60 Spellbinding Romantasy Book Series like ACOTAR
Can’t Get Enough of ACOTAR? This List of 60 Romantasy Books Are Just as Addictive
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In a previous post, I delved into the enchanting world of romantasy and promised to compile a list of series that would captivate fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Today, I’m thrilled to deliver on that promise with a carefully curated selection of 60 romantasy series that echo the magic, romance, and intrigue that made ACOTAR such a sensation.
But before we dive in, I wanted to share a little behind-the-scenes insight. I’ve been dreaming of starting this blog for years, and long before I published a single post, I was already preparing—just for fun! I kept detailed reading journals where I jotted down my thoughts, spice level impressions, favorite tropes, and overall ratings. Some of the books on this list are recent reads, and some I read several years ago—but all of them have lived rent-free in my head long enough to make it into my journals and onto this list.
This post has been a labor of love, and it took quite a bit of time to go back through years of those journals to pull everything together. So if something I mention about a particular book doesn’t quite make sense or seems off, feel free to let me know! I welcome the conversation.
It’s also worth mentioning that spice ratings and book opinions are deeply personal and can evolve over time. What I wrote in the margins of my reading journal three years ago might not be how I’d rate the same book if I reread it today. And that’s okay—tastes change, moods shift, and we all bring our own experiences to the page. A book I loved might not work for you, and vice versa. This blog is meant to be a judgment-free zone where we can share our thoughts, gush about our favorites, and maybe even debate a little—with kindness, of course.
Let’s Build that TBR
The purpose of this post is to give you a broad list of romantasy series options to help you grow your TBR. It’s not meant to serve as a deep-dive review of each book or series. For that kind of detail, I usually stick to my recent reads while the stories are still fresh in my mind. Here, I’ve kept things simple: you’ll find a brief summary, my signature spice rating, and my favorite book from each series.
So whether you're chasing that post-ACOTAR book hangover or just dipping your toes into romantasy, I hope this list gives you plenty of stories to fall in love with.
Let’s build those TBR piles together!
Spice Level Guide
1 — Sweet & Subtle: Flirty tension, kisses, and fade-to-black scenes. Just a hint of heat.
2 — Lightly Flirty: Suggestive moments, heated kisses, and a little steam — but the door mostly stays closed.
3 — Medium Heat: On-page steamy scenes that balance sexy and emotional. Just enough to make you blush but still leaves a little to the imagination.
4 — Hot & Heavy: Multiple detailed steamy scenes, lots of physical chemistry, and very little left to the imagination. Definitely NSFW reading.
5 — Scorching: Explicit, frequent, and blazing. These books bring the heat hard — you’ll need a fan (and maybe a cold shower).
Fae, Courts & Forbidden Magic
Includes fae realms, court politics, power plays, and magical intrigue
A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
I have to include the inspiration for this blog post on this list of course!
Summary: Feyre, a mortal huntress, is swept into the fae lands after killing a wolf—who turns out to be a fae. As she navigates the Spring Court and an ancient curse, romance and rebellion intertwine.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Explicit scenes begin mid-series with detailed, drawn-out intimacy, especially in A Court of Mist and Fury.
Best Book: A Court of Mist and Fury – Widely considered the emotional and romantic pinnacle.Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas
Summary: Assassin Celaena Sardothien battles her way through trials and court intrigues to earn her freedom—only to uncover a larger magical and political war.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with fade-to-black early on, gradually becoming more explicit by Empire of Storms.
Best Book: Queen of Shadows – A turning point for character growth and intense political machinations.From Blood and Ash – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: Poppy, a maiden chosen by the gods, longs for freedom—but when she meets the mysterious Hawke, truths unravel about the gods, her powers, and forbidden love.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Graphic and frequent scenes with dominant/protective alpha energy.
Best Book: From Blood and Ash – Sets up the romance and tension perfectly.Zodiac Academy – Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Summary: Twin sisters are thrown into a brutal fae academy where magical trials, cruel heirs, and brutal enemies-to-lovers tropes rule.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Heavy on bully romance with emotionally charged, often aggressive intimacy.
Best Book: Book 6: Fated Throne – Where the emotional payoff and romance peak.Artefacts of Ourenos – Nisha J. Tuli
Summary: In Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli, a fierce young woman is torn from a brutal prison and thrust into a deadly competition to win the Sun King’s favor—only to discover secrets that could ignite a rebellion and reclaim her freedom.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Gradual build-up with dominant love interests and high-tension scenes.
