50 Best Paranormal Romance Books: The Ultimate List

Look no further than this ultimate list of paranormal romance books that will give you a taste of what this popular category of romance books has to offer.

To help you pick the book you’ll enjoy most, this book list is organized by paranormal element. Pick a favorite or maybe branch out from your norm to see what else you might like. Below you will find the best paranormal romance books worth reading that include:

• Vampires
• Werewolves
• Other Shapeshifters
• Dragons
• Aliens
• Zombies
• Demons & Other Beings
• Ghosts
• Witches
• Psychics & Magic
• Time Travel

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Paranormal Romance Books with Vampires

Halfway to the Grave
by Jeaniene Frost

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after vampires with a vengeance, hoping that one of them is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life.

Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs.

Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-vampire doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group out to get them.

Now Cat will have to choose a side, and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

This is book one in Frost’s popular Night Huntress series but not her only series of vampire romance books.

It’s definitely got some heat and vampire slaying if that’s your thing. Then be sure to check out her Night Prince series for more.

Bride
by Ali Hazelwood

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again.

Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice.

And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about.

And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong and she slayed it with her first paranormal romance book where Humans, Vampyres and Weres don’t mix.

Misery and Lowe were so easy to fall in love with and she gave them the greatest of slow burn romances. The chemistry between them in their marriage of convenience was smoldering and I loved the vulnerability they both finally shared with one another.

This is the perfect paranormal romance that blends vampires and werewolves in what feels like a contemporary setting and should not be missed.

Check out my book review of Bride.

Angels’ Blood
by Nalini Singh

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she’s the best—but she doesn’t know if she’s good enough for this job.

Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, failure is not an option even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a task like no other and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may.

Singh is definitely one of the popular paranormal romance book authors for good reason. This is book one in her Guild Hunters series which gives you plenty of vampires and angels to fall for.

If you want to immerse yourself into a world where angels rule and vampires serve then check out this paranormal romance and the entire series.

King of Battle and Blood
by Scarlett St. Clair

Isolde de Lara considers her wedding day to be the day her life ends.

To end a years-long battle, she is to marry vampire king Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, and destroy him.

But her attempt is thwarted, and Adrian threatens that if Isolde tries to end him again, he will raise her as a vampire.

Faced with the possibility of becoming the thing she hates most, Isolde seeks other ways to defy him and survive the brutal vampire court.

Except it isn’t the court she fears most—it’s Adrian. Despite their undeniable chemistry, she wonders why the king—fierce, savage, merciless—chose her as consort.

Enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience are two of my most favorite romance book tropes which is why this book made my list of best vampire romance books.

St. Clair came onto the paranormal romance book scene with her Hades and Persephone adaptations but her vampire romance books are just as good!

Dark Lover
by J.R. Ward

The only purebred vampire left on the planet and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who took out his parents centuries ago.

But when his most trusted fighter is destroyed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful female into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously hot man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes.

His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both.

If we’re talking paranormal romance books, we have to give credit to one of the most popular paranormal series featuring vampires and that’s Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

With twenty books and counting, plus a spin-off series, if you’re looking for a taste of paranormal romance, why not start with this popular series to check it out?

Night Pleasures
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

He is darkness. He is the ruler of the night. Yet Kyrian of Thrace has just woken up handcuffed to his worst nightmare: An accountant.

Worse, she’s being hunted by one of the most lethal vampires out there. And if Amanda Devereaux goes down, then he does too.

But it’s not just their lives that are hanging in the balance. Kyrian and Amanda are all that stands between humanity and oblivion. Let’s hope they win.

I just love the setup of this paranormal romance and the initial meeting of these two characters.

Kenyon weaves in a bit of Greek mythology with this vampire romance that kicks off her Dark Hunter series that is definitely worth devouring.

More Vampire Romance Books

Paranormal Romance Books with Werewolves

Feral Sins
by Suzanne Wright

When female wolf shifter Taryn Warner first encounters Trey Coleman, an alpha male wolf shifter with a dangerous reputation, she’s determined to resist his charms.

But Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him.

If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.

This is hands down one of my favorite paranormal romance books and one that you’ll also love if you enjoy alpha males and sarcastic heroines who can dish it out just as good as she’s given.

