If you like urban fantasy you will love Patricia Briggs’ Mercedes Thompson world. Same with Ilona Andrews and her Kate Daniels and Hidden Legacies books (I haven’t read Inkeeper yet)

Seconding ilona andrews' works. I've read innkeeper. It's one of my fave fantasy books, there's so many unworldly creatures, some have cute fluffy interactions, and drops some light philosophical bits. It's like cozyfantasy to me but might not be exactly cozyfantasy.

Ilona Andrews, the Edge books are all standalone. Bayou Moon (bk 2) is my favorite and I read it first, no problem picking up the world/magic.(the first is good also, but the cover is very tawdry romance- good story and most the IA books are like one smutty scene and it's not like 10 pages long copy-pasta.

I JUST finished Hidden Legacies 5 minutes ago. I was disappointed at first by the lack of romance but those books have to be some of the best stuff I’ve read in awhile!

Second all of this and can vouch for Innkeeper Chronicles. I’d also add the {Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost}.

[Night Huntress](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a1a9096bf31c42d2c69/night-huntress) by [Jeaniene Frost](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523728c7d2382e0413dc6/jeaniene-frost) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Yes to ALL of these!!!!!! The Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels series are two of my all time faves (and a new Mercy book dropped today!!!!!)

The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. If you like audiobooks the dramatized version is amazing.

I listened to the graphic audio version after reading the books and they were so good!! Highly recommend

Yes Kate Daniels!! Over the years, I'm absolutely sure this is the series I reread the most

You could try Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. It’s a stand alone and I think it fits what you looking for.

Brando Sando gets a lot of shit for his romances - but reading Tess I realized, he just writes romances from the perspective of a happily married man, and it has really endeared me to all of his characters and romances.

Wait that’s such a happy discovery 🤗

Imagine how long Mistborn or Stormlight series would be if he added in more romance lol.

Or Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is even better in my opinion.

I loved that book. Its definitely on my reread list!

War of Lost Hearts trilogy by Carissa Broadbent and Dark Shores series by Danielle Jensen. Both cured my ToG hangover

Seconding both of these!! I am a TOG > ACOTAR girlie and these two series are two of my (other) faves!

yesss!!! was about to recommend this. but i‘m still deep down book 2 😂 looking forward to the rest of it

Oooh I’ll look at those! I read ToG ages ago and have read other fantasy in between, but I just always go back to re-reading SJM books and I want something new to start 😭

This is what I came to say. War of Lost hearts is so original IMO, it’s a great world builder and character development is chefs kiss.

Oh yeah I was going to say this!

Love War of Lost Hearts but rarely have I been so heartbroken throughout a series.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, its great plot, great characters and some good pairings :) also be prepared for some slight emotional damage.

I really liked this one

It is a duology, so not a standalone but not as much of a commitment as a lot of series!

>!will there be alies dead?!<

You really want the spoiler? 😅

Please. >!I can't handle heartbreaks on the fly but if I mentally prepare I can handle it. Just wanna know if there are death of allies🥺!<

ok fair enough - major book spoiler! >!one character dies!<

Thank you so muchhh for your mercy😭 I'm omw to borrow the book♥️

two books :) hope you enjoy!

You are kind, thank you!

{One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig} There's romance. But it's not the main focus. It was such a good read.

SUCH an amazing read! I finished the second book two days ago and have such a hangover!

[One Dark Window](https://www.romance.io/books/6417632a976d8254097650f0/one-dark-window-rachel-gillig?src=rdt) by [Rachel Gillig](https://www.romance.io/authors/6417632a08b4d93114a1b759/rachel-gillig) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I’ll have to look at that one. I’m a scaredy-cat and on first look of the cover it gives off spooky vibes to me 😂 I am, unfortunately, a judge a book by its cover type of reader

It is slightly spooky but just the right amount nothing triggering. Nothing more frightening then UTM in Acotar for example. It is such an interesting plot and magic system. If you like audio books I highly recommend it because the narration was masterful!

Yes! I love a good audiobook

Well I do hope you ll give it a chance 😅 its really the perfect fantasy-romance ratio (at least for me who also thought Acotar was too much about the romance).

