A close friend messaged me the other day, dropping the bombshell that she was finally ready to move on to shifter romances, having consumed every sports romance novel in the known world. She asked me for a couple of recommendations to get started with, as if I wasn’t already typing out a three-page list of books.
I almost cried; it's about time! She came to the right person, shifter romances are my jam.
It wasn't long after Twilight became a sensation that the market was flooded with shifter books of all sorts. Shifter romances vary widely in terms of quality, I’ve found that they tend to be much more hit-or-miss than other genres. It can get a little frustrating to sift through all of the options, but there are some gems among them that have everything you ever wanted and more.
One of my favorite reasons to read shifter romances is that they tend to be written as part of a series, instead of as a stand-alone like half of contemporary romances. A series means I automatically have a book waiting in the wings after I finish the current one, and can binge to my heart's content. Though maybe not as popular a topic now as they once were, that by no means means that there aren't some great series out there.
Here's the short version of the book list I sent her, my top five shifter romance series. They're in no particular order, I've read each multiple times. Each series has different elements, themes, and tropes that I adore and I hope you can find one that you will love too!
1. Psy-Changeling Series
Author: Nalini Singh
First Book: Slave to Sensation
This series could take you a couple of months to get through depending on how fast you read and how much time you have on your hands. Each book focuses on a new couple, but we stay in the same world where there are more than just shifters living alongside humans. The world-building is very unique and Nalini Singh has a great writing style with inclusive and interesting characters. The heat level varies between books, but I'd rate it usually between 3 to 4.
2. The Phoenix Pack Series
Author: Suzanne Wright
First Book: Feral Sins
Suzanne Wright is featured multiple times on my favorite books lists, she's one of my automatic purchase authors. This series has a ton of books to it, as well as some spin-off series that are in the same world. These are your typical shifter books complete with fated mates, shifting, pack dynamics, and more. I'd consider these pretty spicy, so if that's not your thing I would move on to another one of my series recommendations.
3. Elder Races Series
Author: Thea Harrison
First Book: Dragon Bound
Dragons, need I say more? And it doesn't end there. This series has a host of different types of shifters and some characters that stray more into the paranormal world. 3 to 4 on the heat scale and the books have well-rounded plots. Though all of the books in the series are 4+ stars for me, book 4 Oracle's Moon might just be my favorite.
4. Mercy Thompson Series
Author: Patricia Briggs
First Book: Moon Called
Some might call this series more urban fantasy than shifter romance. The romance is a slow burn for sure, but the plot is fast-paced and adventurous. Mercy is a tough woman who stands up for herself and those who need her most. She doesn't quite fit in and makes no apologies. This series would be best for those who like a little more action and grit to their romances.
5. Pack of Dawn and Destiny Series
Author: K.M. Shea
First Book: Hunted
While Hunted is the first book in the trilogy that focuses on shifters, this is not the first series set in the magical world of Magiford Supernatural City of K.M. Shea. Start with Magic Forged if you want the first book set in the world, though it centers on wizards and vampires. This author writes clean books, which is totally not my usual preference for romance books, but I have loved almost everything K.M. Shea has written so I suggest giving this series a chance.
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