While this definitely fits the paranormal category since it involves shapeshifting werewolves, it has more of a contemporary feel given the story setting feels very much like our own world.

This is a paranormal romance book and series not to miss!

A Hunger Like No Other
by Kresley Cole

After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one.

Sheltered Emmaline finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle.

There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.

Fated mates is such a popular theme in paranormal romance books and this is quite a popular one that mixes vampires and werewolves.

You can’t explore paranormal romance without checking out Kresley Cole, so put this one on your TBR list and check out the rest of her catalog.

War of Hearts
by S. Young

Thea Quinn has no idea what she is. All she knows is that her abilities have been a plague upon her life since she was a child. After years of suffering at the hands of a megalomaniac, Thea escaped and has been on the run ever since.

Conall MacLennan, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan, the last werewolf pack in Scotland can’t just sit around while his sister is dying.

When he’s offered a chance to save her, Conall agrees to use his rare tracking ability to find Thea – the only one who can provide a cure. 

But Conall is not the only one searching for Thea and he never imagined having to make the choice between saving his sister or Thea.

This is a great pick if you love paranormal romance books in a modern, contemporary setting.

I love the focus on a clan of werewolves but also the backstory to Thea and her powers. If you like a bit of suspense with your paranormal romance, this is a great choice.

Cry Wolf
by Patricia Briggs

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males.

Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf.

And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

If you want to read a werewolf paranormal romance, then look no further than Patricia Briggs’ series.

This book features an alpha male, a reluctant werewolf and a mystery that will have you glued to the page.

Claimed
by J.R. Ward

Lydia Susi is passionate about protecting wolves in their natural habitat. When a hotel chain develops a tract of land next to the preserve, Lydia is one of the most vocal opponents of the project—and becomes a target.

One night, a shadowy figure threatens Lydia’s life in the forest, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her.

Daniel Joseph is both mysterious, and someone she intrinsically wants to trust. But is he hiding something?

Some fates demand courage, while others require even more, with no guarantees. Is she destined to have true love…or will a soul-shattering loss ruin her forever?

J.R. Ward kicks off another series, The Lair of the Wolven, with this paranormal romance that’s sure to delight.

With it, you get the intriguing story and the intense suspense that you come to expect from a Ward novel.

More Werewolf Romance Books

Paranormal Romance Books with Shapeshifters and Changelings

Slave to Sensation
by Nalini Singh

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed.

To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”–the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was.

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain.

After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of annihilation. Lucas is determined to find the Psy who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society.

But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion–and that the animal in him is fascinated by her.

Singh’s Psy/Changeling series features three types of races: the Psy with phenomenal mental capabilities, the changelings who have human and animal forms and humans.

This is book one in this lengthy paranormal romance series that will have you hooked from the start as you explore this world.

While the hero in this book is a leopard shapeshifter, other changeling groups in the series include: wolves, bears, water-based changelings, and falcons.

Hot and Badgered
by Shelly Laurenston

It’s not every day that a beautiful naked woman falls out of the sky and lands face-first on grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s hotel balcony. By the time he figures out she’s a honey badger shifter, it’s too late.
 
Honey badgers are survivors. Brutal, vicious, ill-tempered survivors. Or maybe Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan is just pissed that her useless father is putting her family in danger again.

Protecting her little sisters has always been her job, and she’s not about to let some pesky giant grizzly protection specialist with a network of every shifter in Manhattan get in her way.

I LOVE a good romance with a strong heroine and Charlie looks to have strength in spades. I’m only hoping that Berg is man enough to go toe to toe with her in this paranormal romance book featuring bear shapeshifters.

Air Ryder
by T.S. Joyce

Everything is a joke to an easygoing shifter like Ryder Croy. At least on the outside, because inside, he’s on the hunt for a mate and is beginning to feel like he’s not meant for a bond.

He’s determined to turn his life around and that includes convincing Lexi Porter that he’s the one who can make her happy.

Lexi Porter isn’t looking for love so the last thing she expects is to attract the interest of a rare snowy owl shifter famous for his family ties, online presence, and wit.

And when she gets a peek at the real Air Ryder, she’s stunned by what she finds. Only Air Ryder’s past has followed him to the serene mountains outside of Bryson City, and if she isn’t careful, she could find herself in deep danger and changed forever.

