I often wonder what draws you into a romance or what do you like or not like to read that involve a romance.
For the most part I am not a romance reader in the traditional sense. Sure, I can enjoy romance within a book I read but typically, not a traditional reader of romance. Paranormal being the main exception. I guess I should state I don't usually like contemporary romance or historical romance. Those Avon books with the bosom-busting women being swept off by the Fabio-type guys are an instant NO for me. I don't even bother with the summary. But every now and then, a romance sneaks by me.
Ways to sucker me in: Family. Especially single parentage. Cliche is some stories but I enjoy them. Especially if the story focuses on the family aspect not just the couple in question. Another is amnesia cases. I would think I hate these stories being it hits a bit close to home but I am often drawn to them. Finally is a bit of comedy or lighthearted stories. Losing It by Cora Carmack (which I am currently re-reading) is a particular favorite for this.
On romances, I am very picky about the summary or subject. If the romance is all there is and the rest of the story gets lost it often is not something I will pick up. I want more from the story. And general life drama often does not cut it! I get enough of that in real life I don't need to read about someone's fictional life! Give me something I can question or something very unusual and I will read it. So many traditional romances are not my thing. And New adult romances are just too standardized for me. Many seem to sound the same.
Mind you, this is just me. What about you? Do you read romance? What to you tend to prefer or avoid? Favorite authors or recommendations?
I do like romance as long as it's a sub genre. Not big on contemporary romance and don't want romance to take over a story, simply add to it.
ReplyDeleteI do like romance as long as it's a sub genre. Not big on contemporary romance and don't want romance to take over a story, simply add to it.
ReplyDeleteRomance is my go to genre and I like most of it, though I'm burned out on historical romance right now. I'm currently getting more into contemporary romance and I'm having fun with it-not the angsty stuff, but the lighter ones :) If you're looking for good romance 'fluff' I highly recommend Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series, and then anything from Alice Clayton. Both of these authors books make me laugh out loud and the romance story lines are always really great :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this! I love having romance in the books I read, but not as the main focus (with the sometimes exception of paranormal romance, though PNR tends to often also have a legitimate plot which is good). I rarely read contemporary, but, if I do, it's usually either LGBT and/or something dark. General life drama is just annoying to me too. In general romances, it seems like the "problems" they have are always just miscommunication or things they make up in their heads, and that just makes me roll my eyes lol.
ReplyDeleteI actually love romance it's one of my favourite genres in books. I am a harsh critic within this genre though because it is one of my favourites and I have read heaps of them so it has to be good to keep my interest. No boring, cliched, badly written or cheesy romance stories for me thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've started reading a lot of romance the past several months, but I've gotten pickier. Personally I don't do kids, nor read about heroines who SUDDENLY find out they are subs once they meet a new Dom guy :/ I prefer ones with strong heroines (have yet to find one with a lady who likes being a sub, though kicks butt elsewhere) and a hero who takes at least a turn in needing to be rescued/helped. I like femdom as an idea but almost all the books I've read seem to be a mirror image of the kind I don't like. I absolutely love heroes who defend (not over-protect) their ladies. A little angst is fun, but I can't stand it when a couple has a problem JUST because they don't talk about a misunderstanding :[
ReplyDeleteI'm like you with adult romance books - just the sight of those covers generally makes me think the book isn't for me. (Though, I will say that if I DO manage to read a historical romance, I tend to like it more than I think I will. LOL!). I agree that a book with something that makes it unique definitely catches my interest more, though. And I definitely agree with Hazel's comment about getting frustrated with books where the only conflict is characters who don't talk to each other!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I'm also not a big fan of romance, but paranormal romance is an exception.
ReplyDeleteAs for what will make me read a normal, contemporary romance? For some reason I like Nicholas Sparks, no idea why those break the normal rules for me.
I am not really a fan of romance either. I would never pick up a Harlequin romance, but I don't really like romance as a subplot either. I guess to me it never feels "real" and it just gets in the way of the story. I have read a few contemporary YA novels that are considered romance that I surprisingly enjoyed (Anna and the French Kiss is one), but I liked the story aspect more than the romance.
ReplyDeleteI love romance, I can read any type of romance but I prefer when there is comedy or when there isn't insta-love(I hate when that happens). But, sometimes I don't like romance books when they are cheesy or the common "it's me, not you" :)
ReplyDeleteim like you, im not a fan of romance or contemporary books, i have read what maybe 3 contemporary books so far, two of them were meh (tifos and if i stay) but i read everything everything by nicolla yoon and i really liked it :) i wont pick a contemporary/romance book myself.. i prefer apocalypse/survival/dystopian/sci fi books :P
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