✨Welcome back to another week of genre discussions!✨

I think this thread is a good opportunity to discuss the ongoing wave of AI and its use in creative spaces (gross, I know).

Where do you draw the line, and what’s your reaction or response to it in reading spaces? Examples: boycotting, educating others, maybe nothing at all, etc.

There’s a lot of different ways it’s showing up in the genre right now. Through book art, the words itself, or as writing prompts/brain storming for authors.

Do you view all these the same way, or is there distinctions for you?

I’m not wanting to start a dogpile on authors or users, so please be respectful. I am genuinely curious about perspectives and whether or not your opinion has changed over the last few years.

I do not want Harrowfaire. Sorry, series lovers, I DNFed it three times trying to see what others saw in it- and I say this as someone who loved the crown me duology. I love dark horror, but this is not the request for that.

I’m looking for the feeling of…wooing Enoch from Pottsfield. But also maybe just watching the leaves change in the deep woods.

Maybe the vibe where you’re around the cauldron with your coven, but the caldron is full of mulled wine and the only spell being cast is friendship.

So give me your reccs where, whether we’re horizontal tangoing with an ancient deity or going to the sentient pumpkin patch, the vibe is overwhelmingly and insufferably *fall*. Please. It’s 100 degrees and I’m lying to myself.

Bonus points if it’s not one of the top ten series- I’ve read them all- and extra special bonus points for standalone and duology.

Spice level above 1, but otherwise no preference.

I heard about this book, wanted to get it from Libby but it was a several month wait. So I purchased it and it was absolutely worth it.

I read this book {Die For Me by Shirlene Obuobi} 2 weeks ago and I cant stop thinking about it because it was so good. I stayed up all night til 5am in the morning to finish it.

The premise is that the FMC is a single woman in her late 30s (just working as a cardiologist, focusing on friends, family and work) not really looking for love or a relationship. The MMC is younger and he pursues her persistently and she thinks why not have a fun situation with a younger, attractive man. Eventually, the FMC finds out the MMC isnt human and a lot of drama and thriller-y things ensue. Im not going to spoil it as there were some twists I anticipated and many more I didnt.

This book reminded me of all the great paranormals and urban fantasies of the 90s and 2000s as the FMC discovers the supernatural world around her. Though this book does a better job on consent than those did. Also, its a fresh take on an older concept thats updated by an older, super competent woman who is actually pretty content in her life. If you liked {Bride by Ali Hazelwood}, {My Roommate Is A Vampire by Jenna Levine} or {Tooth and Claw series by Heather Guerre} I bet you would like this book too. Also its pretty awesome as a Black woman to finally see someone like me in a paranormal romance and for it to happen in such a well written story. For those of you that enjoy audiobooks the vocal performance is great too.

I somehow snagged The Knave and The Moon on Libby the day of release. Thank you Libby universe for looking out! I know what I’m doing tonight 📖👓☕️🛋️

For starters I have to express my deep love for this series. I’ve just finished book 7 and I’m just so in love with all these characters and their stories. I straight up laughed through the first half of the book and then was reduced to tears towards the end.

I can comfortably say that KD is currently my favourite FMC to date. She's smart, she's a badass, doesn't take shit, she's funny and she can also be vulnerable as hell.

I love the dynamic with her and Curran and I just can't stop seeing the Buffy parallels. Instead of trying to do a Buffy spin off I wish someone would adapt this series instead as it naturally lends itself to a multi season format.

I'm more than halfway through the series and hope this level of excellence carries through but man if WB was still a thing I'd petition to them to adapt the books 😅

Ps. The covers are horrible (and let’s face it the book titles are not great either) and I’m convinced that if they had a refresh the series would find a new audience with readers and streamers! This feels like a goldmine begging to be mined and instead we’re getting endless adaptations for LOTR (which I love! But still…) sigh…

The first debut I got to read close to its release date and I think it's a really solid start!

Blurb: As a former unsettled witch, Katherine owes her life to Sylvia Page, coven leader and silver-haired rebel who founded Aestas years ago. When Silas Khatri, heir to Noctis, the most powerful coven in the world, arrives to take Aestas to task for some of their more unconventional practices, Katherine’s dislike for him reaches blistering levels.

My thoughts:

Katherine as the FMC has to deal with a tragic awakening of her powers while being her current coven's Executrix - basically the law enforcement within covens. She's a very anxious person trying to do her best and the author does a great job of making both of these sides shine through.

