@KimberlyHirsh You make the case well here :) I don't read much romance, I'll admit, but I enjoy a good romantic subplot in a fantasy or science fiction book. I like (good) character-driven fiction in general, I think, and romances are certainly character-driven. But what you say about how the "romance" label guarantees a happy ending is, I think, why I've never got into the genre overall – I'm just too cynical for that! But I know it's a matter of personal taste.
@KimberlyHirsh I've read some romantasy that I've really enjoyed! Like there was a trilogy by Holly Black, involving faeries, that I thought was fun. I've read other books in the genre I didn't like as much, but that'd be true of all genres. Overall, romantasy is a genre I'm open to :)
@KimberlyHirsh I've been reading a lot more romance as well! I guess it's just scratching an itch for me right now. Thanks for those links - they look really good :) I'm always up for a good romance convo too! 🥰📚💖