9 Sci-Fi Romances That Are Out of This World

Science fiction may be commonly associated with robots and technology, but that doesn't mean there's no room for love. There are plenty of wonderful sci-fi novels that include elements of romance, including the nine out-of-this-world books listed below. When you click links from this website, we may receive advertising revenue to support our research. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

9 Sci-Fi Romances That Are Out of This World

Title Author(s) More by the Author
1. Hold Back the Stars Katie Khan The Light Between Us
2. The Star Thief Jamie Grey Fortune's Risk
3. The Memory Painter Gwendolyn Womack The Fortune Teller
4. Qualify Vera Nazarian Compete
5. Archetype M.D. Waters Prototype
6. Honor Among Thieves Ann Aguirre & Rachel Caine Honor Bound
7. After Eden Helen Douglas Chasing Stars
8. Zeroboxer Fonda Lee Jade City
9. Loop Karen Akins Twist

5 Classic Works of Sci-Fi

The authors on this list stand on the shoulders of many famous writers who came before them and influenced the genre. Here are a few works that made science fiction what it is today:

  1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  2. Dune by Frank Herbert
  3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  5. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Ideas For Your Real Life Romance

You may not be able to explore new galaxies with your partner, but there are plenty of ways that you can bring a little extra romance into your life.

Ursula K. LeGuin On How Science Fiction Can Change The World

In Depth

From amazing dystopian worlds to futuristic adventures, science fiction novels are always more interesting when a love story is thrown into the mix. We took the liberty of coming up with a list of sci-fi romances that are out of this world. In no particular order, the following is our top nine.

At the #1 spot is "Hold Back the Stars" by Katie Khan. This book features two individuals who are trapped in the vast void of space, Carys and Max. They have ninety minutes of air left in their oxygen tanks and only one of them can be saved. Throughout the story, the author alternates between the characters' present situation and flashbacks to their lives back home on a utopian Earth. This is an interesting novel that explores love, compromise, and survival.

Following at #2 is "The Star Thief," a futuristic tale that centers on romance and adventure. Author Jamie Grey tells the story of a notorious thief named Renna Carrizal. She wants to get out of that kind of life, but instead finds herself running from the mob after rescuing an injured boy. She soon falls under the protection of a top-secret galactic agency and goes on a mission to save worlds with the good-looking but conceited Captain Finn.


Coming in at #3 is "The Memory Painter" by Gwendolyn Womack. This is a riveting novel about a painter named Bryan Pierce whose works of art are inspired by vivid dreams. When he wakes up, he turns out to be different, possessing extraordinary abilities that he can't understand. He meets neurogeneticist Linz Jacobs and they realize that they both relive past lives in their sleep. Together, they experience all sorts of love and relationships.

Taking the #4 spot is "Qualify." Authored by Vera Nazarian, this is an exciting and emotion-filled adventure story. Set in 2047, the book features Gwen Lark, a teenage klutz and a nerd. She has to qualify in the unsparing games of the Atlantis Grail in order to become a citizen and be saved from extinction. While trying to prepare for battle, she is also concerned about competing with Logan Sangre, the boy she's been crushing on.

Following at #5 is "Archetype," a tale about a heroine who possesses both passion and strength. Author M. D. Waters introduces readers to Emma, a young woman who wakes up in the hospital with no memories. Declan, a handsome and caring guy, claims to be her husband, but her nightmares tell a different story. She has dreams of being forced into a women's training center as well as visions of being in love with another man. As Emma struggles to discover the truth, readers will also be eager to unravel the mystery.


Next, at #6 is "Honor Among Thieves" by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre. This Y.A. novel is set in 2042, featuring a petty criminal named Zara Cole. She commits a crime and expects to be jailed, but instead, she is recruited into an elite team to explore the universe. She is assigned to a Leviathan named Nadim, a protective living ship. At first, she does what she is told, but she soon develops questions about everything from weapons to the real intentions of the Leviathans.

Coming in at #7 is "After Eden" by Helen Douglas. Protagonist Eden Anfield is trapped in a love triangle. She is interested in Ryan, a boy from the future who time traveled to save the world. At the same time, Eden's best friend Connor is in love with her. He discovers a new planet that has the potential to destroy the present world. In the middle of all these contradictions and conflicted priorities, Eden is put in a great deal of danger.

At #8 is the gripping novel "Zeroboxer." Here, author Fonda Lee offers a strong and relentless main character. Carr Luka is a rising star in Zero Gravity, a popular sport involving mixed martial arts and free-fall. He is assigned a beautiful PR agent named Risha to ensure his success. However, after he learns about a devastating secret, he gets blackmailed by a mysterious person. Soon, everything that he has worked for could be destroyed.

Soon, everything that he has worked for could be destroyed.

Finally, at #9 is "Loop" by Karen Akins. In this novel, Bree Bennis is a sixteen-year-old girl in the 23rd century. She accidentally brings home a boy named Finn during her time travel back to the 21st century. When she and her tag-along arrive at her school one day, they realize that time travelers are being attacked. Together, they find answers that will lead them to the person responsible. This book is action-packed, emotional, and hilarious.