Last month was rough. The kind of rough where my car decided to break down the same week my apartment needed emergency plumbing repairs. Oh, and my boss suddenly moved up three project deadlines. You know the type.
When life gets overwhelming, everyone has their go-to comfort. Some people bake bread. Others binge-watch sitcoms. Me? I dive into romantasy novels—and I'm definitely not alone.
What's Romantasy Anyway?
Romantasy (romance + fantasy) combines magical worlds with heart-fluttering romance. Think swoony romance plots with dragons, magic systems, fae courts, or witches thrown in. Unlike traditional fantasy where romance is just a subplot, romantasy puts the relationship front and center while building rich fantasy worlds around it.
"Romantasy gives you permission to escape completely—not just to another story, but to another world entirely. That dual escape is powerful when reality feels too heavy."
If you've been anywhere near BookTok lately, you've seen these books dominating. For good reason.
The Science Behind Why Romantasy Heals 🧠
There's actual science explaining why these books work so well for emotional self-care:
1. Double escapism - Both fantasy and romance are escapist genres on their own. Combined? They're like a one-way ticket out of your stress zone.
2. Predictable comfort - While the journey is unpredictable (will they defeat the dark lord?), you know the couple will get together. That guaranteed happy ending provides security during uncertain times.
3. Emotional regulation - A friend who's a therapist mentioned that fantasy worlds allow us to process complex emotions through metaphor. When the heroine faces her demons (sometimes literally), we face ours too.
4. Stress hormones decrease - Studies show that immersive reading reduces cortisol levels. Fantasy worlds are particularly immersive.
I talked to someone who actually researches this stuff at UCLA. They explained that romantasy hits multiple pleasure centers in the brain simultaneously—the parts that respond to narrative resolution, romantic fulfillment, and creative imagination.
My Personal Romantasy Healing Journey
When everything started falling apart last month, I reached for my kindle and downloaded Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I'd heard about it from practically everyone on BookTok but hadn't gotten around to it.
Three nights later, I'd finished both available books in the series. I was sleep-deprived but emotionally recharged.
Why? Because for hours each night, I wasn't thinking about my leaking ceiling or maxed-out credit card. I was at Basgiath War College learning to ride dragons and watching Violet and Xaden figure out their complicated feelings.
The best part? When I closed the book, I felt ready to handle my actual problems. Something about watching characters overcome literally world-ending obstacles makes your own troubles seem more manageable.
The Books That Got Me Through
| Title | Author | What Makes It Healing |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Strong female lead overcoming impossible odds + dragon riding |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Transformation journey + finding family in unexpected places |
| The Bridge Kingdom | Danielle L. Jensen | Enemies-to-lovers with high stakes that make regular life seem easy |
| Daughter of No Worlds | Carissa Broadbent | Character healing from trauma while discovering magical abilities |
| Electric Idol | Katee Robert | Modern mythology retelling with spicy scenes that distract from everything |
The Korean Wave in Romantasy 🌊
One fascinating trend I've noticed is the growing influence of Korean storytelling elements in Western romantasy. After borrowing some Korean fantasy romance novels translated into English from an acquaintance, I noticed some interesting parallels with what's trending on BookTok:
Emotional depth - Korean romantasy often explores emotional wounds with remarkable depth, mirroring the psychological complexity now becoming popular in Western romantasy.
Family dynamics - The emphasis on family relationships (both blood and chosen) appears prominently in Korean-influenced romantasy.
Beautiful suffering trope - The concept of "beautiful suffering" where characters endure hardship gracefully seems to be crossing cultures.
The person who lent me these books mentioned that Korean romantasy has been using the "fated mates" trope long before it became a BookTok sensation. It makes me wonder what other cross-cultural influences we'll see next.
Why We Need Romantasy Now More Than Ever
In times of global uncertainty, economic stress, and the general chaos of adulting, romantasy provides:
1. Hope - Every romantasy book promises that good will triumph and love will win. Sometimes we desperately need that guarantee.
2. Agency - Protagonists typically discover hidden powers or strengths, reminding us we have untapped potential too.
3. Community - The BookTok romantasy community is wildly supportive and enthusiastic. Finding your reading people helps during tough times.
4. Balance - The genre combines danger with safety, adventure with comfort, reality with fantasy—exactly the balance many of us crave.
A good romantasy novel doesn't just distract from problems—it helps reframe them. After spending time with characters who defeat ancient evils and navigate complex magical politics, ordering a plumber doesn't seem so daunting.
The Reader's Prescription
If you're going through a rough patch, here's my recommendation:
- Choose a romantasy book with good reviews (BookTok rarely steers wrong)
- Create a cozy reading environment (I go for blankets, tea, and silence)
- Give yourself permission to fully immerse for at least an hour
- Notice how you feel afterward - more centered? Calmer? Inspired?
Remember: Reading "just for fun" or escapism isn't frivolous—it's necessary mental health maintenance.
I'd love to know what books have gotten you through difficult times. Fantasy romance? Contemporary? Something else entirely? Let's build a feel-good reading list together!
Tags: #RomantasyReads #BookTokFavorites #FantasyRomance #ComfortBooks #EmotionalEscape
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