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Stacy | Fantasy & Romance 📚

@stacyfrancesreads

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📚 Reader Psychology
📖 Honest fantasy, romance & dystopian recs & reviews
✨ Helping you find books you can't put down
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I've been thinking about why some fantasy books stay with me long after I've finished them.

I don't actually think it's because they have the biggest plot twists.

I think it's because the very best twists don't just surprise us...they completely change the way we experienced everything that came before.

Shadow Reaper by @lynettenoni did exactly that to me.

The ending didn't just make me gasp. It made me want to go back and reread every conversation, every decision, and every clue to see what I'd missed the first time around.

That's what fascinates me most about reading. The stories that linger aren't always the loudest ones; they're the ones that quietly change the way our brains process everything we've already read.

I think that's why I love fantasy so much.

Has a book ever made you immediately want to reread it because the ending changed everything?

Fantasy books • romantasy • YA fantasy • book review • Shadow Reaper • Lynette Noni • plot twists • reader psychology • books that stay with you • fantasy readers • book recommendations • annotated books • book review •
@house.of.ya @penguinrandomhouse @penguinukbooks @ninacdouglas by @stacyfrancesreads

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49

4 months ago

There’s this scene in We Who Will Die by @staciastarkauthor that lives in my head rent free 🖤
Romantasy tension and love triangle done right.

#romantasy #bookstagram #lovetriangle #bookstagram #bookrecs @michaeljbooks by @stacyfrancesreads

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43

10 months ago

I think we often give enemies to lovers romance credit for the wrong thing.

It isn't usually the banter that stays with me; it's the moment the characters finally decide to trust each other.

For me, that's what makes a romance believable and Shadow Reaper by @lynettenoni absolutely nailed that.

Do you agree, or is there something else that makes an enemies to lovers romance completely unforgettable for you?

Fantasy book • YA Fantasy • enemies to lovers • book review • reader psychology • slow burn romance • fantasy romance • Lynette Noni • Shadow Reaper • books that stay with you • Romantasy • fantasy readers • book recommendations • annotated books • enemies to lovers romance • romance books
@penguinrandomhouse @house.of.ya @penguinukbooks @ninacdouglas by @stacyfrancesreads

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20

4 months ago

Please tell me I’m not the only person whose TBR grows faster than they can physically read. 😂

TBR pile • never-ending TBR • reading humour • book lover problems • unread books • book collector • fantasy reader • romantasy reader • Bookstagram humour • reader problems • book buying • reading meme • UK Bookstagram

#Bookstagram #TBR #ReaderProblems #BookHumour #FantasyBooks by @stacyfrancesreads

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11 hours ago

⚔️ Fantasy Friday is back!

Here’s the fantasy & romantasy news worth knowing this week:

🐉 Fourth Wing: Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya are being reported as Violet and Xaden for the TV adaptation, but Prime Video hasn’t officially confirmed the casting yet, so for now… apparently. 👀

🩸 Nightslayer by @billwoodauthor : adult fantasy pitched as Buffy meets Bridgerton, with a hidden-identity romance between a vampire and the slayer hunting him. @gollancz

🌙 Hallowed by Lou Baudelaire: gothic romantasy featuring a half-witch, an Unseelie king and a dangerous bargain. @michaeljbooks

✨ Special Edition Watch: @fairyloot revealed Vine of Hearts by @juliesotowrites and The Poison Daughter by @sheilareadsandwrites

📆 Coming next week: With Hearts of Flame @briarboleynauthor , Crowned by Roses @author.elizabeth.helen , Our Dark Incantations @wandahellmund and Storm Caller @nishajtwrites

What do we think about the reported Violet and Xaden casting? 👀

Fantasy book news • romantasy news • Fourth Wing TV adaptation • Fourth Wing casting • Violet Sorrengail • Xaden Riorson • Nightslayer Bill Wood • Hallowed Lou Baudelaire • FairyLoot special editions • October 2026 fantasy releases • UK fantasy books

#FantasyFriday #FantasyBooks #Romantasy #FourthWing #BookNews by @stacyfrancesreads

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a day ago

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I read Sharpest Court by @kiera.azar as part of a readalong with @tandemcollectiveuk and @harperfirebooks and absolutely loved it. It was an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish, and I can’t award it anything other than 5 stars.

