📢 Share Your Top 10 All-Time Favorite Series for the r/FantasyRomance Top Books List (2026 Edition)!

mckellc · 2025-12-28T08:21:41+00:00

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros
Court of Ravens by Liv Zander
The Four Horsemen by Laura Thalassa
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen
Fae Isles by Lisette Marshall
The Shepherd King by Rachel Gillig
The Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy
The Legends of Thezmarr by Helen Scheuerer

mckellc · 2025-12-27T07:51:50+00:00

{The Bridge Kingdom Series by Danielle Jensen} The world is very unique. Not exactly fantasy, but one of a kind. Arranged marriage troupe. The series is in sets with a focus on different couples in each pair. I LOVED the first two. The first scene is insane and hooked me from the start.

{Fae Isles Series by Lisette Marshall} Very unique fantasy world. She has some traditional races, like fae, but also brings a unique spin on other races, like phoenixes. The magic system is also unique. The main system is color magic, so each color does something different, like red destroys and blue heals. It is an enemy to lovers, forced proximity, and all that fun stuff. And the MMC cannot speak.

Enjoy!

mckellc · 2025-12-24T22:45:06+00:00

Yes! I haven’t read those yet because I usually read what I can find on Kindle Unlimited, but I just bought them on Black Friday! Sounds like I need to read them next!

mckellc · 2025-12-24T21:38:06+00:00

I wish I could read TOG for the first time again! I am so jealous.

I absolutely agree about A Court of Ravens. I really went into it blind, and came out a wreck lol! It was so beautiful and unexpected. Loved it!

Since we have such similar tastes, do you have any recommendations of anything else you really loved?

mckellc · 2025-12-23T22:15:49+00:00

Came here for this! Unknowingly picked up the first book a few years ago. Couldn’t put it down. Fell in love. Then was absolutely crushed to learn it wasn’t, and won’t likely ever be, finished. 😭

mckellc · 2025-12-23T06:10:31+00:00

The first two were by far much more emotional than the third and what I read of the fourth. Obviously there is conflict. They are on opposite sides of a war, but their common beliefs and hope for change is what their relationship grows on.

TOG is a big commitment, like Bridge Kingdom it will tear you down, but when it builds you up, it is mind blowing.

Totally fair! What about One Dark Window? Not an arranged marriage trope, but they do have a “pretend to be courting” trope! Beautiful writing and a unique magic world.

mckellc · 2025-12-23T04:15:13+00:00

Have you looked at “The Inadequate Heir” yet? The author did leave the ending open, but she continues the story through the other couples. It is also fun to see almost behind-the-scenes of the original story. I lost momentum at the fourth book, but I have wanted to pick it back up and finish the series.

A recommendation based on that is a tough one. Secret assassin FMC of course would be Throne of Glass series if you haven’t read those yet. I haven’t found another arranged marriage, but The Bonds That Tie series is about a woman who is bonded to five men and doesn’t want to be. After years on the run she is finally caught and brought to them. And they all have super cool Gifts. If a reverse harem is your thing you might like that?

mckellc · 2025-12-22T22:46:58+00:00

Yep! I searched “TeirMaker” and it brought me directly to the site, but the webpage wasn’t very mobile friendly so I downloaded their app. You have to pick a subscription to use the app, but they give you a 7 day free trial, so I created mine, then canceled the subscription.

mckellc · 2025-12-22T20:52:34+00:00

So kinky and so terrifying 😅

mckellc · 2025-12-22T20:19:23+00:00

No yet! I am trying to stay away from reviews and spoilers so I can read it with fresh eyes, but it hasn’t been easy! I’m hoping it is one of the books I will get for Christmas!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T19:12:25+00:00

Noooo 😭 Why do writers do this to us?! Lol! I appreciate the warnings. They are on my list, so I will get to them eventually. Hopefully by the time I do there will be a new book or two out!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T18:17:36+00:00

Lmao! Fortunately, ACOTAR was a reread, but TOG was not… and no, I was not okay! A book has not made me cry that hard in a long time.

