Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking to spice up your reading list with some epic love stories set in fantastical worlds, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a curated list of 20 science fiction and fantasy novels that blend romance with adventure, perfect for a cozy read on the day of love.
- “This Is How You Lose the Time War” by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
An epistolary masterpiece where two rival agents from warring futures exchange letters and fall deeply in love across time and space. - “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch
A mind-bending thriller that explores the depths of love and the choices we make, as a man fights through parallel universes to return to his family. - “Beren and Lúthien” by J.R.R. Tolkien
A classic tale from Middle-earth, recounting the love story between a mortal man and an immortal elf, defying gods and monsters. - “The Princess Bride” by William Goldman
A swashbuckling adventure filled with “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” Need we say more? - “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
A modern romantasy where a huntress becomes entwined with faeries, leading to a passionate and dangerous love affair. - “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
A heart-wrenching story of a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and the woman who loves him throughout his life. - “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon
A WWII nurse is mysteriously transported back to 18th-century Scotland, where she finds adventure and an unexpected romance. - “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman
A young man ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, only to discover that the star is a living woman. - “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
Two young magicians are bound in a life-long competition, but as their rivalry intensifies, so does their mutual attraction. - “The Shape of Water” by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus
A mute woman forms a unique relationship with a mysterious aquatic creature in a high-security government laboratory. - “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
A retelling of the Iliad, focusing on the profound love between Achilles and Patroclus. - “The Wrath & the Dawn” by Renée Ahdieh
A reimagining of “One Thousand and One Nights,” where a young woman volunteers to marry a murderous king to avenge her friend but finds herself falling for him. - “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
A woman makes a deal to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets—until someone remembers her. - “Sorcery of Thorns” by Margaret Rogerson
In a world where magical books can transform into monsters, a librarian teams up with a sorcerer to save their kingdom. - “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden
Set in medieval Russia, a young woman with mystical abilities must protect her village from dark forces while navigating societal expectations. - “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne
An enemies-to-lovers story set in a publishing house, blending romantic tension with witty banter. - “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
The First Son of the United States falls in love with a prince of England, causing international headlines and personal dilemmas. - “The Bride Test” by Helen Hoang
A Vietnamese woman travels to America to meet a potential husband, leading to a heartfelt exploration of love and identity. - “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang
A woman with Asperger’s hires a male escort to teach her about intimacy, leading to unexpected feelings. - “The Vanished Birds” by Simon Jimenez
A profound narrative about found family, love, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of space travel.
Whether you’re into time-traveling romances, epic fantasy love stories, or modern tales with a twist, this list has something to make your Valentine’s Day reading truly magical. Happy reading.