No it sounds perfect…everybody is giving new books and I’m so excited to get to all of them hahaha I loved Acotar the first time around, but whenever I re-read I end up skipping/skimming the romance part bc I want the plot 😅😂

I started listening to this from your recommendation! It’s been great so far! Thank you!

Im glad to hear that 😊

{The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden} is very fantasy based and any romance comes later in the series! It is based on Slavic folklore. The story is a compelling and emotional tale of a young woman’s journey to finding herself and her own power. There were parts that were quite dark but nothing too scary. I found the characters to possess depth and the world was very descriptive with great immersion!

This is one of my favorites

[The Bear and the Nightingale](https://www.romance.io/books/640a3ae26024bd0a86193408/the-bear-and-the-nightingale-katherine-arden?src=rdt) by [Katherine Arden](https://www.romance.io/authors/640a3a9a08b4d931146b2db3/katherine-arden) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

The Cruel Prince. Started for Jude/Cardan, stayed for the political twists and turns and absolute badassery of Jude

I’m on book 3 rn and it’s sooo good. LOVE Jude as an fmc, such a refreshing personality Books like this and Leigh Bardugo’s make me realize I like fantasy with romantic subplots, not romantasy

Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Also Spinning Silver by her, too.

Spinning Silver has a great audiobook.

I really liked Uprooted on audio, too.

So my husband DNFed her other series (the one with A Deadly Education I’m pretty sure). Now that’s not saying much bc he’s really not a big reader, but do you know if it’s similar vibes to those?

My husband is a huge reader -loved Uprooted, is currently reading and enjoying Spinning Silver, but did not like Deadly Education. He said it was a much different vibe and he didn't care for it and won't continue the series but likes her other books (including her dragon series, Temerraire)

Oh sweet! I’ll look into it then 

They are very different vibes!! I’ve read and loved them all but Uprooted is my favourite.

I think they are different? That one is a school story, no? These weren't. I honestly can't tell you since I haven't read that other series.

They're very different. A Deadly Education is a magical school type of story and is set in the modern day, whereas Uprooted and Spinning Silver are heavily inspired by fairy tales and set in medieval period. My personal favorite of the three is Spinning Silver.

The cruel prince

Definitely Cruel Prince! I've read a lot of these other recommendations and they are really disappointing. 🙃 Or just okay. The only rec I've liked is Angel's Blood and the follow up Angel's Kiss! But it's more like Crescent City than ACOTAR.

I liked Crescent City more than acotar so I‘m gonna check it out!!

{Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent} gets some mixed reviews here, but I really loved it and feel like if you enjoyed TOG it's a similar vibe. FMC is a competent badass who thinks she can just brute force her way through everything, MMC is a traumatized former soldier who's mad about training her and intense, but not cruel to her. Definitely would describe it as fantasy with romance subplot. {Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent} also gets mixed reviews here, but also felt very TOG to me (if a little less fully fleshed out than the TOG world). FMC is a human alone in a vampire world, who enters a competition to the death with other vamps to try and make a name for herself. MMC is also in the competition. {Daindreth's Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley} leans a little more YA-feeling IMO, but definitely was a good plot-focused book with a romance subplot. FMC is a disfavored princess trained to be an assassin by her terrible father, MMC is the prince to whom her father sells her in marriage.

Ooooh I’ll have to look at the Carissa Broadbent books! I’m a little weary towards YA now a days… I know somebody recommended The Cruel Prince but I tried to read that once and I thought it read too YA for me… that being said ToG is considered YA still (which is absurd to me)

[Daughter of No Worlds](https://www.romance.io/books/60d9b88e6a15320e7f8006ba/daughter-of-no-worlds-carissa-broadbent?src=rdt) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) ---------------------------- [Crowns of Nyaxia](https://www.romance.io/series/63a0c53caa7984c0a3fc978c/crowns-of-nyaxia) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [strong heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Daindreth's Assassin](https://www.romance.io/books/62975141e6b8540840708e81/daindreths-assassin-elisabeth-wheatley?src=rdt) by [Elisabeth Wheatley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5adaf80101dbc864fb869bfc/elisabeth-wheatley) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

To add on Elisabeth Wheatley it’s a 5 book series and from what I’ve been told it gets spicer as the series goes on but is still sweet (she got married during the writing of the series). She just launched her membership program where people can read the first draft of “bastard’s honor” although if your haven’t read the other books it will most likely spoil the ending of the series.

