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If you’re a BookTok girly, or just love a good romance, then you’ve definitely stumbled upon the romantasy genre. Combining fantasy elements with romantic storylines—and usually a lot of spicy intimate scenes—these fantastical books have become a staple online in the bookish communities. When it comes to the most popular or best romantasy books around, titles like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout come to mind.
But readers who love romantasy don’t just love reading; you might also be an avid consumer of PerfumeTok content, too. Whether you’re all up in the latest fragrances trending over there or you just love fragrances, and you can’t get enough of these novels, then perfumes based on books might just be up your alley. And if so, then we have several romantasy book-inspired fragrances suggested by a fragrance aficionado who just so happens to be a massive fan of this genre of books as well: Kathleen Fuentes.
Parade spoke with Fuentes, a popular beauty content creator who has a separate perfume-related TikTok account, @KathleenSmells, with over 150k followers. She’s been known as KathleenLights online for over a decade and has over 659k followers on TikTok and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. She’s also talked about her love of the romance genre of books on her YouTube, which has over 4 million subscribers.
“I’ve been a reader for a long time, but the book that really made me feel something was Anna and the French Kiss when I was in ninth grade. It was one of those stories that completely hooked me and made me chase that feeling ever since,” she tells Parade. “Since then, romance has stayed one of my favorite genres, and over time that naturally expanded into romantasy too. I’ve always loved stories with strong emotional payoff, tension and a big sweeping love story at the center.”
Fuentes’s company, Lights Lacquer—which just launched its first-ever hair and body mist, Amber Hour—even released a Dark Fantasy collection last year, which was inspired by dark fantasy romance books on BookTok. So you’re in great hands when it comes to discovering perfumes matching romantasy books, as well as fragrances that best match your favorite reading tropes. Read on to find out which perfume you need to try out next!
Related: If You Loved ‘Quicksilver,’ You Won’t Be Able To Put These 11 Books Down, Librarians Say
Quick Guide: Matching Romantasy Books to Signature Fragrances
The Recommended Perfume
‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas
Sparkling Lychee, Rose Damascena, Vanilla Absolute
Discothèque Next To Me or Nothing
‘From Blood and Ash’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Damask Rose, Vetiver Roots, Lychee
Courrèges Hyper Musc
‘Throne of Glass’ by Sarah J. Maas
Moroccan Tea, Bergamot, Wild Fig
How We Paired Iconic Romantasy Vibes With Fragrance Profiles
As we stated above, Fuentes is a massive romance book lover and has talked about romantasy on her social media platforms often. So she knows these books and the themes and tropes within them very well. Not to mention, she has a strong knowledge of perfumes and the many notes that go into them. So when it came to pairing iconic romantasy books with fragrances that have different notes that make them fit right in with the story or vibes, Fuentes knows more than a thing or two.
For instance, she tells Parade the fragrance notes that match romantasy as a genre.
“The notes that come to mind for romantasy are iris, rose, bergamot, musk and amber,” she shares. “To me, that mix captures what romantasy does so well: something luminous and romantic, but also soft, emotional and a little mysterious.”
She states that “bergamot gives that sparkling, almost magical opening; rose and iris bring elegance and romance; musk adds intimacy; and amber gives warmth and depth.”
Related: 27 Books Like ‘ACOTAR,’ According to Librarians
The 5 Best Perfumes Based on Your Favorite Fantasy Book, According to a Fragrance Expert
‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas — KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee, $29-$150
Sephora
Shop it at SephoraACOTAR is one of the most well-known romantasy books around. The 2015 novel is the first in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Maas and follows a hunter named Feyre who gets dragged off to a magical land as retribution for killing a wolf by a High Fae named Tamlin (who turns into a beast as well). Feyre’s feelings for Tamlin transform, and they face a threat to his land together.
So for a perfume that pairs well with the ACOTAR story and themes, Fuentes chose KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee.
