Summer may be winding down, but the books that carried us through the hot beach days, coffee shop afternoons, and late-night sweet treat runs are fresh in our minds. For us romantasy readers, every season comes with its own taste of heartbreak, giddiness, and absolute emotional chaos.
Before we trade iced lattes for chai and pumpkin spice, I’m sharing the Emotional Wreck Scale (Levels 1-5) for summer’s romantasy reads that I felt best represented each level based on full romance breakdowns of characters, chemistry, and heartbreak. Let’s dive into the realm of romantasy!
Level 1: Warm Summer Breeze (Tears? What Tears?)
Book: Kingdom of Tomorrow by Gena Showalter
Romance Vibe: Lighthearted, flirtacious, swoon-worthy
This was a fun read. Arden Roosa is stubborn and smart, while High Prince Cyrus Dolion…well, let’s just say he’s charming in the “ugh, you’re obnoxious but I can’t look away” kind of way. Their connection is all the stolen glances, teasing banter, and tension, but it never threw me through the emotional wringer.
Honestly, it felt like a summer fling: fast, flirty, and easy to enjoy, minus all the sadness. I closed the book smiling rather than crying, which makes it a perfect “warm summer breeze” on the scale.
Why it fits Level 1:
- There’s teasing banter, but no big heartbreak.
- The arguments get resolved quickly.
- It left me smiling instead of crying.
Level 2: Sudden Storm (A Few Heart Clenches Here And There)
Book: The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Romance Vibe: Magnetic, conflicted, and slow-burning
This one made my heart ache a bit. Aurienne is an intelligent, disciplined yet soft-hearted healer from the Haelen order, and Osric is a terminally ill assassin from the rival Fyren Order. Even with his illness, he had the wit, cleverness, and sarcasm, making me root for him. Do I feel guilt for that? Nope. While you shouldn’t love Osric for being the enemy…you do regardless. All of their interactions made me cackle, and not just from their clashing ideologies or swords.
Their slow-burning transition from enemies to allies to lovers had all the wit, forced closeness, and emotional tension. It felt like one of those summer thunderstorms: intense while it lasted, but it cleared up fast.
Why it fits Level 2:
- It’s an enemies-to-lovers with all the banter and some tension.
- There are some emotional moments, but not soul-crushing.
- It has some gasp-worthy twists.
Level 3: Sunset Melancholy (A Lingering Sadness)
Book: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson
Romance Vibe: Bittersweet and haunting
This one left me with a lingering ache of sadness. Leith is a gladiator full of strength and sacrifice, but he struggles fighting for his sister’s life, while Maeve is a royal healer trapped by her obligations and political pressure. I found their connection to feel genuine but fragile like two souls who are drawn together in a world that punishes love and rewards with violence.
Everything imaginable worked against them—the arena, the crown, the secrets they kept…ugh, I was mad for them and could feel my heart weighing down. Their love seemed like a small flame flickering in the dark—beautiful but always on the verge of burning out.
When the book ended, I felt neither whole nor broken. It was one of those sadnesses that lingers, like the sun setting beneath the horizon, leaving you wishing it would stay light for a little longer.
Why it fits Level 3:
- The ending is bittersweet instead of a complete heartache.
- It left me feeling heavy but not broken.
- It’s the epitome of a deep love against impossible odds.
Level 4: Summer Wildfire (Cried, Screamed, and Threw the Book)
Book: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Romance Vibe: Passionate, volatile, devastating
This book wrecked me in the best way. Two dragon riders, Violet, a dream-walker, and Xaden, the Duke of Tyrrendor, have an undeniable connection that is set ablaze, equally devastating and steamy. Between the betrayals, danger, and the endless push and pull, I was yelling at the pages one minute and clutching them the next.
Every intimate interaction felt like a rebellion against fate, which is what made the heartbreak even worse. I finished the book exhausted, exhilarated, and slightly angry at Rebecca Yarros for putting me through this wildfire (but obviously still thankful…because wow).
Why it fits Level 4:
- The scenes made me yell at the book.
- I felt emotionally drained but thrilled throughout.
- A combination of intense passion mixed with danger and betrayal.
Level 5: Seasonal Shift (Truly Shattered, But Ready for Fall)
Book: The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg
Romance Vibe: Life-altering, soul-deep, wreck-you-for-days
This one…Now, this one hit me in waves. Nym Tallowax is a quiet and strong healer who gets pulled into Prince Renn’s world when she gets summoned to heal him. Ren is cold and off-putting at first. He’s weighed down by his title and illness, but as their story unfolds, his walls crack. My brain turned on reading level speed x2 to see their connection evolve. Seeing Nym’s and Renn’s connection bloom from caution to something rich and powerful wrecked me.
It’s the type of romance that feels like destiny, soulful, and quite life-changing. By the end of the book, I felt raw and broken.
Why it fits Level 5:
- It’s an intense slow-burn build rooted in sacrifice.
- There are intense themes of healing, trust, and sacrifice.
- It left me wrecked in the best way (just how I feel about summer ending).
Final Thoughts
Summer gave plenty of sunshine, iced lattes, and heartbreaks. Now is the time we trade in the beach towels for blankets. This scale is just my take—some honorable (but obvious) mentions like A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole, and When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker could’ve easily filled the scale, but I wanted to spotlight some less common reads of summer. Which stories wrecked you for summer? Are you prepared for more heartbreak as the leaves begin to turn? Let me know in the comments!
Want more Emotional Wreck Scale reads? Check out all my blog posts here
