We love books with romance. Well, most of us do. But there are a ton of ways to go wrong with it. I mean it, bad romance? That’s at least one star less.
I don’t want to turn this into a rant though. I want to talk about why some romance plots work, and others don’t, especially when it’s actually a subplot. Romance books themselves handle the romance a little better, since they have little else in what to support themselves.
But what makes you root for a couple in a fantasy, or sci-book?
Me, I believe it’s chemistry.
They can save each other all you want, but if they can’t live together, they’re toast
Somewhere, I think it was Twitter, I saw something about how to make romance happen. Have the main characters save each other and then reluctantly sleep together so they can wake up cuddling. And BAM perfect couple. It makes for some really cute scenes, but when you really think about it, if the characters were to live in a house together, do you think they’d work?
I think a lot of what we see in the romance subplots and we think as ‘bonding’ is just actually common goals, gorgeousness, and hormones. Chemistry goes beyond all that.
Hey, I’m guilty of rooting for couples that totally fall in this category, but, let me rephrase my previous statement. I will root for any couple that draws my attention, but the ones that go beyond just survival and adrenaline, the ones that do take their time to know each other, they’re the ones that I’ll follow to the very end.
And it’s possible! The best example I can give you is The Lumatere Chronicles, which has some super cool couples that all JUST WORK! And not just because the author says so, but we actually see them, getting through the rough things, developing.
- Finnikin & Isaboe
- Froi & Quintana
- Lucian & Phaedra
These people just…
They have a… transcendental feel to them. Hell, they’re probably the last people who should be paired together, but when you think about it, they’re actually perfect for each other, and like I said, their relationships go beyond plot requirements and convenience.
Personalities matter to me
How many times have I felt ‘meh’ about a book, just because the guy or girl are bland? Too many to count. Personalities to me are at the core of chemistry, and thus, of a good romance. Opposing personalities that clash, too similar ones that clash even worse! I WANT EM ALL. 
But characters with no goals that are just there to serve a purpose (of course they must serve a purpose but we’re not supposed to notice that), they are boring as fuck.
Well I do like romance where the couples are exploring a relationship. However, I don’t mind characters falling straight into bed if it is not made to look like a real love connection.
Oh that’s a nice point! Of course that’s one way to go! XD But like you say, if it’s clear that it’s a fling then go ahead have your fun times, but nope, author can’t convince us that’s love.
You make such a good point about relationships that make me believe they could actually last vs. ones that burn hot and bright but don’t seem to be based on much more than that. MUCH prefer the former!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted this awesome thing…What Type of YA MC Would You Be? Let’s Discuss!
“go beyond plot requirement and convenience” – yes! I also like couples who can make each other laugh. That is just so important for me. Aside from helping each other and being able to understand each other, I like couples who know each other’s quirks, and not just the physical stuff like their eyes or hair or ears, but things like: She only eats slices of fruits for breakfast; he always sleeps with a stuffed bear, etc.
Jee Ann recently posted this awesome thing…Guest Post by Author Bianca Mori: On High Society Romance and Inspiration for “One Night in the Palace”
Yes, I love that! Hence, the getting to know each other part being so important! Those are the little things that make my heart flutter!
Yep, yep, yep! Romance can really make or break a book for me! Personalities are pretty vital as well – without them, that romance can’t work! Great post, Pamela 🙂
Geraldine @ Corralling Books recently posted this awesome thing…All Book Reviews Are Biased