Joyce is an author of many different shapeshifter paranormal romance books, but if you like your shifters to take flight, then this is the book for you.

I love the easygoing nature of Ryder in this one who’s determined to find love. Give it a try!

Tall, Dark & Heartless
by R.L. Mathewson

He should have left her and never looked back. Instead of walking away when he had the chance, Caine stayed so that he could watch over the only human that had the power to bring to his knees.

When trouble finds her, he does the one thing that he told himself he would never do and now, they were both paying the price.

When Danni made the mistake of letting her guard down, that mistake lands her in trouble with the one man that she’s never been able to forget.

I first fell in love with Mathewson’s contemporary books but then couldn’t help but delve into her paranormal series.

Her creation of the Pyte/Sentinel world that looks at immortals, vampires, supernaturals, sentinels and humans is so much fun to explore along with her signature snark and great banter!

Storm’s Heart
by Thea Harrison

Able to wield thunder and lightning, Wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the Wyr’s best weapons.

And he’s the one sent to protect Tricks, heir to the Dark Fae throne, when she’s almost eliminated in Chicago.

Soon Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them-a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds.

This is actually book two in the Elder Races series but can be read as a standalone (though you’re really going to want to read the entire series – see the next book!).

Harrison created Wyrs to be creatures that are two-natured, taking on an animal form and human form, and who mate for life. Though the stakes are higher whenever a Wyr mates with a non-Wyr.

Definitely check out this paranormal romance if you love great writing and a great story!

Paranormal Romance Books with Dragons

Dragon Bound
by Thea Harrison

Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni realizes that her days are numbered once she’s blackmailed into stealing from a dragon – the most powerful of the Elder Races.

She’s always kept a low profile to protect her true identity but when Dragos spares her for her crime, her life as she knows it changes forever. As does her heart for the dragon who claims her for his own.

I couldn’t ignore the first book in Harrison’s Elder Races’ series because I loved it so much and it has one hot alpha who shifts into the form of a dragon. (swoon!)

This paranormal romance book not only has a great love story of its own, but it starts to build this fantasy/paranormal world that will suck you in. My Review.

The Dragon’s Bride
by Katee Robert

Briar Rose is trapped in a terrifying marriage to a dangerous man. But desperate times call for desperate measures, which is how she finds herself making a deal with a demon.

Freedom from her husband in return for seven years of service.

She expects the service to be backbreaking and harsh. She doesn’t expect to be put on an auction block in a room full of literal monsters and sold to the highest bidder.

To Sol. A dragon.

He might seem kinder than his fearsome looks imply, but she knows better than to trust the way he wants to take care of her, or how invested he is in her pleasure.

Falling for Sol is out of the question. She’s suffered enough, and she has no intention of staying in this realm, even if she leaves her heart behind when she returns to her normal life.

I just want to crawl into Robert’s imagination and see where all the magic happens! I love how this woman creates HOT, tantalizing stories about the craziest of characters sometimes.

Why not have a dragon with several appendages that is all about his mate’s pleasure? I’m so down for it with this paranormal romance!

I Like Big Dragon’s and I Cannot Lie
by Lani Lynn Vale

Keifer Vassago, The Prince of Dragons, has enough on his plate without adding a brunette with a bad attitude to the mix.

One second he’s fetching his brother from yet another compromising situation, and the next that brunette is grabbing his assets.

Blythe isn’t after anyone’s assets, though. One second she’s a normal college student barely living paycheck to paycheck, and the next she’s setting her panties on fire with powers from an ancient immortal dragon.

And now she’s hearing voices, and none of them are figments of her imagination.

OK so admittedly the title alone of this paranormal romance book hooked me, but then the story did as well.

This is not about a dragon shifter, but of a dragon rider who is also a prince and one hot dirty talker.

If you like paranormal books with a bit of magic, a bit of suspense and a lot of heat then check this one out.

Dragon Actually
by G.A. Aiken

For female warrior, Annwyl, men tend to either cower in fear or salute. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.

Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon. With him, Annwyl feels safe—a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle.

With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature, Annwyl is sure life couldn’t get any stranger.

She’s wrong. And just wait until you meet the rest of the family.