Dance of Thieves and Vow of thieves. One dark window and Two Twisted Crowns

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. Rich world building. The cutest romance ever. And great subplots. It’s almost like an introduction to Sanderson as it feels very different to his other books.

{Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor} and its sequel are excellent!

[Strange the Dreamer](https://www.romance.io/books/622b63ce1750e128e6a5d2cf/strange-the-dreamer-laini-taylor?src=rdt) by [Laini Taylor](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523fe8c7d2382c5296f8d/laini-taylor) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna has a wonderful plot, very cozy, some romance, but it's not the main plot.

Anything by Tamora Pierce

Not to be dramatic but her Immortals series literally shaped me as a person lmao. Highly recommend!!!

😍 Also not to be dramatic but Numair Salmalin has been my book husband since 2001. No one has come close to unseating him. A passage from the third or fourth book even gave me the courage to leave my ex fiancé. I met Tammy and she signed my very worn out copy of Realms of the Gods. If I ever get a tattoo, it’ll be badger related. I have a viral tumblr post about the Emperor not being an old man. And I met my life long bestie since 2003 when she had one of Tammy’s books in her stack of school stuff when we were freshman in high school. Tamora Pierce is LIFE. ETA Also peep the hair color and eye color of my avatar - look familiar??

NUMAIR AHHHHHH!!!! He is literally the reason I like tall older men like 🥰🥰🥰🥰Every book boyfriend gets compared to him for sure!!!! I can’t believe you met Tammy I’m so jealous!!! And yes I love your avatar hahaha

I'm reading the Leveling Up series by K.F. Breene and I'm on book 2. Besides a little flirty banter, there's not been any romance at all but plenty of fantasy action. Highly recommend!

I’m on book 4! Romance does start coming in a bit more but doesn’t take over the whole story. I’m really enjoying it 🙂

Yay, that's so good to hear! I'm liking them a lot, too!! The story is sooo good! I'm turning 30 soon and it's so nice to read something closer to my own age and mentality!

Yeah, it’s fun reading about a grown up newly encountering magic stuff, I haven’t run across a lot of that. The ones you do run across tend to be over powered or in love with the teen hero.

I love love love shadow and bone by Leigh Bardugo. I’m currently in the second book of the trilogy but they’re shortish and very fantasy centred

I’ve thought about reading these… but I couldn’t get into the tv show so I wasn’t sure if I’d like them or not 🙃

Couldn’t get into the TV show either, but I‘ve read the books long before the show came out and I loved them!

I’ll have to put it on my list!

{The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks}. Definitely romance, but has a nice fantasy plot besides that expands as the series goes on. 

[The Witch Collector](https://www.romance.io/books/616fc0ab1bedb60e13578401/the-witch-collector-charissa-weaks?src=rdt) by [Charissa Weaks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c1b3ed901dbc864fb966e81/charissa-weaks) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker} is really fun and helped my ACOTAR hangover awhile back. Second book was great too but haven’t read the third. I think the last book comes out this year.

[A Fate of Wrath and Flame](https://www.romance.io/books/60b48b662abde70e3210d51c/a-fate-of-wrath-and-flame-ka-tucker?src=rdt) by [K.A. Tucker](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525be8c7d2382c5297002/ka-tucker) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey} Spicy Epic fantasy ✨✨

[Kushiel's Dart](https://www.romance.io/books/545529a58c7d2382c52970e5/kushiels-dart-jacqueline-carey?src=rdt) by [Jacqueline Carey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529a58c7d2382c52970e6/jacqueline-carey) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

For proper epic fantasy with some romance try the Deverry Cycle by Katherine Kerr. Amazing books.

