Episode 8: Why Women Love Romantasy Novels

In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa is joined by friends, Marybeth Coleman and Lauren Wolf, for a laugh-filled deep dive into romantasy: the genre where fantasy and romance collide. This once quietly passed–between-friends genre has turned into a full-blown cultural moment and offers much more than just dragons and slow-burn romance.   From the book boyfriends of Fourth Wing and the favorite tropes of A Court of Thorns and Roses to the ways these heroines help us reconnect with our own strength, navigate healing, and reflect on the relationships we choose, this is a cozy, candid conversation about why these wildly entertaining reads stick with us long after the final page.   00:00 Intro 02:47 Meet the Guests: Lauren & Marybeth 04:10 What Is Romantasy? 07:30 Lisa's Romantasy Algorithm   08:58 How We Got Hooked: Personal Journeys into the Genre 12:40 From Secret to Mainstream: Normalizing Romantasy 15:30 Yes, Men Read It Too 16:13 Why Women Love Romantasy 19:30 Empowering Heroines & Escapism 21:17 Reflections of Real Life: Adversity, Growth, and Relationships 25:44 From Streaming to Reading: A Shift in What We Crave 29:07 Rapid Fire: Tropes, Favorites, and More 30:21 The Book Boyfriend Phenomenon 37:03 How These Stories Challenge the Way We Live 38:23 Romance vs. Fantasy: Which One Elevates the Other? 40:10 The Community Effect: Romantasy as a Shared Experience 42:25 Outro 44:20 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:      Visit Our Website      Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback      Follow Gravitas on Instagram      Follow Lisa on Instagram      Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn      Follow Gravitas on TikTok    Follow Gravitas on Substack    Suggestions or Questions? Email Us.