Romantasy novels attract new wave of readers

Kayleigh Cooper helps run a monthly fantasy book club

Staff at a bookshop in Kent say a surge in sales is due to a new generation of readers of romantasy novels.

According to figures from the Publishers Association, the mix of romance and fantasy helped drive a rise of 18% in fiction revenue in 2024.

The Deal Bookshop, which is connected to Waterstones, said a monthly fantasy book club at the store attracts all ages.

Gemma Groombridge, the Deal shop's manager, said: "There was a point when we just didn't stock novels at all like Jilly Cooper, but this rise in romantasy has brought those romance readers back in."

Kayleigh Cooper, who helps run the monthly book club, returned to reading herself through the fantasy books and sub genres.

"Sometimes they are just a really fun read and sometimes they are a beautiful exploration of grief," she explained.

"Most of the protagonists are women and they have beautiful journeys.

"You find the decisions being made are consensual and are all about the power of women being brave in horrible situations."

Ms Cooper makes sure she puts an 18+ warning on reviews left on the store's bookshelves to guide readers.

"When people come in they will often ask if a book is spicy or not, and that basically means how much sex is there in it," she added.

Ms Cooper thinks it is the escapism that attracts young adults, particularly women, to the genre.

She said: "Now all I want is a sword and maybe some armour - and a pet dragon."