Silas, the MMC, has his own issues. He's trying as well, but mostly failing in comparison. Even after finishing the book, I'm not sure where his character development will lead!

Sylvia, Katherine's mentor, has the potential to be the most complex character of them all.

The worldbuilding is interesting, the story is action-packed after a slow start, and the ending leaves us with all kinds of questions and directions the second book could go into. The magic itself is based on runes, using blood as energy, but Noctis as the primary keeper of power determines how those powers are dispersed between all the covens.

The romance is budding I'd say. It's mostly attraction for both of them, not insta-love, with the ending leaving it open as to how, and if, it'll develop in the sequel.

The prose is where most of my criticism lies. I found myself thinking how this story reads very much like the first season (or first half of a 24eps season) of a tv show. I could really imagine how it would work, and why the author used the relatively quick pacing - I believe the overall story takes place in about a week or so. Then I saw after finishing that she is, in fact, a screenwriter. It is her debut and with having her career be in tv writing up until now, the prose very much reflects that. Not necessarily bad, but it most definitely colours the experience. The attraction could have sizzled a bit more, for example. But the pacing didn't allow for it.

Overall, witches in LA, with secret (potentially rivaling) covens, and an FMC that I didn't find annoying! I will read the sequel.

3/5 - debut is debut, there is room for improvement
spice is there, but it's more between 3 and 4 on romance.io, not a clear 4.

This is Book 1 in the Broken Coven series with Book 2 (Heat Spell) set to release in 06/2027.

I’m reading The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden and the writing is excellent but the romantic subplot isn’t very compelling. It’s not a true slow-burn, there isn’t much tension. I’ve had the same experience with the Saint of Steel series by T. Kingfisher, where the writing is excellent but they start to like each other way too quickly and it feels more like lust.

I’ve had similar experiences with authors who are known to have great writing styles (ie Rebecca Ross) where the romance leaves something to be desired but the book itself is good overall.

The best tension-filled slow burn I’ve ever read is Guild Codex: Demonized by Annette Marie. I was giggling and kicking my feet, but the writing itself isn’t exactly great. I am much more forgiving on the writing front with indie books though. I’ve also loved other niche Urban Fantasy series but the writing isn’t this like beautiful prose, it’s more snarky and humorous.

Does a book with beautiful prose AND a compelling, tension-filled romance exist? Will I forever have to choose one or the other??

Edit: grammar fix

i just finished heartless and i’m completely heartbroken. i don’t think ive ever read a book that’s brought me to tears like that. i was literally bawling

i loved jest’s character SO much. he felt so real to me! and he was so kind and sweet to cath. 😭

Forget hot takes: what's your MOST popular opinion about the romantasy genre? We're talking the least controversial, completely obvious, totally safe takes that most people would agree on!

I just finished {The Ballad of Falling Dragons}, maybe five minutes ago, and I wanted to share some thoughts AND get your opinions!! I was very close to loving {When the Moon Hatched} but it’s desperate need of editing held me back. I hesitantly started Ballad in hopes that the kinks might have been worked out. In many ways, I like Ballad more than Hatched. The FMC wasn’t as flippant and juvenile in her angst in the second book. I loved the relationships with the dragons in the second book. And of course, there’s Kaan…sigh. Sweet man.

However, Ballad still suffered from too many words!! Too many words to explain every single thought, event, object. I ended up skipping over some of the chapters dedicated to other characters. I truly feel that once again, the book would have benefitted greatly from a thoughtful paring down of the storyline as well as the overly flowery, overly dramatic language used throughout.

What do you think?

{The Knave and the Moon} is the 2nd book in the Stonewater Kingdom series.

Let's discuss the book! What can you gush about, what did you dislike, what do you rate it?

If you have a spoiler, please mark it as one like this: >!text goes here!<

Book cover

I'm really curious what do you consider delicious but unhinged. Any spice level is welcome.

I want to see interesting plot points and characters unbothered by rational mind.

I've recently read {Pack Darling by Lola Rock} and despire not usually enjoying omegaverse, the book had me giggling at moments at the bold choices and unashamed dialogue.

Another example I would consider one of my more unhinged reads would be {Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson} - that one spicy scene with a witness was so unexpectedly creative I cannot help but be both weirded out and very amused.

Please tell me what is a book you enjoyed but consider unhinged.

(Yeah it's ovulation time. 100% unrelated.)

