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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 exhale over this worth it slow burn.

Connect with Paige on IG: @popthebutterfly

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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

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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 to get ready for it.

April 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET- RSVP 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.

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Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) chats with Jenn Beach, founder of BookishWine.com, about her immersive experience at Romantasy Con LA and 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 club | Follow on IG: @bookishwine
• Get tickets to the Black Romance Book Fest - 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 hits Atlanta this May.

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What is romantasy, really? Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) breaks it down in two parts. From Sarah J. Maas’ big ACOTAR release‑dates news, reader reactions from the Love Y’all Book Festival 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
• Ehigbor Okosun
• Nia Davenport
• Rebecca Ross
• Sasha Peyton Smith

Natalia Hernandez 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.

• 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" by Rosemary Jones.

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