In the romance genre, authors make a sacred promise to their readers that their protagonists will, by the end of the story, live happily ever after. That promise is a little trickier to fulfill in paranormal romances where one (or more!) of the characters is dead. How can a sexy ghost live happily ever after if they can’t “live” at all? That’s what draws me to paranormal romances starring ghosts, vampires, spirits, and other undead beings. I know I’m going to the happy ending I want, but chances are that the author will have to find a particularly creative way to get there.
Paranormal romances aren’t exactly new, but I’d argue that they’re a rising trend walking hand-in-hand with romantasy’s explosion in popularity. Tons of fantastic paranormal romances are hitting shelves in 2026, and there’s no better time to enjoy them than autumn, as the weather turns chilly with Halloween on the horizon.
Below are three new undead romances you can lose yourself in now, plus two upcoming books you can preorder for a ghastly good read later this year.
New Undead Romances to Read in 2026Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi
Brilliant, accomplished cardiologist Sean has given up on finding a man who fulfills her standards. Then she meets handsome, intriguing Julian, who is 11 years younger than her. Although reluctant to the age gap at first, Sean finds that Julian is mature and wise beyond his years. But when she starts having memory lapses and strange impulses, Sean realizes Julian is more than meets the eye. Dark, thrilling, and enchantingly romantic, it’s an edge-of-your-seat read.
Find My Way Down to You by Julian Winters
Still grieving the death of his boyfriend years prior, 18-year-old August accidentally wanders into the Underworld and gets a chance to find his lost love again. Unlike the muted world he’s been living in, the Underworld is full of color and magic that wakes August up for the first time in ages. But as he travels the realm in search of his boyfriend, August notices an unlikely chemistry between himself and Cary, the handsome ferrier of souls who’s helping him on his journey.
Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai
In this lush romantasy inspired by Chinese folklore, Siying is a holy priestess of necromancy who reanimates corpses to help them pass from this realm. When she’s tasked with managing the corpse of a recently deceased prince, she’s shocked to find his soul still attached to his body. Siying can double her reward if she delivers the prince alive again by helping him absorb the life-force qi. But as they journey together toward his home, the hidden truth of his death puts them and their entire kingdom in peril.
Upcoming Undead Romances to PreorderYou’re the One That I Haunt by Katie Jung (coming Sept. 22 from Pamela Dorman Books)
Libby is crushed when her best friend, Carter Coldwell, who she’s secretly in love with, announces his engagement to another woman. She’s desperate to stop the wedding. But there’s someone else who will do anything to make sure Carter says “I do”: his cousin Trip, a ghost trying to break the Coldwell family curse and who, for some reason, only Libby can see. Libby reluctantly agrees to help Trip on his mission to break the curse. As the wedding day approaches, she realizes she’s starting to fall for Trip, the only man even further out of reach than her engaged best friend.
Alma Vampires by Elena Armas (coming Nov. 17 from Berkley)
Valle never knew her mother, but after her mother’s untimely death, Valle inherits her fortune and her fashion empire, Alma. Now she’s forced to juggle her college classes, running an international business, and strange nightmares and cravings she can’t shake. Hadrian offers to help manage Alma and keep Valle safe — but he doesn’t tell her that a century-old blood debt has bound them together. Even if Valle doesn’t trust him, she’ll have to accept his help (and her undeniable attraction to him). You’ll have to wait until November to read it, but that’s the perfect way to keep the spooky season vibes going beyond Halloween.
We hope you enjoyed these undead romances! Check out more of our favorite paranormal romance recommendations:
2025 Paranormal Romance Books to Devour
15 of the Best Shifter Romance Books
20 Must-Read Paranormal Romances