Books like 'A Forbidden Alchemy'
Readers who enjoyed A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy magic slow burn abduction m-f forced proximity betrayal war competent heroine possessive hero
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The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
“A labyrinth of a book—vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps—with a deeply human heart at its center. It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed.” —Alix E... -
Wicked Sea and Sky by Jenna Collett
She’s a treasure hunter bound by dark magic. He’s the thief who shattered her trust. And now? He’s her only shot at survival. Betrayed during a treasure hunt and sentenced to a watery prison, Marin has spent the last few years trapped beneath the waves. Now she’s back on land with three weeks to break her curse or die trying... -
By Blood Oath Bound by Kenley Davidson
Better to die than to swear a blood oath to a clanless night elf… Sky has had enough of being used for her magic. She’s been betrayed one too many times, and now she wants nothing more than to be left alone. But fate won’t let her hide for long. Something evil is stalking the residents of her village, and they think she’s just the person to stop it...Categorized as:
magic m-f independent heroine gifted heroine possessive hero sweet-hero tortured hero slow burn -
Scourged by Tay Rose
Those who burn the brightest, fall the hardest.Mariah Salis, Queen Apparent of Onita, has been betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust the most. Now a prisoner of the ruthless royals, she clings to the tattered threads of her soul as her hope wanes with each passing day. Back in the capital of Verith, Mariah’s friends and Armature search desperately for their missing queen... -
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The Fallout by Everythursday
When does redemption begin? She likes to believe it is at the top of a tower, when a boy lowers his wand, his power, his control, his future in the ranks he had been promised and walks away to never be the same again.The question for Draco Malfoy, of course, was when it ended...Categorized as:
magic competent heroine m-f war slow burn forced proximity fantasy from hate to love -
Castle of the Winds by Christina Baehr
At Midsummer’s Eve, the Red Dragon will choose his bride.Following this mysterious invitation, Edith sets off on a quest to the Castle of the Winds to find a lost family of dragon keepers in the mountains of Wild Wales. But all is not as it seems. Edith must guard her own hidden power, or she might not return to her friends in Ormdale—including the man who has come to love her...Categorized as:
new adult m-f independent heroine sweet-hero fantasy historical glimpses-kisses victorian -
The Secrets of Jane: Reborn by Charlotte Mallory
"No one will hurt her without suffering. Not anymore. Not with me in her shadow." -- Soren...I’m being hunted.The pursuer is more terrifying than I ever imagined.Those in my life want to keep me safe; alive. But I’m capable in my own right, and I will do anything to protect them. Once Soren discovers my plan that’s concocted by a witch we all detest... he will despise it...Categorized as:
magic m-f competent heroine gifted heroine possessive hero fantasy vengeance strong heroine -
Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIESOnce Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate)...Categorized as:
new adult magic slow burn sassy heroine possessive hero m-f forced proximity sweet-hero -
Echoes of Her Soul by Serena Lindahl
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsMegreria is a Kingdom built upon order. Each citizen receives an assigned House based on a test of their skills and an assigned Soul Match, the other piece of their soul as seen by the mysterious Soul Tenders. A week ago, Kiarra didn’t believe in Soul Matches and she couldn’t master any ability well enough to test into a House... -
The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair
When Varius, the greatest general of the Aurelian Empire, is forced to flee his homeland, there's only one person he can turn to.A powerful sorceress and once his most deadly enemy, Theira is the only combatant who's ever escaped the war between their peoples... -
The Promises We Make by L.M. Dalgleish
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAll it takes to change everything is a bottle of tequila and a game of truth or dare...I’m living the dream.Seven years after moving to LA with my cousin Beau, the two of us are reaping the rewards of being the lead guitarist and bassist for one of the fastest rising rock bands in the world.The only thing missing is the girl we left behind. Our best friend, Shae... -
