15 Novels for Readers Who Want Romance With a Touch of Magic

Some evenings call for a good book, especially when the rain is tapping on the windows, the kettle is on, and you have no intention of leaving the house again. And, while we love a good romance, sometimes we need a little magic in our lives. Give us a handsome stranger from another century, and we're sold.

If that sounds like your kind of reading, we have 15 books to add to your list.

1. The Story Collector by Evie Woods

If you love Ireland and believe there's a chance the fairies are still out there, start here. In this novel, an American woman discovers an old diary filled with stories of fairy encounters in the Irish countryside.

Once you've read it, you'll look at all those mysterious little fairy forts differently.

2. The Awakening by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts fans, this one's for you. In The Awakening, Breen Kelly discovers she belongs to a magical world where dragons exist, and a handsome warrior named Keegan is waiting.

And, because it's Nora Roberts, we know we're getting plenty of romantic tension with our adventure.

3. The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier

Fancy another trip to ancient Ireland? Here, you'll find a missing harp, a royal coronation in jeopardy, and a young warrior-in-training determined to put things right.

If Celtic mythology and supernatural adventures are your thing, you'll love exploring this world.

4. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

You'll want to clear your schedule for this one. The heroine, Sorcha, must save her brothers from a terrible enchantment, even when doing so demands heartbreaking sacrifices.

There's a beautiful romance here, too, but fair warning: you may need a good cry afterward.

5. The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

Remember the witch who locked Rapunzel in the tower? Well, Mary McMyne gives us another side of the story through Haelewise, a young woman drawn into a world of forbidden knowledge and ancient beliefs.

You might find yourself reconsidering everything you thought you knew about that evil witch.

6. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

We have one more Evie Woods book you’ll enjoy if you sped through The Story Collector. It’s about a mysterious bookshop in Dublin that seems to appear and disappear. Here, you’ll meet three characters whose lives are connected to the unusual little shop, with old secrets and romantic possibilities waiting to be discovered.

If you enjoyed Woods' style of writing, this one's definitely for you.

7. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Who doesn't love a little forbidden romance? Here, we have a historian who discovers an enchanted manuscript at Oxford's Bodleian Library, followed by the arrival of a rather intriguing centuries-old vampire.

If you enjoy supernatural love stories, you'll have a wonderful time with this one. And, when you’re done, see if you like the TV series just as much. 

8. The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

Let's go to Paris, shall we? Our destination is the glamorous Belle Époque, where a mysterious mansion hides supernatural secrets and a dangerous attraction complicates everything.

This one's a little darker, so save it for a stormy evening.

9. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston

Here's a good reason to start visiting antique shops. Xanthe discovers that certain objects can transport her into the past, where she encounters a historical mystery and an unexpected romance.

Like the fairy forts, when you’re done, you'll never look at an old teapot quite the same way.

10. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

If you love Scotland and historical romance, put this near the top of your list. We're following a writer who begins experiencing vivid memories from the Jacobite era while researching her latest novel.

As for the romance that unfolds through all those memories, you’ll definitely want to know how it ends.

11. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Would you stay in the eighteenth century for a handsome stranger? That's the dilemma facing Eva, who returns to Cornwall and unexpectedly begins traveling between the present and the past.

In this novel, the seaside setting is gorgeous, and the romance makes returning to modern life quite a bit complicated.

12. The Surviving Trace by Calia Read

Picture waking up in 1912 and discovering you're married to a complete stranger. That's what happens to Serene, who must navigate an unfamiliar world and an unexpected relationship.

Fair warning: this one’s steamier than the rest of the list. This wonderful read will leave you with more than a few questions, too. 

13. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This one's for anyone who doesn't mind a love story breaking their heart a little. Henry travels through time without warning, making his relationship with Clare anything but conventional.

It's a beautiful, emotional read. So, we'd recommend keeping the tissues nearby, especially if you plan on watching the film, too. 

14. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Who doesn't love an old English cottage with a mysterious past? Cassandra inherits one and begins uncovering secrets surrounding her grandmother's childhood.

There's no magic here, but the fairy-tale atmosphere makes it perfect for a chilly afternoon.

15. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

If you loved Downton Abbey, here's one for your reading list. An elderly former housemaid recalls her years working for a wealthy English family and the secrets they kept.

You can expect forbidden love and a mystery that takes decades to unravel.

Let the Outside World Wait

The wonderful thing about these books is that we can visit ancient Ireland one evening and fall in love with someone from another century the next.

With the darker evenings arriving, each of these books is a good excuse to stay home and read. The only question is, which one will you crack open first?

Looking for stories that inform and engage? From breaking headlines to fresh perspectives, WaveNewsToday has more to explore. Ride the wave of what’s next.