Why do you read romances/novels?

[Sinead]

In the pursuit of possibly making a buck or two off of the royalties of bookselling, I'm curious to know what cliches and literary devices people want to see when they read a romance or a romantic novel. I work at a bookstore, and as the Romance section is the third-largest fictional feature in the store (first being Fiction/Literature, the second being Mystery/Thriller), I'd like to see what it is that people will generally want to read. Considering that the ladies of this forum outnumber the guys, I figured that it's a safe guess to say you might have some of the best answers.

Blame this on wanting to scientifically break down the impulse that I've had to read crappy romances in the last couple months. To show the low that I've sunk to, I've considered rereading the Twilight Saga after work so that I wouldn't have to think. Friend of mine gave me the box set for Christmas. It's currently under my desk serving as a footrest.

So. Whether it's published fiction or a fanfic of any sort, what makes you want to read them? Why? Can you give me examples?

(Edited the title after a headache cleared and I could think clearly... LOL!)

[Alak]

I don't read romance novels, but from what everyone says on the Internet, this is one of many paths to success:

- Male character is good looking, powerful, and selfless
- Female character appears frail, is meek, and needs protection
- Male character coincidentally protects her... and attachment begins
- Male character has one weakness that makes him vulnerable, and it's more likely a personality/mental issue (cue the brooding)
- Huzzah, female character has the "undiscovered" ability and strength to help male character with said issue (and therefore isn't entirely worthless)
- Some random argument occurs that threatens to tear them apart
- Antagonist must be defeated and they both team up to defeat him/her/it
- Due to cooperation, the love is restored
- You just made a lot of money off of tweens

Another path is: boy and girl love each other but external forces prevent them from being together. This lasts for weeks or even years but eventually they will find love... or death. It worked for Romeo & Juliet and it really worked for the Notebook. You could also try formulas that romantic comedies use such as the male and female having a difficult time (i.e.- ill feelings towards each other, competition, distance, etc) to be together until the very end of the story.

[SkyxDB]

Honestly even though I am a sucker for Romance, I don't really read novel in the Romance department, honestly I'll just read whatever sounds interesting to me. Don't matter the genre.

[Darkshadow14]

I actually usually don't read or write them. I know I don't write them because I don't do them well, and it seems that it doesn't improve.

I don't read them, I guess cause it doesn't really interest me that much. lol kinda boring answer. I'm more into action, drama, HORROR! Hehe.