Hello, reader!

I’m doing something a little different for today’s post. I’m away from home for a work conference and I left my laptop at home, so I don’t access to my usual resources to do my Goodreads Monday! So I decided to get chatty with y’all and talk about a topic that has been on my mind lately: romantasy versus fantasy romance.

Now, why is this topic on my mind? Because I have been trying to find a romantasy that I enjoy and it… has not gone well, haha. But I know I enjoy a fantasy that has a romance in it! So why can’t I get into romantasy novels?

At first I thought it was perhaps because I’m not a big romance reader. I only really started reading the genre regularly in the past couple of years. Before that, I shame-facedly will admit, I was of the mind that romance wasn’t worth reading. Yes, I was an idiot 🙂‍↕️ But I have since read quite a few romances that I loved!

I have noticed a similarity in the romances that I like, though. They tend to be fun! Even if there are more serious topics tackled, the ones I’ve loved have had an overall light-hearted vibe. And I think therein lies my issue with romantasy. Most of the ones I have tried have been on the darker side with high stakes and “enemy” to lovers vibes.

Still, I have enjoyed high stakes fantasy novels that have a romance. I think that is because the romance isn’t the main focus of the novel. I can handle it when the world-building and plot are more central and not the kissing. I find the tension feels a little more real in a fantasy romance, too.

Now, I’m not saying I’m going to give up on romantasy. I’ve learned my lesson from romance… I have a feeling I can find something in this newer genre that will appeal to me, as well! Any suggestions would 100% be appreciated 😁