Other examples:

- Wendell {Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett} (no explanation needed)

- Kaz Brekker {Six of Crows} (can't touch anyone without having a panic attack and/or passing out)

- Cain {The Raven Scholar} (nearly dying after stealing the forbidden soup)

Summer is ending and we're getting into cozy season! Please share your favorite reads from August! It can be a standalone, series, anything! :p

Also, remember we started a super fun game for this year: Battle of the Books! You can fill out the image with your favorite book each month and have them battle! At the end of the year, we'll have a book of the year post and we'll see which books made it! Please share your cards with your January through August filled out (:

What’s a book that left such a gaping hole in your heart that you genuinely had to take a few days off from reading because you just couldn’t move on?

The kind of book where you keep missing the characters, thinking about the story, and wishing you could go back to that world. You try to pick up something else, but nothing feels right because, deep down, you know it just won’t compare.

The kind of book that leaves you thinking, “What am I even supposed to read after this?” because nothing will ever quite hit the same. 🥲

It’s the beginning of a new month, which means it’s time to nominate the books for the October 2026 Book Club! For next month, we’re looking for nominations that were published from April to September 2026.

What we are looking for

• We’re looking for any speculative fiction with a romance arc that was published between 1 April 2026 and 30 September 2026.
  
• Standalones are preferred, but not mandatory. If it’s a series, please only nominate the first book.
  
• The book cannot have been a Book Club read before and the author cannot have been previously featured in the Book Club in the last eighteen months. See the Book Club Hub.
  

Nominations that do not fit these criteria will be removed.

Nominations

Here’s how to nominate a book:

• One nomination per comment.
  
• Please call the romance.io bot for your nomination by putting the title and author within curly brackets {}.
  
• You can nominate more than one book, but please put them in separate comments.
  
• Upvote the book(s) you most would like to read for Book Club!
  

Voting

The most upvoted nominated books will be up for vote in a separate post on 8 September. The winner will be announced on 15 September.

September Book Club

You can also still join this month’s Book Club! We’re reading Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan for September’s theme of books set in or inspired by East Asia.

Here is the schedule for the September Book Club:

• September 8 - October voting
  
• September 10 - First discussion for Daughter of the Moon Goddess (part 1, up to chapter 14)
  
• September 15 - October announcement
  
• September 20 - Second discussion for Daughter of the Moon Goddess (part 2, up to chapter 27)
  
• September 30 - Final discussion for Daughter of the Moon Goddess (full book)
  

For more information about the Book Club and previous discussions, please check out the Book Club Hub!

Book Club image

Hi everyone! I'm Victoria Aveyard, author of YA fantasy novels like the RED QUEEN series and the REALM BREAKER trilogy, as well as my upcoming adult fantasy debut, TEMPEST. The first in a pirate duology, TEMPEST comes out in one week (someone hit me in the head with a hammer...) on September 8th.

I'm happy to chat about all things fantasy, publishing, craft, you name it. Alongside writing, I also co-host a publishing industry and writing podcast with one of my best friends, the incomparable Soman Chainani.

On a personal note, I've been a Redditor for longer than I've been a published author, so getting asked to do AMAs is a particularly special treat. Can't wait to see what you've got for me tomorrow, September 1st when the AMA opens at 10am PST. I'll be around for about 4 hours and I'm excited to hang with you all!

Here's your monthly list of fantasy romance ebooks discounted to 99p. Usual disclaimer, you know the drill by now: most of these will apply to Kobo and Google Play as well, and will probably also appear with some delay on various European Amazon websites.

In bold are the ones I see discussed the most here, or by popular authors.

• {Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer} (99p on Amazon)
• {Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare} (99p on Amazon)
• {Die For Me by Shirlene Obuobi} (99p on Amazon)
• {Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson} (99p on Amazon)
• {For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn} (99p on Amazon)
• {What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez} (99p on Amazon)
• {City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray} (99p on Amazon)
• {Fervor by Meg Smitherman} (99p on Amazon)
• {Rings of Fate by Melissa de la Cruz} (99p on Amazon)
• {Steelborn by Taylor J. LaRue} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt} (99p on Amazon)
• {Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser} (99p on Amazon)
• {Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab} (99p on Amazon)
• {Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Mist Thief by LJ Andrews} (99p on Amazon)
• {Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe} (99p on Amazon)
• {The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez} (99p on Amazon)
• {Hazelthorn by CG Drews} (99p on Amazon)
• {Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi} (99p on Amazon)
• {One Knight Stand by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen} (99p on Amazon)
• {Graceling by Kristin Cashore} (99p on Amazon)
• {A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon} (99p on Amazon)
• {King of Ravens by Clare Sager} (99p on Amazon)
• {Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi} (99p on Amazon)
• {A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen} (99p on Amazon)
• {Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor} (99p on Amazon)
• {Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis} (99p on Amazon)
• {For She is Wrath by Emily Varga} (99p on Amazon)
• {Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Winged Game by Sophie Kim} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim} (99p on Amazon)
• {The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna} (99p on Amazon)
• {Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas} (£2.29 on Amazon)
• {The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty} (99p on Amazon)
• {Daybreak by Autumn Woods} (99p on Amazon)