Best Book: Trial of the Sun Queen – The perfect balance of mystery, romance, and survival.Summary: Liv Zander, a young woman is torn from her world and thrust into the clutches of two ruthless raven shifters—one craving revenge, the other redemption—as she’s forced to navigate their dark desires, deadly secrets, and a fate written in blood.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Dark romance, primal kink, with intense, possessive MMC.
Best Book: Feathers so Vicious – Pure enemies-to-lovers fire.The Fair Isle Trilogy – Tessonja Odette
Summary: A human is married off to a fae prince in a political alliance, unraveling court secrets and enemies-to-lovers tension.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with sensual tension and tasteful spice later in the series.
Best Book: To Carve a Fae Heart – The start of a heartwarming yet dangerous romance.The Outcast Series – S.B. Nova
Summary: A lonely village girl is thrust into a cruel fae realm where she discovers her hidden powers, forbidden love, and a band of outcasts whose fate—and rebellion—may rest in her hands.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Mild spice with heavy emotional build and fantasy world-building.
Best Book: A Kingdom of Exiles – Rich world-building with a strong protagonist.Summary: A powerful fae duke must bond with his true mate to prevent war—but when the shy forest witch he chooses refuses a loveless union, he risks everything, including kidnapping her, to win both her hand and her heart.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Playful and steamy with clever banter and magical seduction.
Best Book: Court of Tricksters – Delightful start to the series.Crowns of Nyaxia – Carissa Broadbent
Summary: A human raised by the vampire king enters a brutal tournament of death to claim her place among monsters—only to find unexpected passion and peril in the arms of her fiercest rival.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Dark, angsty, and intense with power dynamics and deep emotional connection.
Best Book: The Serpent and the Wings of Night – Brutal yet beautiful.Curse of the Cyren Queen – Helen Scheuerer
Summary: A girl raised as a gladiator fights her way through magical trials to uncover her identity and save her people.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Low spice but with slow-burning, emotionally rich romance.
Best Book: A Lair of Bones – Immersive world and character development.Fae of Snow and Ice – Krista Street
Summary: A wingless and magicless fae is abducted by the ruthless Winter Prince who sees her as the key to stopping a war—forcing her to choose between protecting her heart or saving a kingdom that has always seen her as worthless.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Steamy scenes with emotional depth.
Best Book: Court of Winter– Great blend of magic, mystery, and romance.Summary: Meghan Chase discovers she's the daughter of a faery king and must navigate a dangerous, enchanting world of magic and monsters to save someone she loves—while falling for a cold-hearted prince who just might be her greatest threat.
Spice Level: 1/5 – YA-level romance with sweet moments, no explicit scenes.
Best Book: The Iron Queen – Emotional growth and love at the forefront.Saga of the Unfated – Danielle Jensen
Summary: A fierce shield maiden blessed with divine magic must master her power and navigate forbidden desire as she fights to unite a fractured Norse kingdom under a ruthless king’s rule.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Lots of angst, high tension, and very steamy scenes.
Best Book: A Fate Inked in Blood – Heart-wrenching with incredible banter.The Veiled Kingdom – Holly Renee
Summary: A princess on the run must navigate deadly rebellion and forbidden desire when she’s captured by rebels—especially the fierce son of their leader—forcing her to choose between loyalty to her kingdom and a love that could destroy them both.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High-stakes emotional spice and forbidden love.
Best Book: The Veiled Kingdom – Enemies-to-lovers perfection.The Freckled Fate Trilogy – Tetyana Walker
Summary: A betrayed captive mistaken for a powerful magic wielder must navigate deadly alliances and a brutal general’s dark world—fighting to keep a vow that could change her fate and ignite a slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Spice Level: 3-5/5 – Starts moderately and increases throughout the series.
Best Book: A Broken Promise – Gripping romance and original concept.Kingdom of Lies – Stacia Stark
Summary: A young woman with forbidden dark power must forge a desperate alliance with a ruthless mercenary to survive a brutal world where gods have stripped humanity of power—and uncover secrets that could unravel their kingdom and beyond.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tense, enemies-to-lovers heat with great chemistry.
Best Book: A Court this Cruel and Lovely – Dark, addictive, and romantic.Kingdom of Ruins – Audrey Grey
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Haven, wielding forbidden light and dark magic, must join forces with immortals to rescue a kidnapped prince and confront a deadly curse that threatens her soul and the fate of their kingdom.
Spice Level: 1/5 – Emotional with moments of angst.
