Retellings romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a retellings romance, choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

I regularly update this list of retellings romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn retellings romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Dance with the Fae PrinceAuthor: Elise KovaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, fae, fantasy, magic, new adult, retellings, romantasy
2. A Deal with the Elf KingAuthor: Elise KovaYear published: 2020Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic, new adult, retellings, romantasy, young adult
3. A Feather So BlackAuthor: Lyra SeleneYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, fae, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy
4. A Forgery of FateAuthor: Elizabeth LimYear published: 2025Genre and themes: dragons, fantasy, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
5. A Mirror MendedAuthor: Alix E. HarrowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fairy tales, fantasy, novella, queer, retellings
6. A River of Golden BonesAuthor: A.K. MulfordYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, queer, retellings, romantasy
7. A Ruin of RosesAuthor: K.F. BreeneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, dark, dragons, enemies to lovers, fantasy, paranormal, retellings, romantasy, shapeshifters
8. A Ship of Bones & TeethAuthor: Karina HalleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, mermaids, pirates, retellings, romantasy
9. A Ship of Bones & TeethAuthor: Karina HalleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, mermaids, pirates, retellings, romantasy
10. A Ship of Bones and TeethAuthor: Karina HalleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, mermaids, pirates, retellings, romantasy
11. A Song to Drown RiversAuthor: Ann LiangYear published: 2024Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
12. A Sweet Sting of SaltAuthor: Rose SutherlandYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, historical, lesbian, queer, retellings
13. A Touch of ChaosAuthor: Scarlett St. ClairYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, dark, fantasy, mythology, retellings, romantasy
14. A Touch of RuinAuthor: Scarlett St. ClairYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, dark, fantasy, mythology, retellings, romantasy
15. A Treachery of SwansAuthor: A.B. PoranekYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, gothic, lesbian, queer, retellings, romantasy, young adult
16. A Vow So Bold and DeadlyAuthor: Brigid KemmererYear published: 2021Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy, young adult
17. AnastasiaAuthor: Sophie LarkYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, historical, retellings, romantasy
18. Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her MatchAuthor: Sally ThorneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, historical, paranormal, retellings
19. Angels Before ManAuthor: Rafael NicolásYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, gay, horror, mythology, queer, retellings
20. AriadneAuthor: Jennifer SaintYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings
21. AtalantaAuthor: Jennifer SaintYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings
22. Black Woods Blue SkyAuthor: Eowyn IveyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, fantasy, historical, literary fiction, magical realism, retellings
23. BloodmarkedAuthor: Tracy DeonnYear published: 2022Genre and themes: contemporary, fantasy, magic, retellings, urban fantasy, young adult
24. Burning DaylightAuthor: Emily McIntireYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, fantasy, forbidden romance, retellings
25. By the BookAuthor: Jasmine GuilloryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, retellings
26. Cinder-NannyAuthor: Sariah WilsonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, clean, contemporary, retellings, rom com
27. Cinderella Is DeadAuthor: Kalynn BayronYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, fairy tales, fantasy, lesbian, queer, retellings, young adult
28. Cruel SeductionAuthor: Katee RobertYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, mythology, retellings, smut
29. Darling GirlAuthor: Liz MichalskiYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, magical realism, mystery, retellings
30. Daughter of the Moon GoddessAuthor: Sue Lynn TanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
31. Defy the NightAuthor: Brigid KemmererYear published: 2021Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fantasy, retellings, romantasy, young adult
32. DragonfruitAuthor: Makiia LucierYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adventure, dragons, fantasy, mythology, retellings, young adult
33. Forged by MaliceAuthor: Elizabeth HelenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy, why choose
34. Forsaken MateAuthor: Vasilisa DrakeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, magic, paranormal, retellings, romantasy, shapeshifters
35. Foul Heart HuntsmanAuthor: Chloe GongYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, mystery, retellings, romantasy, young adult
36. Foul Lady FortuneAuthor: Chloe GongYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, mystery, retellings, young adult
37. GildAuthor: Raven KennedyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, fae, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy
38. GildedAuthor: Marissa MeyerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: fairy tales, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy, young adult
39. Girl, Goddess, QueenAuthor: Bea FitzgeraldYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Greek mythology, fantasy, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
40. Girl, Serpent, ThornAuthor: Melissa BashardoustYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, lesbian, queer, retellings, young adult
41. Hana Khan Carries OnAuthor: Uzma JalaluddinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Canada, adult, chick lit, contemporary, enemies to lovers, retellings
42. Heart of the Sun WarriorAuthor: Sue Lynn TanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
43. Hemlock & SilverAuthor: T. KingfisherYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fairy tales, fantasy, horror, magic, mystery, retellings
44. Hemlock & SilverAuthor: T. KingfisherYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fairy tales, fantasy, horror, magic, mystery, retellings
45. HesterAuthor: Laurie Lico AlbaneseYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, feminism, historical, literary fiction, retellings
46. HookedAuthor: Emily McIntireYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, retellings, smut
47. IcarusAuthor: K. AncrumYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fantasy, mythology, queer, retellings, young adult
48. If the Shoe FitsAuthor: Julie MurphyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, retellings, rom com
49. In the Lives of PuppetsAuthor: T.J. KluneYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, dystopia, fantasy, queer, retellings, science fiction
50. Jo & LaurieAuthor: Margaret StohlYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, historical, retellings, young adult
51. Jo & LaurieAuthor: Margaret StohlYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, historical, retellings, young adult
52. Kiss the GirlAuthor: Zoraida CórdovaYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, music, retellings
