14 Steamy Fantasy Books to Devour Now

Ledge is an epic romantic fantasy by TikTok sensation Stacey McEwan. In the Ledge, no one can escape the frozen wasteland that relies on human sacrifices to obtain rations for survival. After being selected for the sacrifice, Dawsyn finds herself on a quest to save her people and must trust one handsome half-Glacian for assistance despite her reservations. This is the perfect intro to spicy romance if you’re new to the genre.

The Blood and Ash series is by far my favorite fantasy series I’ve read this year so far. From the "forced proximity" trope to surprise twists and turns, you'll find yourself engrossed in these books. This story follows a veiled Maiden (who definitely gives off some Handmaid’s Tale vibes) who's much more than meets the eye. It's a bit of a slow burn, but it's worth the wait!

If you like the idea of an epic love story set amidst the danger of a brutal vampire court, you'll devour the Adrian X Isolde series. Isolde is set to marry vampire king Adrian to end an ongoing war, but she’s no meek pawn and tries to kill him despite the risk. This series is heavy on the sex with a strong main character who doesn’t hesitate to fight for what she wants.

If you’re into hot mythological retellings, Katee Robert is the author for you. Radiant Sin is a retelling of the tale of Apollo and Cassandra that will keep you guessing whether Cassandra will pull off going undercover to help Apollo get the information he needs to protect Olympus. While her books are best read as a series, if you’re solely in it for the spice it's not necessary to go in order.

If you love the enemies-to-lovers trope, you'll thoroughly enjoy The Witch Collector. Raina wants to kill the Frost King and Witch Collector who stole her sister but soon finds herself thrust into a battle to keep their empire out of enemy hands. I really enjoyed Weaks' masterful world-building and found myself on the edge of my seat wondering how the protagonists could possibly connect amongst the chaos. As a huge advocate for diversity, I also really enjoyed the use of sign language. The main character is mute and, without infantilizing her, the author shows she's amazingly powerful even with her differences.

This immersive fantasy novel follows four warriors and their chosen brides. There's a lot of spice in this novel, but fair warning: The slow burn between the main characters will feel torturous at times.

What would a fantasy roundup be without a few novels featuring sexy Fae? In this enchanting read, grumpy professor Emily Wilde is a meticulous researcher who's writing the first-ever encyclopedia of faerie lore and embarks on a journey for answers that have her opening her heart along with her notebook. Emily's wholesome awkwardness captured my heart.

The magic tied into this delicious rom-com will have you up all night. The latest installment in the Witches of Thistle Grove series, this steamy queer romantic fantasy explores the awkward dynamics of online dating. A spark between the main couple ignites more than just passion as Morty develops powers that are only supposed to appear within a committed romantic relationship.

If you're a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, I cannot recommend this series enough. Finley, our main character, is a shifter who can’t shift and who has a knack for healing her friends and family in the village. But one day she ventures a little too close to the Beast's home and is taken captive. If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sara J. Maas, you're sure to enjoy this book. K.F. Breene conjures a cast of quirky characters who will keep you laughing as you explore the castle and all its secrets.

Halle’s River of Shadows mixes Nordic mythology with bits and pieces of other famous romances like Hades and Persephone and Beauty and her Beast. When Hanna’s father dies she finds herself in Finland for his funeral, far away from her hectic life in LA. She's suddenly caught in a mystery when she finds out that not only is his body missing but that her father had a secret life as a powerful shaman. In order to save him she must travel to the underworld, where she's captured by the God of Death—who happens to be captivated by her beauty.

In this heart-wrenching romantic fantasy, you'll find yourself lost in a world of humans and vampires entwined in a legendary tournament held by the Goddess of Death. Oraya refuses to be treated like livestock and is initially hesitant to trust Rain's assistance despite their chemistry. Be warned, you may need a cold shower or two after this one.

Once I heard that this book was originally pitched as Bridgerton meets A Court of Thorns and Roses, it instantly shot to the top of my 2023 reading list. Gemma is a feisty and intelligent woman who's fighting immense grief after her sister is taken and she's abandoned by her mother. If that isn’t enough, Gemma’s body fights off her magic like poison and she finds herself proposing a bargain to a devastatingly handsome man whose family has a history of destruction. Legrand has such a skillful mastery of fantasy world-building that although I haven't read this yet, I'm confident it will be an amazing read.

I was obsessed with Eragon when I was younger. After all, what kid doesn't like stories of dragons and their riders? Yarros' story takes a similar premise and adds sexual tension and the brutal games of the elite of Navarre. Thought of as a “fragile” woman, Violet doesn’t seem to have a great chance of bonding with a dragon, but the alternative is death. This explosive read is out May 2, 2023 and you can preorder your copy now!

Lore escaped a cult at age 13 and has evaded capture for 10 years, even though her death magic ties her to the city. After one of her jobs goes wrong, she's captured and finds herself in the web of the Sainted King’s court where she must use her magic to find out why villagers keep dying. This novel is sure to be dripping with intrigue, romance, and captivating characters.