Romance Novels: What do you mean they aren't real?!?!?

Scenario: One day after school (I use to teach) I head to my neighborhood library (yes, I still do that!  I'll get myself a nook or kindle one day) to burrow a couple of books. 

I walk in the library and see two students from school, one happens to be mine and the other is his little brother.

Little bro: "Hi Ms. G" as he walks over and embracing me. * I accept the hug because he's 8 and doesn't present a "get arrested for inappropriate child/adult contact risk, you can never be too careful*
Me: "Hi sweetie" (because I couldn't remember his name)
My student: "Hi Ms. G"
Me: "Hi T, are you here to do your homework?" *I say this knowing he's not and he won't, although he a smart kid*

After this exchange they head to the kid section and computer section.  I head straight to the romance section.  I go through and grab several black romance novels and proceed to the checkout counter where I see the same same that has checked me out a few times.

Me: "How are you doing today?"
Him: "Good.  How are you?"
Me: "I'm well, thank you. And it's well not good!" *I just think that last part*
Him: As he takes a look at the hot couple embracing on the front cover of one of my books. "You know these are real. Those movies on Lifetime aren't real either."
Me: Picking up my books "No sh*t Sherlock!! I think I know what's real and what's not.  I have three degrees all from private universities (one being an Ivy).  Why are you in my flippin business?!?  I've been in those embraces portrayed on the cover of those novels!! The questions is have you? Thanks."


Now I read a lot and mostly books on education, leadership, and other such non-fiction gems.  I read those types of books because they are relevant to my professional (and sometimes personal) life.  But every one in a while I like to lose myself in a good, steamy romance novel.

Fantasy
Of course these novels are fanciful flights of fantasy.  They are a bit too over the top and there are far too many coincidences and the couple mostly exist in a bubble untouched by societal pressures that have one or both parties questioning the morals of the other.  Authors can only cover but so much time within the confines of 300-500 pages so man meets woman, they have an amazing first meeting, they are having a great time dating and sexing (very early on in the acquaintance), something happens, one or both questions the commitment of the other, they part ways, both are miserable, a danger or just desperation brings them back together, they profess their love for each other, man proposes marriage, woman accepts, story ends or they get married and have kids in the epilogue.

We know that real life is much more complicated than that.  Why??  Because we make it so!  There are men writing books directed towards women on how to catch a man and there are women preaching that they don't need a man.

Reality
Art is reflective of reality and although these novels are fiction there is a tread of truth in them.  The short span of time between meeting and sexing- it happens and I see nothing wrong with it as long as both parties go into it with eyes wide open.  All the conditions placed on time is societal.  Be safe about it and trust your instincts.  The short span of time between meeting and marriage proposal is believable.  When a guy meets the one that does it for him, he will be quick to marry her.  There are moments of instant attraction that led to lifelong love affairs.


My love for love books...
I love these love books because of the uncomplicated portrayal of the love.   Sure there will be ups and downs and sideways but all the real world pressure from friends and society is what make reality less like the fantasy presented in these books.  There are guys out there that send flowers just because and call just to hear your voice.  There are guys out there that place soft kisses on the collar bone and hold your hand as you walk down the street.  There are guys out there that hold you as you cry and support you as you fight your battles.  I know it because I've experienced it.  And although those guys were really stupid because they didn't put a ring on it those situations didn't blossom into the stuff great romance novels are made of they did make believe that fairy tale romances do exist...


So do you believe in fairy tales?  Is love more complicated than it should be?  Am I living in a fantasy world?