Do you enjoy a romantic novel? They aren’t for everyone. For some, they offer escapism but for others – they are the worst. Fans of the genre will know that sometimes the romantic novel can become a bit too unrealistic and turn almost into a parody. Avid readers over on Goodreads have ranked their worst romance novels ever, citing plot holes and a lack of chemistry, but one author’s series appears twice on the list.
Here are the top 10 romance books that fans on Goodreads wish they never read.
10. Thoughtless by S.C Stephens
In at number 10 we’ve got the contemporary romance novel, Thoughtless by S.C Stephens. This book sounds like a quite the cliché, when Kiera and her boyfriend who are happily in love are forced apart, she chooses to look to local rock star named Kellan Kyle for support, but as time goes on their relationship changes and nothing will be the same again. Goodreads reviewers say it’s outrageously bad and there are some rather heated opinions filling up the comments section.
9. Fifty Shades Darker by by E.L James
The second book in E.L James’ sex-driven series that got everyone talking, makes number nine on the list. Despite breaking off her relationship with Christian Grey, Anastasia can’t stop thinking about him. When they rekindle, Anastasia is confronted and must make the most important decision of her life. Readers say they strongly dislike the book as a whole and can’t connect with the female protagonist.
8. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
When good girl Abby Abernathy meets Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand, Travis Maddox, she tries to avoid him but he makes it his mission to get into her life. The two strike up an interesting bet that will ultimately bring them closer together. A Goodreads reviewer said: “This book isn’t beautiful, it’s just a complete disaster.”
7. Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Another vampire story, Marked follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird as she enters the House of Night, she is marked and learns that she has special powers. The general consensus of readers here was that the writer was trying to hard to align the book into pop culture and it is not reccomended.
6. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
There is a running theme of fantasy romance novels going on here. This story follows Nora Grey as she experiences her first crush. But combined with a series of scary encounters, she no longer knows who to trust and is forced to make a tough decision. Goodreads reviewers say it’s just a rip-off of Twilight.
5. Fallen by Lauren Kate
This story falls into the fantasy/paranormal romance genre. Main character Luce makes it her mission to find out why the mysterious Daniel wants nothing to do with her and she doesn’t care if it kills her. It seems to bring about the toxic messaging of chasing something purely because you know you can’t have it. Reviewers simply described it as “a fail”.
4. Matched by Ally Condie
This book by Ally Condie is a dystopian, young adult fiction. The story follows Cassia as she discovers her best friend is her perfect match but simuntaneously feels connected to a stranger. It’s a typical love triangle that does little to keep the reader engaged with its predictability. Fans on Goodreads felt the story was too drawn out and simply served as a long-winded introduction for the rest of the series.
3. The Twilight Saga series by Stephenie Meyer
The entire Twilight Saga as a collective has been awarded number three on the list. Despite its popularity amongst teenage girls of the 2010s, the novels have been accused of copying other vampire books and also bad writing. The series has received criticism in recent years and it makes the top spot for the series that people love to hate even if in an ironic type of way.
2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James
This is the second book of the trilogy to make it on to the list. Fifty Shades of Grey follows literature student Anastasia Steele as she goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey. Innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. This book could be likened to the Twilight Saga, just with added whips and chains. It became widely known for its terrible writing and lustful themes.
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Not a stranger to the top of a controversial list, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer gets the top spot on Goodreads worst romance novel ever. The first book is an introduction to Bella and Edward and the vampire world. It’s just a coming-of-age story with mystical elements added in there for good measure. Despite it’s spot on this Goodreads list, the Twilight movie franchise was a huge commercial success and went on the boost the careers of many of it’s cast.