Best Book: Oath Taker – Best blend of danger, court intrigue, and romance.💔 Enemies-to-Lovers, Tension & Trauma Bonds
Tense romantic pairings, slow burn or hate-to-love arcs
The Plated Prisoner – Raven Kennedy
Summary: A woman known as King Midas’s precious prize must navigate the gilded cage of palace life and the harsh truths behind her protector’s power when war shatters her world and trust becomes her most dangerous gamble.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Dark, emotional spice with psychological tension, dubcon themes, and powerful trauma-healing arcs.
Best Book: Gleam – The protagonist Auren undergoes substantial character development, and the narrative delves deeper into the series' broader world and lore.The Bridge Kingdom – Danielle Jensen
Summary: A fierce warrior princess sent to infiltrate and destroy the Bridge Kingdom finds her mission complicated when she unexpectedly falls for the very king she’s meant to bring down.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Tense and steamy, laced with betrayal and moral conflict.
Best Book: The Bridge Kingdom – The original setup delivers the strongest slow-burn payoff.The Broken Kingdoms – L.J. Andrews
Summary: A rebellious princess forced into a perilous alliance with a secretive rogue must navigate forbidden passion and looming war between magic and mortals to save her kingdom—or watch it fall.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Emotional intimacy with a deep trauma bond and forbidden longing.
Best Book: Curse of Shadows and Thorns – Strongest plot twist and romantic intensity.Summary: A changeling raised among humans must enter the deadly, seductive world of Faerie—where a ruthless king offers her freedom in exchange for marriage, only to entangle her in a twisted game of desire, deception, and power.
Spice Level: 5/5 – High spice with divine-level angst and primal chemistry.
Best Book: Nectar of the Wicked – Packed with tension, betrayal, and seductive lore.Summary: A fierce young queen locks her treasonous, amnesiac husband in her dungeon as war looms, forcing her to confront a shattered past of betrayal, vengeance, and a love that refuses to stay buried.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Angsty with possessive dynamics and taboo tension.
Best Book: A King So Cold – Peak emotional chaos and character growth.Frost and Nectar – C.N. Crawford
Summary: After catching her boyfriend cheating and spiraling into chaos, a heartbroken fae woman agrees to fake-marry the dangerously alluring Seelie King in a deadly competition for the crown—only to discover that pretending not to fall for him might be the hardest battle of all.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Strong enemies-to-lovers heat with magical seduction.
Best Book: Frost – Sharp banter, cold fire tension, and sizzling attraction.The Shadow Bound Queen – Eliza Raine
Summary: A defiant human slave is swept into the deadly intrigues of the Shadow Court when a masked fae prince declares her his bride, igniting a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance crackling with myth, secrets, and dangerously seductive tension.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Steamy with enemies-forced-to-work-together dynamics.
Best Book: Court of Ravens and Ruin – Tightly written with great tension and character depth.The Legend of Thezzmar – Helen Scheuerer
Summary: A fierce young woman with a doomed fate defies tradition and deadly trials to claim her place among the realm’s legendary warriors—while battling forbidden desire and a rising darkness threatening the five kingdoms.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burn with emotional intimacy and fierce tension.
Best Book: Blood & Steel – Delivers major development in romance and plot.Adrian X Isolde – Scarlett St. Clair
Summary: A defiant bride-to-be must navigate deadly court intrigue and a dangerous vampire king’s wrath as their fierce attraction threatens to unravel the fate of a war-torn realm.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Explicit, rough, intense enemies-to-lovers with blood kink elements.
Best Book: King of Battle and Blood – Raw, brutal, and deeply erotic.The Kingmaker Chronicles – Amanda Bouchet
Summary: A fierce soothsayer hiding her true power is kidnapped by a determined warlord who needs her magic to claim his throne—but their fiery clash ignites a dangerous and passionate alliance that could change the fate of a kingdom.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Elevated spice with heartfelt tension and godlike stakes.
Best Book: A Promise of Fire – Witty, romantic, and action-packed.The Powerless Trilogy – Lauren Roberts
Summary: A powerless girl hiding among the magical elite must navigate deadly trials and forbidden attraction to a prince while risking exposure in a world where lacking power is a crime punishable by death.
Spice Level: 1/5 – A YA slow-burn with growing tension and emotional spice.
Best Book: Powerless – Strongest world and romance setup.The Shepherd King – Rachel Gillig
Summary: A young woman haunted by a dangerous spirit must team up with a rebellious prince to unravel dark magic threatening their kingdom—while battling a growing, forbidden attraction and the monster within her mind.
