Magical realism is the genre where the extraordinary and the everyday collide. In these stories, the magical is woven seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life, making the fantastical feel familiar and almost comforting. Romance books with magical realism offer a perfect blend of heartwarming love stories and magical elements that transport readers into enchanting worlds.
Here are 10 romance books with magical realism that will sweep you off your feet and leave you spellbound. (I’ve read some of these books, but not all of them.)
1. The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye
In this beautifully crafted novel, we meet Juliet, a woman with a peculiar curse—she is doomed to fall in love a hundred times in a hundred different lifetimes, never able to find true happiness. The story weaves between her many past lives, as Juliet explores love, loss, and destiny. This enchanting tale of reincarnation and the power of love will leave you questioning whether fate can ever be escaped, or if some loves are just meant to be.
Read/Listen to my review here.
2. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
A compelling and unique twist on magical realism, Expiration Dates follows the life of a woman who has the power to see the expiration dates of everyone she meets—whether it’s the last time they’ll say goodbye, the end of a relationship, or the time left in a person’s life. As she grapples with the limitations of her gift, she learns about the power of choice, love, and the meaning of living fully. This novel beautifully mixes romance, mystery, and the ethereal nature of time.
Read/Listen to my review here.
3. At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
In this delightful, cozy romance with a touch of magical realism, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities centers around a small-town coffee shop that doubles as a place of wonder. The shop’s owner, Amelia, has the gift of knowing exactly what her customers need before they even ask for it. She helps them navigate their personal dilemmas through a combination of coffee, charm, and intuition. But when a mysterious man walks into the shop, Amelia’s life is thrown into a whirlwind of love, mystery, and magical surprises.
Read/Listen to my review here.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is a sweeping, atmospheric romance full of magic, mystery, and wonder. The circus itself, a magical place that only opens at night, becomes the stage for the love story between two young magicians, Celia and Marco. As their rivalry grows, so does their forbidden love, and the stakes become higher as they discover the true cost of their powers. This mesmerizing novel blends romance with dark enchantment, making it an unforgettable magical realism experience.
5. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Set against the backdrop of revolutionary Mexico, Like Water for Chocolate tells the passionate, turbulent love story of Tita and Pedro. Tita, the youngest daughter in a family steeped in tradition, is forbidden to marry the man she loves due to family customs. But through the magical realist element of cooking, her emotions and desires pour into the food she prepares, affecting everyone who consumes it. This sensual and evocative novel highlights the intersection of food, love, and magic.
6. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This heart-wrenching and unique romance explores the relationship between Clare and Henry, whose love is complicated by Henry’s uncontrollable time travel. As Henry jumps through time, the couple must navigate the complexities of their bond, knowing that every moment together is fleeting and fragile. The novel beautifully combines elements of love, loss, and magical realism, showing how time itself can shape love in ways we never expect.
7. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
In this enchanting tale set in a small town, we follow Emily, a young woman who returns to the place her mother once called home. There, she discovers that the town is filled with magic, from moonlight that affects the way people behave to memories that refuse to fade. As Emily unravels her family’s mysterious past, she also finds herself falling in love, making this book a perfect blend of romance and magical realism.
8. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
In this deeply emotional and captivating novel, Addie LaRue makes a Faustian bargain in 1714 to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. For nearly 300 years, she wanders the world, experiencing love, loss, and loneliness, until one day, a man remembers her. This beautifully written tale combines magical realism with romance, exploring themes of identity, the passage of time, and the power of being remembered.
Read/Listen to my review here.
9. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
June Farrow has spent her life haunted by visions and whispers no one else can hear. When she discovers a letter from her late mother suggesting answers to her strange inheritance, she embarks on a journey through time, uncovering a love story that defies logic and history. A beautifully written novel about love, legacy, and the ties that bind us across time.
Read/Listen to my review here.
10. Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim
Vanessa Yu has always had the ability to foresee people’s romantic futures in the dregs of her tea. But when she foresees her own tragic fate, she flees to Paris, where she helps her aunt open a magical tea shop. As Vanessa explores the City of Love, she learns that sometimes destiny has a way of surprising even the most reluctant believers in romance.
Final Thoughts
Magical realism adds an extra layer of enchantment to romance novels, creating worlds where love and magic intertwine in the most unexpected ways. These 10 books offer the perfect blend of romance and magical realism, bringing enchanting love stories to life in ways that feel both extraordinary and deeply human. Whether you’re in the mood for time travel, fated love, or whimsical small-town magic, these books promise to sweep you away into worlds where anything is possible—and love is always worth the risk.
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