Romantasy books – 2025 update

Reading lists

28 must-read romantasy books and series

A Beautiful Evil

The eagerly anticipated new YA Greek myth re-imagining from Bea Fitzgerald, TikTok superstar and Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen. 
 
Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple purpose: to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos. 
 
The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her. 
 
Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ? 
 
As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final warning: that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom. 
 
So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world? 
 
Pandora’s about to find out. 
 
A glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the Pandora myth, from the bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All

No one does Greek myths quite like Bea Fitzgerald, whose teenage heroines unapologetically take centre stage, outplaying the gods at every turn . In A Beautiful Evil, the Olympians conjure up Pandora, the first human woman who, in contrast to classic retellings, is here smart, complex and neurodivergent, made for a husband who seems not to want her. Facing her are the challenges of navigating an unlikely romance and finding her life's purpose – as well as that tricky business of opening a jar to release all the evils of the world upon humanity. A deliciously addictive romp.

Nobody is reinventing Greek mythology like Bea Fitzgerald – full of laughter, romance and drama, her books deliver brilliant ancient tales for a modern audience, and all set in the most beautifully realized magical world. I would read ANYTHING she writes.

Elodie Harper, bestselling author of The Wolf Den

Heartfelt, hilarious and inherently hopeful, A Beautiful Evil is a stunning reimagining – and reclamation – of the myth of Pandora. I fell in love with this story – the irresistible grumpy-sunshine romance, the piercing social commentary, and the lyrical, poetic prose. It is a powerful reminder that strength lies in our differences, and that hope is eternal. A joy from start to finish. Bea Fitzgerald has done it again!

Lauryn Hamilton Murray, author of Heir of Storms

Bea brings her wry, witty and utterly fresh perspective to the myth of Pandora, fleshing a much-maligned figure into a woman brimming with heart, joy and intellectual inquisitiveness. She cleverly turns a misogynistic story on its head, inviting the reader to consider Pandora's curiosity as a strength rather than a flaw - and encouraging us to question everything we've been told before in the process. Bea finds a brilliant and startling way to tie up the loose ends of myth and gives us a beautiful love story as well as the tale of a woman finding out who she is and what she wants. An empowering and thoroughly entertaining novel.

Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne

Bea keeps getting better and better with every reimagining that she writes. I didn't think I could love any story more than The End Crowns All, but here I am, obsessed with her spin on the infamous story of Pandora's jar. Brimming with Bea's wit and populated with unforgettable characters, A Beautiful Evil is a brilliant, bright and hopeful examination of female desire and agency. I devoured this book.

Costanza Casati, bestselling author of Babylonia

Bea Fitzgerald has outdone herself with this masterful retelling of the myth of Pandora. Alongside the delightful grumpy-meets-sunshine romance and the thrilling plot of defiance is a reclamation of female agency, curiosity and hope - the very essence of being human. I absolutely loved it!

Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind

An enthralling and creative reimagining of the Pandora myth, infused with simmering romantic tension and a bright spark of hope. A Beautiful Evil absorbed me in Pandora's world from the first page until the final heart-rending moments.

H.F. Askwith, author of A Dark Inheritance

Having already delved into the tales of Hades and Persephone and the legendary Fall of Troy, Bea Fitzgerald’s third Greek mythology reimagining puts Pandora in the spotlight. This delightful grumpy/sunshine fantasy romance sees the first human woman made by the gods grappling with both her purpose and her heart when the husband she was created to love doesn’t love her back. A story that’s as witty and hopeful as it is inventive and perceptive

Culturefly, 'The Best Books To Give The Readers In Your Life For Christmas 2025'

From the TikTok star and author of Girl, Goddess, Queen comes another delicious and empowering retelling which turns the myth of Pandora as the source of all the world's evils on its head.

Waterstones, Best Teenage and Young Adult Books of 2025

Bea Fitzgerald is a Sunday Times bestselling author and content creator who has swiftly become one of the UK's biggest YA stars. Her debut Girl, Goddess, Queen was the bestselling YA hardback debut of 2023 and her follow-ups The End Crowns All and A Beautiful Evil were both instant bestsellers. In 2024, Girl, Goddess, Queen won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Fantasy Romance of the Year. Her work has also been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize and The Books Are My Bag award. Bea's work has been translated widely across the globe, and when she's not writing, she's entertaining her followers on TikTok and Instagram with her mythology-themed comedy account @chaosonolympus.

Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple purpose: to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos.The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her.Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ?As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final warning: that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom.So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love...that just happens to threaten the end of the world?Pandora’s about to find out.A glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the Pandora myth, from the bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All

Then Things Went Dark

Six Contestants. One Murder. Twelve Million Witnesses. 
The reality show no one will ever forget. 
‘Fantastic, brilliantly characterised and completely addictive’ 5* Reader Review 
‘This book is just the perfect binge-worthy escape!’ 5* Reader Review 
‘Kind of speechless, kind of could break the world record for loudest scream right now’ 5* Reader Review 
-- 
Rhys Sutton dies suddenly on a desert island. 
 
12 million people watch it happen – before the TV producers pull the plug. 
 
Rhys was one of six reality show contestants. 
 
The other five – best friend, rival, girlfriend, lover, sworn enemy – are now suspects. 
 
Because Rhys was the most hated man on TV. 
 
What happened on the island? Which secrets did the cameras miss? And who’d commit a crime in front of millions?

True crime meets juicy reality TV

Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

Rebecca McKanna, author of Don’t Forget the Girl

Shocking, addictive and utterly exquisite!

Then Things Went Dark is the perfect holiday thriller!

Natali Simmonds, author of Good Girls Die Last

Deliciously dark and moreish ... I could not put it down.

Lizzie Huxley Jones, author of Make You Mine This Christmas

It is such a tightly plotted thriller with plenty of twists and turns in store.

This is a twisting, psychological mine field that examines what people will really do for their five minutes of fame.

I loved every second of this sun-soaked nightmare.

Fitzgerald plays a scathing, thrilling game of worst case scenario, poking fun and critiquing dystopian reality TV tropes

Iman Hariri-Kia, author of A Hundred Other Girls and The Most Famous Girl in the World

Sharp, gripping, fun, and utterly brilliant.

Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth

Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion.

Lucinda Berry, bestselling author of If You Tell a Lie

Six people land on a desert island ready to make their reality show debut. But three weeks and eighteen episodes later, five of the six contestants sit in a Portuguese police station, and none of them are winners. 
 
Because twelve million people were watching when Rhys Sutton died. The best friend, the rival, the girlfriend, the lover, and the sworn enemy are left standing. And no-one is talking. But how do you keep secrets when the world has been watching? 
 
Especially when, just a day before his murder, Rhys was the most hated man on television.

The End Crowns All

An instant bestseller, this is the second fierce, fresh and gloriously romantic YA Greek myth re-imagining from Bea Fitzgerald, TikTok superstar and Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen. 
 
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2025! 
 
Love caused this war. At least, that’s what the stories will say. 
 
When Cassandra’s patron god, Apollo, offers her the gift of prophecy – and all the power that comes with it – she seizes the opportunity. But when she fails to uphold her end of the agreement, she discovers just how very far she has to fall. No one believes her visions. Which all seem to be of one girl – and she’s going to start a war. 
 
Helen fled Sparta in pursuit of love – though that’s proving more elusive than she’d hoped. Far from home, Helen’s navigating all the politics and backstabbing of the Trojan court. 
 
And one princess seems particularly intent on driving her from the city. . . 
 
But when war finally strikes, it’s more than the army at their walls they must contend with. Cassandra and Helen might hold the key to reweaving fate itself – especially with the prophetic strands drawing them ever closer together. 
 
But how do you change your future when the gods themselves are dictating your demise? 
 
'A book with so much heart, centred around a beautiful love story that will leave you swooning.' - Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of Medea 
 
'Witty, romantic and a total joy.' - Elodie Harper, bestselling author of The Wolf Den 
 
'Thrumming with rivals-to-lovers friction and delicious slow-burn pining.' - Laura Steven, bestselling author of Our Infinite Fates 
 
'Epic in all senses of the word.' - Sarah Underwood, bestselling author of Lies We Sing To The Sea

The End Crowns All is witty, romantic and a total joy. Bea completely flips the script, giving Cassandra and Helen agency to subvert their own destiny with dialogue that crackles with humour, love and fire! In short, this is the perfect summer read

Elodie Harper, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf Den

This is a witty, sharp reimagining that overflows with heart. Bea Fitzgerald weaves ancient myth into a dazzling new story that is bold, compelling and a striking reflection on the power of storytelling. She is so very skilled in elevating the voices of women, giving them legends of their own that speak to a whole new generation of readers

Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne

Bea Fitzgerald's writing reminds me why I love reading so much – fresh, funny, smart, and full of wisdom and knowledge. The author expertly plays with the Greek myths, giving us a sexy, sapphic reimagining of the Trojan War that I couldn't put down

Costanza Casati, Sunday Times bestselling author of Clytemnestra

A snappy, sapphic reimagining of the Trojan War, The End Crowns All is a true epic about a love powerful enough to change fate

Thrumming with rivals-to-lovers friction and delicious slow-burn pining, The End Crowns All is a vibrant and romantic sapphic reimagining of the fall of Troy

Laura Steven, bestselling author of The Society of Soulless Girls

Sarah Underwood, bestselling author of Lies We Sing To The Sea

An absolute delight from start to finish.

Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of Medea

When Cassandra’s patron god, Apollo, offers her the gift of prophecy she seizes the opportunity. But when she fails to uphold her end of the bargain, she discovers just how very far she has to fall. No one believes her visions, which all seem to be of one girl – a girl who is going to start a war. 
 
Helen fled Sparta in pursuit of love – but is finding it elusive. Now she must navigate the fierce politics and danger of the Trojan court - including from its princess, who seems intent on driving her from the city. . . 
 
But when war finally strikes, Cassandra and Helen must deal with more than just the army at their walls. Cassandra and Helen's fates are more closely tied - and seemingly tragic - than they could have ever imagined. How can you change your future when the gods themselves are dictating your demise?