Spice Level: 1/5 – Low to mid spice, but drenched in romantic tension and gothic vibes.
Best Book: One Dark Window – Lush prose and haunting emotional stakes.The Binding Chronicles – Elayna R. Gallea
Summary: A human girl bound by a magical, inescapable tether to her vampire prince husband must navigate a forced marriage filled with slow-burning desire, dark magic, and high-stakes survival.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Soulmate trope with gradual heat and intense emotional bonding.
Best Book: Tethered – Heightened stakes and romantic development.The Fae and Alchemy Series – Callie Hart
Summary: A resourceful thief with hidden alchemical powers is thrust into a deadly fae war when she accidentally opens a portal to a frozen realm and becomes bound to a mysterious fae warrior with dangerous secrets.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Very dark romance with possessiveness, obsession, and graphic spice.
Best Book: Quicksilver – Gritty, gripping, and hot from page one.The Wicked Games Series – Kaylie Smith
Summary: A determined young woman enters a deadly, ever-changing haunted mansion contest to save her sister, forced to navigate lethal trials and a dangerously seductive stranger whose price for help might cost her more than just her heart.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Tense competition and electric romantic build-up.
Best Book: Phantasma – The perfect mix of fantasy games and enemies-to-lovers tension.Epic Worldbuilding & High Stakes Fantasy
Large-scale world conflicts, rebellion, mythology, and ancient lore
Empire of Wolves – Courtney Shack
Summary: A witch bound by dark magic must endure a fated arranged marriage to a cursed wolf lord, where their deadly pact forces them into a treacherous dance of love, sacrifice, and court intrigue.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tension-heavy spice, with a blend of passion and spice.
Best Book: A Lady of Roses and Ruin – A perfect blend of expansive worldbuilding, emotional stakes, and romantic depth.The Allium Series – Mallory Benjamin
Summary: A seemingly powerless girl hiding dangerous secrets must survive deadly trials in a dark kingdom where her true identity could mean death—and where the future king’s gaze threatens to unravel everything.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Romance is present but secondary to the epic scope; spice is light and emotional.
Best Book: Lake of Sapphire – The world begins to bloom here with deep mythology and political twists.The Kindred’s Curse – Penn Cole
Summary: A young woman thrust into the dangerous world of divine-descended royalty must unravel deadly secrets and navigate a brutal civil war while contending with a brooding heir whose dark charm ignites a slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Strong romantic tension and a good mix of intimacy and emotional complexity.
Best Book: Spark of the Everflame – Rich world-building with emotionally charged slow-burn romance, and compelling protagonist.The Lochlann Feuds – Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison
Summary: Rowan, a reckless Lochlannian princess caught smuggling vodka and captured by the enemy, must navigate ancient grudges and political turmoil—while resisting the dangerous attraction to her unexpected ally—to save her kingdom from plunging into war.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Political intrigue drives the story, with slow-burn romantic arcs unfolding amidst war.
Best Book: Obsidian Throne – Emotional depth, character development, and satisfying conclusion to the series.Summary: Erik, the scarred king seeking ruthless revenge, kidnaps his enemy’s daughter as a pawn in his dark game—only to find his icy heart threatened by her innocence in a world where pirates, sirens, and fae collide.
Spice Level: 3/5 – High emotional tension, steamy scenes, and undeniable chemistry across enemy lines.
Best Book: The Ever King – Compelling characters, intricate world-building, and intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic.The Moonfall Series – Sarah A. Parker
Summary: In a world shattered by fallen dragon moons, rebel assassin Raeve and haunted king Kaan collide in a deadly game of power, secrets, and survival where the past’s bitter truths threaten to consume them both.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Lush, descriptive, deeply erotic and emotionally devastating spice.
Best Book: When the Moon Hatched – (Book 2 not yet released).The War of Lost Hearts – Carissa Broadbent
Summary: A former slave with fledgling magical powers, must survive a brutal apprenticeship under a reclusive fire wielder while navigating deadly politics and a growing, dangerous attraction that could either save or destroy them both.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Romance is angsty but not overly graphic; high tension, morally gray dynamics.
Best Book: The Daughter of No Worlds – Strong world-building and character development.House of Earth and Blood – Sarah J. Maas
Summary: Devastated by the murder of her closest friends, Bryce Quinlan teams up with the fierce Fallen angel Hunt Athalar to unravel a deadly conspiracy beneath Crescent City’s glittering surface, igniting a passionate alliance that might just save them both.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Angsty, explicit scenes balanced with emotional trauma and slow-burn intimacy.
