Love at First Swipe: How Technology Is Updating the Romance Genre

"Not long ago, if you wanted to meet someone new, you’d have to attend a singles mixer or get a friend to set you up on a blind date," says romance author Kristin Rockaway. "This involved getting dressed up and having slightly awkward getting-to-know-you conversations. It was a lot of work."

Here's what is not a lot of work: downloading a dating app while you're in your pajamas.

From online dating to instant messaging, the way people find and fall for "the one" has changed. What does this mean for romance novels?

But it's not all bad. Take it from Penelope Ward, whose 2018 romance Love Online is about the life-changing bond two troubled strangers make in an internet chat room. Ryder and Eden know nothing about each other in real life, but their anonymity encourages them to open up in ways they never would have face-to-face.

"Today’s technology allows for people to connect more intimately without being physically together, enabling the progression of a relationship much faster than would normally be possible years ago," Ward says. "In addition, many of today’s stories aren’t afraid to tackle serious subjects and flawed heroes and heroines. I like when my characters have to work for their HEAs."

Of course, the old ways are never really gone. If you're missing the sweetness of old-fashioned courtships, you're not alone.

"I love letters," Ward admits. "There’s something so romantic about handwritten correspondence."

The good news is that in our brave new world of texts and sexts, swiping and ghosting, we can have a little of both. No one's stopping us from using snail mail instead of email. And for every modern hero on our bookshelves, there's also a cowboy, a duke, and a vampire looking for love offline.

Check out these recent romance books that explore the highs and lows of modern dating!



How do you think technology is changing relationships? Let's talk in the comments!