Brought to you by Adam & Eve What do you say when someone asks if you enjoy reading romance novels? Do you answer with a loud and proud “yes,” or do you hedge, saying you read them, but just for fun, as if being a serious enthusiast is akin to being a pervert? Do you, in other words, give in to the idea that there’s something shameful about loving a good romance story? You’re not alone. The truth is, society has stacked the deck against those of us who love romance novels. There are still major misconceptions surrounding the genre, namely that it is a frivolous pastime enjoyed only by bored housewives. No other type of literature has endured the same level of malignant criticism or unfair categorization. The term “Harlequin romance,” which refers to one of the largest and oldest distributors of romance novels, has become shorthand for “trash” and “smut.” And all this hatred exists even while romance novels continue to be one of the fastest-growing and top-selling gen