The Musician and the Monster by Megan Van Dyke
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMusic says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne...Categorized as:
magic forced proximity small town tortured hero fantasy historical high fantasy length-medium -
The Sundered Stars by H.E. Bauman
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 4 ratingsBetrayal is just the beginning… After a decade of hunting the Federation’s deadliest criminals, Mora “Mo” Cevi is done risking her life—but she needs a way out. So, when a lucrative military contract lands in her lap, she takes it despite her mistrust of the government... -
Against Dark Tides by Clare Sager
Enemies. Lovers. Enemies once more. Now they must work together to survive. Notorious pirate Lady Vice has lost everything: ship, crew, and friends. Even her body has betrayed her, leaving her magic weak. To make matters worse, she’s stuck at sea with the man who stabbed her in the back. Knigh Blackwood is no longer a captain, no longer a pirate-hunter, no longer … anything...Categorized as:
new adult magic forced proximity gifted heroine independent heroine sassy heroine tortured hero m-f -
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11处特工皇妃 [Division 11's Princess Agent] by Xiao Xiang Dong Er, 潇湘冬儿
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe was the trusted adviser of the military intelligence unit 11 in the National Security Bureau in charge of collecting intelligence, planning and deployment, arranging assassination missions, and devising strategies in unfriendly countries to obtain victory thousands of miles away. She could be said to be the pinnacle of military intelligence building...Categorized as:
war love triangle other-man-woman historical fantasy from hate to love ancient times -
The Assassin's Bride: A Fantasy Romance Tale by Beth Alvarez
A meeting with the king was supposed to fix the trouble Thea's family left behind.Instead, she witnessed his death.As the one person granted entry to the throne room, she's now implicated in his murder. The assassin who killed him can help her escape the gallows... for a price.After all, Thea's no simple seamstress...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity slow burn abduction competent heroine fantasy length-medium class difference -
The Antagonist's Pet, Season 2 (The Antagonist's Pet (Webtoon) #2) by Harnenn, 하르넨
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsBlessed with the face of an angel, young Sasha Tartt knows a life-altering secret: in this romance novel where she’s just a side character, she’s the only one who knows the true ending! When the antagonist of the story takes a particular liking to her, she must make a decision: help the clever and beautiful Rebecca find a happy ending, or side with the sweet-natured protagonist to ensure her own... -
To the Gallows by Elizabeth Skarpnes
When Lorali Wynmar oversees the last blessing of Athera’s most wanted criminal before he is hung from the gallows, she receives a surprising command from a dark save him. With the noose tightening around his neck, she invokes the forgotten rite of a gallows marriage to free him from his fate.For the next year, Eldric Lorecaster is now bound to the enigmatic high cleric that saved him... -
Sigvard the Nameless by Denali Day
He’ll break her chains. She’ll free his soul.Tasked by his chieftain, Sigvard the Nameless will do whatever it takes to save his people, and the whole of Sestoria, from succumbing to darkness. He’ll travel the continent to claim a magess said to be so powerful, she can wake a sleeping mountain. It won’t be a true bonding. One must have a heart for such things, and Sigvard’s went dormant years ago...Categorized as:
tortured hero gifted heroine magic sweet-hero fantasy behind-doors europe scandinavia -
Rift by CB Woods
Romantic fantasy fans will be swept away by this tale of fated mates, court intrigue, and a love that defies the gods who grasp for crumbling control over the realms between and below. The ties that bind often break us.So few understand how the weight of a crown breaks your neck and straightens your spine the way Lunar demi-goddess Astra does... -
The Claw and the Crowned by Sarah M. Cradit