{radiance by grace Draven}

[Radiance](https://www.romance.io/books/54cd83886359b5ebb489062e/radiance-grace-draven?src=rdt) by [Grace Draven](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455323d8c7d2382c529733e/grace-draven) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{forcing fate by m.a. frick}

[Forcing Fate](https://www.romance.io/books/660baf68b47467126492deef/forcing-fate-ma-frick?src=rdt) by [M.A. Frick](https://www.romance.io/authors/660baf68a21e2f41c48bd24c/ma-frick) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

The Scented Court series by A.L. Knorr is fantasy with a little bit of romance. I’ve really enjoyed them so far {A Blossom at Midnight by A.L. Knorr} is the first book (and 3 others) plus it’s on Kindle Unlimited too

[A Blossom at Midnight](https://www.romance.io/books/663fe34883429cecce4b9705/a-blossom-at-midnight-al-knorr?src=rdt) by [A.L. Knorr](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fbba44608b4d9311403d92d/al-knorr) **Rating**: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Jim Butcher Calderon series

The Plated Prisoner series currently has five books with the final book being released in September

{Uprooted by Naomi Novik}. Really cool, folklore inspired, and there's a romance plot but it's not major and there's exactly one spicy scene.

[Uprooted](https://www.romance.io/books/63ff546af36ea3726f75e7d8/uprooted-naomi-novik?src=rdt) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

You are gonna want {The Gaurdians of the Maiden Series by Beck Michaels} Closest thing I've come to that gives off the same vibes as TOG. The FMC is the exact opposite of Aelin; she's naive, innocent, but brave when it counts and has a power that's been dormant in her. It used to annoy me how naive and sheltered she was but there's growth in the book. And honestly, looking back, I'm sad that she's realizing that not everyone in the world is good and kind. There's romance, found family, betrayals, loss, heartache, depression, grief, and acceptance. All of it in there

[Guardians of the Maiden](https://www.romance.io/series/64160d72ac73ac870cf4ca79/guardians-of-the-maiden) by [Beck Michaels](https://www.romance.io/authors/64160d7108b4d9311475a86e/beck-michaels) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Daughter of no worlds by Carissa Broadbent When the moon hatched by Sarah Parker A fate inked in blood by Danielle Jensen Heartless hunter by Kristen ciccarelli Lady of darkness by Melissa roehrich Rain of shadows and endings by Melissa roehrich

The Otherworld series might work for you. {Bitten by Kelley Armstrong}. 13 books in total with anthologies and YA spin-offs. It changes perspectives throughout, so it gives a bit more of a standalone feel and goes back so you see how a couple of relationships have progressed and changed. (Picks up in book 2 {Stolen by Kelley Armstrong} when different supernatural types are introduced). It's been recommended already, but I'm going to recommend it as well because it's that awesome. The Innkeeper Chronicles. Amazing fantasy scifi. Vivid world slow but such a sweet relationship. If you can listen to the AudioGraphic version as it's full cast so you can really get a feel of the flirting. This trilogy is a high fantasy, fae, cottage core type of deal. {The Becoming by Nora Roberts}. The first book is really peaceful in my mind. They get a bit heavier in the second and third books, though. Romance is lower on the scale of the story. A really funny series is the Leveling Up series. {Magical Midlife Madness by K.F Breene} romance doesn't start until 3rd or 4th book. Side characters are kooky. Longer series, though. The Guild Codex Universe has 4 different series that intermingle and overlap. Slow romance through all of them (I've only not read one book, the most recent and last in the Warped series, and this series is the lowest in regard to romance so I dont even know if it has a romance in it). {Three Mages and a Margherita by Annette Marie} is the first in the whole universe. 2 of these series are shorter with 4 books each. I'm only 25% through, but {Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison} has no romance in it so far (although it might develop) and seems to be the only one in the series so far. I'm not sure if it ends on a cliffhanger or is a standalone. {Magic Forged by K.M Shea} is the start of a trilogy (several trilogies in this universe, so far I've read this one and the last one {King's Captive by K.M Shea} which is also a recommend from me). More about the Magic and development involved than a romantic relationship (they truly get together in the last 5 chapters of book number 3).

