The hidden readers
It’s a tale as old as time: society assumes straight men have zero interest in romance novels, but the plot thickens when you look at online forums. While the genre is dominated by women and queer literature—like the massive success of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper—a pocket of straight men is lowkey thriving in digital spaces. Take Paul, 28, a school maintenance worker who devours about five or six romance novels a month. He’s part of a Discord community called "Romance for Men" (RFM), a space where he doesn't have to deal with people asking if his reading list is just porn.
More than just a hobby
For many of these readers, it’s not just about the fluff. It’s giving emotional liberation. Paul, who is partially sighted, uses his Kindle to adjust font sizes and says the genre allows him to explore dynamics outside of traditional, aggressive masculinity. "There’s a fantasy aspect in being wanted that badly," he admits. He’s moved on from hating on Twilight in his teens to actively seeking out RFM titles where female characters hold the power. It’s a vibe shift that helps him accept himself more.
For Andrew, 31, a tech worker, the move to romance was a feminist experiment. After getting bored with male-dominated dialogue in sci-fi, he picked up Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing and never looked back. He’s even turned his wife’s book club onto the genre. However, he admits he still prefers the anonymity of digital reading on the tube rather than rocking a physical book.
The stigma factor
Even Ali, 54, a former investment banker and now an aspiring historical romance author, recognizes the insecurity. He’s writing his own Victorian-era series under the gender-neutral pen name "Ali Murphy" to avoid any immediate bias. He compares the genre's formulaic nature to Shakespeare—it’s not about the structure, but the payoff. Real talk: many people still feel they have to lie about what they read to look "sophisticated."
Why it matters
Because of outdated stereotypes, the publishing industry hasn't quite caught up—men account for only 4% of Mills & Boon sales. But with over 10,000 weekly visitors to RFM spaces, it’s clear that men are craving stories that offer emotional depth, vulnerability, and a happy ending, proving that romance doesn't have a gender.
