Romantic book/novel

[Megisa]

What would make you not want to read a Romantic book/novel

[Essentially_Literate]

I wouldn't want to read a romance novel if it was entirely made up sex scenes. I mostly gravitate toward YA romances. I've read a few "adult" romance novels and they are usually pure smut. I like my books with in-depth plots and lots of character development.

[coconutwhite]

I wouldn't read a romance novel that has the insta-love thing, my face keeps cringing for days even if I have only been 4 pages in. I'm also not capable of reading any 'romantic novel' that're made of only and only sex. Call it erotica and be done with it.

[Jacki Mac Iver Hill]

I wouldn't read a romance novel that has the insta-love thing, my face keeps cringing for days even if I have only been 4 pages in. I'm also not capable of reading any 'romantic novel' that're made of only and only sex. Call it erotica and be done with it.

I totally agree with you about the insta-love thing. That and a storyline where the heroine falls in love with the hero but thinks she's unworthy or she takes everything he does personally and offensively. But then it turns out at the end of the story (surprise!) he's always been in love with her too and they live happily ever after. Just shoot me already.

[Moses T Zulu]

Romantic books that are sex free are the best

[stormy5438]

I like books that have a strong plot. Weather it is a mystery, paranormal or adventure, what are the main characters trying to accomplish or gain. What danger is there to their love? What needs to be overcome or dealt with? The sex in between the building of the plot is icing on the cake and provide a stronger pull for the reader to become invested to see the course with the characters. Sex for the sake of sex in a book is the same as it is in life, empty and leaves you dissatisfied.

[Vscholz]

First, if a book is poorly written, I will likely not finish it. I can only recall one book that I thought, "Dang, this writing is AWFUL" the entire time while still reading, but I continued because it was like Mystery Science Theater 3000 for me.

Second, if it doesn't seem believable, I don't want to read it. I don't mean realistic--if it is science-fiction or fantasy and there is an explanation for instant love, that's okay. I don't believe in love at first sight, but I do believe in attraction which can turn into love.

Third, if it is just sex... then it depends on the mood. But if I want to read nothing but sex scenes, I'll pick up an erotic short story. Now, I don't mind a few tastefully written scenes or ones that lead up to the actual act, but I don't need it to be graphic.

[Hope_Queen]

Definitely if it only contains sex scene also if the book don't have correct story line

[Oulababe]

If the characters beat around the bush too much and only say yes to each other at the end it bores the hell out of me.

[Amyrich]

Romance novels without an interesting plot and good characterization, of course. But mostly, if there isn't enough friction/conflict between the protagonists, or if the woman (sorry, I've mostly only read hetero-oriented romances) is too passive/scared of the hero, I lose interest. I've started a fair few of them where the plot is soo contrived and the woman is under pressure to just give in to the hero's whims for no logical reason. Never really got around to finishing these, though.

[Nwachukwu Rosemary 2]

I so much love romantic novels a lot. The ones that have a happy ending.

[Arkus0]

I find that some romance books repeats the same old, same old. It becomes boring if there’s no change to the plot lines. This is probably why I’ve turned to translated Chinese romance novels.

[DakotaA]

I agree with many posts on this forum. Most specifically with the 'insta-love' part. Book that have this tend to annoy me and are the only ones that I don't push myself to finish reading. I find that books that have this concept tend to lack realistic character interactions, and have little to no character development. I love a book where I can really connect with a protagonist, and in romance novels this is especially important or else I find it impossible to 'fall in love' with the couple.

Romance novels are supposed to make you feel something.. so I would hope more authors would take the time to create characters that invoke emotions in the reader other than awkwardness and cringing. When I don't get any other feeling from the book, I tend to put it down.

[serendipity 27]

I would say that if the plot is very unrealistic and it isn't a fantasy or paranormal romance book. Some modern romance books can be very far-fetched and that doesn't appeal to me. Or romance novels that have too many secondary characters and confusing plots.

[NicholsC97]

If the plot isn't well written or the main female lead is one of those screaming bimbos from the old horror movies. The stupidity that some books portray as the female lead makes me cry on the inside.
If the book doesn't at least have a good main character and editing I won't finish the first chapter.