Science Fiction and Fantasy romance series from sweet romance to fade to black. Read them at your own discretion.
There’s nothing wrong with swoon worthy romance books. There is something so exhilarating when your fingers accidentally touch or you catch someone staring at you from across the room. I may be biased towards the last one since my husband staired at me across the room for a long time before he actually came to talk to me.
For me, the best romances are when the two main characters have to stand a few feet a part at all times. It makes those chance touches even more sensational. When the characters finally get together at the end, it’s like fireworks. Some people would call this clean romance or low spice romance. Whatever you want to call them, these science fiction and fantasy romance books will make you swoon. If you choose to read them, make sure you’re laying down. You don’t want to risk any injures by falling over.
Here are my top eight fantasy and sci-fi romance series that have either inspired my own books or are books I’ve found along the way.
** Please note that some of these are standalone stories in a series and others are full series that need to be read in order. **
Star Fire by Jenetta Penner
I loved this book because Star Fire because it’s a Science Fantasy book. It combines magical beings with a dystopian world with space travel and swoon worthy romance between the fae boy and the human girl.
Synopsis:
Two worlds collide and only one of them can survive.
Earth is doomed.
On the last day of Cassie’s starship journey to Arcadia, the new Eden, her father is killed in a mysterious explosion. Fortunately, a mysterious vanishing stranger with otherworldly blue-green eyes plucks her from danger at the last second.
Officials swear the explosion was a horrible accident, but she knows they are lying… hiding something...
About her father. About the nature of their new home.
Orphaned and alone she’s cast aside and told to keep her mouth shut. Instead, Cassie’s eyes are opened by newfound abilities and soon the boy with the cyan eyes finds his way back into her life. An instant attraction draws her to Javen and he offers her one dangerous chance to uncover the secret of what became of her father and who she really is.
But secrets the planet holds may force her into an impossible choice only she can make…
Saving humanity or saving Arcadia.
The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier
This is one of my favorite retellings of the Princess and the Pea. It was a typical rags-to-riches romance commonly found in fairytales. But what drew me to this book was the intelligence of the main character. It was likely her intelligence that the Prince found attractive.
Synopsis:
Danger and romance await a woodcutter's daughter in a royal palace.
One dark and stormy night, lost and alone, Alyssa finds herself knocking on the door of a castle. After a lifetime spent in the deep forest, Alyssa has no idea what to expect on the other side.
What she finds is two unruly young princesses and one very handsome prince. When Alyssa accepts the job of Princess Companion she knows her life will change. What she doesn't know is that the royal family is about to be swept up in unexpected danger and intrigue, and that she just might be the only thing standing between her kingdom and destruction.
This retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, reimagines the risks and rewards that come when one royal family goes searching for a true princess.
If you enjoy clean romance, adventure and intrigue, then try the books in The Four Kingdoms series now! Each of these young adult fairy tale retellings can be read as a standalone story. However, for greatest enjoyment, they should be read in order.
The Pairings by Ramona Finn
Humanity was whipped out. Lora lives in a world where they pair you with your perfect companion. She's in the lowest cast in society. So when she's paired with one of the elite she's more than a little surprised. The problem is she kind of likes the other brother, which is what makes this romance interesting.
Synopsis:
The secret is locked in her mind—and they’ll do anything to get it.
Generations ago, humanity was devastated by a virus that wiped billions from the planet. If not for AmeriGlobe’s Pairing programme to match immune survivors, and VaxWell’s immunity-boosting biomods, humans would’ve died out.
Lora Flannigan has sought to conform to the strict laws throughout her eighteen years, and after the Testing she now stands on the brink of a prestigious pairing with high-caste Jarid. Accepting the match will pull her and her family up from their low-caste existence.
But Lora never counted on the sparks that ignite when she meets her Pair’s striking brother: Syeth—dark, brooding and harbouring secrets. But before she’s managed to make sense of her feelings, he’s embroiled her in the rebellion underworld.
And when still darker truths come to light, Lora realizes the purpose behind not only her pairing… but her very existence.
This novel contains violence.
Pippa of Lauramore by Shari L Tapscott
Admittedly, Pippa wasn’t my favorite character in the series, but this book introduces you to this wonderful fantasy world. What I loved about Pippa was her love of archery and horses, which is where she met her admirer. She's not exactly enthralled with the whole notion of marring someone which makes the romance even better. Their love is forbidden, if only he could find away around the whole "she’s a princess" thing.
Synopsis:
Thirty Knights. Five Events. One Determined Princess.
In order to avoid a loveless arranged marriage to a man she cannot stand, eighteen-year-old Princess Pippa of Lauramore makes a bold move: she begs her father to hold a marriage tournament.
Knights travel from far and wide for a chance to win the princess's hand, but she immediately sets her sights on one—Galinor of Glendon. He's strong. He's handsome. He's a girl's dream come true.
But as the events progress, Pippa learns her valiant knight is prettier than he is capable. Left with no other choice, the princess enlists the help of the one man with the power to shatter the fragile balance of the tournament—a man she should keep at arm's length.
A man who calls her like a moth to a flame.
Pippa knows she plays a dangerous game, but when the stakes are this high, she's not sure if she can afford to walk away...
Set in a rich fantasy world, Pippa of Lauramore is a take-your-breath-away fairy tale romance with unforgettable characters, humor, and heart.
Rae of Hope by W. J. May
The Karagain Chronicles are one of my favorite urban fantasies. It combines the magical academy troupe where the characters become James Bond like spies upon graduation with paranormal romance.
