It's well established that I'm a sci-fi fiend, but I'm also more than happy to enjoy a nice romance book as well. To hell with stereotypes! While they're usually conceptualized as separate from each other, there's a surprising overlap between these two high-demand genres.

So whether you're a sci-fi fan dipping your toes into romance, or a romance fan willing to think about smoochin' a robot, here are five well-liked books to kick off your brand new obsession. And if you have any suggestions for this genre mash-up, feel free to toss 'em in the comments.

'Dustwalker' by Tiffany Roberts

This post-apocalyptic world is truly dire, but when a synthetic being meets our protagonist, things get a whole lot more interesting.

This is the most romantic cyborg novel I have ever read. And I have read 436 science fiction romance books in the past six years. —Celestine, Goodreads Reviewer

'The Blighted Stars' by Megan E. O'Keefe

Humanity's livable space is being exploited out of existence? What a far-fetched idea that has no bearing on the actual world we're currently in. Anyway, this delightful story focuses in on an unexpected relationship that only gets more complicated as time goes on.

If "The Last of Us" and "The Expanse" had a baby and you'd sprinkle it with hi.la.ri.ous banter, this would be it. —Queralt✨, Goodreads Reviewer

'The Kinsmen Universe' by Ilona Andrews

Written by a husband and wife team, this collection includes three relatively short works that do well to keep us engaged in different perspectives in a world where there are folks who wield their super-advanced tech and altered genetics for dominance. Just get ready to fall in love with more than one character.

This anthology combines the two novels and a short story in Andrews' Kinsmen universe, "Silent Blade" and "Silver Shark," as well as a short story, "A Mere Formality." All are good reads. Andrews is good a creating compelling characters and putting them in complicated situations. I shelved this under both Sci-fi and romance. You'll see why. —Gloria, Goodreads Reviewer

'Grimspace' by Ann Aguirre

If you're more interested in the sci-fi angle, and you're just warming up to sample the romance side, this is probably a good place to start.

This is and isn't a love story. I think that those that enjoy romance will like Jax's relationship with March, but you don't have to be a romance fan to enjoy this book. Aguirre has the elements that make for a riveting love story, but she can also be ruthlessly unsentimental, and [unafraid] to play around with the usual romantic conventions. This adds to that uneasy feeling I got when I read this story, because I didn't really trust that anything was safe, even supposed fated love. —Danielle The Book Huntress, Goodreads Reviewer

'Fury' by Laurann Dohner

On the other hand, this one is probably a good pick for the well-read romance fan who is willing to take a walk on the wild side with some DNA-tweaking tomfoolery.

Pick it up if you want to remember your "Dark Angel" days or just to read a very interesting, adventure packed, love story sprinkled with a little bondage and a lot of growling. —Hilda, Goodread Reviewer

Want some sci-fi that's less-focused on kissing? Check out some other excellent sci-fi picks.

[Image: Bookshop.org, Amazon]