When it comes to writing romance novels, there is one thing an author dare not leave out: the happy ending . . . usually to a rich, hunk.
Ninety-nine out of 100 books, that is just what the romance doctor ordered, the story demanded, and the reader wanted.
But are there exceptions?
Can you recall a rom-con or a romance novel that left you feeling like the wrong couple rode off together into the sunset?
One can understand how Hollywood — run seemingly by boys who never grew up — gets it wrong so often, but most romance novels are written by women. Smart women. Successful women. Funny women.
So why do so many romance novels still cast the mono-syllable, billionaire alpha with the six-pack (abs not brewskies) as the ideal suitor? Honestly, I don’t think actress Emily Blunt is the only woman in America who wants doughy John Krasinski back right now.
So how about you? Does your happy ending demand a seven-figure-earning hero? Washboard abs like the ones Krasinski is sporting in his new movie 13 Hours? Or, like Emily, would you prefer to snuggle up to a kind, honest, hard-working fellow who can make you laugh, helps with the dishes (one of my measures of sexy) and also makes a nice pillow?
Come one, you can tell me—maybe together we can start a trend for a new kind of romantic lead.
#WeLuvDoughys anyone?
—Jeanne Devlin
Truthfully, how about more realistic heroes? Doesn’t the “regular” guy or girl deserve love and happiness?
I would read more romance novels if they were geared in realism.
I hear you B. Lane. If we could all only learn to watch for that one feature that will be there always in a man: a cute grin, a wry sense of humor, kind eyes, a generous spirit, a Roman nose . . . basically, the attributes that make an ordinary fellow grow more and more handsome in the eyes of the woman who luvs him as the years go by. Breaks my heart to think of all the guys like that living alone … and all the gals wondering why they’re still single … or worse why their chiseled partner no longer seems like such a catch.