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Why I Read Romance Novels and Why You Should Too

By Guest

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Why I Read Romance Novels and Why You Should Too

By Jenny Holiday

1. In romance novels, the woman always wins.

Credit for this phrase goes to the fabulous Sarah Wendell, who runs the blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Other people have said similar things. They’re right. In romance novels, things always work out for our heroine. She may have some bumps along the road, but she’s always redeemed—she gets what’s coming to her. I don’t know about you, but I like this model. We’re all worthy of love and deserving of happiness on our own terms, but let’s face it, in real life we don’t always get it. Critics call this “escapism.” I call it exposing yourself to happiness, which seems to me a totally logical move.

2. Romance novels put your expectations all out of whack.

People who don’t read romance novels like to criticize them by saying that they present fantasies and teach women to expect things they’re never going to get in this construct we call Real Life. (My Real Life includes the stories I read, but that’s another post.) You know what? Romance novels DO put your expectations out of whack. I don’t think enough of us expect enough. If I had a daughter, I would tell her not to settle in love or in life. And to keep reading.

3. Romance novels and the romance reading community are hotbeds of feminism.

Yes, really. Never have I encountered a more supportive, welcoming, like-minded group of women as I have among my fellow romance writers and readers. And they’re a tight bunch on Twitter. You can find your tribe with these ladies.

4. Romance is big business.

It’s a $1.08 billion dollar a year business, in fact, according to BookStats. And according to the documentary Love Between the Covers, 46 percent of romance readers read at least one book a week. That’s a lot of books.

5. You don’t have to worry about the embarrassing covers anymore!

E-books, my friends, e-books.

6. Why shouldn’t you? Because who doesn’t care about love? Who doesn’t want to find it?

I’m constantly mystified as to why romance novels, despite their blockbuster sales, don’t get more play in the mainstream (most publications that review books don’t review them, for example). Who doesn’t care about love? You know those stories you read about people on their deathbeds? What are their regrets? That they didn’t spend enough time working? Um, no. Love makes the world go round. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. So personally, I’m going to keep reading about it. (And if you want some recommendations, leave a comment telling me what your taste is like, and I’ll try to give you some titles.)

About Jenny Holiday:

JennyHoliday-webJenny Holiday started writing in fourth grade, when her awesome hippie teacher, between sessions of Pete Seeger singing and anti-nuclear power plant letter writing, gave the kids notebooks and told them to write stories. Most of Jenny’s featured poltergeist, alien invasions, or serial killers who managed to murder everyone except her and her mom. She showed early promise as a romance writer, though, because nearly every story had a happy ending: fictional Jenny woke up to find that the story had been a dream, and that her best friend, father, and sister had not, in fact, been axe-murdered. From then on, she was always writing, often in her diary, where she liked to decorate her declarations of existential angst with nail polish teardrops. Eventually she channeled her penchant for scribbling into a more useful format. After picking up a PhD in urban geography, she became a professional writer, and has spent many years promoting research at a major university, which allows her to become an armchair astronomer/historian/particle physicist, depending on the day. Eventually, she decided to try her hand again at happy endings–minus the bloodbaths.

You can follow Jenny on Twitter at @jennyholi and @TropeHeroine, like her on Facebook, or visit her on the web at jennyholiday.com.

Make sure you check out Jenny’s latest release, The Engagement Game.

Purchase The Engagement Game:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Book 3: The Engagement Game

About the book:

What’s a little blackmail between friends…

The black sheep of the old-money Rosemanns, advertising executive Marcus has made his own way in the world—and done extremely well for himself—but his family is still pressuring him to join their investment firm and settle down with a quiet, unobjectionable girl.

Which is why the sexy Rose Verma is the perfect date for his family’s charity ball. A bleeding-heart lefty from the wrong side of the tracks, Rose has never met a stray dog she didn’t love or a polka-dotted mini-dress she couldn’t rock. Marcus has enough dirt on Rose to “convince” her to play along. And if he lets it slip that they’re engaged, all the better.

