What We’re Loving Right Now: Romantasy - The Secret Club Everyone’s Talking About
Move over, Fabio. The bare-chested heroes of your mom’s mass-market romance paperbacks are retired. These days, there’s a whole new genre crashing the party: romantasy.
Think of it as fantasy’s dramatic flair + romance’s swoon factor + just enough intrigue and espionage to keep you whispering one more chapter at 2 a.m.
This isn’t your grandmother’s bodice-ripper. This is next-level escapism, and honestly, we’re all in the club. (And yes, you’re invited.)
Why Romantasy Is Everywhere Right Now
Life is messy. Deadlines pile up, the news is stressful, and sometimes the most rebellious thing you can do is slam the door, slip into a world where queens command dragons, and yes…fall in love with the dark prince you were absolutely supposed to kill.
Romantasy gives you:
A dopamine hit from swoony romance
Adrenaline from epic battles and political coups
Permission to explore complicated issues (power, inequality, desire) from the safe distance of a magical world
Basically, it’s therapy with hotter costumes.
Suspend Your Sense of Reality
Here’s the thing about romantasy: you have to suspend your sense of reality—and that’s exactly the point.
Sometimes you’ll be reading and think:
No way.
That can’t possibly happen.
But if you do that, you’re missing out on all the fun. The magic comes from letting yourself fully immerse in a world that’s:
Wildly fantastical
Totally unrealistic
Completely addictive
Yes, of course:
The 19-year-old who’s been kept prisoner and barely alive for her whole life is suddenly the queen who’s going to save the realm.
They just had an incredibly bloody, sweaty, gory battle—and then come back to rip each other’s clothes off.
It’s ridiculous. It’s over-the-top. And exactly why it works.
Romantasy thrives when you let go of “realistic” and lean into:
The swoon
The suspense
The heart-pounding drama
Tropes We Secretly (Okay, Not-So-Secretly) Love
Let’s be honest: half the fun of romantasy is the tropes. These are the ones that keep us hooked, make us swoon, and sometimes stay up way too late:
Reverse Harem – One heroine, multiple men—but not just any men. Imagine getting the brooding protector, the loyal best friend, and the clever, swoon-worthy nerd—all in one story. Personal note: I was skeptical at first, but the sweet, nuanced dynamics make this trope surprisingly endearing.
Shape-Shifters & Magical Beings – Dragons, shadow assassins, wolf packs…these characters aren’t just dangerous—they’re irresistible. You find yourself rooting for the heroine to tame the beast…or secretly hoping she doesn’t.
Enemies-to-Lovers – The tension! The banter! The slow, delicious dance from “I can’t stand you” to “I can’t resist you.” It’s endlessly satisfying.
The Chosen One / Secret Royalty – Hidden powers, secret lineages, or prophecies that suddenly make the heroine the center of the universe. Bonus: the romantic subplot is almost always intertwined with destiny, and we can’t get enough.
Drama & Tension That Keeps Us Hooked
Romance alone isn’t enough—these elements keep us glued to the page, heart in our throats:
Palace Politics & Espionage – Poisoned goblets, whispered secrets behind velvet curtains, alliances that crumble mid-ball. The romance is delicious, but the scheming? Even more addictive.
Epic Battles – One minute you’re swooning, the next you’re holding your breath through duels or full-scale war. Watching a heroine survive chaos and sneak in a kiss? Iconic.
Forbidden & Slow-Burn Love – The ultimate tension-builder. That moment when sworn enemies share one freezing cabin? It’s not the fire that makes you sweat—it’s the slow burn.
How to Start Your Beginner Romantasy Era
If you’re new to the genre, it can feel overwhelming—but it’s easy to dip your toes in with beginner romantasy books. Here’s a suggested roadmap::
Start Small (YA Standalone): Blood over Brighthaven – Low spice, but maximum heart. Think “f-the patriarchy” energy: a trailblazing heroine taking on a broken system, sacrificing everything to right the establishment’s wrongs. You’ll feel your heartstrings tug hard, and you’ll be rooting for her long after the last page.
Graduate to YA Series: Powerless by Lauren Roberts – Paedyn has no magic in a kingdom obsessed with it. She survives by lying, stealing, and faking her way through a deadly competition…until a powerful prince starts seeing through her.
Level Up to Adult Romantasy: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Poppy is supposed to remain a maiden, untouched, hidden away, destined for a role she never chose. But when she falls for her guard, everything unravels: secrets, betrayals, and steamy scenes that will make you text your best friend in all caps.
Pro tip: Add these to your Goodreads, download on Kindle, or grab the audio from Audible or Libby.
Romantasy Book List
Here’s a romantasy book list we keep coming back to:
Epic & Steamy: From Blood and Ash (Jennifer L. Armentrout)- Interweave the Flesh and Fire Series for the multi-generational plot twist!
