Five romantasy book series' to get your heart racing if you loved ACOTAR
As we wait for the next A Court of Thorns and Roses instalment, we've found five romantasy recommendations that'll sweep you into a spicy situationship that won't leave you high and dry this summer
The viral romantasy (a combination of romance and fantasy) book series, A Court of Thorns and Roses - better known as ACOTAR - has been confirmed to release its sixth book between the tail-end of 2025 to 2026. Whilst you wait, here's five recommendations for series that are just as good summer escapes.
With over 200 billion views on BookTok, a steamy holiday romance and adventure is guaranteed to be yours with these addictive and trending reads that will get your heart racing!
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The winner of Goodreads Choice Award for Readers' Favourite Romance in 2020, this dark romance questions gender roles and duty, as protagonist Poppy between maidenhood and fighting to defend her Kingdom. Full of vampires, monsters, gods, and a steamy enemies-to-lovers trope with a golden-eyed guard, it's no surprise this series continues to be raved about.
READ MORE: Romance is in the air as new London bookshop selling only 'spicy novels' opens
From Blood and Ash boast nearly 69,000 reviews on Goodreads and is rated 4.22 out of five - any Romantasy reader would like those chances!
Phantasma: The Wicked Games trilogy by Kaylie smith
Said to be a medley of ACOTAR and BookTok favourite Caraval, Phantasma is the first in a trilogy of a dark fantasy adventure. With an intense romance, a morally grey heart-throb and unexpected plot twists, Phantasma is a brilliant choice for those who loved Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent.
Rated more than four stars on Amazon and Goodreads, the complex characters and inescapable tension is sure to set your summer alight.
Godkiller, Fallen Gods trilogy by Hannah Kaner
Godkiller is a personal favourite, with brilliant world building and imagery right from page one. Kaner's characters are lovable, wholesome and total feminist icons. Full of assassins, gods and handsome knights, this epic quest is a definite page-turner and uniquely written.
Furthermore, Kaner's world is queer-casual and here to stay as an instant Sunday Times Bestseller - the Daily Mail calling the first instalment: "A wonderful, gritty, explosively violent, and beautifully realised debut". It is also available on QueerLit.
Ember in The Ashes, Ember Quartet series by Sabaa Tahir
The Young Adult fantasy series is smart social commentary inspired on Ancient Rome's Centuria, and follows the character arc of a young Laia, a girl from a hunted minority group, and a leading soldier named Elias as their paths cross and entwine as they fight the corruption of their empire.
If you loved Divergent and The Hunger Games as a teen, this resurgence of Dystopian literature will consume you - a perfect choice for those who love Fantasy just as much as Romance. I couldn't put them down!
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Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Now made into a popular Netflix series starring the dreamy Ben Barnes, Shadow and Bone is a series that refuses to let you go. Set in the Grimshaverse, this three-part series explores the dark and dangerous 'rip' in the country Ravka that swallows light and where no person survives. When Alina, a military cartographer and orphan unlocks her Grimsha gift that she repressed as a child, her world changes overnight.
