What is the ruling on reading romantic novels that include descriptions of love scenes?

Love is an innate involuntary feeling for which no one can be blamed. It is one of the most sublime feelings that all beings share.

A Muslim is free to read whatever genres of books s/he likes; however, they must avoid anything that arouses unlawful sexual desire.

In Islam, prose and poetry are considered an expression of feelings and emotions that reflect tenderness and sensitivity. Islam does not suppress feelings and emotions. Prose and poetry can be, in many cases, an influential means toward psychological and social reform. It is worthy to mention that the means takes the same rulings as their objectives.

Therefore, if the content of these novels or poems are composed with the purpose of social reform, they express noble feelings and call for love among people and the like, it is then permissible. However, it is prohibited if it incites the reader to immorality or contains anything that contradicts the Islamic creed.

And God Almighty knows best.