“This works because it has a bright, juicy, addictive quality that feels romantic and fantasy-driven, but still playful,” she shares. “It fits the escapist, lush world of ACOTAR.”
‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros — Discothèque Next To Me or Nothing, $39-$175
Discothèque
Shop it at DiscothèqueYarros’ book, Fourth Wing, is another one that feels synonymous with the romantasy genre because of its popularity. It came out in 2023 and follows Violet Sorrengail, a small-in-stature young woman who loves books and was prepared to live a “quiet life” among them. That is, until her mother orders her to join the elite group of dragon riders at Basgiath War College, which is where our adventure begins.
For a story like this, Fuentes suggests a perfume from luxury fragrance brand Discothèque: Next To Me or Nothing.
“This feels bold, electric and high-intensity, which matches the adrenaline and tension of Fourth Wing,” she states. “It gives main-character energy.”
‘From Blood and Ash’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout — 5 SENS Catch Feelings, $65
Sephora
Shop it at SephoraLike most of the books listed here and those within the romantasy genre, From Blood and Ash is part of a series, with this first one coming out in 2020. It takes place in a world where “the Maiden,” is meant to leave a life of isolation until her “Ascension.” But of course, Poppy (a Maiden) falls for Hawke, one of her guards who is supposed to make sure she makes it to her Ascension. With a kingdom hanging on by a thread, this obviously proves hazardous to everyone involved.
Fuentes pairs 5 SENS’s perfume, Catch Feelings, with this story.
“This pairing fits because the book is emotional, intense and romantic in a way that feels immediate and consuming,” she shares.
‘Quicksilver’ by Callie Hart — Courrèges Hyper Musc, $308
Courrèges
Shop it at Neiman MarcusThe first in the Fae & Alchemy series, Hart’s Quicksilver follows Saeris Fane, who has alchemical powers she uses to steal from the Undying Queen. When caught, she “accidentally reopens a dormant gateway between realms and is whisked away to a land of ice and snow,” per the book’s description. She finds the Fae there along with a centuries-long conflict. Saeris binds herself (accidentally) to a strong Fae warrior, Kingfisher, and gets caught up with him—personally and within this conflict.
When it comes to which perfume best matches the vibes of this book, Fuentes recommends Hyper Musc from French luxury fashion house Courrèges.
“This makes sense for a story with tension and magnetism,” she tells Parade. “A musky fragrance feels intimate and close, which works well for that kind of chemistry.”
‘Throne of Glass’ by Sarah J. Maas — NEST Indigo, $32-$98
Sephora
Shop it at SephoraAnd lastly, another Maas book on this list is Throne of Glass, a 2012 book that started the series of the same name. The story follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin summoned to a castle in a land with no magic, to defeat 23 people in a competition that will win her her freedom from prison. But there’s, of course, more to the story, including “something rotten” that is living within the castle.
Fuentes believes this is a “strong” romantasy book to include on this list, and suggests the fragrance NEST Indigo.
“It feels moody, rich and slightly mysterious, which suits the emotional depth and fantasy atmosphere,” she shares.
Related: These Are the 9 Best-Smelling Perfumes for Women, According to a Fragrance Expert
How To Choose a Perfume Based on Your Favorite Reading Tropes
If you love romantasy books, then you definitely are a fan of reading tropes, especially (and maybe specifically) romantic ones. And there are fun ways to find scent profiles for different tropes, as Fuentes shares.
“A fun way to choose a perfume is to think less about the plot and more about the emotional atmosphere of the trope,” she notes. “Is it tense and slow-burn? Soft and comforting? Dark and dangerous? The best fragrance match should feel like the same energy as the relationship dynamic.”
Enemies-to-lovers: Le Monde Gourmand Bisous de Fleur, $30
Amazon
Shop it on AmazonFor maybe the most famous romantic trope—enemies-to-lovers—Fuentes shares a perfume that also changes as you wear it.