Smart and Spicy-ish YA: Blood Over Brighthaven (M.L Wang)
Trendsetting Adventure: Fourth Wing (Rebecca Yarros)
Classic Must-Read: A Court of Thorns and Roses (Sarah J. Maas)
Binge-Worthy YA Series: PowerLess (Lauren Roberts)
These romantasy recommendations are perfect whether you’re looking for escapism, epic worldbuilding, or swoon-inducing romance.
For Fans Of…
Still not sure if romantasy is your thing? Let’s translate:
If you loved Game of Thrones but wished it had a happily-ever-after → try From Blood and Ash.
If you binge-watched Bridgerton but craved more daggers and dragons → A Court of Thorns and Roses is your vibe.
If you’re obsessed with Outlander → romantasy is definitely your next destination—give Fourth Wing a whirl.
Reading With Your Ears (aka My Secret Weapon)
Full disclosure: I’m an audio reader. It’s how I sneak entire trilogies into my week without anyone realizing.
Audible for big releases (I bump the speed up, because who has time for 1x?).
Libby for free library access (hidden gem).
Kindle Unlimited if you want to binge like it’s Netflix.
Pro Tips:
Check your Bluetooth before starting the carpool. No one needs Chapter 23 blasting with kids in the backseat.
Adjust volume before rolling down your window. Your neighbor at the stoplight may not be ready for: “His mouth claimed hers with a hunger that left her dizzy, her back arching against the wall like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment.”
(Hot, but not a PTA-meeting convo starter.)
Authors You Need in Your Romantasy Starter Pack
Carissa Broadbent – If you love swoony romance wrapped in epic world-building, Broadbent delivers. Think lush fantasy realms, strong heroines, and just the right mix of adventure and heart-stopping romance. Perfect for fans of reverse harem or magical intrigue.
Nisha J Tuli – Tuli’s stories are rich with emotional depth and diverse characters who leap off the page. Expect witty banter, slow-burn romance, and plots that tug at your heartstrings while keeping you turning pages late into the night.
Tahereh Mafi – Mafi is the queen of lyrical prose and gripping, tension-filled narratives. Whether it’s forbidden love, epic stakes, or heartbreakingly beautiful slow burns, her books stay with you long after the last page.
Emily Varga – Varga combines compelling world-building with humor and heart. Her stories often feature quirky, relatable heroines navigating danger, magic, and romance with a wink. Perfect for readers who love a little fun mixed with their epic romantasy.
Sarah J. Maas – Throne of Glass and Crescent City: master of slow-burn romance, sprawling kingdoms, and heart-wrenching battles.
Rebecca Yarros – Fourth Wing and beyond: dragons, high-stakes military academies, and gut-punch emotions.
Lauren Roberts – Powerless: YA romantasy that balances danger, romance, and addictive pacing.
Jennifer L. Armentrout – From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire Series: forbidden love, political schemes, and enough heat to fog your glasses.
Pro move: Add them all to your Goodreads shelf and watch your TBR explode in real time.
Why We Can’t Quit Romantasy
It’s escapism with heart. A place where you can process real-world messiness—politics, trauma, injustice—while also getting dragons, daggers, and at least one impossibly brooding love interest.
Let’s be honest: we’re all in the romantasy club because sometimes we just need a heroine to win the war and get the kiss.
Romantasy FAQ: Your Crash Course
Q: Which trope is my match?
Love danger + deception → Go political intrigue.
Love slow tension → Forbidden romance or slow burn.
Love fantasy creatures → Bring on the shifters.
Love multiple love interests → Reverse harem is your playground.
Q: Should I start with YA or adult?
If you want fast pacing and lighter spice, start with YA. If you’re craving darker themes and more steam, adult is the way to go.
Q: How spicy do these books get?
It depends. YA might give you a swoony kiss and fade-to-black. Adult? Let’s just say you’ll want headphones.
Q: What’s the difference between romantasy and paranormal romance?
Romantasy usually has sprawling kingdoms, epic quests, and political intrigue alongside the romance. Paranormal romance tends to be more contemporary, with vampires/werewolves/witches navigating our world.
Q: Can romantasy handle heavier topics?
Yes. Many series explore inequality, trauma, even systemic oppression—but always within a magical world. Always check trigger warnings before diving in.
Q: Why is it everywhere right now?
Because readers want two things: adventure + reassurance that love still wins. Romantasy delivers both—wrapped in dragons, daggers, and stolen kisses.
So, whether you’re here for the dragons, the daggers, or the dizzying kisses that keep you up way past bedtime, romantasy is the genre that ties it all together (pun absolutely intended). Consider this your official invite into the club—bring your TBR list and maybe a fan, because things are about to get hot.