Swords, Smut & Shadow Daddies: Defining Romantasy

We Are Not Okay: Our Rites of the Starling Review

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/fan_mail/new] Book Besties, we are still processing this one. Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and returning Book Club Bestie guest reviewer Paige Green conduct a spoiler filled, “therapy session” to unpack the gut wrenching “Rites of the Starling", the sequel to “Shield of Sparrows”. Connect with Paige on IG: @popthebutterfly [https://www.instagram.com/popthebutterfly/] Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy] Join the MustLuvRomantasy IRL Book Club [https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/mustluvromantasybc] Share your rating and mini review in the comments or send us a fanmail and text.  Key Takeaways: * The sequel expands the lore, fantasy and romance of book one * Dual narrative and (spoiler alert!) timelines reveal Odessa’s family tragedy * New characters Caspia and Andreas' heart wrenching story breaks us * Voster priests are bad guys who created a false religious system * Cliffhanger ending parallels how Odessa’s mom died. Shout out to Stephanie Nemeth Parker [https://www.instagram.com/snemethparker/]the voice artist behind Odessa for the Graphic Audio [https://www.instagram.com/graphicaudio_official/]dramatized books. Part 1 drops July 7th, and Part 2 comes out August 25th. IRL News and Events not to miss: May 30, 2026 at 1 pm-1:30 pm ET: Join the in real life Must Luv Romantasy book club [https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/mustluvromantasybc]virtual club meeting | Topic: What’s on your TBR? RSVP by joining [https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/mustluvromantasybc].  June 27, 2026 at 1pm-2:30 pm: Join the Must Luv Romantasy book club in person at Souper Jenny  real life book club meeting at Souper Jenny North Decatur Rd. Decatur, GA to discuss “King’s Guard” by Victoria Aveyard.  RSVP by joining [https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/mustluvromantasybc]. June Book Recommendation: “Our Vicious Oaths” by N.E. Davenport. Book Cub Bestie reviewer Asiah Muhammad [https://mustluvromantasy.buzzsprout.com/2561426/contributors] returns to review.  Listen to Asiah’s past reviews: * Brimstone Review: What a Hot Mess!  [https://mustluvromantasy.buzzsprout.com/2561426/episodes/18709769-brimstone-review-what-a-hot-mess] * Quicksilver Review: A Brutally Honest Take [https://mustluvromantasy.buzzsprout.com/2561426/episodes/18661038-quicksilver-review-a-brutally-honest-take] Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy/]

Slow Burn Done Right! Our Shield of Sparrows Review

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/fan_mail/new] April 2026 Book Recommendation: "Shield of Sparrows" by Devney Perry Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and Book Club Bestie guest reviewer, Paige Green, a book influencer and member of the IRL MustLuvRomantasy Book Club [https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/mustluvromantasybc]exhale over this worth it slow burn.    Connect with Paige on IG: @popthebutterfly [https://www.instagram.com/popthebutterfly/] Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy] Key Takeways: * Shield of Sparrows feels like a reset for romantasy fatigue * Applause for FMC Odessa’s boundary-setting, character growth * MMC the Guardian (Ransom) is the broody hero with real humor we need * New trope coined by Paige: "Surprise threesome!" * Worldbuilding highlights: Lysa, Voster priests, crux migration and rabid monsters Share your rating and mini review in the comments or send us fanmail. IRL News and Events not to miss: April 19, 2026 - Season 4 premiere of Hallmark Channel's The Way Home        Listen to our episode The Way Home - Why Hallmark's Time Travel Series Belongs in Romantasy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2561426/episodes/18498875-bonus-episode-the-way-home-why-hallmark-s-time-travel-series-belongs-in-romantasy] to get ready for it. April 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET- RSVP [https://bookclubs.com/mustluvromantasybc/join/]to join the Must Luv Romantasy in real life book club meeting on the sequel Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry at Panera Bread near Emory University in Decatur, Ga.  Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy/]

