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The novels are also instantly recognizable because romance is the most profitable genre by far. Romantic fiction is a woman-dominated industry. And despite its successes, romance authors often face a stigma that is particular to their work.

Pacific Lutheran University sociologist Joanna Gregson and Western Washington University sociologist Jennifer Lois say this is modern sexism. They have spent the last five years researching this stigma. They argue that because romance is predominantly written by women, for women and about women, it is often viewed as “trashy," “formulaic” and “easy."