Best Sci-Fi Romance Books

Becky Chambers’ The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a space opera that’s packed with heart, humor, and a diverse cast of characters. The story follows the crew of the Wayfarer, a ship tasked with creating wormholes for intergalactic travel. Romance slowly simmers between characters, with a particular focus on the relationship between Rosemary and the reptilian pilot Sissix. Their love story is sweet, unconventional, and beautifully integrated into the broader themes of the novel. If you’re looking for a book that blends a hopeful vision of space travel with tender, character-driven romance, this one’s a must-read.

Fortuna is the first book in the Nova Vita Protocol series, following the space-smuggling Kaiser family as they navigate political tensions and intergalactic war. The romance in this novel focuses on the complex relationship between the protagonist, Scorpia, and a former flame, whose reappearance stirs up old feelings. The book delivers high-stakes action with a simmering romance at its core. The mature themes blend well with the intense space battles, and the romance provides emotional depth amidst the chaos. If you like a dash of family drama mixed with your space adventure, Fortuna is a wild ride.

Edge of Eon kicks off a steamy space opera series where the human race’s survival depends on allying with the alien Eon warriors. Our heroine, Sub-Captain Eve Traynor, is sent on a mission to recruit an Eon war commander, but sparks fly when their attraction becomes undeniable. The romance between Eve and Warlord Davion is intense, with plenty of action and chemistry. Hackett’s world-building is rich, and the romance is front and center, making this a fast-paced, exciting read. If you enjoy strong female leads and alpha alien males, this book will hit the spot.

Radiance is a unique sci-fi fantasy romance that tells the love story of Brishen, a Kai prince, and Ildiko, a human princess. What makes this story stand out is that both characters find each other physically unattractive but grow to love one another deeply. Their arranged marriage transforms into a true partnership, filled with witty banter, tenderness, and passion. The world-building is immersive, blending elements of sci-fi and fantasy to create a rich backdrop for their love story. Radiance is perfect for readers who love romances that focus on emotional connection rather than insta-love.

In Polaris Rising, the first book of the Consortium Rebellion series, we meet Ada von Hasenberg, a princess on the run from an arranged marriage. She teams up with Marcus Loch, a notorious fugitive, and their forced alliance quickly turns into a steamy, action-packed romance. With plenty of space battles, political intrigue, and sizzling chemistry, this book is a fast-paced space adventure with a romance that keeps you hooked. The world of Polaris Rising is filled with danger, and the romance between Ada and Marcus adds emotional stakes to the pulse-pounding action.

The Stars Now Unclaimed mixes epic space battles with a poignant romance subplot. The story follows Jane, a gun-toting mercenary on a mission to recruit children with special abilities across a war-torn galaxy. Jane’s relationship with a fellow soldier slowly develops amidst the chaos, and their romance is filled with tension and tenderness. The book’s combination of high-octane action and emotional depth makes it a standout in the sci-fi romance genre. If you love fast-paced adventure with heart, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Part of the Origin series, The Darkest Star features a blend of sci-fi and romance in a world where humans and aliens coexist. When Evie meets Luc, an alien hiding his true identity, their attraction is immediate but complicated by secrets and danger. The chemistry between them is electric, and the romance is at the forefront of the story, along with a fast-moving plot. Armentrout's writing blends suspense, romance, and sci-fi elements effortlessly. If you’re a fan of alien romance with a side of mystery, this book is a great pick.

Winter’s Orbit is a political space opera with a slow-burn romance at its heart. When two princes, Kiem and Jainan, are forced into an arranged marriage to keep the peace between their planets, they must navigate their growing feelings for each other while uncovering a deadly conspiracy. The romance between the two is tender and beautifully written, with a focus on trust and emotional healing. Maxwell’s world-building is rich with interplanetary politics, and the relationship between Kiem and Jainan provides an emotional core to the story. If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ romance in a sci-fi setting, this one is a gem.

This Is How You Lose the Time War is a beautifully written, lyrical story about two rival agents, Red and Blue, who fall in love across time. As they exchange letters during their missions to alter history, their romance slowly blossoms in the midst of war and chaos. The prose is poetic, and the relationship between Red and Blue is filled with yearning and emotional depth. While the sci-fi elements are strong, the central focus of the novel is the love story between these two enemies. It’s a short, stunning read for anyone who loves unconventional romances.

In Tethered, we follow Lieutenant Commander Telisa Relachik, who is tasked with investigating a mysterious alien artifact alongside an arrogant but charming scientist, Ahn Kerol. Their initial antagonism quickly develops into a playful, slow-burn romance, with plenty of witty banter and tension. Buroker blends sci-fi adventure with romantic chemistry, making this book both action-packed and heartwarming. The story is fun and light, perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of space exploration and romance without taking itself too seriously. If you’re in the mood for a space romance that’s fun and flirty, Tethered is a great choice.

