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:
Jenny 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
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…
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 🙂
Yay! One of my all time faves is Kristan Higgins, particularly The Best Man.
#1 , #4 and #5 are the best. I agree with you wholeheartedly! Romance novels are my main source for relaxing.
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.
I read romance novels! I like a few specific sub-genres, I think paranormal romance is one of my favorites.
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!
These are great points. I read one every now and then and most of them have been light and pleasant to read!
I’m so with you! How can you argue with something where the woman always wins?!
I have to admit I do enjoy a good romance novel every now and again there is something heart warming about them. x
My daughter loves to red romance novels. I prefer a good suspense thriller myself!
Not so much my genre, but I can see why they are loved. They are great stories.
I love reading romance novel, I admit that this is my hobby, I really enjoy reading it.
I do love a good romance novel every now and then.
I do, too. It’s nice to get lost in them sometimes.
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.
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!
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!
My daughter and I both like reading romance novels. I think she likes them more- especially if they are especially cheesy.
I agree with you on all these. I love reading romance novels. I love that the woman always wins. Lol.
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 🙂
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.
I am not much for romance novels but I love a heroine so I love point#1?
i can’t even remember the last time that i read a romance novel
Haha, Those are some great reasons. I am more of a mystery girl myself but I do read a romance novel sometimes.
I’ve loved romance novels since I was a kid. There is something about a love story that ends happily.
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.. 🙂
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. 🙁
Haha! No, she did not!
I would love to start reading again. Romance novels YES!
I love romance novels! everyone should give them a try
The woman always wins…Maybe I should pick these up again. Thank you for sharing.
I think my cousin will love this. I will share it with her.
I love reading romance…it provides a great way to relax after a long day.
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?
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.
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!
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.
I love this article. Reading Romance Novels are the best! I’ve been a fan for years.
I love romance novels
Thank you for this post. I hate feeling like I should be ashamed for reading a romance novel.
No way! No shame! That’s just a bunch of BS our culture gives us!
I read one every now and then but it’s not my first choice read.
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!
It’s hard to beat Outlander!
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?
I love romance novels.
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. 🙂
All I ever read is romance novels! I still love the feel of the old fashioned paperback books!
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.
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.