As we sat down to talk about the best romances of 2024, we couldn’t help but notice that something was missing. Because we’re always listening (ha, see what we did there), we’d like to introduce the latest addition to our Best of the Year celebration: romantasy. This year delivered great stories filled with action, romance, magic, and plenty of steam, transporting us to worlds where we rooted for star-crossed lovers, battled alongside warrior queens, and hunted for artifacts. Our list of the best romantasy of 2024 is full of larger-than-life love stories in worlds beyond imagination.
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Full of gothic Southern occult vibes, and partnered with a simmering plot that drew me in almost immediately, Karen Marie Moaning's latest novel was very much worth the wait. The story follows Zo Grey, a 24-year-old struggling with debt and the recent death of her mother. When Zo receives the news that she has inherited a grand estate in a hidden town called Divinity, she can't resist the offer. As she gets settled, Zo begins to uncover dark secrets, the strange conditions of her inheritance, and a handsome Scottish groundskeeper who adds a slow burn (with all its accompanying tension) that is almost dangerous. Amanda Leigh Cobb and Tim Campbell's performances were steamy, eerie, and addicting—drawing listeners into a world of magic, mystery, and romance that ends with a cliffhanger that has left me counting the moments until the sequel. —Patty K.R.
Amanda Dolan's performance perfectly captures the gripping world of Spark of the Everflame. The story follows Diem Balletor, a mortal healer who is caught between a brewing war, her mother's mysterious disappearance, and the love triangle that is brewing between her, Prince Luther, and her best friend, Henri. The rich world-building included so many details that I almost forgot this was a not-so-fated mates story. The slow burn of the narrative is full of angst, leaving me looking forward to the rest of the series, which is already available. —PKR
Phantasma is one of those novels that gets me excited every time I get to talk about it because I have a chance to remember how much I loved it. This story grabs you from the first chapter and never lets go. After the death of her mother, necromancer Ophelia enters a deadly game to save her sister, set in a haunted mansion. The rules are clear: Survive, and whatever you do, don't fall in love. With each deadly level of the competition inspired by a circle of hell, the stakes are as high as they can get for Ophelia, who decides to team up with the mysterious Blackwell—who may be playing a game of his own. The gothic setting, spot-on OCD representation, and intense twists were perfectly executed by performer Laura Horowitz, who captured the tension and emotion of the story. —PKR
I'd like to personally thank author Jasmine Mas for the wild ride that Blood of Hercules took me on. When Alexis discovers her Spartan blood, she is taken away to the Spartan War Academy, where survival is the daily challenge. She finds herself forced to obey her professors and mentors, who soon make it known that she is both not welcome but also very well protected from any harm. Integrating history and Greek Myth with a dash of enemies-to-lovers tension, Blood of Hercules sets the background for what is going to be an amazing series. With a cast that includes Teddy Hamilton, Meg Sylvan, Aiden Snow, and Tristan Morris, I went into this listen confident that I would be left satisfied, and I was right. —PKR
A Tribute of Fire is romance author Sariah Wilson’s debut into romantasy, and I seriously hope it’s not her last. Every year, Ilion sends two maidens to compete in a life-or-death ritual, and no maiden ever makes it out alive. In an attempt to protect her kingdom, Princess Lia arranges to be selected. When she and her untrained sister, Quynh, are forced into the deadly race, Lia must navigate a maze-like city while protecting her sister and resisting her undeniable attraction to Jason, a dangerously handsome enemy sailor. The sizzling chemistry between Lia and Jason, nonstop action, and found-family dynamics, combined with Therese Plummer’s narration—and that cliffhanger (which I am still recovering from)—made A Tribute of Fire a fantastic start to a series. —PKR
If it's not obvious already, I am always drawn to a romantic plot. When I heard that in the midst of the action, magic, and fantasy in the Crescent City series there was a romance story, that was all it took for me to give it a listen. Two years after listening, gasping, and then re-listening to the end of House of Sky and Breath, I found myself anticipating House of Flame and Shadow, and not just for the romance—I was even more excited for Maas’s amazing world-building. I have been completely captivated by the world of faes and archangels and their good and bad deeds. Elizabeth Evans, who has excellently narrated both the Crescent City and Throne of Glass series, returns to narrate, which is the icing on the cake. —PKR
Nocticadia was one of those stories that mesmerized me from the start, and has stayed with me long after I’ve listened. Lilia’s search to find a cure for her mother’s mysterious illness pulled me into the darkly enchanting world of Dracadia University, where she meets Professor Devryck Bramwell. Their chemistry crackles with tension from their first meeting, making their forbidden romance a tantalizing slow burn that I was rooting for throughout the entire audio. Narrators Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock deliver exceptional performances that upped the emotional stakes and turned the gothic atmosphere into a realistic world that I enjoyed immersing myself in for hours. —PKR
As if the beautiful cover of Bull Moon Rising wasn’t enough to enchant me, the first chapter most certainly did the job. Aspeth Honori, a noblewoman facing a disaster due to her father’s gambling, runs away to join the Royal Artifactual Guild with her best friend (and her adorable orange cat). Her plans quickly go awry when she marries her minotaur teacher. Ruby Dixon masterfully builds a vibrant world and a captivating magic system, delivering a perfect blend of humor and spice. I fell in love with Aspeth, who is a lovable, messy character, and the spicy scenes caught me by surprise. The story is the first in a series, and I can’t wait to listen to more stories in this universe, and to catch up with the delightful supporting characters. Felicity Munroe and Hiro Diaz deliver steamy performances, bringing the characters to life with their stellar duet narration. —PKR
In Sparktopia, we’re in a parallel dimension across time and space where science fiction, fantasy, and romance blend to give us one magical story. Clara Birch is a Spark Maiden caught in a whirlwind of unexpected sacrifice and betrayal as she uncovers the chilling truth about her god. Alongside her is Jasina Bell, a spirited underclass rebel who’s determined to carve out her own destiny. As their journeys become more intertwined, a new tension slips into the story that kept me guessing at every turn. Huss’s vivid writing paired with a talented full cast, including Eric Nolan and Jill Redfield, took me on a delightful adventure that added just a touch of chaos to an already thrilling mix of action, romance, and complex relationships. —PKR
What drew me to Never Keep was that it’s set in the same world as the Zodiac Academy series (which I've devoured at least twice now), but introduces an entirely new, thrilling story. We dive right into the action with an intense battle scene, and from there, it never lets up. Everest and Vesper, the two fierce main characters, are at the forefront of this dark high fantasy, where morally gray characters and found family take center stage. While Never Keep has just a dash of romance, the tension between the characters and the plot twists were so palpable that they kept me hooked. With Jake and Bridget Bordeaux bringing the characters and the world to life with their captivating narration, I can’t wait to see what comes next in this epic, sexy tale. —PKR
