Unrealistic Expectations: A Love Letter to Romantasy (and Why We Don't Care)

Let me be real with you for a second: I've been married for 26 years. Almost always happily. And in those 26 years, I've learned one undeniable truth—there's no such thing as a "happily ever after."

Sorry, not sorry.

But here's the thing: I don't read romance novels to get a reality check. I read them to escape reality entirely. And if that escape involves a brooding fae prince with commitment issues, a billionaire dragon shifter with inexplicably perfect abs, or a vampire who somehow smells like sandalwood and danger? Sign. Me. Up.

The Myth of the Perfect Partner (and Why We Love It Anyway)

Look, I love my spouse. But after nearly three decades together, I can confirm that no one—and I mean no one—wakes up every morning looking like they stepped out of a photo shoot, ready to whisper poetic declarations of love while making you breakfast in bed. Real life involves morning breath, whose turn it is to take out the trash, and passive-aggressive debates about the thermostat setting.

Romance novels, on the other hand? They give us the fantasy. The hunky, rich, emotionally available (eventually) sexual god who never forgets an anniversary and always knows exactly what to say. Do these men exist? Probably not. Do I care? Absolutely not.

It's like watching Friends for ten seasons and never once questioning how six people working as a waitress, a chef, and a paleontologist could afford those massive apartments in New York City. We suspend disbelief because the story is worth it. We're not here for accurate real estate pricing—we're here for the banter, the romance, and yes, Rachel's hair.

Romance Novels: Obstacles, Growth, and (Let's Be Honest) Smut

Here's what I do appreciate about romance novels, especially romantasy: they don't pretend love is easy. These books are packed with obstacles—curses to break, kingdoms to save, emotional walls to dismantle brick by brick. The characters have to work for their happy ending, even if that ending is a little too tidy for real life.

And let's not dance around it: the smut. Oh, the glorious, beautifully written, no-holds-barred smut. Is it realistic? Who cares! It's fun, it's escapism, and it's exactly what we're here for. Real life is messy enough—let me read about a shadow daddy who can make me forget my own name, thank you very much.

Life is Messy. Books Don't Have to Be.

After 26 years of marriage, I know that life gets in the way of love. Work stress, family drama, financial worries, health scares—it all piles up. No matter how perfect your meet-cute was or how well-matched your tropes are, eventually you're going to argue about whose turn it is to unload the dishwasher.

But that's exactly why I read romance. I don't need my books to reflect the chaos of real life. I need them to give me hope, laughter, and a few hours where everything works out in the end. Where love conquers all, the good guys win, and everyone gets the happily ever after they deserve (plus maybe a castle and a pet dragon).

Escape Into Our World at Romantasy Bookstore

If you're in Turnersville or Lumberton, New Jersey, and you're craving that same escape, come visit us at Romantasy Bookstore. We're your South Jersey destination for all things romance, fantasy, and everything in between. Whether you're hunting for your next fae boyfriend, a small-town romance that'll make you swoon, or a spicy read that'll keep you up way past bedtime, we've got you covered.

Because at the end of the day, we all deserve a little magic. Even if that magic involves wildly unrealistic expectations, impossibly attractive love interests, and plot twists that would never fly in real life.

Life is messy. Love is complicated. But books? Books can be perfect.

So grab your favorite romantasy, pour yourself a glass of wine (or coffee—no judgment), and dive into a world where the only thing you need to worry about is whether your book boyfriend is Team Morally Grey or Team Golden Retriever Energy.

Visit Romantasy Bookstore in Turnersville and Lumberton, NJ—where unrealistic expectations are not only welcomed, they're celebrated.