I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "
Did a very cursory search and didn’t see it so I’ll post the one thing that truly prevents me from reading SO MUCH ROMANCE:
Asshole and alphahole protags.
Books are my escape. I don’t want to be introduced to a man I’d simply sink into the bushes a la Homer Simpson to avoid IRL, presented to me as the supposedly smoking hot love interest, yet whose attitude is capable of curdling milk. I have all but given up trying anything new that Lucy Score puts out, but this trope is unfortunately prevalent in way too many romances.
Agree! Also overtones of r@pe fantasies where the main (big, violent) protagonist guy objectifies, kidnaps, abuses, and/or forces the main protagonist lady, but it’s ok because “she likes it that way” (or later decides she likes him so that makes it retroactively ok).
Thank you!! This is my eternal struggle with the romance genre. The man is almost always (1) physically huge, (2) highly protective of “his woman,” and/or (3) dominant in some other way (eg, rich or famous). I know exceptions exist, but they are near impossible to find. I’ve read novels where the hero was advertised as “beta,” but he was still huge and super protective, so… why do I even try??? Ugh.
I never understood reading romance novels. For me, romance gets in the way of a good story. Then again, I know that the opposite sex seems to enjoy them, so maybe I’m just biased
Honestly, for me, it’s very take it or leave it as a genre for me. Inclusion in other books or as a standalone doesn’t bother me at all unless the male love interest is awful or the sex scenes are out of pocket (dynamics are bad, unsexy descriptors, etc.)
I tried Lucy on recommendations from friends and coworkers but was less than into it by the time I realized pretty much all her male leads are Like That™️ and yet the female protags still have the picket fence and kids with them anyway (if you read her epilogues). As I said…that’s not an escape for me.
tl;dr picky picky
I mean, they’re just a genre that’s not for you I guess. I don’t enjoy historical fiction but I understand why people like it.
Yeah, exactly. I was trying to understand why other people like it, but instead just get downvoted for my opinion. C’est la vie