How to Get Out of a Romance Reading Slump (Without Forcing It)
There comes a time in every reader’s life where you pick up book after book, and nothing really works. No five-star reads, no stories that linger long after the last page…and it’s official: you’re in a reading slump.
In romance, maybe you find that the meet-cutes fall flat or the banter feels forced. Even when you resort to your auto-buy authors—the trust ones who have never let you down in the past—you’re struggling to find something that will hold your attention past chapter three. Rest assured, it’s not that romance has lost its spark, and a romance reading slump doesn’t mean you’re done with the genre for good. As someone who has had ebbs and flows in my romance reading, here are some tips to keep that reading magic alive without forcing anything.
If this mindful way of talking about romance reading resonates with you, you’ll probably feel at home with my newsletter!
First Things First: A Reading Slump isn’t a Problem to Fix
Putting pressure on yourself to read more (“I should be reading x books per week”) or comparing your current reading streak to weeks or years past isn’t going to help. Our bodies and minds go through seasons, and it’s okay to find that the romances you might ordinarily pick up just aren’t clicking for you. This year, I’ve made a point to read “quality over quantity” with my romances. I’m not reading quite as much as I have in years past, but I am being a lot more mindful about the books I pick up—and it’s paid off with some really wonderful reads!
Keep in mind that you not only have to find the right book to vibe with, but you have to be in the right frame of mind to read it at that point in time. So if you’re battling burnout, overstimulation, or stress in your daily life (which, relatable), then it might be naturally harder to pick up a romance book that you adore. And that’s okay! It might mean taking a pause, even a small one, from reading romance—maybe you branch out into a few different genres, or perhaps you take a break from reading altogether. But there are plenty of other things you can do, too, to help you get your romance reading groove back.
Change the Way You Read if You’re Stuck in a Reading Slump
Rather than switching up what you read, change up your reading habits instead.
My go-to if I’m wanting to claw myself out of a romance reading rut is to pick up a novella. I didn’t used to do this until I started reading more intensely, and novellas are an absolute gift to readers. Short books to get out of a reading slump typically have fewer side plots, so the reading can feel a lot more focused. I usually feel really refreshed after picking one up—it’s like a burst of energy that gets me excited for a new, full-length romance book. You can also look at short stories, novellettes, or serialized fiction—they’ll all be fast-paced books to get you out of a reading slump and rediscovering that love of romance reading.
I also rotate regularly between audiobooks, print, and ebooks. If I’m feeling particularly stressed, I often lean toward an audiobook—it’s an easy way to get my reading in while I commute or do chores around the house. This winter I’ve been a lot more of a Kindle girlie, though. There’s been something really comforting about curling up with my e-reader on a cold winter day!
It can also help to read in ways that are unconventional to you. What would it look like to start your day by reading a chapter of a book vs. reading in bed, can you do a fun coffee shop or brewery visit and squeeze in a chapter rather than just reading at home, what if you save your reading for the weekends so you have something to look forward to vs. pressuring yourself to read daily? You don’t need to create completely new habits, but giving yourself a little variety can help remind you of why you love reading romance.
Experiment Within the Romance Genre
Lucky for us romance readers, there is so much to explore within the romance genre. Not only are there all variety of subgenres (romantasy, romantic suspense, paranormal, romcom, monster romance, sports, and the list goes on and on…), but if you want a romance book to get out of a reading slump, you can try out different heat levels, kinks, or emotional tones. Lean into curiosity here, and sample a few different books that fall outside of what you typically read in romance novels. A Kindle Unlimited subscription, Stuff Your Kindle Days, book freebies and sales, and utilizing your library are ways you can access a wide variety of romances with little to no cost to you, so don’t be afraid to dabble!
Don’t Pressure Yourself to Find Your Next Favorite Romance Book
Obviously, it’s nice to fall in love with a book that you rate 5 stars and place on your “Favorites” shelf—but that’s a lot of pressure for one book! You’re almost guaranteed disappointment when you finish a book if your expectations are too high from the start.
Instead, read for entertainment. Go into a book with zero expectations and just see what happens. It doesn’t have to be the best book you’ve ever read, and it doesn’t have to become your top read of the year. When you’re not chasing a particular feeling, it can open you up to a lot more experiences with your reading.
Some Final Reading Re-Entry Strategies to Kickstart Your Love of Books Again
If you find yourself in the worst reading slump in history, know that we’ve all been there at some point. If you couldn’t already tell from the suggestions above, a willingness to experiment will be your best friend when trying to get back into romance reading nirvana. Here are a few other things you can try, too:
Have a one-book rule - Pretty self-explanatory. Don’t bounce around between different books; instead, give one book your all. If it really isn’t working for you, then DNF without guilt and move on.
Re-read a favorite scene - Of course, you’re more than welcome to pick up the book and re-read it, but maybe you just want a shot of espresso in book form. In that case, pick up a favorite romance and read some of those pivotal scenes—the meet cute or the first kiss, for instance!
Try out buddy reading or casual reading sprints - Reading can feel like a very private, solo activity, but it’s actually quite fun to read with others! Read a book with some of your friends and give the group chat something to talk about, join people online for reading sprints, or see if there are Silent Book Clubs in your area!
If you’re in a romance reading slump right now, don’t fret. Remember that it’s okay to have a breather, and it doesn’t mean you’re totally breaking up with the genre. These incredible stories aren’t going anywhere, and sometimes the best thing you can do as a romance reader is trust yourself enough to step back. And when that reading spark comes back—and it will!—you’ll remember why you fell in love with the genre in the first place.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoy emotional romances set in dreamy destinations, you might like my books! Check them out here.
