ABSTRACT
This chapter explores that the construction of masculinity reflects female audience desires as well as subtle cultural shifts in acceptable masculine behavior. It expresses that the negotiated view of masculinity, however, may create unrealistic expectations for both men and women in heteronormative relationships. Although the chapter focuses on the construction of masculinity, young adult (YA) literature, like adult romance, is largely a female space. Literature and popular culture are regularly blamed for creating unrealistic expectations regarding romantic relationships, which in turn, shape perceptions of relational communication satisfaction as well as impacting our attitudes toward romantic relationships. With their commercial success and consistency of theme, the novels analyzed here shape young readers' views of gender and romance. A final theme of deviance from hegemonic masculinity in YA contemporary romance is the general value of love and romance in the lives of the male protagonists.