Sharpest Court is the sequel to Thorn Season and is a romantasy filled to the brim with court politics, a really unique magic system, and plot twists.

There were so many things I loved about this book: Alissa’s fight for autonomy, her relationship with Keil, the way that Erik becomes an infinitely more complicated villain, and above all else, the found family. The mystery surrounding the compass kept me hooked. There was so much going on within the action-packed plot, but the characters also had time to breathe and grow.

The romance between Keil and Alissa remains one of my favourite parts of this series. They kept their banter and chemistry, but they also became softer and more emotionally open with one another.

“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚."

Erik gave me a lot to unpack in this sequel. He’s still controlling, possessive, and abusive, but we learn much more about his background in Sharpest Court.

Then we have Perla, who in my opinion, has one of the strongest side character developments in this book. I won’t lie, I was chomping at the bit for the scenes with Perla and Goren because I LOVED the tension between them. The tension was tension-ing.

The Wielders’ spectres are 100% one of my favourite aspects of this series, and this sequel expanded on the lore nicely.
When I finished, I felt like I needed book three immediately because what do you mean it ended there?! I’ll be impatiently awaiting news of the release of the final book in the trilogy and hoping that my Goren/Perla theory finally goes somewhere too. This is how you do a sequel!

romantasy • court politics • unique magic system • found family • plot twists • slow-burn romance • banter and chemistry • complicated villain • Wielders • five-star read

#SharpestCourt #tandemcollective #harperfire #bookreview #bookstagram by @stacyfrancesreads

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3 days ago

⚔️ Fantasy Friday is back!

Here’s the fantasy & romantasy news worth knowing this week:

• The Jester and the Queen by @alisa_dzhukich

@moonfirebooks has acquired the English edition of this slow-burn forbidden queen × jester romance, whose story and artwork have already inspired 850M+ views across platforms. 👀

Coming December 2027, with 8–10 full-page illustrations and a four-page mini comic.

• Everfair Online by @adriannemaystrickland

A LitRPG romantasy pitched as Dungeon Crawler Carl meets ACOTAR: a game designer gets pulled into the fae world she created and meets the prince she literally designed to be her perfect boyfriend.

Unfortunately… he’s real, furious, and may kill her when he discovers she wrote the curse destroying his life. 😂

• The Blood Maiden by @chapelvane

@gollancz has pre-empted this dystopian romantic fantasy trilogy in a six-figure deal.

Nine contenders compete for the ruler’s son.
One gets betrothed. Eight die.

✨ Special Edition Watch:
Souls in Ruin by @jacwhite.author from @owlcrate
The Death-Made Prince by @authorlisettemarshall from @shadowferneditions

⭐ On My Radar:
This Love Divine by @keshewrites arranged marriage, bookish princess inexperienced Cupid-in-training. Coming 2028.

📆 Coming next week:
• Mothsblood by @lynndjung
• Alchemised Deluxe Three-Volume Edition by @senlinyuwrites
• Tales
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion by @redwombatstudio

Which one has gone straight onto your radar? 👀

Fantasy book news • romantasy news • upcoming fantasy books • fantasy publishing news • MoonFire Books • The Jester and the Queen • Alisa Dzhukich • Everfair Online • AdriAnne Strickland • The Blood Maiden • Chapel Vane • Gollancz • dystopian romantasy • fantasy special editions • October 2026 fantasy releases • UK Bookstagram

#FantasyFriday #FantasyBooks #Romantasy #BookNews #Bookstagram by @stacyfrancesreads

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8 days ago

📚 @theworksstores have updated their November book list AGAIN.

