The Perfect Replacement For Vampire Diaries' Romance Is Actually 1 Huge BookTok Series

Summary Fans of The Vampire Diaries will love A Court of Thorns and Roses for a similar romance fix.

Rhysand mirrors Damon Salvatore, while Tamlin resembles Stefan Salvatore in ACOTAR series.

One key difference between the two series: Tamlin's redemption arc in ACOTAR is still uncertain.

Even though The Vampire Diaries ended years ago, fans still miss the romance of the series – but there's one hot BookTook series that is the perfect replacement: A Court of Thorns and Roses. The Vampire Diaries, based on the books by L.J. Smith, were adapted into a TV show that was beloved for the eight seasons it ran, and fans still mourn its end, which came in 2017. While there were two Vampire Diaries spinoffs, one great (The Originals) and one not so great (Legacies), neither one quite lived up to the heights of the original Vampire Diaries show.

Since then, fans of the show have been searching for something to fill the void left by the characters of Mystic Falls and the stories and romances they took with them when the show was canceled. Romantasy readers may already know there are a few book series that can scratch that itch. Those unfamiliar with the romantasy genre, or who are just getting back into reading as a hobby, however, may not know about the Court of Thorns and Roses books, or how many beats they share with The Vampire Diaries.

Related 10 Perfect Court Of Thorns & Roses Memes For The ACOTAR Fan The Court of Thorns and Roses series is well-beloved by fans, and its memorable characters and fun dynamics make it the perfect series for memes.

Rhysand Is Our New Damon Salvatore

Their Villainy Hides Their Soft Hearts

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At the top of the casting list for Rhysand in the Court of Thorns and Roses TV show is Ian Somerhalder, and with good reason. Readers who have jumped into the ACOTAR books haven't been able to ignore the strong similarities between love interest Rhysand and Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. In fact, some of their personality traits, especially when Rhysand was still pretending to be evil, and some of their physical characteristics are so similar that one can't help but think Sarah J. Maas had Damon in the back of her mind when bringing Rhys to life.

Most notably, both Damon and Rhysand start out as villains: cocky, cruel, and utterly loathed by the female protagonists of each series, Elena Gilbert and Feyre Archeron. Fairly quickly, though, it's revealed that Rhys and Damon each keep up a front to hide their incredibly soft hearts. It's slightly different: Rhys is truly putting on an act, while Damon can still occasionally be a true wild card. Rhysand puts up his villain front to project authority and fear to protect those he loves, while Damon shuts off his human emotions because he feels and hurts too much. But both characters are perfect examples of the bad boy with a heart of gold archetype, however, and noble in the end.

Tamlin Is The Equivalent Of Stefan Salvatore

He Has A Feral Dark Side That Pushed His Lover Away

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If Rhysand is Damon Salvatore, then that can only mean Tamlin is Stefan Salvatore in the general narrative arc. Much like Stefan, Tamlin started out as a steady, stable, calm presence for Feyre after a tumultuous time in her life. In The Vampire Diaries, Stefan was the same for Elana after the death of her parents. Both Stefan and Tamlin, however, have a dark side they both try to repress, a side that is framed in terms of primal bestiality and uncontrollable rage. Once Elena and Feyre see those sides of their their lovers, it fractures the relationship.

That leads to the other way Tamlin and Stefan are similar: they both lose the girl. Once Stefan goes berserker and gives into bloodlust in The Vampire Diaries, it drives Elena into Damon's arms. Once Tamlin starts to grow possessive and full of rage, it pushes Feyre away and to Rhysand. Ultimately, the second loves of both Elena and Feyre, Damon and Rhysand, end up being a far better fit. Interestingly, they're a better fit for similar reasons: neither coddle their female lover, nor do they try to control her. Instead, they allow them to be who they are, while Tamlin and Stefan are too overprotective, their love driving them to extremes.

There's One Big Difference Between ACOTAR & The Vampire Diaries

Stefan Eventually Found Peace And Redemption

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There is, however, one big difference between A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Vampire Diaries - so far, at least. It took a while, but Stefan ultimately found love again in The Vampire Diaries in the form of Caroline Forbes, who ended up being the great love of his life. In the ACOTAR books, however, Tamlin has yet to find new love. In fact, he has yet to even emerge from his bestial state. Stefan wasn't always the best person, but he was an ultimately good man. With Tamlin, though, the jury's still out on his redemption arc. If the past is anything to go by, though, he'll redeem himself before the story comes to a close.