Inside Romantasy Con LA with BookishWine’s Jenn Beach

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/fan_mail/new] Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) chats with Jenn Beach, founder of BookishWine.com [https://bookishwine.com/], about her immersive experience at Romantasy Con LA a [https://www.fabledfantasyevents.com/]nd she defines romantasy. From fairy wings and trinket trading to author meet-cutes and gargoyle romances, Jenn shares what made the event fantastic. Plus she talks about the Bookish Wine club and the magic behind the book/wine pairings and boxes. * Join the Bookish Wine [https://bookishwine.com/] club | Follow on IG: @bookishwine * Get tickets to the Black Romance Book Fest [https://blackromancebookfest.com/] - May 29-31, 2026 Key Takeaways Romantasy Con LA is pure magic Held at the historic Biltmore Hotel, the con felt like stepping directly into a romantasy realm — frescoes, ballrooms, fairy wings, and all. “You feel completely immersed into the romantasy culture… like you walked into romantasy realms.” 🤝 Community is the heart of the genre From trinket trading to hugging online friends IRL, the con showcased how welcoming, joyful, and supportive the romantasy community truly is. 📚 Indie authors are redefining the genre Jenn highlights how indie writers are experimenting with older protagonists, fresh tropes, and bold worldbuilding — expanding what romantasy can be. 💘 Tropes, micro‑tropes, and the “Consent King” Jenn shares her favorite micro‑trope: the fae‑wine‑drunk heroine and the love interest who refuses to kiss her until she’s sober. “He really wants her… but he’s like, not until you’re sober.” 🍷 Bookish Wine creates immersive romantasy experiences Jenn’s book + wine club pairs special‑edition romantasy novels with boutique wines, playlists, recipes, and even audiobook codes — a full sensory escape. 📖 Gargoyle romance + Sauvignon Blanc = perfection The March Bookish Wine pick, Bound by Hearts and Stone, is a slow‑burn gargoyle romantasy paired with a high‑end Rutherford Valley Sauvignon Blanc. 🌍 The romantasy tent is BIG R.J. and Jenn emphasize that romantasy includes romance‑forward, sci‑fi romance, cozy romantasy, monster romantasy — all of it belongs. 🎉 Upcoming events for Romantasy lovers Romantasy Con Orlando is sold out, Romantasy Con Edinburgh is coming in 2027, and the Black Romance Book Fest [https://blackromancebookfest.com/] hits Atlanta this May. Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy/]

Swords, Smut & Shadow Daddies: Defining Romantasy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/fan_mail/new] What is romantasy, really? Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) breaks it down in two parts. From Sarah J. Maas’ [https://sarahjmaas.com/] big ACOTAR release‑dates news, reader reactions from the Love Y’all Book Festival [https://www.loveyallfest.com/]and insights from the Romance Fantasy Spectrum author panel - there’s plenty of common and differing opinions.  Follow us on Instagram @mustluvromantasy for panel pics! The excerpt from the Love Y’all Book Festival Romance Fantasy Spectrum author panel features: * F.T. Lukens [https://www.ft-lukens.com/] * Ehigbor Okosun [https://www.ehiokosun.com/] * Nia Davenport [https://www.nedavenport.com/] * Rebecca Ross [https://www.rebeccarossauthor.com/] * Sasha Peyton Smith [https://www.sashapsmith.com/] Natalia Hernandez [https://nataliahernandezauthor.com/]was also on the panel but not featured in the clip.  The authors share the difference between fantasy romance, romantic fantasy, and “textbook”romantasy — and why the stakes of falling in love can matter just as much as saving the kingdom. R.J. also  gives a mini lesson on the origins of fantasy romance and the romantasy term; her definition of what romantasy is; a list of tropes and the books that pulled her into the genre.  KEY TAKEAWAYS * Romantasy blends romance + fantasy as co‑equal forces — remove one, and the story’s emotional core shifts. * Readers define it differently, from “magic + transformation + love” to “give me swords, monsters, and a romance subplot.” * Authors see romantasy as a spectrum, with fantasy‑forward, romance‑forward, and true 50/50 hybrids. * Tropes are essential, including enemies‑to‑lovers, slow burn, fated mates, found family, and magical bonds. * Romantasy has deep roots, from early sci‑fi/fantasy writers to paranormal romance to dystopian YA. * The genre is thriving, thanks to BookTok, Bookstagram, and readers who know exactly what emotional ride they want. Additional research from the Sci Fi Fantasy Writers Association article: "Romantasy: An Old Genre with a New Name" [https://www.sfwa.org/2025/02/25/romantasy-an-old-genre-with-a-new-name/] by Rosemary Jones. Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy/]

Brimstone Review: What a Hot Mess!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/fan_mail/new] February 2026 Book Recommendations: Fae & Alchemy series: Part 2 Brimstone  Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and Book Club Bestie guest reviewer Asiah Muhammad r [https://mustluvromantasy.buzzsprout.com/2561426/contributors]eturn to review “Brimstone” the follow-up to “Quicksilver” by Callie Hart. And boy do they have notes! Did the sequel win them over, though? Listen in. Agree or disagree? Share in comments or send a text. Revisit their brutally honest review of "Quicksilver" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2561426/episodes/18661038].  Special thanks to the Bookish Goblin [https://bookishgoblin.com/brimstone-summary-review-ending-explained-spicy-chapters/] for source material for the recap section.  IRL Book Event not to miss: * February 28, 2026 - Book signing with CM Lepore, author of "Lucid" and Book Bestie guest on Onyx Storm episode [https://mustluvromantasy.buzzsprout.com/2561426/episodes/18490905-onyx-storm-anniversary-release-day-chaos-fomo-our-full-review] - 2nd & Charles [https://www.2ndandcharles.com/store/maryland/hangerstown], Hagerstown, Md.   Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy [https://www.instagram.com/mustluvromantasy/]