The Shadow and Bone series is imaginative, romantic and full of yearning and childhood romance. Whilst a Young Adult series, the novels stand the test of time and was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards for Readers' Favourite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in 2012.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The 461-billion dollar wedding: How riches of the Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' guest list tot up to more than the GDP of South Africa, Bangladesh or Denmark
It has been described as the 'wedding of the century', with Michelin star food, foam parties and more stars than the Oscars. But as 200 VIP guests descended on the the church at Giorgio Maggiore, the one kilometre square island would host a total wealth worth more than the entire GDP of South Africa, Bangladesh or Denmark. Bride and groom Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez alone are worth a staggering $263.8billion, more than the total value of all goods and services produced in New Zealand. And as the world's wealthiest men and women gathered in the 16th-century basilica to celebrate the Amazon mogul's nuptials, they brought together a total wealth of more than $461billion. The GDP of South Africa is a lowly $380billion by comparison - while Denmark is $407billion and Bangladesh is $437billion. Greece, at $243billion, is only just more than half as much. They included tech billionaires, reality TV dynasties and legends of film and TV - who danced away among the glittering Venetian canals until the early hours of this morning. Reportedly costing $20million and stirring fury among the local residents, stars were treated to a $1,000-a-head meal while there was a strict no-phone policy at the 'extremely intimate' affair. Here MailOnline looks at some of the top big-hitters, and how the world's wealthiest man managed to attract more than ten times the wealth needed to end world hunger to the pews of an Italian church: As 200 VIP guests descended on the the church at Giorgio Maggiore, the one kilometre square island would host a total wealth worth more than the entire GDP of South Africa , Bangladesh or Denmark Bezos' $461bn guestlist: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez: $263.8bn Bill Gates: $117bn Miguel Bezos: $30bn Francois-Henri Pinault: $18.5bn Barry Diller: $4.2bn Josh Kushner: $3.8bn Oprah Winfrey: $3.1bn Domenico Dolce: $2.4bn Stefano Gabbana: $2.4bn Lachlan Murdoch: $2.1bn Kim Kardashian: $1.7bn Sam Altman: $1.7bn Diane von Furstenberg: $1.2bn Jerry Seinfeld: $1.1bn Scooter Braun: $1bn Ari Emanuel: $1bn Jared Kushner: $900m Crown Prince of Jordan, Hussein bin Abdullah: $750m Kylie Jenner: $670m Tom Brady: $530m Tommy Hilfiger: $450m Brian Grazer: $400m Leonardo DiCaprio: $300m Kris Jenner: $200m Ted Sarandos: $200m Usher: $180m Wendy Ding: $100m Gayle King: $80m Barack Obama: $70m Khloe Kardashian: $60m Kendall Jenner: $60m Ivanka Trump: $50m Tony Gonzalez: $50m Orlando Bloom: $40m Karlie Kloss: $40m Sydney Sweeney: $40m Queen Rania of Jordan: $35m Ellie Goulding: $30m Corey Gamble: $15m Jewel Kilcher: $14m Edward Enninful: $9m Sarah Staudinger: $3m Sara Foster: $3m Sarah Jane Nader: $2m Guilherme Siqueira: $1.5m The celebs With glamour and gliz the key factors of the Venice spectacular, hoards of celebrities descended on the historic centre for the big day. Oprah Winfrey, 71, showed off her slimmed-down figure as she travelled across with her pal Gayle King. The TV personality, worth $3.1billion, flaunted her toned curves after dropping the pounds using weight-loss drug Ozempic. Gayle, 70, is herself worth $80million and seems to have been brought as the media mogul's plus one. Orlando Bloom, worth $40million, set pulses racing as he travelled to Venice as one of the world's most eligible bachelors, having recently split from fiancée Katy Perry. The star, whose former partner is putting on a brave face while touring Australia with their daughter Daisy, four, was spotted smiling with a series of glamorous women as he made the most of the celebrations. Jerry Seinfeld, worth $1.1bn, looked smart in black tie as he was seen leaving The Gritti Palace and joining fellow A-list guests on a water taxi alongside his glamorous wife Jessica. DiCaprio, worth $300million, covered his face with a black cap throughout the weekend as he attended the wedding with his stunning girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti The cookbook author beamed in a sparkling gown as they patiently waited outside the 15th century palazzo. Tom Brady, who has a net worth of $530million, risked an awkward-run in with his former flame Brooks Nader as they were both among the flocks of A-listers arriving in Venice. But the NFL star - who is also currently single - was seen enjoying a swim, cocktails and lunch during a lads' day out at the Hotel Cipriani - alongside Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Scooter Braun and Edward Enninful. The group ordered tequila, did laps of the pool and stayed under the radar as they seemed in good spirits at one of Venice's most luxury hotels. DiCaprio, worth $300million, covered his face with a black cap throughout the weekend as he attended the wedding with his stunning girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti. The model, 27, who has been dating the 