What I love the most about the love story is their first meeting. Rae was inadvertently tackled to the ground by Devon. It was all innocent of course, but it was this close encounter that will keep you routing for the two although their romance is forbidden.
Synopsis:
How hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?
Fifteen year-old Rae Kerrigan never really knew her family's history. Her mother and father died when she was young and it is only when she accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Guilder Boarding School in England that a mysterious family secret is revealed.
Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter?
As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.
Forgotten by Camille Peters
I know I talk about Camille Peters a lot, but she is one of my favorite authors. This book is Romeo and Juliet meets the Ice Queen. Don’t worry the ending is tragic. What I loved about this love story was the determination to be together despite their Kingdoms being enemies. It made me smile as they found ways to see each other and yes they had to stay five to ten feet a part at any given time. So those chance meetings where they were able to speak to one another were packed full of tension.
Synopsis:
Crown Princess Taryn is fully prepared to marry the man her parents have chosen for her in order to save her kingdom from ruin—until she falls for the son of her family’s greatest enemy, Crown Prince Xander. Despite their struggle to be the enemies expected of them, they cannot resist the secret friendship that transforms into a forbidden love. Regardless of their fear of discovery and the obstacles barring their way, they’re determined to find a way to be together, no matter the cost.
They secretly join forces in order to obtain a magical relic that they hope will bring peace to their divided kingdoms…a choice that comes at the cost of sacrificing the relic that would heal the drought afflicting the land. But during their quest, Xander is forced to make a sacrifice that freezes his heart and erases all memory of their love. With no recollection of the relationship they once shared, they revert to being the enemies they were born to be.
When Taryn finds herself imprisoned and at the mercy of the prince who has no memory of the relationship they once shared, she begins to remember their former feelings and resolves to find a way to reclaim the love they’ve forgotten. But can she do it before the curse robs them of it forever and Xander’s heart becomes permanently frozen? And even if she succeeds, how can she and Xander ever be together when their relationship remains forbidden?
Inspired by “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” and “The Snow Queen”
Fated by Kaylin Lee
It's not just this book. I love the whole series. But admittedly it was a good enemies to lovers story because it was all a misunderstanding. With two people were one person is from a class that's treated as subpar, it is bound to create a few problems along the way.
Synopsis:
Quiet, hardworking Cinderella will do anything to protect her family, but as her world comes crashing down, what if she's been the one in danger all along? Kick off this thrilling six-book fantasy series with a sweet-yet-suspenseful Cinderella retelling unlike any you've read.
All Cinderella wants is to take care of her family.
After working tirelessly for five years to prove herself among the city’s elite, she’s about to graduate and win a coveted spot in city government. Then it all blows up in her face—literally.
A violent, anonymous force has been targeting commoners in horrifying attacks. Now they’ve set their sights on Cinderella. Either that, or she’s losing her mind. It doesn’t help that she’s falling for a mage who’s way out of her league.
Just as she manages to recover from the attack that left her scarred and traumatized, the city’s mysterious enemy destroys what’s left of her future. But when they go after her family, they cross the line. The whole city is in danger now.
How much is Cinderella willing to risk to save the city that has always hated her?
The Progenitor by Sara Wright
The romance element that I wanted to include in my book was the best friends to lovers romances. Since this book series also includes a time travel romance troupe that flows throughout the entire series, readers will follow the consequences of Xendara and Darijus’ choices as they fight to stay together. It’s like a fated mates story that includes superpowers and high-tech gadgets.
Synopsis:
Peace was all Xendara desired, but her enemies hunger for her power.
Princess Xendara is the heir to the throne, but her life is turned upside-down when a mysterious spaceship attacks. She learns her father had secrets. With his untimely demise, she must uncover them before her enemies remove her from power. In her quest to keep peace within the Six Systems, she discovers a power she didn’t know she had; a power that everyone is looking to exploit. With the help of her childhood friend Darijus, she unlocks long lost memories of her past, only to find his destiny is intertwined with her own. A prophecy guides her choices to the correct timeline. But can she trust a prophecy that foretells the death of a loved one? With the destiny of the Universe on the line, who she chooses to trust will divide a galaxy.
With powers her enemies aim to exploit, will she risk galactic war?
Have you read any of these books?
Are there other books like these I should include on my TBR?
Let me know in the comments below!
Sara Wright is a science fantasy author who loves to include sweet romance in her books.
Keep in touch! Sign up for the bi-monthly Wright newsletter to access the latest blogs, projects, sales, and more. As a thank you, you’ll receive the prequel to The Progenitor Chronicles, Time Crystal, for free. Use the signup form below!
Time Crystal by Sara Wright
The Progenitor Chronicles
Synopsis:
Time Crystals are forbidden for a reason, but King Oren must use one to save a civilization.
King Oren’s only goal was to be a peaceful caretaker of the galaxy. But when a girl falls through a portal into his courtyard clutching a forbidden Time Crystal, his life changes.
With a cataclysmic event imminent, he must lead a group from his home system to the opposite side of the galaxy. Everyone looks to their seemingly immortal race for aid, but even with their elemental powers, they are far from perfect.
Armed with the Time Crystal, they seek to stop an exploding star from decimating an entire population. The problem is, he doesn’t know how to use the crystal. Even worse, he might die trying.
Will King Oren stop the star from exploding? Or will time unravel?
The above book reviews above are the thoughts of Sara Wright. You can choose to read the books at your own discretion.
Sara Wright participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please bear in mind that links used in this blog are affiliate links. If you go through them, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The choice is yours as to whether you’d like to purchase and read them.
תגובות