Sarah J. Maas’sA Court of Thorns & Rosesseries,one of the most popular series on BookTok, is renowned for its intricate world-building and romances. From the slow-burn passion of Feyre and Rhysand to the intense physical chemistry between Cassian and Nesta,each pairing offers a unique and compelling love story. Ahead of theadaptation ofA Court of Thorns & Roses,there are specific romantic scenes that should definitely be portrayed.
From the stolen glances and handwritten notes to the grand gestures and heartfelt confessions,ACOTARhas something for every Romantasy reader. Whether it’s Feyre and Rhysand’s starlit rendezvous, Cassian and Nesta’s fiery romance, or Tamlin and Feyre’s bittersweet love story, we’ll explore the moments that have resonated with fans worldwide.
10Feyre Gives Rhysand The Ouroboros Painting
The pointedly smallACOTARbookA Court of Frost & Starlightis often referred to as the “holiday special” as the series, and it is easy to see why. Much of the book revolves around the build-up to Winter Solstice, the gifts the Inner Circle are choosing for each other, and whether or not Nesta will attend — which sets up the focus on Nesta for the following book,A Court of Silver Flames.Whether readers love it or hate it,there are some cozy romance moments inFrost & Starlight.
Are Feyre & Rhysand In The ACOTAR Spinoff Novels?
Sarah J. Maas is still writing A Court of Thorns & Roses books, but do the spinoff novels check in with Feyre and Rhysand? Here’s what to expect.
Feyre’s Solstice gift for Rhysand is a prime example and one of the most romantic gestures of the series. Looking intothe Mirror of Ouroboros was a significant moment in Feyre’s character developmentand self-acceptance. When she painted it, she did not paint it with the intention of anyone else seeing it. However, her ability to show Rhys the most vulnerable, ugly parts of herself and for him to call the painting beautiful shows the strength and depth of Feysand’s bond.
9Disappearing Notes Between Feyre and Rhysand
Another moment (or rather a collection of moments) that falls under the category of romantic gestures rather than dialogue is the handwritten notes Feyre and Rhysand send back and forth inA Court of Mist and Fury,and they are a major part of what makes the second book in the series such a compelling read. While the pair get to know each other more during this book,this device enables them to say things to each other that they may not face to faceat this point in their story.
The playful banter and flirtatious tone of their correspondence builds anticipation and excitement.
The note-writing is especially touching becauseRhys is the one who taught Feyre how to write. This process shows off Rhys’ arrogant sense of humor; the first thing he gives Feyre is a note saying how“delicious”she looks, and when learning to write, she has to write statements like,“Rhysand is a spectacular person.”This combined with the flirtatious note swapping throughout the book contributes to the very satisfying slow build of their romance. The playful banter and flirtatious tone of their correspondence builds anticipation and excitement.
8Tamlin Writing Feyre A Poem
In the interest of balance, there are several lovely romance moments between Feyre andTamlin in the first book,A Court of Thorns and Roses.One of these is also related to Feyre’s illiteracy, and it is interesting how different characters respond to it in their own ways. Tamlin responds by making a note of Feyre’s problem words when she is trying to learn how to read in the Spring Court. By crafting these personalized limericks, Tamlinnot only helps her learn but also brings a smile to her face, showcasing a more lighthearted and endearing side of his personality.
The explanation behind the poems is a key part of Tamlin’s lore; when he had to join his father’s war band, there were competitions to see who could write the dirtiest limericks. To help Feyre learn and make her laugh in the process, he took note of her problem words and made them into increasingly dirty limericks. This demonstrates that hepays more attention to Feyre than the reader realizes, and his humor is an underrepresented part of his character.
7Tamlin and Feyre At Summer Solstice
As much as many memories withTamlin are tainted later inA Court of Thorns & Roses, there are some truly beautiful chapters about Feyre and Tamlin’s romance inA Court of Thorns & Roses.One of these is the Summer Solstice celebration, a highlight of the first book. Despite Lucien’s warnings not to drink the faerie wine, Feyre gets drunk on it. Meanwhile, Tamlin is playing the fiddle.Tamlin takes Feyre to a secluded meadow, where they witness the mysterious, flickering lights of the will-o'-the-wisps. After sharing a romantic dance, he kisses her passionately. The couple then watches the sunrise together.
The whole night is written beautifully, with Feyre feeling safe to let down her inhibitions around Tamlin and enjoying being in the Fae lands. Tamlin saying,“Dance, Feyre”shows that at one point their relationship was in a positive light and hewanted her to relax and experience joy, something still alien to Feyre after a long period of poverty. Although their relationship later soured and became suffocating, the Summer Solstice scene with all its flowers, faerie wine and dancing shows how much Feyre needed careless joy in her life with no responsibilities.
6Azriel Giving Elain Truthteller
Perhaps the gifting of a dagger is an odd choice of romantic gesture, but for Azriel, it makes sense and is touching in its own way. Elain is woefully underdeveloped — perhaps deliberately so, to come through with asatisfying Elain surprise in the nextACOTARbook. However, one consistency is that Azriel notices things about Elain that other characters don’t, and he does not coddle her like the others, despite being gentle with her.Lending Elain Truthteller is the ultimate display of not underestimating herlike the others do.
