When I tell people I am a reader and a book blogger, the next question is typically, ‘So what do you read?’
I used to answer vaguely, saying, “fiction” or “fantasy,” never admitting to romance. Romance novels have this reputation for being “fluff” or a guilty pleasure, and for a long time, I didn’t want to be judged for it.
But for a couple of years now, I’ve been pretty vocal about what I read. I read romance books exclusively, period. I am not ashamed of it, and why should one be, right?
That got me thinking… why do I love romance so much? What is it about them? And I have had some people ask me this, too – my views on romance books – and I appreciated their genuineness in wanting to understand the genre.
TL;DR: Romance books bring me joy and happiness, serves as an escape from real life and a respite from stress. I get to experience love, meet people from different lives, and see characters overcome various hurdles to reach their happily ever after.
If you think romance is just one type of story, it’s really not. There are so many subgenres—from dark romance to fantasy to contemporary—and I’ve broken them all down in my guide to types of romance genres.
I always encourage my peeps to read romance, or at least give it a try. There are so many reasons to, really. Here are my top reasons for why I read romance books, and why you should read one too.
Reasons why I read Romance Books (and for you to try them)
Romance Books Make Me Happy (And That Matters)
Personally, I love the feeling of reading characters finally get their happily ever after after everything they’ve been through. It’s hard to describe, but it leaves me with such a deep sense of satisfaction. You’ll often find me smiling at my Kindle by the end of a book.
And it’s not just in my head. Reading romance can actually boost your mood. When you get emotionally invested in a love story, your brain releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”), along with dopamine and endorphins. All of these are linked to happiness, connection, and that feel-good rush you get while reading.
If you’re curious but don’t know where to start, I’ve put together a guide on romance books for beginners that’ll help you pick your first read.
They Give Me Hope in Love
I am a cynical pessimist. When it comes to topics about ‘love’ or ‘hope’, my first reaction is to scoff at those. But whenever I read romances, it makes me want to believe in love and hope for a relationship that rivals the ones I read in these books. Although this hope hasn’t been fruitful yet, somewhere in the back of my mind, I am always hoping for a true love to knock at my door.
The Perfect Escape From Reality
Work-life balance these days is almost always tilted toward work. The constant stress, the overthinking, and all the negativity—from the news, people, and even everyday life—can really take a toll. Life, at times, just feels overwhelming and not happening.
Reading romance books helps me escape from all of that. As soon as I dive into a story, everything else fades into the background (at least for a little while).
It helps me slow down, quiet my thoughts, and just exist in that fictional world—completely present in the moment.
They Make Me More Empathetic
Reading romance across different subgenres – dark, contemporary, and stories featuring characters with trauma or disabilities – has really shaped how I understand people and their experiences.
Getting to “meet” characters from completely different walks of life, like those in (for example) single mom romance books, has helped me see perspectives outside my own.
Because of that, I find it easier to relate to people’s emotions, understand where they’re coming from, and simply be there for them.
They Help Me Relax and De-Stress
In general, reading romance books makes me forget about my worries. It helps me slow down and disconnect from everything else. I forget all about the anxious thoughts hammering in my head about work, family, or friend dramas, and just be in the book.
I Get to Live a Life Different From Mine
I never had an exciting school or college life. I was a nerd, and my mom was a teacher at the same school I attended. I didn’t get into scandals or do anything particularly risky. At the time, I was really into New Adult romances, and they let me step into the life of a strong heroine—someone who could stand up to a bully and still end up falling in love.
Reading romance lets me experience things I never would in real life—from being a dragon rider in a fantasy world to standing up to a bully, or even having a dark, obsessive hero pursue me. Different lives. Different perspectives. Different versions of love. It feels like being pulled into a completely different world.
From falling for your enemy to being chased by a morally grey hero, romance books let you experience it all. (And if you love that tension, you NEED to check out these enemies to lovers romance books.)
They Show Me How Relationships Can/Should Work
I genuinely feel romance books can be a great way to understand how relationships should work—a close second for me would be romance K-dramas.
In contemporary romances, you often see characters working toward their individual goals while also growing together as a couple. Watching them communicate, make mistakes, and actively work on their relationship gives me a better sense of what a healthy partnership can look like.
I Get to Experience Intimacy and Love (Without Leaving My Room)
I’ll admit—I’m an introvert with social anxiety. I find it pretty difficult to meet new people or make small talk. My circle is small, and I rarely go out (I’m one of those people who wants to meet their soulmate naturally… but also never leaves the house, LOL).
Romance books let me feel all the emotions that come with being in a relationship—the soft conversations, the affection, the quiet, intimate moments, everything.
There’s something really special about getting to feel all of that second-hand. It’s comforting, exciting, and honestly, a little magical.
They Fulfill My Fantasies (No Judgement)
Romance books have helped me discover more about myself: my preferences, interests, and the kinds of dynamics I’m drawn to.
When I pick up books that align with those, it lets me explore those fantasies in a safe, fictional way. And I love that, especially since it’s not something I’ve experienced in real life.
Strong Heroines Inspire Me
I always find myself drawn to romance books with strong heroines—women who don’t take shit from anyone, whether it’s in dark romance or paranormal settings.
I’m not naturally like that. I avoid conflict and tend to shy away from arguments.
But reading about these characters makes me feel like I can be that person too—someone who stands up for herself, speaks her mind, and isn’t afraid to say no when it matters.
I Learn From Characters’ Mistakes
Second chance? Groveling? Every time I see some characters going down the wrong path, or doing something that they’d end up regretting, it turns into a sort of lesson for me. Things I need to avoid doing or saying to my close ones because it definitely hurts them. The ‘tact’ in dealing with people.
I’m Always Learning Something New
There’s always something new to learn from romance books.
I recently read Laura Thalassa’s Bewitched and came across the Sarmatians—a nomadic tribe that inspired parts of the story. I ended up going down a rabbit hole reading about their history, and it was so fascinating.
Romance books are also how I got into Greek and Roman mythology, which have been such fun topics to explore. Paranormal and Fantasy have become my favorite romance sub-genres.
They Improve My English (Yes, Really)
Haha, I had to include this one—though it applies to reading in general, not just romance.
One thing I’ve realized is that reading something you actually enjoy makes a huge difference. If you force yourself to read something that doesn’t interest you, you’re far more likely to give up on it.
Romance is my favorite genre, so it helps me stay consistent while also improving my vocabulary, comprehension, and overall fluency in English.
And the best part? You don’t even have to spend money to start. Here’s a guide on how to get free romance books (safely and legally!).
Romance isn’t just a genre to me at this point. It is comfort, escape, and hope all rolled into one. It’s the reason I started reading, the reason I kept going, and honestly, the reason I built this blog.
And if you’ve never picked up a romance novel before, maybe this is your sign to try one. You might just fall in love with it, too.
Not sure what to read next? I always say this—start with something you’re actually interested in. That’s the easiest way to fall in love with reading. You can explore all my romance book recommendations here.