finally trying fantasy romance

people mentioned:
jess: / @peacelovebooksxo
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INSTAGRAM: / chandlerainsley
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[@ekspellcroft]

I don’t know why but romance in a normal setting is meh - however, romance in a FANTASY setting just really does it for me

[@ummkhattab6181]

Me too starting to think it's all the Disney I watch as a child.

[@NadaAlawadhi]

ME TOO! And not many people really talk about it which really frustrates me. I struggle when I’m trying to find books like that. On top of that you always find these fantasy couple shippers but then you go to the book and you barely find the romance they’re so hardcore about. Sometimes they even ship non existent couples and couple people up and ship them when they’re actually enemies. Like whaaat?! Fantasy romance is my jam 😍

[@NadaAlawadhi]

Carla B. C. I’m currently reading Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster, I’m only halfway through, haven’t finished it yet so I’m not sure how it will go, but I’m definitely loving it so far.

[@CandicePoe]

Sammmme.

[@keishajurize3161]

@Carla B. C. omg its a MUST for you to read From Blood and Ash series !!!!

[@maia_gaia]

"I'm always here for the demon daddy" Girl, same

[@dopkasa.1171]

A whole guttural LOL. Thank you.

[@kelseybirnholz9333]

I loved From Blood and Ash specifically because I was so stupid I couldn't predict a single plot twist

[@ericauribe2735]

Yesssss my dumb ass was like NO WAY and everyone was just piecing it together on their own like uhhhh oops

[@mandy1170]

Me neither! 🤣 I thought maybe it was because I hadn't dabbled in this genre.

[@ellieberger9639]

Lol same hah

[@kekayoewa]

Chandler apologizing because her thoughts for a book aren’t that exciting. Girl, you could sit in front of the camera for thirty minutes and repeat one word the whole time and I’d be entertained. You’re doing great, sweetie.

[@makeupstop123]

Also Radiance was so good because the characters are mature adults ... they are both accepting and ready to marry each other and make the best of it, ya know? They feel like equals

[@chandlerainsley]

yessssss

[@veganthrasher6219]

The final 'smutty' part of From Blood and Ash was literally everything

[@mdaugherty9722]

interesting how my day just got marginally better

[@dopkasa.1171]

I absolutely loved Radiance and fell in love with Draven's writing style. The protagonists care for and respect each other, do not manipulate each other, are honest FROM JUMP with each other...It's sad that these things are not common in fantasy romance. I understand that the opposite creates opportunities for drama and conflict and can make for interesting reads. However, Radiance is an example that healthy relationships are engaging as well.

[@LoveDashCon]

Grace Draven is a fav. All of her storylines and romances are more mature and heartfelt. No made up drama, the plots are legit and well thought out. You should check out all her work. Definitely fantasy romance for a more mature audience :-)

[@IamDifferent101]

Love love her Master of Crows novel !!

[@haileyr2264]

I agree. Her books would be good even if most of the romance was cut out. Especially Eidolon.

[@thetiffingpoints]

Loved Radiance too!

[@KendraCus]

radiance is so good & so soft & just honestly perfect

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

RADIANCE os really really wholesome ! I recommend it so much!

[@itsmariaa18]

Radiance is my favourite and WE NEED MORE romance like that!!!

[@inabacklistmood3124]

I love Radiance, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love non-problematic romances, even if most people find them boring. Also, the sequel is good as well. I would say that there's more plot, but there's also more smut.

[@LizzyyyL0ve]

I’d really love to see a follow up video for A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, a few people who haven’t really loved From Blood and Ash really loved the second book, idk why that’s so because I loved both books and I’m really curious to see if your thought on it change after reading the second book?

[@ishaashaikh5348]

I loved From Blood and Ash too!! I'm gonna start reading A kingdom of Flesh and Fire 😍

[@LizzyyyL0ve]

@@ishaashaikh5348 I hope you love AKOFAF! It’s just as good as the first book!

