What Are Some Things You Hate About Romance Novels?

The sheer portrayal of nude heroines with their hair covering their breasts is one of several things that immediately turn me off. Have you ever thought about how long a woman's hair needs to be to cover her breasts? Growing to waist-length hair made me realize how this might have worked in a historical or fantasy setting but in the modern day, it's simply unrealistic!

Personally, I find romance novels to be too predictable. The concept of the 'Big Misunderstanding' comes to mind, where characters could be having adventures and sexy fun times if they said a few more sentences and cleared things up. Instead, they spend endless pages being angry and sullen until they finally make up. This is frustrating, and I cannot help but feel like these plots lack the depth and dynamic nature that real relationships have.

The Bane of Having a Degree in English Literature

Words like 'romance', 'romantic', and 'romanticism' hold a special place for poetry enthusiasts like me, often reminding me of the works of Keats, Byron, and Shelley, which add a level of complexity to modern romance novels. While I appreciate the richness of those historic works, modern romance novels often feel stale, and this should be interpreted as a purely personal opinion.

Off-putting Elements in Romance Novels

The Toxic Monogamy: Excessive jealousy among characters is another aspect that irritates me. Often, the protagonists experience intense jealousy even when their partner converses with another person of the opposite gender. This creates a false belief that a deeply in love person cannot be attracted to someone else, portraying life as finite and exclusive, which is an outdated and limiting view.

Subliminal Messages: There are subtle messages that romantic novels try to convey, which suggest that true love should be the center of a person's existence. This not only sets unrealistic expectations for real life but also mispresents the complexity of human relationships, passions, and responsibilities. Life teaches us about love as a part of a holistic living, whereas romance novels tend to revolve around an all-consuming love.

Enemy to Lovers Trope: I deeply dislike the notion that hatred towards a person is a defense mechanism to deny attraction. In real life, falling in love with someone you dislike is rarely the case. The assumption that once you get to know someone you dislike, you will start to love them is problematic. This trope often results in the birth of empathy, not love.

The Happily Ever After Trope: This concept perpetuates unrealistic expectations, especially in fairytales and contemporary narratives. The idea of a relationship being perfect and without any challenges runs counter to reality. In love, as in life, there are thorns, and how we fight through them as a team is what determines the success of a relationship.

Sex Scenes: Sex scenes in romance novels are often described in overly flowery or explicit terms, treating the act as either sacred or explosive lust. Rarely do we see the humanity and reality of sexual encounters, including the laughter and bonding over sexual failures. The true essence of sexual experiences is often missing in these narratives.

Absence of Queer Representation: In the 21st century, where gender identity is non-binary and fluid, it is disheartening to see romance novels that misrepresent queer individuals. These characters are often stereotypical and exaggerated, serving little more than side roles in the narrative. It's surprising that a society as aware of these issues still consumes these misrepresented narratives.

From a Personal Experience to the Silver Linings

While these critiques might be applicable to many romance novels, I used to be an avid reader. The repetition of the same tropes in classic authors like Mills Boon, Danielle Steele, or contemporary authors like Jojo Moyes led me to question the authenticity of these narratives. For instance, Mia Sheridan’s attempt to explore love within the context of trauma often romanticized it, which is problematic. However, some authors have offered a fresh perspective. Benjamin A. Sáenz and Jeanette Winterson have written sensitive and well-exploratory queer romance, and Meenu Pillai reworks the enemy to lovers trope, creating more modern romance genres.

Authors like Diana Gabaldon, Collen Hoover, and Isabel Allende have created strong, responsible female characters and have integrated non-monogamy into their stories with a fresh and honest approach. These authors offer a ray of hope, proving that modern romance novels can indeed be a norm rather than an exception in the coming years.

Conclusion

The world of romance novels has its fair share of predictable, toxic, and unrealistic narratives. However, there is always room for fresh and respectful portrayals of love and relationships. As readers and critics, it is essential to recognize and appreciate authors who bring a new dynamism to the genre. The future of romance novels lies in these exceptional authors and their ability to craft narratives that resonate with the complexities of real life.