The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Romance Fiction

This comprehensive academic volume offers a rigorous examination of romance fiction, the world's most commercially dominant literary genre, through a scholarly lens that finally matches its cultural impact. Bringing together international researchers, it systematically maps the territory with a historical overview of the genre's development, surveys the various disciplinary approaches used to study it, and provides critical analysis of its crucial subgenres and recurring themes. The collection moves beyond simplistic stereotypes to treat romance with the academic seriousness it has long deserved but rarely received.

What distinguishes this work is its global perspective and methodological diversity, positioning romance fiction as a legitimate field of scholarly inquiry rather than mere popular entertainment. Literature students and cultural studies scholars will find it indispensable for understanding the genre's complexities, while writers and dedicated romance readers will gain deeper insight into the narrative structures and cultural work these stories perform. This companion fundamentally elevates the conversation around a genre that shapes publishing markets and reader experiences worldwide.