[@ishaashaikh5348]

@@LizzyyyL0ve Ah! I have started reading it and I'm in love 😍

[@stephaniewaldie3831]

Chandler's hair looks particularly fire in this intro. Brunette queen.

[@roxanne2609]

Radiance was so good! They're so so cute

[@roxanne1005]

Yes Radiance! Love that book. Only read it about 2 months ago, easy 5 star. And have since reread it.

[@mayareads708]

It's funny im like the oposite xD I read almost only fantasy but i need a hint of romance in it HAHAHA. that's what fun about your channel to me, I dont care about all the spoilers for books cause i would almost never read them and it's a lot more fun to listen to your 10min summary xD PS : your hair is on poinnnnt

[@Onehallofacreation]

Jeanine Frost’s Night Huntress series is so slept on! You should give that a try. And it gets even steamier as the series goes. And my favorite part is the side characters have their own books 🙂

[@Onehallofacreation]

And to add to that, the main characters have that kind of romance you talk about. It’s a deep love and you would love it!

[@dopkasa.1171]

YES! Crispin is a whole book boyfriend.

[@Onehallofacreation]

Dopkas A. - YES! The best book BF/Husband a girl could ask for! 🥰 Although I totally fell for Vlad and Ian in the side series for them too! 😍

[@jolintoh]

i put off watching this video because your description of “from blood and ash” made it sound so interesting and i didn’t want to get spoiled but here i am, back again because i don’t want to miss any of your videos HAHAHAH also i’m wayyyy used to reading books after getting 1000 spoilers so it’s all good

[@nicolejordan5977]

I don’t want to be spoiled but I want to watch the video... I will be spoiling myself

[@hayahkhalid3562]

OMG CHAN, u r soooo good at these reviews! I’m so entertained tbh. When u say stuff like ur not doing good, I’m like, “WHAT?!”

[@bebella9005]

“Dothraki fanfiction without any of the problematic consent elements” actually sounds very intriguing - I’ll have to give this one a go!

[@ajmonkey22]

Aww, yay. I am glad you enjoyed "Radiance". I was really pleasantly surprised by it and its sequel. I'm also pretty jazzed because there's a third book (more a next in the series, vs. "Radiance" & "Eidolon"'s duology) coming out in September. Draven is really one of my favorite authors of the last few years. I read "Entreat Me" because Lauren at A Novel Lush recommended the lead character as a book a Gryffindor might like last April, and have burned through her back catalog over the course of the last year. I'd actually really recommend "Entreat Me" if you enjoy "Eidolon". It has a similar vibe of practicality inspiring a relationship with friendship and romance growing out of that. Also, it's a Beauty & The Beast retelling, except with a whole lot of pointed commentary about the problematic stuff inherent in the story, along with a healthy dose of people are working with the information and resources they have available. That said, "Entreat Me" takes more time to get where it's going. I really enjoyed it, but the pacing is different from "Radiance" and "Eidolon", so just an fyi. Take care!

[@KatherineAmi]

I read Radiance not long ago and I LOOOOVED it! I'm so glad you liked it as well!

[@hannahcanreadsometimes]

You in the closet complaining about plot twists is the best energy

[@chandlerainsley]

i'm here to bring the chaos

[@candicewahl3495]

I was so meh about From Blood and Ash then I read the sequel...and I can say that it may be the best book I’ve read in 2020

[@loey3270]

I agree... the first book was predictable to me but the second one ✨chefs kiss✨. But the first two books are like the calm before the storm so I’m excited for the 3rd book

[@SissouLoveVideo]

I guessed everything too in this book ( From blood and ash) so I hear you but personnally I found that the second book was very less predictable and so gooood so please continue this series.

[@saleha900]

I read Radiance a few months ago and i am sooooo happyy that you feel the same about the book as I do❤

[@anna-yb6wd]

chandler never fails at making my day🥺

[@amandaalbright6921]

I also predicted everything single thing in From Blood and Ash, but still really enjoyed it. Radiance’s plot sounds extremely similar to No Man Can Tame. It’s a marriage of convenience. She switches places with her sister. She is human and he is an elf. From the beginning they aren’t attracted to each other, but have a mutual respect. Their relationship builds from friendship to lovers. It was refreshing. I’d never read a book where the drama stays outside of their relationship.