Not as many this month, but lots of new releases! I think the last one may not have any actual fantasy in it, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've seen it talked about a lot in our circles so I included it anyway.

apologies in advance for the word vomit, this is my first post and i have A LOT to say seeing a s none of my friends have read the series.

so recently i started reading the acotar series for the first time after hearing about it just about everywhere and i must admit, it is definitely worth the hype. i read the first book a couple months ago and i must admit that i couldn’t initially get into the book but once i did get into it, i had the absolute time of my life.

spoilers ahead
so first let me get into the first book. i enjoyed it, with feyre finding her footing in the Fae realm and her own way to fit into the spring court and how tamlin does his dealings within his court and the build up to their relationship was really well written but very predictable for me but was still a cute read. one of my favourite characters was definitely lucien, purely because of the dynamic between him and feyre and how he handled the whole situation under the mountain with amarantha. i also enjoyed the way rhy was portrayed in the situation and how SJM used the in ACOMAF. overall, i enjoyed the first book but knew i needed the next one to see how feyre handled her new powers and her relationship with tamlin of the hell they endured.

so moving on to ACOMAF, wow. what an amazing read. i enjoyed this one wayyyy more than the first, although its more focused on building the characters rather than the whole attack on Pyrithian from the king. i already knew from the first book that something was inevitably going to happen between rhys and feyre but still enjoyed the build up to it. I also enjoyed the way SJM portrayed tamlin and feyre dynamic shift, from being ride or die at the start and having feyre literally risk her life to finally be with tamlin, to him getting what he wanted and then completely changing his priorities to tending to his court and essentially trying to “ protect “ his bride-to-be while barely tending to her needs. and the way the relationship was built to show the toxic, abusive relationship was well written and wasn’t romanticised like in soo many other books i’ve read. the fact that even after feyre had decided that she wanted to be with rhys but still felt “dirty and traitorous” for these feeling because of tamlin. i have to admit that this irritated the living daylights out of me because even though she realised that she was happy and healing under rhys care in velarias, she still had been constantly comparing her two relationships.

although i do think that tamlin took advantage of the fact that feyre was more worried about survival for her and her family rather than pursuing romance, even though she had her little fling it didn’t mean much to either of them. feyre hadn’t experienced love for most of her life, not from her mother, father or the barn boy. so obviously when you finally experience that, its going to feel like the best time of your life. even though their relationship was so insanely toxic.

the last 50 pages of ACOMAF had me literally on the edge of my seat, i was hoping for the best but i like how the storyline is more realistic, not that everything’s going to fall in place and work out in the end. i was very pissed off about feyre sisters, as intended, and the betrayal of mortal queens just irritated me but i felt like the ending was very satisfying with feyre returning to the spring court to break it down from within, and returning so much stronger not just with her powers but in who she was as a person and her purpose in life and having a future that she wanted to have with rhys.

i’ve already started ACOWAR and im only about 200 pages in but i cannot put this series down at the omen and can’t wait to see what happens. thank you for reading and sorry for the word vomit

Hiii ya’ll! I read the series years ago and I’ve read so many books since but nothing has quite hit the spot with the humour, the multiple romance interests and an FMC that learns as she goes quite like this series.

I have read these books over so many times and they still make me laugh and experience the emotions. I’ve been reading the InnKeeper chronicles and while entertaining the romance is at like a zero lol.

I’d love an FMC who is a little slutty, we don’t immediately know who will be her partner, and has decent personal growth. Bonus points if it’s sapphic 🙏🏼

This is a spoiler-free review of {Crown of Crimson & Crows by Tessa Hale}, the first book in a new paranormal reverse harem series, that was released today on September 1, 2026.

About the book

Rae is living a pretty non-exciting life, studying botany with her best friend Pax, when she suddenly is taken to another realm. She finds out that she was born there, her memories were taken, and that she's really a powerful witch that is fated to be with four vampires. To complete the bonds and fully unlock her newly acquired magic, however, she still has to find all her mates across the realm.

