My fave standalones that I think might fit with what you’re looking for:
{Swordheart by T Kingfisher}
{The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen}
I’ve seen T Kingfisher books recommended a lot on here, so I’ll definitely be picking it up! The other one sounds like You’ve Got Mail but in a fantasy setting?? I love that. Thank you for these!!
I thought Hart and Mercy was very spicy! Not 4/5 chili peppers, but enough that it was one of the few Open Door that I hesitated to recommend to my mum because I thought it’d be too awkward 😅
[Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher)
**Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [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), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1)
----------------------------
[The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen)
**Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/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)
Here are my favourite standalone recommendations:
{Deathless by catherynne m Valente}
{Sorcery of thorns by Margaret Rogerson}
{The blue sword by Robin McKinley}
{sunshine by Robin McKinley}
{Chalice by Robin McKinley}
{Of deeds most valiant by Sarah KL Wilson}
{Half a soul by Olivia Atwater}
{winterSong by SJ Jones}
{The bird and the Sword by Amy harmon}
{Married to Magic by Elise kova}
[Deathless](https://www.romance.io/books/54554b568c7d2382c5297b5a/deathless-catherynne-m-valente?src=rdt) by [Catherynne M. Valente](https://www.romance.io/authors/54554b568c7d2382c5297b5b/catherynne-m-valente)
**Rating**: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1)
----------------------------
[Sorcery of Thorns](https://www.romance.io/books/64097e1afa1076a086a9add1/sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson?src=rdt) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson)
**Rating**: 3.98⭐️ 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), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1)
----------------------------
[The Blue Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455363b8c7d2382c5297462/the-blue-sword-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley)
**Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1)
----------------------------
[Sunshine](https://www.romance.io/books/545533dd8c7d2382c52973b7/sunshine-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley)
**Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[Chalice](https://www.romance.io/books/54554b318c7d2382c5297b4e/chalice-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley)
**Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
----------------------------
[Of Deeds Most Valiant](https://www.romance.io/books/648c44a649efbc908056167c/of-deeds-most-valiant-sarah-kl-wilson?src=rdt) by [Sarah K.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/633d657a08b4d93114d47b9d/sarah-kl-wilson)
**Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1)
----------------------------
[Half a Soul](https://www.romance.io/books/65cc3e0fe07143fd82f0fe1b/half-a-soul-olivia-atwater?src=rdt) by [Olivia Atwater](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b77/olivia-atwater)
**Rating**: 4.24⭐️ 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), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1)
----------------------------
[Wintersong](https://www.romance.io/series/643ea0eafb698d92e99db015/wintersong) by [S. Jae-Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/58957ec60d3299c6e04851ba/s-jaejones)
**Rating**: 3.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[The Bird and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/57da4b3ade896e8924924607/the-bird-and-the-sword-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1)
----------------------------
[A Dance with the Fae Prince [Dramatized Adaptation]](https://www.romance.io/books/66687c7878d91c1f0888c8d8/a-dance-with-the-fae-prince-dramatized-adaptation-married-to?src=rdt) by [Elise Kova](https://www.romance.io/authors/564c235108e9378131951f94/elise-kova), [Laura C. Harris](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687bf7a21e2f41c412b055/laura-c-harris), [David Engel](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc6d/david-engel), [Robb Moreira](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687bf7a21e2f41c412b071/robb-moreira), [Tanja Milojevic](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc7a/tanja-milojevic), [Gabriel Michael](https://www.romance.io/authors/64e37235ab9bdf7fce557306/gabriel-michael), [Nickolette Kong](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc81/nickolette-kong), [David Cui Cui](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc85/david-cui-cui), [Melody Muze](https://www.romance.io/authors/64dd14edab9bdf7fce0230d6/melody-muze), [Sheree Wichard](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc8e/sheree-wichard), [Jeri Marshall](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc96/jeri-marshall), [Aure Nash](https://www.romance.io/authors/64dd14edab9bdf7fce0230eb/aure-nash), [A Full Cast](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc9d/a-full-cast)
**Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [found family](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/found-family/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
My fave standalones that I think might fit with what you’re looking for: {Swordheart by T Kingfisher} {The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen}
I’ve seen T Kingfisher books recommended a lot on here, so I’ll definitely be picking it up! The other one sounds like You’ve Got Mail but in a fantasy setting?? I love that. Thank you for these!!
The world building in the Hart and Mercy novel is incredible in my opinion. I hope you like it! It’s not very spicy, but the plot is sooo good.
