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12 Books with ‘Romance’ for Romance Haters
You want a love story outside of the mushy-gushy, trope-filled genre
I don’t use the word hate lightly, but I’ll admit I don’t love romance novels for a few reasons. They’re usually cliché, littered with tropes, and highly predictable. It’s hard (though not impossible) to find a romance that isn’t light-hearted, emotionally charged, and all ‘happily ever after.’ Romance novels leave me waiting for my best friend to proclaim their love, my enemy to come around to how attractive I am, or a golden boy to move in next door. My binoculars are ready. And you thought I had them for watching birds.
If it’s extreme actions that’ll get me a love story, I’m willing to take them. Jokes aside, the month of February makes me want to read love stories, but still, I’m not too fond of the clichés, lack of substance, and predictability I’ve found in most romances.
These selections are for someone who wants to read about romantic love or become invested in a good love story but doesn’t necessarily like the romance genre. That someone is me, and I guess because you’re here, it’s you too.
