28-year-old Bea Fitzgerald is quickly becoming a leader in the booming industry of romance fiction. It’s hard not to feel impressed by her recent breakout success with the young adult fantasy rom-com Girl Goddess Queen. This was during the height of the romance genre’s popularity. Despite this surge, Fitzgerald argues that critics, particularly male voices, often diminish the genre, referring to it as “just smut.” This perception points to a deeper challenge. Many authors and readers alike would agree that the discourse surrounding romance novels has a long way to go.
Fitzgerald’s own literary career took deep root after her time in publishing. She pointed out that romance novels had captured the largest audience. More often than not, they weren’t able to receive the validation they needed from the literary world. “Do we see broadsheets reviewing romance books? No. They are just as important as literary books,” she stated, emphasizing the need for a shift in how society views this genre.
Romance novels, Fitzgerald argues, are endlessly compelling, especially for women, who make up the majority of Fitzgerald’s readers. She suspects that part of the genre’s appeal has to do with its intrinsic happy ending guarantee. “Sometimes I think we all need a little bit of a happily ever after in life,” shared Victoria, a reader who appreciates the joy these stories bring.
The latest numbers, as they relate to the publishing industry’s challenges, support Fitzgerald’s assertions. Romance and fantasy genres experienced unprecedented sales last year, according to data collected from more than 7,000 independent UK booksellers. This tremendous growth showcases how consumers are moving in a more positive direction, seeking uplifting narratives that provide escapism and emotional gratification.
In west London, Sarah Maxwell is the owner of Saucy Books, a romance-themed boutique bookshop. Maxwell’s entrepreneurial spirit took flight once she began researching the demographics of romance readers. This realization increased her confidence and propelled her to launch her first store ever. In fact, her site has a whole section dedicated to “spicy” titles. Colloquially known as the “smut hut,” it is a haven for readers seeking out the steamier stuff.
Maxwell explained that almost all of these books offer impressive world-building and incredible character arcs. He argued that romance novels don’t only create titillation but can provide both profundity and nuance.
Caroline, a 29-year-old frequent reader, remembers how she was once very anti-romance in her early twenties. Now though, she has come to appreciate the genre as a “guilt-free” breath of fresh air. “It’s nice to feel all the feelings with something that’s just going to really entertain you,” Caroline remarked, indicating a shift in perspective that many readers share.
This change in how romance is perceived ties closely to Fitzgerald’s claim. He contends that societal pressures often define positivity as being the opposite of serious. “It goes in line with this sort of academic elitism that for something to be serious, it has to be a Shakespearean tragedy,” she explained. Fitzgerald champions the literary worth of these romance narratives, which can wrestle with challenging themes and events while packing all the pleasure and exhilaration into them.
The conversation about romance novels is still raging, and it’s the romance readers and writers who are defeating these prejudicial stereotypes every day. Victoria emphasized this change by stating, “We’re talking about it in a different way.” This fresh approach allows for deeper, more nuanced conversations about the value of romance novels and how they affect readers’ lives.
As these conversations continue, we realize that romance literature is more than just escapism. More broadly, it serves as an incredibly rich cultural touchstone for millions of Americans. The community around these books is feisty and passionate. “They won’t just read a romance; they’ll go shout about it online, and then they’ll go to a romance convention, and they’ll talk to their friends about it,” Fitzgerald noted.
This passion for romance novels goes further than just escapism, as it helps build a sense of community between readers and writers. The more people who enter this colorful community, the more we work to rid the unnecessary stigma attached to loving romantic stories.