This week's topic is a love freebie. In order to not repeat the same books over and over again I'm going to share reasons I might read/enjoy a romance book. Anyone who visits knows that I don't read a lot of romance. I have nothing against it, I just usually prefer different genres.
1. The book in question has a cute dog on the cover (or any dog but technically aren't all dogs cute?)
2. There is a paranormal/supernatural aspect.
3. I need a palate cleanser - I find romance/chick lit such fast reads that they really break up some of the darker stuff I read from time to time.
4. There is a cute dog mentioned in the synopsis - if this is the case though, why isn't said dog on the cover???
5. The romance in question happens to be in one of my other favorite genres - for example, I love Veronica and Stoker but the books are primarily historical mysteries. Also, I love Lindsey and Sully who are in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
6. It's the holiday season - I tend to like some feel-good fluff around the holidays.
7. It's an author I enjoy who is branching out and trying a different genre.
8. It's a favorite romance/contemporary fiction author - Lucy Dillon, Ivy Penbroke, etc.
9. One of my favorite bloggers, who also doesn't read romance a lot, reads it and recommends it.
10. Did I mention dogs????
So there you have it. Do you dabble in romance from time to time? What will make you pick it up if you don't normally do so?
Yeah, I hardly read romance either, but I do like the occasional sci-fi/romance or fantasy/romance genre combo. And you are so right that they make excellent palate cleansers.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I don't mind it in books as long as it's not the primary focus.
DeleteI try to avoid romance in the genres I enjoy as much as I can so I never dabble in it or feel the urge to pick it up! I tend to like joining a book with a family or established couple where there is no relationship angst.
ReplyDeleteI agree about having a family already established. It does help a lot when it comes to romance.
DeleteI hear you on the inclusion of cute dogs! I started reading chick lit and romance as a palate cleanser too -- but I'm enjoying them more and more I must admit. (still selective on what I read though)
ReplyDeleteI'm selective but they are a lot of fun from time to time. I'm such an eclectic reader that I guess it's safest to say that if I like the synopsis, I'll pick it up.
DeleteDogs for the win! I don't ever pick up romance these days unless its woven into the story in some way (not the main focus), but you know I'm a sucker for dog covers, so who knows?😁
ReplyDeleteYea, they get me every time!
DeleteLove, love, love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erica.
DeleteYes, all dogs definitely are cute. :)
ReplyDeleteMy TTT .
Of course they are!
Deletei occasionally reading romance for the romance, but romantic suspense is my favorite. i like some dark with the light. lol
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
That's a great way of looking at it. Dark with the light!
DeleteInteresting to see what draws you to certain books :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanya. Yep, pups usually do it every time.
DeleteI agree with you on the paranormal aspect. I mostly read paranormal romance these days.
ReplyDeleteI like for there to be something going on besides romance.
DeleteYes to this, particularly 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and, well, 10.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
It does really help when another blogger has gushed about the book.
DeleteI will read most anything with a doggie on the cover if someone I know recommends it. I am such a sucker, haha. I like romance as a palate cleanser from all of the darkness I read but honestly I prefer my romances with darkness the best of all because something is likely wrong with me :)
ReplyDeleteYes, there's always Joe. That's my kind of romance novel!
DeleteI don't read a lot of romance either, but I do enjoy it every now and then. And for a lot of the same reasons you listed! Especially if there's a supernatural aspect...or, of course, a dog! Love your post. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Lark.
DeleteI love romance, so I'm glad you have books in that genre you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what's great about books - something for everybody!
DeleteI do like a paranormal element, for sure, and I can take romance with my historical fiction too. They just go well together. :)
ReplyDeleteThey do Greg, I fully agree.
DeleteI definitely feel more of a connection to characters who have dogs.
ReplyDeleteDog people are the best!
DeleteThese are some pretty solid reasons for picking up a romance. I mean, the doggo thing goes for pretty much any book, doesn't it? Nothing gets your attention quicker than a cute doggo or kitty.
ReplyDeleteParanormal thing is for sure my thing! I'm not a fan of straight romance, generally, but if you throw some paranormal on top of that, it usually grabs my attention. I love reading romance fluff around the winter holidays, too. xD I think that's when I do most of my yearly romance reading lol.
The same for me. I'm likely to pick up at least one or two romance books around the holiday just on a whim and they usually work out for me.
DeleteI definitely agree that they can be good palate cleansers - quick reads I don't have to think too much about, I can just enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteSame here!
DeleteI don't read much romance either, but the holiday season is definitely a time when I would be tempted as sometimes it nice to have a change :)
ReplyDeleteThey make a nice change around the holidays.
Deletehahah I love how dogs can make us read ANYTHING :) They are adorable so... yeah. I know what you mean! I would read any romance you'd recommend because I know it HAS to be good! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, that means so much!
DeleteGreat reasons!
ReplyDeleteI guess that is why I love cozy mysteries so much. There's mystery, a fun romance and usually dogs or some form of critter included.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is why I think cozies are some of my faves as well.
DeleteI go on spurts in reading romance but I want there to be more plot than the romance. So I tend to read more in other genres where romance is just part of the ordinary daily life in the story. And I read a few favorite romance authors. Everything is better with dogs!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I agree Anne!
DeleteI don't usually read romances, but dogs are my weakness. Well in general any cute and cuddly animal will do.
ReplyDeleteYes, cute and cuddly critters will always catch my attention.
Deleteoh I'm pretty sure I left a comment here! I wonder what happened. I think I said I am also more incline to read romance if it's part of another favorite genres Great post Barb!
ReplyDelete