Best Fantasy Romance Books for Fans of ACOTAR
If A Court of Thorns and Roses awakened your love for fae courts, slow-burn tension, and emotionally charged romance, you’re not alone. ACOTAR didn’t just create a fandom – it set the standard for modern fantasy romance.
In this carefully curated guide, you’ll discover the best fantasy romance books for fans of ACOTAR: stories filled with dangerous magic, morally grey love interests, fierce heroines, and the kind of romance that lingers long after the final page. Whether you crave political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers angst, or dark, seductive fae worlds, this list will lead you straight to your next obsession.
What Makes a Fantasy Romance Perfect for ACOTAR Fans?
Before diving into the recommendations, let’s clarify what truly resonates with readers who love Sarah J. Maas’s world:
- Fae courts & immortal beings
- Slow-burn or enemies-to-lovers romance
- High emotional stakes
- Powerful female protagonists
- Lush, immersive worldbuilding
- Romance woven into epic fantasy, not an afterthought
Every book on this list delivers on at least several of these elements.
Best Fantasy Romance Books for Fans of ACOTAR
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
A deadly tournament. A human woman fighting among vampires. A slow-burn romance forged in blood and betrayal. This book is often considered one of the closest matches to ACOTAR – and for good reason. The world is brutal, the stakes are high, and the romance simmers beneath every dangerous trial.
Key tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Deadly trials
- Morally grey hero
- Slow burn romance
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
If you loved Feyre’s trials Under the Mountain and Rhysand’s dangerous allure, this story delivers the same tension: darker, sharper, and emotionally relentless.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
A princess trained from childhood to assassinate her husband. A kingdom built on secrets. A romance torn between duty and desire. This is fantasy romance with political intrigue at its core: where love becomes a liability and trust is earned slowly.
Key tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Political marriage
- Betrayal
- Strong female lead
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
Fans of court politics, strategic heroines, and emotionally complex relationships will find this impossible to put down.
Gild by Raven Kennedy (The Plated Prisoner Series)
Inspired by the myth of King Midas, this dark fantasy romance explores captivity, power, and reclaiming agency – with a romance that evolves in unexpected ways. This series is intense, uncomfortable at times, and deeply addictive.
Key tropes:
- Dark fantasy romance
- Morally grey characters
- Slow emotional growth
- Fae elements
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
If Nesta’s arc or the darker tones of later ACOTAR books resonated with you, this series offers a raw, transformative journey.
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
A former slave with forbidden magic. A reluctant mentor. A romance built on mutual respect rather than power imbalance. This trilogy leans more epic fantasy but delivers a deeply satisfying romantic arc.
Key tropes:
- Mentor/student dynamic
- Slow burn romance
- Found family
- Political rebellion
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
It echoes the emotional growth, resilience, and earned intimacy that made ACOTAR’s relationships so compelling.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
A murder mystery wrapped in demon courts, forbidden magic, and simmering attraction. This series starts with mystery and atmosphere, then gradually leans darker and more romantic.
Key tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forbidden romance
- Dark magic
- Immortal love interest
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
Fans of seductive, dangerous male leads and gothic vibes will feel right at home.
A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova
A human woman chosen to marry an immortal elf king. A frozen realm. A marriage that slowly transforms into something real. This is a standalone fantasy romance, perfect if you want ACOTAR vibes without committing to a long series.
Key tropes:
- Arranged marriage
- Fae romance
- Slow burn
- Winter setting
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
It captures the beauty, tension, and emotional intimacy of fae-human relationships in a concise, elegant story.
Darker & Spicier Fantasy Romance Picks
If you loved the later ACOTAR books for their intensity and emotional depth, these deserve a spot on your list:
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A guarded maiden chosen for a sacred destiny. A dangerous guard with secrets of his own. A world built on lies that begin to unravel with every stolen moment. From Blood and Ash blends epic fantasy with slow-burning tension and shocking twists. What starts as a seemingly familiar setup quickly transforms into a story that thrives on emotional conflict, forbidden attraction, and escalating stakes.
Key tropes:
- Forbidden romance
- Chosen one
- Slow burn to high-intensity romance
- Shocking plot twists
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
If you loved the way ACOTAR constantly shifted your understanding of truth, power, and loyalty, this series delivers that same sense of delicious instability, paired with a romance that grows darker, bolder, and more addictive with every book.
A Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall
A cursed kingdom. A powerful fae court. A heroine bound by magic she doesn’t fully understand – and a dangerously compelling male lead hiding far more than he reveals. This romantasy leans heavily into fae politics, court intrigue, and slow-burn desire, creating a rich, immersive world where every alliance feels fragile and every glance carries weight.
Key tropes:
- Fae courts
- Magical bonds
- Slow burn romance
- Political intrigue
Why ACOTAR fans will love it:
Fans of Prythian’s court dynamics and fae power structures will feel instantly at home. This book captures the elegant danger, simmering tension, and layered magic that made ACOTAR so irresistible – while still offering a fresh, distinct voice.
How to Choose Your Next ACOTAR-Style Read
Ask yourself:
- Do you want political intrigue or emotional healing?
- Are you craving dark fantasy or romantic escapism?
- Do you prefer standalones or long series?
ACOTAR fans often enjoy rotating between intense series and lighter romantasy reads to avoid burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there books exactly like ACOTAR?
No book replicates ACOTAR entirely, but many capture its emotional depth, fae politics, and romantic tension in unique ways.
Are these books spicy?
Some are slow-burn with minimal spice; others lean darker and more explicit. The variety is intentional.
Are these suitable for adult readers?
Yes. All recommendations are aimed at adult fantasy romance readers.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Fantasy Romance Awaits
ACOTAR opened the door to a genre that blends magic, romance, and emotional storytelling in unforgettable ways. The books on this list honor that legacy, while offering fresh worlds, new heroines, and romances that feel just as intense.
Whether you want courtly intrigue, dangerous trials, or slow-burn love that breaks your heart and puts it back together again, your next favorite fantasy romance is waiting.
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Happy reading – and welcome back to the magic ✨
Laura
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