Preference for high fantasy or humans have colonized space etc level sci fi.
A mercenary band save a secret princess or mage and end up helping her on her quest. Space salvagers pick up what they think is a derelict ship, find a cryo pod with the last hope of the galaxy, etc etc etc.
A motley group of found family individuals find themselves inadvertently mixed up in the larger picture. They have to journey forth, now joined by the lead character.
The romance should be so slow and gradual you would be excused for thinking this book didn’t have a romantic subplot at all. I want the characters to interact a lot, and somewhere at the half way mark or after you go, “Oh. They like each other! Cool!” The romance isn’t the point of the story, it’s just something that happens.
Good world building and solid characters please, the actual plot is incredibly flexible.
Completed series or stand alones only.
The ending doesn’t have to be sunshine and roses, but my heart needs it to end with the lead characters being together romantically.
Spoiler for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini:
>!Looking for a happier ending for Kira/Falconi, basically.!<
by Bitch_Goblin