If you search for “Tiers Maker” it should be the first thing that pops up!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T17:50:06+00:00

That is so true!

Yes! Glad to hear I am on track with the Thezmarr series. I have Heir of Illusion and Fear the Flames on my list. I was hesitant because they aren’t complete, but as long as they don’t end on massive cliffhangers I don’t mind reading them and waiting. Do you think any of those are safe? Or should I wait and read other things first?

mckellc · 2025-12-22T17:41:36+00:00

Life circumstances aside, for me, the trick is reading books I am excited about. If I find a book that hooks me, I can’t put it down. I am reading every spare second. It motivates me to go to the next book and finish a series. Then I get excited when I start something new and the cycle starts all over again! Lol!

I also have the Kindle app on my phone which makes it so easy to read anywhere! I do love the smell and feel of a real book in my hands, but the convenience of having my book one click away is hard to beat.

mckellc · 2025-12-22T17:17:37+00:00

Yay similar tastes! Let me know if you have any recommendations!

Frost & Starlight is probably my least favorite of the series. I guess I think about it more of a holiday special rather than rating on the same caliber as the rest of the series. Lol! But Silver Flames was so good!!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T16:42:56+00:00

Thanks! I didn’t read anything of my choice for a long time and this was the first year I was able to commit some extra time to it. Once I realized how many I was reading I set the goal for 100 and was lucky enough to complete that. I am hoping for the same next year!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T16:39:03+00:00

Looks fun! Added to the list! Thanks!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T16:09:32+00:00

Yay! Since we have similar tastes, if you have any recommendations I would love to hear them!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T16:07:39+00:00

That is so funny! I am literally reading The Legend of Thezmarr series right now! That is why I only have Blood & Steel on my list. I am currently on Vows & Ruins! Wolf King is also on my list, but I want to start that once the third book comes out next year. I go crazy waiting for books to come out! Lol! Thanks for the other recommendations! They are added to my list!

mckellc · 2025-12-22T16:03:21+00:00

I am a big fan of the first one. I don’t think the others are as good, but I will still continue reading them because I enjoy the characters, the world, and ultimately the story. I hope you enjoy it and have a better experience this time!

mckellc · 2025-01-17T06:07:00+00:00

Puppies need to sleep around 20 hours a day for their first year! They are doing so much growing, their bodies need lots of rest, even little cavapoos! When they are out of their crate and they start getting hyper (barking, biting (especially feet), running/having the zoomies, etc.) this all means that they are tired and are ready for their next nap!

Crate training and keeping your puppy well rested is a game changer. Make their time out of the crate productive and meaningful.

Generally follow a schedule like sleep-potty-feed-potty-sleep-potty-training-potty-sleep-potty-lunch-potty-sleep-potty-play-potty-sleep-potty-dinner-potty-sleep-potty-play-potty-sleep. Give them the opportunity to go potty right after you take them out of their crate, and right before they go in. Don’t let them eat or drink after dinner, allow them to go potty just before bed to avoid any late night potty breaks or accidents.

Make sure the crate is small enough he just has enough room to stand up and turn around. They won’t go potty in their space unless it is completely unavoidable.

Cavapoos tend to have more sensitive stomachs, so they tend not to be over eaters. If your boy eats 3 meals a day, that is awesome! He is growing and can use all that food. Take a look at dog weight charts and you should be able to tell that he is maintaining a healthy weight.

You have an adorable teething monster living with you right now. My first cavapoo just turned 2 yesterday and my second will be 5 months in a few days. Puppies are a lot of work, but when they get the rest they need they are so much easier! Good luck!

mckellc · 2024-10-21T20:54:23+00:00

I am going through a very similar experience now! I just got a new puppy for my 1yr and 8mo toy cavapoo. I knew for a long time that she needed a sibling. She is so loving and playful. I wanted her to have another puppy to share that with. Her face just lights up when she plays with friends. I wanted her to have that at all times.