Best Book: House of Earth and Blood – Best pacing, worldbuilding, and emotional stakes.Hundred Kingdoms – Alexandra Christo
Summary: A ruthless siren turned human as punishment by her vengeful mother, must steal Prince Elian’s heart before the winter solstice to reclaim her powers, but their dangerous alliance forces them both to question who the real enemy is.
Spice Level: 1/5 – Mild spice, heavy on court politics, betrayal, and slow-burn fantasy romance.
Best Book: To Kill a Kingdom – (Considered actually a standalone, the series does have an unrelated book 2).Daughter of the Wood – Demi Clorissa
Summary: A cursed woman with a fiery power, must survive three deadly trials and choose which of five ancient lords to pledge her blood oath to—while battling forbidden desire and dark secrets that threaten her heart and fate.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Slow-burning with a dreamlike, folkloric tone and emotional heat.
Best Book: Blessed by the Maiden – Richest in lore and atmosphere, setting the tone for the series.Fear the Flames – Olivia Rose Darling
Summary: Born with a fiery bond to dragons and forged by betrayal, Princess-turned-queen Elowen teams up with a sharp-tongued enemy commander to pull off a daring heist against the kingdom that once imprisoned her—where vengeance burns hotter than any flame.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High emotional and physical tension, featuring intense, swoony scenes amid battle and magic.
Best Book: Fear the Flames – First book in the series, sequel not yet released.Dark Romantasy & Morally Gray Characters
Antiheroes, brutal politics, monsters as love interests
The Dark Curse Series – Fay Bec
Summary: A cursed young woman seeking her true identity must navigate a treacherous fae world filled with supernatural secrets, dangerous creatures, and a slow-burn romance with a morally grey enemy who might be her fated mate—or her undoing.
Spice Level: 3/5 – High angst and primal tension, with forced proximity, fated mates, and dark magic-laced spice.
Best Book: Seeking Beyond the Flames – Richer world-building, deeper emotional stakes, impactful character development and more spice.Coven of Bones – Harper L. Woods
Summary: A fierce young witch must confront dark secrets, vengeful ghosts, and a brooding headmaster as she's chosen for a deadly magical legacy that could either save or destroy her.
Spice Level: 5/5 – Extremely dark, with intense scenes, possessive dynamics, and morally gray lovers.
Best Book: Coven – Gripping dark academia atmosphere, compelling characters, and intense enemies-to-lovers tension.Deliciously Dark Fairytales – K.F. Breene
Summary: The last dragon prince and cursed shifter captures a trespassing woman who alone holds the power to save their frozen kingdom—but doing so means risking her heart and soul to the beast beneath his skin.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Savage, sexy, and feral.
Best Book: A Ruin of Roses – Sharp-tongued, witty heroine meets beastly love interest in peak enemies-to-lovers.Summary: The duke’s wild daughter Darcy, caught between her noble duties and fierce spirit, becomes the unexpected mate to four dangerous wargen princes—uniting two worlds to face a lurking threat that could destroy them all.
Spice Level: 4/5 – High level of explicit content with open-door scenes.
Best Book: With Fangs and Claws – Dominant spice and morally gray character dynamics shine from book one.Villains of Lore – Jasmine Mas
Summary: A shy foster girl discovers she is a powerful Spartan immortal and must survive brutal trials, deadly mentors, and relentless enemies in a world ruled by god-like Titans to claim her place among the elite.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Antiheroes, villain heat, and spice but emotionally driven scenes.
Best Book: Blood of Hercules – Only book 1 is out right now. Sequel Bonds of Hercules is scheduled to be released 10/28/25.Blood and Salt – Alexis Calder
Summary: A fierce human warrior caught between loyalty and survival must navigate a dangerous alliance—and forbidden desire—with the seductive fae prince who might be the only hope to prevent war and save her people.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Dark romantic tension but slightly more story-forward.
Best Book: Blood and Salt – The original has the highest stakes and emotional weight.The Winners Trilogy – Marie Rutkoski
Summary: A general’s daughter buys a slave who holds dangerous secrets, setting off a chain of rebellion, betrayal, and forbidden love in a morally divided empire.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Minimal on-page spice, but heavy emotional tension and moral ambiguity.
Best Book: The Winner’s Curse – Strongest exploration of politics and complex power dynamics.The Princess Game Duo – Lyra Vincent
Summary: A reluctant ex-foster girl thrust into a dazzling faerie competition to win the heart of an arrogant fae prince discovers that beneath the glamor and rivalry lies a palace—and a prince—far more dangerous and mysterious than she ever imagined.
