Trust & Obey

The meeting, the flirting, the man sweeping the woman off her feet. The will the couple get together or won’t they. Some people, especially women, love love love romance novels. They have fun with the experience of a romance. It’s a lot of emotions and drama, which is something that a lot of people delight in. In contrast, I don’t like romance. From the steaminess to some of the tropes that are used way too much. It’s all a lot for my taste.

If done well, I can have fun with a romance. The author has to get me to wonder if the couple will actually be able to come together because I know they have to get together. That’s what makes the romance good. If they don’t it has got to be for a good reason and it better not be death. That’s a lame excuse to be a tear-jerker. The one I particularly despise is the whole terminal illness trope that’s been frequenting the film industry. The whole idea that two people can fall in love when one or both- is fatally ill and one person walks away from it fine is convoluted. I know “fine” is a strong word but I would be so distraught if I thought I found the man for me and he was ripped from me! At least watching the suffering would be too much. Romance is supposed to be fun, not depressing. I would not be okay for quite some time. It’s not something you can just throw yourself into and those romances make it seem like you can. It’s just nonsense in my opinion.

If the couple doesn’t get together because one chooses their career over their significant other or one fell for someone else, that’s a good ending for me. Those endings are good twists. It makes the plot have a more realistic edge. It takes something that could be idealistic and turns it into something that feels like it could happen to anyone. If they also just get together without the weird “what if I don’t want to be together anymore?!” scene, I’m happy.

My final issue with romance is how sexual it can become. I do not want to hear all of the creepy, disquieting details about a kiss that lasted a minute. I feel so awkward reading those moments it totally takes away from the book for me. I understand that it brings the book to life in a way and works to make you feel like you’re there but what if I don’t want that? Because I don’t. I feel like I am third-wheeling and stalking the couple, not closely involved.

As I have pondered my relationship with romance novels, I think my issue is solely that I need romance to go my way. It can’t be to cliche but I want it to end well; if someone dies I hate it. Because of this, I usually don’t bother with romances. What this whole post seems to be stating is that I need to write romance novels so that I can enjoy them too. I may do that now.

Due to my pickiness, I do have some favorite romances. Here are some honorable mentions: The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers, The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris (you can read my reviews in the link), Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (duh), and finally the “La La Land” film with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Happy (belated) Independence Day! Hopefully, you all had a great time celebrating the freedom our Founders fought for and soldiers continue to fight for! I personally had a great time going to church, eating yummy food, and watching fireworks with friends and family!