Contemporary romance novel cover design stuff that should be banned

10/21/2019

Not too long ago, we posted about stuff that should be banned from paranormal romance novel covers. Now it’s time to focus on contemporaries, because they’re not without fault, either.

Disclaimer: Like I said in the PNR covers post, this is NOT intended to shame authors, and I’m not saying that these books aren’t great. Some of them I would highly recommend. These are just my opinions and personal preferences, and no one is the boss of me. So, if these books look good to you, you shouldn’t let my opinions keep you from reading them. End PSA.

Faces blocked by text and headless bodies

It’s just weird when someone’s face on a book cover is buried in text, or cut out of the picture altogether. Why would a designer do this? I assume it’s because the people on the cover don’t really look like the people described in the book or the assumption is that readers are only interested in rippling abs. But putting font on their faces—or cutting their heads out—is the equivalent of Photoshopping paper bags over their heads, and I don’t care for it.

The Second Chance Billionaire Boss by Taylor Hart

Anything with “Daddy” in the title in a sexualized way or “Sheik” in any way

The daddy thing grosses me out in reference to romance, and the sheik thing is offensive. That is all. If people don't understand that in 2019, I'm sorry but I can't help you.

Daddy's Little Darling by Laylah Roberts

Under Daddy's Protection by Serafine Laveaux

The Sheikh's Wife Arrangement by Leslie North

The Sheikeh's Secret Baby by Clare Connelly

THIS guy

As I mentioned in the PNR post, I realize that the world of stock photos is small, and that the really good looking models are bound to get used a bunch of times. But...this guy. I’ve seen him so many times that I feel like I know him, like he’s a neighbor, or something. I’ve named him Sebastian. It’s getting weird for me, seeing my pretend neighbor Sebastian on so many books. I think it’s time for him to retire and spend more time with his family. Let’s let him go, shall we?

The Billionaire's Secret Babies by Penny Wylder

Guys about to jack off

Just so y’all know that paranormal covers aren’t the only ones to blame for THIS bit of awkward weirdness, contemporary has to shoulder some of the blame as well. Gentlemen, we're aware y'all do...that but could you please do it in private and keep it off our romance covers, m'kay?

And just for funsies—and because we’ve been accused of being “too negative”—here are some covers we ADORE

The Trouble With Love by Claire Contreras

3 Comments

hng23

10/22/2019 02:43:01 pm

I've always thought that faces are blocked so that the reader can fantasize whatever face she likes..
Also, I'm tired of seeing ludicrouly ripped pecs & abs (steroids, anyone?), also men with heavy beards & oiled-up, obviously shaven chests.

Lin

10/24/2019 04:21:53 am

I think the 'Sheik'-titles are a Harlequin Presents thing (Clare Conelly is a Presents author as well as an indie author). They tend to have that a lot in their title: 'The Sheik's secret baby', 'The Italian's Christmas Proposition', 'The Greek's Billion Dollar Baby'.and--my favorite--'The Playboy Sheikh's Virgin Stable-Girl' (granted, that's an oldie :-)) It is what it is--I'm not really sure why Sheik would be deemed offensive, and Greek, Italian, Sicilian, Spaniard or whatever in the title wouldn't be. Then again, I'm not easily offended, so I guess I'm beyond help then.

And also yes to 'Daddy' in the romance-titles, because at least that way I know exactly which books I want to avoid :-)

MegCat

6/8/2023 06:35:20 pm

I agree with Lin about "Sheik" being OK in the title, as this does let you know that the setting will be somewhere in the Middle East. As it's a title used for Arabian royalty, I don't see it as being any different from Prince, Earl, Duke and all the other titles we see endlessly on the front covers of historicals.

And can we please see some guys with chest hair?