This is the paranormal romance book to read if you want a book that will make you laugh, make you hot and bothered and make you fall in love with a strong heroine and a dragon shapeshifter.

It kicks off the nine-book series, Dragon Kin, so there’s more after this one!

Paranormal Romance Books with Aliens

Ice Planet of the Barbarians
by Ruby Dixon

You’d think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you’d be wrong.

Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they’ve left their cargo of human women – including me – on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I’ve met? He’s big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me.

I have no idea where or when the alien romance craze began, but I do know that this is one of the most popular titles in this romance category.

If you’re up for a sassy heroine, a fated mates tale, and of course a big blue alien, then give this one a go that kicks off a huge series of alien romances! My Review.

Abducted
by Evangeline Anderson

My name is Zoe McKinley. I have a boring life and an awful job, and then I get abducted by Aliens.

Being dragged through a mirror onto an extraterrestrial ship was bad. Finding out I had been sold to a huge alien male who looks like the Devil was worse.

But learning he wanted to trade me to an intergalactic petting zoo was the worst of all!

Now I’m whizzing through the galaxy with a robot butler, a trio of nib-nibs and one huge, muscular, and very grumpy alien who I think I’m falling for him.

It wouldn’t be a paranormal romance book with aliens if it didn’t start off with an alien abduction.  That is just the thing when it comes to alien romance books 😊

Jump into this galaxy adventure if you want a paranormal romance that takes you out of this world!

Captive of the Horde King
by Zoey Draven

On the unforgiving planet of Dakkar, I did what all the humans in our village did: kept my head down and worked to provide for my family.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for my brother. 

One careless mistake brings a horde of the nomadic, barbarian Dakkari straight to our doorstep, led by their powerful horde king—a cold, ruthless, battle-scarred warrior demanding retribution.

In order to save my brother’s life, I do the unthinkable. I sell myself to the horde king as his war prize.

I agree to warm his furs, to travel with his horde across the wild lands of Dakkar, and to never see my family again.

But as I struggle with my new reality, I discover that the surly, mysterious, dominant horde king never intended for me to be his concubine.

He wants me as his queen.

This paranormal romance may include aliens but is not about abduction, go figure.

Maybe humans will be living on alien planets one day and this can give us a taste for what may be in store.

I for one love a great enemies to lovers story, so I’m all in with this one.

The Host
by Stephanie Meyer

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact.

Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, didn’t expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she’s never met.

Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Sure Stephanie Meyers is known for her Twilight Saga featuring hot vampires and werewolves, but she also penned a thrilling love triangle in this paranormal romance.

I’m so intrigued by this new species and what will become of their mutual love for Jared. A must-read!

More Alien Romance Books

Paranormal Romance Books with Zombies

Warm Bodies
by Isaac Marion

“R” is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow zombies.

And then he meets a girl.

First as his captive, then his reluctant house guest, Julie is a blast of living color in R’s gray landscape, and something inside him begins to bloom.

He doesn’t want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can’t imagine, and their hopeless world won’t change without a fight.

If you like paranormal romance books that you can read and then watch on the big screen, you’ll love this one which was made into a movie!

Who says you can’t find love if you’re a zombie?

Flesh
by Kylie Scott

Ali has been hiding in an attic since civilization collapsed eight weeks ago. When the plague hit, her neighbors turned into mindless, hungry maniacs.

Daniel has been a loner his entire life. Then the world empties and he realizes that being alone isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Finn is a former cop who is desperate for companionship, and willing to do anything it takes to protect the survivors around him.

When the three cross paths they band together; sparks fly, romance blooms in the wasteland and Ali, Daniel and Finn bend to their very human needs in the ruins of civilization.

Lust, love and trust all come under fire as the three battle to survive, hunted through the suburban wastelands.

I love Kylie Scott’s writing so I was so excited to see that she dived into paranormal romance and wrote a post-apocalyptic book!

Even if zombies aren’t your cup of tea in paranormal romance, I think I can get on board with this poly romance with a bit of an age gap romance tossed in.

Alice in Zombieland
by Gena Showalter

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. But that’s all it took, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the zombies. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland.

But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

First, you should know that this is not a reimagined Alice in Wonderland story. But…it is quite the young adult, paranormal romance book where zombies are invisible to most people.

