10 Things Romance Week Taught Us About Love

We loved embracing the romance on Goodreads this week—and we hope you did too! As #RomanceWeek16 comes to an end, let's reflect on what we've learned about love from authors answering questions from readers via Ask the Author:

1. Be a lover and a fighter.

Debbie Macomber, author of The Shop on Blossom Street, says, "While it's important that [the couple] respect each other and can laugh together, I feel it's equally important that they can fight to keep the love they share. "

2. You can never have too much chocolate—or wine.

To get inspired to write books like To Steal a Heart, author K.C. Bateman admits, "Generally some chocolate and a nice glass of wine are extremely helpful!"

3. Take your love story one line at a time.

The Harlequin Group on Goodreads knows the ways to build a romance: "We'll start and everyone can add a sentence. Let's see what kind of Romance we can create!" Read the story (and contribute your own line) here.

4. Time travel is never the answer (probably).

>A Matter of Time author Margaret Locke realizes, "On the surface, it sounds fantastic, doesn't it? To really be there, to see the men and women in their Regency finery, to experience a true Regency ball… But in reality, I don't think I'd have the confidence or chutzpah to attempt something like that. It'd be like me approaching a billionaire in today's world and saying, "Hey baby, wanna date?" I have a feeling I'd get a roll of the eyes and a flat no, if not a call to the police for a restraining order."

5. Soul mates are real.

Author Maeve Greyson found hers: "I absolutely believe in soulmates and as hokey as it may sound, my husband is truly my other half. He asked me to marry him on our second date. Three months after meeting him, I became his wife and we've been married 37 years."

6. So is lust at first sight.

"Attraction at first sight? Yes. Curiosity at first sight? Yes. But love? No. Love takes time," says Jayne Ann Krentz, author of Running Hot.

7. Sometimes you have to move on.

Sylvain Reynard confirms, "Love scenes can be challenging. I write and rewrite and sometimes I leave the scene and write a few more pages and then go back to it."

8. Your one true love will be supportive.

"I tried to hide [writing romance] from my husband at first, because I was embarrassed -- not so much about the subject matter as because I'd never tried to write a book before and I felt like a fraud," says Marie Sexton, author of Promises. "Eventually, he asked if I was having an online affair, because I was spending so much time on the computer, so I confessed, and he was very supportive."

9. Savor the romantic moments.

Eloisa James, author of When Beauty Tamed the Beast reminds us: "When you find yourself loving a romance novel, slow down and ask yourself what is causing that moment of true reader pleasure."

10. Don't be afraid to go big.

Get inspired by Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project: "The most dramatic thing [I've done for my wife] was getting Peter Sarstedt to record a special version of "Where do You Go to My Lovely", his 1969 no 1 hit for her birthday—it was a favorite song of hers. But I have to thank him for being equally romantic in agreeing to do it."


Want to know more about love? A final treat awaits you! Colleen Hoover, author of Hopeless, is answering questions from readers via Ask the Author today. Be sure to follow her to see all her answers.

How are you spending Valentine's Day? Tell us in the comments below!