Romance has always had a bad rep, both the genre & the consumers. I’m going to break down the reasons why I believe the haters are wrong and ignorant.

(PS. Haters 1, 2 & 3 aren’t real people, they’re just things I keep hearing as a romance reader)

Hater 1: Romance novels gives women and girls unrealistic expectations when it comes to men/relationships

1. How stupid do you think romance readers are? Do you think we expect you to be a vampire or a famous baseball player? A billionaire? No. We are well aware (albeit sometimes in denial) that those are unrealistic scenarios.

2. If we expect anything, it’s the feelings the MCs have for each other. We want to love and feel loved. We want partners who put in the effort to make us happy and we want partners who appreciate what we do for them. If you still think these expectations are unrealistic, perhaps you shouldn’t be in a relationship— because it means you’re not willing to prioritise your partner and put in the work to make the relationship a happy and healthy one.

TL;DR: Hater 1 either thinks romance readers are dumb as hell or they’re a walking red flag

Hater 2: Romance is trash for shallow women

First off, not all romance are trashy. The benefits people get from reading non-romance books, we also do get from reading romance novels. I have learned a great amount about the human condition, learned how to empathise with people who are different from me and a great deal about myself as well.

Second of all, trashy isn’t really an insult. But it is when you say it, so take your ignorant ass and shove that insult up it. Thanks.

Last but definitely not least, trashy romance books serves a very important purpose.

I think of trashy romance novels as the easy, but less scenic route home. The one you take when you haven’t the energy to do anything but go straight home. Sometimes you just need something easy to read. Something that doesn’t make you think too much, or require you to think at all. It’s to help us escape to a light and fluffy and sometimes ridiculous place when the world gets to be too much. It saves us, it keeps us going.

As for the shallow women comment, don’t you think it’s a bit premature to be flinging insults at people whose hobbies you know nothing about?

Hater 3: Romance is a female genre

1. It shouldn’t be. You perpetuating that mindset is going to alienate people who aren’t female from even considering romance novels because they’d either written it off or don’t feel comfortable picking one up.

2. We have a growing number of male & NB romance readers! Keep up with the times, bruh.