10 Paranormal Romances to Read in 2025 That Are Sexy & Spellbinding
The paranormal romance genre has never been hotter. Readers continue to flock to stories about werewolves, minotaurs, vampires (hi, Edward!), and all the other monsters in between because sometimes the monster under the bed is kinda hot!
Now that October is here, you’re probably looking for some paranormal romances that turn up the heat to a supernatural level. Swooon has assembled our recommendations of sexy paranormal stories sure to get you in the right mood for the spooky season — and beyond. Because who says your obsession with paranormal love stories has to begin and end with October?
Are you looking forward to these paranormal romance books? Have you read any of them yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Soul Searching
Lyla Sage
Most readers will know Lyla Sage from her beloved Rebel Blue Ranch series, which ended earlier this year, but should be pleasantly surprised with the author’s first foray into the paranormal. Most photographers could claim to want to see the spirit of a photo, but Collins Cartwright really means it. She’s been able to connect with ghosts her entire life, up until recently. Trying to get to the bottom of the sudden slice from the other side, Collins returns to her small town to investigate and stays with local upholsterer Brady. But Brady’s home is host to a few ghosts, and together the pair embark to uncover what the ghastly figures know about the house… and Collins’ past.
Mate
Ali Hazelwood
Team Jacob fans, please make your way to the front for this one. Ali Hazelwood’s first venture into the paranormal realm, Bride, ended with quite the revelation: BFF Serena Paris isn’t just a side character, she’s a Were-Human hybrid, the first of her kind. The discovery sends the Were, Vamypre, and Human treaty into a frenzy, with the Weres bringing Serena into the fold for her own protection. Alpha Were Koen is immediately intrigued by the newcomer, and as a new member of his pack, is willing to do anything to keep her safe. But as the factions war over what to do with Serena, the pair finds themselves turning to each other not only for solidarity but also for comfort — and the potential for something more.
Blood Moon
Britney S. Lewis
Britney L. Lewis sets a Black girl at the center of a love triangle between a werewolf and vampire in this Twilight-esque drama. Eighteen-year-old Mira no longer believes in the fairytales her estranged mother once told her of werewolves and vampires in her small town of Kansas. She’s ready to grow up, and that looks like heading to college and putting her past behind her. But when Mira encounters classmate Julian, despite his hostility, Mira can’t help but be drawn to him. When a string of animal attacks leaves the town on edge, Mira finds herself dragged into the secret warring factions happening beneath the quiet of her small town, with Julian at the center of it all.
Fan Service
Rosie Danan
Devin Ashwood, the former actor at the center of Rosie Danan’s latest romance, used to be on top of the world as a heartthrob on a breakout werewolf show. Now the fortysomething is struggling to understand his place in the world. When he blacks out and discovers a video of himself transforming into a wolf, almost exactly like his transformation on the show, he turns to someone who would know the context best: a superfan. Alex, once Devin’s biggest fan, has grown up, and when the actor shows up asking for her help, Alex can’t help but find herself intrigued by the idea that her favorite show could be happening in real life. As the two try to uncover the catalyst in Devin’s shift, they can’t deny that his new wolfishness is appealing, to say the least, and forces them both to reconcile with who they once were, and what they plan to be next.
The Last Vampire
Romina Garber
Romina Garber awakens the dead in this YA vampire romance, out December 2, set at a boarding school. Huntington Academy is meant to be a fresh start for Lorena Navarro, but the Argentine teen keeps finding herself in trouble. The trouble this time around is of supernatural descent: Lorena incidentally discovers a coffin hidden in the school and awakens its occupant, a vampire by the name of William. William, who has been asleep for decades, cannot recall what has happened to the rest of his kind. Together, the two attempt to uncover why William was placed to sleep at the academy and where the rest of the vampires have gone to. Along their journey, Will and Lorena are pulled to one another, despite knowing that their love story can only end in heartbreak.
Eternal Ruin
Tigest Girma
Tigest Girma broke onto the YA scene with her vampiric debut Immortal Dark, and its sequel, out October 28, is equal parts thrilling and sensual. Kidan has finally gotten what she always wanted. Her sister’s back, but at what cost? Now, she’s trapped at vampire academy Uxlay University, forced to bond and live with her family’s vampire Susenyos. Even worse, her sister has gotten mixed up with some vampires who seek to wreak havoc at Uxlay, and even if the school is riddled with danger, it’s the only home she has now. Kidan will have to turn to Susenyos, and her allies, as she attempts to uncover what trouble her sister has unleashed on them all.
The Devil She Knows
Alexandria Bellefleur
Would you make a deal with the devil to get back with your ex? But what if the devil is…actually kinda hot? That’s the dilemma facing Samantha Cooper, who after being brutally (and publicly!) dumped by her ex, summons a demon in hopes of being able to win her ex back. Sam has called on Daphne, decked out in a pink dress and blonde hair, who has her own goals. Sam is the final soul she needs to collect in order to set her own free. But unfortunately for them both, they find that calling on each other too enjoyable, and as Sam winds down on the wishes she’s granted, she finds that what she really wants is for Daphne to stay with her.
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com
Kimberly Lemming
Life just got quite strange for biologist Dorothy Valentine. Rather than doing her assignment observing animals, she’s been, as the title suggests, abducted by aliens. The aliens have selected her as the perfect specimen for bringing their species back to life, and Dorothy has gone ahead and made herself more than welcome with two aliens: Sol and Lok. The only problem is that the aliens mate for life, which means Dorothy is potentially starting a new life with two lovers. No big deal.
When the Tides Held the Moon
Vanessa Vida Kelley
Can you call yourself loyal if you built your lover’s cage? That’s the question at the core of Kelley’s aching debut about a human whose invention comes at the cost of harming their love. Set in 1911, Puerto Rican ironworker Benny is in desperate need of income to help support himself living in New York City. He’s hired by a circus at Coney Island to build a cage, and upon proving himself, is offered the opportunity to come along with the circus to find who the cage is meant for: a merman. But once Benny encounters the mythical creature, Rio, for himself, he questions if the job he is meant to do is worth snatching away the freedom of a spirit meant to be free. And if he chooses love, what that decision could cost him.
By the Horns
Ruby Dixon
Ruby Dixon has been credited for bringing the minotaur to traditional romance with her Royal Artifactual Guild series. Gwenna is training to be a part of the series titular Guild, but to no avail, and is relegated to cleaning jobs as a Repeater. An evening of miscommunication leads to a steamy hookup with minotaur Raptor, and despite the fact that Raptor hopes to continue their relationship, Gwenna declines. But when Repeaters within the Guild begin to disappear, Gwenna ropes Raptor into helping her with an investigation that could help both of their situations: to save her life and get her out of a life of being a Repeater and reestablishing Raptor after a humiliating demotion. Dixon doesn’t hold back and those looking for the spice in their spicy novels are sure to find it in this sensual and winning pick.
