Romantasy is what it is all about this summer! And the best part, it doesn’t need to stay between the pages of your latest favorite novel. It’s time to build a romantasy-themed reading corner, and we are so excited by this idea. We’re thinking ambient playlists, candlelight, deep scents, velvet textures, chocolate delights, and a sprinkling of bookish magic!

It’s all about creating just the right atmosphere to immerse yourself completely in the wonderful world of romance and fantasy—simply put, one of our favorites!

Grab that glass of wine, sit back and relax, and let your imagination flow!

 

Why Romantasy Reading Is a Sensory Experience

Romantasy is the ultimate sensory experience. It’s a wild and wonderful combination of romance and fantasy, and you deserve to experience it first-hand! This genre has you stepping through portals, entering mysterious castles, wandering through enchanted forests, all while sensing those stolen glances and whispered secrets! 

As they say, “Romantasy isn’t something you just read; it’s something you live!”

 

Reading Nook Lighting: Candles, Warm Bulbs, Definitely No Glare

Lighting is everything! When it comes to setting the scene, we all know how important soft lighting is. You can easily create the perfect atmosphere with beautiful fragrant candles, fairy lights, or simply switch out your bright light bulbs for something soft and warm.

Our Glass Globe Light is perfect as a centerpiece! This gorgeous glass globe light features an open book with trees engraved inside the orb! Light glows through the wooden base, custom wood burned with the quote “You are free to choose your own path”. This gift was custom-designed and inspired by The West Wind by Alexandria Warwick.

Candles are a must, and you can create a beautiful space by putting candles of different sizes and colors into an array of containers. Suddenly, that beautiful jar is now glimmering with anticipation!

As you know, we’re all about the details, and our beautiful candle care set adds that extra touch. The set includes a wick trimmer, candle snuffer, and wick dipper, all in gold! 

If you’re looking for the perfect candle to add that magical glimmer along with the perfect scent, then our rose jelly candle is just for you!

 

Romantasy Scents Will Take You To Another World

There is something about a scent that can instill a memory that lasts a lifetime. Our gorgeous jasmine perfume is bound to transport you straight into a mysterious world. We love this romantic round bottle with its pink squeeze bulb atomizer filled with “Flowers Opening In Moonlight” perfume!

You can easily create just the right mood by picking a scent that matches your book with fragrant candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, or even room sprays. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

For an enchanted forest feel: Pine, cedarwood, moss, eucalyptus, sandalwood, rain, vetiver.

For a romantic castle/library feel: Vanilla, amber, old books, leather, sandalwood, tonka bean, warm spice.

For a moonlit garden feel: Rose, jasmine, lavender, peony, bergamot, white tea.

For a darker fae court vibe: Blackberry, patchouli, oud, incense, dark plum, smoky vanilla.

For a cosy tavern or fireside setting: Cinnamon, clove, honey, orange, woodsmoke, chai, caramel.

Make sure to share which ones sent you (we couldn’t resist the pun) right into the middle of the story! Did you know that literary perfumes are so much more than just a scent? Check out our blog, How to Choose a Literary Perfume That Matches Your Reading Mood!

 

Romantasy Reading: It’s All About the Texture!

We’re imagining soft velvet textures and plush fleeces. Yes, we know it’s summer, but texture is everything. It’s all about your senses! Speaking of senses, have you tried our Lite Book Boxes? 

You’re in for a treat: our OUABC Lite Box featuring romantasy selection The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray includes five envelopes to open as you read that will immerse you in the story in a way that only OUABC can! 

Each envelope incorporates the five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch) to highlight moments that make you feel like you're part of the story in the most immersive way possible!

Back to textures, our beautifully plush, double-sided fleece blanket is inspired by The East Wind by Alexandria Warwick, which was featured in our 2026 Romantasy Volume 4 box. This plush blanket showcases the Four Winds logo on the front in a blue-and-silver palette, and the back features a beautiful photo of a stormy ocean.

Creating the perfect setting with textures can easily be done by simply covering your favorite armchair with a luxurious throw. Add in some fluffy cushions, and you’re ready to go!

 

Romantasy Recommendations!

The Four Winds books by Alexandria Warwick are definitely at the top of our list! We have limited stock of the full collection of our hardcover special edition The Four Winds novels by Alexandria Warwick! Each includes exclusive artwork on the cover, custom endpapers, uniquely designed page edges, and metal corner detailing.

Another one of our popular romantasy boxes is the “Secrets in the Snow” box. Each box features a new, first-print edition of The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin! This edition also includes stunning sprayed page edges, beautiful endpapers, and an exclusive hard case stamp, plus three magically wrapped gifts to open as you read that bring this stunning novel to life!

Romantasy: Four Sensory Layers

When it comes to creating the ultimate romantasy-themed reading corner, all you need are the four sensory layers: Light, Scent, Texture, and Sound.

Beautiful music and soft lighting will definitely set the scene. Add in the perfect scent and luxury throws, and you’re ready for your next romantasy read! We definitely recommend including chocolate delights and a sparkling glass of something exotic!

Make sure to check out our Romantasy Collection and our blog on How to Get into Romantasy: A Beginner’s Guide for our team’s recommendations and favorite products!

Here’s to creating the perfect romantasy-themed reading corner! We would love to hear all about yours! Happy reading from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club!