50-year-old Hollywood actor for two years, was all smiles as she left the Gritti Palace Hotel before being helped into a water taxi in an elegant black dress. And American sweetheart Sydney Sweeney, 27, is said to have stolen the show as a source claimed she was the 'most sought after person' during the festivities. Worth $40million, she confirmed her split from fiancé Jonathan Davino earlier this year. Brady was reportedly seen chatting her up at the hotel bar over the course of the multi-day lavish wedding extravaganza while she wowed guests with her 'down to Earth' and 'fun' personality, in addition to her stunning looks Pregnant Karlie Kloss, worth $40million, exhuded summery glamour as the 32-year-old supermodel also alighted on the Italian city, while expecting her third child by her husband Joshua Kushner The hitmaker, who is worth $30million, looked nothing short of sensational in a plunging nude gown covered in royal blue sequins in an intricate floral pattern Brady was reportedly seen chatting her up at the hotel bar over the course of the multi-day lavish wedding extravaganza while she wowed guests with her 'down to Earth' and 'fun' personality, in addition to her stunning looks. Wearing a strapless pink dress that featured a ruched bodice, she styled her signature blonde locks with beachy waves on the big day. Pregnant Karlie Kloss, worth $40million, exhuded summery glamour as the 32-year-old supermodel also alighted on the Italian city, while expecting her third child by her husband Joshua Kushner. And Ellie Goulding, 38, made an unexpected arrival at the first day of the highly-anticipated three-day nuptials, surprising fans as no connection between her and the bride and groom has been made publicly known. The hitmaker, who is worth $30million, looked nothing short of sensational in a plunging nude gown covered in royal blue sequins in an intricate floral pattern. The reality dynasty The stunning wedding was a prime location for the Kardashians - who united to celebrate their billionaire friends with suitable eccentricity. Late last night as the party wrapped, photographers captured Kim and Khloe Kardashian making a speedy getaway in a waiting water taxi. The bleary-eyed sisters, true to form, posed for the cameras as the boat set sail - throwing up peace signs and making duck faces at the awaiting lenses. A little while later, their supermodel sister Kendall Jenner made her own escape, weaving through the city's canals and posing against the breathtaking backdrop of Italy's finest architecture. This morning Kim and Khloe were spotted wearing casual ensembles as they made a low-key exit from the Italian city, presumably to board a private flight back to Los Angeles. She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of white stiletto heels as she strutted her stuff to board a boat They both snapped selfies as they made the most of their time in Venice, though they dashed off the next day Kendall Jenner (pictured) made her own escape from the wedding, weaving through the city's canals and posing against the breathtaking backdrop of Italy's finest architecture Their mother Kris, 69, and sisters Kendall, 29, and Kylie, 27, were nowhere in sight as the duo headed out of Venice, as they appeared to be staying in the city for longer. It comes despite the celebrations are far from over, with the festivities slated to continue at the Arsenale di Venezia on Saturday night. The reality star family hit the shops as they celebrated Khloe Kardashian's 41st birthday in Venice. And Kim was mocked as she couldn't seem to stay off her phone, snapping selfies nonstop throughout the day. She even slipped in a sizzling SKIMS promo, flaunting an animal print bikini on social media. Kim Kardashian is worth $1.7billion, with Kylie Jenner close behind at $670million. Kris Jenner has a reported $200million while Kendall and Khloe are worth $60million. The tech billionaires Among the wealthiest guests at the Gates-Sanchez wedding were Jeff's fellow tech billionaires, who made soaring profits from revolutionary new computers and systems. Bill Gates - the inventor of Microsoft and the world's third richest man - was among the masses, lending his $117billion fortune to the total. Before the big day the 69-year-old was spotted in a casual black polo shirt and shorts as he explored the lagoon city with his girlfriend Paula Hurd, 62. For the wedding itself he shed the Silicon Valley-esq dress and looked smart in black tie, mingling outside the church entrance. Third on the rich list is Miguel Bezos - Jeff's adoptive father - who gave their son $245,573 in the mid-1990s as he crowdfunded to start his now-famous online store. Their fortune is now said to be worth £30billion as Amazon rocketed to success. Third on the rich list is Miguel Bezos - Jeff's adoptive father - who gave their son $245,573 in the mid-1990s as he crowdfunded to start his now-famous online store. Pictured: Leaving the Aman Hotel on his wedding day Barry Diller, who founded the internet and media conglomerate IAC, is now worth $4.2billion - with successes including the launch of online travel giant Expedia and The Daily Beast. OpenAI founder Sam Altman also made the list despite being just 40. As one of the leading figures in the AI boom, he has made an estimated $1.7billion. Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, was a further addition, with a less considerable $200million dwarfed by his fellow tech-bros. The fashion moguls Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is said to have 'gasped' when he set eyes on Lauren Sanchez in her stunning bespoke Dolce & Gabbana gown. So it perhaps made sense that both Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana - both worth $2.4billion - were in attendance to see their creation in action. The elaborate wedding dress contained lacy, floral sleeves, a tight bodice, high neckline, long flowing skirt with an enormous train, and buttons down the front. Dolce looked classy as he attended the wedding, pairing a black jacket and shirt with a statement, bedazzled necklace. Gabbana, dressed down as he left the Gritti Palace, was immaculate in a matching black polo shirt and trousers, with a smart black belt. CEO of Kering Francois-Henri Pinault, who was once married to Hollywood bombshell Salma Hayek, also looked smart in black tie as he paired the look with black sunglasses. Domenico Dolce travels on a boat on the second day of the wedding festivities of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez Gabbana, dressed down as he left the Gritti Palace, was immaculate in a matching black polo shirt and trousers, with a smart black belt CEO of Kering Francois-Henri Pinault, who was once married to Hollywood bombshell Salma Hayek, also looked smart in black tie as he paired the look with black sunglasses Tommy Hilfiger nearly took a tumble during Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding extravaganza in Venice on Friday Read More The WORST dressed celebs from Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos wedding day in Venice Pinault, who is worth $18.5billion, took the reins of his father's retail conglomerate Pinault-Printemps-Redoute in 2005, with the company owning brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. Tommy Hilfiger left fellow guests worried as he nearly took a tumble during the celebrations on Friday. The fashion designer, 74, who is worth $450million, tripped while trying to get into a water taxi and narrowly avoided falling into the water in front of the newlyweds and all of their other A-list wedding guests. In the video, he is seen walking ahead of quarterback Tom Brady and chatting with those around him before stumbling and nearly falling face first into the canal. An assistant helped steady the designer who then laughs off the misstep and continues on his way. He appeared to have lost his footing more than once but shrugged it off and threw up a peace sign to onlookers. Ex-editor of British Vogue Edward Enninful, who is worth $9million, was also seen laughing and joking with other celebrities as they enjoyed the long weekend. It comes after a heady week for the title - who today shared the insider interview with new bride Lauren Sanchez. On Thursday, Anna Wintour announced she was stepping down from one of her roles at Vogue after 37 years. The statesmen And among some of the wealthiest in the world, some of the biggest names in global politics. Barack Obama was on the guest list, despite having last year been at loggerheads with the groom over how his plans for space travel will affect the Earth's future. The former President, who is worth a reported $70million, chastised Silicon Valley's huge rocket projects, saying 'I would rather us invest in taking care of this planet here.' Members of the Trump family attended the event, including the First Daughter Ivanka and husband Jared Kushner She threatened to steal the show with a bridal dress that retails for $9,990 Donning the Oscar de la Renta outfit for the rehearsal dinner, she ignited security concerns after she posted a photo of her hotel room number alongside several pictures of herself and husband Jared Kushner in their formal attire The Crown Prince of Jordan, Hussein bin Abdullah also made a rare appearance to go to the Bezos wedding with their baby daughter He was joined in Venice by members of the Trump family, including the First Daughter Ivanka, who threatened to steal the show with a bridal dress that retails for $9,990. Donning the Oscar de la Renta outfit for the rehearsal dinner, she ignited security concerns after she posted a photo of her hotel room number alongside several pictures of herself and husband Jared Kushner in their formal attire. Ivanka is with $50million, while Jared's wealth tops $900million. Jared's younger brother, businessman and investor Josh Kushner who is worth $3.8billion, was also in attendance. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince of Jordan, Hussein bin Abdullah also made a rare appearance to go to the Bezos wedding with their baby daughter. Worth an estimated $750million, the future King of Jordan looked stylish in a relaxed fit as he left the airport while little Iman looked adorable in a special white summer dress.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's £48m wedding as guests leave early
