Who here’s a romance reader? I hope everyone raised their hand. :) Whether you are one or you know one (or many), I’m sure you have some expectations of what a typical romance reader is like. She likely has a TBR pile several miles high. She knows from first glance what TBR stands for (in case you don’t, it’s to-be-read). And she is usually a she (according to my online research, only 16% of romance readers are men).
While I was researching, I also came across many common misconceptions of what a romance reader is like. I summed up four of them for you here:
- Romance readers have a lot of free time. Yup, we sit around all day devouring books and tea! If only that were true! LOL. The romance readers I know, many of whom I’m fortunate to talk to regularly in my reader group, are busy, busy busy. Some have full-time jobs, and some are full-time caretakers. Yet, somehow they manage to sneak in some reading during their jam-packed days. And they even make time to leave reviews and/or blog about the books they read. How awesome are romance readers?
- They live in a fantasy world. Can romance readers differentiate between fiction and real life? I’m pretty sure we can and do! We know not everyone looks like the model that’s on the cover of a book. We understand reality isn’t quite as picture perfect as the stories we read. That said, many romance readers appreciate stories that are realistic. Take, for example, my romantic suspense, Lawfully Cherished. Much of what happens to the two leads, Natasha and Victor, wouldn’t happen to us in real life, but the story stays grounded with relatable characters and an authentic thread of faith woven throughout the book.
- They want predictable stories. Sure, romance readers expect happy endings, but we prefer original plots and storylines to get us there.
- They are obsessed with romance. Okay, so this might be kind of true. LOL. Most romance readers are die-hard romance fans. But that’s not all we read. Many of us enjoy other genres, ranging from sci-fi to mystery to non-fiction. But it’s probably safe to say that you’ll always find us coming back to romance because warm-fuzzy stories are the best!
Have you come across any misconceptions about romance readers? Or did you have one before you started reading romance yourself? Share in the comments below!
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A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
Lol, did you hear they read romances to live vicariously due to their boring lives?
I have no misconceptions.
I had heard the misconception that romance readers can’t possibly be intelligent.
I get two wrong perceptions about my romance reading from people…one is that it’s all s.e.x. which of course that is NOT the case…I refuse to read those kinds of books…the other is that romance novels have no substance…it’s Al mushy and fairy tale…. obviously these people have not read any of the fabulous Inspy Authors!
And when you tell people you WRITE Christian romance, you get some interesting looks, too. People in the church are fairly likely to give you a horrified look as though you just admitted to writing smut, and others think it’s an oxymoron. I tell them, “Oh, Christians fall in love, too, you know.” “Um, of course, that’s not what I meant.” “Oh???” with a big smile. Possibly I sometimes have too much fun with it.
I’ve been reading romance for so long (since a pre-teen) that I don’t remember having any misconceptions about romance readers. I have heard others say that romance is just fluffy and leads women to be dissatisfied about their own real relationships.
Personally, I’m okay with some of the misconceptions. I don’t mind living vicariously — there’s no way I would do many of the things I read about.
I like predictable stories — if I can’t at least predict one of the things that need to happen other than the hero and heroine getting together in order to make a satisfying ending, then I’m usually disappointed. Not always. But usually.
And I am obsessed with romance — I call myself a “hopeless romantic.” It’s what I’m drawn to in any movie. I can spot a potential love interest a mile away. It’s the only reason I watch many of the action and drama movies that my husband enjoys. I don’t enjoy much suspense or any thrillers. There are very few stories I like that don’t have some kind of romance — even Star Wars does.
The only misconception I can think of is, some people think romance readers only read bodice ripping books and that’s so not true! Christian fiction has amazing romantic stories that are so much better than some of the books that feature lots of sex scenes.
Hi, Liwen!
Excellent post! I think some people have the misconception that all romance books are super steamy, and can’t seem to fathom that such a thing as Chrstian and clean romances even exist, let alone grasp how popular the Inspy and clean romance genres are!
In the past week I’ve read your Billionaires with Heart series, and Lawfully Cherished, I loved them all! And I’m currently reading How to Kiss a Guy in Ten Days and loving it! 😍
I know a few people that equate a romance read to a Harlequin romance from decades ago. They don’t really know anything about romance reads. I love them.
