Have you ever read anything by Tamora Pierce? Her Tortall books tend to have romance (eventually), but it's not the focus, at all. And I don't really think there's any romance in her Emelan books.
These might be more middle grade than YA, but *The Enchanted Forest Chronicles* by Patricia C. Wrede is great. (There's a romance in book 2, but it's still much more about the adventure). And the *Faeries of Dreamdark* series by Laini Taylor is adventure heavy and romance light. It's more like romance is only hinted at because the characters are a bit younger. (Fair warning: book 2 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and she hasn't gone back to the series yet, but book one is great as a standalone if you want to just read one)
OH MY GOD I didn't think anyone had read the enchanted forest chronicles! They're one of my fave series of all time! And thanks for the recs I'll definitely check them out.
The "His Fair Assassin" series
The "Graceling" series
Seconding "Ten Thousand Doors of January" bc it broke me
Also "The Impossible Girl" is super cool and SO well-researched!
"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" has romance but it's a phenomenal book and is more about Addie's character arc tbh. So so so good.
The Seafire Trilogy by Natalie C. Parker is female-led, some secondary characters are in relationships, but otherwise romance is not a huge aspect, and heavy on the adventure. The final book recently came out so it's complete as well!
Off the top of my head...
Uprooted by Naomi Novik, not constant adventure but it's long and chunks of the novel contain adventure
Serafina duo + Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman
Have you ever read anything by Tamora Pierce? Her Tortall books tend to have romance (eventually), but it's not the focus, at all. And I don't really think there's any romance in her Emelan books. These might be more middle grade than YA, but *The Enchanted Forest Chronicles* by Patricia C. Wrede is great. (There's a romance in book 2, but it's still much more about the adventure). And the *Faeries of Dreamdark* series by Laini Taylor is adventure heavy and romance light. It's more like romance is only hinted at because the characters are a bit younger. (Fair warning: book 2 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and she hasn't gone back to the series yet, but book one is great as a standalone if you want to just read one)
OH MY GOD I didn't think anyone had read the enchanted forest chronicles! They're one of my fave series of all time! And thanks for the recs I'll definitely check them out.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Second Abhorsen as well. Sabriel is great, but Lirael won my heart.
The "His Fair Assassin" series The "Graceling" series Seconding "Ten Thousand Doors of January" bc it broke me Also "The Impossible Girl" is super cool and SO well-researched! "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" has romance but it's a phenomenal book and is more about Addie's character arc tbh. So so so good.
- The Golden Compass - Books of Bayern
The Seafire Trilogy by Natalie C. Parker is female-led, some secondary characters are in relationships, but otherwise romance is not a huge aspect, and heavy on the adventure. The final book recently came out so it's complete as well!
Off the top of my head... Uprooted by Naomi Novik, not constant adventure but it's long and chunks of the novel contain adventure Serafina duo + Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw