Romance Novels Aren't Just For Women Anymore
Sales of romance novels are hot. In fact, experts say they’re popular with both men and women.
Why? Because the stories provide an escape from everyday life, and reinforce the idea that anyone can find love. But the most important reason romances are popular: No matter what goes wrong, there’s always a happily-ever-after ending.
Some people worry that romances give readers unrealistic expectations about relationships. But Eric Selinger, a professor of English at DePaul University, says that romance novels actually remind readers what’s important. They highlight the best of what it means to be human, using stories that speak of honor, sacrifice, selflessness, belonging, and love. Romance novels also show women that they’re the heroines of their own lives - that achieving a so-called “happy ending” takes hard work. They can also teach people that relationships require good communication.
And romance novels are not just for women. Men are getting into them for a couple of reasons.
First, now that they can be downloaded on an e-reader, men can enjoy them without anyone knowing.
And more romances are being written about men in the military. So guys in the armed forces are reading them because they can relate to the books’ romantic hero.