The Last Hour of Gann takes readers on a dark and intense journey through space. When Amber and her fellow passengers crash-land on an alien planet, she’s forced to team up with Meoraq, a lizard-like alien warrior. Their romance is slow to develop but deeply emotional, with mature themes and a gritty survival story intertwined. Smith’s world-building is intricate, and the romance is raw, powerful, and unique. This is a book for readers who enjoy darker sci-fi with a central love story that pushes boundaries.

Grimspace is the first book in the Sirantha Jax series, following a heroine with the rare ability to jump through Grimspace. After a devastating crash, Sirantha finds herself on the run with a ragtag crew, including the stoic and mysterious March. Their romance is slow-burning and complicated by past traumas, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Aguirre’s writing is fast-paced and packed with action, making the romance feel all the more intense against the backdrop of intergalactic travel. If you love a heroine who kicks butt and a romance full of tension, Grimspace is the book for you.

This book is an intriguing mix of alien culture and romance, focusing on Liam, a human diplomat, and Ondry, a member of an alien race called the Rownt. The romance between them is slow, sweet, and based on cultural differences that they learn to navigate together. Gala does an excellent job of exploring alien perspectives while building a tender love story. The book is full of humor, heart, and fascinating world-building, making it a fresh take on the alien romance genre. If you’re in the mood for something unique, this one’s a delightful read.

While The Collapsing Empire leans more on the sci-fi side, it still delivers on romance. Set in a future where humanity has spread across multiple planets, the story focuses on political intrigue and the looming collapse of the Flow, the means of interstellar travel. Amidst the chaos, there are romantic subplots that add depth and heart to the narrative, particularly between the sharp-witted scientist Marce and a powerful noblewoman. Scalzi’s witty, fast-paced writing makes this space opera a fun and engaging read. If you enjoy a mix of sharp humor, action, and a dash of romance, this one’s for you.

Aurora Rising brings together a band of misfit cadets who are tasked with an impossible mission. Among the group are Tyler, the golden-boy leader, and Aurora, a girl from the past with mysterious powers. Their connection is intense, though the romance simmers slowly as the team faces galactic dangers. Kaufman and Kristoff’s writing is witty, and the romance adds warmth to the action-packed plot. If you’re looking for a YA sci-fi romance with a ragtag crew and plenty of humor, this one is a perfect choice.

In Skyward, Spensa, a fierce young pilot, dreams of flying to defend her planet from alien threats. Along the way, she forms a close bond with her co-pilot and fellow cadet, Jorgen. Their relationship slowly deepens over the course of the book, mixing tension, camaraderie, and romantic sparks. Sanderson weaves a thrilling tale of space battles and personal growth, with the romance providing a satisfying emotional undercurrent. If you enjoy slow-burn romance paired with high-flying action, Skyward is an excellent pick.

For fans of the cult-classic Firefly, Big Damn Hero is a perfect dive back into the beloved world of Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his ragtag crew. While the romance between Mal and Inara has always been a slow-burning flame, this novel gives it more room to shine. Their chemistry is electric, and the witty banter between them is a highlight of the story. With plenty of action, space heists, and humor, this book captures the heart of the Firefly universe. If you’ve always wanted more of Mal and Inara’s will-they-won’t-they romance, this book delivers.

Told through a series of hacked documents, emails, and transcripts, The Illuminae Files delivers a unique storytelling experience with a strong central romance. Kady and Ezra are thrust into the middle of a space war, and their relationship is tested by danger, secrets, and betrayal. The emotional depth of their connection is palpable, and the sci-fi setting adds tension and drama to their love story. The book’s format is fast-paced and visually engaging, making it a one-of-a-kind sci-fi romance. If you love high-stakes romance with a twist, this one’s a must-read.

Dark Planet Warriors is the start of a steamy alien romance series that fans of mature sci-fi love stories will devour. When Abbey, a human, is captured by a powerful race of alien warriors, she forms an unexpected bond with their leader, Tarek. Their romance is passionate, filled with intense chemistry and plenty of action-packed moments. Carven’s writing is fast-paced, with a focus on both the sizzling romance and the rich sci-fi setting. If you enjoy your sci-fi romance with a little more heat, this series is perfect for you.

Shards of Honor is a classic in the sci-fi romance genre. The book follows Cordelia Naismith, a captain of a scientific exploration team, who finds herself stranded on a hostile planet with enemy soldier Aral Vorkosigan. As they fight for survival, their mutual respect grows into love, despite the political tensions between their home planets. Bujold masterfully combines romance, space adventure, and political intrigue, making this a must-read for any sci-fi romance fan. The slow-burning romance between Cordelia and Aral is heartwarming, and their relationship is built on trust and shared experiences.