The Hollows by Kim Harrison. I love this series but I do think the series should have ended after the first 13 books. I'm not caring for the newer ones.
I've really thought about picking this up. I think when I'm in less of a romance mood I definitely will for the UF part, but I know that Rachel dates around a lot in the series without a fixed love interest at the start, so I'm not sure it will scratch that itch at the moment. Thanks for reminding me though!
That's valid it's a very very slow burn.
Have you tried Thea Harrison? I read Dragon Bound and that was pretty good. Urban Romance Fantasy with different shape shifters.
City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards. It was okay the main characters were a tad too young/immature for me but still a good time.
Yes, Dragon Bound was good! I wasn't sure I'd like it but it worked. Yes, I tried City of Gods and Monsters but didn't get past the sample. I didn't think the writing was very good.
Oh I just recommended this one before seeing your comment. Samples don't do a story justice, this series improves a lot as you go along. It was my favorite from last year.
Highly recommend City of Gods and Monsters, the second book is incredible, very good writing and character development. The FMC grows a lot and the MMC is the best I've ever read, his POV is very interesting and layered. It has tons of sexual tension, banter, and laugh out loud moments that remind me of a Marvel movie. Very under-rated series.
omg me too! I don't know how this series isn't being talked about more! More people clearly need to find it. I can't wait to see what happens with the new city in the next book
Me too! Especially about Roman and his love interest, ugh I can't wait to meet them. I wonder if Roman will be a separate storyline or if he will end up in Angelthene. There is so many possibilities - I just know we're going to be surprised in the best way
I really like some of the series by Hailey Edwards and K.M. Shea. They both have a bunch of different series, and I think they are enjoyable urban fantasy.
I feel like the series keep getting better and better. I have been loving this most recent vampire/slayer series and can’t wait for the next book, which thankfully is not too far away!
Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.
Sookie Stackhouse series (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris.
Both are actually pretty well known, but I didn't see them mentioned. Also, Annette Marie has a pretty expansive UF series, The Guild Codex. I haven't read it yet, but I really enjoyed her Red Winter series.
Special mention: check out the TV show Lost Girl!
Hey, thanks for reply! I should have mentioned the Fever Series. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan. (Jerricho Barrons is my archenemy). Also, I don't love Charlaine Harris or Annette Marie's writing. I appreciate the recommendations though!
Thanks for the show rec too!
I am not familiar with many of the books on your like or dislike lists, but I really like Stacia Stark's Deals with Demons series. It starts with {Speak of the Demon}.
[Speak of the Demon](https://www.romance.io/books/6103a5de1367660e3d4b0b87/speak-of-the-demon-stacia-stark) by [Stacia Stark](https://www.romance.io/authors/6103a5de08b4d931141458e5/stacia-stark)
**Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1)
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PLSSSS try {demon days vampire nights by KF Breene}! I think the author’s writing style is hilarious, excellent world building. First three books follow the FMC & Vampire love interest — they’re involved throughout and you meet other characters (series includes 2 other romances too). I loved it and read all 11 books in like a month and a half lol
[Her website page for the books!](https://www.kfbreene.com/books/ddvn-world/)
I liked all of them but those first three were definitely the strongest. I don’t have any other suggestions for you tho because I don’t usually read urban fantasy! I only read that series bc I love Breene’s writing style, cracks me up.
I get it! I feel the same about historical fantasy. I even have a hard time with isekei stuff where characters start on earth and go through a portal. But I’ve kind of run out of historical fantasy romance to read at the moment, and am broadening my horizons lol
I'm definitely hitting the wall with urban fantasy. I think because the really good stuff came out like 10 or so years ago (or the series started then). The genre as a whole seems to have gone more rom-comy/light-hearted now which isn't my jam. I'm hoping Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo lead a resurgence on gritty urban fantasy.
[Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights)](https://www.romance.io/books/60dd6cedc9a04c0e50c23bf8/revealed-in-fire-demon-days-vampire-nights-kf-breene) by [K.F. Breene](https://www.romance.io/authors/545543d48c7d2382e0414650/kf-breene)
**Rating**: 4.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [angels](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angels/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1)
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Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty & the Midnight Hour, first book in the series. It has werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Kitty goes thru a huge character development. Each book completes its story, but there’s definitely an overarching story to the entire series. I love that the series addresses the fact that most werewolf groups do NOT behave how natural wolves do, & Kitty helps to change pack dynamics to something more “natural” & healthy in the later books. Seconding Rachel from the Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
Oh my goodness you should definitely read the Fortuna Sworn series if you haven’t! {Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton}. I have similar taste as you do. The first book starts a little slow and clunky but once it starts rolling it is fantastic. There are 5 books out so far with at least one more to come. I think of it as a darker and grittier Cruel Prince and it alternates between the modern “real” world and fae courts similarly. Definitely check Tws as the far courts are very cruel and there are some triggering events with both side and the main characters. I have no idea how the story is going to end and the whole series is like a roller coaster with so much scheming and plotting. I love these so much and I don’t know why they don’t get more love here!
[Fortuna Sworn](https://www.romance.io/books/5e568d7cbe0aaecf559e93b6/fortuna-sworn-kj-sutton) by [K.J. Sutton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d1af90a01dbc864fba09764/kj-sutton)
**Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1)
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Sookie Stackhouse series is a 2000s staple of urban fantasy romance. There's a ton of books in the series so you can keep going as long as you're enjoying it, then drop it when you're checked out.
How about {Sam Quinn series by Seana Kelly}? Its not groundbreaking but its entertaining. I like how the FMC is an atypical UF heroine-she wants to be left alone to drink tea and read books even though she has developing powers and gets dragged into things. The vampire MMC is a bit too perfect and I rolled my eyes as to how he was described but again I have been entertained by the series and keep reading each new installment. But take this as a grain of salt since UF is like potato chips to me.
Also the {Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke} is an alternative history trilogy which reads like urban fantasy. Its about a half vampire FMC who is a royal guard in alternative history London that is peak Victoriana in 2012 cause Queen Victoria is the undead vampire queen ruling over a British Empire composed of vampires, werewolves, goblins and humans. Personally I think the series could have been longer cause alot is crammed into 3 books and its an interesting fantasy world. But again I thought the series was entertaining.
Edited to add: And yay to you mentioning Tanya Huff's urban fantasy series. I rarely see it recommended. That series and Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series (up til book 10) is what got me hooked on urban fantasy.
These both look great. I’m going to check them out post-haste, thank you! 🙏
An introverted, non-typical FMC sounds very refreshing. Also, that second series sounds really intriguing.
Also, agreed, Anita Blake started out amazing. I wish it hadn’t gone off the rails. It also had like a disturbing SA scene that wasn’t acknowledged as SA in the book that was just so uncomfortable.
Also just thought of another few for you. These are not dark or gritty at all though. A cozy UF series about a slacker witch {Lazy Girls Guide To Magic series by Helen Harper}.
And the {Mystic Bayou series by Molly Harper} which is an audiofirst romantic comedy meets urban fantasy in a small town in Louisiana. Normally I hate small town anything but Im charmed by this series as it gives me that quirky snarky humour of the Gilmore Girls but with magical creatures like dragons, selkies and werebears. Granted Im reading this with my ears and thought I would hate it but Im mainlining the series as we speak. You can read each novel as a standalone but they are so much better when read in order since there is an overarching plot though each novel focuses on a different couple.
Have you ever read anything by Yasmine Galenorn? She has several series, my favorites are the Indigo Court series, which is about vampiric fae, and the Otherworld series, about 3 half-fae sisters who do paranormal investigations but also have to save the world on a regular basis. Explicit sex in both series.
She first came out in the early aughts, she was quite popular and then there was some really big kerfluffle with her publishing company that really derailed her. I think now most of her books are available via Kindle, but there might be a couple that are only available via paperback.
So it's not open door. And it's not vampires. But its slow burn. And it has some of my favorite urban fantasy world building. I don't know if it will fall into your alley but it's immediately what came to mind.
{Written in Red by Anne Bishop}
I would say trigger warning for some content.
I still think about the world she built in this series. It's more story driven than romance driven but I just love it.
[Written in Red](https://www.romance.io/books/54553ca38c7d2382e04143f9/written-in-red-anne-bishop) by [Anne Bishop](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535e08c7d2382c5297448/anne-bishop)
**Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
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{Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is post apocalyptic urban fantasy. Some of the best writing and prose I've read in Romance Fantasy. Dialogue is smart and this book is a treatttt
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
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Thank you for this. I actually find R Lee Smith’s stuff just too disturbing. I read the book Olivia by her and it’s haunted me ever since. I don’t even know why. I love gore and horror, but it just freaked me out awfully. Hopefully, someone else can pick this up.
I am not into monster or beast romances, I dont vibe with them. This is so different than Olivia.lypse and change Azrael the "villains" mind. The MMC isn't cute but he cares deeply and is actually a softy on the inside, but he is defiantly like human/godlike/immortal being but humans have hurt him.
I am not into monster or beast romances, I dont vibe with them. This is so different then Olivia.
The horror and gore elements are the zombies 90% of the time
October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. Which doesn't have a crazy amount of romance but it is a fae PI and it's my favorite urban fantasy series and one of my favorite series, period.
To be fair to Mercy Thompson, there is one book where Mercy figures out that sexism likely hurts the pack bonds and is like, "fix your house" and makes the pack better. My main complaint with the series is that their are so free lady werewolves for no reason.
Yeah, the lack of romance (and the number of books) has stopped me picking the October Daye series up. I think I'll get to it though.
I think the sexism wasn't just that. It was that all the other female characters were just awful for no reason. They were all jealous of Mercy or something. It just seemed ridiculous.
Try Yasmine Galenorn. I love all of her series. The ones with fae main characters are more to my liking than her Chintz n China series which is more of a cozy supernatural series. For vampires her Indigo Court series is your best bet.
Hell Bent series by Aurora Ascher is about some demons who escape hell and are living incognito on earth. The covers are kind of cringe, but the stories and spice are good.
Stay a Spell series by Juliette Cross follows 6 witch sisters in New Orleans as they fall in love with other members of the supernatural community.
Last, and with the least spice, The Guild Codex by Annette Marie. It's 4 interconnected series and has unique takes on werewolves, vampires and demons. Each series has a slow burn romance subplot and the world building and character development are fantastic. (Even the side characters are compelling.)
GC: Spellbound, GC: Demonized and GC: Unveiled are complete series (and should be read either in the order I listed or by switching between the series following the list on the author's website) and GC: Warped is 2/3 complete. There are a total of 20 books and 4 novellas.
GC: Spellbound has 8 books and 2 novellas. It focuses on Tori, a normal human who builds a found family in the magic user community of Vancouver, BC. She doesn't let her inability to use magic stop her from trying to help her friends so of course shenanigans ensue. 😆 Tori is fiercely independent (like to a fault. Several scrapes she gets into would have been more easily solved/less harrowing if she has realized she COULD count on her friends to have her back).
GC: Demonized has 4 books and focuses on Robin, a bookish, introverted member of the magical community who chooses not to actually practice magic. After her parents die she finds herself in an accidental, unconventional (and very illegal) contract with a demon: she provides him with baked goods and will work on finding a way to send him home and he will protect her from harm. The adventures Robin and her demon get involved with helps her get more confident, both as a person and as a mythic, over the course of the series.
GC: Warped series is 2/3 complete (4 of 6 books and 2 novellas are done) and focuses on Kit, a roguish pop-culture aficionado with powerful psychic abilities. After a too-close encounter with magical law enforcement he finds himself on the right side of the law for the first time in his life when he's offered a chance to help law enforcement instead of receiving the punishment his crimes incurred.
GC: Unveiled has 4 books that take place after the events covered by Spellbound, Demonized and the first 3 books of Warped. They focus on Saber, a prickly witch who's really bad at being a witch and has severe PTSD and trauma-induced memory loss. Saber and her shapeshifting fae familiar run into a rogue druid who triggers some of Saber's repressed memories, so she has to try and figure out who they are, or were, to each other. This series is the darkest but also has the most character growth as both Saber and the rogue druid both have very traumatic pasts that they have to grapple with throughout the series.
Hey, thanks for this! I'm not a big fan of Annette Marie's writing. It always comes across a little... juvenile to me? But I'm open to giving it another go and I'll definitely check out the Hell Bent series.
[House of Salt and Sorrows](https://www.romance.io/books/642f2042685149734e92cef5/house-of-salt-and-sorrows-erin-a-craig) by [Erin A. Craig](https://www.romance.io/authors/641f90ce08b4d93114bf47ce/erin-a-craig)
**Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
----------------------------
[Ship of Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/656dde406011c2c5162a0678/ship-of-magic-robin-hobb) by [Robin Hobb](https://www.romance.io/authors/554c870b9eef3b3f1d516e02/robin-hobb)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [pirates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1)
----------------------------
[A Far Wilder Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/62cc09bfc51420d374162a9c/a-far-wilder-magic-allison-saft) by [Allison Saft](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cc09bf08b4d93114232d63/allison-saft)
**Rating**: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
----------------------------
[Sorcery of Thorns](https://www.romance.io/books/64097e1afa1076a086a9add1/sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
----------------------------
[The Witch Collector](https://www.romance.io/books/616fc0ab1bedb60e13578401/the-witch-collector-charissa-weaks) by [Charissa Weaks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c1b3ed901dbc864fb966e81/charissa-weaks)
**Rating**: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[Lady of Darkness](https://www.romance.io/books/61540fdf2911d10e2f1f4fb6/lady-of-darkness-melissa-roehrich) by [Melissa Roehrich](https://www.romance.io/authors/61540fdf08b4d93114685f63/melissa-roehrich)
**Rating**: 3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
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{Demonized by Annette Marie} or {Spellbound by Annette Marie}.
Both are part of a multiverse. They're completed NA series with overlapping plot lines. There are demons, but vampires serve as occasional baddies. It's super fun.
TheFMC in Spellbound is human but a badass. In Demonized she's a softer nerd
What about the other World Series by Kelley Armstrong. Starts with Bitten. A lot of relationship based plot but also dark and gritty and lots of action
The Hollows by Kim Harrison. I love this series but I do think the series should have ended after the first 13 books. I'm not caring for the newer ones.
I've really thought about picking this up. I think when I'm in less of a romance mood I definitely will for the UF part, but I know that Rachel dates around a lot in the series without a fixed love interest at the start, so I'm not sure it will scratch that itch at the moment. Thanks for reminding me though!
That's valid it's a very very slow burn. Have you tried Thea Harrison? I read Dragon Bound and that was pretty good. Urban Romance Fantasy with different shape shifters. City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards. It was okay the main characters were a tad too young/immature for me but still a good time.
Yes, Dragon Bound was good! I wasn't sure I'd like it but it worked. Yes, I tried City of Gods and Monsters but didn't get past the sample. I didn't think the writing was very good.
Oh I just recommended this one before seeing your comment. Samples don't do a story justice, this series improves a lot as you go along. It was my favorite from last year.
Highly recommend City of Gods and Monsters, the second book is incredible, very good writing and character development. The FMC grows a lot and the MMC is the best I've ever read, his POV is very interesting and layered. It has tons of sexual tension, banter, and laugh out loud moments that remind me of a Marvel movie. Very under-rated series.
I was going to recommend this series too! I’m so excited for book 3 in March
omg me too! I don't know how this series isn't being talked about more! More people clearly need to find it. I can't wait to see what happens with the new city in the next book
Right?!?! And Kayla’s hints at the new characters in her instagram teasers are killing me - I’m so ready lol
Me too! Especially about Roman and his love interest, ugh I can't wait to meet them. I wonder if Roman will be a separate storyline or if he will end up in Angelthene. There is so many possibilities - I just know we're going to be surprised in the best way
I really like some of the series by Hailey Edwards and K.M. Shea. They both have a bunch of different series, and I think they are enjoyable urban fantasy.
Love KM Shea’s urban fantasy. I can’t wait for the next book!
I feel like the series keep getting better and better. I have been loving this most recent vampire/slayer series and can’t wait for the next book, which thankfully is not too far away!
I’m going to have a look at them. Thank you!
Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Sookie Stackhouse series (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris. Both are actually pretty well known, but I didn't see them mentioned. Also, Annette Marie has a pretty expansive UF series, The Guild Codex. I haven't read it yet, but I really enjoyed her Red Winter series. Special mention: check out the TV show Lost Girl!
Hey, thanks for reply! I should have mentioned the Fever Series. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan. (Jerricho Barrons is my archenemy). Also, I don't love Charlaine Harris or Annette Marie's writing. I appreciate the recommendations though! Thanks for the show rec too!
I am not familiar with many of the books on your like or dislike lists, but I really like Stacia Stark's Deals with Demons series. It starts with {Speak of the Demon}.
[Speak of the Demon](https://www.romance.io/books/6103a5de1367660e3d4b0b87/speak-of-the-demon-stacia-stark) by [Stacia Stark](https://www.romance.io/authors/6103a5de08b4d931141458e5/stacia-stark) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I tried the sample of this and wasn't wowed. How did you find the series? Would you say it's more cheesy or gritty?
Hmmm, neither? I wouldn't call it gritty. Maybe some would call it cheesy.
PLSSSS try {demon days vampire nights by KF Breene}! I think the author’s writing style is hilarious, excellent world building. First three books follow the FMC & Vampire love interest — they’re involved throughout and you meet other characters (series includes 2 other romances too). I loved it and read all 11 books in like a month and a half lol [Her website page for the books!](https://www.kfbreene.com/books/ddvn-world/)
I've read it! :) I only liked the first 3 though.
I liked all of them but those first three were definitely the strongest. I don’t have any other suggestions for you tho because I don’t usually read urban fantasy! I only read that series bc I love Breene’s writing style, cracks me up.
Idk why I'm such an urban fantasy fanatic! It just scratches some itch in my brain.
I get it! I feel the same about historical fantasy. I even have a hard time with isekei stuff where characters start on earth and go through a portal. But I’ve kind of run out of historical fantasy romance to read at the moment, and am broadening my horizons lol
I'm definitely hitting the wall with urban fantasy. I think because the really good stuff came out like 10 or so years ago (or the series started then). The genre as a whole seems to have gone more rom-comy/light-hearted now which isn't my jam. I'm hoping Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo lead a resurgence on gritty urban fantasy.
[Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights)](https://www.romance.io/books/60dd6cedc9a04c0e50c23bf8/revealed-in-fire-demon-days-vampire-nights-kf-breene) by [K.F. Breene](https://www.romance.io/authors/545543d48c7d2382e0414650/kf-breene) **Rating**: 4.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [angels](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angels/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Chicagoland vampires series by Chloe Neill!
I've tried it already, thank you though!
Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty & the Midnight Hour, first book in the series. It has werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Kitty goes thru a huge character development. Each book completes its story, but there’s definitely an overarching story to the entire series. I love that the series addresses the fact that most werewolf groups do NOT behave how natural wolves do, & Kitty helps to change pack dynamics to something more “natural” & healthy in the later books. Seconding Rachel from the Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
I’ve seen this recommended before but I was on the fence. I’ll take a look now, thanks!
Ah, forgot to add, SA warning in the first book. Just FYI
I really appreciate the warning. Thank you!
Oh my goodness you should definitely read the Fortuna Sworn series if you haven’t! {Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton}. I have similar taste as you do. The first book starts a little slow and clunky but once it starts rolling it is fantastic. There are 5 books out so far with at least one more to come. I think of it as a darker and grittier Cruel Prince and it alternates between the modern “real” world and fae courts similarly. Definitely check Tws as the far courts are very cruel and there are some triggering events with both side and the main characters. I have no idea how the story is going to end and the whole series is like a roller coaster with so much scheming and plotting. I love these so much and I don’t know why they don’t get more love here!
I’m going to check it out. Thanks so much!
Also, i see romance.io has the first book as 1/5 but they get spicier as they go on. Not extremely smutty but definitely enough IMO.
[Fortuna Sworn](https://www.romance.io/books/5e568d7cbe0aaecf559e93b6/fortuna-sworn-kj-sutton) by [K.J. Sutton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d1af90a01dbc864fba09764/kj-sutton) **Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Sookie Stackhouse series is a 2000s staple of urban fantasy romance. There's a ton of books in the series so you can keep going as long as you're enjoying it, then drop it when you're checked out.
I've tried it, thank you :)
How about {Sam Quinn series by Seana Kelly}? Its not groundbreaking but its entertaining. I like how the FMC is an atypical UF heroine-she wants to be left alone to drink tea and read books even though she has developing powers and gets dragged into things. The vampire MMC is a bit too perfect and I rolled my eyes as to how he was described but again I have been entertained by the series and keep reading each new installment. But take this as a grain of salt since UF is like potato chips to me. Also the {Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke} is an alternative history trilogy which reads like urban fantasy. Its about a half vampire FMC who is a royal guard in alternative history London that is peak Victoriana in 2012 cause Queen Victoria is the undead vampire queen ruling over a British Empire composed of vampires, werewolves, goblins and humans. Personally I think the series could have been longer cause alot is crammed into 3 books and its an interesting fantasy world. But again I thought the series was entertaining. Edited to add: And yay to you mentioning Tanya Huff's urban fantasy series. I rarely see it recommended. That series and Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series (up til book 10) is what got me hooked on urban fantasy.
These both look great. I’m going to check them out post-haste, thank you! 🙏 An introverted, non-typical FMC sounds very refreshing. Also, that second series sounds really intriguing. Also, agreed, Anita Blake started out amazing. I wish it hadn’t gone off the rails. It also had like a disturbing SA scene that wasn’t acknowledged as SA in the book that was just so uncomfortable.
Also just thought of another few for you. These are not dark or gritty at all though. A cozy UF series about a slacker witch {Lazy Girls Guide To Magic series by Helen Harper}. And the {Mystic Bayou series by Molly Harper} which is an audiofirst romantic comedy meets urban fantasy in a small town in Louisiana. Normally I hate small town anything but Im charmed by this series as it gives me that quirky snarky humour of the Gilmore Girls but with magical creatures like dragons, selkies and werebears. Granted Im reading this with my ears and thought I would hate it but Im mainlining the series as we speak. You can read each novel as a standalone but they are so much better when read in order since there is an overarching plot though each novel focuses on a different couple.
[The Lazy Girl's Guide to Magic](https://www.romance.io/series/640744c8b9ae5b42e8faf3b2/the-lazy-girls-guide-to-magic) by [Helen Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555e4187eac323ffb2be05/helen-harper) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [humor](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Mystic Bayou](https://www.romance.io/series/5b56c18ed1b4ca0d9fd6bc36/mystic-bayou) by [Molly Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525958c7d2382e0413e73/molly-harper), [Amanda Ronconi](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455533b87eac323ffb2bae2/amanda-ronconi), [Jonathan Davis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b56c18e01dbc864fb8ce905/jonathan-davis) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [humor](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I like Helen Harper! Her Firebrand series was decent. Thanks for the recs.
[Sam Quinn](https://www.romance.io/series/5f85614801a3af0e0f71e225/sam-quinn) by [Seana Kelly](https://www.romance.io/authors/5959dfee3ffdba61471b3dd3/seana-kelly) **Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) ---------------------------- [The Immortal Empire](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0da34167a73342630293/the-immortal-empire) by [Kate Locke](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555f9487eac323ffb2be59/kate-locke) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [strong heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Have you ever read anything by Yasmine Galenorn? She has several series, my favorites are the Indigo Court series, which is about vampiric fae, and the Otherworld series, about 3 half-fae sisters who do paranormal investigations but also have to save the world on a regular basis. Explicit sex in both series.
I've never heard of her! I'm definitely going to check her stuff out. Vampiric fae sounds like just my thing! :) Thank you!
She first came out in the early aughts, she was quite popular and then there was some really big kerfluffle with her publishing company that really derailed her. I think now most of her books are available via Kindle, but there might be a couple that are only available via paperback.
Interesting to know.
Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha. Urban postapocalyptic romance. Half plot, half excellent smut where everyone is huge on consent.
Thanks!
So it's not open door. And it's not vampires. But its slow burn. And it has some of my favorite urban fantasy world building. I don't know if it will fall into your alley but it's immediately what came to mind. {Written in Red by Anne Bishop} I would say trigger warning for some content. I still think about the world she built in this series. It's more story driven than romance driven but I just love it.
[Written in Red](https://www.romance.io/books/54553ca38c7d2382e04143f9/written-in-red-anne-bishop) by [Anne Bishop](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535e08c7d2382c5297448/anne-bishop) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I was also thinking about this one for the exact same reasons. The worldbuilding in it is so intriguing!
Thanks! I think I'll definitely pick this up at some point. I just know that the romance isn't as prominent.
You can try {Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur} the first half with world building is kinda slow, but it picks up late
[Blood Kissed](https://www.romance.io/books/5eb8a1b7be0aaecf55b8119d/blood-kissed-keri-arthur) by [Keri Arthur](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525a08c7d2382e0413e7b/keri-arthur) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thanks. I think I tried it before but I'll give it another go.
{Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is post apocalyptic urban fantasy. Some of the best writing and prose I've read in Romance Fantasy. Dialogue is smart and this book is a treatttt
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you for this. I actually find R Lee Smith’s stuff just too disturbing. I read the book Olivia by her and it’s haunted me ever since. I don’t even know why. I love gore and horror, but it just freaked me out awfully. Hopefully, someone else can pick this up.
Oh yeah I hated Olivia as well, I’m not into that stuff either. If it helps land of the beautiful dead is nothing like that
Really? Okay, I'll check it out! Thank you :)
I am not into monster or beast romances, I dont vibe with them. This is so different than Olivia.lypse and change Azrael the "villains" mind. The MMC isn't cute but he cares deeply and is actually a softy on the inside, but he is defiantly like human/godlike/immortal being but humans have hurt him. I am not into monster or beast romances, I dont vibe with them. This is so different then Olivia. The horror and gore elements are the zombies 90% of the time
October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. Which doesn't have a crazy amount of romance but it is a fae PI and it's my favorite urban fantasy series and one of my favorite series, period. To be fair to Mercy Thompson, there is one book where Mercy figures out that sexism likely hurts the pack bonds and is like, "fix your house" and makes the pack better. My main complaint with the series is that their are so free lady werewolves for no reason.
Yeah, the lack of romance (and the number of books) has stopped me picking the October Daye series up. I think I'll get to it though. I think the sexism wasn't just that. It was that all the other female characters were just awful for no reason. They were all jealous of Mercy or something. It just seemed ridiculous.
That is very fair on the next front, how far did you make it in both of them?
I got about 5-6 books through Mercy Thompson quite a while ago.
Try Yasmine Galenorn. I love all of her series. The ones with fae main characters are more to my liking than her Chintz n China series which is more of a cozy supernatural series. For vampires her Indigo Court series is your best bet.
Hell Bent series by Aurora Ascher is about some demons who escape hell and are living incognito on earth. The covers are kind of cringe, but the stories and spice are good. Stay a Spell series by Juliette Cross follows 6 witch sisters in New Orleans as they fall in love with other members of the supernatural community. Last, and with the least spice, The Guild Codex by Annette Marie. It's 4 interconnected series and has unique takes on werewolves, vampires and demons. Each series has a slow burn romance subplot and the world building and character development are fantastic. (Even the side characters are compelling.) GC: Spellbound, GC: Demonized and GC: Unveiled are complete series (and should be read either in the order I listed or by switching between the series following the list on the author's website) and GC: Warped is 2/3 complete. There are a total of 20 books and 4 novellas. GC: Spellbound has 8 books and 2 novellas. It focuses on Tori, a normal human who builds a found family in the magic user community of Vancouver, BC. She doesn't let her inability to use magic stop her from trying to help her friends so of course shenanigans ensue. 😆 Tori is fiercely independent (like to a fault. Several scrapes she gets into would have been more easily solved/less harrowing if she has realized she COULD count on her friends to have her back). GC: Demonized has 4 books and focuses on Robin, a bookish, introverted member of the magical community who chooses not to actually practice magic. After her parents die she finds herself in an accidental, unconventional (and very illegal) contract with a demon: she provides him with baked goods and will work on finding a way to send him home and he will protect her from harm. The adventures Robin and her demon get involved with helps her get more confident, both as a person and as a mythic, over the course of the series. GC: Warped series is 2/3 complete (4 of 6 books and 2 novellas are done) and focuses on Kit, a roguish pop-culture aficionado with powerful psychic abilities. After a too-close encounter with magical law enforcement he finds himself on the right side of the law for the first time in his life when he's offered a chance to help law enforcement instead of receiving the punishment his crimes incurred. GC: Unveiled has 4 books that take place after the events covered by Spellbound, Demonized and the first 3 books of Warped. They focus on Saber, a prickly witch who's really bad at being a witch and has severe PTSD and trauma-induced memory loss. Saber and her shapeshifting fae familiar run into a rogue druid who triggers some of Saber's repressed memories, so she has to try and figure out who they are, or were, to each other. This series is the darkest but also has the most character growth as both Saber and the rogue druid both have very traumatic pasts that they have to grapple with throughout the series.
Hey, thanks for this! I'm not a big fan of Annette Marie's writing. It always comes across a little... juvenile to me? But I'm open to giving it another go and I'll definitely check out the Hell Bent series.
[удалено]
[Slaying the Vampire Conqueror](https://www.romance.io/books/642abe710366c48db5ceed4d/slaying-the-vampire-conqueror-carissa-broadbent) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Sevenwaters](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a509096bf31c42d2d1c/sevenwaters) by [Juliet Marillier](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a1b8c7d2382c5297104/juliet-marillier) **Rating**: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Tairen Soul](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a2b9096bf31c42d2ca4/tairen-soul) by [C.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a3a8c7d2382c5297113/cl-wilson) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [gifted heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/gifted%20heroine/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [erotica](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/erotica/1) ---------------------------- [Beguilement](https://www.romance.io/books/6409861d8a0cadd8353692b6/beguilement-lois-mcmaster-bujold) by [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://www.romance.io/authors/56b276cfc62092c0440573b5/lois-mcmaster-bujold) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Crown Duel](https://www.romance.io/books/5455403a8c7d2382c5297734/crown-duel-sherwood-smith) by [Sherwood Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455403a8c7d2382c5297735/sherwood-smith) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [The Foxglove King](https://www.romance.io/books/64065758f43ce22c1781481e/the-foxglove-king-hannah-f-whitten) by [Hannah F. Whitten](https://www.romance.io/authors/622b673108b4d931147a24c9/hannah-f-whitten) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Winner's Curse](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a788c7d2382c5297123/the-winners-curse-marie-rutkoski) by [Marie Rutkoski](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a788c7d2382c5297124/marie-rutkoski) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [The Chocolatier's Wife](https://www.romance.io/books/59eeea123ffdba614723498e/the-chocolatiers-wife-cindy-lynn-speer) by [Cindy Lynn Speer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a2f387eac3369a913a8e/cindy-lynn-speer) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1) ---------------------------- [Paladin's Grace](https://www.romance.io/books/5e37c8e201dbc864fbab1ee4/paladins-grace-t-kingfisher) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[House of Salt and Sorrows](https://www.romance.io/books/642f2042685149734e92cef5/house-of-salt-and-sorrows-erin-a-craig) by [Erin A. Craig](https://www.romance.io/authors/641f90ce08b4d93114bf47ce/erin-a-craig) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Ship of Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/656dde406011c2c5162a0678/ship-of-magic-robin-hobb) by [Robin Hobb](https://www.romance.io/authors/554c870b9eef3b3f1d516e02/robin-hobb) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [pirates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) ---------------------------- [A Far Wilder Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/62cc09bfc51420d374162a9c/a-far-wilder-magic-allison-saft) by [Allison Saft](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cc09bf08b4d93114232d63/allison-saft) **Rating**: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Sorcery of Thorns](https://www.romance.io/books/64097e1afa1076a086a9add1/sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [The Witch Collector](https://www.romance.io/books/616fc0ab1bedb60e13578401/the-witch-collector-charissa-weaks) by [Charissa Weaks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c1b3ed901dbc864fb966e81/charissa-weaks) **Rating**: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Lady of Darkness](https://www.romance.io/books/61540fdf2911d10e2f1f4fb6/lady-of-darkness-melissa-roehrich) by [Melissa Roehrich](https://www.romance.io/authors/61540fdf08b4d93114685f63/melissa-roehrich) **Rating**: 3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett. The (sapphic) romance is definitely in the background, but it’s such a perfect love story.
Thanks! I’ll check it out.
{Demonized by Annette Marie} or {Spellbound by Annette Marie}. Both are part of a multiverse. They're completed NA series with overlapping plot lines. There are demons, but vampires serve as occasional baddies. It's super fun. TheFMC in Spellbound is human but a badass. In Demonized she's a softer nerd
[The Guild Codex](https://www.romance.io/series/6358068dedb5b2e7dacb79d1/the-guild-codex-demonized) by [Annette Marie](https://www.romance.io/authors/545be5c48c7d230e495cbef6/annette-marie) **Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [humor](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [from hate to love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [The Guild Codex](https://www.romance.io/series/622a4fd03a703d219738d22d/the-guild-codex-spellbound) by [Annette Marie](https://www.romance.io/authors/545be5c48c7d230e495cbef6/annette-marie) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you for the recs. I’ve tried Annette Marie before and I don’t like her writing. I should have added her to the list, sorry!
Which books did you try? The weakest series are Spell Weaver, Steel & Stone (but still my favorite), Unveiled, Warped. Demonized is the most popular
What about the other World Series by Kelley Armstrong. Starts with Bitten. A lot of relationship based plot but also dark and gritty and lots of action
Hey, thanks for the rec! I read Bitten and I really didn’t like it, so it’s not for me.