Welcome back to What to Read Next! Today, we’re diving into a genre perfect for cozy, mysterious vibes: Dark Fantasy Romance. Whether you love gothic mansions, dragons, or characters facing dark curses, these books will satisfy your craving for something thrilling and romantic as the days grow shorter. In this episode of Novel Nights, Francesca joins us to share her top recommendations for dark fantasy romances that are perfect to curl up with this season.

What is Dark Fantasy Romance?

Dark Fantasy Romance blends the magic and adventure of fantasy with romance and darker, often gothic themes. These books might include supernatural creatures, cursed characters, or atmospheric settings like haunted mansions or enchanted forests. The stakes are usually high, and the romance can be as intense as the world-building. This genre is for you if you enjoy stories where love battles against dark forces!

Featured Book Recommendations

Francesca shared some incredible picks for your fall reading list. Here’s a closer look at each book she mentioned:

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan 

In A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan, dragons may be extinct, and magic dying, but Tamsyn’s life at the royal court is filled with danger. Raised as a royal whipping girl, Tamsyn’s only solace is Stig, the Captain of the Guard. When the fearsome warrior Fell threatens the kingdom, she is forced into a deceptive marriage to protect the princesses. However, her trickery is exposed, and Tamsyn is thrust into an even more perilous situation. As her dark secrets come to light, Tamsyn may hold the key to awakening long-dormant magic and saving the kingdom.

Why You’ll Love It: If you loved Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, this dragon romance is your next must-read. Set in a medieval-inspired world with a Game of Thrones vibe, the story centers on an arranged marriage between a royal servant and a barbarian warrior. With rich world-building, an epic plot, and a slow-burn romance, this book kicks off a series that’s sure to keep you hooked.

The Darkest Walz by Ashley R. King 

In The Darkest Waltz by Ashley R. King, Evangeline Ward, the Queen of the Bootleggers in 1927 Georgia, faces ruin when a rival bootlegger threatens her empire. Desperate, she strikes a deal with Weston Abernathy, a man seeking a wife to claim his inheritance and family business. Evangeline agrees to the marriage, hoping to hide her liquor on his isolated island. But strange occurrences, eerie deaths, and unsettling visions make her question Weston and the dark secrets of the Abernathy family. As passion ignites between them, Evangeline realizes the danger may be closer than she ever imagined.

Why You’ll Love It: This gothic historical romance is set in the 1920s during prohibition. The heroine, an alcohol smuggler, enters into a marriage of convenience with a man who needs a wife to inherit a railroad company. The catch? He lives on a secluded, haunted island. If you love eerie settings, cursed houses, and strong heroines, this one’s for you.

The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning

 

In The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning, Zo Grey struggles after her mother’s death when she receives unexpected news: she’s inherited a fortune and a mysterious Gothic mansion in Divinity, Louisiana, from a distant relative. To claim the inheritance, Zo must live alone in the ominous house for three years. Despite her misgivings, she moves in, encountering strange occurrences, an eerie owl, and an alluring Scottish groundskeeper. As the house reveals its secrets, Zo learns her own roots are entwined with its dark history and must confront supernatural forces to unlock her true identity.

Why You’ll Love It: Karen Marie Moning is no stranger to blending romance with fantasy, and her new southern gothic urban fantasy series is no exception. The heroine inherits a haunted mansion in a small Louisiana town and uncovers dark family secrets—and her own supernatural abilities. This book has a mix of mystery, romance, and a paranormal twist, making it the perfect southern gothic read.

Anathema by Keri Lake 

In Anathema by Keri Lake, Maevyth Bronwick, a shunned woman, is forced to enter Witch Knell, a forbidden forest known as The Eating Woods, where nothing returns. Driven by tragedy, she crosses into a dangerous, otherworldly realm ruled by the cursed Lord Zevander Rydainn, also known as The Scorpion, an assassin tasked with hiding her from those who seek her death. As Maevyth’s blood holds the key to breaking his curse and vanquishing the evil within the forest, Zevander’s obsession with her grows, threatening to destroy them both and unraveling a fate beyond their control.

Why You’ll Love It: Looking for the darkest, grittiest fantasy romance on the list? Anathema by Carrie Lake is all about a mortal woman thrown into an enchanted forest where an assassin lord is tasked with protecting her. Her blood holds the key to breaking his curse, but forces plot to have her sacrificed. With a rich plot and intense gothic vibes, this is the perfect dark read for fans of curses, forbidden love, and deadly forests.

Why These Books Are Perfect for Fall Reading

Fall is the season for atmospheric, eerie, and gothic stories; these dark fantasy romances fit right in. Whether you’re drawn to dragons or haunted mansions, each book on this list offers the perfect balance of mystery, magic, and romance. The gothic elements, secluded settings, and supernatural twists will keep you engaged while adding a layer of cozy eeriness as you snuggle up with a hot drink.

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Conclusion

That wraps up our dark fantasy romance recommendations for fall! We hope these books bring you all the gothic, magical, and romantic vibes you want this season. For more recommendations like these, don’t forget to tune into the What to Read Next Podcast and check out our Novel Nights live shows every Thursday evening.

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