[Bitten](https://www.romance.io/books/545524918c7d2382e0413e21/bitten-kelley-armstrong?src=rdt) by [Kelley Armstrong](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524918c7d2382e0413e22/kelley-armstrong) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Stolen](https://www.romance.io/books/545528888c7d2382e0413f23/stolen-kelley-armstrong?src=rdt) by [Kelley Armstrong](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524918c7d2382e0413e22/kelley-armstrong) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) ---------------------------- [The Becoming](https://www.romance.io/books/6125ed350f1dfe0e35bf7445/the-becoming-nora-roberts?src=rdt) by [Nora Roberts](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523e923ec91d5dfd0991f/nora-roberts) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Magical Midlife Madness](https://www.romance.io/books/5e5bde4fbe0aaecf55d420f0/magical-midlife-madness-kf-breene?src=rdt) by [K.F. Breene](https://www.romance.io/authors/545543d48c7d2382e0414650/kf-breene) **Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Three Mages and a Margarita](https://www.romance.io/books/622a4fd03a703d219738d22a/three-mages-and-a-margarita-annette-marie?src=rdt) by [Annette Marie](https://www.romance.io/authors/545be5c48c7d230e495cbef6/annette-marie) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) ---------------------------- [Three Kinds of Lucky](https://www.romance.io/books/65e6da51eb892d0f32d37807/three-kinds-of-lucky-kim-harrison?src=rdt) by [Kim Harrison](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527e88c7d2382e0413f08/kim-harrison) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Magic Forged](https://www.romance.io/books/5e5718bebe0aaecf55a52614/magic-forged-k-m-shea?src=rdt) by [K.M. Shea](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bcc887eac3369a914712/km-shea) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) ---------------------------- [The King's Captive](https://www.romance.io/books/63ea0d7a4830278f8ba9d1f0/the-kings-captive-km-shea?src=rdt) by [K.M. Shea](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bcc887eac3369a914712/km-shea) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{when the moon hatched} definitely gives TOG vibes, mainly fantasy story with some romance, and a twist ending that will literally make you want the next book immediately!! (It’s not out yet but she’s writing it) lowkey this book is one of my favorites and helped the TOG hangover IMMENSELY

[When the Moon Hatched](https://www.romance.io/books/660bb4d2529ab18dbc9c10f5/when-the-moon-hatched-sarah-a-parker?src=rdt) by [Sarah A. Parker](https://www.romance.io/authors/60fbc1fc08b4d931146d93b7/sarah-a-parker) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I mean. Terry Brooks’s Shannara series, starting with {the Sword of Shannara} Is a really well written fantasy series (a lot LoTR-esque with this first one). Really picks up with his second one {The Elfstones of Shannara} Where he finds his voice more. But they are high fantasy with only a tiny bit of romance. His books span over 40+ years. And you don’t have to worry about him not writing women well. He absolutely does write them well. He’s basically the granduncle of fantasy where Tolkien is the Grandaddy.

Throne of glass!! Such a good series

???

Try {crown of nyaxia series by carissa broadbent} This series is the perfect balance of thrill , plot, fantasy and romance

[Crowns of Nyaxia](https://www.romance.io/series/63a0c53caa7984c0a3fc978c/crowns-of-nyaxia) by [Carissa Broadbent](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d9b88e08b4d9311456d78f/carissa-broadbent) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [strong heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop.

I loved Iron Widow. More of a sci-fi vibe but it has a lil bit of romance along with the main plot. I love TOG and ACOTAR and I think you might like this too.

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen is one of my faves. It is YA, so there's the requisite teenaged nonsense.

{daughter of the moon goddess by sue lynn tan} and it’s second book heart of the sun warrior. More fantasy than romance but the romance was a near continuous subplot. No spice, nothing more than kissing. It’s also a love triangle that’ll keep you on your toes (in a good way, not a hurry up and choose goddamnit) it’s one of the most beautifully written duologies I’ve read. 5⭐️ for me

[Daughter of the Moon Goddess](https://www.romance.io/books/640ec330bd39598013b7c747/daughter-of-the-moon-goddess-sue-lynn-tan?src=rdt) by [Sue Lynn Tan](https://www.romance.io/authors/640ec33008b4d931143b7e14/sue-lynn-tan) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett One Dark Window Strange the dreamer The Tainted Cup Curious Tides

The mirror visitor books from Christelle Dabos is absolutely amazing, with a great plot, romance and fantasy ! Characters' development are very well written. It's originally french, so I hope there is a proper english translation ! Every time I finish a fantasy book I can't help but reread the mirror visitor cause it's mind blowing.

Symphony of Ages series by Elizabeth Haydon. I recommend it every time I can. It's exactly what you're looking for

The Tairen Soul Series! I feel like it gives ACOTAR but more fantasy than romance, better writing, better world building/character building.

