Bookish Candles: 10 Great Book and Candle Pairings for Readers

Bookish Candle Pairings for Readers

There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book and the perfect candle to match the vibe. I am trying to break the habit of saving my “best candles” for “special events” (what does that even mean!?). So, instead, I have been using my favorite scented candles to set some ambiance for whatever I’m reading lately. I thought you might want to get in on this fun bookish candles pairing, too! To help you out, this list includes 10 book-and-candle pairings based on mood and aesthetic, creating an immersive reading experience you’re going to love.

Table of Contents:

10 Perfectly Paired Bookish Candles by Genre

Fiery and Adventurous

Books with high-stakes action, powerful romance, and bold characters, and strong candle scents to match.

1. The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros

Pair with: Burning Woods from Voluspa

For this fantasy series — full of dragons, dark magic, intense action sequences, and plenty of romance — I wanted to pair the books with a smoky type of scent. Something with hints of smoldering wood and spice, a nod to the leathers that the characters wear and the spice of the romance scenes.

So, when you’re reading any of the Empyrean books — whether you are just starting Fourth Wing, or you’re into Iron Flame and Onyx Storm — light up Voluspa’s Burning Woods. Not only does the woody scent pair well with this fantasy series, but the candles themselves suit the Empyrean aesthetic.

Curious about Fourth Wing and the Empyrean Series?
Check out my reader’s guide to The Empyrean fantasy book series here!

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR Series) by Sarah J. Maas

Pair with: Forest Bathing Candle from Anecdote

A seductive fantasy romance with fae magic and high-stakes adventure, the ACOTAR series — which starts with the eponymous book, A Court of Thorns and Roses — is peak romantasy. The series features otherworldly settings, magical characters, and mythological lore, all wrapped up into one wild ride.

So, for bookish candles to burn while reading ACOTAR, I would pair this Forest Bathing candle from Anecdote, which features scents of green tea (one of the best candle scents, in my opinion) and lemongrass. The candle’s name harkens back to the start of the series with Feyra’s initial troubles in the woods, and the subtitle (“smells like clear minds and awakened spirits”) speaks to the arc of her story.

Want to know more about this wildly popular fantasy series?
Check out my reader’s guide to the ACOTAR series here!

3. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pair with: Voluspa’s French Cade Lavender Candle

If you haven’t started this contemporary book series, I highly recommend it! The Inheritance Games is a twisty, high-stakes mystery with a lavish setting. Lots of rich teens and young adults running around and dealing with drama — think Gossip Girl mixed with Knives Out in all the best ways (more on that in my reader’s guide here!).

Not only does my candle choice match the gorgeous green cover of first book in the series, but the scent profile is entirely suitable as well! Voluspa’s French Cade Lavender (a personal favorite of mine) is the perfect mix of woody and herbal, a heady blend that mirrors the mystery set out in the first book of the series.

Soft and Romantic

Cozy, heartfelt romances that are all about love and charm, with the best candle scents to highlight their moods and locations.

4. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Pair with: Maison Margiela’s Replica Beach Vibes Scented Candle

Happy Place can be adequately described as a heartwarming second-chance romance with East Coast beach vibes, but the book is really so much more than that. The book really spoke to me as a must-read for anyone in their late-twenties and early-thirties, experiencing the growing pains of adulthood that no one really warns you about. 

For Happy Place, I’ve picked Maison Margiela’s Replica Beach Vibes Scented Candle as my bookish candles choice. This choice was twofold, based on both the candle’s scent but also on candle theme ideas. Not only does the scent match the book’s setting and aesthetic — sun kissed, salty skin — but the style description also speaks to the themes of the book: “memory in a candle.”

5. The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

Pair with: Spa from Hotel Lobby Candle

This Regency romance series features equal parts elegance and charm, with a touch of scandal. The series has eight books, one for each of the Bridgerton children as they come of age and fall in love (I have more details and reviews of the series here). Basically, this series was made for a cozy night of reading with a cup of tea and a lovely candle!

