Why Romance Books Aren’t Romantic Anymore

As someone who loves reading romance in books, it is not often that I pick up a romance book in particular and end up liking it. This has happened so many times as I read popular romance books everyone adores, or romance books I got from book recommendations on BookTok or BookTube. I thought it was only me who felt that way, but conversations online about romance books not being as well-crafted anymore made me realize that a lot of other people actually feel the same. This inspired me to make this video where I discuss why romance books aren’t romantic anymore, what the main missing element is in a lot of them, and what makes that element so good if it were to be included in them. And of course, I also give you some book recommendations that, in my opinion, have great romance. I hope you find value in this video and enjoy it! 📌 Subscribe for more deep dives, character/storytelling analysis, and videos on music, movies, and books! ✨ Listen to Once Upon A Ramble Here: 🎧Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-ramble/id1832221071 🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1AGIgf636juoHGkIwAhrde TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - The Problems of Modern Romance Books 4:13 - The Missing Element 6:25 - What Makes This Element Work So Well 9:17 - Examples/Recommendations of Well-Written Romances SOCIALS 📸 🌺 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toldbyreem/ 💗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toldbyreem 🍬 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/heyitsreem 💌 Business Inquiries: [email protected] 🥳WHAT TO WATCH NEXT: Why Are Male Main Characters All Written Like This Now? - https://youtu.be/8bX7DewE09U What Makes Mr Darcy The Perfect Romantic Hero? (Pride & Prejudice Deep Dive) - https://youtu.be/MS7tEKNqq-M The Girlbossification of Female Main Characters in Books - https://youtu.be/KZPsLe1I74A Why Are Male Main Characters All Written Like This Now? - https://youtu.be/8bX7DewE09U Why Bridgerton Season 4 Might Be THE BEST Season Yet - https://youtu.be/6zjsJVQtLIg Writer Ranks Romance Book Tropes (BRUTALLY HONEST) - https://youtu.be/GBljsrB1560 11 Bookish Trends We NEED To Leave in 2025 - https://youtu.be/VhKIstQxT98 📜MORE INFO 💭What do I use to film? Currently it's my iPhone! 💻What editing software/app do I use? iMovie, Capcut, and VN all on my phone! 🎶 Where do I find music? Thematic, or YouTube Audio Library (currently) Thank you so much for watching! Hope you liked this one!❣️ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join this lovely community 🎉 XOXO Reem ♡ tags: how to write a book, how to write male characters, writing, plotting, authortube, newbie writing mistakes, how to outline a novel, book writing tips, storytelling, publishing, writing vlog, plotting tips, cafe writing, nanowrimo, writing retreat, common writing mistakes, writing mistakes, writing process, authortuber, plotting a novel, novel writing help, reading, novel writing for beginners, writing skills, how to prepare for nanowrimo, screenwriting, nanowrimo survival kit, romance fiction, writing advice, writing tropes, booktok, kindle paperwhite, bookshelf tour, book haul, novel writing, honest fiction, romantasy, book recommendations, fantasy writing, lord of the rings, tier list, preptober, writing motivation, nano, nanowrimo, self publishing, writing a book, how to self publish a book on amazon kindle, bookshelf aesthetic, plotting book, novel writing, writing reset, haley pham, destiny sidwell, steph bohrer, annotating books, dark academia books, best books to read, stephen king, jane austen, books, romance books, pride and prejudice, mr darcy, writing tips, booktube, female main characters, weekly vlog, daily vlog, analysis, video essay, media analysis, female characters,nanowrimo 2025, nanowrimo, how to write a book, getting ready for nanowrimo, nanowrimo vlog, preptober nanowrimo, writing a book, writer, preparing for nanowrimo, writing, writing inspiration, writing advice, writing a novel, booktube, authortube, how to outline a novel, book writing tips, storytelling, writing vlog, common writing mistakes, writing mistakes, writing process, authortuber, reading, nanowrimo survival kit, booktubers, book haul, booktok drama, booktok controversy, book trends, book trends we need to leave, book review, book icks, reading vlog, reading books, romance books, book recommendations for romance readers, booktok, reader, no spice books, books that made me cry, youtube shorts, books worth the hype, kindle books, fantasy romance books, book community, best books, reading, buying books, unboxing my kindle, romance book recs, dark romance, reading vlog, books without spice, sad books, spicy books, romantasy books, popular books, booktok drama, favorite books, book lover, kindle paperwhite, booktuber, books to read