Slow burn romances, if done well, can become instant bestsellers and attract lots of readers.
Countless authors use this literary resource to write romantasies, but where they really shine is in fantasies with a romance subplot.
This list features both:
Slow burns in romantasies: These are books where the romance is at the forefront, with fantasy elements playing a supporting role. Perfect if you enjoy being immersed in the romantic tension and character dynamics.
Slow burn in fantasy romance: In this category, the focus is more on the fantasy elements, such as world-building and magic systems. The romance subplot adds depth and complexity to the story, enhancing the overall narrative and character development.
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The Slow Burn Meter
1-4: The romance develops in the first book: usually around the end of the first book, one of the characters confess their feelings. This can lead to another event where they become enemies again or develop their relationship fuirther in the follwing books,
5-9: Slow burn goes for more than one book Exactly this. Character don’t confess they love in the first book, although is hinted by the author by their actions.
10: Perfect slow burn:
Wheter it is a standalone or a series, what makes this book a perfect 10 is the pace of the slow burn romance.
START HERE if you are new to fantasy romance slow burns
If you’re a totally new reader, or just getting back to reading after a long time, you should definetly start with this titles.
These series are the absolutely must read when it comes to slow burn fantasy romances.
Click HERE to go to the List Section if you know this Titles already
I didn’t include them in the main list because they’re widely popular and often known by the average reader.
However, for starters, these are the books to read first.
The slow burn meter for this series is a perfect 10.”
Shatter Me Series by Tahere Mafi
Set in a dystopian future, a girl is confined in isolation because she kills everyone with her touch... except two persons. One is her childhood friend, and the other is the sadistic and sociopathic Commander of Sector 45. I haven't read a love triangle better done than this one and the slow burn is there until the end.
A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J Maas
It starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but you have to get to book 2, and that's where the real fun begins. Is it worth the hype? YES. Read it before TikTok or Instagram spoil it for you. One of the staples when it comes to slow buren romance. Very well done
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maaas
Im not a huge fan of the series but the slow burn is there. Not as romance centered as A COurt of Thorn and Roses but a fan favorite nonetheless
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The best enemies-to-lovers fantasy book ever written, seconded by Shatter Me. The slow burn is exquisite.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
One of my favorite series. They are real enemies but work together. He is wicked and cruel to her. 'Hate to love,' morally grey, one bed... all the tropes and one of the best cliffhangers in fantasy romances (in book 2). A 10/10 slow burn that starts in the first book and doesn't come to an end until the lat book of the seriues
His dark destiny awaits, and nothing will stand in his way. Except her.
Dark lord
Demon spawn
Prophesied realm destroyer
With a demon for a father, Damien Maleficus Bloodthorneās destiny could be nothing but nefarious, and with the completion of his most vicious spell, Damien is on the cusp of fulfilling the evil inevitability all of his dark machinations have led to.
And then,Ā her.
Why you should read it
āDamien gave her a look, one he feared was more adoring than he would have liked to let on.ā
I think I can confidently say that this book blew up in 2024. Although itās from 2022, it went somewhat quiet in 2023, but now it’s recommended by the entire community.
And with great reason: it’s a ROMANTASY slow burn that spans more than one book.
Forced proximity, hilarious situations, and a demon who tries to be evil but fails miserably.
A fun and cozy read, perfect for slow-burn romance readers!!
Slow burn meter
The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic hidden in the unassuming library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.
Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all ā the Crown Prince Aldrik ā she finds herself pulled into his world of magic and secrets.
As a forbidden royal romance blooms, she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. With powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.
Why you should read it
āAldrik,ā she breathed faintly, as though it were a prayer. No word had ever tasted sweeter on her tongue.ā
Vhalla is a librarian who discovers that she has special powers and is forced to train with Sorcerers.
Prince Aldrik is your typical morally grey character, similar to Rhysand but in a YA context.
The romance is hinted at from the beginning, but they donāt share their feelings, and itās mostly tension. Prince Aldrik doesnāt treat her particularly well during the first book. ( similar to Feyre and Rhysand relationship in A Court of Thorns and Roses )
Slow burn meter
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the worldās first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good atĀ people. She could never make small talk at a partyāor even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, muddle Emilyās research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.
But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Onesāthe most elusive of all faeriesālurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, sheāll have to unlock the greatest mystery of allāher own heart.