But all’s fair in love and blackmail, and Rose is ready to play a few cards of her own…

Related posts:

Book Review ~ Last Chance Proposal by Barbara DeLeo
Book Review - Barrett Fullers Secret by Scott Carter
Jodie Hook's Review of "Gone Girl"
The Creations of a Rooftop Dreamer
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Filed Under: Book Nook, Entertainment Tagged With: Book Nook, Entertainment, Jenny Holiday, Romance Novels, The Engagement Game

Comments

  1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    October 26, 2015 at 3:28 am

    Haha, I love that the woman always wins! I haven’t picked up a romance novel in ages, but now I am inspired to pick one up 🙂

    • Jenny Holiday says

      October 27, 2015 at 6:34 am

      Yay! One of my all time faves is Kristan Higgins, particularly The Best Man.

  2. Mary Madalene says

    October 26, 2015 at 5:06 am

    #1 , #4 and #5 are the best. I agree with you wholeheartedly! Romance novels are my main source for relaxing.

  3. Paula Schuck says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:18 am

    I absolutely love reading romance novels when I have the time. Romance novels. Not smut. Romance novels make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

  4. Pam says

    October 26, 2015 at 10:14 am

    I read romance novels! I like a few specific sub-genres, I think paranormal romance is one of my favorites.

    • Jenny Holiday says

      October 27, 2015 at 6:36 am

      Paranormal is the one sub-genre I haven’t read much in. But I heard Nailini Singh speak at a conference this past summer, and I’ve been meaning to check out her books–she was so inspiring!

  5. Liz Mays says

    October 26, 2015 at 10:31 am

    These are great points. I read one every now and then and most of them have been light and pleasant to read!

  6. Lois Alter Mark says

    October 26, 2015 at 10:47 am

    I’m so with you! How can you argue with something where the woman always wins?!

  7. Sarah Bailey says

    October 26, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I have to admit I do enjoy a good romance novel every now and again there is something heart warming about them. x

  8. Kelly Hutchinson says

    October 26, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    My daughter loves to red romance novels. I prefer a good suspense thriller myself!

  9. Lady Lilith says

    October 26, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    Not so much my genre, but I can see why they are loved. They are great stories.

  10. Onica{MommyFactor} says

    October 26, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I love reading romance novel, I admit that this is my hobby, I really enjoy reading it.

  11. Amber NElson says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    I do love a good romance novel every now and then.

    • Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

      October 27, 2015 at 7:37 am

      I do, too. It’s nice to get lost in them sometimes.

  12. Life as a Convert says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    I read romance novels, and while I like a good fairy tale ending, I would love to see some where the lady loses. It would be more relatable for me.

    • Jenny Holiday says

      October 27, 2015 at 6:38 am

      Ha! I’m sure those books are out there, but probably not labeled as romance. I wouldn’t be able to sell a book to a publisher in romance without a happy ending!

  13. Theresa says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    I live to pick up a steamy romance novel from time to time. I also love the ebooks nowadays where you don’t have to worry about embarrassing covers!

  14. Dawn says

    October 26, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    My daughter and I both like reading romance novels. I think she likes them more- especially if they are especially cheesy.

  15. Dogvills says

    October 26, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I agree with you on all these. I love reading romance novels. I love that the woman always wins. Lol.

  16. Claire says

    October 27, 2015 at 7:36 am

    I haven’t read a romantic novel in a long time, maybe it’s time to put down the thriller and warm my heart again 🙂

  17. Jeanine says

    October 27, 2015 at 9:15 am

    I haven’t read a romance novel in so long. I actually enjoy reading them myself – so I will have to start again, I haven’t been reading all that much lately. Oops! #5 is the BEST! So true.

  18. Brianna says

    October 27, 2015 at 11:59 am

    I am not much for romance novels but I love a heroine so I love point#1?

  19. andi says

    October 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    i can’t even remember the last time that i read a romance novel

  20. Deanna says

    October 27, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    Haha, Those are some great reasons. I am more of a mystery girl myself but I do read a romance novel sometimes.

  21. Toughcookiemommy.com says

    October 27, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    I’ve loved romance novels since I was a kid. There is something about a love story that ends happily.

  22. vidya sudarsan says

    October 27, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    I’ve not read a romance novel in ages! Your points are very convincing to get a book and start reading 😉 I love the fact that women always win in these novels.. 🙂

  23. Annemarie LeBlanc says

    October 28, 2015 at 1:21 am

    The last romance novel I have read years and years ago was Bridges of Madison County (before it was made into a movie). It is a good book, although in the end, the woman did not win. 🙁

    • Jenny Holiday says

      October 29, 2015 at 9:20 am

      Haha! No, she did not!

