Paranormal Romantics: Paranormal Romance Reads
I love a good romance, whether it’s a contemporary romantic comedy or a fast-paced romantasy. It all really depends on my mood! And when the air gets a little crisp, and it’s time to curl up with a hot mug of tea, I’m in the mood for a romance that’s a little more…eerie. I’m looking for flirtations, and banter, and tension, but also spirits and different dimensions and something a little otherworldly. If you are also a paranormal romantic, here are a list of paranormal romance reads that are perfect to add to your TBR.
Bitten
by Jordan Stephanie Gray
Werewolves. Need I say more? Vanessa Hart loses everything she knows and loves in a vicious werewolf attack, only to endure an agonizing transformation into the very creature that caused the destruction. She must swear her life to the Wolf Queen’s Court, but not to worry, she still seeks vengeance, even as she’s mesmerized by the golden prince Sinclair Severi. Oh and his brooding, disgraced cousin Calix. And as any reader knows, nothing is as it seems. The Court is at war and Vanessa may simply be a pawn.
Beautiful Creatures
by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Beautiful Creatures is a series I return to again and again. It’s a gothic fantasy set in a small, isolated southern town. Lena Duchannes is struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family. Ethan Wate is haunted by dreams of a girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is drawn to her. Is it fate? Or a curse? This series start is totally atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful.
Belladonna
by Adalyn Grace
Speaking of gothic romances, I can’t talk about eerie stories without mentioning the Belladonna series. Signa is an unusual girl, and unfortunately for those around her, most meet an untimely end. She can see spirits and when she goes to live with her last remaining relatives, she’s visited by a restless spirit claiming to have been poisoned. In order to solve the mystery, Signa must form an alliance with Death, a dangerous shadow that’s often close by. And trust me when I say this, Death is kind of…well…hot. As the series continues, we’re introduced to Death’s brother Fate, we learn more about Life, and trust me, each story gets better and better. There’s now even a holiday novella, Holly for those looking for a more spirited Christmas read.
I’ll Be Waiting For You
by Mariko Turk
May I please suggest getting tissues? You are probably going to need them. But don’t worry, this isn’t just a sad book! It deals with the loss of a friend, and is a powerful exploration of grief, but there’s also a romantic storyline. And ghosts. Natalie and Imogen are inseparable friends who in many ways are different, but their one major similarity is their love of the supernatural. When Imogen suddenly passes away, Natalie throws herself into her senior project. She’s determined to create a project that will get her on the teen ghost hunting show of her dreams. It would be a lot easier though, if her rival Leander wasn’t also working on his senior project in the same place. It’s a tearjerker, yes, but it’s also a will-they-won’t-they romance. Which, let’s be honest, would also make me cry sad or happy tears, depending on the outcome. So, I stand by my tissue suggestion.
The Diviners
by Libba Bray
Set in 1920s New York City, this is a roaring good time! (Get it?) Evangeline O’Neill has been exiled from her hometown but sent to live in NYC so she is super excited. The only problem is that she has to live with her occult-obsessed uncle Will, and Evie is hiding a secret: a supernatural power of her own. After a girl is murdered and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her powers are perhaps more of a gift, and one that she could use to help solve the crime. But unbeknownst to anyone, something dark and evil has awakened and things are only just getting started. While this isn’t really a romance novel per se, there are definitely romantic entanglements—emphasis on the tangled part! Who is flirting with who all gets a little complicated. But trust me, this supernatural historical mystery is the bees’ knees!
Right Here, Right Now
by Shannon Dunlap
Have you ever considered the concept of infinite universes? That there are different dimensions and different universes where we’ve made different choices that resulted in different outcomes? Yes, it makes my brain hurt a little bit, but it’s also really captivating to think about. Right Here, Right Now is a lyrical novel that explores life across multiple worlds. It illustrates how paths collide and what it takes to save someone else, and how to face love and loss on a quantum scale.
Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer
Did you really think I would leave off the ultimate paranormal romance? It’s Twilight! And Twilight is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with deluxe editions. Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire that redefined romance for a generation. It’s a story of first love, of forbidden love, and of forever love. Whether your Team Edward or Team Jacob, whether you’ve never read Twilight or have read it a thousand times, this is a love story for all eternity.