Branded by some as the 'wedding of the century', Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his new wife Lauren Sanchez splashed out £48million on their big day - small change to the man worth £180 billion Amazon founder Jeff Bezos married his partner of eight years Lauren Sanchez yesterday, with the pair saying their 'I dos' in a £48million star-studded ceremony. Despite threats and protests by anti-capitalists and locals, the day went ahead - although some famous faces didn't hang about, opting for an early dart. The 25-minute wedding ceremony saw the pair exchange vows in front of around 200 guests, including a number of high-profile celebrities. In attendance were the Kardashian-Jenners, Orlando Bloom and Oprah Winfrey, as well as Ivanka Trump and her family. Rania Al Abdullah, the Queen of Jordan also watched on, as did supermodels, actors and business-people. Guests were welcomed by a gospel choir, with the singers performing a rendition of Whitney Houston's Higher Love as the bride and groom entered. Most guests partied well into the early hours of Saturday, but some celebs slipped away early. Kim and Khloe Kardashian left the do early and had already left the country by the time some of the other guests woke up, having being spotted at Venice airport early on Saturday morning. The remaining guests will be celebrating once again on Saturday, when another party is expected to mark what is being described as the 'wedding of the century'. Some of the freebies handed out to guests raised eyebrows though, with Lauren's gift to her party branded "shameless". Jeff kept his favours fancy, giving his male guests ViBi Venezia blue velvet slippers. But Sanchez partook in some shameless marketing, handing out black open-toe slippers from Amazon, promoting the business empire that made her now-husband a billionaire. But while she may have scrimped slightly on the guest's slippers, she made sure no expense was spared for her own attire - donning no less than three dresses for the day. Her wedding gown for the main event was a Dolce & Gabbana number, which reportedly took more the 900 hours to make. The long-sleeved gown had a corseted waist and turtle-neck design, with a mermaid-style skirt. The sophisticated gown boasted 180 hand-finished buttons, covered in silk chiffon, which trailed all the way down the train of the gown. To welcome guests to the wedding reception, legendary singer Andrea Bocelli's son Matteo performed. He belted out a version of Elvis Presley's song I Can't Help Falling in Love With You. Despite their wedding taking place in Venice with their celebrity pals and family, their legal wedding actually took place weeks ago. According to a well-placed insider involved in the event planning, they said: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.' Although this week's events have been billed as the wedding, the source added it's for show. They said: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married." Because the legal marriage has already occurred, there was no need for a license in Italy. 'There is no application for a wedding licence from the couple because it was not required. Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. "Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning," they told Mail Online. The same source added that Bezos himself confirmed the legal union and noted the pair had arranged a prenuptial agreement to safeguard his $244 billion fortune. Bezos and Sánchez reportedly married privately in the U.S., well before the high-profile Venetian celebration began.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
The Bezos-Sanchez nuptials are almost enough to turn me into a socialist
I do not wish to be a party pooper but isn't there something uniquely grotesque about Jeff Bezos's wedding? And I'm not just referring to his bride Lauren Sanchez's cosmetically-enhanced face. The multi billionaire couple have taken over Venice for their seemingly never ending nuptials, which are being attended by 200 guests, including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio. The fest was supposed to be the epitome of refinement, oozing the sort of continental sophistication that moneyed Yanks yearn for. Yet so far it has proved to be a triumph of tackiness over taste. We've had a pyjama party and the couple cavorting around on their $500 million yacht covered in foam. This reminded me of a budget holiday I took to Faliraki in 1996. My school mates and I paid about £250 for that week away in Rhodes. The new Mr and Mrs Bezos are rumoured to have dropped at least $20 million (£14 million) on this similarly classless cringefest. Naturally the anti-capitalists have been out in force, protesting against 'what the wedding represents'. The crusties claim they are responsible for creating a 'climate emergency'; the socialists claim they are making people poorer; angry locals claim tourism is forcing them out of their homes. I don't agree with any of this. Bezos's business model isn't the problem here. Amazon employs 1.5 million people. It is arguably the most consumer-friendly company in the world. No, what I object to is the idea that a high net worth wedding now seems to necessitate this sort of festival of narcissism. One day of ostentation might be just about bearable but six? Far from affirming the Bezos's affluence, it smacks of imposter syndrome in the vein of Harry Enfield's Loadsamoney: 'shut yer mouth and look at my wad'. We know you're one of the richest men on planet earth, Jeff, you really don't need to spend the national debt of Tuvalu to prove it. Never has Oscar Wilde's famous quote about people knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing been more apt.