[@toastedbagelwithcreamchees3566]

She is so adorable

[@chandlerainsley]

ty ty

[@Cinia18]

Our reading taste is so opposite. I mostly read thrillers and crime fiction and if I read romance in needs other elements to it but I could listen to you summarise books all day. The way you put things together is so smart and funny.

[@dharmas9924]

I just finished From Blood and Ash and I also guessed literally all of the "plot twists". 100% agree with everything you've said here

[@abrardirar5674]

Totally agree with the comment about SJM new series. I cared about the demon who made 2 appearances as a cat more than Hunt......

[@BookwormsUnited]

I loved Radiance--I'm good with romances that focus more on relationship and the romance than the plot (but I loved Of Blood and Ash too--totally different).

[@Mokoko83]

Thank you for giving fantasy romance a go for us! Looking forward to more of your great romance recs in the future ❤️

[@Flaceee]

I’m new to fantasy romance and I really enjoyed Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa! I would recommend it

[@BobbiReads]

Agreed!!! I think she would really like it too

[@yellow1718]

and the four horsemen

[@rebekahrhodes9512]

I barely finished the Amy Harmon book, and I just discovered she wrote a sequel about the brother.. And I want to read it because I liked the brother, but I don't want to read it because I didn't like the book. I'm so torn.

[@inaayaarif8968]

Would love to see a second part to this !!!

[@BobbiReads]

I think you’d like The Bargainer series by Laura Thelassa. It was a great fantasy romance series. I’ve seen someone else already suggest it, but I think it’s right up your alley. Especially if you like the ACOTAR series. The main male character gives off MAJOR Rhysand vibes. Plus the entire series, a trilogy and a novella, is all on kindle unlimited.

[@nathaliereads]

Listening to you describe from blood and ash is giving me so much enjoyment I love it

[@gloriagabrielaaa]

The way you describe things makes my day

[@zahelestrada6832]

I saw Radiance in the thumbnail and I could not click on the video fast enough, glad you enjoyed it, it’s one of my favorites. Hope you get to read the sequel Eidolon :)

[@AmericanIdiotEmma]

Love the video! I had the opposite thoughts about these books, I LOVED of blood and ash and absolutely hated radiance haha!!

[@theresafindle2110]

Thanks for the book recommendation of Radiance. "Such cute read" !!

[@teanlit2949]

i didnt even know this genre existed. i love fantasy and it seems romance is the thing to do on booktube right now but ive never been able to get into the genre. thanks for sharing.

[@epicrainbowdust]

I think you helped me figure why i didnt like radiance, i went into thinking it was more plot driven fantasy which is obviously wrong. I think i would of liked it more if i didnt have a preconceived notations about it. I did really like the characters but i just kept waiting for them to do stuff. also we should have a chandler in the closet section every reading vlog please

[@mythologyseeker949]

oohh I see Radiance!! I love love love love that book!! I don't think I ever love a book this much!! Ildiko and Brishen was sooooo perfect😭💜 Though I started the second book, I'm afraid to continue it because there might be a scene where their relationship will be ruin😢 I don't have anything bad to say to it either, though the last chapters surprised me and broke my heart, it was still sooo good. I'm reading Phoenix Unbound now which I think will be my favorite too when I finished, but Radiance is still the best.

[@kjane1659]

the unbelievable speed with which I switched from your Instagram story over here should say a LOT about the way I wait for these videos to drop 🤧

[@hadhemimbarik3853]

I’ve been waiting for forever for this (from blood and ash )

[@ABisdoingjustfine]

I saw Radiance by Grace Davern in the thumbnail, and I’m so excited! It is one of my favourites (though it’s been three years and I haven’t read the sequel), and I can’t wait to see what you say about it!!!