I can remember when about the only Christian romance was Grace Livingston Hill, and they were pretty predictable 😊. I like today’s Christian romance, most of which is not predictable, shallow, or silly.
I haven’t heard misconceptions about people that read romance. I know of one who didn’t like them and didn’t think highly of them until she read Francine Rivers. I started reading them so long ago, before I was even a teenager! I started with the old Harlequin’s and Barbara Cartland books, then found Christian books by Grace Livingston Hill (which were mostly out of print when I was growing up) and then found Janette Oke and Al Lacy, and then in the early 80’s I found the Christian version of Harlequin, though now I can’t remember the names! I totally stopped reading the Harlequin’s when they left the sweet and clean out. I admit, I still love Betty Neels, who even mentioned going to church in hers!!
In today’s world, we are surrounded by reality and negativity (press/journalism). I am a romance reader to create “balance” in my life & to, at least momentarily, surround myself with a guaranteed HEA. I read many genres – historical romance, contemporary romance, fantasy, futuristic, shifter romance, suspense romance, mystery, Christian faith-filled novels, action-adventure, comedy romance, paranormal. . . whatever I am reading just cannot be too dark, graphic, depressing, angst-filled or emotionally draining. My BIL says I read “fluff.” I say, “Yes. I read to escape, momentarily” with no apologies. :D And I also squeeze my reading into a full & busy life.
Haha, yes! Because we don’t have anything else to do. ;) Thanks for reading and commenting, Dianne!
That’s great. :) Thanks for reading and commenting, Kim!
As a member of the elite (16%) group, LOL, I get the gender assumption a lot. But I like to think of IR as relationship stories. The more the author reflects Godly, true-to-life relational dynamics on the way to a happy ending, the better I like it. To me, reading IR is both an escape from life’s burdens and a picture of hope for the ideal. That kind of pursuit of real hope sounds, to me, an awful lot like walking in faith toward the one Who is Love.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
That’s obviously not true! Thanks for reading and commenting, Mary. :)
I hear your passion, Paula! Thanks for supporting our Inspy Authors!
Haha, you’re so cute, Valerie! I know exactly what you mean. It’s taken me a couple of years to finally get comfortable enough to tell people what I do. But honestly, it’s the best job ever!
Hi Lila! Great thoughts. I’m like you, I like seeing the romance in non-romance movies. Although, I have to admit, I was not pleased with the most recent Star Wars romantic storyline. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Megan! Yes, there’s so much depth and value to Christian fiction, as well as clean and wholesome romance. If only readers would give them a chance! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi Caitlyn! Aww, thank you so much for reading my books! Hearing this made my day! Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
Hi Cathy! Yep, romance has come a long way since the Harlequin days. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Margaret! Yes, I’m so thankful for all the Christian romance that’s available today. More than we’ll ever have time to get through. :) Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Trudy! Francine Rivers was my intro to romance, too. It sounds like you’re an avid romance reader. :) Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Penelope! I hear ya! I need my HEA fixes, too. It’s great that you’re able to get so much reading in. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Lincoln! It’s so cool to hear from a member of the elite. :) I love how you put it—”the pursuit of real hope”. It’s such a privilege for me as an author to be able to weave faith into IR. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I don’t have any preconceptions, either. I think my intro to romance was Grace Livingston Hill, also. The genre has come a long way since then, but it’s not fluff or all sex, either. Which I can do without. Thanks for your thought-inducing article.
Reading romance is like watching the Hallmark Channel, right? Only most books have much better story lines. I can predict the entire plot of a Hallmark movie from the first few minutes. Not so with Christian romance books! Especially the good ones. Plus, we get to read about the characters’ feels. Something you can’t do in a movie!
I’ve been told that I must not have anything to do but read. Entirely not true…I raise a garden and can fruits and veggies for the winter months, my house is always clean and organized, I crochet, embroidery, sew, scrapbook, cross stitch, remake old things into something new, cook, bake my own bread, etc and I still have time to read.
