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Slept-On Rom-Coms That Deserve Their Main Character Moment

Okay, hear me out—rom-coms are not dead. People say the golden age ended in the 2000s, but if you dig a little deeper, there are some absolute gems that didn’t get the hype they deserved. Like yeah, we all know 10 Things I Hate About You and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (iconic behavior), but there are some underrated ones out there just waiting to ruin your life in the best way.

I actually did a whole blog post called 5 Rom-Coms That Wrecked Me: Laugh, Cry, Scream, and trust me, the title is not exaggerating. Rom-coms really do the most—they make you giggle at 2 AM, feel lonely even when you’re not, and occasionally send you into an existential crisis… but like, in a cute way.

So if you're looking for something fresh, fun, and criminally underrated, here are a few that deserve your attention:

1. About Time (2013) This one is more rom-dram-com but it will emotionally destroy you. It’s about time travel, love, and appreciating the little things, and it somehow makes you cry and laugh at the same time. Not enough people talk about it and that’s honestly a crime.

2. Sleeping with Other People (2015) Don’t let the title fool you—it’s actually super sweet. It’s like a messier, more real version of When Harry Met Sally, with characters who are just trying to figure their sh*t out. The chemistry? Off the charts. The dialogue? Snappy and unhinged. We love to see it.

3. Man Up (2015) This British rom-com is chaotic in the best way. Imagine accidentally taking someone else’s blind date and then actually vibing with them? It’s fast-paced, witty, and weirdly relatable. If you’re into awkward, charming leads with a side of British humor, add this to your list ASAP.

4. The Incredible Jessica James (2017) Jessica Williams owns this movie. It’s modern, quirky, and real in a way that a lot of rom-coms shy away from. The romance is cute, but the best part? Watching a woman be messy, bold, and figuring herself out post-breakup. A whole vibe.

5. Plus One (2019) Friends-to-lovers but done right. It’s funny, fast, and super easy to watch, but it also hits you in the gut when you least expect it. If you’ve ever caught feelings for your bestie—or just love weddings—you’ll feel seen.

Honestly, rom-coms like these deserve way more love. They might not have made the mainstream BookTok-style chaos, but they’ve got that same energy that makes you scream into your pillow in the middle of the night.

Have you seen any of these? Or do you have a fave underrated rom-com I need to watch and cry about? Hit me up—I’m always down to fall in love with fictional people.

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Fantasy That Burns and Bleeds: ACOTAR vs. Fourth Wing

The realm of romantasy—where magic and love collide in dangerous, dreamy ways—has given us some unforgettable stories. Two that currently dominate both BookTok and fantasy readers’ hearts are Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing. Each has its own flavor of intensity, but both captivate in ways that leave you sleepless, either crying into your pillow or plotting your next reread. It's no wonder that so many heated comparisons and passionate debates happen online—ACOTAR vs. Fourth Wing has practically become its own genre of discourse.

But what exactly makes these two stand out, and how do they stack up against each other? Let’s get into it, bookworm style.

✨ World-Building: Faerie Courts vs. Dragon Flights

In ACOTAR, Maas crafts a world built on political intrigue, ancient grudges, and glittering danger. Prythian is vast and deeply layered, with a rich court system, lore dripping from every page, and enough mythology to rival an encyclopedia. It's like stepping into a forest that’s both magical and bloodthirsty—you never really know who to trust, which is part of the thrill.

Fourth Wing, on the other hand, takes place in Basgiath War College, a brutal, high-stakes training ground for dragon riders. Yarros creates a militaristic, rigid world where survival is everything. The stakes feel more immediate, more physical—less ethereal magic, more bone-breaking reality. Dragons aren’t just majestic creatures—they’re deadly, opinionated, and often hilarious, which adds a whole new dynamic.

Verdict? ACOTAR wins on sprawling fantasy and intricate lore, while Fourth Wing hits harder with intensity, urgency, and grit.

❤️ Romance: Slow-Burn vs. Spark-Strike

One of the main draws of both series is the romance, obviously.

In ACOTAR, the romantic arcs unfold over time, with major shifts, heartbreaks, and character growth. Feyre’s journey through love—from Tamlin to Rhysand—is a slow-burn saga of emotional evolution. It feels earned. The chemistry sizzles, but it’s the emotional depth that really hits.

In contrast, Fourth Wing jumps in faster. Violet and Xaden’s chemistry is immediate and undeniable, laced with danger and trust issues. The tension crackles. It’s not exactly insta-love, but it flirts with it—though Yarros makes sure it doesn't feel shallow. Their banter is sharp, their bond compelling, and the physical attraction is turned all the way up.

Verdict? Fourth Wing brings the heat, but ACOTAR makes you ache. Depends on your vibe: quick burn or emotional investment?

🧠 Main Characters: Feyre vs. Violet

Feyre Archeron is resilient, sharp, and artistically driven. She grows from a survival-focused huntress to a High Fae with staggering power. Her arc is filled with pain, healing, and moments of raw, vulnerable strength. She’s stubborn, compassionate, and deeply flawed—which makes her easy to root for.

Violet Sorrengail is physically fragile but mentally unshakable. Forced into a world where strength means survival, she outsmarts rather than out-muscles her opponents. Violet’s strength lies in her brain, her empathy, and her refusal to give in. Plus, she’s got a killer internal monologue.

Verdict? Both are iconic in their own right, but Violet brings a refreshing kind of strength we don’t see as often. Feyre, though, has that deep emotional pull.

📚 Writing Style & Vibe

Maas’s writing is lush, poetic, and emotionally charged. It’s the kind of writing you highlight and reread because it makes you feel. Every sentence in ACOTAR feels like it's coated in shadow and starlight.

Yarros, meanwhile, writes with cinematic clarity. Fourth Wing is fast-paced, dialogue-heavy, and immersive in a way that feels like watching a really good series. It’s bingeable and brutal, without sacrificing character depth.

Verdict? Maas is for the poetic soul; Yarros is for the adrenaline junkie.

So, Which Should You Read?

Honestly? Both.

If you want brooding fae lords, magical courts, and devastating emotional arcs, ACOTAR is your holy grail. But if dragons, danger, and smart, sassy heroines who don't back down are more your jam, Fourth Wing is your next obsession.

Both books redefine fantasy romance in their own way—and comparing ACOTAR vs. Fourth Wing might just come down to what kind of heartbreak you're craving.