Why Romance Isn't Fluff

patricecarey8
Feb 13, 2019
2 min read

Have you ever read a book that coated your heart with sugary love goodness and made you feel like even though you were single and no one had ever come after you at the airport and told you they loved you, that maybe someday they would? That love could be around the corner and that every exchange you have with a cute someone has the promise of being significant in some future way?

I have.

Books like this--romance in genre terms, or possibly love stories--may be regarded as "cotton candy" or "fluff," but I disagree. I think these books fulfill an important purpose. Maybe they don't inspire deep philosophical questions, but they make me hopeful. And happy. I get to see other people having problems, working them out, and getting together. What's not to love?

Aside from that, in the writing world, we're told to start our stories on "the day that is different." If a day is different from the norm, that implies that a lot of life happened for the main character prior to her running into the cute guy at the library or her best friend telling her that he's in love with her. So far I'm with the main character, because a lot of normal life happens for me too sans meeting that special someone. But a love story starting on the day that is different also implies that anything can happen. At any time. You could have your meet-cute at any moment. And since meet-cutes are rarely obvious in life until after the fact, I love reading a romance and seeing the moment when these two people meet/get together. I love knowing they're going to make it because I want to "make it" too, and if they can, I can.

Or maybe I just like to read about people kissing. It's a toss-up, really. :D

Anyway, if you're looking for a cozy, happy Valentine's Day read, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

1. Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

3. Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

4. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

5. The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee

6. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

7. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

8. Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols

9. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

10. The Romantics by Leah Konen