Epic Fantasy Romance: If You Loved ACOTAR, Try These
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Epic fantasy romance books have a way of completely taking over your brain. These are the stories that leave you emotionally wrecked, deeply attached to fictional characters, and desperate to find your next immersive read.
If A Court of Thorns and Roses was your gateway into epic fantasy romance, you are not alone. ACOTAR introduced many readers to sweeping fantasy worlds, slow burn romances, high emotional stakes, and love stories that unfold across multiple books. It is not just a romance series. It is an experience.
This post is for readers who love epic fantasy romance novels with quests, destiny, mysterious characters, layered worldbuilding, and romances that feel earned through sacrifice and struggle. Consider this your If you liked this, try this guide for epic romantasy fans.
There is one extremely popular sub genre involving deadly trials that is intentionally not included here. That deserves its own dedicated post and deep dive.
Why Epic Fantasy Romance Is So Popular
Epic fantasy romance combines two powerful reading experiences into one unforgettable genre. On one hand, you have expansive fantasy worlds filled with magic, politics, prophecy, and danger. On the other, you have deeply emotional love stories that develop under intense pressure.
What makes epic fantasy romance books so compelling is the scale of emotion. Love does not happen in quiet moments alone. It happens during wars, rebellions, curses, and world ending threats. Characters fall in love while carrying the weight of entire kingdoms on their shoulders.
These romances resonate because they are rarely easy. They are shaped by loyalty, trauma, duty, and impossible choices. When characters choose love despite everything stacked against them, the payoff feels monumental.
Epic fantasy romance also thrives on mystery. Hidden pasts, secret identities, slow reveals, and morally complex characters keep readers invested for hundreds or even thousands of pages. These stories reward patience and emotional investment.
Most importantly, epic fantasy romance offers escape with meaning. Readers are transported to another world while still exploring deeply human themes like grief, hope, longing, sacrifice, and healing. That emotional connection is why these books stay with us long after we finish them.
If You Loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, Try These Epic Fantasy Romance Books
If ACOTAR left you emotionally wrecked in the best way, you are not alone. This is the kind of epic fantasy romance that earns its love story through character growth, sacrifice, and hard choices. Readers who loved its sweeping worldbuilding and deeply personal stakes often search for that same immersive, aching experience.
Here are epic fantasy romance book recommendations to try next:
The Silversmith by L.J. Claren
The Silversmith is an emotionally devastating epic fantasy romance with rich worldbuilding and intense yearning. The story follows a grieving heroine drawn into ancient magic, prophecy, and a fate she never wanted.
The romance is slow burning and deeply emotional, shaped by secrets, duty, and longing. This book is ideal for readers who loved the emotional weight and quiet intensity of Shield of Sparrows. It is the kind of story that lingers long after the final page.
See my full review of The Silversmith for a deeper breakdown.
Hollow by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Hollow is a dark epic fantasy romance set during a deadly magical hunt that occurs once every fifty years. The atmosphere is heavy with danger, spirits, and forbidden magic.
This book features a rebellious heroine, a morally gray prince, and a romance built on tension and survival. It is perfect for readers who love dark romantasy, high stakes, and emotionally intense storytelling.
See my full review of Hollow.
Firebird by Juliette Cross
Firebird blends epic fantasy romance with dragons, prophecy, and political intrigue. Set in a brutal world inspired by Ancient Rome, the story follows a conqueror and a witch whose bond defies the laws of their empire.
The romance develops under extreme pressure, making every emotional moment feel urgent and earned. Readers who enjoy forbidden love, rebellion, and powerful magic will find this an excellent next read.
Read more about my thoughts on Firebird.
Eleutheria by Ruth Cantu
Eleutheria is a magic heavy epic fantasy romance featuring a hardened witch soldier and a prince whose free will has been compromised by dark power.
The romance is layered with mistrust, fate, and moral complexity. This book is especially well suited for readers who enjoy strong heroines, intricate magic systems, and love stories shaped by difficult choices.
Read my full review of Eleutheria.
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Shield of Sparrows is a sweeping epic fantasy romance that pairs a fierce enemies-to-lovers slow burn with a monster-haunted world ruled by demanding gods and broken treaties.