A Hades and Persephone fantasy romance from a growing TikTok superstar

Girl, Goddess, Queen

To hell with love, this goddess has other plans... 
 
Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. 
 
The real story is much more interesting. 
 
Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. 
 
Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core. 
 
But consequences can be deadly, especially when you're already in hell . . . 
 
A fierce, fresh and enormously fun YA fantasy re-imagining from a growing TikTok superstar. 
 
"Bring[s] to life timeless gods, the complex intimacy of family bonds, a fierce protagonist, and a passionate slow-burn romance." Sue Lynn Tan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess. 
 
"A richly woven, gloriously funny and deeply swoony exploration of the Hades & Persephone myth." Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Make You Mine This Christmas

Funny, fierce and feminist; this is a refreshing romp through Greek mythology. Bea Fitzgerald draws on her extensive knowledge to create this imaginative retelling, turning everything we think we know about Persephone and Hades upside down and recasting them as the stars of this unexpected, meticulously researched, empowering rom-com.

Girl, Goddess, Queen is simply divine. Bea has woven a classic myth with an electrifying romance and a witty, fiercely modern twist. Beautifully written, utterly glorious, and fabulously powerful, this is a definite must-read that should be at the top of everyone's TBR pile!

Beth Reekles, bestselling author of The Kissing Booth

Girl, Goddess, Queen is a true gem: joyfully irreverent and deeply thoughtful in equal measure

Sarah Underwood,  bestselling author of Lies We Sing To The Sea

A captivating debut! Girl, Goddess, Queen is an incredibly fun and wonderfully crafted reimagining of a beloved myth - bringing to life timeless gods, the complex intimacy of family bonds, a fierce protagonist, and a passionate slow-burn romance.

Sue Lynn Tan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Girl Goddess Queen is a richly woven, gloriously funny and deeply swoony exploration of the Hades & Persephone myth, and I'm so excited for everyone to discover the marvellous talent that is Bea Fitzgerald.

Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Make You Mine This Christmas

A fresh feminist take on a classic myth, Girl, Goddess, Queen is ripe with yearning, humour and wit.

A clever and fresh feminist retelling that pulses with beauty and life.

Anna Waterworth, author of The Girl Who Grew Wings

The Sunday Times Top 10 Children's Bestseller. 
 
To hell with love, this goddess has other plans... 
 
Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. 
 
Well, it's time to set the record straight. 
 
Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. 
 
Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core.

This Divine Revelry

When Ariadne, Princess of Crete, vows to help free the Athenian prince, Theseus, and his fellow tributes - sacrifices for the monster which allegedly lurks beneath her palace's floors - she hopes she will free herself from the savage rule of her father, too. 
 
Instead, she finds herself abandoned on an island the morning after Theseus has sworn love and marriage - watching his ship sail away without her. 
 
In return, Ariadne swears revenge. Which is all very well - except for the aforementioned being abandoned on an island thing. Luckily for her though, the island happens to belong to a god. Alright, currently a fairly minor one (though only if you think wine and partying are minor concerns) - but it quickly turns out Dionysus and Ariadne may be able to help each other. 
 
Dionysus needs followers to maintain his fragile, threatened power. Ariadne wants to stop Theseus from spreading rumours of his own greatness any further. Together, they may be able to make a story so powerful, it will elevate them both to the status of legends. 
 
Ariadne isn't interested in real love any more - of course - which is a shame, as there's something irresistible about the pull between her and Dionysus - even if he is completely infuriating. And he is the first person to agree with her that women can be more than just footnotes in men's myths. 
They have a power of their own. 
 
And once that power is unleashed - the men of Ariadne's story, and even the gods themselves, should prepare to tremble . . .

Bea Fitzgerald

-- Praise for Bea Fitzgerald

Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion

Shocking, addictive and utterly exquisite!

Deliciously dark and moreish ... I could not put it down

A delectable novel of inescapable obsession that hooks you right under your skin. Brilliantly funny and desperately hot. Delicious, nasty stuff.

Nadine Heywood is determined to be the best actress in the world.Getting into London’s top drama school is just the first step. But there, Nadine comes head-to-head with Harper Moore. Beautiful, brilliant, effortlessly charming, she is everything Nadine isn’t. And immediately Nadine sees her as more than just her competition.As their worlds collide against the glitz of Hollywood, they can no longer keep their rivalry private. Splashed over the tabloids, Harper and Nadine are the public’s favourite celebrity feud. 
 
But as the stakes get higher, they start to realise there is more to their passionate hate than meets the eye…

Bea Fitzgerald

Praise for Better Than Revenge

-- Praise for Bea Fitzgerald

Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion

Sharp, gripping, fun, and utterly brilliant.

-- Praise for Bea Fitzgerald

Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion

Sharp, gripping, fun, and utterly brilliant.

-- Praise for Bea Fitzgerald

Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion

Sharp, gripping, fun, and utterly brilliant.

Books by Bea Fitzgerald

Articles featuring Bea Fitzgerald

28 must-read romantasy books and series

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