Warning — this is a rant about romance tropes that get under my skin and not in a good way. Plus recommendations for good romance reading.
Did I get your attention when I mentioned billionaire? That category of fiction that’s blowing through old sales records, reinventing the romance genre, and — in my opinion — leading young readers astray.
Because it’s the Cinderella formula that we all need to grow out of. We’re adult women who hold down jobs, take care of families, participate in our democracy (right?), and maintain functioning relationships throughout all those activities. We don’t expect some dude who got uber-wealthy to swoop down Superman-style and relieve us of our responsibilities to behave like grownups. If I see one more heroine put her hands on that dude’s chest IN THE OFFICE I’m going to throw up a little in my mouth.
There’s another trope I’ve come to despise, while reading otherwise well-written romance novels. The trope of a slight misunderstanding separating the would-be lovers for chapters and chapters because — well, no one wants to upset anyone. WHAT?!! You obviously didn’t grow up in my family. I considered upsetting my parents my favorite sport. Okay, rebel here.
I sometimes read romance novels, but I have to say, I want to vomit at the word “billionaire” associated with a romantic hero. My fantasies about uber-wealthy men revolve more around prison time for grand theft. The parts that I find truly revolting are otherwise intelligent heroines swooning over the cillionaire’s stupid cars, limos, and fancy downtown lofts. Ugh.
When it came to my own romance, I never looked for wealth in a partner. Sure, I wanted to go out with guys who had steady jobs and a prospect of being successful. Read further on to find out who I wound up with!
Enemies to lovers? I can get into that trope. A good frenemies story resonates as having some basis in reality. Some of my best friends are people I disliked at first sight. (Not a good judge of character, apparently!) But if the balance is insanely unequal — the new office clerk squaring off with the CEO — I just bounce out of the story. I do need a little reality in my escapist fantasy.
So what does work for me in tropes and heroes? You can read one of my heroes in Undoing Time.
What’s Sexy in a Romance Hero
I’m looking for a character who’s interested in more than being rich. And what’s sexy to me is a man who will hold your hand in public and walk down a street in Rome or Venice. Someone with interests and curiosity, probably a degree or a developed skill. Yeah, architects. (I’m married to an architect. They do have those cute drawing boards and T-squares, but are the first to get laid off in a recession.)
I could find an art thief sexy if he steals partly because he loves the art. Perhaps a frustrated sculptor or digital artist. Something beyond money drives my ideal hero. A sense of justice, value, aethetics, belonging, discovering. These traits are wildly appealing to me. They don’t need the squarest of jaws, the stature of a giant, or the muscles of a wrestler. Though none of those hurt.
And of course, I love my own heroes! Bernini, in my book The Renaissance Club, is perhaps is my favorite. What a complex man and artistic genius. Maybe all geniuses are complicated. Makes for complicated love stories.
Recommended Romance Reading
Needless to say, I find it hard to locate romance novels I enjoy. But here are a few authors whose work is romantic, witty, well-written, and judiciously avoids scummy tropes. Bonus points to those set in unusual locations, featuring unusual main characters, or exceptionally well-written.
Emily Henry (Beach Read especially)
Diana Knightley (Rules of Time Travel series)
Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient)