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i need a fantasy book with romance subplot!
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Leen
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Jun 12, 2025 11:10AM

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - A fiercely independent FMC is abruptly forced to live in a magical realm of fae, ancient curses, and deadly secrets, and begins to question everything she has known. It has a fairy-tale vibe with a dark, seductive twist—perfect for those who enjoy high-stakes fantasy with emotional depth and a slow-burn romance.
Let me know if you need any more. And if someone would like to add, by all means go ahead. I looked in here for some recommendations for myself, but became the recommender instead haha.

They told me I was found wandering off Highway 85, barefoot, in a hospital gown, muttering her name like a prayer.
"Marley. Marley. Marley."
But there’s no Marley in my records. No one by that name ever visited me during recovery. No calls. No photos. No trace.
Still, I remember her — vividly.
We met at a laundromat. She wore oversized headphones and was dancing slightly to music I couldn’t hear. Her laundry never spun. She said it was because her time ran differently.
We’d meet every Wednesday. Same time, same place. She hated phones. Said technology muddled real connection. So we talked in person. Always the same café, always the same drink: chamomile and oat milk.
She told me she worked in "remnants." I thought she meant vintage clothes. But once, she said, “I repair time the way some people fix watches.” I laughed. She didn’t.
One night, I woke up alone in her bed and wandered into her bathroom. On the mirror, scribbled in red lipstick:
"You're starting to remember too early."
________________________________________
Then it all fractured.
The city changed. Street names were off by one letter. My mother answered my call, but didn’t know who I was. The café was a hardware store. The laundromat? Abandoned for decades.
I searched for Marley until they found me on that highway. They told me I’d had a psychotic break. That it was all a delusion — a love fabricated by a lonely mind.
But I still dream of her.
Every time I pass a flickering streetlamp or see an unplugged television playing static, I feel her watching.
If Marley was a glitch — then so am I.
And maybe that’s love: a shared hallucination, perfectly synced.
if you like this kind of short stories I dont know if its against any guidelines to post a link from out side ,if its my appologies https://payhip.com/UnderThisSky


If you're looking for something a little more lighthearted I'd try Behooved, that was a lot of fun.
The Incandescent is low contemporary fantasy, but it is plot heavy.
If you're open to YA or New Adult, and fairytale retellings the Gilded Duology by Marissa Meyer is an amazing Rumpelstiltskin retelling. It's a little dark but it's so good.
The Witchlands by Susan Dennard has a couple of different romantic subplots but the plot is the focus.

WOODBOUND: ASHES OF FATE
Fantasy | 13,347 words | Book 1 of a planned trilogy (with potential for 5+ books)
A man awakens beneath a forest older than the stars, his name lost, his past stripped away. In his lap rests a living branch of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, calling him toward a purpose he cannot yet remember. Guided only by a raven he carves from its wood, Endrin follows the ancient roots into a fate woven long before his first breath.
But the forest is dying. Beneath its sacred soil, an ancient being known as the Seer spreads a corruption that twists life and memory alike. As the darkness coils through the roots of Yggdrasil and into the realms beyond, Endrin must confront visions of a life forgotten and a future undone. To stand as Guardian, he must not only master the wild magic now awakening within him, he must risk everything he loves to preserve the fragile threads that hold the worlds together.
Blending lyrical prose, emotional depth, and vivid mythic worldbuilding, WoodBound: Ashes of Fate is an intimate, character-driven fantasy exploring the sacred bonds between nature, memory, and the human heart. It will appeal to readers ofBear and the Nightingale, The Witcher, and The Broken Earth Trilogy.
Ashes of Fate is the first installment in a planned trilogy, with the world, characters, and narrative arc developed for seamless expansion into a five-book series and beyond.
Start reading it for free: https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/kshare?a...


Always open to new recommendations too—so if you have a favorite, let me know! 🚀✨
The Quantum Prophet: Elio Ascendant



- the cruel prince (trilogy)
- one dark window (duology)
- cinder (4 books + 2 novellas)
- scythe (trilogy)
- priory of the orange tree (duology)

My name is Sara Hatami, and I am an indie writer. I'm super excited to introduce my own book as a recommendation, and I am also happy to send you a free copy (Kindle, paperback, or PDF)
My book, The Ninth Element, is a New Adult Epic Fantasy with a romance subplot. I truly think it will resonate with new adult fantasy readers, especially those who love strong female leads, epic world-building, swords and sorcery :)
I poured the last two years into developing this project, and I'm really excited about it.
The Ninth Element follows Arien, a young sorceress from the Asyrion Continent. She's driven by ambition and a fierce determination to find her place in the world. The story starts with her journey to join Martysh, the continent's elite peacekeeping force. To do that, Arien has to survive the brutal Martysh Trials, a legendary competition that pits her against the most skilled people from all over the land.
As the trials unfold, Arien faces increasingly tough physical and emotional challenges that push her to her limits. But it's not just about strength and skill; the trials also force her to confront her inner demons, deal with her identity and insecurities, and uncover some deep secrets about herself. Along the way, she meets a diverse and compelling cast of characters, each with their own intricate motivations and secrets. The trials all lead up to a life-changing decision that will not only determine Arien's future but also shape the course of her life and the fate of those around her.
I envision The Ninth Element as the first book in a planned three-book series called The Legend of Nohvan.
My goal currently is to increase awareness and collect valuable feedback and honest ratings for my book. Please let me know if you want a free version of the book. My email is: saaraahaataami@gmail.com
Best,
Sara
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ninth Element (other topics)The Quantum Prophet: Elio Ascendant (other topics)
She Who Painted Her Own Universe (other topics)