Showalter is a paranormal romance book author not to miss and I love that she ventured in a new direction with The White Rabbit Chronicles.

Paranormal Romance Books with Demons and Other Beings

Half-Blood
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi—pure-bloods—have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals—well, not so much.

Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and take out daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow.

Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1: Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.

Unfortunately, she’s crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn’t her biggest problem—staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is.

Armentrout is a master at creating fantasy worlds for her epic book series. I love how she weaves in mythology with this young adult paranormal romance.

She definitely loves to write about beings that feed on others but it’s the richness of her world building and character development that I love most about her works!

City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness such tragedy where a body disappears into thin air.

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk.

Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is hunted by a demon.

But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.

This is one of the more popular young adult paranormal romance books that was then made into a movie starring Lilly Collins!

A bit of mystery and suspense and lots of crazy creatures and characters to enjoy in this paranormal romance which is book one in the Mortal Instruments series.

Pleasure Unbound
by Larissa Ione

She’s a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire.

But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people.

Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable and let Tayla possess him, body and soul.

A paranormal romance where a slayer is tasked with ending the demon who saved her life? Yes, please!

This enemies to lovers romance sounds HOT plus it kicks off the Demonica series of over twenty books so you can get even more demon love.

The Sinner
by Emma Scott

Shy, introverted Lucy Dennings lives a quiet little life in New York City, losing herself in the pages of her beloved romance novels each night.

Her lonely heart seeks solace in tales of passionate, enduring, all-consuming love, but more and more, Lucy feels she’s not just reading for pleasure but searching for a lost piece of herself in the pages.

Until one day Lucy discovers a body in the alley behind her apartment. Even if it’s too late, her first instinct is to help. Her second is to run.

Because the body is actually still alive, and suddenly, her little world isn’t so little but one in which dreams feel like memories, “inner demons” actually lurk in dark alleys, and a beautiful creature of darkness might hold the key to what her heart has been aching for.

Emma Scott is another one of those authors that I first found through her contemporary romance but was so excited to hear she was writing a paranormal romance!

I adore romance books where love is found between two lonely souls – even if one of them is a demon. Definitely give this one a go.

House of Earth and Blood
by Sarah J. Maas

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life working hard all day and partying all night until a demon terminated her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone.

When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow.

His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose-to take out his boss’s enemies. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the culprit, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion-one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

Sarah J. Maas is an incredible and popular fantasy writer, and she continues wielding her craft in the Crescent City series with strong paranormal elements.

With angels and demons and a mystery to solve, get ready for an adventure with this paranormal romance.

The Darkest Night
by Gena Showalter

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past.

To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she’ll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction—and a soul-shattering test of love.

I’m so intrigued by these immortal warriors who have demons inside them. If you love a cool spin on Pandora’s Box then check out this paranormal romance book.

I also want to learn more about Ashlyn’s supernatural abilities and her work at the World Institute of Parapsychology!

Pestilence
by Laura Thalassa

They came to earth, the four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world.

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, she’s determined to be the one to end him. Too bad no one told her Pestilence lives forever.

Now the horseman has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her and hers towards him.

And now, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she’ll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

I really enjoyed this book and can see why it’s so popular! The whole post-apocolyptic angle was really great, but I especially loved their discussions about the human race and whether it was redeemable. I could relate to both points of view!

Of course Pestilence is just ONE of the four horsemen so giddy up for the entire paranormal romance series.

Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match
by Sally Thorne

For generations, every Frankenstein has found their true love and equal, unlocking lifetimes of blissful wedded adventure.

Clever, pretty (and odd) Angelika Frankenstein has run out of suitors and fears she may become the exception to this family rule.

Assisting in her brother Victor’s ground-breaking experiment to bring a reassembled man back to life, Angelika embarks upon a project that is all her own to create her most agreeable man.

When her handsome scientific miracle sits up on the lab table, her hopes for an instant romantic connection are thrown into disarray.

Her resurrected beau has total amnesia and is solely focused on uncovering his true identity.

Angelika reluctantly joins the investigation into his past, but when a second suitor emerges to aid their quest, Angelika wonders if she was too hasty inventing a solution.

