It might be Spooky Season, but that doesn't mean that romance should be pushed to the back burner. Instead, it's an excuse for monster, paranormal, and witchy romance stories! And there are a lot of romantasy and paranormal novels releasing this October.
Of course, supernatural romance isn't the only type of offering, and there are plenty of options for all romance readers. So whether you're looking for a love story with a ghost, a historical romance, or a contemporary love, this list of new releases will have something for you! Here is the list of new romance and romantasy novels releasing in October 2025.
Cinder House by Freya Marske — Oct. 7
A queer and supernatural retelling of Cinderella? Color me intrigued! Ella is a ghost who can only be seen by her stepmother and stepsisters. But an encounter with a fairy gives Ella a chance to feel alive again, if only for three nights. She'll get to go to the ball and dance with the prince, but is that what she truly desires?
I love when retellings have unique twists, and Cinder House is full of them. The most obvious is Ella being dead, but the queer romance tag tells us that she won't be ending up with the prince. Is the love story between Ella and the fairy? I guess we'll all have to read it to find out.
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Mate by Ali Hazelwood — Oct. 7
Taking place in the same world as Ali Hazelwood's previous novel, Bride, Mate is a romance between a were-human hybrid and an alpha were. In this world, humans and monsters coexist, though not peacefully. Serena, the first hybrid between a Were and a human, is supposed to bring harmony between the two species. But being mates with the alpha doesn't exactly welcome her into the Were pack with open arms. Plus, there are the Vampyres and humans who wish to use her as the alpha's weakness.
If you're looking for monster romance this October, Mate is definitely one to be added to your reading list. It can be read as a standalone, but you might also be interested in Bride as they are set in the same universe. They both elevate monster romance as a legitimate genre and don't read like Wattpad fanfiction.
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Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane — Oct. 7
Not into paranormal romance? Cover Story is a contemporary fake-dating story between a reporter and an intern in his 30s. Bel and Connor cannot stand each other, but have to work together. And when Bel goes undercover for a story, she must pretend that she and Connor are dating or her cover will be blown.
Cover Story has all the tropes necessary for a cute, Hallmark-style romance. I like that the reason the enemies fake-date feels believable, as it is part of their undercover journalism. I also like that Bel is the successful one while Connor has started his life over to find happiness. It's a nice difference from all of the billionaire romance stories out there.
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Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein — Oct. 7
I love the tagline for Dealing with a Desperate Demon: It's hell finding a soulmate. Nancy has to teach Jack, the son of Satan, how to date so that he can end the curse put upon him. He must find his soulmate or else all the people in his life will suffer. Nancy starts to fall for him during their dating lessons, even though she knows that he is fated to be with someone else. In this case, love is literally hell.
I'm curious to know why Nancy of all people must teach Jack to be dateable. She works at a bookstore and is possibly a witch, but why her? The premise does sound interesting enough that I might just read it to find the answers to my questions.
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The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw — Oct. 7
The Ordeals is the latest novel by Rachel Greenlaw, author of the Compass and Blade series. In order to escape her abusive illusionist uncle, Sophie must get into the magical academy. But to be accepted as a student, she must first go through a series of deadly trials known as The Ordeals.
While going through the trials, Sophie allies with a magical botanist named Alden, and they start to catch feelings for each other. Can love survive in the midst of all the life-or-death situations? This book sounds like a fantasy version of The Hunger Games, but with more emphasis on the romance between the main characters.
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And Then There Was the One by Martha Waters — Oct. 14
If you can't get enough of cozy murder mysteries set in small English villages, And Then There Was the One is right up your alley. But the murder is the B plot while the romance between amateur detective Georgie and secretary Sebastian takes the main stage. It is also a historical romance, taking place in 1930s England.
Falling in love while trying to solve a murder sounds complicated, but love often comes at inopportune times. I do love stories that combine several genres, and this one melds together some of my favorites. It's a perfect read while you take afternoon tea.
