Is there something inherently wrong with the genre or am I just getting old or_______ (fill in the blank)?
I think I still read 10-20% romance novels (ten years ago, it was probably closer to 50%), but it is really hard to find a good one. I don't think they were any better when I was reading more, I was just less discriminating (or something).
What makes a good romance novel for you?
What makes a bad romance novel for you?
Here are some of my pet peeves in the genre:
- non existent or sparse secondary characters (this seems to be inherent in the romance formula, as though there can't be a story if the heroine or hero actually has friends/family)
-love at first sight (yeah, I am a pain, I know)
-sex scenes (sub peeves in this category)
--immediate sex scenes
--way too graphic scenes
--totally improbable scenes {case in point: bad guy attempts kidnapping woman in her own home. hero (investigating woman's criminal husband) rescues woman from bad guy. Woman and rescuer flee from home in car, drive a few miles; woman feels sick. Rescuer pulls car over in a park. Woman gets out of car and retches her guts out (oh, yeah, I forgot-kidnapper had started to rape her) from fear/delayed reaction. Woman finishes retching and finds drinking fountain to rinse her mouth. (Handy, no?) Rescuer comforts woman and suddenly, the electricity sparks!! They are overcome and begin to kiss voraciously! This all takes place in less than an hour. Right! Are you going to kiss someone who just tossed his/her cookies? Rinsing the mouth with the handy water fountain is a nice touch but not enough for me. Ewww. And, if some stranger just tried to rape you, what's the likelihood that your libido is going to assert itself with another total stranger less than an hour later?!!!
--sigh, I have to include this one, forgive me-- when the heroine (this would be in period romances more than modern) is a virgin and can't fathom how "things" could possibly fit!! Aaaaargggghhhhhjh!
On a more positive note, I'm a total sucker for drawn out, unrequited love stories where they get together in the end.
I think I still read 10-20% romance novels (ten years ago, it was probably closer to 50%), but it is really hard to find a good one. I don't think they were any better when I was reading more, I was just less discriminating (or something).
What makes a good romance novel for you?
What makes a bad romance novel for you?
Here are some of my pet peeves in the genre:
- non existent or sparse secondary characters (this seems to be inherent in the romance formula, as though there can't be a story if the heroine or hero actually has friends/family)
-love at first sight (yeah, I am a pain, I know)
-sex scenes (sub peeves in this category)
--immediate sex scenes
--way too graphic scenes
--totally improbable scenes {case in point: bad guy attempts kidnapping woman in her own home. hero (investigating woman's criminal husband) rescues woman from bad guy. Woman and rescuer flee from home in car, drive a few miles; woman feels sick. Rescuer pulls car over in a park. Woman gets out of car and retches her guts out (oh, yeah, I forgot-kidnapper had started to rape her) from fear/delayed reaction. Woman finishes retching and finds drinking fountain to rinse her mouth. (Handy, no?) Rescuer comforts woman and suddenly, the electricity sparks!! They are overcome and begin to kiss voraciously! This all takes place in less than an hour. Right! Are you going to kiss someone who just tossed his/her cookies? Rinsing the mouth with the handy water fountain is a nice touch but not enough for me. Ewww. And, if some stranger just tried to rape you, what's the likelihood that your libido is going to assert itself with another total stranger less than an hour later?!!!
--sigh, I have to include this one, forgive me-- when the heroine (this would be in period romances more than modern) is a virgin and can't fathom how "things" could possibly fit!! Aaaaargggghhhhhjh!
On a more positive note, I'm a total sucker for drawn out, unrequited love stories where they get together in the end.
~ He was GOBLIN too many goodies ~
*grin*
(Laugh)