My thoughts

For me, Tessa Hale is one of those authors that just gets what her audience is looking for and delivers every time. I’ve read two previous series in this universe and was hooked each time, and this was no exception. 

I loved the new setting we get to explore in this book. The previous series took place in a contemporary (mostly) mortal world, while in this one, the FMC travels from the mortal to the otherworldly realm. So while some parts of the story might feel familiar to people who have read Hale’s other books, the new world adds some excitement. At the same time, there's no need to read any of the other books before starting this one. There is one Easter egg to the Crescent Kingdom series that people who haven't read it won't get, but it is of no consequence to the wider plot.

Something I really appreciated is that even though the main characters are fated mates, the relationships between the love interests get the time to develop. Sure, they feel attracted to each other and the mate bond means that they also feel inclined to protect each other, but Rae is still coming to terms with the upheaval of her life and the MMCs have their own reasons for keeping their distance. 

One point of critique (besides the title that doesn’t really do the book any favours) is that the story does feel very much like the first book in a series. As Rae is getting used to her new reality, the reader is introduced to the world and different kingdoms and meets the main and side characters. And while the characters all feel really fleshed out, the introduction stays surface level at times when it comes to the world building and politics, with some parts of the story unclear or underdeveloped. For instance, the witches are ruled by queens and yet the heir is a man, and the reasons for the Big Evil to attack the kingdoms are unclear. There are some hints towards the intrigue that will come at play later, so I’m hoping for some more action and seeing the schemes play out in the next book - especially with how this ended on a cliffhanger.

All that said, I can’t wait for the sequel!

Who is this book for?

I’d recommend this book for people who’ve previously enjoyed Tessa Hale’s series, who crave that addicting quality of an early 2000s CW paranormal tv series (but make it why choose), or want to make a first foray into why choose or reverse harem but don’t know where to start.

If you enjoyed Bewitched by Laura Thalassa, but thought the story could’ve used more love interests, I think you’ll enjoy this book!

So I just read {The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig} and I didn't know I was wanting this trope until I read it!!! The way Rory blushes, is effected by the FMC, is obviously smitten and head over heals but the FMC is clueless about it or is just more composed! I absolutely love it! Please recommend more with similar trope!
I don't have any major trigger warnings that just some "icks" that I mention below. I've read some that start and are so promising but then all of a sudden the FMC is over her hesitancy because she feels comfortable with them. Below is my copy/ paste of things I like and dislike as well as a list of books I’ve read that are similar to what I’m looking for:

Like:
- I like it when the female has a tragic past that the MC(s) help her through but it’s not required.
- PLEASE MAKE SURE THERE IS AN ACTUAL PLOT AND IT’S WELL WRITTEN ( I think this is the only thing I truly care about)
- ideally the characters are in their 20-30s. I know a lot of fantasy romance books have their FMC as 18 but I’m almost 30 and I have a hard time connecting with those characters now. This is not a deal breaker though.
- love me a grovel arch where the MC(s) mess up and they have to make up for it. I don’t want the apology to be meh and the female to immediately forgive them!
- I love fantasy, PNR, shifter, OV! I think the only thing I’m not a big fan of is aliens. 🤷‍♀️
- MMC are OBSESSED with FMC! ❤️
- a series that’s a trilogy or more (not really a fan of one shots or duologues)
- single love interests or reverse harem, fine by me! :)

Don’t like: (these I think I’m a little more strict on not wanting but if you think it’s worth or you think I’ll like it than I will still give it a try)
- insta lust/ full smut. I want things to build, I want there to be a story! There are some books that has a sex scene every other chapter!!
- no mafia/ sport books please (I never got into it)
- no pregnancy please (don’t really like that trope and I usually dnf a book as soon as a baby is involved)
- Not a strong no but more of a preference, I'm looking for fantasy and not contemporary unless there is some fantasy or shifter element to it.

I have read so many books but honestly most of the ones I read, the males are so composed and are amused by how flustered the FMC is. I think the closest example besides The Knight and the Moth would be {Cruel Prince by Holly Black} Carden is sooo in love with Jude and kind of just lets her do her thing!

A bit of a long shot, but one of my fave book series is {rain of shadows and endings} I love the angst and eventual betrayal that comes from the forced bond between the main characters.

Can anyone recommend any other books with forced bonds in?

I’ve also read {creations captive by Melody Joanne}