Why you should read it
Slow Burn meter
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Galaxy āAlexā Stern is the most unlikely member of Yaleās freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say sheās thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the worldās most prestigious universities on a full ride. Whatās the catch, and why her?
Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yaleās secret societies. Their eight windowless ātombsā are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Streetās biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.
Why you should read it
“I will serve you ’til the end of days.”
“And love me,” she said with a laugh, bold in the dream, unafraid.
But all he said was, “It is not the same.ā
The perfect dark academia book.
While some may consider the romance to be just a subplot, it significantly influences the story’s development.
What makes this slow burn so unique is that it is REALLY slow.
Like I said before, the hints are there, and in the second book, well… some events take an unexpectedly delightful turn that sets the stage for the final book in the series.
This series is a dessert that you eat slowly, savoring every scoop.
Slow Burn meter
Harry Potter is dead. In the aftermath of the war, in order to strengthen the might of the magical world, Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Hermione Granger has an Order secret, lost but hidden in her mind, so she is sent as an enslaved surrogate to the High Reeve until her mind can be cracked.
Why you should read it
āIf you die, I will kill every last one of them.ā
Manacled” is a Hermione and Draco fanfic that has skyrocketed in popularity.
Dramione fics are usually very popular, getting between 1k to 10k ratings on Goodreads. “Manacled” now sits at almost 90k, competing directly with very popular books and bestsellers.
And for good reason:
This is the epitome of villain gets the girl and the perfect slow-burn romance. It has it all.
The only drawback is that you have to make a mental exercise to forget it is a Dramione fic. (I’m not into Harry Potter fics, so I did this) But it is SO WORTH it.
“Manacled” is going to be published as an original book in 2025, but I strongly recommend reading the fic first.
Due to being a story based on copyright content, “Manacled” can be found for free on the internet.
.
Slow Burn meter
Kell is one of the last Antariāmagicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in ArnesāRed Londonāand officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.
Why you should read it
āWhat are you?” she asked.
“A monster,” said Kell hoarsely. “You’d better let me go.”
The girl gave a small, mocking laugh. “Monsters don’t faint in the presence of ladies.”
“Ladies don’t dress like men and pick pockets,” retorted Kell.
Her smile only sharpened. “What are you really?”
“Tied to your bed,” said Kell matter-of-factly.
“And?”
His brow furrowed. “And in trouble.ā
“A Darker Shade of Magic” is perfect if you’re more into fantasy and want the romance to be somewhat in the background.
The worldbuilding and the overall story are GREAT and original. Kell, the main protagonist, is intriguing, and it’s refreshing to see a male lead.
The heroine has a little “pick me” vibes, but the overall quality of the writing made me forget that.
The romance is subtle and develops very slowly.
Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson.
Slow Burn meter
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Winning what you want may cost you everything you love
They were never meant to be together. As a general’s daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can’t help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other.
Set in a new world,Ā The Winner’s CurseĀ is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.
Why you should read it
āShe saw him and didnāt understand how she had ever missed his beauty. How it didnāt always strike her as it did now, like a blow.ā.
The Winnerās Curse is a hidden gem.
It follows an enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies storyline with a strong but not annoying heroine and a love interest who can’t stay away from her.
The slow burn in this one is delicious. He is her slave, bought out of pity, and Arin hates her with all his heart.
Similar to the relationship dynamics between Cardan and Jude, The Winnerās Curse is a must-read for fans of political intrigue and romance.
Slow Burn meter
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he canāt put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdomāand the world.
Why you should read it
Tahereh Mafi is the queen of creating insta love and then turning it into a slow burn.
Sounds weird? Well, yes, it isĀ but her narrative structure is unique.
She loves love triangles, dark and morally grey characters, and keeps her readers guessing until the last moment who is going to be endgame.
This is her first fantasy series after “Shatter Me” (a dystopian fantasy romance), and the slow burn and love triangle are even deeper than in the “Shatter Me” series.
A must-read!
Slow Burn meter
I decided that Orion Lake needed to die after the second time he saved my life.
Everyone loves Orion Lake. EveryoneĀ else,Ā that is. Far as Iām concerned, he can keep his flashy combat magic to himself. Iām not joining his pack of adoring fans.
I donāt need help surviving the Scholomance, even if they do.Ā Forget the hordes of monsters and cursed artifacts, Iām probably the most dangerous thing in the place. Just give me a chance and Iāll level mountains and kill untold millions, make myself the dark queen of the world.
