I grew up dreaming about dragons, reading stories with real-life settings and fantasy twists, writing Dramione fanfic, and scouring the woods for fae. One thing remained consistent above all: I loved the idea that a supernatural adventure could be around any corner—and as I got older, that a smoldering fallen angel or a centuries-old brooding vampire was waiting there, too.
There is something so exciting to me about a seemingly normal world having a hidden one just within reach. That something magical can happen at any moment. That the rustle in the forest was actually a fae, or the late-night howl was actually a shifter.
It’s probably why I was so drawn to Harry Potter when I was younger—although by the time the final few books came out, I did wish there was more kissing, lol.
Urban fantasy romance isn’t just a metropolitan setting and modern language and contemporary vibes. It’s a feeling, an inkling, a stir in your heart: what if there’s more to the world?
If this type of book speaks to your soul, here are 14 urban fantasy romance recs to add to your TBR, all released within the last six years (aside from one), and all with a heavy dose of tension.
Angel of Water & Shadow by Tory Guyon
Blurb: River assumes the voices she hears are a figment of her grief. She’s happy when they suddenly vanish, until a demon attacks her and magic manifests at her fingertips and no one is there to explain—except a mysterious hunter named Ryder. Caught in a battle between supernatural realms, to save humanity, she must find the Voices and unlock her buried past.
Age category: Upper Young Adult / New Adult
Release date: May 2023 | Goodreads | Amazon
“Earth isn’t made for you to rule, it’s made to make you suffer. You’re not a savior. You’re one of us. Forgotten.”
Asterion by Alessa Thorn
Blurb: Asterion rules his club with an iron fist. No one in Greece is willing to risk crossing him—except Ariadne, an assassin who will do anything to get revenge on her boss who murdered her sister and is keeping her in debt to him. When she receives the contract that’ll give her everything she’s ever wanted, she only has to kill Asterion: the most dangerously sexy man she’s ever met.
Age category: Adult
Release date: March 2020 | Goodreads | Amazon
“Look upon me and despair, mortal!”
City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards
Blurb: When Loren barely escapes abduction, the perps take her friend and demand her life in exchange for theirs. She’ll do whatever it takes—even partnering with Darien, feared leader of the Darkslayers—to get her friend back. The search for answers takes them into the city’s underbelly, where they discover a secret that threatens to unravel their world.
Age category: New Adult
Release date: January 2022 | Goodreads | Amazon
“Sweetheart, I am not a devil. I am the devil. Don’t start getting the wrong idea.”
Control My Night by Sarah L Richhelm
Blurb: Keanna is an untrained banshee armed with a deadly wail. When she’s snatched by criminals determined to weaponize her, she’s forced into service to find their leader’s missing daughter. Her only ally is Silas, another prisoner. As their relationship develops she sinks further into the world she’s trying to escape. Soon, she discovers earning her freedom may cost not just her heart, but everything she’s ever known to be true.
Age category: New Adult
Release date: June 2024 | Goodreads | Amazon
“Cages come in all forms, Keanna.“
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Blurb: Bryce had the perfect life, until a demon murdered her friends. Hunt is a Fallen angel whose skills have been set to one purpose, assassinate his boss’s enemies. One day, he’s offered a deal: help her find the murderer and his freedom will be within reach. As they work together, they discover a dark power that threatens everything they hold dear—and in each other, a blazing passion.
Age category: Adult
Release date: March 2020 | Goodreads | Amazon
“The power shall always belong to those who give their lives to the city.”
Hunt the Night by Everly Frost
Blurb: Lana is an angel born with a need for vengeance so intense that they caged her, branded her, and kept her in the dark. She’s been promised freedom if she hunts the Dread—a merciless clan of dragon shifters. But one mistake costs Lana’s freedom once more. Now, her life rests in the hands of Callan, a Dread dragon whose touch sears her corrupted soul.
Age category: Adult
Release date: February 2022 | Goodreads | Amazon
“I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m crashing all over again. It’s been a long time since anyone spoke my real name.”
Hunt the Night by K.M. Shea
Blurb: As a hunter, Pip struggles to survive among the werewolves she calls family. Alpha Greyson is the worst of all—he’s got enough trouble with his incomplete mate bond, but he’s made it his mission to test her at every opportunity. When wolves from surrounding packs attack humans in their city, everything changes. Someone is targeting them.