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A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan (A Fire in the Sky #2) — Oct. 14
A Scar in the Bone is the second book in the A Fire in the Sky series. Tamsyn transformed into a dragon at the end of the first book, and now her story continues. She has to lead the dragonkind without her husband, King Fell. But she feels their bond and so she knows he must still be alive.
This series sounds interesting, though from the blurb for this novel I don't see how romance is the main plot. How long is Tamsyn separated from Fell? I would still recommend checking this series out because it could surprise us all with how romantic it is. Just read the first one before you start A Scar in the Bone to get the context of Tamsyn and Fell's love story.
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Thirsty by Lucy Lehane — Oct. 14
Thirsty is a queer, vampire, enemies-to-lovers romance that fits perfectly with Halloween time. Charlie is a human advice columnist who finds himself out of his depth when he starts getting loads of questions about dating monsters. While trying to do some research, he meets Lorenzo, a vampire who secretly holds a grudge against Charlie for causing his last relationship to fail. Lorenzo agrees to help Charlie with his work while actually planning to get his revenge.
The plot for Thirsty is so creative and fun! It turns the usual vampire romance tropes on their heads, and I just want to know more about how Lorenzo goes from wanting revenge on Charlie to falling head over heels for him. If you're looking for a sweet, sizzling, paranormal romance, Thirsty should definitely go on your TBR list.
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The Sword of Light by Heather Graham — Oct. 14
A fantasy set in ancient Ireland, The Sword of Light follows Deidre, an Irish princess, and Kylin of one of the Northman clans. Though their peoples are enemies, Deidre and Kylin must work together as both of them receive prophetic dreams about a traitor among the clans. They grow closer as they share their prophecies and dreams, but their differing clans prove to be a great obstacle to their love.
So, I am a nerd that has delved into ancient Irish beliefs on magic and prophetic dreams are some of the bigger ones. I love the idea that a Viking also has these dreams and I want to know how Kylin received that gift. Is it because he and Deidre are fated? I'm really looking forward to this book to see how the mythology and folklore play into their love story.
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Isn't It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz — Oct. 21
Isn't It Obvious? is another contemporary romance with no magic in sight, if you like your romance without the fantasy. It is a sort-of modern You've Got Mail, where Yael and Ravi fall for each other through their emails but can't stand each other in real life. This time Yael is a podcaster and Ravi is her assistant, though they have never met in person. Except, they have: when Yael caught Ravi escaping after a one-night-stand with Yael's roommate.
This novel has a fun, rom-com feel to it, and I like that Yael's reason for disliking Ravi in real life has nothing to do with him taking over her business (like You've Got Mail). It's almost as if there are two separate love stories, or at least tropes: one of co-workers trying to keep things professional and the other of enemies-to-lovers.
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The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur — Oct. 21
The Devil She Knows is a sapphic romance between a demon and the woman who sold her soul. Samantha just wants to win her ex-girlfriend back but she doesn't plan on actually giving Daphne her soul. However, Daphne will do whatever it takes to get Samantha's soul since it is the last one she needs to end her own contract with the Devil. Their love story sounds hellish.
This novel reminds me of the 2000 film, Bedazzled, if Brendan Fraser was a woman. Actually, I think his character is transformed into a woman as one of his wishes is granted. Anyway, The Devil She Knows plays on the "selling your soul" legend while combining it with the "love conquers all" trope, and I am here for it!
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The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri — Oct. 21
Another sapphic romance, The Isle in the Silver Sea is a love story between a witch and a female knight. But their story is fated to be a tragic one, and one that repeats endlessly. They have to figure out how to rewrite their story so that they do not destroy each other and can make their own fate.
The main theme of this novel is creating your own destiny in the name of love. Add in witchcraft and medieval legends, and you have the makings of a great romantasy. If you've ever wanted a queer Arthurian-type romance, The Isle in the Silver Sea should be added to your shelf.