[@ABisdoingjustfine]

Update: I skipped ahead to your Radiance part to avoid spoilers for the rest, and I’m so adding happy that it’s a 5 star read for you! You were so enthusiastic that I now want to re read this book and then read the sequel as well! 😊

[@inaayaarif8968]

I saw the title and immediately clicked. I love fantasy romance sooooo much!

[@palomamacieldoula1310]

I'm new to your channel I read about 5 books a week so it's hard to find new interesting books to read and I always really appreciate reviews and recommendations I've been getting this series recommended on my kindle for such a long time and for some reason I read the summary and just aren't feeling it but I always wonder if I should just read it. I'm so glad I saw your video because I feel like I would feel the same way as you regarding the plot and everything..... been binge watching your videos the past couple of days so i got good list of new books I haven't read that I'm excited about.

[@krati.]

Damn! This is what I have wanted for so long! I am also currently reading Blood and Ash!! Excited for this video.

[@ArchivesOfJina]

I AM HERE FOR THIS VIDEO

[@bloodylove20]

Radiance is a beautiful book ❤️

[@mel5071]

so hyped, I've been waiting for this one since the Goodreads readers video!

[@crystalsbookishlife]

I've been saving this vlog until I finished FBA and I'm DYING at miss cucumber melon 🤣🤣🤣

[@rebeccaw9656]

Oh thank god you loved Radiance - 5 stars!😂... one of my favourite romantic fantasies.

[@2012funfamilytimes]

I'd give The Bird and the Sword another try. The romance is really good especially in book 2.

[@MichellesLibrary]

I love your hair in this video! Looks so good 💜

[@chandlerainsley]

ah thanks michelle

[@ajsab7320]

I love how we have the same opinions so i can REALLY try reading something if you recommend it lol

[@tati3861]

i'm not a fan of fantasy romance (or fantasy period) but The Bridge Kingdom is pretty cool. it's on Audible Escape.

[@chandlerainsley]

i'm going to get to that one soon hopefully! :)

[@tati3861]

@@chandlerainsley i hope you enjoy!

[@jazzminparker2698]

I'm ready got my face mask on and ready to watch this video 💗💗

[@gabriellenegrillo9275]

I’m currently reading From Blood and Ash and of course I had to spoil myself because I’m so confused and I was hoping you’d explain it and tbh thank you for this because I feel less confused lol. But also I’m living for the term Demon Daddy. I feel the same way, all of the world building had made this really confusing for me. I can’t picture it and it’s making the first like 100+ pages really weird.

[@Leticia12696]

Take a shot everytime Chan say "I'm not doing a great job describing it"

[@jackielopez9739]

I had a feeling you would not like from blood and ash much because this book is a little weird and predictable. But the ending got me intrigued to read more. Radiance is a personal favorite. I love rereading it every once in a while. The bird and the sword is just weird yet I honestly enjoyed my self when I read it a few years ago

[@Glitzypurple97]

"CUCUMBER MELON BATH AND BODY WORKS" I AM SCREAMING 💀

[@Nicoleemariaaa]

I’ve been on a roll with similar books lately. My favorites are Crush/ Crave (two more books in the series but haven’t been released) by Tracey wolf. Blessed and captured also have another book in the trio that’s not released yet by Brandi elledge. If you like reverse harem half blood academy series of 5 by meg xuemei was good. The naughty scenes get a little repetitive I think but overall I liked them.

[@madieleri]

“murder and betrayal makes things a little sexier”…i mean. Yeah

[@edwardsjarje]

So I thumbed up but had to cut out until I finish reading. Looking forward to seeing how I like it.

[@ummkhattab6181]

I didn't understand the world building either but it makes more sense in the second book. It's a little slow moving.

