Luxury, Love & Longing
Why we Love Billionaire Romance
Wanted to touch on my last post on No Expiration Date on Sexy:
Caught this article last week in the Guardian on intimacy and it touched me. Besides feeling sexy you can be intimate at any age too.
The Billionaire Romance: What’s All the Fuss About?
I don’t write that kind of romance, though my Devil Chronicles series hero did start out wealthy before going legit. Spoiler alert: opening a string of restaurants drained his bank account faster than he could say “farm-to-table.” Moral of the story? Maybe don’t follow society’s norms—or don’t open restaurants. Your call.
But let’s talk about a trend that’s impossible to ignore: Billionaire Romance. Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying its popularity. Readers devour these stories, even as debates swirl across social media about whether indulging in them is the right thing to do.
The Debate: Is It Okay to Love Billionaire Romance?
Some critics argue that enjoying Billionaire Romance normalizes the idea of billionaires, a concept they believe comes at a societal cost. After all, how does one accumulate such massive wealth without exploiting people or engaging in unethical practices? From this perspective, reading these stories is akin to condoning the problematic systems that create billionaires in the first place.
On the other hand, many readers argue that Billionaire Romance is just another form of escapist fantasy—no different from diving into stories about vampires, aliens, or time-traveling Scotsmen. Enjoying the trope doesn’t necessarily mean you’re endorsing billionaires or their real-world actions. And honestly, let’s get real—how can I sit here and say billionaires are inherently "bad" when I drive their cars, use their software, and rely on their platforms to publish and sell my books?
My Take: It’s About Writing What Readers Love
Here’s the thing: I’m not here to take sides. I’ve got enough on my plate writing romance books readers actually want to read. Billionaires, aliens, cowboys, or mob bosses—it’s all about crafting a story that captivates and entertains.
This article isn’t about passing judgment In the end it’s about acknowledging the massive appeal of Billionaire Romance, the readers who love it, and the writers considering jumping into the genre. If these stories light up your imagination or your Kindle, who am I to judge?
Whether you love Billionaire Romance, avoid it on principle, or fall somewhere in between, the genre isn’t going anywhere. The key is finding—and writing—what resonates with you.
Here is what one reader on reddit wrote: “I genuinely can't get enough. It's my favorite trope for escapism. I love the idea of being wealthy and not being stressed about money, bills or food. I like to live the fantasy of being able to book an expensive trip without making cuts and living in a big and luxurious penthouse somewhere in NYC. And I also like reading about men being dressed in fancy suits. It's my kryptonite.”
Other readers wrote: “I love billionaire MMCs but I love it even more when they’re both filthy rich. That’s why Fake Empire by C.W. Farnsworth is my all time favorite billionaire romance.”
I love Billionaire Romances! Who doesn’t love watching a seemingly “normal” woman bring these “big bad billionaires” to their knees? I’m with you girl!
If you are considering this genre and want to find out more about its growth you can order a report from k-lytics. They will give you all the juice on writing Billionaire Romance, level of competition, what the best-selling covers look like, what sub-genres are the best selling ones, the success of KU versus Non KU titles, trending keywords and much, much more.
What Explains the Growth of Billionaire Romance?
Money is Sexy. There, I said it. Money often equates to security and freedom—two things many of us value deeply. Add in a black or platinum American Express card, and you’ve got fun and spontaneity covered. For a lot of readers, this combination is irresistible.
Of course, a working brain is sexy too, and most billionaires in romance probably used theirs to earn their fortune. (Unless they inherited it—which is admittedly less sexy—or they’re unscrupulous, in which case, cue the desperately needed heroine to bring them to their knees… and their senses!)
Nothing is sexier, though, than financial ease—the ability to give generously, live comfortably, and support others. As one woman on Instagram said, “I love a billionaire romance! Especially when he loves to spoil her, because that’s the only reason a man should have money: to spoil women.” Okay, that might be taking it a tad far—perhaps a billionaire should also consider saving for their kids’ education or a rainy day when the stock market turns against them or donating generously to change the public’s opinion of them (LOL)
Escapism. All romance offers some degree of escapism, but Billionaire Romance takes it to another level. These stories invite readers into a world of unimaginable luxury, wealth, and extravagance—all for the price of $3.99 (or less). They also let us experience things we’d never consider in real life: dating the head of a Russian crime family? Getting locked in a luxurious mansion? Why not, as long as the billionaire has a well-stocked library and a good Wi-Fi connection for a little writing on the side. Escapism? Absolutely. Loss of self? Hard pass.
Wish Fulfillment. Many readers fantasize about being swept off their feet by someone who can grant their every wish while cherishing and protecting them. The idea of being the chosen one in an exclusive world of wealth and power is deeply appealing. Bonus points if the billionaire has an epic library, like the one shown above—I mean, that’s a dream come true!
Power Dynamics. Billionaire Romance leans heavily into the fairy-tale dynamic: a powerful billionaire—male or female—falling in love with an “ordinary” person. The love between them creates an emotional balance, making their relationship feel equal despite the wealth disparity.
Confidence and Competence—but Flawed. The billionaire is often portrayed as highly competent and confident but deeply flawed in some tragic way. The protagonist’s role? To help them grow into a better person. Sure, they might have a massive bank account, but readers want to see them develop a big heart too—or at least be knocked down a peg or two to human size.
Empowerment of the Reader. The protagonist is often from humble beginnings but brings something crucial to the billionaire—strength, common sense, or a moral compass. This empowers readers, reminding them that love transcends class and that money isn’t the only measure of worth.
Drama. Billionaires with perfect lives would be boring. That’s why these stories are packed with drama: enemies plotting revenge, high-stakes business deals, or the consequences of their privilege coming back to haunt them. Drama keeps readers hooked.
Tropes Galore. Billionaire Romance seamlessly blends with other popular tropes—enemies to lovers, workplace romance, sports romance, and more. It’s no wonder readers can’t get enough.
I’ll admit, I gravitate toward the crime end of Billionaire Romance, but my favorite non-criminal Billionaire Romance in 2024 was My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington and L.J. Shen. It had me laughing out loud and glued to the page, thanks to the hilarious, razor-sharp dialogue between the leads. The billionaire hero? He met his match when he whisked the heroine away from her debutante ball and forced her to marry him. And the heroine? She loved to eat, wielded his credit cards like weapons, and was a force of nature. I didn’t want the book to end—I could have happily read it for another week!
What about you? Share your favorite reads of 2024, no matter the genre—and if it’s a Billionaire Romance, even better.
Until I read this post, I had almost forgotten that the hero and heroine of my series are certainly comfortable. However, they're in the "millionaire" range, nowhere near "billionaire" status.
We should recognize that historically, some marvelous love stories involved people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. For but one example, Puccini's beloved opera, La Bohème, is based on Henri Murger's *Scènes de la vie de bohème* and involves starving artists. It remains one of the most popular operas in the repertoire!
However, while listeners continue to love the tragic story of Rodolfo and Mimì, modern romance lovers seek something altogether different, including "happily ever after." I think you articulated a number of compelling factors about "billionaire romance," and I am sure it will remain popular for some years to come.
My keyboard sucks, not my typing: TO CONTINUE…”big bucks” attracts the attention of their partner or spouse,who eventually decides they want the money instead of the love interest. But considering all the many elements this type of romance novel may offer, I am certainly going to reconsider looking for them. Enjoyed your article Kay! Keep up serving such stimulating food for thought.