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Julia Song is Undateable by Susan Lee — Oct. 28
Julia Song is Undateable is a contemporary rom-com about two Korean-Americans trying to deal with their families' expectations. Julia is successful in her career, but hopeless in dating. She agrees to go on three arranged dates by her family, but needs some coaching so she doesn't completely fail. Julia turns to Tae Kim, who unbeknownst to her has had a crush on her since childhood. Coaching the woman you like to date other men should be fine, right?
This novel sounds like a Korean dramedy in book form. The pressure to get married is incredibly high in Korean culture, and Julia Song is Undateable shows that experience from both the female and male points of view. I wonder how many other Korean drama tropes exist within their story.
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The Book of Autumn by Molly O'Sullivan — Oct. 28
The Book of Autumn is another dark academia romance, where magicians have a Yin/Yang type relationship. Marcella left her magical university and her powers behind after her magical other half broke her heart. But when Max shows up and asks for her help to solve a murder that happened on campus, Marcella has to confront her past.
The idea of soulmates, not necessarily romantic ones, tied together by their magic is interesting. Marcella and Max need each other to control or balance out their powers. I'm also dying to know how Max broke Marcella's heart, or if it was all just a misunderstanding.
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The Defender by Ana Huang (Gods of the Game #2) — Oct. 28
Any sports romance fans? Don't worry, you haven't been forgotten! Ana Huang, bestselling author of books like Twisted Love, is releasing her latest novel, The Defender. Vincent is a star soccer player and Brooklyn is the daughter of his coach. When Vincent's popularity leads to a dangerous situation, he ends up needing a safe place to lie low and finds it at Brooklyn's apartment. Living together with the one girl he's forbidden to touch, Vincent might just lose his mind.
I want to know more about the kind of danger that has a top athlete bunking with his coach's daughter. Is it a stalker? I'm so curious! Also, be prepared for graphic descriptions: Ana Huang has been called the Queen of Heat.
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Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas (Villains of Lore #2) — Oct. 28
Bonds of Hercules is the sequel to Blood of Hercules, a dark romance, gender bent retelling of the Greek legend, Hercules. Hercules' story continues, with her now married to two of her enemies and being wooed by several others. She is not into this reverse harem though, and she also has to contend with Sparta.
I don't know for sure if it is, but from the sounds of the premise, Bonds of Hercules is a "Why Choose?" romance. It would make sense for it to be, since the Greek gods were not known for monogamy. But I have to say that I love the idea of a female Hercules. Having to deal with the fickle emotions of the gods is definitely a trial that should prove her worthiness!
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When I Picture You by Sasha Laurens — Oct. 28
Here is a queer romance set in the mires of the entertainment industry. When I Picture You is the story of Renee, a hopeful documentary filmmaker, and Lola, a songwriter with writer's block. Lola had a crush on Renee since they were neighbors as children. When Lola's newest album gets a documentary offer, Lola pleads with Renee to direct it. They grow closer while making the film, but rumors about their relationship could tear them apart.
This sounds like a cute love story, but I expect there to be some tear-jerking drama. It's the entertainment industry after all. I barely know anything about Lola and Renee, but I'm already rooting for them!
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Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport — Oct. 28
Our Vicious Oaths is a spicy, dark fae fantasy filled with political intrigue, blood, and revenge. Kadeesha is a fae princess promised to the High King. She has a one-night-stand with a stranger as a way to spite her soon-to-be husband and her father. The stranger turns out to be Malachi, the king of another fae clan. They make a pact to help each other, faking their romance to enrage the High King, but as all readers know, fake relationships soon become real.
This novel might be a bit too spicy for my liking, but the plot does sound intriguing. I relate to Kadeesha in wanting to stay out of politics, and I can't fault her for doing whatever she can to take control of her own life. I just hope that Malachi's need for revenge doesn't overshadow their feelings for each other.
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There are a few other releases coming in October, and they are perfect for those who want to get a jump on the winter holidays. If you're interested, check out Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer. All of these titles will release on October 21st. Whichever book you choose, happy reading!