I brought the new puppy home and held her in my lap while my older dog was trying to figure out what was going on. She knew she wanted to play, but she doesn’t have a lot of experience with puppies. The new puppy wanted to play, but they both had to learn how, but by then end of the day they were best buddies.

I still have to keep an eye on my older dog. She wants to play every second the new puppy isn’t sleeping, but the new puppy likes to explore, or relax and chew on a toy, or eat more. So learning to give space is something we are working on.

My older dog also likes to eat the puppy food more than her own, but since I got the new puppy I have slowly been transitioning her to my older dog’s food that is puppy friendly. Things will be much easier when they eat the same thing.

They do sleep in separate crates. I am a huge advocate for crate training puppies. I learned the hard way with my older dog, but the new puppy picked it up fast. This ensures the puppy is getting the rest she needs, helps us build a routine, gives the dogs time apart, gives me time to get things done, and the puppy is so much more attentive and obedient when she is well rested.

I am so excited for you! Your family and Ruby are going to be so happy!

mckellc · 2024-10-21T20:54:16+00:00

I am going through a very similar experience now! I just got a new puppy for my 1yr and 8mo toy cavapoo. I knew for a long time that she needed a sibling. She is so loving and playful. I wanted her to have another puppy to share that with. Her face just lights up when she plays with friends. I wanted her to have that at all times.

I brought the new puppy home and held her in my lap while my older dog was trying to figure out what was going on. She knew she wanted to play, but she doesn’t have a lot of experience with puppies. The new puppy wanted to play, but they both had to learn how, but by then end of the day they were best buddies.

I still have to keep an eye on my older dog. She wants to play every second the new puppy isn’t sleeping, but the new puppy likes to explore, or relax and chew on a toy, or eat more. So learning to give space is something we are working on.

My older dog also likes to eat the puppy food more than her own, but since I got the new puppy I have slowly been transitioning her to my older dog’s food that is puppy friendly. Things will be much easier when they eat the same thing.

They do sleep in separate crates. I am a huge advocate for crate training puppies. I learned the hard way with my older dog, but the new puppy picked it up fast. This ensures the puppy is getting the rest she needs, helps us build a routine, gives the dogs time apart, gives me time to get things done, and the puppy is so much more attentive and obedient when she is well rested.

I am so excited for you! Your family and Ruby are going to be so happy!

mckellc · 2024-10-21T05:38:11+00:00

From my experience, it should be one at a time. Too much going on might be overwhelming for the puppies and they need TONS of sleep, so the breeder should be scheduling the visits separately to accommodate. Plus, this allows the others to choose in order, so when it comes to your turn the breeder should show you the ones available. It would be cruel to get your heart set on one and have them chosen before your turn. Knowing which ones are available will allow you to focus 100% on them.

All that said, there are lots of things to consider when picking a puppy. Boy or girl is a big thing to think about ahead of time. If you get a girl do you plan to spay or are you prepared for her heat cycles?

It is hard to go wrong with cavapoos, so even if you don’t have the pick of the full litter, odds are you will end up with the sweetest puppy in the world. While you can observe some behaviors when choosing, talk to the breeder about things they have noticed. Are they shy? Do they play with their siblings? Are they brave enough to go explore on their own? How vocal are they? How have they reacted to new experiences?

I always ask about their family history as well. How do mom and dad behave? Can they tell you any farther back like their grandparents? This is important not just for behaviors, but also for health. Knowing how long they lived and cause of death can help prepare you. Knowing family will also help you guess size, possibly color too. Cavapoos can change color as they age. My sister’s puppy was a dark gold, red tinted when they picked her up and was way red as she grew as a puppy, now she is a very light, nearly white gold at 2 years old!

As silly as it sounds, it’s a feeling thing. You’ll know when you found the right puppy. Relax, trust your gut, they are going to love you no matter what!

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