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFreedom is her desire. Vengeance is his price.Slip into this scintillating tale of a young royal whose loyalty is torn between the prince she was sold to and the tempestuous knight determined to ruin her.Imryll is unfit to be a princess. Everyone has always told her so... -
Hunting by Andrea K. Höst
Ash Lenthard doesn’t call herself a vigilante. She’s merely prone to random acts of derring-do, and occasional exhibitions of tomfoolery. Her friends, the Huntsmen, have never stepped over the line while patrolling the streets of Luinhall. That was before the murder of Ash’s beloved guardian, Genevieve... -
악녀는 두 번 산다 1 [Agnyeoneun Du Beon Sanda 1] (The Villainess Lives Again (Novel) #1) by Mint Han, 한민트
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratings모략의 천재, 황제를 만들다!"오빠가 잘되어야 너도 잘되는 거야." -온갖 악행을 저질러 오빠를 황제로 만들었다.하지만 아르티제아의 헌신은 배신으로 돌아왔다.죽음의 문턱에서 그녀에게 구원의 손을 내민 것은, 정의로운 숙적 세드릭 대공뿐이었다.“계책을 내라.”“…….”“이 상황을 뒤집을 수 있는 인물을 나는 그대 외에는 떠올리지 못하겠어. 로산 후작.”“…….”“나에게는 그대의 힘이 필요하다.”이미 기울어진 세력 판도를 뒤집고 도탄에 빠진 제국을 구할 계책은 없다.그러나 방법은 있다.모든 것이 잘못되기 이전으로 시간을 돌리는 것.피의 눈물과 함께 그녀는 자신의 몸을 바쳐 고대마법으로 시간을 돌린다.이번에는, 실패하지 않으리라.죽지 않고 18세로 회귀한 아르티제아는 세드릭 대공을 위한 악녀가 될 것을 결심한다...Categorized as:
war competent heroine sweet-hero fantasy historical marriage of convenience strong heroine -
Made of Steel by Ivy Smoak
Once upon a time, my name was Summer Brooks. I fell in love with a prince and my dreams went as far as the stars. I had my whole life figured out. I had my whole life in front of me. But my life wasn’t meant to be a fairy tale. Everything I knew was taken away in a flash. Broken. Lost. Abandoned. Beaten. Ten years of pain. Ten years of torture. I’m finally free...Categorized as:
new adult love triangle other-man-woman m-f fantasy superheroes suspense contemporary -
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Spectacular by Stephanie Garber
Welcome, welcome back to the enchanting world of Caraval! Return to the legendary magic and the whimsical wonder with this beautifully illustrated holiday novella. Snowflakes are falling.Invitations are arriving.And holiday magic is swirling in the capital city of the Meridian Empire.It’s Great Holiday Eve Eve. Scarlett Dragna is planning a spectacular Holiday celebration for the city...Categorized as:
m-f magic new adult abduction competent heroine sassy heroine independent heroine sweet-hero -
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 4 by SUOL, Gwon Gyeoeul
“When I’m with you, there’s truly never a dull moment.”The Hunt is on! Penelope heads off to the small-game area in hopes of finding a present for Eckles…only to run into a hostile bear! Armed with desperation and a crossbow, Penelope holds it off, until Callisto unexpectedly comes to her rescue...Categorized as:
betrayal magic new adult m-f slow burn competent heroine independent heroine sassy heroine -
Fruits Basket: The Complete Collection by Natsuki Takaya
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsFruits Basket: Complete SeriesVolumes 1-23A family with an ancient curse...And the girl who will change their lives forever...Tohru Honda was an orphan with no place to go until the mysterious Sohma family offered her a place to call home. Now her ordinary high school life is turned upside down as she's introduced to the Sohma's world of magical curses and family secrets...Categorized as:
love triangle magic other-man-woman fantasy young adult urban fantasy paranormal length-epic -
Overtaken by K.F. Breene
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsReunited with her people, Shanti knows that she must make a move in order to finally put her duty to rest. But as always, Xandre is one step ahead of her.For one brief moment when she lets down her guard, Shanti falls into enemy hands. But if Xandre thought she would be a docile prisoner, he was sadly mistaken...Categorized as:
magic new adult war m-f independent heroine competent heroine sassy heroine possessive hero -
The Best is Yet to Come by Jessica Redland
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsEscape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.Emma is having a fresh start.After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter's farms... -
Monster's Mercy by William D. Arand
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsAn existence spent being forced to kill others to satiate a Monster. Where the only thing to look forward to was the blessed, if brief, period of time between paying that bribe. Except that very same Monster is and isn’t Rene. It just happened to live inside his own mind and force him to do what it wanted. Rather than being an actual Monster...
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