“You want something that transforms on the skin,” she says, sharing a recommendation for a collaboration she previously did with LMG. “A scent like Le Monde Gourmand Bisous de Fleur works well because it starts bright and citrusy, then dries down into something creamy and soft. That kind of evolution feels very enemies-to-lovers to me.”
Grumpy sunshine: House of Bō Acapulco76, $250-$370
House of Bō
The grumpy-sunshine trope sounds exactly as it sounds: it involves one character who is very bright, kind and lovely, and another who is the complete opposite (gruff, mean, depressed, etc.). It doesn’t just have to be a romantic trope, but there’s something about opposites attracting.
“I love this trope, and it reminds me of more natural-smelling perfumes like House of Bō Acapulco,” Fuentes shares. “It feels warm, breezy, easy and bright, but still grounded.”
Forbidden love: KAYALI Lovefest Burning Cherry, $105-$150
Sephora
Shop it at SephoraAnother classic, forbidden love makes up a lot of iconic romance stories. And Fuentes states that KAYALI’s Lovefest Burning Cherry perfume is the perfect embodiment of that.
“Kayali Burning Cherry is perfect for this,” she says. “It’s rich, tempting and a little dangerous in the best way.”
Friends-to-lovers: Amber Hour from Lights Lacquer, $28
Courtesy Lights Lacquer
Friends-to-lovers is another transformative trope, yet this one is sweet and involves revelations about feelings and newfound appreciation for someone you’ve maybe known your whole life. Fuentes recommends something very familiar to her for this trope.
“I’d go for something soft, warm and familiar—a fragrance that feels comforting but still romantic,” she says. “Amber Hour from Lights Lacquer fits that perfectly. It has that cozy amber warmth that feels easy, intimate and lived-in, which is exactly how a great friends-to-lovers story unfolds.”
Related: 11 Vintage Fragrances That Deserve a Comeback
Top Indie & Niche Fragrance Brands Every Book Lover Should Know
When it comes to indie or niche fragrances or perfumes that book lovers should keep their eyes on, Fuentes shares Imaginary Authors. It is a brand that aims to “unlock memories you’ve long forgotten” through “innovative fragrances and creative storytelling.” On their “About” page, they say that they “view” their “fragrances like books,” meaning you shouldn’t just own one, but rather multiple to fit your mood, the season or your story in that moment.
Fuentes calls “this is an especially fun one for book lovers because the whole concept,” which to her “feels literary and story-driven.”
Imaginary Authors The Abandoned Mansion, $7-$115
Imaginary Authors
Shop it at Imaginary AuthorsEach fragrance comes with a synopsis, on top of fragrance notes, and you can dig into the “memories [it] may conjure” on each perfume’s landing page, too. Plus, they come in packaging that looks like a book, which is a sweet touch.
Which perfumes smell like old paper and books?
And if you’re looking for fragrances that give off that smell of old paper or books—which can be so nostalgic for many—Fuentes shares Commodity’s two perfumes: Book and Paper. Commodity creates perfumes crafted by artisans and has names that give a hint of what’s inside. They also offer scent spaces on their site, where you can choose personal, expressive or bold versions of each perfume to customize how strong you want it to smell.
Commodity Book, $155
Commodity
Shop it at Commodity Shop Book Personal at SephoraFragrance Family: Earthy, WoodyScent Type: Warm WoodsKey Notes: Black Tea, Sandalwood and Cedarwood
Commodity Paper, $155
Commodity
Shop it at Commodity Shop Paper Personal at SephoraFragrance Family: Warm, SpicyScent Type: Warm, SheerKey Notes: Amber, Iso E Super and Sandalwood
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Source:
Kathleen Fuentes, AKA KathleenLights, is a beauty content creator and the founder of Lights Lacquer. She has over 659k followers on TikTok and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. She also has a popular fragrance-focused TikTok account called @KathleenSmells, which has over 150k followers on its own.Hence then, the article about the exact perfume you should wear based on your favorite romantasy book was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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