10 Things I Love About Romantic Fiction
In this post, I will give 10 reasons why I like to read Romantic Fiction. plus some books from this genre that I have enjoyed over the last few years.
If you are more of a Thriller reader, there is a page on this blog that explains Why I Love Psychological Thrillers (I have diverse taste!) It also includes some books which I have enjoyed and highly recommend.
Today I will focus my love of Romantic Fiction, Historical Sagas and Chick Lit (I really don’t like that description). I think this genre gets a bad rap from critics, there are many fine examples of beautiful writing in this genre and it should never be overlooked or underestimated.
Here are 10 Reasons Why I Love Romantic Fiction.
1 It Has No Boundaries.
This type of book can go back centuries, spanning right through the decades to the present day. The interesting thing is, that love hasn’t changed over the years and it never will.
Nowadays we can read much more openly about the gay community and erotic fiction, but at the end of the day.. love is love.
2 We All Love a Happy Ending
I think with the majority of Romance books there is a happy ending, therefore you get just what it says on the tin! Sometimes it is just good to sit, back, relax and know that everything will turn out ok. Of course, we like a few ups and downs along the way, otherwise, it would just be boring.
3 The Feel Good Element
We only have to switch on the radio and television to know that there are terrible things going on in the World. Things that we cannot change and seem to be getting worse instead of better. So, what is wrong with a little escapism? I enjoy books that give me the famous ‘feel good factor’ and put a smile on my face.
4 They Can Teach Us All A Thing or Two
In the past few weeks, I have read books about the Suffragette movement and women’s roles in the first and second World Wars. (These are just examples, there are many more). I might not be inclined to pick up a history book on these subjects but through my love of Romance novels, I am now far better informed than I was previously.
5 Research, Research, Research
As a link to number 4, I can’t emphasize enough on how important really great research is in a Romantic Fiction. If a book is set in the 1940s, for example, I want to know what was in the news, what type of clothes people were wearing, what technology was available at that time. I always value a well researched, informative style of writing, in any genre.
6 Strong Women
Personally, I hate books where the woman is portrayed as a wilting violet with no voice or opinions. A good romance book will show the strengths of a woman, even against adversity. Throughout the decade’s women have fought for the right to vote and kept the country running whilst the men were away fighting, so they should never be stereotyped as the weaker sex.
7 Talking of Sex
There is nothing wrong with a good bodice ripper! Seriously, it is so important that Chick Lit books get the balance just right. We know that sex sells, but not on every single page. Having said that, in the right context, there is nothing better to get the pulse racing.!
8 Learning About Relationships
What makes a good relationship? If we had the answer to that question we would all be millionaires. By reading Romantic Fiction we can compare to our actual relationships and maybe learn how things can be improved.
9 Hope.
There is nothing wrong with a little hope and Chick Lit fiction gives us that by the bucketload. If our personal lives are rubbish there is nothing wrong with a little daydreaming that the perfect guy might be waiting, just around the corner, After all, if it happens in books and films, why not in real life?
10 You’ve Got To Laugh!
We all like a laugh don’t we? In my opinion, there should be a healthy dollop of humour in Romantic fiction. It’s not always the type of humour that makes your sides ache from laughing but clever wit and sharp one-liners go down really well for me.
Whilst I am on the subject of laughing I have to balance things out. I love a good cry too!…there I said it, not ashamed at all. The thing is a little sadness gets the emotions stirring and it makes the book journey more fulfilling. On the other hand, I have finished books where I am left emotionally traumatised, but on the whole, Romance can be a lot of fun!
These are my 10 Reasons Why I love Romantic Fiction I would now like to back it up with some Recommended Reads.
8 Recommended Romantic Fiction
Chick Lit/Historical Romance Books
The Factory Girls of Lark Lane
This is the first in a series of three (so far). I have read the follow up The Shop Girls of Lark Lane
and have the most recent The Nurses of Lark Lane
in my TBR.
This book is set in 1940s Liverpool. It is the story of Alice who married her sweetheart Terry whilst he was on a 48-hour pass from the army. Alice works in a munitions factory to help the war effort and has an amazing friendship with the lovely Millie. This is a book featuring strong women at their best.
I’m a big fan of Jill Mansell’s writing. Here is the story of Mimi and Cal, a couple who are meant to be together, but the time is never right. I loved all the multi-layered characters and the sense of suspense surrounding the relationship…..truly heartwarming.
I love Giovanna Fletcher’s writing and have read several of her books. The story centres around Lizzie who has had her heart well and truly broken. The book is about her mission to find herself again. I know that doesn’t sound too original but this one did stand out for me. I really do feel like I went through every single emotion reading this book and I shall be re-reading it very soon.
Wow, this one got the emotions in a right old tizzy. It epitomises everything that a good romance book should be. I am not going to spoil it by saying anything else.
Annie Darling was a new author for me but I just couldn’t resist a novel set around a bookshop. This is a book about Verity Love, an introvert in a world of extroverts and a Pride and Prejudice, addict.
This is a historical fiction book rather than a romance. It is set in Ireland at the turn of the last century. The main character Cissy is collected from an orphanage at six years old. I cried buckets over this one!
I love Susanna Bavin’s books, she is a born storyteller and I couldn’t put this book down. This is historical fiction with a little romance set in 1920’s Manchester. Nell’s story gripped me and I found myself rooting for her and her children.
This is the latest edition from Heidi Swain and I really loved this story. The community spirit of Nightingale Square really shines through and it left me feeling warm and uplifted.
You can read some of my reviews for these books by following the links below.
The Factory Girls of Lark Lane by Pam Howes
The Day We Met by Roxie Cooper
A Respectable Woman by Susanna Bavin
Poppy’s Recipe for Life by Heidi Swain
all the others are available on my blog.
Do you have any fantastic romance, historical fiction or saga books that you would like to recommend?
Looking forward to seeing all your recommendations in the comments below.
Thank you for reading, I hope to see you again soon.
I agree with your little list! Though i’m not one for historical, but the rest is pinpoint!
Some that I absolutely loved is « The corner shop in cockleberry bay » (reading its sequel atm!) and « The heart between us », just to name a few.
Cockleberry is really good, I love Hot the dog because I have a mini dachshund and Nicola May has all the little daxie traits down to a tee. I only recently started reading historical, mainly wartime, and I’m enjoying it. Thanks for stopping by, hope you are well. x
Yes!! My two are standards and not minis.. but I was so happy when I read it! She does has the trait pinpoint on the spot, and I was pleased to see he wasn’t just « there » either or dissapearing- she really did a great job!
Ahh, I see! Wartime has never been mu cup of tea 😅 I just, do not care ahaha but I guess it’s because it’s so hard to picture it ..
I used to have standards, their personalities are so much nicer than the minis (Darcy, the mini I have now was a rescue on death row because hes so naughty) I really miss my standards, they were such good dogs.
Ah! I knew personalities changed between fur types, but not standard/mini
Yes the minis are feisty!
Aw, I love this and I love your recs! Taking notes! My favorite is that they can teach us a thing or two- they definitely can- all books can.
Thank you Jennifer, I think we have similiar taste and yes we learn so much. Have a lovely day. x