Romance novels often paint a picture of physical perfection that’s nearly impossible to attain. The heroines are typically fit, with curves in all the right places, and the kind of beauty that turns heads wherever they go. The heroes, meanwhile, are chiseled, with piercing eyes, a strong jawline, and an almost superhuman level of strength. These characters set a standard that is not only unrealistic but also damaging. We compare ourselves to these fictional ideals, believing that anything less than perfection is undesirable. Over time, this can erode our self-esteem, making us feel inadequate, unworthy, and quite frankly depressed.