My NaNa introduced me to romance novels.
Of course, like all little girls I read Cinderella and Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. But I didn’t think of these stories as romances so much as fairy tales inhabited by both evil and fairy godmothers, as well as princes who rescued fair maidens from unfair circumstances. The romance was almost secondary to the magical happily ever after.
But the books my NaNa read? Now those were romances from beginning to end. I can still see my grandmother sitting at her small dining room table that she always kept covered with a plastic tablecloth. She’d be eating her usual breakfast of two eggs, toast with butter and grape jelly, and a strong cup of coffee. In her hand was an open paperback – a Harlequin novel. I don’t know where she got them, but I know she owned them because she always wrote her name on the title page in ballpoint pen: Mary Naughton.
There was little romance in my grandmother’s life. She was separated from my grandfather for more years than she was ever married to him – separated, but never divorced. A single, working mother long before it was the norm. Her romantic happily ever after eluded her – maybe that’s why she read Harlequin romances. Every story promised love conquering all, no matter what troubles erupted after boy-met-girl.
Somewhere in my early teens, I started borrowing my NaNa’s Harlequins. This was back when the romances were clean. When the kisses faded into nothing more than an innocent young girl’s imagination. Happy ending. Close the book – and I was on to the next story.
My next introduction to romance novel was thanks to the library, where I discovered the 
writings of Georgette Heyer. As an author, Heyer is credited with founding historical romances and also with establishing the Regency romance. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. All I knew was that here were stories with a combination of two things I loved: history and romance. Novels were about lady-meets-lord in the early 19th century in England. At balls. Riding in coaches. Racing horses. In parlors and parks. The language, the clothes – all of it was unfamiliar, but it was still romance and, in the end, happily ever after.
Falling in love with romance novels doesn’t just happen. Some how, some way, you discovered a certain book that captured your attention, your imagination. Maybe a friend gave you a book as a gift, saying, “I love this author!” Or you just randomly picked a book off the library shelf or found one at a garage sale because you liked the cover. You’ve read my story about how I started reading romance novels … what’s yours?
Do you remember how you fell in love with romance novels? I’d love for you to share your story in the comments!
Beth believes God’s best is often behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s a former nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction. But then God turned a season of burnout into a bend in the writing road. Now she writes contemporary romance set in the Colorado Rockies, including: Wish You Were Here (2012), Catch a Falling Star (2013), and Somebody Like You (2014). Beth also serves as the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy. Check out Beth’s books at bethvogt.com.
I think the first, sort of, romance I ever read was one of the Sweet Valley High books. I loved those books, and although they weren’t strictly romance there was usually something going on with those twins and a boy. Even now seeing the covers I remember how I felt buying each of those books. I find it amazing that books are like that, kind of like a song, it can take you back to a time and place (Journey anyone??). They carve a place in your mind forever.
Melissa,
I agree. Books are kind of like a song — what a great analogy. They can take you back to a time and place!
I read Victoria Holt and Phylis Whitney when I was younger. I found these books at the library. I eventually discovered Silhouette and Harlequin romances. I read other types of books, but I’m always drawn to romances because they always have happy endings.
Merrillee: I was a regular visitor of the library through my elementary and high school years. Would leave the public library carrying a leaning tower of books — and always finish them well before they were due! As an adult, I’ve purchase many of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels — and I read and reread them. I even bought a couple of early Debbie Macomber Harlequins that I like — some of her very first novels.
My mother introduced me to the Grace Livingston Hill books way back when I was a young teenager. To this day I have a fondness for Grace Livingston books even though it has been 50 years since I was first introduced to her books.
Nancy, I’ve read some Grace Livingston Hill books too! It’s been a while, but I would say her novels were some of the first inspirational romances that I ever read.