Spice Level: 3/5 – A slow-burn that intensifies towards the end.
Best Book: The Princess Game – Balances plot, spice, and twisted romance.Lux Series – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: A sharp-tongued teen forced to start over in a small town finds her world flipped upside down when her infuriating alien neighbor marks her with dangerous powers—and a fiery connection that might just save them both.
Spice Level: 2/5 – YA with light-to-mid spice, but lots of tension, banter, and slow-burn buildup.
Best Book: Obsidian– a perfect mix of humor, romance, and sci-fi intrigue.Flesh and Fire – Jennifer Armentrout
Summary: A prequel to From Blood and Ash, this series focuses on Nyktos and Sera’s twisted, fated bond, political power struggles, and divine magic.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Explicit and emotionally raw. Fated mates with a dark, slow-burn edge.
Best Book: A Shadow in the Ember – Tension, plot, and steam in perfect balance.Underrated Romantasy Gems & Unique Vibes
Fresh indie voices, less mainstream but beloved by niche readers
The Bleeding Realms – Ella Dawes
Summary: A scarred and determined beauty disrupts the guarded life of a fierce immortal captain as they navigate growing monstrous threats and a forbidden passion that could ignite their war-torn world in flames.
Spice Level: 4/5 – Tension-driven scenes with enemies-to-lovers heat, primal attraction, and emotional intensity.
Best Book: To Bleed A Kingdom –Intense romance, rich world-building, and gripping action.A Choice of Light and Dark – Lacey Lehotzky
Summary: A princess rescued from a brutal captivity must confront her haunted past and reclaim her stolen power before the merciless ruler of the Night Realm crushes her—and the fragile hope she carries for her people.
Spice Level: 4/5 – A slow-burn, emotionally charged romance with steady, tasteful heat and rich magical atmosphere.
Best Book: Dark – Emotional depth, intense character development, and gripping plot twists.Royals of Embermere – Lucia Ashta
Summary: A hidden royal daughter thrust into a deadly fae tournament must fight for her life—and resist the dangerous allure of her fiercest competitor, the crown’s charming yet treacherous favorite—to claim her rightful place on the throne.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Balanced spice and court intrigue; fated mates with fiery, slow-burn romance.
Best Book: Fae Reckoning – Emotional depth, character development, and satisfying conclusion.The Kingdom of Crows – Olivia Wildenstein
Summary: A magicless halfling scorned by faerie nobility but beloved by beasts, must gather powerful iron relics to fulfill an oracle’s prophecy and dethrone a tyrant—while navigating the dangerous obsession of a faerie prince and the dark forces she unwittingly unleashes.
Spice Level: 2/5 – Slow-burn with lush emotional development; spice is tasteful and tender.
Best Book: Feather – Unique avian lore and deeply moving romantic evolution.Shield of Sparrows – Devney Perry
Summary: A forgotten princess bound by a cursed treaty must journey through deadly lands alongside a warrior she despises, challenging fate and forging her own path to power in a world ruled by monsters and gods.
Spice Level: 2.5/5 – Very slow-burn romance with some open door scenes near the end.
Best Book: Shield of Sparrows – Only book currently out in the series.The Shadows and Crowns Series – S.M. Gaither
Summary: A snarky mercenary joins forces with an infuriatingly handsome captain to uncover the source of a deadly plague—only to stumble into a war between gods, monsters, and an ancient evil threatening to consume the empire.
Spice Level: 3/5 – Enemies-to-lovers tension, angst, and a few explicit scenes.
Best Book: The Queen of the Dawn – Deep emotional arcs and satisfying conclusion.
Wrap-Up: Your Next Romantasy Obsession Awaits
From fae-fueled fantasy to enemies who definitely fall in love, this list of books similar to ACOTAR hits all the right romantasy notes. Whether you're new to the genre or already deep in BookTok territory, there's something here to enchant you.
Note: For more recommendations and updates on upcoming romantasy releases, stay tuned to my blog.
About the Author
I’m a mom of two spirited girls and one oversized Saint Bernard. I have a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin. By day, I work in health care as a Health Literacy expert; by night, I’m off wandering swoony fictional worlds, chasing plot twists and happily-ever-afters. I’ve been in love with the romance genre for as long as I can remember—I've read thousands of love stories and even had my own meet-cute with my library director husband… in a bookstore, of course.
-Frances
Mom Needs A Chapter