Yes. Again. 😂

Yesterday we already had Snowed In, The Wolf King, Realm of Wind and Vines and Wanted added to the November line-up…
…and now there are three more additions worth knowing about:

🌙 Beneath a Midnight Moon by Catherine Cowles

🔥 Brimstone by Callie Hart
.
🖤 The Monster Trilogy by Rina Kent
.
So if yesterday’s November update hadn’t already caused enough problems… there you go. 😂

Which of these would actually get you into The Works?

• The Works books • The Works November 2026 • The Works special editions • Brimstone Callie Hart • Beneath a Midnight Moon Catherine Cowles • Rina Kent Monster Trilogy • special edition books • sprayed edges • romantasy books • romance books • dark romance books • UK BookTok • UK Bookstagram • November 2026 book releases

#TheWorks #Bookstagram #SpecialEditionBooks #SprayedEdges #Romantasy by @stacyfrancesreads

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8 days ago

📚 @theworksstores have started adding their November books… and the first FOUR are all Works exclusives. 👀💸

So here’s our first look at what’s currently listed for the week commencing 2nd November 2026:

❄️ Snowed In by Navessa Allen
The Works exclusive with an exclusive sprayed edge.

🐺 The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
The Works exclusive with an exclusive sprayed edge.

🌿 Realm of Wind and Vines by Marion Blackwood
The Works exclusive with an exclusive sprayed edge.

🤠 Wanted by Paisley Hope
The Works exclusive with an exclusive sprayed edge.

So apparently November has decided to start causing problems early. 😂

And considering these are only the first four currently showing, I’ll keep checking the upcoming list and let you know what else gets added.

So… which one has already added a completely necessary trip to The Works to your November plans? 😂

(Please don’t ask me to choose. I am merely providing this information and accepting absolutely no responsibility for what happens to our bank accounts. 💸😂)

• The Works books • The Works November releases • The Works special editions • November 2026 book releases • Special edition books • Sprayed edges • Exclusive editions • Upcoming book releases • Fantasy books • Romantasy books • Romance books • The Wolf King Lauren Palphreyman • Snowed In Navessa Allen • Realm of Wind and Vines Marion Blackwood • Wanted Paisley Hope • UK Bookstagram • Book lovers

#TheWorks #Bookstagram #SpecialEditionBooks #SprayedEdges #BookReleases by @stacyfrancesreads

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9 days ago

⚔️ Fantasy Friday is back!

Here’s the best fantasy & romantasy book news this week:

🌙 @duskbooksuk & @thesophclark : Penguin Random House’s New Adult crossover imprint has acquired Ashes for the Evening Star and its sequel in a six-figure deal.
It’s Sophie Clark’s first adult romantasy, featuring a princess who loses her kingdom and her first love, spends ten years becoming a weapon, then has to protect the man ruling her conquered home...
Coming in 2028, which feels offensively far away.

📚 Book Buzz: @misterkristoff has announced Bastards, the first book in a new dark epic fantasy trilogy.
The party includes villains, thieves, half-demons, an immortal murderer…and a hellhound trapped inside a pug.
Yes, really. 😂
UK publication: 20th May, 2027.

✨ Special Edition Watch:
@fairyloot revealed A Steeping of Blood by @hafsahfaizal , @theworksstores has an exclusive Daughter of No Worlds by @carissabroadbentbooks coming 22 October, and @waterstones has a signed exclusive of Gutterwitch by @esmiejp for next year.
And honestly…Just LOOK at Gutterwitch!! 😍

⭐ On My Radar: Unknowable by @insomniauthor : a Wizard of Oz-inspired romantic fantasy. Preorders aren't open yet, so we’re being forced to practise patience. 🙏

📆 Coming next week:
6 October
• Victorious V.E. Schwab
• The Scarlet Ball Nghi Vo
• Bound and Unbound Ali Hazelwood
• Bloodbound J.A. Good
• Tallow and Bone Rhiannon Hargadon

8 October
• Quicksilver Callie Hart
• Reap & Sow Charlotte B. Plumb
• Cursed City Kate Golden
• Under the Iron Sky A.T. Emerald
• This Shattered Tempest Thea Guanzon
• The Sixth Faction Veronica Roth

Apparently October has decided fantasy readers don’t require disposable income. 😂

Which announcement has gone straight onto your radar?

