Should We Hate Romance in YA?

         Every once in a while, I'll check out a book from the library and decide that before I read it that I want to see what other readers thought, so I go to Amazon and read a couple of reviews, and there's always, always one review that says something along the lines of this, “It would've been a good book, if it wasn't for the AWFUL romance! Why can't guys and girls ever be just friends in books?!” 

         And although I am not one of those romance haters, I can understand why people would feel that way, and maybe why I should too. Which, brings up my question of the day: Should we hate romance in YA?

            So romance. I'm personally not a hater, but I'm not a huge fan, once a month I get into this weird mood, where all I want to do is curl up with a work of Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, John Green, or Stephanie Perkins, and so I do. But then after that I return back to my top three favorite genres, General Fiction, Science Fiction, and Fantasy. And that's basically the end of my romance novel reading until next month.

          But I don't hate romance novels, and I have no problem with reading books that have a romantic subplot, sometimes romantic subplots are necessary or they help add more to the story.

          Let's look at this debate from both sides, first we have the cons. The cons are against romantic subplots, and they prefer not to read romance novels all the time, which is totally fine. But why are the cons so against love in YA? Well here are a few of the reasons:

• People can just be friends. It seems like every single girl and guy relationship in YA just can't stand to remain platonic, when in fact in reality, a lot of girls and guys that are friends are just that… friends. No benefits, no nothing. Just two people who enjoy each others company like they would enjoy any other of their friends companionship.

• Takes away from the actual plot. Sometimes romance simply isn't needed. After all, shouldn't the two main characters be killing bad guys, coming up with a plan, or saving someone's life, when instead they're kissing? Shouldn't they be more concerned with their problems than making out??

• Insta love. It feels like sometimes the author of the book your reading makes two characters fall in love (or in infatuation) just to make them fall in love. They don't really connect and their relationship doesn't add anything to the story, its just there.

• The mushiness. Ugh. For the sake of our sanity and our gag reflexes, spare us from the constant PDA and mushy dialogue! No one needs or wants this!!!

            Okay, now that we have looked at some of the cons points, let's examine some of the pros. The pros think romance is beautiful and necessary to most books, they like romantic subplots, and they believe if done right, romance in books can perfect them. Here are their reasons:

• People fall in love. This is pretty apparent, it's kinda the reason mankind is still around, so why hide this fact for the sake of people who want more platonic relationships in YA? Sure, guys and girls can be just friends, but they also can be more than that too.

• Adds to the actual plot. Subplots are meant to add to the main plot, and a romantic subplot is nevertheless a subplot, whether it be romantic or not. Love can give characters motives, it can make characters do great or horrific things.

• It's reality. Most people fall in love at least once in their lives, even some teens actually fall in love, so why shouldn't it be the same in books? Aren't books suppose to be something people can relate to??

• It makes sense. If you're in a tough situation with someone, there's a chance that at the end of the ordeal, you'll both be attached to each other emotionally, now maybe this isn't the most stable thing, but it does make sense, and it does make for a good story and a happy ending or a tragic one, depending on the way one twists it. 

         All in all, I can see both sides, and I agree with both sides. Although I prefer to not write romance or even romantic subplots, since I have no real personal experience with such things, I have no problem reading them or even with other people writing them.

       And who knows? Maybe one day I will write a romance novel or have a book with that as a subplot, and that day could be soon. It all depends on what I think is best for my story.

        In the end, it's your writing, and it's your story, no one but you can write it for you. If romance adds to your plot and strengthens or weakens your characters in a good way, by all means, do it.

         Like anything, romantic subplots can be used in a way that is good and fun to read or it can be used in the opposite way. It all depends on the author.

So, which side are you on, and why?

Happy Writing,