At its heart is a forgotten princess forced into an unwanted alliance with a legendary monster hunter who loathes everything she represents. As they cross dangerous lands and face ancient threats, the story unfolds into a powerful tale of self-discovery, defiance, and hard-won strength. The romance simmers with tension and emotional depth, evolving alongside high-stakes political intrigue and brutal action. This book belongs on any epic fantasy romance list for readers who crave reluctant heroines, dangerous journeys, and love forged in fire, blood, and choice.
Read my full review of Shield of Sparrows.
Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
Wild Reverence is a sweeping epic fantasy romance set among gods and mortals. The story focuses on destiny, vulnerability, and love that transcends realms.
This novel balances lyrical writing with emotional depth and political tension. Readers who loved the emotional intimacy paired with high stakes in ACOTAR will appreciate this beautifully written romantasy.
Fallen City by Adrienne Young
Fallen City is an epic fantasy romance rooted in political unrest, rebellion, and divine influence. The romance unfolds between characters pulled onto opposite sides of a holy war.
This book is ideal for readers who love tragic tension, forbidden love, and stories where personal relationships are inseparable from the fate of the world.
Nobody’s Quest by Alyssa Day
Nobody’s Quest offers a refreshing take on epic fantasy romance by centering a heroine who is not chosen, powerful, or legendary.
The romance develops alongside found family dynamics, emotional healing, and a high stakes quest. This is a heartfelt choice for readers who want epic fantasy romance grounded in hope and resilience.
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider
Metal Slinger is a fast paced epic fantasy romance filled with seafaring adventure, hidden identities, and enemies to lovers tension.
The romance crackles with chemistry while the worldbuilding slowly reveals deeper layers of magic and conflict. This is a strong recommendation for readers who enjoy action driven romantasy with emotional payoff.
The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson
The Library of Amorlin is an immersive epic fantasy romance that blends magical institutions, dangerous beasts, and a deliciously tense slowburn between a brilliant con artist and a guarded librarian.
What begins as a high-stakes infiltration quickly deepens into a richly layered fantasy, where enchanted books, political manipulation, and hidden truths collide. The romance simmers beneath secrets and shifting loyalties, delivering emotionally charged moments alongside sweeping worldbuilding. This book earns its place on an epic fantasy romance list for readers who love morally gray heroines, intelligent romantic tension, and fantasy worlds where love and betrayal are equally powerful forces.
A Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward
This slow burn epic fantasy romance features curses, dangerous journeys, forced proximity, and hidden magic.
A Crown of War and Shadow is perfect for readers who love mercenary heroes, reluctant heroines, and romances that develop over long journeys filled with danger and desire.
Read my full review of A Crown of War and Shadow.
The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
The Book of Azrael is a dark and immersive epic fantasy romance involving gods, monsters, and ancient power.
The romance spans lifetimes and is driven by high emotional stakes and relentless tension. Readers who want expansive worldbuilding and intense romantasy will find this series deeply addictive.
A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by Amy de la Force
This epic fantasy romance combines prophecy, political intrigue, and forbidden love. A blacksmith heroine, an immortal bound by darkness, and a destiny that could reshape kingdoms drive the story.
Readers who enjoy slow burn romance, powerful heroines, and fate driven narratives will appreciate this richly built world.
Read my full review of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame.
A Curse of Shadows and Ice by Catharina Maura
A Curse of Shadows and Ice is an epic fantasy romance inspired by Beauty and the Beast. It features a cursed emperor, forbidden magic, and a marriage forged under threat.
The romance evolves from resentment to trust to devotion, making it a satisfying choice for readers who want emotional payoff alongside lush fantasy worldbuilding.
Read my full review of A Curse of Shadows and Ice.
Final Thoughts on Epic Fantasy Romance Books
Epic fantasy romance books continue to captivate readers because they allow us to feel deeply while escaping completely.
These stories remind us that love can be transformative, that hope can survive devastation, and that connection matters even in the darkest worlds. For readers who loved ACOTAR, these recommendations offer new worlds to fall into and new love stories to obsess over.
If you are searching for your next epic fantasy romance, one of these books may be exactly what you need.
