[quote=njtosd][quote=flyer]The specific “effect” Romance novels have on each person who buys them is definitely an individual experience, but, IMO, and my wife’s opinion, they aren’t selling billions of copies around the world just because of any sexual content.
It’s true that, in the past few years, the “erotic” Romance sub-genre like “50 Shades,” etc., is outselling other Romance genres, but those, like my wife, who prefer not to write in that genre, are still selling books by the millions.
My wife gets thousands of responses from women who share why her “love stories” connect with them in their lives, and, without going into it in great depth, suffice it to say, their reasons are far deeper and more complex than the obvious.
This is pretty much all I have to say on this topic, so I’ll leave it at that. The only reason I brought it up in the first place, was because the OP concerned relationships, and I thought the phenomenal success of Romance novels might provide an interesting perspective.[/quote]
I hope you understand that I was limiting myself to a certain type of book – Jane Austen apparently qualifies as a writer of romance novels, and I certainly wasn’t including her. As I mentioned, there are books with very little plot or character development that have a salacious quality that appears designed to be titillating (pun intended). I have no problem with it – just remarking.
Flyer – it sounds as though your wife has energy to spare. I am jealous.[/quote]
I second what njtosd is saying here. Please tell your wife, if she’s been reading this thread, that the “women’s porn” comment was not directed at her; not at all. My very little experience with romance novels is what I’ve gleaned from coworkers and a few female friends; the ones who voraciously read romance novels seemed to be into a lot of those “spicy” ones. I’m a non-fiction gal, myself.
Your wife seems to be living a very exciting and fulfilling life. Her contributions to this thread are appreciated, as are yours. Your comment about Kev possibly learning something about relationships by reading romance novels is an excellent one; he’d be wise to consider it. Most men would probably do well by reading a romance novel or two, just to get a better understanding of how many women think about romance (or hope for it).
