Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Top Ten Things I Like/Dislike When it Comes to Romances in Books

Hosted by my other blog, The Broke and The Bookish


I'm such a sucker for a good romance. However it HAS to have the right ingredients, and not have too many of those tropes that annoy me. Here is my list of Dislikes and Likes!

 
Dislike

1- Instalove. I know this will be on a lot of lists, but seriously, can we just get rid of this? It's not even entertaining. He or she walks in the door and BAM. It's love. No. Let's find out who they are first. Maybe start with a name?



2- Physical Attraction Only. I get so tired of reading about how hot someone is. Yes, you are falling for them, but give me a break! It's not just about looks. To steal a favorite quote... (It's from a character describing her husband)

"You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful -- and then you actually talk to them and five minutes later they're dull as a brick; but then there's other people. And you meet them and you think, "No bad, they're okay." and when you get to know them... their face just, sort of, becomes them, like their personality's written all over it, and they just -- they turn into something so beautiful. He's the most beautiful man I've ever met."




THAT is what I'm looking for. Because honestly, that's one of the most romantic and heartwarming descriptions of love I've ever heard.




3- Too Stupid to Live Heroines. I want the two to be equal partners, not always having to save or cover for one or the other because their love interest isn't capable of taking care of themselves. I get that guys love to rescue a damsel in distress. Go for it. But if it's because she's just too dumb, maybe you should let natural selection do it's job.



4- ANGST! Angst/Lack of Communication. Oh how you wear me out and make me hate characters, angst. If you're worried all the time about what he/she thinks of you. Or question where you stand with them. Or have ANY issues that could be solved by maybe, I dunno, TALKING TO THEM? Do it. Communicate. It's only THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of a relationship. But go ahead. Loose sleep over a text message that didn't include a smiley. (“Oh no! Is he mad? Did I do something wrong?? Omigosh!)




5- Dominate/Stalking/Manipulative Relationships. There is NOTHING attractive about someone who follows you/watches you all the time. (My husband teases he watches me while I sleep. He doesn't, because he knows I'd strangle him in his sleep if he did that.) Also, what about personal space? And as for being manipulated in a relationship? Where is the romance in THAT?



Now for the stuff I love!

Likes

6-Friends Falling in Love. Growing up together and falling in love? Yes please! (Lola and the Boy Next Door, anyone?) I love that shared history, and how much it adds to the relationship. Especially when they've seen each other through the awkward years and remember the best moments, as well as the most embarrassing parts. It keeps them humble. :)



7- Playful Teasing/Banter. I love the back and forth teasing. I find it adorable. A couple that makes each other laugh is about 100 times more interesting to me than the ones who are always sickly sweet to each other. It's not all just roses and perfectly chosen words. It's laughter and teasing and inside jokes.





8- Slow Burn Romance. They dance around each other. They tease here and there. They start to notice little things. A fun laugh. Shared love of books/music/movies. They dance a bit more... Until I'm practically yelling at them to finally kiss, or at least hold hands! Anything! But it is oh so compelling to watch them slowly fall for each other. And the moment when they finally realize they're supposed to be together? Don't you dare interrupt me while I'm reading. ;)




9- Foreign Locations. A romance with a backdrop of a completely new place? YES! (I'm looking at you, Stephanie Perkins and Gayle Forman!) Not only is the atmostphere of the setting seductive as a reader, watching the two characters discover together the wonders of where they are, or one of them showing the other around and helping them to discover all the hidden delights, is so fun!




10- Beyond Boy Meets Girl. It's rare, especially since so much of what I read is YA, but I LOVE when we see the relationship continue beyond them meeting and falling in love. I want the ever after. What is their “after”? I was beyond delighted when I read something recently (not going to say what, because, spoilers sweetie) and we got to see the PROPOSAL. Not only did the characters meet, fall in love and overcome a lot together, but they LASTED. They made it. I know many think that the romance ends after “I do”. But it so doesn't. At least I certainly hope not, because that would make marriage rather boring.


So! What are some of your likes/dislikes? Share your list in the comments!


(I just noticed that the last time I posted was two days before I got engaged! It's been WAY too long since I've blogged!)



6 comments:

  1. I need to know where that quote is from. I've definitely heard it before but I can't think of it! I totally agree with it, btw. I remember before my husband and I began dating, my roommate and I were discussing the merits of the various Andrews in the Liturgy Arts Group (there were at least 3 if not 4 guys named Andrew), and we agreed that one in particular was the cutest. I ended up marrying one of the others, who we had agreed was objectively nice-looking, but who is now to me one of the most handsome men on the face of the earth. :) (It turned out he was roommates with the one we deemed the cutest. Funnily enough, he agreed with us that his friend was cuter than him!)

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    1. It's from my favorite geek show, Doctor Who. :)

      I learned just how true it was from getting to know Dan. We met years ago, and I thought he was pretty attractive, but he just got better and better with the more I learned about him. That's hilarious that he agrees on the cuteness level of his friend! It's totally something that Dan would and has said about the guys in our group of friends.

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  2. We basically like and dislike the same things :) And obviously romance doesn't end after 'I do'!
    Also, I love that you're back at blogging!

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    1. haha, I know. I laughed as I was reading your list and realized that they were almost identical.

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You know what? You're brilliant! Thanks so much for commenting, I always reply!