[@valneanne]

It's interesting what you say about how your brain gets when reading fantasy, because that's me with thrillers and a lot of contemporaries. Amazon/GR keep pushing For Blood and Ash at me and it just doesn't seem like something I'd like. I also just recently read Fortuna Sworn and hated the MC so that probably doesn't help. It also doesn't make me feel any particular desire to pick up The Bird and The Sword either. I do want to read Radiance, so I sorta skipped/muted parts of that, but I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@emmajean2698]

im such a sucker for fantasy romance..... gawd

[@never-endingpages7733]

Just finished From Blood and Ash (literally) and completely agree with your thoughts! Still trying to figure out why it was so recommended 😋

[@audramcgranahan659]

Lord of the fading lands cl wilson is a great fantasy romance. 🙃 I loved radiance as well. ❤

[@laurenmareegagen5544]

From blood and ash is way better than Sarah J Maas books, I swear I’m the only one who couldn’t get into them :(

[@chaithras714]

I think so too.

[@firstname4625]

Sameeee I dislike all sjm books I just can't

[@hafsamohammed8459]

I don't understand the hype around her ACOTAR series because tbh all the characters are pretty selfish or unlikable imo, but the TOG series is decent (minus the first two books).

[@emilyowen2555]

Off topic, but whenever I watch your videos, all I can focus on is how great your hair looks... like a freaking L’Oreal advert

[@chandlerainsley]

haha thanks so much!!

[@shaylaatiles]

Finally, the video I’ve been waiting for 😩❤️

[@elmeelee4109]

You should try A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by JLA! I had almost the exact same thoughts as you about From Blood and Ash, but the sequel blew me out of the water. Definitely very sexy and entertaining. She took the plot in a very different direction than where I thought she would. I'm hoping she pushes Poppy down an antihero path in the future books, that would be interesting.

[@asmaissa8422]

Chan posts new vid: My seratonin levels:📈📈📈

[@marieh5228]

Well now I kinda want to read Radiance

[@BookedandBusy]

Lmaoooo not galaxy brained 😂😭

[@bidushipyakurel1885]

Ohmygod I was looking for fantasy romance book recommendations yesterday & was wondering why you didn’t have one lmao

[@jessicac7279]

Definitely try the bird and the sword on audio if you can’t get into the book in physical copy it’s really good the romance is amazing at the end

[@chandlerainsley]

i was listening to the audio :(

[@katie__joy__]

this is my first video of yours so please forgive me if you’ve already read it, but I really recommend trying out the mortal instruments series if you’re going down the fantasy romance road! the writing is meh, but the world that’s created is fascinating & immersive. :)

[@hood3243]

I'm a big fantasy reader and I had literally the same reactions to each book you had! Thought the JL book was just okay Loved the second one and I also did not finish the bird one

[@jordannemclean6467]

grace🥰

[@hannahsmith4540]

Ohmigohdd! My favorite book genre🥴😍

[@neenah7376]

Oh my god! Radience! I wanted you to read it!!!

[@yvetteb.4549]

Aw I loved Amy Harmon’s book. The sequel is great too. Great video! I want to get into fantasy but I need romance lol I’d love to know some of you favorite fantasy books with heavy romance

[@CoffeeCakeNation]

Blood and ash had some real protagonist dum dum moments where i wanted to scream at the book but i swear by the wraith kings series, its pretty damn good fantasy imo

[@CoffeeCakeNation]

Like blood and ash is long and meh but enjoyable enough to get through.

[@аня-з4р2о]

"Demon daddy" lmaoo Chan🤣

[@shahd7133]

I really love your voice!😂♥️

[@chandlerainsley]

haha ty

[@gnomie3908]

Just what I needed to de-stress before my exam tomorrow 🥳🙃

[@chandlerainsley]

ah good luck!

[@bloodylove20]

Just need to say as well if you enjoyed Radiance you need to try reading Heart of Fae by Emma Hamm, such a beautifully written love story with Irish mythology and beauty and the beast inspired but it's actually very unexpected don't want to give away too much but he does not change with one kiss lol so it's not predictable

[@alyssapompei5298]

highly recommend YA book of don’t look back by JLA!! I read it in my YA time and I finished it immediately. arguable predictable BUT very well written!

[@ambrelicious04]

You are so pretty !!

[@RequiemBae]

So much agreement on demon daddy :d