It is impossible to ignore the volume of romance novels published every year. They make up almost half of all hard-copy books printed, and are re-issued in over 25 languages. Grand Damme of the romance writing industry, Danielle Steel, has her name on an incredible 100 million copies.
So what is it about these stories that so captivate their readers? Most obviously, the books are about women. Our dusty English literary cannon is the domain of male protagonists. If a girl wants to read about other girls, then look no further than the romance shelf in the drug store or at Barnes and Noble. Even so-called feminist novels can't satisfy us. Like regular novels, what happens to women in them is often depressing. Not exactly a wonderful way to escape day to day doldrums.
Which brings up another important point - romance novels don't disappoint. Especially with love. The girl gets her guy in the end. Granted she will have to solve some problems on the way, like clearing up the inevitable relationship misunderstandings, kick the current BF to the curb, or straightening out her prince before she disappears into the sunset with him. But half the fun of the story is seeing her get there.
The women in the stories also have it going on. They travel to exotic places and have adventures. They work at interesting jobs while they're waiting for "Mr. Right." Often the love of their lives will be in the well-to-do or leisure class, which will liberate our heroine from drudgery or economic woes forever!
Last, but not least, the men in the stories are wonderful. They're hunky, and they aren't out for just one thing. Romance and sex are not fraught with danger and nasty transmittable diseases. In short, the guys are interesting, and not the dull heteros we typically encounter in real life.
When we bury our noses in those pages, everyone knows to stay clear. We are in the zone (even if we're reading on the subway), and doing something just for ourselves. Occasionally, we may even trade reviews with a fellow reader from the romance novel fan community. If we see someone with a cover we recognize, there is an instant bond, and we say something like, "That was a really good one" or "If you like X, you should definitely read Y!"
(Reference) Busting Textual Bodices: Gender, Reading, and the Popular Romance. Carol Ricker-Wilson. The English Journal. Vol. 88, No. 3, Jan., 1999.
