What I Read This Month

Books I LOVED (100% Worth It)

Riftborne Series + The Ascended by Grenwich &Lennox

Tropes: magic • power growth • enemies to lovers • high stakes • slow burn

This completely pulled me in, it feels like a hidden gem romantasy with strong tension and a world that keeps expanding, and the plot twist at the end of the ascended had me staring at the wall for 10 minutes, I did not see that coming.

Who should read this:
if you love underrated romantasy

if you want something bingeable but less mainstream

Start this series on Amazon

Looking for a new romantasy obsession? See this on Amazon

Heated Rivalry / The Long Game by Rachel Reid

Tropes: rivals to lovers • sports romance • forbidden relationship • slow burn • emotional tension

One of the best romance dynamics I’ve read, the tension and long-term development are just so good. This is spicy, but the spice is well done.

Who should read this:

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Tropes: trials • enemies to lovers • forced proximity • high stakes • slow burn

This is one of the most addictive romantasy books, the tension and pacing are incredible. This book exceeded my expectations by a mile, thought it was going to be just another overhyped tiktok trend but I loved it!

Who should read this:

if you loved Powerless or Sun Queen
if you want high-stakes romance

If you love trial-based fantasy, check this on Amazon

Want an addictive romantasy? See this on Amazon

Once Upon a Demon’s Heart Series by K.M. Moronova

Tropes: dark romance • demons • obsession • tension • morally grey

Interesting concept and dark vibe, but depends on what you’re looking for. I really liked it but I can see that it might not be for everyone.

Who should read this:

if you like darker romance
if you enjoy morally grey characters

If you like dark romance, check this on Amazon

Looking for something intense? See this on Amazon

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Tropes: dark romance • obsession • morally grey characters • stalking • psychological

I understand why people love it, but this is very extreme and not for everyone. Just check the trigger warnings before you go into this one.

Who should read this:

if you already like dark romance
if you’re okay with heavy themes

If you’re curious, check this on Amazon

See if this book is for you on Amazon

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Tropes: family saga • morality • generational story • character-driven • literary

Beautifully written, but very different from what I usually read. This felt a lot like Stephen King to me, if you have read any of Kings books you know that he has a style and feeling to his books and East of Eden gave me the same vibes.

Who should read this:

if you like classic literature
if you want something slower and reflective

If you love classics, check this on Amazon

Want a deeper, literary read? See this on Amazon

Books I LIKED (But Not Favorites)

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Tropes: fame • messy relationships • music • addiction • character-driven

I get the hype, this feels like reading real people and real lives. However the writing in this book is very different and I just had a hard time feeling the story.

Who should read this:

if you love Evelyn Hugo
if you want character-driven stories

If you love stories about fame, check this on Amazon

Want something immersive and emotional? See this on Amazon

Wildfire / Daydream by Hannah Grace

Tropes: college romance • emotional growth • friendships • slow burn • relationships

Easy to read and enjoyable, perfect when you want something lighter. If you like hockey romance then this series (starting with Icebreaker) is a must.

Who should read this:

if you want something cozy
if you like Off Campus vibes

If you love college romance, check this on Amazon

Want something easy and bingeable? See this on Amazon

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

Tropes: slow burn • magic training • found family • emotional growth • mentor dynamic

This one surprised me, quieter, but really emotional and character-driven. I must say that more character driven fantasy is not my thing, I want action and war, this one was a little too slow to really hit me.

Who should read this:

if you like deeper fantasy
if you want romance + character growth

If you love emotional fantasy, check this on Amazon

Want a slower, deeper story? See this on Amazon

Books That Weren’t My Favorites (But You Might Like)

Kingdom of the Wicked Series by Kerri Maniscalco

Tropes: demons • enemies to lovers • dark magic • tension • gothic vibes

Loved the atmosphere and vibe, and it really picks up more in later books however this is a character driven romantasy with low stakes and a lot of just people talking and telling each other stuff that happen, not my thing.

Who should read this:

if you love gothic fantasy
if you want demon romance

If this sounds like your vibe, check this on Amazon

Looking for dark fantasy romance? See this on Amazon

Your Knife, My Heart / My Blade, Your Back by K.M. Moronova

Tropes: dark romance • obsession • morally grey characters • tension • emotional damage

These books have that darker, more intense atmosphere that works well if you’re in the mood for something emotionally messy and a little unhinged. I love K.M. Moronova, however this duology felt a little messy.

Who should read this:

if you like dark romance with intense dynamics
if you enjoy morally grey characters and emotional chaos

If you like dark romance, check these on Amazon

Looking for something intense and addictive? See these on Amazon

Final Thoughts

March was very much about:
high-stakes romantasy

emotional character-driven stories
and finding a few unexpected favorites

And honestly, this was one of those months where I found books I’ll keep thinking about.

Save this post for later, and find your next read.

Browse these books on Amazon and start reading today

Book lists

Everything I Read in March (What’s Actually Worth It + What I’d Skip)