Put that old favourite re-read down and back away... slowly
I get it. The weather is crappy. The man and/or kids are moody. And every book you pick up, two chapters in, you find your nose wrinkling in distaste. Yikes, what is it suddenly with all the one/two star reads in your life?
And you think you know just the ticket to kick the doldrums out the door. You'll pick up one of your old favourites.
You know the one. It got you hooked on the romance genre in the first place. The one with the dreamy hero and the sassy heroine. You remember how wonderful the story was, the HEA was feel-good and beyond satisfying.
But I'm telling you now, if that 'old' favourite was published more than fifteen years ago, then you might want to re-think picking it up. And instead leave it relegated to just one of those fond memories. Because let me tell you, if you do pick it up - you are going to be in for a nasty surprise.
Suddenly the Hero will seem domineering, arrogant and humourless. The Heroine, for all her sass, will be a virgin and surprisingly kind of weak.
And you'll quickly realise the storyline only progresses because she makes one silly mistake after the other. And it will be up to the Hero to save the day.
Their first time sexual encounter will be impossibly wonderful. He manfully takes control and brings her to dizzying heights (whilst now you cringe and chuckle at the idea).
Not only have romance novels changed rather dramatically in the past fifteen years - thanks go to all the independent, capable women out there who have driven this movement.
But you personally have changed. I know I certainly have. What I once found dreamy and romantic, I now find myself rolling my eyes over. I want a discussion and a matching of wits, not a Hero to swoop in and save the TSTL Heroine from herself.
So when it comes to re-reading those 'old' favourites, tread gently my friends, or you may soon find they are favourites no more.
And you think you know just the ticket to kick the doldrums out the door. You'll pick up one of your old favourites.
You know the one. It got you hooked on the romance genre in the first place. The one with the dreamy hero and the sassy heroine. You remember how wonderful the story was, the HEA was feel-good and beyond satisfying.
But I'm telling you now, if that 'old' favourite was published more than fifteen years ago, then you might want to re-think picking it up. And instead leave it relegated to just one of those fond memories. Because let me tell you, if you do pick it up - you are going to be in for a nasty surprise.
Suddenly the Hero will seem domineering, arrogant and humourless. The Heroine, for all her sass, will be a virgin and surprisingly kind of weak.
And you'll quickly realise the storyline only progresses because she makes one silly mistake after the other. And it will be up to the Hero to save the day.
Their first time sexual encounter will be impossibly wonderful. He manfully takes control and brings her to dizzying heights (whilst now you cringe and chuckle at the idea).
Not only have romance novels changed rather dramatically in the past fifteen years - thanks go to all the independent, capable women out there who have driven this movement.
But you personally have changed. I know I certainly have. What I once found dreamy and romantic, I now find myself rolling my eyes over. I want a discussion and a matching of wits, not a Hero to swoop in and save the TSTL Heroine from herself.
So when it comes to re-reading those 'old' favourites, tread gently my friends, or you may soon find they are favourites no more.
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by
Dahrose
(new)
Apr 20, 2017 02:50AM
I know exactly what you are talking about. I used to be a huge fan of anything by Johanna Lindsey. Could re-read them constantly. But now, I pick up one and find myself gritting my teeth.
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