Australia's online book community is abuzz with romance novel enthusiasts, bonding over their shared passion for love stories and fantasy. A packed room in Sydney saw fans scouring for merchandise featuring beloved tropes, from dragons to morally grey characters, as they explored the intersection of desire, community, and literature.
Behind the pop-up shop of Books With Jess, a small Australian business that creates handmade book-themed merchandise, lies a thriving online community fueled by social media platforms TikTok and Instagram. The genre has exploded since 2020, with romance and romantasy – a blend of romance and fantasy – proving to be the most popular categories.
At the heart of this movement are young women in their 20s and 30s who grew up within online fan communities. They've leveraged these spaces to connect with like-minded readers worldwide, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie around shared interests. Take Jess, for instance, a Brisbane teacher turned romance author who initially reviewed novels on her Instagram account.
As she reflects on the Wattpad era that shaped her early reading tastes, Jess now devours between 200 to 400 books annually, with her Bookstagram helping her forge lasting friendships with fellow readers across Australia and beyond. She's even found love through these digital connections – meeting her new housemate over their shared passion for romance novels.
Aleyna and Leyla, cousins who started Trilogy of Romance as a celebration of their love for romance novels, attest to the community's importance in bridging the gap between authors and readers. Their online store has become a judgement-free space where fans can explore darker, trope-driven romances without fear of judgment.
In Sydney, Scarlett Hopper – owner of Romancing the Novel bookstore – has witnessed this trend firsthand. Despite romance being one of Australia's fastest-growing genres in 2024, traditional bookstores often lack dedicated sections for this genre. As a result, readers are forced to venture online or seek out specialty stores like hers.
As these communities continue to grow, they're shaping the very fabric of the publishing industry. Authors and businesses alike are responding by creating spaces that cater to romance readers' desires – from merchandise featuring beloved tropes to dedicated online forums where fans can discuss their latest reads.
Behind the pop-up shop of Books With Jess, a small Australian business that creates handmade book-themed merchandise, lies a thriving online community fueled by social media platforms TikTok and Instagram. The genre has exploded since 2020, with romance and romantasy – a blend of romance and fantasy – proving to be the most popular categories.
At the heart of this movement are young women in their 20s and 30s who grew up within online fan communities. They've leveraged these spaces to connect with like-minded readers worldwide, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie around shared interests. Take Jess, for instance, a Brisbane teacher turned romance author who initially reviewed novels on her Instagram account.
As she reflects on the Wattpad era that shaped her early reading tastes, Jess now devours between 200 to 400 books annually, with her Bookstagram helping her forge lasting friendships with fellow readers across Australia and beyond. She's even found love through these digital connections – meeting her new housemate over their shared passion for romance novels.
Aleyna and Leyla, cousins who started Trilogy of Romance as a celebration of their love for romance novels, attest to the community's importance in bridging the gap between authors and readers. Their online store has become a judgement-free space where fans can explore darker, trope-driven romances without fear of judgment.
In Sydney, Scarlett Hopper – owner of Romancing the Novel bookstore – has witnessed this trend firsthand. Despite romance being one of Australia's fastest-growing genres in 2024, traditional bookstores often lack dedicated sections for this genre. As a result, readers are forced to venture online or seek out specialty stores like hers.
As these communities continue to grow, they're shaping the very fabric of the publishing industry. Authors and businesses alike are responding by creating spaces that cater to romance readers' desires – from merchandise featuring beloved tropes to dedicated online forums where fans can discuss their latest reads.
I'm low-key obsessed with how this online community is taking off! 
As a bookworm myself, it's amazing to see people coming together over their shared love of romance novels and fantasy 
. The fact that they're creating their own merchandise and stores is like, totally awesome too! 
I mean, who wouldn't want some dragon-themed merch or a bookstore dedicated just to romances? 
It's also so cool to see how social media platforms are helping these communities grow – TikTok and Instagram are basically the perfect tools for book enthusiasts 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that Jess and her friends are making connections with authors and readers worldwide? 
It just goes to show that online spaces can be a total game-changer for fandoms and fan communities 
. Bring on more romance novels and fantasy goodness! 
.
. It's all about creating spaces where readers can feel comfortable sharing their love for romances without fear of judgment 
.
. And if we're talking about the impact on traditional bookstores... well, that's just the icing on the cake 
! More spaces for romance readers to discover new books and connect with others = more book sales and a healthier publishing industry 
and it's not just about the books – it's about the community itself, which has become like a family for many of these young women in their 20s and 30s 
online spaces are where it's at now 
no need to visit physical stores when you can get your fave books delivered right to your doorstep 
and meeting my partner over shared interests? ahhh romance novels are truly life-changing 
.
. Who knew romance novels could be so cool?