At least, thatās what the world expects.Ā Most of the other students in here would be delighted if Orion killed me like one more evil thing thatās crawled out of the drains. Sometimes I think they want me to turn into the evil witch they assume I am. The school certainly does.
But the Scholomance isnāt getting what it wants from me. And neither is Orion Lake. I may not be anyoneās idea of the shining hero, but Iām going to make it out of this place alive, and Iām not going to slaughter thousands to do it, either.
Although Iām giving serious consideration toĀ just one.
Why you should read it
Considered by many readers as THE dark academia series, “A Deadly Education” hooks you from the first line:
“I decided that Orion needed to die after the second time he saved my life.”
El, our heroine, is tired of Orion always coming to her rescue, and the poor boy is nothing but a cinnamon roll who canāt understand why El is so angry with him.
The romance is hinted at from the beginning but remains a subplot throughout the series.
Perfect if you want a rich story with a great slow burn!
Slow Burn meter
āTheyāve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.ā
Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:
1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.
No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow Kingās power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and sheās going to do everything within her power to get it.
But Alessandraās not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queenāall while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?
Why you should read it
They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.ā
This book is often recommended for fans of “The Cruel Prince.”
It’s a YA slow burn romance where both main characters are villains. As a standalone, it focuses on the characters without overwhelming readers with extensive worldbuilding.
Tricia Levenseller writes exquisite banter, and this book is full of it. A quick read and definitely one of the best slow burn romances on this list!
Slow Burn meter
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that only breaks down every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.
Or so she thinks … until something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death – a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone – Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed – a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae …
Why you should read it
āLast night you said you wanted to know what to expect so you could better select your attire. I told you we were going to visit a vampire in a Goth-den tonight. Why, then, Ms. Lane, do you look like a perky rainbow?ā
A classic in the genre.
This is like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for adults. And make it Fae.
Although the protagonist, Mac, can be a little bit annoying at times, this series has aged relatively well compared to others from the same years (2000-2005).
“Fever” is a traditional slow burn romance, featuring all the red flag alpha males from the 00ās that we secretly love.
Slow Burn meter
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine,Ā CinderĀ is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.
Why you should read it
āKai cleared his throat. Stood straighter. “I assume you are going to the ball?”
“I-I don’t know. I mean, no. No, I’m sorry, I’m not going to the ball.”
Kai drew back, confused. “Oh well… but… maybe you would change your mind? Because I am, you know.”
“The prince.”
“Not bragging,” he said quickly. “Just a fact.ā
“Cinder” is the perfect slow burn romance for fairytale lovers.
This author loves to add fairytale elements to her stories. And not only that, Marissa Meyer is a confessed Sailor Moon fan, and the Lunar Chronicles series shares lots of similarities with the popular anime series.
Each book in this series features a different fairytale, but theyāre all interconnected, so they should be read in order.
The first book in the series, “Cinder,” features a Cinderella retelling with strong Usagi Tsukino and Prince Endymion vibes from Sailor Moon. NO instalove.
Slow Burn meter
All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeerās Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorceryāmagical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather.
Then an act of sabotage releases the libraryās most dangerous grimoire, and Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.
As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything sheās been taughtāabout sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.
Why you should read it
āI’m ruining your reputation, aren’t I?” she asked, watching the spectacle unfold.
“Don’t worry,” Nathaniel said. “I’ve been hard at work trying to ruin my reputation for years. Perhaps after this, influential families will stop trying to catapult their unwed daughters over my garden fence”
Margaret Rogersonās favorite child.
This book focuses more on the story than the romance. Enchanted books, grimoires, a handsome sorcerer, and a sarcastic demon.
This standalone is a cozy read, perfect if you enjoy books like “Emily Wildeās Encyclopaedia of Faeries” or “A Far Wilder Magic.”
The slow burn romance doesnāt disappoint either. They start as rivals, then become somewhat friends, and eventually lovers (he falls first trope).
Definitely recommend, and it’s a great addition to your collection since Charlie Bowater is the cover artist. (Having all her covers is a necessity for me; she is one of my favourite cover artists!)
Slow Burn meter
My Top picks: The best slow burn Fantasy Romances
Not taking into account the most popular ones mentioned above (because those are a must-read, hehe), these are the two Slow Burn Fantasy Books I would definitely pick first
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