Despite the fantasy elements in these books, relatability is certainly an appeal, and a reason they’re having such a positive effect on our sex lives. The success of bestsellers like ACOTAR and Quicksilver speaks to our desire for tension, with a slow-build that incorporates emotional depth and love stories with explicit sex. “Many readers feel safer exploring eroticism when it’s wrapped in a storyline of romance, loyalty, or personal growth,” confirms Dr. Viviana Coles, marriage, family and sex therapist, and founder of VIVID Relationships. Unlike porn, where everything typically happens quickly and without much character-building, romantasy books (often written by women authors and featuring strong female protagonists) tend to prioritise women’s perspective, rather than the male gaze. We finally get stories that focus on our pleasure, which is empowering — and hot.
