Do you/know romance, bodice-ripper fans?

[shootingstar]

It's been decades since I've read a romance novel. In fact, I haven't read a novel in the past few years. And 1 of my university degrees was English Literature.

Have you read any in last few years? I had a good friend who occasionally read bodice-rippers.

I'm asking because a few months ago, I learned that my eldest niece is writing romance novels. A big detour from geological engineering. I'm pleased that she is smartly feminist, etc. ...at least evidenced by her twitter feed.

[zoom-zoom]

In fact, I haven't read a novel in the past few years. And 1 of my university degrees was English Literature.

Now I don't feel so bad. I, too, have an English Lit. degree (also 1 of more than 1 degrees -- the other is in Communications/Photography)...and rarely ever read. If I get caught up in a series I will inhale them all, but it's been a while. I think I'm mostly overwhelmed...there are SO many good books out there that I just don't know where to start. And due to the Internet I am constantly reading, just not novels/fiction. I will learn everything I can about a given topic, though. I spend the day googling.

I never got heavily into romance novels. They always seemed so formulaic. My BFF is really into the funny Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum novels. I think I made it through 3 or 4 before I got bored, because they were all the same. I get bored too quickly with predictability.

[shootingstar]

I have this feeling if women here read romance novels, they might not want to tell us. No problem. We have our pleasures.
I should tell my niece to write romance with a totally different situation --and this is a woman who did have a former career (as an engineer) working with predominantly men.

[thekarens]

I have this feeling if women here read romance novels, they might not want to tell us. No problem. We have our pleasures.
I should tell my niece to write romance with a totally different situation --and this is a woman who did have a former career (as an engineer) working with predominantly men.

I wouldn't have a problem telling you if I did, but frankly it's not my thing. I prefer a story with romance being a very minor part. I'd say 90% of my reading is fantasy/sci fi followed by mystery/thriller.

When my partner and I got together 15 years ago I read a few lesbian romances/sex books, but that has been it.

[Trek420]

I never got heavily into romance novels. They always seemed so formulaic.

Yep. Boy meets girl. Girl gets house.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I'm not ashamed to admit I went through a phase. I'm not that much into porn of any kind at this stage in my life, that's all ...

[Crankin]

I've never read "bodice rippers," or novels labeled "romance," although a lot of the contemporary fiction I read has strong relationship themes as part of the story. But, I am getting a picture of a certain genre that Shooting Star means, of which I know nothing about. I would tell you guys if I read them, but the only person I've known that did, was my ex-MIL.
I am a voracious reader, but I stick to historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and I also belong to a virtual Women's Adventure Book club, which is mostly books about cycling and hiking adventures. I don't read the selection every month, but most of them are easy reads, I read in between my other books. Never been a fan of sic-fi, fantasy, or mysteries, and it was hard for me to teach those genres when I taught middle school English. But, I did, and found that the YA versions of these genres were a bit easier for me to like.
Never got into any series and I am probably the only person on Earth who has not read one Harry Potter book.

[Helene2013]

Nope Crankin...no Harry Potter for me either. hihi

I'm not in bodice-ripper books. Read some, but the romantic cute ones as light reading before bedtime, don't want any sexual "torture" either. I would not read that. I'm more into medical thrillers or suspense books (not the Stephen King type).

But most of the time, I read on my tablet from Next Issue (magazines) before bedtime. On vacation, I prefer to take the time to read a book. Problem at bedtime is if the book is good, I will keep reading and keep saying...ok...closing at the end of this chapter...at every chapter. And then I can't get up in the morning to get to work. haha