How do you feel about romance books?

[Heidi M Simone]

Are romance books your cup of tea or not really? Why?

For me, this all depends...I used to not mind some erotic scenes in the books I read, but now I would much rather have sweet and endearing love. I wonder why I've changed so drastically. Perhaps it's just a part of growing older or maybe it's the fact that I've had the same stable relationship for nearly eight years or maybe my taste have simply changed. Whichever the reason is, I definitely don't mind some sweet romance, but it needs to be realistic and not exaggerated in one direction. Does that make sense? At the same time, if there isn't any or much romance (and as long as it's a good story), I don't feel as if I'm missing out on much.

Anyway, what are your thoughts of the romance genre?

[steigerd]

Yes, I love romance, but not the erotic romance. Just a good old love story. A roughly handsome hero who saves the poor innocent from the evil guys. Western, sci-fi, or historical fiction it does not matter.

[Ak1412]

I love a good romance, but to me a romance is only great if the relationship feels real rather than fantasized. Actually, I want to believe that, but I love the over exaggerated romances just as much.

[gali]

I read romance books now and then, but I am very picky about it, and I steer clear from erotic ones.

[BelleReadsNietzsche]

I used to fancy myself too good for the romance genre. I don't anymore, although I am incredibly picky and don't consume a lot of mainstream romance in part because I don't know what will hold up to my tastes. (I will confess, I came to embrace romance writing by reading fanfiction. I've encountered some incredible stuff that way, including a few stories I wish authors would re-name/rebrand and turn into "original" novels in their own right.)

In all genres I enjoy, I prefer stories that are strongly character-driven. I don't mind erotic content but if its only erotic without telling some kind of story, and if the characters aren't strong and well-developed, I am less likely to enjoy it.

[Melissa VanCleave Plant]

I am not really a fan of Romance novels. I enjoy a good love story as much as anyone, but really only as a secondary plot. I used to enjoy it when I was in high school, but as an adult I find most of it unrealistic. I don't enjoy the erotic in novels at all. I feel it takes away from the story line. I'd rather fill in the blanks with my own imagination.

[unamilagra]

I don't tend to gravitate toward romance stories in which the romance is the main point of the book. I like there to be some other major plot line going on at the same time. Also, for me, good character development is key, so I can root for the characters' happiness. I don't an erotic scene or two in the story, but I don't like to read erotica just for the sake of erotica.

[Nisha Ward]

For some, myself included, I think the appeal of romance is the way you can live vicariously through the characters. It's not usually my cup of tea but sometimes you just want to read about two people falling in love and getting their happy ending.

I think there's a stigma attached to it, though, as it's often seen as a girly genre. While it's true that a large portion of the readership tends to be women, I don't think there's anything wrong with guys reading romance. I mean, everyone wants their happy ending, so why not escape into that fantasy for a bit?

[amafie]

I find the older that I get, I prefer romance in small doses. I'm not opposed to it at all however, I believe exaggerated romance scenes or stories that are heavy laden with romance seem to stray from the original plot. Not every woman in a mystery needs a man to "help" her solve the mystery. However if it is appropriate to the story line then it seems to add to it.

[Charlyt]

I usually stay away from romance books. After reading a few books from that genre, I've concluded that it's not for me. I don't mind the love stories that developed within another type of story, but those that categorize themselves as love/ romantic stories tend to bore me. Perhaps because they do tend to be unrealistic, as been said here already. (Or maybe because some are just too realistic that they bore me.)

[Brandy C]

I think it all depends on the type of romance your reading. Personally, I don't enjoy sappy romances like in Harlequin novels. My cup of tea is paranormal romance with an exciting couple. Whether it is an alpha male or female I love the paranormal genre. I don't mind erotic romance as long as it has a good storyline with well-developed characters. Some of my favorite authors write fantasy/paranormal stories. I love a storyline with a strong couple who fall in love. As long as the main focus is not on romance, I tend to enjoy it.

[lisalynn]

If you really pay attention, almost everything has an element of romance.

[Leahsi12]

I love romance novels!