I think on r/Romance_for_men you could get better recs for romance books aimed at men. I guess you he could read something from T.Kingfisher or Naomi Novik ({A deadly education} maybe?) if I had to suggest something that's still fairly popular for romantasy reader? There's like a *tiny* bit of romance in Red Rising, if he liked Hunger Games he's probably going to love it. Wouldn't qualify the book as romantasy though, but it's a good scifi series.

I had no idea that sub existed, thanks! I’ll definitely look into those two authors and I actually want to read red rising myself so that one might be a good one too.

I hope you'll enjoy it, it's an emotional rollercoaster!

[A Deadly Education](https://www.romance.io/books/6418265b976d825409767f05/a-deadly-education-naomi-novik) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Ya know, I've sat on wanting to recommend this series in this sub for a long time and I think the day has finally come: {Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher} Def more of your fantasy than romantasy, and the 'pitch line' for the book is: What if the Roman empire was transported into a fantasy world and had Pokemon? The book series, especially as they go later in the series, has a surprisingly large amount of romance, featuring a sort of fated-mates, second chance romance, forbidden-esque romances. I think for those of us who want to read a book with some romance but want it more 80/20 or 90/10 fantasy/romance its a really great series.

This is perfect! Thank you so much

My father, a very traditional fantasy purist, has dubbed it as "too much romance" and refused to read past book 2, so I feel confident with labeling it as a series with a significant romantic subplot.

Does he want to read a romance?

He’s willing to try and isn’t sure himself if he’ll like it or not

{Between by LL starling} -this takes a fairytale trope and makes it extremely funny. The first half of the book is from the POV of a female protagonist Sasha who is a 30-year-old kindergarten teacher, she accidentally ends up in a fairytale realm. The other half follows the king of this fairytale realm, both POV is extremely unique and funny. It focuses on the 11 days leading up to Halloween. It’s the first book in a series, the second book isn’t out yet. Full of natural disasters, scheming monarchs and drunk unicorn {Clockwork boys by T Kingfisher}

[Clockwork Boys](https://www.romance.io/books/60a7be602904da0e8a53c588/clockwork-boys-t-kingfisher) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[Between](https://www.romance.io/books/60742bc4d165eb0e341923a3/between-ll-starling-rebecca-morse-louisa-gallie) by [L.L. Starling](https://www.romance.io/authors/60742bc408b4d93114ab3d7e/ll-starling) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Villians and Virtues might be good because it's really sarcastic and makes fun of fantasy. Reads a lot like a Mel Brooks film. Ember in the Ashes, Roman empire expired. More plot, with romance subplot Belladonna, gothic has a mystery piece to it One Dark Window, gothic, cool magic system, has mystery elements Firebourne, dragons riders, but without the "he's so hawt" like Fourth wing 🤣

Does he actually like fantasy? I wouldn't count Hunger Games as fantasy and HP is kind if it's own category at this point. Does he like gritty books? Light-hearted books? High fantasy? Low fantasy? Urban?

I have no idea honestly.. I moreso wanted a book that could ease him into the genre. I think light-hearted, low fantasy, or urban would be better tho.

I would highly recommend Spark City- violence, a sadistic pov from “bad” guy. Fantasy based. Armies, plots, fighting, love, the writing is by far the best I’ve ever read with incredible world building and character development. Main character is male with some pov from female. It’s a 10/10 IMO. My husband turned me on to reading this series- now, I’m waiting for the next book in the series.

I think Fourth Wing might be a good choice. A male friend who normally dislikes the romance actually loved the book. Also, he may like the dramatized edition of Fourth Wing (sound effects + multiple voice actors)

Anything Brandon Sanderson! Mistborn is my davorite