Well, the characters can be a big factor. If they are one - dimensional and just there to fulfill a certain role in the love story, like the brooding bad boy or the innocent virgin. And the relationships can be unrealistic, like falling in love instantly without any real development. However, these novels can be 'best' because they provide a quick and easy read. They don't require a lot of mental effort, and for some people, that's exactly what they want when they pick up a romance novel. They're like junk food for the mind.
One example could be 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. It's often considered trashy by some due to its over - the - top and sometimes unrealistic portrayal of relationships. However, it was also extremely popular, which is part of the 'best worst' aspect. Another might be some of the older Harlequin novels that follow very formulaic plots and cheesy dialogue but still have a certain charm for some romance fans.
Some self - published romance novels with extremely cliché storylines can also be considered in this category. For instance, the ones where the girl from a small town falls instantly in love with a famous actor who just happens to be passing through. The writing is often filled with purple prose and the characters lack any real substance, making them rather trashy in the literary sense.
Read reviews. Websites like Goodreads have reviews from a lot of readers. If a romance novel has a lot of negative reviews mentioning bad writing, clichéd plots or unlikable characters, it's probably a trashy one to avoid.
Another great one is 'Twilight'. It has a strong romantic element between Bella and Edward. The vampire - human love story is filled with passion, danger, and a lot of teen - angsty moments. It's not just about the romance but also about the supernatural world that surrounds their relationship.
Some of the best romance novels often include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic with great character development and a slow - burning love story. A worst one could be those with very shallow characters and predictable plots, like some mass - produced dime - a - dozen romances. But it's really subjective as different people have different tastes.
One of the popular new trashy romance novels could be 'The Love Hypothesis'. It has a simple yet engaging plot where a scientist fakes a relationship and of course, real feelings start to develop. Another one might be 'Twisted Love' which is full of passionate encounters and angsty moments between the characters.
You should check out 'Anne of Green Gables'. While it's not strictly a pure romance novel, the relationship between Anne and Gilbert is a lovely part of the story. It's set in a beautiful rural landscape and the story has a lot of charm. Another is 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen. The slow - burning love story between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth is very well - written.
One of the popular ones could be 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn. It has all the elements of a trashy historical romance with its aristocratic characters, scandalous rumors, and a rather predictable love story. The setting in the Regency era adds to the charm.
Well, in best selling trashy romance novels, the use of clichés is rampant. For example, the damsel - in - distress scenario where the female character constantly needs saving by the male. There's also a lot of emphasis on physical attraction. The covers usually feature half - naked people in passionate embraces, which gives you an idea of the content inside. And the writing style is often simple and straightforward, aiming to appeal to a wide range of readers who just want an easy, escapist read.