Hi Kathy! Yes, I totally agree that the genre has grown and changed over the years. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Anna! :) Haha, you’re so right about Hallmark movies. I think there was a meme going around during Christmas about how they must all be set in small towns with a career-oriented leading lady and a secret prince. LOL. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Lelia! Whoa baby, after hearing about all that you do, I’m amazed you still have time to read. ;) Thanks for reading and commenting!
I’ve heard the complaint that romances make women unsatisfied with their own lives. I’m very content, and I read a lot of clean/wholesome and Christian romances.
Lol we live in a fantasy world.
I think there is the misconception that those of us that read romances are reading to make up for a lack of love/romance in real life. I have been happily married for over 35 years! There is no lack of love, I just enjoy reading! :)
Hi Liwen!
Apparently I’m not the only one who has come across this misconception: I remember when I first told my friends I loved reading (I hadn’t even say I was a “romance reader” per se) and their automatic response was “oh, so you read books like 50 shades?” *Face palm* let’s just say that besides classes at uni, we don’t hang out that much.
This was a great post, and thank you for the chance :)
Hi Lisa! Yes, same here! Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
Hi Kelley! Haha, yes. Makes you wonder what world fantasy readers live in then. Lol. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Tina! Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head—we just enjoy reading. :) Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Priscila! Eeks, oh my. *Face palm* is right! Lol. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I admit I live in a fantasy land sometimes but it wasn’t romance books that did that to me! I have always been a day dreamer and it was children’s books that did it to me.
I would be a daydreamer even if I didn’t read fiction books!
A couple of things I have heard is people reading Romance novels are looking for a real life man like in the novels. Also that romance readers have an unrealistic view of romance.
I have no misconceptions. I have had people tell me that I must be dissatisfied in my relationship so I have to read romence to make up for it. I have also been told the I live in a fantasy world. Not true on either account!
It makes me sad to read your list also a bit more aware of why I rarely tell others what I have been reading. I want to share sometimes but my initial attempts were met with disbelief and unapproved stares. So these days it’s just me telling my sister about a new good book (or often just sending her a new kindle book to read).
Hi Ausjenny! You sound like you have a good imagination. It’s great that you developed a love of reading from a young age. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Karina! That’s good to hear! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi Priscila! Aww, I’m sorry to hear this. I understand how you feel; sometimes I’m still hesitant to tell people that I write romance. I’m glad your sister understands and appreciates your love of romance books. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I got hooked on reading in grade school by reading Grace Livingston Hill books from the school library.
Hi Carol! That’s great that you loved reading from a young age. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I don’t have any misconceptions to add but I have heard of the ones you mentioned. I have been reading romance books since I was in high school.
I enjoyed the article. I recently heard that in Japan there are a huge number of men who read Historical romance. Interesting, eh?
I enjoyed the post today I love reading especially The Inspy romance Authors books they are all awesome!
Funny 😄
I raised my hand!!!
There so many types of romance though and sometimes people don’t realize that.
Hi Lori! Cool! That’s about the same time I started reading them, too. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Suzannah! That’s so interesting! Who would’ve thought? Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Sarah! Yay! We appreciate your support! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Natalya! I see your hand! LOL. Yes, that’s so true. There’s so much variety, I think there’s some type of romance for every reader. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I recently found out at a Barnes and Noble Romance Readers event that Roman e readers read 4x as many books as readers of other genres. I love romance! I’m a die-hard. Thanks Liwen!
Wrong email. Oops! It was supposed to be flwhizkid@yahoo.com.
Hi Ashley! Oh wow, yes, romance readers are voracious! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Noted! :)
I’m grateful that there are authors that write clean romance!
I think the most common misconception I hear is that romance books are smutty and/or cheesy. Obviously, those aren’t always true and I’m glad I’ve found many authors who write fun, realistic, romance books with happy endings. I like happy endings, so I’m happy to read a genre that is known for them.
Hi Susanne! Me, too! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Melynda! Yes, for sure. We can’t have too many happy endings. :) Thanks for reading and commenting!
They seem to think we’re less than intelligent. Both the readers and the authors.
Hi Denise! Aww, rest assured that none of the InspyRomance authors think romance readers are less than intelligent. Quite the contrary! Thanks for reading and commenting!