Why 90s Romance Novels Are The Perfect Summer Reads
I was recently at a boutique hotel with friends, browsing the “take one, leave one” bookshelf tucked behind the espresso machines.
The shelves were stuffed with the usual suspects: tattered paperbacks, outdated Lonely Planet guides and airport crime novels that dozens of travelers had left behind.
“There’s some pretty good literature in here,” I said, spotting a couple of past Booker Prize nominees.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” my friend replied. He picked up a vintage Nora Roberts novel with the obligatory pastel-pink cover and raised his eyebrows.
I’d never read Nora Roberts but I had to agree: it probably wasn’t “good literature” in the category of George Eliot or the Brontes.
So I smiled in agreement. But then I felt bad for judging an author I’d never read – literally by her cover.
And why didn’t my friend pick up one of the many Tom Clancy novels stuffed into that shelf to illustrate his point?
Clancy isn’t exactly a towering literary master, but his thrillers are rarely met with the same immediate condescension.
The gender bias of the “guilty pleasure” book
Why are female romance writers taken far less seriously than male thriller and action writers?
Romance novels are deemed shallow and silly – something that unfashionable middle-aged women read on the beach but the rest of us consider a “guilty” pleasure.
Meanwhile, male-penned courtroom dramas and cold war thrillers don’t get that same treatment.
The female novelist is still considered more frivolous compared to a male novelist of similar ability. And sometimes, even when compared to a male off far lesser ability.
I once joined a short-lived book club that boasted exceptional cheese boards and lively debates. We all took turns picking our monthly title.
One month we read Jane Austen’s Emma.
The following month, it was a male member’s turn to choose our next read. He could hardly conceal his glee.
“Let’s do a real book for once!” he exclaimed as we rolled our eyes. “Enough of these prissy English ladies and their drawing rooms.”
What monument of literature did he select for next month?
Was it Moby Dick and its testosterone-fueled romp across the Atlantic? Perhaps Hemingway and his stories about the torture of innocent bulls?
No. It was Stephen King.
Stephen King!
No wonder that book club fell apart as quickly as crumbly feta on a charcuterie board.
Testing my literary limits
Obviously Jane Austen’s immaculate prose can’t be compared to modern horror.
But is Tom Clancy necessarily a better writer than Nora Roberts just because he writes about submarines and espionage instead of second-chance romance and family sagas?
After watching my friend belittle that thick, pink Nora Roberts paperback at the hotel, I did what any sensible English Literature graduate would do.
I went out and bought a Nora Roberts novel.
It wasn’t a difficult task. Roberts has written over 250 novels (and counting) so you can always find her work at your nearest department store, library or thrift shop.
And as someone who’s actually read Moby Dick, I always enjoy confronting my own literary prejudices and reading outside my comfort zone.
I picked up Summer Desserts, a 1985 classic that’s been reprinted numerous times. And I was pleasantly surprised:
“Her name was Summer. It was a name that conjured visions of hot petaled flowers, sudden storms and long, restless nights.”
The story continues as Summer, a world-class dessert chef, flies first-class from Milan after baking a delectable Savarin for a private client’s engagement party.
The story is well-paced and holds my attention. It’s pleasant, uplifting and bright. And it’s perfect for reading in a summer garden.
But is it as good as Tom Clancy?
According to a Reddit thread, Tom Clancy writes sentences like these:
“She drives a Porsche 911 like a pilot, she has a perfect house in a perfect location, she is a famous doctor who saves people’s eye sight and gets in the paper for it. She’s beautiful, she’s perfect, and so on.”
And no offense if you enjoy Tom Clancy. Because let’s face it: in a world of AI-written college essays, reading any kind of book is an excellent use of your time.
But let’s not pretend that thrillers about spies are inherently more profound than romances about childhood friends-to-lovers.
Because romance novels should never be “guilty” pleasures in a world where it’s far more socially acceptable to read novels about serial killers.
The appeal of retro romance heroines
Nora Roberts novels are perfect summertime reading with their atmospheric settings and guaranteed happy endings.
You don’t have to spend hours watching reviews on BookTok to find a new release you might enjoy.
Because Nora Roberts is reliable and time-tested. You’ll always know what you’re getting.
Her fiercely independent heroines embody a kind of 1980s and 90s ideal of a hard-working woman that’s refreshingly inspiring today.
The classic Roberts heroine is a self-reliant expert in her field and a sharp-tongued realist who keeps her emotions guarded.
She’s not the relatable, fragile mess of more recent romance heroines who are constantly struggling to keep it together.
But she’s aspirational and uplifting. She doesn’t always reflect who you really are – but who you want to be.
And she’s the perfect unapologetic companion for a long summer evening reading in the garden with a glass of red wine.
Read next:
51 Summer Bucket List Ideas For A Sumptuous, Restful Season
54 Inspiring Dopamine Menu Ideas
How To Read More Books: 27 Strategies Even If You’re Busy
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