These two highly anticipated romantasy titles are poised to be the biggest releases of July 2025, while also fueling a much-discussed publishing trend that’s gaining momentum across online spaces. Romantasy has firmly cemented its place in the literary landscape this year, with a steady stream of new titles captivating BookTok readers each month. The genre’s surge in popularity is further amplified by several bestselling romantasy novels being picked up for television adaptations. And with more buzzworthy debuts on the horizon, this trend shows no signs of slowing down—promising even more breakout hits for summer and beyond.
While many of this year’s new romantasy books make for perfect beach reads through summer 2025 and into 2026, they also bring fresh takes to the genre—reimagining familiar tropes, introducing bold new character arcs, and sparking lively discussions among readers. But two of July’s most talked-about releases are stirring conversation in a different way, setting themselves apart with unique approaches and unexpected depth: The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigette Knightly and Rose in Chains by Julie Soto. Their buzz isn’t just hype—it’s a sign of the genre evolving before our eyes.
Enemies, Chains, and Epic Swoons: July’s Romantasy Spotlight Shines on Two Must-Reads
Knightly and Soto’s upcoming romantasy debuts are already generating major buzz as two of July’s most anticipated releases, thanks to the fresh ways they reimagine beloved genre tropes. According to Goodreads, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy centers on Osric and Aurienne—rival members of opposing Orders in the realm of Fyren—who must reluctantly join forces to cure Osric’s mysterious illness and stop a deadly pox threatening their city. As they clash, collaborate, and slowly fall for one another (while adamantly denying it, of course), Knightly delivers a vibrant, comedy-of-errors twist on the classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic—one that’s bound to delight fans of BookTok romantasy staples.
Soto’s romantasy novel is poised to follow suit, with Rose in Chains promising a compelling twist on familiar tropes. As outlined on Goodreads, the story follows Briony, a young woman who, after surviving a brutal war, is auctioned to the powerful Hearst family. There, she encounters their enigmatic son, Toven—whose rare heart magic could change the course of her fate. The book appears to reimagine the “shadow daddy” trope in a fresh and provocative way, sure to ignite conversations across romantasy circles. Yet perhaps the most intriguing shared detail between Rose in Chains and The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy isn’t just their inventive storytelling—it’s that both Knightly and Soto shaped their novels using the structure of their previous fanfiction, a fact that’s already fueling lively online discussion.
Both Upcoming Romantasy Novels Originate from Acclaimed Fan-Fiction Writers
Both The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy and Rose in Chains originated as reimaginings of Brigette Knightly and Julie Soto’s popular fanfiction works, adding another layer of intrigue to their already buzzworthy releases. NPR recently explored the fanfic roots of these novels, highlighting how Soto’s Rose in Chains evolved from her widely read Dramione fanfic The Auction, which paired Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Originally published on Archive of Our Own, The Auction gained a devoted following before being removed ahead of Soto’s official publishing deal with Hachette Book Group.
As for Brigette Knightly, while her romantasy novel is not a direct adaptation of her beloved Dramione fanfiction Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love, the fanfic played a key role in her publishing journey. After a literary agent read the story, they reached out to Knightly, leading to the opportunity to develop her own original work that draws inspiration from its themes and tone. Together, these two titles are already generating major buzz in the romantasy space—and they won’t be alone. Another well-known Dramione-inspired story is also slated for release in July, further fueling the genre’s growing conversation.