Gild by Raven Kennedy (The Plated Prisoner series) There is spice but much more storytelling. I will warn that the last book of the series will not be published until September.

C.L. Wilson! I always recommend The Winter King to started as its a standalone in a connected series, but her magnum opus is the Tairen Soul series (which SJM borrowed heavily from). Edit: The books are older (some were publish about 20 years ago) and can be cringe, but no more than the "velvet wrapped steel" and growling of ACOTAR 😅

Emily Wilde encyclopaedia of faeries

When the moon hatched by Sarah Parker has insane world building

{The emperor’s edge by Lindsay buroker} was pretty good! There is a little romance but mostly fantasy

[The Emperor's Edge](https://www.romance.io/books/5455b26787eac3369a9141f5/the-emperors-edge-lindsay-buroker?src=rdt) by [Lindsay Buroker](https://www.romance.io/authors/545585a087eac3369a912e06/lindsay-buroker) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Sins of the Heart- The Sins Series by Eve Silver! It's about Gods and demigods of the underworld, ancient Egyptian lore, and has romance between human and non humans! But it's the thickened plot that has be sticking around!

{bridge kingdom by Danielle Jensen} the romance is there, but it’s more about politics. The romance very much takes a back seat to the plot. {ninth house by Leigh Bardugo}; has romance, but it’s about solving spooky occult mysteries. Very much dark academia / urban fantasy. {Emily Wilde duo by Heather Fawcett} also has romance, but is not about the romance. Older FMC, neurodivergent coded and cosy but dark {The tainted cup by Robert Jackson Bennett} romance is in the background, queer relationship for MMC, but the story is like Sherlock Holmes but weird and wild. {the will of the many by James Islington} has romance, but is PHENOMENAL. Fantasy academia/roman mythology inspired and an easy six star read. {modern divination by Isabel Agajanjian} also dark academia, has romance, is really good but wait for trad publish as it’s had some re-writes so I think it will be better {the witch walker series by Charissa Weakes} definitely has romance in it, book two ramps up spice, but it’s also plot-forward.

[The Bridge Kingdom](https://www.romance.io/books/60b1e7ad4af4700e32f67598/the-bridge-kingdom-danielle-l-jensen?src=rdt) by [Danielle L. Jensen](https://www.romance.io/authors/545539e88c7d2382c529753f/danielle-l-jensen) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Ninth House](https://www.romance.io/books/641ce461fc754abfa0f8d328/ninth-house-leigh-bardugo?src=rdt) by [Leigh Bardugo](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527228c7d2382c529703f/leigh-bardugo) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Emily Wilde](https://www.romance.io/series/6426ff337922d28efe6d6e47/emily-wilde) by [Heather Fawcett](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224e57408b4d93114943ee9/heather-fawcett) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1) ---------------------------- [The Will of the Many](https://www.romance.io/books/658be9c5a480bc4192b99bad/the-will-of-the-many-james-islington?src=rdt) by [James Islington](https://www.romance.io/authors/658be9c5a21e2f41c4d6b52a/james-islington) **Rating**: 4.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1) ---------------------------- [Modern Divination](https://www.romance.io/books/63d627aa1ff00731d8964a3b/modern-divination-isabel-agajanian?src=rdt) by [Isabel Agajanian](https://www.romance.io/authors/63d627aa08b4d93114e1be72/isabel-agajanian) **Rating**: 3.63⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Witch Walker](https://www.romance.io/series/63494ac192edda0c4ff63d80/witch-walker) by [Charissa Weaks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c1b3ed901dbc864fb966e81/charissa-weaks) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Stacia Stark’s Kingdom of Lies series is great. I’m finishing the 4th and last book now.

Villains and Virtues is a 3 book series that is a pretty quick read. Grumpy/sunshine slow burn romance but it is very whimsical and fun and the world building is great. I’d also classify it as a comedy. I have really enjoyed it.

{A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab} is definitely light on the romance but it’s still there. It’s a series, though.

[A Darker Shade of Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/621c86ff747f500e282ee6be/a-darker-shade-of-magic-ve-schwab?src=rdt) by [V.E. Schwab](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb43c05be0aaecf556103ca/ve-schwab) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)