Truthteller has been Azriel’s torture tool of choice as Spymaster, and this is also part of what makes the gesture meaningful — he is doing truth-telling of his own, reminding Elain of who he is, while entrusting her with this weapon that nobody else has used, not even Mor. However, the gesture is also very much open to interpretation.“Truthteller”is arguablynamed after Mor’s powers, so the image of passing a token of his love for Mor to Elain is questionable – nonetheless, it acts as a symbol of Azrielprotecting Elain by empowering her to defend herself.
5Cassian’s Words To Nesta in ACOWAR
The climactic battle inA Court of Wings & Ruinprovides a poignant backdrop for a surprising and emotional moment between Cassian and Nesta. Amidst the chaos and danger, Cassian, the typically brash and humorous warrior, reveals a depth of feeling that is both unexpected and deeply moving.
His declaration of love, though not explicit, is clear and heartfelt. He regrets their lost time and promises to find her in future lives to make up for it. This vulnerability, so unlike his usual demeanor,underscores the profound impact Nesta has had on him. It starkly contrasts his warrior persona, making the moment even more touching:
“I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world – the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.”
Some readers have remarked that Cassian does not return the statement“I love you”that Nesta says to him inA Court of Silver Flames –however, arguably,dialogue moments like this express the same sentiment. This particular scene is even more romantic in retrospect after they develop their bond.
4Rhys And Feyre’s ACOWAR Reunion
The pain of separation between mates Rhysand and Feyre is palpable inA Court of Wings & Ruin,especially given the situation, with Feyre having to suppress and disguise their mating bond. When Feyre finally takes down the Spring Court and returns to the Night Court, the reunion between them is incredibly touching. Feyre collapses in tears –“Rhys was instantly moving, but my legs had already given out. The foyer carpet cushioned the impact as I sank to my knees”and Rhys wipes her tears, saying,“My love”—the dialogue is simple yet conveys the relief and affectionso well.
This whole section of the book masterfully portrays not only Feyre’s relief at being back with her mate but back in the Night Court where she truly belongs as High Lady. In this reunion, we learn how muchRhys has been unraveling in Feyre’s absence, and how treasured she is in Velaris. She does not feel self-conscious around her chosen family:“I didn’t care that we had an audience as I lifted my head and beheld the joy and concern and love shining in those remarkable eyes.”
3Rhys And Feyre At Starfall
The Starfall chapter is just another reason whyA Court of Mist & Furyis such a favorite among ACOTAR readers. It is also a great example of why Romantasy is not just simple smut — scenes like this reallydevelop their emotional connection and romanceas well as their friendship, and it is beautifully written. Starfall is an annual celestial event, a breathtaking spectacle where spirits migrate across the night sky. Its beauty is so captivating that even the reclusive inhabitants of Hewn City, the Court of Nightmares themselves, emerge to witness the celestial show.
Feyre shares joy with Rhys during this event –“Real laughter, open and delighted and lovely.”Feyre paints a star on Rhysand’s hand, which is a subtly intimate gesture in itself, and realizes how long it had been since she painted — andthe significance of painting again on him. She notices how happy he looks without a hint of his High Lord mask on, and smiles. Rhysand tells her to do it again, highlighting how long it has been since Feyre had truly smiled, and that she was beaming because of him.
2Cassian And Nesta’s Solstice Scene
The first half ofA Court of Silver Flamesmay test the patience of some readers, butMaas rewards their perseverance with a truly heartwarming and well-earned payoffin the latter half. The stage is meticulously set, emphasizing Nesta’s deep connection to music and the emotional significance it holds for her. Maas tantalizingly withheld a potential gift exchange between Cassian and Nesta inA Court of Frost & Starlight, making the eventual gift in this novel all the more poignant.
Cassian’s gift – the Symphonia – is a silver orb that conjures a symphony orchestra within the room, recreating the music from the Solstice ball. To make this gift even more personal, he sought out the taverns Nesta frequented and asked the musicians there to play their songs, capturing their essence within the orb. This gesture not only demonstrates hisprofound understanding of Nesta’s love for musicbut also signifies his acceptance of a period in her life that is a source of shame for Nesta. It’s a beautiful moment that solidifies the bond they verbally accept in the same scene.
1Rhys And Feyre Accepting The Mating Bond
The cherry on the cake inA Court of Mist & Furywas Rhysand showing up at the cabin. Feyre has been alone in the secluded cabin privately coming to terms with them having a mating bond and processing why Rhys withheld this information from her, especially while she was with Tamlin. Mor also visits her and helps her mentally navigate the idea of being Rhys’ mate and part of their court. When Rhys arrives, it is clear thatthe emotional payoff for their slow burn is about to arrive–“No more games, no more banter.”
In an incredible callback to the first book, Maas delivers details in a whole new light. Feyre painted the night sky on her drawer in the sisters’ bedroom in the cottage because deep down,she knew she would end up in Night Court one day. In addition, Rhys’ words,“There you are. I’ve been looking for you”fromA Court of Thorns & Rosesare given a new gravitas considering the pair have been waiting for each other. In the context of their romance, this seemingly insignificant phrase is transformed into something very emotionally charged.
