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Regular People Recreate 10 Corny Romance Novel Covers And It’s Hilarious
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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)
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I still cannot believe that people buy these things... hahah
Read this changing the character's names with politicians, or people you know. You will have a good laugh.
In most libraries I've been in, these are just here and there on the shelves mixed in with the other fiction, but I once worked in a library in an area where romance novels were so popular they had their own dedicated section. I never understood the appeal, myself, but to each their own, I suppose.
Living vicariously through other mediums is extremely common. Take for example sports, where people get so riled over "their" team, that there's been riots at some sport venues. Or such things as "fandoms" for other shows/series/books/etc. The appeal is getting to fantasize about something that will likely never happen to us. Very few of us are going to make millions as sport pros. Very few of us are going to have such a cheesy romance. Most of us live very quiet, simple lives and that's why reading or watching such intense/dramatic things appeal to us.
Miriam, I get the appeal of sexuality and even gleaning entertainment from reading about sexual encounters. I don't get the appeal of what romance writers think sexuality is (or porn producers, for that matter). I don't care if other people find entertainment in it. I just find the stuff generally odd and unappealing.
I know, once you've read one you have basically read them all. I'll write one now. Girl meets boy, boy is obnoxious, girl hates boy. Girl meets even worse boy, worse boy falls madly into unhealthy obsession with girl. First boy tells second boy to knock it off, they fight. Boy 2 kidnaps girl, boy 1 saves her. Vague sexual innuendos using words such as moist and heaving. Girl gets pregnant and they all live happily ever after.
Surprised that people buy things like Fifty Shades? Yes. Surprised that people buy books by Julia Quinn or Eloisa James or Diana Gabaldon? No. They are actually highly educated women and write well.
I can't belive women still put down women for things they enjoy. Especially in terms of a genre written predominantly by women, for women and about women that treats female sexuality positively.
I couldn't either until my life got very hectic, and I needed a way to destress. Then I discovered 1 or 2 writers that were readable, and I was hooked!
I still can't believe that people read this trash.
I think the word best used is smut lol!
I love historical romance novels. I'm a big reader and to me, it's like watching a really good rom-com.
Romance novels are women's version of porn. It's not reviled and legislated against, and all that, because men aren't aroused by a hem.
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At work, I see some middle aged women read these during their breaks. I guess it's for those who have never experienced real romance and still have the fantasies of 13yo girls. It's kinda sad actually.
These things in no way mimic real romance! I tried reading one when I was about 14 or so for that very reason & I was absolutely disgusted with how poor the writing was!
Good ol' Fabio.
now THIS I'd read
I still cannot believe that people buy these things... hahah
Read this changing the character's names with politicians, or people you know. You will have a good laugh.
In most libraries I've been in, these are just here and there on the shelves mixed in with the other fiction, but I once worked in a library in an area where romance novels were so popular they had their own dedicated section. I never understood the appeal, myself, but to each their own, I suppose.
Living vicariously through other mediums is extremely common. Take for example sports, where people get so riled over "their" team, that there's been riots at some sport venues. Or such things as "fandoms" for other shows/series/books/etc. The appeal is getting to fantasize about something that will likely never happen to us. Very few of us are going to make millions as sport pros. Very few of us are going to have such a cheesy romance. Most of us live very quiet, simple lives and that's why reading or watching such intense/dramatic things appeal to us.
Miriam, I get the appeal of sexuality and even gleaning entertainment from reading about sexual encounters. I don't get the appeal of what romance writers think sexuality is (or porn producers, for that matter). I don't care if other people find entertainment in it. I just find the stuff generally odd and unappealing.
I know, once you've read one you have basically read them all. I'll write one now. Girl meets boy, boy is obnoxious, girl hates boy. Girl meets even worse boy, worse boy falls madly into unhealthy obsession with girl. First boy tells second boy to knock it off, they fight. Boy 2 kidnaps girl, boy 1 saves her. Vague sexual innuendos using words such as moist and heaving. Girl gets pregnant and they all live happily ever after.
Surprised that people buy things like Fifty Shades? Yes. Surprised that people buy books by Julia Quinn or Eloisa James or Diana Gabaldon? No. They are actually highly educated women and write well.
I can't belive women still put down women for things they enjoy. Especially in terms of a genre written predominantly by women, for women and about women that treats female sexuality positively.
I couldn't either until my life got very hectic, and I needed a way to destress. Then I discovered 1 or 2 writers that were readable, and I was hooked!
I still can't believe that people read this trash.
I think the word best used is smut lol!
I love historical romance novels. I'm a big reader and to me, it's like watching a really good rom-com.
Romance novels are women's version of porn. It's not reviled and legislated against, and all that, because men aren't aroused by a hem.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
At work, I see some middle aged women read these during their breaks. I guess it's for those who have never experienced real romance and still have the fantasies of 13yo girls. It's kinda sad actually.
These things in no way mimic real romance! I tried reading one when I was about 14 or so for that very reason & I was absolutely disgusted with how poor the writing was!
Good ol' Fabio.
now THIS I'd read