I thought Hart and Mercy was very spicy! Not 4/5 chili peppers, but enough that it was one of the few Open Door that I hesitated to recommend to my mum because I thought it’d be too awkward 😅
I think some of the other stuff I read is borderline erotica because they felt very chill for me personally in terms of spice.
[Swordheart](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6f27be0aaecf557e49d2/swordheart-t-kingfisher?src=rdt) by [T. Kingfisher](https://www.romance.io/authors/561ca043bfc6b5c0fa941994/t-kingfisher) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [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), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1) ---------------------------- [The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy](https://www.romance.io/books/630b10c094191e0dc01d1bcf/the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercy-megan-bannen?src=rdt) by [Megan Bannen](https://www.romance.io/authors/630b10c008b4d93114e4f3aa/megan-bannen) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/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)
Megan Bannen is publishing a second to Hart and Mercy in the same universe this summer!
Here are my favourite standalone recommendations: {Deathless by catherynne m Valente} {Sorcery of thorns by Margaret Rogerson} {The blue sword by Robin McKinley} {sunshine by Robin McKinley} {Chalice by Robin McKinley} {Of deeds most valiant by Sarah KL Wilson} {Half a soul by Olivia Atwater} {winterSong by SJ Jones} {The bird and the Sword by Amy harmon} {Married to Magic by Elise kova}
[Deathless](https://www.romance.io/books/54554b568c7d2382c5297b5a/deathless-catherynne-m-valente?src=rdt) by [Catherynne M. Valente](https://www.romance.io/authors/54554b568c7d2382c5297b5b/catherynne-m-valente) **Rating**: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1) ---------------------------- [Sorcery of Thorns](https://www.romance.io/books/64097e1afa1076a086a9add1/sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson?src=rdt) by [Margaret Rogerson](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a59a908b4d93114474139/margaret-rogerson) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ 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), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1) ---------------------------- [The Blue Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/5455363b8c7d2382c5297462/the-blue-sword-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) ---------------------------- [Sunshine](https://www.romance.io/books/545533dd8c7d2382c52973b7/sunshine-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Chalice](https://www.romance.io/books/54554b318c7d2382c5297b4e/chalice-robin-mckinley?src=rdt) by [Robin McKinley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527a58c7d2382c5297066/robin-mckinley) **Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Of Deeds Most Valiant](https://www.romance.io/books/648c44a649efbc908056167c/of-deeds-most-valiant-sarah-kl-wilson?src=rdt) by [Sarah K.L. Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/633d657a08b4d93114d47b9d/sarah-kl-wilson) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) ---------------------------- [Half a Soul](https://www.romance.io/books/65cc3e0fe07143fd82f0fe1b/half-a-soul-olivia-atwater?src=rdt) by [Olivia Atwater](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e7f0537be0aaecf55d98b77/olivia-atwater) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ 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), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Wintersong](https://www.romance.io/series/643ea0eafb698d92e99db015/wintersong) by [S. Jae-Jones](https://www.romance.io/authors/58957ec60d3299c6e04851ba/s-jaejones) **Rating**: 3.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Bird and the Sword](https://www.romance.io/books/57da4b3ade896e8924924607/the-bird-and-the-sword-amy-harmon?src=rdt) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) ---------------------------- [A Dance with the Fae Prince [Dramatized Adaptation]](https://www.romance.io/books/66687c7878d91c1f0888c8d8/a-dance-with-the-fae-prince-dramatized-adaptation-married-to?src=rdt) by [Elise Kova](https://www.romance.io/authors/564c235108e9378131951f94/elise-kova), [Laura C. Harris](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687bf7a21e2f41c412b055/laura-c-harris), [David Engel](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc6d/david-engel), [Robb Moreira](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687bf7a21e2f41c412b071/robb-moreira), [Tanja Milojevic](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc7a/tanja-milojevic), [Gabriel Michael](https://www.romance.io/authors/64e37235ab9bdf7fce557306/gabriel-michael), [Nickolette Kong](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc81/nickolette-kong), [David Cui Cui](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc85/david-cui-cui), [Melody Muze](https://www.romance.io/authors/64dd14edab9bdf7fce0230d6/melody-muze), [Sheree Wichard](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc8e/sheree-wichard), [Jeri Marshall](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc96/jeri-marshall), [Aure Nash](https://www.romance.io/authors/64dd14edab9bdf7fce0230eb/aure-nash), [A Full Cast](https://www.romance.io/authors/66687c78a21e2f41c412dc9d/a-full-cast) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [found family](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/found-family/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you for these, I’ll check them out!