Book merch used to mean a tote bag and maybe a mug. This week, The Cut rounded up the current fashion, beauty, and home collaborations inspired by Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and the list shows how far fandom shopping has come. Here's how to sort through it so you buy the pieces you'll actually use, not just the ones that look good in a cart.
The five collaborations The Cut highlights: Starfall jewelry, Knix, For Love & Lemons, Target, and Barnes & Noble. The Cut's framing is that book merch has become a lifestyle signal, especially for romantasy readers. That's a useful lens, because it suggests a simple question to ask before you buy anything: where will this live in my daily life?
A note before we start: the roundup, as summarized here, doesn't include prices, sizes, or specific product details. Check each brand's own site for current availability and costs before you plan a budget.
Start With the Everyday Wearable: Starfall Jewelry
Jewelry is the easiest way to carry a favorite series into daily life. A necklace or ring works with what you already own, and nobody needs to know the reference unless you tell them.
If you want to dip in without committing to a full look, this is the place to begin. Try this:
- Pick one piece, not a stack.
- Wear it with plain basics first (a white tee, a knit, a denim jacket) to see if it feels like you.
- Save the statement styling for when you know you love it.
The Starfall collection is the one to consider if your goal is subtle fandom you can wear anywhere.
Choose Comfort at Home: Knix and For Love & Lemons
The Cut lists both Knix and For Love & Lemons among the ACOTAR collaborations, and the roundup describes the fashion side as including intimates. That puts these two in the more personal, wear-it-for-yourself category.
A practical way to decide between them:
- Think about when you'd wear it. Pieces you'll put on every day deserve more of your budget than a one-time party item.
- Check the brand's usual fit and fabric. If you already own something from Knix or For Love & Lemons, you know how their sizing runs. That's real information a themed label can't change.
- Start small. One piece from a collection tells you more than a full haul.
Because I only have the headline-level details, look at each brand's site for what's actually in the ACOTAR lineup.
Add Cozy Reading Touches: Target and Barnes & Noble
The Cut notes that the collaborations reach cozy reading accessories, and Target and Barnes & Noble are the two retail names on the list. These are the likeliest places to find fandom items that suit a reading corner or a gift basket.
If you're building a small reading spot, a few small touches go a long way:
- A soft layer. Something within arm's reach of your chair makes you more likely to sit down and read.
- A good light. Warm lighting makes an evening corner feel inviting.
- One fandom item, not five. A single themed piece looks intentional. A shelf crowded with merch can feel like a store display.
These are general home styling ideas, not claims about any particular ACOTAR product, so see what Target and Barnes & Noble actually stock before you plan around it.
Use a Simple Three-Question Filter
When everything is themed to something you love, it's easy to say yes to all of it. Run each item through these questions:
- Would I use this if it had no logo or reference? If yes, buy it.
- Do I have a spot for it? A mug with no shelf space becomes clutter.
- Is it for me or for a gift? Gifts for readers are the easiest win. A fan of the series will likely appreciate a thoughtful pick more than a pile.
The Cut's roundup argues that romantasy readers treat favorite series like fashion and lifestyle identities. That's a good reason to buy with intention. Identity pieces work best when they're chosen, not collected by accident.
Match the Item to the Person
If you're shopping for someone else, a rough guide helps:
- For the subtle fan: jewelry, since it reads as style first and fandom second.
- For the comfort-first reader: something from the cozy end of the lineup.
- For the last-minute gift: a bookstore or big-box pick from Barnes & Noble or Target, where browsing in person is easy.
This is my own take on matching, not something the roundup prescribes.
The Takeaway
Pick one ACOTAR piece that you would wear or use on an ordinary Tuesday, buy that first, and let the rest wait until you know it earns its place.