Fantasy book news • romantasy news • upcoming fantasy books • new fantasy releases • New Adult fantasy • DUSK books • Sophie Clark • Ashes for the Evening Star • Jay Kristoff Bastards • fantasy special editions • October 2026 fantasy releases • UK BookTok • fantasy romance

#FantasyFriday #FantasyBooks #Romantasy #BookNews #Bookstagram by @stacyfrancesreads

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15 days ago

Remember when I confidently announced that I wanted to finish Throne of Glass AND Crescent City before ACOTAR 6?

Well, we need to discuss my progress. 😂

September I hit a proper reading slump; I only finished 5 books, which is around 3 fewer than I'd usually manage, so October has officially become Operation Catch-Up.

My main missions are:
• Finishing Throne of Glass and
• Cracking on with Crescent City as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, other books continue to exist... 😂

Threshing Day by @rebeccayarros has finally arrived, I’ve got The Sharpest Court by @kiera.azar for my @tandemcollectiveuk readalong, The Soulmate Bakery by @safaswritings from the lovely @ninacdouglas , plus Bloodbound by @j.a_good_author and Under the Iron Sky by @at.emerald all demanding attention.

And if I somehow become extraordinarily productive, I’d still love to fit in Kiss of the Black Flame by @helenscheuerer with book club.

So… can I finish ToG, make serious progress on Crescent City AND read everything else I’ve apparently assigned myself?

Confidence level: declining rapidly. 😂

• October TBR • fantasy October TBR • Throne of Glass reading journey • finishing Throne of Glass • Crescent City reading journey • Sarah J Maas books • ACOTAR 6 reading challenge • fantasy books • romantasy books • October reading plans • upcoming reads • BookTok TBR • Bookstagram TBR • Threshing Day • The Sharpest Court • Bloodbound • The Soulmate Bakery • Under the Iron Sky

#OctoberTBR #ThroneOfGlass #CrescentCity #FantasyBooks #Bookstagram by @stacyfrancesreads

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16 days ago

5 books: 4 YESes. 1 MAYBE. And somehow still not a single NO. 😂📚

September was definitely a slower reading month for me, but apparently I compensated by becoming completely unhinged about the books I did love.

The Dragon and the Dove by @catdoyleauthor was an immediate YES A MILLION TIMES OVER, Giltbone by @ehlawsonauthor unlocked a new favourite gothic romantasy, and between those two books alone I somehow made 1,529 Kindle highlights.

Completely normal behaviour. Obviously. 😂💅

Hawk & Sparrow gave me a fantasy murder mystery that had me doubting my own detective skills, The Assassin’s Blade delivered the Sam Cortland emotional damage package I was absolutely not prepared for, and Turncloak was my one MAYBE of the month.

Now I need to know: what was YOUR best read of September?

• September reading wrap up • fantasy book recommendations • romantasy book recommendations • fantasy romance books • books I read in September • September reads • fantasy books worth reading • BookTok recommendations • Bookstagram recommendations • fantasy book reviews • gothic romantasy • Throne of Glass • The Dragon and the Dove • Giltbone • Hawk & Sparrow • The Assassin’s Blade • Turncloak • monthly reading wrap up

#SeptemberReadingWrapUp #FantasyBooks #RomantasyBooks #Bookstagram #FantasyBookRecommendations by @stacyfrancesreads

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17 days ago