Are romance novels really worth reading?

You could ask the same question about any type of book. A book is worth reading if you enjoy reading it or if you learn something from it. I used to feel the same way about romance novels, and yes, I've found many to be cheesy or basically porn. But I've also found wonderful stories that are written so well I feel like I'm there or watching a movie. I've found that it has more to do with the author and how well developed their story and characters are. The "The Notebook" was a book that even my husband enjoyed that was a wonderful movie. For romance novels, it will be about two people falling in love, usually having to over come something. But no matter what kind of book, be it horror, suspense, drama, or anything else, you have ones that are written well and ones written badly. You just need to find a topic and author you like.

They can be worth reading depending on the book and author your choose. For instance, Georgette Heyer wrote what could be considered romance novels (mostly set during the Regency period in England), and they are excellent books. (She wrote some medieval novels and some mysteries, too.) Her books, though, are so much more than mere romance. They give you insight into the time, the people, the customs and traditions and are well written.

There are some writers like Maeve Binchy (Circle of Friends) and Rosamunde Pilcher (September; The Shell Seekers) who write some fiction that could be classed in the romance genre but include great drama and human interest.

There are some writers that write books that are basically just cheesy "sex romps" which I don't like.

There are some really great romantic suspense novels by such writers as Phyllis A. Whitney, Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt.

Some write good romances that incorporate mysteries like Catherine Coulter, Linda Howard, Christina Skye, Laura Hastings, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell, Iris Johansen, Kay Hooper and many more.

There are some writers whose romance stories are both interesting and fun to read like Mary Jo Putney's books.

Another example of an interesting romance novel would be in the time travel category. I find it really interesting to see how a modern person does when catapulted into a previous age. Alternatively, some good ones have someone from the past catapulted into the present. One good one that has a modern woman thrown back into medieval times is Forever His by Shelley Thacker.

A lot of romance novels are on the cheesy side, I would say; especially ones on teenagers. However, I think the ones that have other plots other than romance are worth reading. For example, Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) was a bit of a love tale. It talks about marriage and the principles of being in love as well as being proud and degrading any one whom isn't of your class. It's main love interest starts out with a strong dislike between the two characters and while reading it, I couldn't see how they were going to end up together (I already knew the jist of the story).

It's books that include different plots and hardships along with the romance that make some of the books worth reading.

Weithering Heights Les Liasons Dangereuses= Dangerous Liasons which there are also two movies based on this 1-is from thelate 80's early 90's called Dangerous Liasons starring Michell Pfeiffer and John Malcovich annd than Cruel Intentions from 99' starring Reese Witherspoon Ryan Phillipe Josh Jackson and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Any Austen Novel and check out House of Night

It depends on if you like them, and what type of romance you pick out. (ha, yes, there are types)

There's the cheesy, dramatic, high school romance stories (I obviously don't like these). Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot are good authors to look at if you want to try these. Or go to barnesandnoble.com and search these authors. You'll get some more authors that way.

Then there's the serious romance stories, which could fit into any category, even those high school ones. Some of my favorites are Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse by Stephenie meyer, Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce, and Old Magic by Marianne Curley.

So yeah, it would really depend on which type of romance book you pick up, and then in the end, if you like it at all. Try them. Or, if you don't know what to pick up, go to the link below and see if anything catches your interest. These aren't published stories, but they're very good, I've read most of them. Most of them are actually high school romance things, but not a lot of drama. I hate drama. It's annoying. But yeah, whatever you like.

(The link leads you to fictionpress.com, to a C2 archive, which is really just a compilation of good stories that the manager and staff members put together. There are more stories- just go to the main page. And I agree with S.J. completely.)

I think it would depend if you were a romantic yourself or not. I've read romance novels in the past. I especially liked historical romance novels since I like history. I would not consider it "cheesy material for shallow entertainment".

I do not agree!!

there are some romance novels that can be over the top but it is fun to read them. It is nice to read a happy ending and about love especially if you are coming out of a bad relationship or are going through a hard time. I have to say that reading them is my guilty pleasure during the school year because some of them are a nice easy read and you do not have to concentrate very hard on them.

Romance novels are absolutely worth reading. Read the back jacket & 2 or 3 pages. If that looks good, read the book. Soon you'll know the authors that you like. Also pick a subject or situation to read. If you get too picky, write a book yourself.

There are both fabulous writers and crappy writers in every genre. If you haven't looked at romance novels in awhile, I urge you to take a second look. Subgenres wthin the romance genre have absolutely exploded within the last 5-10 years, especially on the more erotic end of the Hotness Spectrum.

I love paranormals. Try J.R. Ward's "Black Dagger Brotherhood" novels for just one sample of what romance looks like these days.

Some of them are, if the author has a good enough writing styles. Most are really cheesy but a good writing style, a little comedy, or edge can make a good read.

A Girl's Guide To Hunting And Fishing is a good romance for people who don't like romance.