Sally Thorne is just an amazing writer so I couldn’t write a paranormal romance book list without adding this gem!

A historical, paranormal romance that’s a reimagining of a well-known classic. WOW!

I think that Angelika is on to something in trying to create her own perfect man, and I cannot wait to see what happens with her experiment!

Fury
by Laurann Dohner

Ellie is horrified to discover the pharmaceutical company she works for is doing illegal experiments. Company scientists have spliced human and animal DNA, creating exotic new species.

One such “experiment” captures her heart and she’ll do anything to save him—even if he hates her for it.

Fury has never known compassion or love. He’s spent his life in a cell, chained and abused by humans. The one woman he allowed himself to trust betrayed him.

Now he’s free and set on vengeance. He vows to end her life but when she’s finally in his grasp, harming her is the last thing he wants to do.

This paranormal romance is the perfect pick for those who love a bit of science fiction mixed with their romance.

It’s scary to think that scientific experiments and gene-splicing really isn’t a thing of the future but if taken down the wrong paths who knows what it can lead to.

We aren’t quite at creating a new species of human but if you’re a fan of Marvel or X-Men this may be your jam!

Paranormal Romance Books About Ghosts & the Afterlife

Four Psychos
by Kristy Cunning

I’m not so different from most people. Like everyone else, I have life goals.

I want to become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am. And I want to convince the four men I’ve been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.

Then figure out who/what I am and why I can’t remember anything past the five years I’ve been haunting this quad.

A reverse harem romance with a ghost? I’ve hit the jackpot of paranormal romance novels I believe, and I’m not the only one to think so. 😊

While Keyla may be a ghost, her four roommates aren’t just plain jane humans. They are their own supernatural beings with an interesting job.

I love the uniqueness to this paranormal romance which you can’t pass up.

Layla
by Colleen Hoover

When Leeds meets Layla, he’s convinced he’ll spend the rest of his life with her until an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life.

After weeks in the hospital, Layla recovers physically, but the emotional and mental scarring has altered the woman Leeds fell in love with.

In order to put their relationship back on track, Leeds whisks Layla away to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. Once they arrive, Layla’s behavior takes a bizarre turn.

Feeling distant from Layla, Leeds soon finds solace in Willow, another guest of the B&B with whom he forms a connection through their shared concerns.

As his curiosity for Willow grows, his decision to help her find answers puts him in direct conflict with Layla’s well-being.

Leeds soon realizes he has to make a choice because he can’t help both of them. But if he makes the wrong choice, it could be detrimental for all of them.

People either love this or hate it but if you’re a Colleen Hoover fan you may want to check out this genre-crossing paranormal romance.

Midnight Valentine
by J.T. Geissinger

Megan and Cassidy were childhood sweethearts who thought they would be together forever. Fate had other plans. Soon after they were married, Cass’s life was tragically cut short.

Still grieving five years later, Megan moves from Phoenix to the small town of Seaside, Oregon, hoping to rebuild her life.

Her first night there, she meets the town recluse, Theo.

Withdrawn, guarded, and mysteriously silent since a terrible accident left him scarred, Theo takes an instant and inexplicable dislike to Megan.

But when Megan discovers the reason for his silence, his nightmares, and especially his pointed dislike, she becomes convinced of something far more astonishing.

This book answers the question, how can you recognize someone that you’ve never met?

Geissinger is one of my favorite authors and while I love her contemporary romance books, she blows me away with her writing ability in crafting such interesting paranormal romance books.

If you love this one, you’ll want to check out Pen Pal as well!

Afterlove
by Tanya Byrne

When Ashana Persaud meets Poppy Morgan on a school trip, she’s sure it’s too good to be true.

Coffee dates turn to museum trips until, soon, the two girls can see a future together—one that’s seemingly snatched from them when a hit-and-run takes Ash’s life on New Year’s Eve.

As the last person to pass before midnight, Ash is bestowed the title of reaper, tasked with finding lost souls and helping them cross over.

Only those close to their end can perceive a reaper, so when Ash runs into Poppy one lonely night—and Poppy recognizes her—they can’t be sure if it’s the second chance they’ve so desperately wished for, or a tragedy lying in wait.

