Want to know what I love about romance novels? I love that you meet two people in the beginning of the book and even before one little hint that these are the two that (hopefully) end up together? You know. You see it. However it’s written, you just know. When the sparks start to fly, or something happens to keep them apart? Well, that’s when you decide to turn the page.
Oh, hell yeah.
That’s it. That’s the juice. The bigger the spark between two people, the more reasons they have to stay apart? The better the book. Because when they finally do kiss — when they finally, finally end up together — it’s earned. It’s the most satisfying thing in the world. You’ve been holding your breath until the very end, and then? Finally, you smile and exhale in relief.
I’ve read romance novels with unsatisfying endings. The kind where the two people don’t make it, where it’s all very profound and bittersweet. The truth though? Those are the ones that get nominated for awards, or at least it feels that way. I understand why they exist. But day in and day out? People don’t want to ache. I know I don’t want to. They want to watch two people fall in love and make it.
The reality is, most of us only fall in love — really fall, the once-in-a-lifetime kind — one time. Yes, some fall a few more times than that, but not many. The butterflies don’t last forever. Even when you do end up with your person in real life, there’s a stretch where you don’t know yet, where it isn’t certain, and somehow that not-knowing feels as good as the certainty does later. Romance novels live in that exact space. That’s why we keep coming back.
Now, a confession. For the longest time, I only watched one kind of movie: action. Things blowing up, a lot of fighting, the smallest possible amount of romance. Then a roommate got me hooked on romance movies — and I mean hooked. The cheesier the better. I will happily watch a B-grade romance and a B-grade action flick back to back and love them both equally. I genuinely can’t help it.
And honestly? I think that’s where the writer in me actually comes from. Somewhere between the explosions and the meet-cutes, I figured out what I love: the spark, the impossibility, and the deeply satisfying moment when two people who shouldn’t work out — finally, against all odds — do.
Whether you’ve been with your person for years, or you’re still searching, romance books can give us our own spark, they can help guide us in our relationships, but at the core? It’s hope. And, since hope is essentially about not giving up? Well, go ahead, find your next favorite romance novel. 💗