The investigation here was designed to find out more about which aspects of romance novels women most enjoy and to provide evidence for whether romance-novel relationships actually mirror changes readers long for in their own lives. In addition, it was hoped to discover which personality traits readers most value in real-life men and women and whether any change women might desire in their own relationships included greater expression of nurturing characteristics in men. Further, it was of interest to determine readers' attitudes toward feminism and whether women recognize in feminism the opportunity for change. And finally, greater understanding of women's responses to explicit and violent sexual material in romance novels was sought. (259)