I couldn’t help but add this young adult paranormal romance book because I loved the unique storyline and the diversity in its sapphic love story.

I can’t say that I’ve ever read a story about a grim reaper or one who is struggling with the girlfriend she left behind but I’m so excited to check it out.

Paranormal Romance Books with Witches

A Discovery of Witches
by Deborah Harkness

At Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research.

She’s a descendent of an old and distinguished line of witches, yet Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery.

Her discovery however, sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library, including vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, looking to Diana as the only creature who can break a spell.

I love when romance books are made into TV shows so you can really sink into the characters and storylines.

This paranormal romance became popular long before it became a TV show, but it’s one to check out if you love witches, vampires and other paranormal elements!

Wolf Gone Wild
by Juliette Cross

Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz has had his wolf in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly dangerous and carnal thoughts. Convinced he’s cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.

Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven–no werewolves. They’re known for being moody and volatile.

So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls in the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she’s ready to bounce him through the door.

But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

What Evie doesn’t know is that Mateo’s wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she’s in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

What could be better than a paranormal romance book with a witch AND a werewolf?

It’s always fun to read a shapeshifter romance where the inner animal wants to take control and do the exact opposite of the human’s mind.

Payback’s a Witch
by Lana Harper

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn’t been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years.

Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.

But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition is strong enough to bring Emmy back.

She’s determined to do her familial duty and spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn.

On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov who is adept in the darker magical arts and fresh off a bad breakup with Gareth Blackmoore.

Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?

But most concerning of all: Why can’t she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?

Sometimes you just want a lighter paranormal romance that has all the fantastical elements you love but with a less dark and gruesome edge.

I love how Harper gives us a sapphic, FF love story while enacting revenge on a former lover in this witch romance!

Phoenix Unbound
by Grave Draven

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire’s capital–her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses.

For the last five years, one small village’s tithe has been the same woman. Gilene’s sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses. But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire’s most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion–and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery.

Unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will abandon everything to return to the Empire–and burn once more.

Grace Draven is one of those authors that fits both fantasy and paranormal romance. I adore her writing and character development so couldn’t create this list without one of her titles!

I love that this witch romance is a bit of an enemies to lovers story which always makes for great romance.

More Witch Romance Books

Paranormal Romance Books with Psychics & Magic

Magic Bites
by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up magical problems.

But when Kate’s guardian is taken out, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.

Pressured by both sides to find the culprit, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t want it any other way.

You can’t have a list of paranormal romance books with out mentioning an Ilona Andrews title because this husband and wife writing team consistently cranks out bestselling urban fantasy and paranormal romance books.

Magic Bites kicks off their popular Kate Daniels series which features one strong, amazing heroine in a magical apocalypse world and the creatures she encounters.

Sugar and Gold
by Emma Scott

Nikolai Alexei Young was born with a special gift that he’d do anything to lose. The heart and soul of every person he comes into contact with is an open book to his heightened senses.

The sci-fi books would call him an empath. For Nikolai, his ability has made him an exile. He roams the U.S. alone with just enough to get by until he meets Fiona.

When Fiona takes Nikolai under her roof for three sultry nights, he is shocked to discover that Fiona silences the din of other people’s lives, and brings him closer to the peace that’s been eluding him his entire life.

But Fiona harbors secrets that she is too terrified to reveal. After Nikolai confesses his unique ability, she is caught between wanting to believe him and fearing he’ll eventually unearth her own dark past.

When the unthinkable happens, Fiona’s plans come crashing down, and Nikolai discovers his hated ability might be the only thing that can save the woman he loves.

Not going to lie, Emma Scott’s books have this ability to tug on all my heart strings so I can only imagine the heartache I’m going to feel when Fiona and Nikolai meet.

Sometimes you don’t need a paranormal romance that sweeps you into a fantasy world, but one that just has amazing characters and a unique storyline. This is it.

Fantasy Lover
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn’t.

And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior’s day.

But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander’s fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past.

She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.

But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence.

Yet now I have found Grace and I wonder if love can break a two-thousand-year-old curse?

A paranormal romance about a Greek general and a curse? I love this mix of time travel and magic with a ton of heat mixed in.

I’m always a bit biased toward books that mix in a bit of Greek mythology and I know we will be in good hands with Kenyon on this one.

Time Travel Paranormal Romance Books

Midnight’s Masters
by Donna Grant

Gwynn Austin has no idea why her father has disappeared on a mysterious trip to Scotland. When she searches for him, she finds more than she bargains for in a ruggedly handsome, wickedly exciting Highlander who exudes danger and mystery.

Propelled through time by powerful Druid Magic, Logan Hamilton uses his immortality and powers of the god inside him to help prevent the awakening of an ancient evil in the modern world.

He never expects to find help in the form of a beautiful, alluring, and all too tempting woman whose passion and strength matches his own.

Together, Logan and Gywnn must fight for their love before a demon from the past destroys them both.

It doesn’t take much to get me to read a romance book with a Scotsman in it and time travel paranormal romance books seem to have a lot of them. 😊

If you want to explore a bit of Druid magic, this is the paranormal romance for you.

The Highlander’s Touch
by Karen Marie Moning

A terrible trick of fate sent Lisa 700 years back in time and into the private chamber of a Scottish warrior.

Irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war.

How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her – plans that would save her from a tragic fate?

Or that this man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own.

This is a time traveling romance that sweeps you back to a hot Scot who is immortal.

Even if you aren’t a historical romance lover, Moning’s Highlander series may have you changing your tune.

Transcendence
by Shay Savage

Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate.

He doesn’t know where she came from, she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache.

Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused why a caveman is hauling her back to his cave home.

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months.

As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time. 

I’m just so fascinated by this time-travel, paranormal romance book because of the setting. How unique to pick prehistoric times and a caveman!

Love can definitely transcend spoken words but we will have to see if it can overcome dangers of the times as well.

More Time Travel Romance Books

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Paranormal Romance?

Paranormal romance books are love stories featuring some type of paranormal element that is beyond scientific explanation.

They often blend science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural with a central love story that always gives a happy ending.

Paranormal romance books can include vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, ghosts, demons, witches, warlocks, aliens, psychics, time travel and other paranormal elements.

Vampires may steal the show when it comes to paranormal romance books given the Twilight craze of yesteryear but there is so much more to this category of romance.

I honestly love the variety as there is honestly something for everyone when it comes to paranormal romance.

That’s why this list is the ultimate guide to paranormal romance books as its goal is to showcase all that there is to the paranormal romance genre.

Paranormal Versus Fantasy Romance

Is there really a difference between paranormal romance and fantasy romance?

Many people probably link the two together because there is obviously an element of “other worldliness” to both of these categories of romance.

But if you want to be a stickler, there is a difference and I’ve tried to honor that difference in this list.

Fantasy romance books have a love story but also predominately have an element of magic, magical creatures or supernatural phenomena that create a different world and/or play a central role in the story.

Paranormal romance books have a love story but also include either paranormal creatures or paranormal phenomena which play a central role to the story.

If you’d love to check out a fantasy romance book, don’t miss these book lists:

• Spellbinding Fantasy Romance Books
• The Best Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Romance Books
• The Best Romantasy Books

Why Read Paranormal Romance?

Romance books in general provide a great escape to the day-to-day in your world, but why not take it a step further and escape into either another world completely or a world imagined with paranormal creatures?

The existence of vampires, aliens, time travel, and other paranormal phenomena is just a given in the worlds created in these books.

But what would it be like to fall in love with a paranormal creature? If you’ve ever asked yourself that question or just love the idea of the supernatural, these are the books for you.

Paranormal Romance Book Series

If you’re someone who loves to binge-read an entire romance book series and follow characters through multiple books, you’re in luck.

Many beloved paranormal romance authors write entire series of paranormal romance books so you won’t be hard-pressed to find a series to sink your teeth into if you love this category of romance.

Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, Kresley Cole, Ruby Dixon, Scarlett St. Clair, Christine Feehan, and Nalini Singh are just a few, popular paranormal romance authors that crank out the best series worth reading!

Related Book Lists:

• The Best Vampire Romance Books to Devour
• The Best Werewolf Romance Books
• The Best Witch Romance Books that are Wickedly Good
• The Best Alien Romance Books That Are Out of This World
• Best Halloween Romance Books
• Spellbinding Fantasy Romance Books

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