This regency-inspired book series calls for a clean, floral scent. Hotel Lobby’s Spa stands out as a great fit, both because of its color, which reminded me of the Bridgerton home, and because of its scent profile. Featuring eucalyptus, jasmine, and amber, among other soothing aromatics, this candle will transport you to the salons and ballrooms of the

Are you a fan of the Bridgerton aesthetic?
You’re going to love my guide to Bridgerton style home decor here!

6.Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Pair With: Blond Tabac from Voluspa

The first book in Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch universe, Done and Dusted is swoon-worthy cowboy romance with small-town charm. Set in the fictitious Meadowlark, Wyoming, this book will have you craving wide open spaces, blue skies, and cozy flannels.

With that in mind, the Blond Tabac scent from Voluspa is the perfect pairing for this book. The warm, spiced scent offers a rustic undertone with warm vanilla to bolster the cozy feel of this book.

Moody and Evocative

Books with deep emotions, lyrical writing, and thought-provoking themes, with equally emotive scented candles.

7. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Pair with: Athleisure Candle from Anecdote

Since I read this new Ali Hazelwood romance, I cannot get Deep End out of my head. So, let’s pair it with a candle! This is a moody romance between collegiate athletes (one is a diver, the other a swimmer), featuring some serious emotional depth and an anxious protagonist that seems to resonate with many readers.

Since chlorine isn’t a popular scent for candles, I’m opting for the Athleisure candle from Anecdote. With lemongrass and jasmine, this candle promotes calm and balance — something Deep End‘s protagonist struggles to find. Plus, the candle’s tagline of “smells like color-coordinated workout gear” is spot on for the college sports vibe.

8. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Pair With: The Library Candle from Fly Paper Products

Part of a stunning fantasy duology with magical typewriters and a mix of enemies to lovers and forbidden love, Rebecca Ross’ Divine Rivals is at once other worldly and eerily realistic. With sensational dark academia vibes, this book is for all the readers who grew up dreaming of writing their own stories in their own libraries.

For this pairing, I delved into some more bookish candles and picked a candle from Fly Paper Products on Etsy called The Library. The fragrance profile features old books, eucalyptus, and lavender, which suit Divine Rivals rather nicely. If only it came with some soothing ambiance music with hints of typewriter keys…!

Whimsical and Magical

Stories that transport you to another world — whether it’s a faerie realm or the Scottish Highlands — and book candles to match the mood.

9. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Pair with: Voluspa’s Foraged Wildberry Candle

At once whimsical and darkly fantastical, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries brings together two clashing professors seeking to study the elusive Fair Folk. Equal parts cottagecore and dark academia, this book is cozy in all the right ways. This book kicks off a three-book series full of whimsy and wit (more on that here!).

Thanks to its fruity scent with notes of fallen leaves and golden amber, you will feel transported to a faerie realm with the Voluspa’s Foraged Wildberry candle. Featuring all the cozy cottagecore vibes from Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeires, this candle could have come straight from the pages of the book!

10. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Pair with: Scottish Highlands Candle by Novelly Yours

I love Outlander — the book, the series, the show, everything. Outlander (the first book in the series) sets the stage for this epic time-traveling romance full of history, adventure, and sweeping Scottish landscapes. If you already feel the urge to pick up and move to Scotland, this book (and this candle pairing) may just inspire you to make the jump!

This was a tough pairing to settle on, because there are a few ways this could have gone in terms of literary candles. First, I looked for earthy scents with whisky tones, which would have worked, but my thoughts kept turning to the greenery of Scotland. So, I found this Scottish Highlands candle on Etsy, with notes of heather, moss, sea spray, and white rose. Pair it with a dram of your favorite whisky and you’re good to go. Slàinte mhath!

Outlander fans, are you in need of some new show recommendations?
Check out my round up of shows to watch if you love Outlander here!

Final Thoughts on These Book and Candle Pairings

Which of these bookish candle pairings would you try first? Do you have a favorite literary candle that I should add to this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments and sign up for my newsletter for more bookish recommendations!

Shop the Bookish Candles Featured Here

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 *This post was originally published in February 2025. It was most recently updated on May 11, 2026.