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Why Romance Novels Are So Great
By: Chelsea Kuchik
It all started with Twilight.
It was 2020 and Midnight Sun, the fabled version from Edward’s POV had just been published. Collectively, a sizable pocket of (mostly) women took to the internet to declare that, screw it, we were going to enjoy the thing that many of us had collectively spurned after our middle-to-high school obsession.
I revisited Twilight, and it was so freeing to enjoy something without shame. I hadn’t read a book in forever that wasn’t on how to better myself or critically examine the (not great) state of the world. I devoured the series again, preferring to distract myself from my pandemic anxiety with the pressing issue of "will they or won’t they have the hot vampire sex that Bella has been wanting for three books." Little did I know that the Twilight Renaissance was my first baby step into reading romance.
After I finished the series, I fully intended to move back into my regularly scheduled “adult” reading. But then, like 82 million other households in America—I found myself gawking and giddily writhing on my couch in joy as the Duke and Daphne’s fake dating bloomed into a sexy slow-burn romance in Netflix's Bridgerton.
Practicing my newfound resolution to enjoy without shame, I purchased the first Bridgerton book (The Duke and I by Julia Quinn) expecting to read something akin to the writings of the principal in 10 Things I Hate About You—corny and steamy with a few laughs.
Instead, I enjoyed the hell out of it and got all the warm fuzzy feelings. It wasn’t corny, it was well-written and fun! I purchased the rest of the series, picked up other historical romances, and then contemporary romances. I posted about it, showing off the silly joy each book brought, hoping to brighten someone else’s bleak quarantine days. Before I knew it, I was like a shady dealer, passing out my Bridgertons and other romance recommendations to a bevvy of curious friends wanting more.
Now, almost exactly a year later, I’ve read almost 50 romance novels and have no plans on stopping. I started an account on instagram dedicated to showing off what I read in the hope that you’ll find your next favorite book and never call a romance novel a "guilty pleasure"—or worse “mommy porn”—ever again. Here’s the top five lessons I learned that will change your mind about romance:
Nicholas Sparks isn’t a romance novelist.
Let’s do some quick reprogramming: Nicholas Sparks writes “romantic” books but doesn’t technically qualify as a romance writer. Why? Many of his books are missing the ingredient that truly makes a romance: the Happily Ever After (HEA). The Romance Writers Association defines a romance novel as containing 1) a central love story and 2) an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
We go into these books knowing that in the end, love will prevail. Even if you know the two characters end up together, it’s all about the journey! And before you roll your eyes, consider—why are we so against Happy Endings? Why do jerks like Nicholas Sparks (not sorry!) “bristle” at being lumped in the romance genre? Sing it with me, 🎵 Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: internalized misogyny 🎵. Since Jane Austen’s publications (and well before, I’m sure) media made for women or predominately by women is inherently less-than, embarrassing, or melodramatic. Eye roll!!!
Which is all funny considering…
Romance isn’t niche or small, it’s a billion-dollar industry that “keeps the lights on” in publishing.
You read that correctly. Romance makes up 23% of the adult fiction market, coming only second to Thrillers as the most popular books. Romance readers are voracious, many reading anywhere from 2-4 novels a week. There’s a reason many romances come in those cute little mass market paperbacks, it’s because they sell a lot of them! That doesn’t even dive into all the e-reader copies (I respect that not everyone is comfy sporting a book with a sexy cover on the train).
The documentary Love Between the Covers on Amazon Prime does an amazing dive into the industry and the tight-knit community that has made it so big (plus, they explain how they shoot those covers!) The main takeaway? Romance is only getting bigger, especially with self-publishing and more diverse tastes growing.
Women have sex and aren’t punished or killed for it!
If you’re tired of shows/movies/books where women’s sex and suffering is just a vehicle to advance the plot, may I suggest a romance novel? In these books, women are in control of their narrative and their bodies. They’re complex—they’re grappling with personal struggles, society’s pressures, and their exploration of desire.
I used to think that romance novels were just pervy books because of the sexual content, but to focus on sex is reductive and misses why the genre is so loved. Romance novels give readers a chance to explore the context leading up to those steamy moments, which includes some sweet character development and intimacy building. A good relationship isn’t just about sex, it’s also about the witty banter and intensely charged moments. It’s the hero realizing he probably should work through his own issues so he can be a better partner. It’s the emotional intelligence and vulnerability plus the sex.
Romance can be one of literature’s most inclusive spaces.
Maybe you remember loving a show where the couple encounters only one bed (!), or teenage you secretly loved Harry Styles mafia boss fanfiction, or maybe you simply crave a good old enemies-to-lovers storyline and want something similar. You’ll find all those tropes and more in a romance novel. Whether I’m looking for a book with a chronically ill, plus-sized black woman falling for her handyman or the first-son getting entangled with the Prince of England...it’s there. I’ve even branched out and read the Tiktok-famous horny blue alien book. What makes romance novels so accessible is how they skillfully incorporate familiar tropes to give you a dose of what you already love in a brand-new story. Maybe it’ll even turn you on to something you didn’t know you'd enjoy!
Yes, there’s still a lot of straight, white couples in these books, but the beauty of romance itself lies in the belief that literally everyone deserves an HEA. There could definitely be more representation (of course!), but I feel a strong “if you can’t find what you’re looking for—write it! We’ll read it” attitude in the romance community, as well as a willingness to seek out diverse authors and life experiences in books. If you’re looking for something in particular, there’s a whole community to help you find it (or write it!). Which brings me to the last point...
The Romance community is the best.
I think one of the reasons I don’t feel weird about preaching my love of romance is because of the community. I found what is lovingly referred to as “Romancelandia” on Instagram and Reddit and immediately felt welcomed and very not-weird. Comprised of both authors and readers, they’ll help you find your next best read, intelligently discuss problematic issues of consent in older novels, or buddy-read a book with you if no one else will.
Why? Because romance is best enjoyed with friends. For me, these have made the best book club books, starting conversations ranging from frivolous to serious and bonding people together in between.
So, I’m here on my soapbox asking you to romanticize your life, literally and figuratively. Stop being embarrassed about things that aren’t embarrassing. Pick up a romance novel from your local library or bookstore, cozy up on the couch, and get ready for a Happily Ever After. And if, after all this, you still think it’s “mommy porn”... well, that’s on you. And I probably want to be friends with your mom.
Chelsea Kuchik is the bookish babe behind the Instagram account @chelsea.is.reading where you can follow all her reading updates—be it romance, contemporary lit, or therapy-adjacent books along with snaps of her bullet journal spreads. Chelsea is an oversharer, ENFP, and loves picking up crafty hobbies, even if she rarely finishes them. Her favorite romance novel (currently) is Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas.
Things Chelsea is loving right now:
Dandelion Tea as a caffeine-free coffee replacement. It’s a bit nuttier in taste, but with a splash of my Chobani Pumpkin Spice Creamer? chefs kiss
Silk Chiffon by MUNA. It is physically impossible to be sad singing the lyrics, “Life’s so fun, life’s so fun/ got my miniskirt and my rollerblades on.” (Even though I align more with Phoebe Bridger’s verse about being anxious inside a CVS)
The Sex-Files podcast, where two women discuss my latest obsession, The X-files, through a feminist lens. They chat about everything from David Duchovny’s attractive fluffy hair, sex toys, how all-male writers rooms ruin nice things, and why Gillian Anderson is the cutest human alive. I have never wanted to be besties with two podcast hosts more in my entire life.