9 Romance Books Inspired By Fairy Tales
There’s something utterly enchanting about a fairy tale romance—the longing glances across a ballroom, the forbidden love between a prince and a commoner, the dark curses that only true love can break. But what happens when those classic tales are reimagined, infused with new passion, high-stakes drama, and sizzling chemistry?
For those who dream of grand castles, enchanted forests, and love stories filled with both danger and desire, these nine romance books—each inspired by beloved fairy tales—will transport you into a world where love is legendary.
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
*Inspired by: Beauty and the Beast
Feyre Archeron is a huntress who unknowingly kills a fae in disguise, leading to her capture by Tamlin, a powerful High Fae lord. As she adjusts to life in his mysterious, otherworldly court, passion ignites between them—but lurking beneath the romance is an ancient curse, a vengeful queen, and secrets darker than any fairy tale.
🔥 Why you’ll love it: A slow-burn romance that turns into something fierce and all-consuming, set in a world brimming with dangerous magic and opulent courts. If you love fairy tales but crave more intrigue, passion, and danger, this book is a must-read.
2. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
*Inspired by: One Thousand and One Nights
Khalid, the young and deadly Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night—only for them to perish by morning. When Shahrzad volunteers to marry him, she does so with one goal: revenge for her murdered best friend. But as she survives night after night, she begins unraveling Khalid’s secrets—and falling for the man she vowed to hate.
💔 Why you’ll love it: This book oozes tension and longing, with a slow-burn romance that will leave you breathless. Think forbidden love, high-stakes danger, and a heroine who refuses to be a pawn in anyone’s game.
3. Queen of Snow by Laura Byron and Jessie Cal
*Inspired by: Snow White
Princess Snow is the most beautiful in the land—and the most cursed. When she’s betrayed and left for dead, she’s forced into a deadly alliance with a brooding fae prince. Together, they must navigate a world of dark magic, ruthless politics, and undeniable attraction.
❄️ Why you’ll love it: This Snow White retelling isn’t about a damsel in distress—it’s about a queen rising from the ashes. If you love fairy tales with powerful heroines, forbidden romance, and a touch of the dark and deadly, you’ll adore this one.
4. Gilded by Marissa Meyer
*Inspired by: Rumpelstiltskin
Serilda, a storyteller cursed by the god of lies, finds herself trapped in a haunted castle, forced to spin straw into gold for a vengeful Erlking. When she enlists the help of a mysterious boy named Gild, their connection sparks a romance tangled in secrets, curses, and the shadows of the underworld.
🌀 Why you’ll love it: Gothic atmosphere, haunting romance, and the feeling of being lost in a dream (or a nightmare). This book is for those who love their fairy tales with an eerie, magical twist.
5. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
*Inspired by: The Little Mermaid
Lira is a siren princess with a deadly reputation—she collects the hearts of princes. But when she defies her monstrous mother, she’s cursed into becoming the very thing she despises: a human. To break the curse, she must steal the heart of Prince Elian, a pirate prince who hunts sirens like her.
🌊 Why you’ll love it: A morally gray heroine, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a fast-paced adventure on the high seas. If you love The Little Mermaid but prefer your heroines with a sharp blade and a sharper tongue, this book is for you.
6. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
*Inspired by: Alice in Wonderland
Before she was the Queen of Hearts, she was Catherine—a girl who only wanted to open a bakery. But when she catches the eye of the King of Hearts, her path is set on a darker course. A secret romance with the mysterious court jester, Jest, may be her only escape… if fate allows it.
♦️ Why you’ll love it: A beautifully tragic romance that will make you fall in love and break your heart all in one breath. If you’re drawn to anti-heroines and stories that make you question destiny, this one’s for you.
7. The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross
*Inspired by: Beauty and the Beast (from the Beast’s POV)
This lush, poetic retelling of Beauty and the Beast is told entirely from the Beast’s perspective, giving readers a deeper look into his heartbreak, loneliness, and slowly growing love for Isabeau, the woman trapped in his enchanted castle.
🌹 Why you’ll love it: If you’ve ever wanted Beauty and the Beast to feel more like an epic romance rather than just a fairy tale, this book gives you the slow-burn love story you crave.
8. Hunted by Meagan Spooner
*Inspired by: Beauty and the Beast
Yeva, a fierce huntress, sets out to track the legendary Beast that killed her father. But when she’s captured, she discovers the Beast is not what he seems. As their connection deepens, Yeva must choose between love and vengeance.
🏹 Why you’ll love it: A rugged, wintry setting, slow-burning romance, and a heroine who doesn’t wait for a prince to save her.
9. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Inspired by: Russian folklore (Vasilisa the Beautiful, Morozko)
Vasilisa has always seen things others can’t—spirits who dwell in the forest and whisper to her at night. But when her village falls under the influence of a zealous priest, and a dark, ancient force begins to awaken, Vasilisa must embrace the magic within her to protect the people she loves.
🔥 Why you’ll love it: This book feels like stepping into a beautifully woven legend—haunting, romantic, and utterly immersive. If you love fairy tales with a wintry, mystical touch, this one will enchant you.
Which Fairy Tale Romance Will Sweep You Off Your Feet?
Whether you dream of dancing at an enchanted ball, battling ancient curses, or falling in love with a prince (or a pirate, or a monster), these fairy tale-inspired romances will whisk you away into worlds of magic, passion, and adventure.
Which of these books are you most excited to read? Or do you have a favorite fairy tale retelling that stole your heart? Share your recommendations below! ✨📖💕
