What Makes Found Family So Unforgettable in Romantasy Fiction?
- May 3
- 4 min read
You know that moment in a book when the MC looks around at their chaotic, slightly unhinged crew of misfits and thinks, “These are my people”—and you just feel it in your soul?
Yep. That’s the magic of the found family trope.
Whether you're devouring a YA romance, getting swept into a new adult romantasy, or sobbing into your tea at 2 a.m. because the brooding warrior finally called someone “brother”—the found family trope hits. Every. Time.
But why? Why do so many of us crave these stories where people who start out as strangers (or enemies... or immortals with a god complex) somehow become the most loyal, ride-or-die family imaginable?
Let’s break it down—psychology-style—with a little sparkle and spice, of course. ✨
🧡 What Is the Found Family Trope?
At its core, the found family trope is all about characters building deep, meaningful relationships outside of their biological families. These bonds are usually forged in fire—sometimes literally—through shared trauma, quests, rebellion, or just a good old-fashioned near-death experience.
In romantasy fiction, these connections often emerge alongside a central romance, adding emotional depth and high-stakes tension. Our heroes aren’t just fighting for love—they’re fighting for the people who finally made them feel seen, safe, and chosen.
And that? That’s the real tearjerker.
🧠 The Psychology Behind Found Family
Let’s get Maslow up in here for a sec.
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, once you’ve got your basic survival stuff handled (food, water, shelter, Wi-Fi...), the next most important thing is love and belonging. Feeling connected. Accepted. Valued.
That need doesn’t go away just because someone had a rough childhood or grew up in a dystopian wasteland surrounded by bloodthirsty monsters. In fact, it gets stronger. Found family stories show us that even if your past was full of pain, your future can be full of people who choose you.
And that message? It’s healing AF.
Personally, I had a lovely childhood with kind, supportive parents—but as the middle child who struggled to read, I often felt like I was “less than” my siblings or peers. I didn’t feel dumb, exactly... just invisible. That’s why stories where someone goes from “unwanted” to “irreplaceable” always get me in the feels.
Because honestly? We all just want to belong. 🥺
💖 Why Readers Love Found Family in Romantasy
Let’s be real: romantasy already gives us all the good stuff—epic quests, forbidden kisses, morally gray bad boys who smolder. But adding found family into the mix?
That’s emotional gold.
✨ It grounds the fantasy—making these wild, magical worlds feel real and emotionally relatable.
✨ It shows us that love isn’t limited to romance. Loyalty, friendship, and chosen kinship are just as important.
✨ It provides layers of emotional tension—and sometimes comedic gold. (Looking at you, snarky best friend with a tragic backstory.)
The found family trope reminds us that being loved for who you are is the greatest kind of magic there is.
📚 5 Romantasy Books That Nail the Found Family Vibe
Need some found family goodness for your TBR? Here are 5 romantasy books that absolutely nail the trope:
1. Dissent by Josephine Lamont
Mara is the unwanted, illegitimate daughter of a powerful dictator, living in the shadows of her perfect brother. But when she's kidnapped by rebels, her only way to survive is to play along and agree to help them overthrow her father. But what happens when your enemy becomes the person you crave?
🧡 Why it scratches the itch: As Mara struggles to figure out who she is outside of her bloodline, she finds herself drawn to a band of rebels who see her—really see her—for the first time in her life. Watching her go from outcast to chosen is everything.
2. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is lethal. Locked away and feared, she’s resigned to a lonely life—until a rebellion gives her a second chance. And maybe, a first love.
🧡 Why it scratches the itch: Juliette’s arc from isolated pariah to powerful leader surrounded by people who fiercely love and support her? Iconic. Found family with a side of angsty romance and gorgeous prose.
3. Crave by Tracy Wolff
When Grace enrolls at Katmere Academy, she expects boring classes—not dragons, vampires, and a dangerously hot guy who wants to protect her from... everything.
🧡 Why it scratches the itch: Grace doesn’t just fall in love—she builds bonds with an entire crew of magical weirdos who become her protectors, confidants, and ride-or-die besties. It’s like Twilight, but with way more sass and squad goals.
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre is dragged into a fae realm where everything is dangerous, and nothing is what it seems—including the broody High Lords and deadly courts.
🧡 Why it scratches the itch: Beyond the iconic enemies-to-lovers arc, Feyre finds true family in the Night Court. The loyalty, love, and camaraderie between Rhysand’s inner circle? Chef’s kiss.
5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A criminal prodigy. A runaway spy. A sharpshooter with a gambling problem. Together? They’re about to pull off the greatest heist of all time.
🧡 Why it scratches the itch: This ragtag crew of broken, brilliant misfits slowly—and reluctantly—become a chosen family. They may never admit it, but their loyalty to each other is fierce, flawed, and unforgettable.
🪄 Final Thoughts
Found family is more than just a trope—it’s a reminder that love, acceptance, and connection don’t have to come from the people we’re born to. Sometimes, our soul family is out there waiting to be found... in the most unexpected of places.
And in romantasy fiction? That journey from lost to loved is what makes the genre so deeply powerful.
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