The Vicar's Daughter by Deborah Simmons Splendid by Julia Quinn , others weighed in with their additions. A bad artichoke and a bad romance will both make you sick. Both artichokes and romance novels have a love 'em or hate 'em following. We love stories that make us laugh. We also love stories that make us cry.
Some books manage to do both.
For most of us, a story that brings tears to the eye is one we consider a keeper. Crying is cathartic, but the best romances do not end with sadness. Instead, they are poignant, filled with hope and we love them. We watch our heroes and heroines in battle with the enemy, the elements, each other, and themselves. What transforms these battles into remarkable romances is how they are fought and won.