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

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

Join the MustLuvRomantasy IRL Book Club

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 the voice artist behind Odessa for the Graphic Audio 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 virtual club meeting | Topic: What’s on your TBR? RSVP by joining. 

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.

June Book Recommendation: “Our Vicious Oaths” by N.E. Davenport. Book Cub Bestie reviewer Asiah Muhammad returns to review. 

Listen to Asiah’s past reviews:

• Brimstone Review: What a Hot Mess! 
• Quicksilver Review: A Brutally Honest Take

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

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

Follow us on IG: @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 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. 

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

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.

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

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. 

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" by Rosemary Jones.

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

February 2026 Book Recommendations: Fae & Alchemy series: Part 2 Brimstone 

Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and Book Club Bestie guest reviewer Asiah Muhammad return 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". 

Special thanks to the Bookish Goblin 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 - 2nd & Charles, Hagerstown, Md.  

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

February 2026 Book Recommendations: Fae & Alchemy series: "Quicksilver," "Kingfisher's POV" and "Brimstone" by Callie Hart. Was this BookTok sensation worth the flowers? Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and Book Club Bestie guest reviewer Asiah Muhammad give brutally honest reviews and ratings. Part 1 in this episode "Quicksilver" and "Kingfisher's POV". Join us next week for Part 2 - the review of "Brimstone".  Agree or disagree? Share in the comments or send a text. 

IRL Book Events not to miss:

• February 13-14th, 2026 - Love Y'all Festival - romance and romantasy book conference  in Decatur, Ga (MustLuvRomantasy will be there!)
• February 28, 2026 - Book signing with CM Lepore, author of "Lucid" and Book Bestie guest on Onyx Storm episode - 2nd & Charles, Hagerstown, Md.  

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

TV Series Binge-Watch Recommendation: The Way Home In this bonus episode, host R.J. teams up with book club bestie and fellow superfan, Yolanda Moore to breakdown The Way Home — Hallmark’s unexpectedly addictive, time‑traveling, multi‑generational drama that absolutely deserves a spot on every Romantasy lover’s binge-watchlist.

Together, they explore the magical pond that drives the story, the emotional arcs across three seasons, the layered romances, and the family mysteries that keep viewers hooked. Yolanda also brings a curated list of Hallmark time‑travel movies for your next cozy binge and opens up about the mission behind her nonprofit, Loving Rose Foundation.

Key Takeaways

• Peak Romantasy energy: magic, mystery, emotional healing, and multi‑timeline storytelling.
• The pond as chaotic magic: a fate‑driven portal shaping the Landry family’s past and present.
• Season‑by‑season themes:
  • Season 1 → Discovery
  • Season 2 → Redemption & rescue
  • Season 3 → Adjustment & identity
• Romance across generations: Kat’s love square, Alice’s first love, Del’s late‑in‑life romance, and a queer‑coded thread with Susanna.
• Season 4 theories: Who is Casey Goodwin? Is Sam Bishop a time traveler? What secrets remain buried in Port Haven?
• Hallmark’s time‑travel canon: Yolanda’s must‑watch movie list.
• The Loving Rose Foundation: Yolanda’s heartfelt work supporting blood cancer and dementia patients and caregivers.

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy

January 2026 Book Read Recommendation: “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca.  Relive the excitement over last year's release of “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros! Host R.J. (Rosemary Jean-Louis) and Book Bestie guest, author CM  Lepore reminisce about the midnight release parties, the coveted Target edition and review whether the book lived up to the hype. The discussion culminates with their final thoughts and ratings, along with insights into CM's own writing journey and her book "Lucid".

“Lucid” by CM Lepore is available on Amazon, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. 

Join the conversation by sharing your “Onyx Storm” book release memories in the comments or through text mail. 

Key Takeaways:

• Release‑day nostalgia: Midnight parties, Target‑edition chaos, and the fandom’s collective FOMO
• Collector’s edition drama: Sprayed edges, stock‑image accusations, and the resale frenzy
• Character deep dives: Tairn’s comfort, Andarna’s chaos, Xaden’s emotional evolution, Violet’s savior arc
• MVPs & glow‑ups: Why Ridoc stole the show and how Dain & Cat redeemed themselves
• Villain rankings: Daddy Aetos vs. Theophanie — who’s the bigger threat?
• Plot pacing & worldbuilding: Island‑hopping, Irid lore, and whether the travel arc paid off
• Cliffhanger theories: Who is the mysterious “brother”?
• Predictions for the next book: Venin lore, Violet’s family secrets, and what Yarros might be setting up

February 2026 Book Recommendations: "Quicksilver", "KingFisher's POV" and "Brimstone" all by Callie Hart. 

Follow us on IG: @mustluvromantasy