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For a romance novel to be successful, it has to be steamy from the moment readers lay their eyes on it. The book covers that end up on these titillating texts, however, are often just as over-the-top as the stories they adorn, and usually, feature airbrushed models in dramatically sensual poses. When you put simple, everyday people in the same photoshoot ideas, it's even harder to take it all seriously.
According to writer Lorraine Heath, who was interviewed by Cosmopolitan back in February, romance novel covers are almost the lifeblood of the genre. "Romance readers do base a lot on the covers. That’s the first thing that they look for... I’ve seen readers post that they’ve picked up books simply because they wanted the cover that was on the book," she shared. "The photo ideas need to be a little provocative. It’s also helpful if it tries to capture the mood of the story."
Photographer and photo editor Kathleen Kamphausen decided to tone it down, though, and in the most entertaining way possible. She recreated some of the most passionate front covers of love stories using Average Joes instead of Fabios, and they pretty much look like most of us trying to be seductive on any given day. Have a scroll through the funny photos below, and vote the ones that you'd buy over the bestsellers in a heartbeat. Keep it simple, folks!
(h/t: Cosmopolitan)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Crystal Pruitt 8 years ago
The man's expression is pretty funny. Like she's the first cheeseburger out of prison.
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#2
Katia Lettre 8 years ago
My thought exactly! Luckily, Dan's nipple make an apparition iat #10 :P
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Karen Emerald 8 years ago
He's not too bad looking... the thing is, a guy like Fabio knows how to pose... ordinary joe's only look at themselves once or twice a day in the mirror. Fabio probably strikes a pose everytime he sees a mirrowr! lol
Master Markus 8 years ago
I think Dan has the most featureless chest I've ever seen on a human being.
#3
Agnes Jekyll 8 years ago
It also sounds like "with the right woman, an abusive man will no longer be violent"
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Lucine K 8 years ago
Loool, I seriously was looking @ that too . Needs a tan ? Maybe a little 🤔
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#4
.gas. 8 years ago
Random nude guy in a cornfield? Sounds like the beginning of a horror film to me!
lazy panda 8 years ago
It's like a porno/adult version of "Children of the Corn."
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endelbendel 8 years ago
Those grasses are coarse. Don't they wear shoes? Man of my dreams? Better wake up - from the posture looks like she has to pee.
#5
Maryanne Terpstra 7 years ago (edited)
All of that obsession with "Rogues!" Simply buy a Nissan and be done with it! LOL!
#6
Blind Oracle 8 years ago
Where The H*ck are his studded leather BDSM bracelets? They ruined it!
#7
I Was Not A Bullfrog 8 years ago
I googled the book, and yup, the male lead, "Colt Thunder", is American First Nations. There's a s**t ton of racism and appropriation for ya
#8
SarcasticLilPanda 8 years ago
honestly the guys with the long hair on the original covers are very ugly
#9
Leah Richter 7 years ago
Am I the only one who finds these oddly sweet? The dorks we love are just as beautiful as a fantasy in our own imaginations <3
#10
As If 8 years ago
I notice that in every one of these, it's the men that make it look ridiculous. The women actually did a pretty good job. There's a point in there somewhere.
Mel De Castro Pugh 8 years ago
The men look pretty ridiculous in the original too 😂
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What do you think ?
Claudia Machado 8 years ago
Read this changing the character's names with politicians, or people you know. You will have a good laugh.
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Christopher Oetker 8 years ago
All of these bodies are beautiful, whether they be Fabio's or not. Let's embrace body positivity for ALL people.
Rachel Bliss 8 years ago
To be fair, 5 of them are the same author. Other than that, maybe they use similar pen names so people that don't pay attention will think they are the other writer.
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Drew Cucuzza 8 years ago
Years ago when I worked in bookstore we had some women who be there literally the minute we opened on Tuesday to buy the new releases the day they came out.
Katy Trant 8 years ago
Seriously I would buy a romance novel with him on the cover in a minute.
Load More Replies... Claudia Machado 8 years ago
Read this changing the character's names with politicians, or people you know. You will have a good laugh.
Load More Replies... Christopher Oetker 8 years ago
All of these bodies are beautiful, whether they be Fabio's or not. Let's embrace body positivity for ALL people.
Rachel Bliss 8 years ago
To be fair, 5 of them are the same author. Other than that, maybe they use similar pen names so people that don't pay attention will think they are the other writer.
Load More Replies... Drew Cucuzza 8 years ago
Years ago when I worked in bookstore we had some women who be there literally the minute we opened on Tuesday to buy the new releases the day they came out.
Katy Trant 8 years ago
Seriously I would buy a romance novel with him on the cover in a minute.
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