Why Romance Books Still Matters

Romance books aren’t just love stories — they’re comfort, connection, and hope.

Some stories are more than just a way to pass the time. They stay with us. They help us breathe a little easier. They remind us that love — in all its forms — is something worth holding onto. That’s why I turn to romance. Not just for the swoons and the happy endings, but for the way these stories show people choosing connection again and again.

Romance Is Having a Moment

According to Circana BookScan, the romance market has more than doubled since 2021, with 51 million units sold in the last year alone. In fact, romance is the leading growth category in all of adult print fiction for 2025.

From romantasy and sports romance to small-town love stories and emotional slow burns, romance subgenres continue to expand — giving readers more ways than ever to find stories that resonate.

Romance is no longer just a guilty pleasure; it’s a force. New romance-focused bookstores are opening across the country. Readers are gathering for signings, meet-ups, and even proposals in bookstores. Entire communities are built around these stories — and more readers are discovering that romance doesn’t just entertain — it connects.

From romantasy and sports romance to dark romance and suspense, exploring romance subgenres and authors like Rebecca Yarros, Elsie Silver, H.D. Carlton, and Rina Kent are captivating readers in record numbers.

What Romance Looks Like

Romance novels don’t just live on shelves — they show up in quiet mornings, warm mugs, reading nooks, and all the small moments where we carve out space for joy.

Why I Keep Reaching for Romance

In the middle of a busy life — with calendars full, responsibilities nonstop, and more tabs open than I can count — romance books are my pause button. They offer something grounding. Not escape for escape’s sake, but stories that remind me of the beauty in second chances, unexpected sparks, and healing after heartbreak.

Some people reach for a good thriller, others a memoir. Me? I reach for romance. Because no matter how different the setting or the stakes, each story is rooted in the idea that we’re better together. And that’s something I want to keep believing in.

Some people reach for a good thriller, others a memoir. Me? I reach for romance. Because no matter how different the setting or the stakes, each story is rooted in the idea that we’re better together. And that’s something I want to keep believing in.

That belief is reflected across many of the romance stories I share here on Forever Book Lover — stories centered on connection, growth, and hope.

From Bookstores to Bookmarks

There’s something magical happening right now in the romance world. Bookstores dedicated to romance are opening — and thriving. Readers aren’t just buying books, they’re forming friendships, hosting book clubs, flying across the country for signings, and even getting engaged surrounded by paperbacks.

Romance is more than a genre. It’s a community. One that’s passionate, welcoming, and wonderfully diverse. Whether you’re into small-town love stories, spicy fantasy worlds, or slow burns with emotional depth — there’s a seat for you at the table.

That sense of community is what I try to reflect here as well — through thoughtful reviews, reading reflections, and conversations that celebrate romance in all its forms.

Browse my romance reviews

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever felt like romance books are “just fluff,” I invite you to take another look. They’re joyful. They’re resilient. And right now, they’re more relevant than ever. Not because the world is falling apart — but because the world could always use more connection, more kindness, and more happily ever afters.

What romance books have meant the most to you lately?
Share your favorites in the comments — or tag me on Instagram @foreverbklover so we can keep the bookish conversation going.

Reader Resource: If you’re interested in easing into romance, I’ve put together a beginner-friendly reading list available through Bookshop , which supports independent bookstores.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.