9 Times I Fell in Love with Lucien While Reading ACOTAR

From his quick wit to his cheeky charm, there is just so much to love about the fox-masked faerie we meet in Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series. And if you’re anything like me, you’re still struggling to wrap your head around the fact that Feyre fell for Tamlin when Lucien was literally RIGHT THERE.

But unlike Feyre, I was not blind nor immune to Lucien’s red-hot rizz, so I decided to dedicate an entire article to all his best moments from book one (with a couple of bonus scenes from ACOWAR)

So if you’re a fellow member of the Lucien stan club, buckle up and prepare to be reminded that you’re in love with a totally fictional character (and that’s perfectly welcome here!)

😍 1. When he introduced himself to Feyre

“My apologies, lady.” Another joke at my expense. “I’m Lucien. Courtier and emissary.” He gestured to me with a flourish. “Your eyes are like stars, and your hair like burnished gold.”
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 6

From the first moment we were introduced to Lucien’s character, I just knew I was going to love him. The combination of cheek and charm in this scene hooked me, and I haven’t stopped swooning since 🥰

😍 2. When he taunted Feyre about her sword skills

Lucien huffed a laugh. “Not as good as Tam, but I know how to handle my weapons.” He patted the hilt of his sword. “Would you like me to teach you how to wield a blade, or do you already know how, oh mighty mortal huntress? If you took down Andras, you probably don’t need to learn anything. Only where to aim, right?”
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 10

I’ve always considered Lucien giving Feyre a hard time in this scene to be the moment they started down the path to friendship, and that just gives me all the feels. I also got an entirely different kind of feels about Lucien saying he knows how to handle his weapons 😏

😍 3. When Feyre was totally checking him out

It was there he sat, wearing only a white shirt and trousers, his red hair unbound and gleaming like liquid fire. Tamlin’s court-trained emissary, but a warrior in his own right.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 13

Up to this point, I knew that I was in love with Lucien’s personality, but it wasn’t until this moment that I drooled a little over him physically (and I’m fairly certain Feyre did too). “Gleaming like liquid fire”? Say less, Sarah 🥵

😍 4. When he told Feyre the truth and gave her a weapon

“I heard you scream,” he said as I examined the blade in my hands. I’d never held one so finely crafted, so perfectly balanced. “And I hesitated. Not long, but I hesitated before I came running. Even though Tam got there in time, I still broke my word in those seconds I waited.” He jerked his chin at the knife. “It’s yours. Don’t bury it in my back, please.”
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 18

I feel like this is such an underrated Lucien moment that I had to include it. Not only was he completely honest with Feyre about failing her, but he also willingly gave her a weapon knowing it would help her to feel safer and better protected against the dangerous creatures of Prythian 🥹

😍 5. When he lied to get away from Feyre and Tamlin

Whatever discussion Tamlin and Lucien had been having stopped, and I tried not to look at their wide eyes as I strode to my usual place at the end of the table. “Well, I’m late for something incredibly important,” Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay, the fox-masked faerie vanished.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 22

I genuinely laughed out loud during this scene. It was peak Lucien tomfoolery and I just love how he wanted exactly no part of Feyre and Tamlin’s awkward back and forth 😂

😍 6. When he teased Feyre for kissing Tamlin

Lucien chuckled, sensing it, and I glared sidelong at him. “You’ve been noticeably absent again.” He used the dagger to clean his nails. “I’ve been busy. So have you, I take it.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded. “If I offer you the moon on a string, will you give me a kiss, too?”
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 24

This will forever go down as one of Lucien’s most memorable lines and definitely the moment I fell all the way in love with him. Also the moment I truly questioned Feyre’s judgement for falling for “your hair is… clean” guy instead 😑

😍 7. When Feyre was checking him out…again

But his glamour had been ripped away. His auburn hair burned like hot metal, and his russet eye smoldered like a bottomless forge. That was what I would capture next.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 25

I died over this scene- Feyre is absolutely blasted on faerie wine and totally eye-f***ing Lucien (and definitely wants to paint him naked). And again with the descriptions, Sarah! Hot, smoldered, bottomless 🔥

😍 8. When he wouldn’t give up Feyre’s name to Amarantha

“Her name, Emissary?” Amarantha asked of Lucien. But Lucien only glanced at Tamlin before closing his eyes and squaring his shoulders … Amarantha sighed. “I thought you would have learned your lesson, Lucien. Though this time your silence will damn you as much as your tongue.” Lucien kept his eyes shut. Ready—he was ready for Rhysand to wipe out everything he was, to turn his mind, his self, into dust.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 35

The loyalty and bravery that Lucien showed in this scene made me so emotional. He didn’t hesitate for a second in his decision to give his life up in exchange for protecting Feyre, and that says everything you need to know about his character 🤩

😍 9. When he risked his life (again) to save Feyre’s

Then, shattering the silence like a shooting star, a voice—Lucien’s—bellowed across the chamber. “TO YOUR LEFT!” I bolted, getting a few feet before the wall behind me exploded, mud spraying as the worm burst through, a mass of shredding teeth just inches away.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 36

Again, Lucien puts his life on the line to save Feyre’s without a second thought. This alone is so impactful, yet when you compare it to the utter nothing that Tamlin has done to help Feyre, it’s truly remarkable 🥲

Bonus ACOWAR Scenes

😍 When he caught a fish with his bare hands

Lucien eventually stopped at a jade stream wending through a granite-flanked gully, a spot he claimed had once been rich with trout. I was in the process of constructing a rudimentary fishing pole when he waded into the stream, boots off and pants rolled to his knees, and caught one with his bare hands. He’d tied his hair up, a few strands of it falling into his face as he swooped down again and threw a second trout onto the sandy bank where I’d been trying to find a substitute for fishing twine.
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 11

Sarah knew what she was doing sneaking this in cause LAWD have mercy, the imagery of this scene got me like 🤤

😍 When Feyre checks him out one last time

It wasn’t a formal dinner by any means—though Lucien, standing near the windows and watching the sun set over Velaris, was wearing a fine green jacket embroidered with gold, his cream-colored pants showing off muscled thighs, and his knee-high black boots polished enough that the chandeliers of faelight reflected off them. He’d always had a casual grace about him, but here, tonight, with his hair tied back and jacket buttoned to his neck, he truly looked the part of a High Lord’s son. Handsome, powerful, a bit rakish—but well-mannered and elegant.
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Chapter 17

All I have to say is, Elain, you’re an idiot. (And Lucien-call me 😉)

Final Thoughts…

Looking back at all these moments, it’s easy to see why the fox-masked faerie from book one captured our hearts and never let go.

What makes Lucien so irresistible isn’t just his “liquid fire” hair or that russet eye that “smolders like a bottomless forge” (seriously, SJM, these descriptions are doing things to me), it’s the fact that despite his own trauma and precarious position at the Spring Court, he consistently puts others before himself, even when it means risking everything.

With every reread, I find myself appreciating Lucien’s character more and more, uncovering new layers and moments that make me fall in love all over again.