53. LegendbornAuthor: Tracy DeonnYear published: 2020Genre and themes: dark academia, fantasy, magic, retellings, urban fantasy, young adult
54. Little ThievesAuthor: Margaret OwenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, magic, queer, retellings, young adult
55. Lord of Eternal NightAuthor: Ben AldersonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, gay, m m romance, paranormal, queer, retellings, vampires
56. LoreAuthor: Alexandra BrackenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Greek mythology, fantasy, mythology, retellings, urban fantasy, young adult
57. Lucy UndyingAuthor: Kiersten WhiteYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, gothic, horror, lesbian, queer, retellings, vampires
58. MaliceAuthor: Heather WalterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, lesbian, magic, queer, retellings, young adult
59. Marriage & MastiAuthor: Nisha SharmaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: India, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, retellings
60. Marriage & MastiAuthor: Nisha SharmaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: India, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, retellings
61. MedusaAuthor: Jessie BurtonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Greek mythology, fantasy, feminism, historical, mythology, retellings, young adult
62. MisruleAuthor: Heather WalterYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, lesbian, queer, retellings, young adult
63. Most ArdentlyAuthor: Gabe Cole NovoaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, historical, queer, retellings, transgender, young adult
64. Mountains Made of GlassAuthor: Scarlett St. ClairYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy
65. Much Ado about NadaAuthor: Uzma JalaluddinYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Canada, adult, chick lit, contemporary, retellings
66. My Calamity JaneAuthor: Cynthia HandYear published: 2020Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, humor, paranormal, retellings, young adult
67. My Dark DesireAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, forced proximity, retellings
68. Neon GodsAuthor: Katee RobertYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, dark, fantasy, mythology, retellings, smut
69. Not for the Faint of HeartAuthor: Lex CroucherYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, historical, lesbian, queer, retellings, young adult
70. Our Violent EndsAuthor: Chloe GongYear published: 2021Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fantasy, historical, retellings, young adult
71. Painted DevilsAuthor: Margaret OwenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, high fantasy, queer, retellings, young adult
72. Psyche and ErosAuthor: Luna McNamaraYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Greek mythology, adult, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings
73. Queen of RosesAuthor: Briar BoleynYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fae, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy
74. Queen Takes RoseAuthor: Katee RobertYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, dark, erotica, fantasy, lesbian, queer, retellings, smut
75. Silver in the BoneAuthor: Alexandra BrackenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, mythology, retellings, urban fantasy, young adult
76. Six Crimson CranesAuthor: Elizabeth LimYear published: 2021Genre and themes: dragons, fantasy, magic, mythology, retellings, young adult
77. Skin of the SeaAuthor: Natasha BowenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, mermaids, mythology, retellings, young adult
78. Small FavorsAuthor: Erin A. CraigYear published: 2021Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, horror, mystery, retellings, young adult
79. So This is LoveAuthor: Elizabeth LimYear published: 2020Genre and themes: fairy tales, fantasy, magic, retellings, young adult
80. Sweet ObsessionAuthor: Katee RobertYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, mythology, retellings
81. Tangled Up in YouAuthor: Christina LaurenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, new adult, retellings, rom com
82. Tastes Like ShakkarAuthor: Nisha SharmaYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, retellings, rom com
83. The BeastAuthor: Jenika SnowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, dark, erotica, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, retellings, smut
84. The Bone SpindleAuthor: Leslie VedderYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, lesbian, magic, queer, retellings, young adult
85. The Court of MiraclesAuthor: Kester GrantYear published: 2020Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, retellings, young adult
86. The Floating WorldAuthor: Axie OhYear published: 2025Genre and themes: fantasy, mythology, retellings, romantasy, young adult
87. The Forest GrimmAuthor: Kathryn PurdieYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fairy tales, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy, young adult
88. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the SeaAuthor: Axie OhYear published: 2022Genre and themes: dragons, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings, young adult
89. The House SaphirAuthor: Marissa MeyerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, mystery, retellings, romantasy, young adult
90. The Hundred Loves of JulietAuthor: Evelyn SkyeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, fantasy, magical realism, retellings
91. The HunterAuthor: Jenika SnowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, dark, erotica, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, retellings
92. The LifestyleAuthor: Taylor HahnYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, retellings
93. The Murder of Mr. WickhamAuthor: Claudia GrayYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, retellings, thriller
94. The Night Ends with FireAuthor: K.X. SongYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, dragons, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings, romantasy
95. The North WindAuthor: Alexandria WarwickYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, magic, mythology, retellings, romantasy
96. The Sea Witch: A Little Mermaid RetellingAuthor: Rebecca F. KenneyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, retellings, romantasy, smut
97. The Thirteenth ChildAuthor: Erin A. CraigYear published: 2024Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, horror, retellings, romantasy, young adult
98. The Witch's HeartAuthor: Genevieve GornichecYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, historical, mythology, retellings, witches
99. Threads That BindAuthor: Kika HatzopoulouYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Greek mythology, fantasy, mystery, mythology, retellings, young adult
100. To Bleed a Crystal BloomAuthor: Sarah A. ParkerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, dark, fae, fantasy, magic, new adult, retellings, romantasy
101. Violet Made of ThornsAuthor: Gina ChenYear published: 2022Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fantasy, magic, retellings, romantasy, witches, young adult
102. Wild, Beautiful, and FreeAuthor: Sophfronia ScottYear published: 2023Genre and themes: African American, adult, book club, historical, retellings
103. Wings of StarlightAuthor: Allison SaftYear published: 2025Genre and themes: fae, fantasy, retellings, romantasy, young adult

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a retellings romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”