  24. QueenThrifty says

    October 28, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    I would love to start reading again. Romance novels YES!

  25. alicia szemon says

    November 2, 2015 at 8:52 am

    I love romance novels! everyone should give them a try

  26. Shannon says

    November 2, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    The woman always wins…Maybe I should pick these up again. Thank you for sharing.

  27. David Fultner says

    November 2, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    I think my cousin will love this. I will share it with her.

  28. Barrie says

    November 2, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    I love reading romance…it provides a great way to relax after a long day.

  29. Jeanna Massman says

    November 3, 2015 at 12:01 am

    I am a long time fan of romance novels and I always feel warm & fuzzy when I finish reading one. How many other genres can claim to make people happier after reading them?

  30. Corey Clancy says

    November 3, 2015 at 7:44 am

    I am a reader/reviewer of romance and erotica books. I love how they transport your mind into a different realm, one where fantasies come true. I am disabled and in chronic pain 24/7. In 2008 I started reading and realized it gave me an escape from my medical drama. It gave me something to focus on and allowed me to cope better with my situation. I am now an avid, more like obsessive, reader and have many Indie author friends.

  31. Sarah Phillips says

    November 3, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I love romance novels. I actually find them empowering. I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and have read of her books from a young age. I find the concept of romance fascinating and romance novels allow us to explore those complex feelings romantic relationships give us!

    • Jenny Holiday says

      November 9, 2015 at 4:30 am

      I agree! Jane Austen was sort of my “gateway drug” into romance novels, Sarah. I started reading Regencies, and then writing Regencies, way before I ever started writing contemporary romances.

  32. Tiffany Condon-Shirley says

    November 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    I love this article. Reading Romance Novels are the best! I’ve been a fan for years.

  33. Sara Zielinski says

    November 4, 2015 at 11:05 am

    I love romance novels

  34. Anna says

    November 4, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Thank you for this post. I hate feeling like I should be ashamed for reading a romance novel.

    • Jenny Holiday says

      November 9, 2015 at 4:30 am

      No way! No shame! That’s just a bunch of BS our culture gives us!

  35. Donna says

    November 5, 2015 at 9:40 am

    I read one every now and then but it’s not my first choice read.

  36. Patty Soriano says

    November 7, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Since Constance ODay-Flannery (or Flannery-O’Day) I have loved romantic period time travel. Favorites now…. that honor belongs to Diana Gabaldon and the Outlander series. WOW!

    • Jenny Holiday says

      November 9, 2015 at 4:31 am

      It’s hard to beat Outlander!

  37. MaryJo Tsitouris says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:53 am

    I typically read mystery/thriller type books and tend to shy away from romance novels. After reading this, I see romance novels from a different point of view. Maybe it’s time I picked one up and give it a try. Any suggestions?

  38. Sara Zielinski says

    November 14, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    I love romance novels.

  39. Elizabeth Johnson says

    November 19, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    As a teenager I loved romance novels, but always felt a little shy about it. (It just seems like something people like to make fun of you for!) I love all these reasons to read them, though! Makes me want to get back into the habit again. 🙂

  40. Melanie B says

    November 28, 2015 at 9:50 am

    All I ever read is romance novels! I still love the feel of the old fashioned paperback books!

  41. Ellid says

    October 16, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    I have tried reading romance novels off and on for decades.

    I still don’t like them.

    You have some nerve, all but ordering people to read them.

  42. Dragon's Gap says

    March 20, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    I loved reading them so much I started writing them myself years ago. I love a strong protagonist and women yielding power intelligently. I also am a fan of the paranormal but any romance book that keeps me in the story does it for me.

    Currently I am a fan of shifter, dragon type romances.

  43. Jesse Ford says

    April 29, 2020 at 11:44 am

    I like how you mentioned that you’ve never come across a more like-minded group than you have amongst both romance writers and readers. My wife is thinking of looking for romance novels because she’s considering finding a genre to read and become interested in. I think it’s a good idea for her to consider finding a reputable author in the romantic category to read from so she can start to become interested in that specific genre.

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