Age category: Adult
Release date: December 2021 | Goodreads | Amazon
“If he was moving faster than I was, things were way more dire than I thought.”
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
Blurb: Emma is bent on discovering what killed her parents. Together with her parabatai, Julian, she investigates a demonic plot—if only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions… Julian’s brother, Mark, who was captured by faeries five years ago, has been returned as a bargaining chip. But time worked differently there, so he’s barely aged and doesn’t recognize them. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?
Age category: Young Adult
Release date: March 2016 | Goodreads | Amazon
“There was beauty in the idea of freedom, but it was an illusion. Every human heart was chained by love.“
Love & Curse Making by Kelly St. Clare
Blurb: Cerys is a Cupid running a paranormal dating agency. It’s an amazing life—or would be if she didn’t have a curse that blocked her from experiencing love. When her ‘extinct’ magic explodes in the presence of true love, the sexy but infuriatingly bored Detective gets involved. Not only is she cursed, she’s dodging the law and trying to run a matchmaking business.
Age category: Adult
Release date: January 2022 | Goodreads | Amazon
“A mussed-looking detective burst into the interrogation room. Sheesh. Impressive.”
Shot in the Dark by Mary Dublin and Kendsley
Blurb: Sylvia’s world is shattered by a bullet through her wing—courtesy of Jon and Cliff, hunters who suspect her involvement in disappearances. When she saves Jon’s life by sealing a pact with ancient fae powers, her captivity turns into an unlikely alliance. The price? She’s left with no choice but to stay by Jon’s side while he and Cliff go hunting. Soon, icy hostility melts into attraction, but if Jon discovers her secret, she knows her fate is sealed.
Age category: Adult
Release date: May 2024 | Goodreads | Amazon
“Passion is one of the greatest gifts the stars blessed us with. It feeds our spirit like the air we breathe.”
Sin & Chocolate by K.F. Breene
Blurb: Lexie lives in a forgotten corner of nowhere for a reason: there is safety in anonymity. But when Kieran, a sexy demigod crashes into her life, suddenly her world is turned upside down. He’s harboring a deadly secret, one that could destroy all he holds dear. He thinks she’s the key to his salvation, and he wants her to help him claim vengeance. He also wants her with a passion that burns her body from the inside out.
Age category: Adult
Release date: September 2018 | Goodreads | Amazon
“I have a ton of respect for myself. I’m a damn good kisser.”
The Book of Azrael Amber V. Nicole
Blurb: To save her dying sister, Dianna called upon anyone who would listen, not expecting a monster to answer. For 1,000 years, she’s been bound. After the Gods War, Samkiel hid from the world, denying his crown. But an attack on those he holds dear sends him back to the realm he never wished to visit again—into the sights of an enemy he thought imprisoned eons ago.
Age category: Adult
Release date: April 2022 | Goodreads | Amazon
“I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her.“
The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards
Blurb: Rune is hired to search for Lady Judgment’s missing son, Addam. With his bodyguard, Brand, they investigate, but uncover more than a missing man: a legendary creature connected to the secret of the massacre of Rune’s Court. In looking for Addam, can Rune find the truth behind his family’s death and the torments of his past?
Age category: Adult
Release date: June 2018 | Goodreads | Amazon
“If we get you killed your first week, people will make fun of us.”
Wilde City by Evie Marceau
Blurb: When Willow answers a nanny ad, she’s shocked to learn the employer is the handsome and reclusive billionaire Severn—even more surprised when he reveals he is a fae prince. He grants her fae sight, allowing her to see the world of the Gifted Ones. But as cool as this is, it’s fiercely dangerous. She and the children she’s been hired to care for are targeted by his rivals, who will stop at nothing to strike him where it hurts most.
Age category: Adult
Release date: January 2023 | Goodreads | Amazon
“No more tears. No more letting powerful men take advantage of me—ever.”
I hope you enjoyed this urban fantasy romance book recs! Make sure to go to Goodreads for the full blurbs—I condensed as best I could.
And speaking of urban fantasy romance… did you love Twilight? If that’s a resounding yes, make sure to check out this blog post that gives you a full-on list of books like Twilight.
Let me know if you have any other good recs!
Great article! I really appreciate the clear and detailed insights you’ve provided on this topic. It’s always refreshing to read content that breaks things down so well, making it easy for readers to grasp even complex ideas. I also found the practical tips you’ve shared to be very helpful. Looking forward to more informative posts like this! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words!