New Fantasy Romance and Romantasy Books - May 2026
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It's that time of the month again! Time to look at what's coming out next month and start planning my TBR.
May 2026 is stacked with a ton of exciting new releases I’m really looking forward to. I’ve rounded up a few fantasy romance, romantasy, and dystopian romance books releasing in May 2026 that I’m looking forward to. Whether your looking for enemies to lovers, found family, or deadly court intrigue, this list has something for every mood.
These upcoming releases span both adult and young adult books, written by both debut authors and some old favorites. I've included publication dates, series information, tropes, and links to preorder the ones that you want to check out.
So grab your favorite reading beverage, get comfortable, and let's dive into the fantasy romance books coming out in May 2026.
1. Fury Bound by Sable Sorenson
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Series: The Wolves of Ruin #2
Read if you like: Forbidden romance, touch her and die, found family, vampires vs. wolves, hidden/secret identities
Synopsis: Against all odds, Meryn Cooper has inherited the crown—and a deadly war. As the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under the weight of generations of lies, it is up to Meryn, her bonded direwolf Anassa, and their allies to bring the country back from the brink.
But the commoners, the Bonded, and the nobles are distrustful of their new queen and Meryn is caught in a deadly game of politics. Meanwhile, Meryn's beloved younger sister, Saela, is more at risk than ever.
Confusingly, the one person Meryn can trust is Stark Therion—the dark, dangerous Alpha she thought hated her as much as she loathed him. Yet his loyalty is unshakeable. His presence is intoxicating. And with his guidance, Meryn can seize an unthinkable level of power.
With enemies closing in and shadows stirring in her dreams, Meryn stands to lose her kingdom—and her heart.
2. Verity Guild by Mai Corland
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Series: N/A (Standalone)
Read if you like: Enemies to lovers, slow burn, forbidden magic, murder mystery, hidden identity
Synopsis: Secrets built this republic; one truth could burn it down.
High Priestess Kerasea Vestal has spent her life hiding the truth—that she's the last surviving heir of the magical bloodline the republic slaughtered. One wrong step could be fatal. But when a senator is brutally killed and a temple blade is found at the scene, all eyes turn to her.
Praetorian Torren Morvane has made a career of dragging liars into the light, and Kerasea is the one person he's vowed to ruin. But locked on a mountain with a murderer, scheming senators, and a prophecy of death, he's forced to work at her side. The closer he gets, the more dangerous the truth—and their attraction—becomes.
With traitors closing in and a nation on the verge of shattering, Kerasea and Torren must risk everything to uncover the real killer—even if it means trusting their sworn enemy.
3. Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Series: Storm Breaker #1
Read if you like: Enemies to more, forbidden romance, dangerous outsider, hidden powers, academy trials, dystopian
Summary: For nineteen-year-old Poet Graves, New Manhattan has always promised safety―if she obeys. Raised within the ruling Houses and betrothed to a powerful heir, she enters Amery Academy knowing her future has already been decided.
But Amery is nothing like she imagined. Its trials are brutal, its loyalties conditional, and its rules designed to expose weakness. As Poet struggles to survive, she must hide the truth that could get her executed: the storms don’t fear her―they answer back.
When a dangerous outsider from beyond the city walls enters the academy, Poet is drawn to him despite everything she’s been taught to believe. He threatens the life she’s been promised. And choosing him could cost her not just her future, but her freedom.
4. Broken Dove by Dani Francis
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Series: Silver Elite #2
Read if you like: Dystopian romance, military settings, double agent, found family, political intrigue, shifting alliances
Summary: After blowing her cover as a double agent within Silver Elite and fleeing the Prime-controlled capital, Wren Darlington is finally safe behind allied lines. As her lover and former commander Cross Redden works to disrupt the Primes from inside their ranks, Wren turns her focus toward assisting the Uprising in overthrowing their rule once and for all.
But though she's back among her own people, trust is hard-won and hidden agendas abound on the Mod base. And beyond those walls, Wren can't help but worry that Cross is keeping secrets of his own—secrets that could jeopardize everything. Complicating matters even further is her shocking reunion with hotshot fighter pilot Grayson Blake, once her closest friend in Silver Elite, who seems to understand Wren on a level she never thought possible.
With the war between Mods and Primes growing more brutal by the day, and with her own role in the conflict becoming more essential than ever, Wren must confront some gut-wrenching questions. Who is she fighting for . . . and who is she willing to lose?
5. Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Series: The Burning Empire #1
Read if you like: Prophecy/chosen one, rival nations, dystopian fantasy, reluctant hero
Summary: Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her. She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever—a fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.
But then she's summoned to hear a prophecy—her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other, but they don't know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.
In just one day, Elegy's old life—her job, her purpose, and her future—is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.
Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.
6. Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni
Publication Date: May 19, 2026
Series: Deathbringer #1
Read if you like: Magical academy settings, enemies to lovers, murder mystery, forbidden love, found family, bonded pair, reluctant chosen one
Summary: Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola’s magic killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn’t learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.
There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father’s death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he’s determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties—and his common sense.
As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail’s treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling conspiracy: someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can’t uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next.
7. The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
Publication Date: May 19, 2026
Series: The Moonfall Series #2
Read if you like: Slow burn romance, dragons, lost/hidden identity, “who hurt you?”
Summary: Raeve's thirst for vengeance continues to burn, as does her love for Kaan Vaegor—a staunch beacon from a past she's yet to face. With Rekk's blood still fresh on her hands, she learns the world will face its most devastating moonfall yet, forcing her to pick a path: chase death or life.
Desperate to save his kingdom from ruin, Kaan's crown has never felt so heavy. His many larks to scattered friends and family remain unanswered, and time is running out.
As allies merge and enemies surge with bloodlusting agendas of their own, secrets brew hot enough to burn—but none so mighty as the truth nesting within the icy depths of Raeve's long forgotten past.
8. A Kiss of Crimson Ash by Anuja Varghese
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Series: Games of the Goddess #1
Read if you like: Multi-POV, forbidden desire, quests, found allies, Indian-inspired settings
Summary: Nandapore is a city of secrets and spellcasters where seduction reigns and a power-hungry king is never satisfied, plotting to unleash a weapon that has only lived in myth … until now.
To stop him, an ancient goddess seeks out a newly crowned queen, a heartsick prince, a common thief, and a courtesan with magic in her blood. Together, they chart a course through brothels, temples, taverns, and palaces, setting a trap for the empire’s most powerful men.
Linked by desire, destiny, and a dangerous foe, they each must decide ... What will they risk for a weapon worth dying for, and a love worth staying alive?