The enormous appeal of romance novels - why we love them
I'm giving a talk in a library in a few months on the appeal of romance novels so have been thinking a bit about it. Everyone no doubt has a different reason for why they like a good romance. Just as those who read thrillers like the anticipation and the ride of the journey, those who read romance novels are effectively, I think, reading a story that ends in a better world than the one it started out with: the reader promise or reader expectation, as they say. It has to have a happy-ever-after but within that, there are a number of elements that make a romance such a great read, and that actually tie in Cover photo of upcoming story "Belinda's Valentine" with real life. For a start, experiences change us. Whoever we meet, whatever we do, we're often influenced, and that's just the way it is, and is generally a good thing. Generally, a good thing. Relationships, whatever they are, are the essence, if you like, of being human. Helping, loving, serving,