. But the stakes couldn't be higher. If the rebels fail, her punishment will be excruciating death at the Architect's hands.

Prince Harrick Ademas knows all too well the Architect's cruelty. Trapped as a pawn in his father's deadly schemes, Harrick dreams of a better world, though rebellion feels like an impossible dream. That is, until he meets Rune. What begins as a fragile friendship blooms into forbidden love, the kind that feels like magic in a world that denies it.

But the Architect is growing restless, and his next move could destroy not just Rune and Harrick's fragile hope but the entire kingdom.

Why it's a must read:

• Forbidden love with ALL the feels
• A fierce rebellion against impossible odds
• Court intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a unique magic system

What to expect:

With alternating POVs, open door romance, and a richly built world, Between Smoke and Shadow is perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, and The Ever King. Get ready for treachery, tenderness, and a story you won't want to put down.

Release date: January 28, 2025

Ready to have your heart ripped out (in the best way possible)? The third book in Jeneane O'Riley's Infatuated Fae series is here, and Where Did You Go? is serving up forbidden romance, magical betrayals, and impossible choices, all with the fairy tale flair that fans can't get enough of.

Caly, Mendax, and Aurelius are trapped in the In Between, their fates intertwined in a way that defies nature itself. With bonds forged through love, sacrifice, and survival, their lives are now tied together but not all of them can survive. One must be sacrificed for the others to live.

Caly is determined to stop the cycle of loss that's haunted her, but her path is anything but straightforward. Summoned to meet her father, she uncovers truths that could rewrite her entire story. Meanwhile, keeping the Seelie and Unseelie Princes from destroying each other is no small feat. As Caly faces impossible decisions, the stakes grow higher, the bonds grow tighter, and the heartbreak becomes inevitable.

Why it's a must read:

• Gut wrenching choices that will have you screaming at the pages
• Forbidden romance times two (because one love triangle isn't enough)
• Fairy tale magic with a dark, twisty edge

What to expect:

Jeneane O'Riley continues to deliver all the angst, romance, and betrayal we've come to love in the Infatuated Fae series. If you've been dying to know what happens next, this one is going to wreck you in the best way.

📖Pro tip: Start with Who Do You Love? to dive into this magical, emotional rollercoaster from the beginning!

Release date: January 28, 2025

Alchemy, assassins, and enemies with a serious grudge, Iron & Embers kicks off Helen Scheuerer's new series with action, heart, and a heaping dose of tension you can cut with a dagger (or a well crafted poison).

Wren Embervale is an alchemist turned assassin fueled by revenge (and let's be honest, we're here for it). But her quiet life brewing potions and holding grudges is flipped upside down when an alchemical attack on a king drags her out of the shadows. To stop the dark magic threatening the realm, Wren has to face the Gauntlet, a deadly set of trials that could cost her life, or her sanity.

Oh, and did we mention Torj Elderbrock? The silver haired war hero who might hate her more than the assassins gunning for her life. Their history is messy, their chemistry is fire, and their forced partnership might be the deadliest trial of all. Add in sabotaging competitors, sinister plots, and a sprinkle of betrayal, and you've got a recipe for romantasy gold.

Why it's a must read:

• A snarky, badass alchemist assassin FMC
• Enemies to lovers with so much simmering tension
• Deadly trials, political intrigue, and a dash of poison

What to expect:

Helen Scheuerer delivers all the drama, swoons, and action you crave, wrapped up in lush world building and heart pounding stakes. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Blood & Steel, and The Bridge Kingdom.

Release date: January 30, 2025

Fated mates? Overrated. A Crown of Fates by Heather Renee brings wolf shifters, reluctant royals, and a feisty FMC who's not here to play anyone's game, especially not her so called mate's.

When King Theo summons all unmated females across the four kingdoms to his throne (eyeroll), our girl is less than thrilled. She's forced to make the trip to Solaris, where she learns, surprise surprise, Theo is her mate. Just her luck, right? Except something about their bond, and Theo himself, is off.

Determined not to be anyone's pawn, mate or not, she sets out to uncover the truth about Theo, their connection, and the forces at play in the Wolves of Lunara. With gods, reincarnation, and shifter magic in the mix, this standalone romantasy will have you howling for more.

Why it's a must read:

• Sassy FMC who's not afraid to take on a king
• Fated mates with a twist (and a lot of drama)
• Wolf shifters, magical intrigue, and gods galore

What to expect:

Heather Renee packs this standalone with swoon worthy tension, fast paced drama, and a heroine you can't help but root for. Perfect for fans of wolf shifters, epic secrets, and a little bite to their romance.

📖Pro tip: While this works as a standalone, check out A Court of Claws to explore more of the Wolves of Lunara series!