Why Are We So Obsessed With Romantasy?

Why Are We So Obsessed With Romantasy?

From The Hook Up by triplej

August 17, 2026 · 60 min

About this episode

The episode explores the obsession with romantasy and its implications, featuring a discussion with sex historian Esme James.

Whether you have or haven’t read books like Heated Rivalry, A Court of Thorns and Roses or Fourth Wing, you can’t deny the rise in smutty literature. In 2025 romantasy and sports romance experienced triple-digit growth. But there’s been some criticism around how DR and romantasy books often glamourise SA and are too accessible for young readers. In today’s episode Dee is joined by guest co-host Esme James, a sex historian and author, to discuss why we’re all so obsessed with fantasy smut. SHOW NOTES: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/2026/feb-2026/romance-revival-why-we-love-stories-about-love?utm_source=chatgpt.com Why romance novels thrive on tiktok - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-27/why-romance-and-romantasy-novels-are-so-popular-on-tiktok/103198518?utm_source=chatgpt.com Esme’s book! https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Esme-Louise-James/244716193 Dr Esme Louise James IG - https://www.instagram.com/esme.louisee/?hl=en DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.au The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We…

People in this episode

Host: Dee

Guest: Esme James

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: triple j, ABC, Simon & Schuster

Books & works: Heated Rivalry, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Fourth Wing

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