How romance novels have shaped Americans’ real lives

SWNS
·4 min read
Romance novel comp
Romance novel comp

According to research, Noah from “The Notebook” is the most beloved book boyfriend (33%).

A recent survey of 2,000 romance readers found that Christian Grey from the “Fifty Shades” series (28%) and Edward Cullen from the “Twilight” series (21%) round out the top three book boyfriends.

As for the best book girlfriends, the top three were found to be Anastasia Steele from the “Fifty Shades” series (27%), Bella Swan from the “Twilight” series (23%) and Juliet from “Romeo and Juliet” (25%).

The survey looked at how romance novels have shaped respondents’ real lives and found that on average, those surveyed have read four romance novels within the past six months, with 25% getting in the romantic mood for Valentine’s Day.

Commissioned by ThriftBooks and conducted by OnePoll, the survey found that a third of those surveyed said their interest in romance novels has most impacted their expectations of what love should feel like (33%) and their overall perspective of love and relationships (31%).

Thirty percent also said books have inspired their expectations of what a good relationship is and the kind of person they want to be with (29%).

The top three romance novels are “The Notebook,” “Fifty Shades of Gray” and “Twilight.” SWNS
The top three romance novels are “The Notebook,” “Fifty Shades of Gray” and “Twilight.” SWNS

Two in three readers even said it’s important for their real-life partner to share the same qualities of their favorite literary romance character.

More than half of respondents in serious relationships said that reading romance novels has made them more particular in choosing a partner (56%).

More than half of the participants have said that reading romance novels have made them more particular while choosing a romantic partner. Getty Images
More than half of the participants have said that reading romance novels have made them more particular while choosing a romantic partner. Getty Images

“Everyone loves a good love story, but who knew that it affects how people see their partner in real life?” Barbara Hagen, vice president of marketing at ThriftBooks said. “Results showed that the power of good storytelling moves people so much that it can affect their perceptions of love, relationships and the kind of person they want to spend their time with. For many, finding someone who makes their stomach flutter like their favorite romance story is the real-life version of getting that classic happily ever after.”

1/3 of those surveyed said romance novels have impacted how they view relationships. SWNS
1/3 of those surveyed said romance novels have impacted how they view relationships. SWNS

And those romance lovers may just get their happily ever after, sharing that their partner matches their favorite literary romance character’s humor (44%) and patience (41%).

Four in 10 said their partner has gone as far as doing a similar grand gesture of their love as their favorite character (39%).

Further, 49% said a romance novel or plot has inspired them to “make a move” on their crush like confessing their feelings (50%) or flirting with someone (44%).

Romance reads have also brought hope to single respondents who feel more optimistic about being able to meet the right person (49%).

49% of people surveyed said romance novels have inspired them to “make a move.” SWNS
49% of people surveyed said romance novels have inspired them to “make a move.” SWNS

Some of the most popular romance novels include “Romeo and Juliet” (49%), “The Notebook” (47%) and the “Fifty Shades” series (45%).

The “Twilight” series (44%) and “A Walk to Remember” (33%) also made the list of frequently-read romance novels.

Respondents enjoy reading romance novels for their happy endings (45%) and because they’re an escape from real life (45%).

Noah from the notebook was voted the number one romance novel boyfriend. Amazon
Noah from the notebook was voted the number one romance novel boyfriend. Amazon

It’s no surprise, then, that three-quarters of those surveyed shared that they believe in happily ever afters in real life, and another 56% see the world through “rose-colored glasses.”

Similarly, 37% also said that romance books remind them that love is possible.

“For many readers, romance novels work twofold: helping them escape to a dreamy other world and inspiring them to keep believing in a happy ending,” said Hagen. “There’s something enticing about a fictional world with a feelgood outcome that makes you want to escape your own world, and also compels you to believe that those feelings of giving love and being loved could be waiting for you at the next turn.”

RESPONDENTS FAVORITE ROMANCE NOVELS

  • 1. “The Notebook” — 26%

  • 2. The “Fifty Shades” series — 23%

  • 3. The “Twilight” series — 22%

  • 4. “Romeo and Juliet” — 19%

  • 5. “A Walk to Remember” — 14%

THE MOST ATTRACTIVE LITERARY ROMANCE MEN

  • 1. Noah from “The Notebook” — 33%

  • 2. Christian Grey from the “Fifty Shades” series — 28%

  • 3. Edward Cullen from the “Twilight” series — 21%

  • 4. Romeo from “Romeo and Juliet” — 19%

  • 5. Rhett Butler from “Gone With the Wind” — 14%

THE MOST ATTRACTIVE LITERARY ROMANCE WOMEN

  • 1. Anastasia Steele from the “Fifty Shades” series — 27%

  • 2. Juliet from “Romeo and Juliet” — 25%

  • 3. Bella Swan from the “Twilight” series — 23%

  • 4. Allie Hamilton from “The Notebook” — 19%

  • 5. Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone With the Wind” — 15%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 people who read romance novels was commissioned by Thriftbooks between Jan. 17 and Jan. 21, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).