Why all the love triangles/quadrangles, you name it, in UF?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I don't know about anyone else, but I miss the time when the heroine only had one love interest. It seems as though now, there is almost always more than one guy that she is flirting and sometimes sleeping with.

What do you think about all the extra love interests? Isn't one man enough anymore?

[Goge (BARRONS) le Moning Maniac,]

I think that is very true. I don't like more than two people in one relationship, I honestly think one person is enough for another person. I used to be able to pick up any romance book and would know it would be a two-people couple (I miss those days) but now I have to read the blurb in case the book has three or more people in a relationship. I think the reason why there's a larger quantity of non-monogamous couples and a rise in love interests and the number of people of love interests is because people are more aware (or allowed to know/speak of) or open to sexuality and the degrees in which a relationship can establish. Also, I think it's to stave off boredom because there's a quote that goes somewhere along the lines of "a lot of one thing can lead to boredom" and what if old-fashioned two-people romance just isn't chiming the bells of some people anymore. Publishers of books take that into account and provide a different take on romance (more than two-people relationships) and because it was a rare occurrence before people grab at it and that births an increase in that kind of published theme. When I was younger sexuality wasn't exploited and at every turn. Now, kids who are in middle school, elementary(?), and such know about it and it's in movies (everywhere), on the news, ect. Books probably took that as leave to creatively deepen or explore the level of sexuality a romance book could go and that's how non-monogamous couples, a flourish in love interests, anatomically different sex organs and different kinds of beings/creatures of which one can grow a relationship with, more smut, ect, increased. To keep their readers a captive audience by providing creative or new reads. For example, look at Fifty Shades of Grey. It's BDSM-themed and it was loudly commercialized. In the times before now, I don't think it would be a type of book (BDSM) where it would gain so much press and would be openly sold at stores and openly recommended. My guy cousin even innocently asked if he should buy the book for his 14 year old sister since she likes to read. I asked him if he knew what the book was about he said no but it had a lot of commercial press and seemed a good book from people's recommendations. I told him no, it's not appropriate for my 14 year old cousin to read. People of these times are more open and casual about sexual preferences (gender and sexual activities) and that bleeds into books. My favorite type of romance though is gotta be Good old fashioned one person per person romance. Those are the books I want more of.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Goge.

I think it's difficult if you're a reader who isn't interested in sex-heavy storylines nowadays. If you want a good story that is about the character development, action, and romance, without sex being the main event.

I also think there is some wish fulfillment there. Maybe some readers love the idea that they could be irresistible to so many men or that they don't have to choose one man. Personally, I think it's fine to have that scenario for those who like it, but there should also be stories for readers who are happy with the heroine having one main man in her life. It's harder to find a good female POV UF book that doesn't have the dreaded love triangle. Same for YA PNR.

[Paganalexandria]

I think it's a money grab. This only applies to triangles and quads (not ménage) because they usually aren't worked out in one book. It keeps a series interesting trying to figure out who the real HEA couple will eventually be. It can also inspire fan base buzz for either pairing (like Team Jacob).

[Ren Puspita]

For me, I think maybe because UF not heavily into romance, so, let we say the relationship is more free than just usual romance. I don't know, but there's a rule for romance. Must have HEA, and it between two person. Because UF not mainly into romance, so there's a freedom for the pairing. Because, it's not romance, right?

I agree with you Lady D, about the wish fulfillment. Because who doesn't want to look irresistible? Who doesn't want to be desired with so many men? But for me, that plot is more suitable for erotica (menage). I want to read the action, world building, the character development and the love triangle is kinda like distraction.

Maybe we can list UF that doesn't have love triangle/quadrangles?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Yeah, I know UF is not romance, but at the same time, I don't think you have to have a revolving door going through the heroine's bedroom (or even her social life). It makes the heroine seem kind of fickle to me, many times. I'm always thinking, "Just choose one guy and get over it!"

I would definitely appreciate recommendations for UF books that don't don't have a love triangle/various shapes.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Paganalexandria wrote: "I think it's a money grab. This only applies to triangles and quads (not ménage) because they usually aren't worked out in one book. It keeps a series interesting trying to figure out who the real ..."

I can see that, although I don't need that to make an UF series fun. Like I said, I like UF that is high on action, suspense, and actual story plots outside of the heroine's love life.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I wanted to add, I don't mind if there is a guy in the book that the heroine might flirt around with or have chemistry with, but I prefer she choose one guy and move on at some point. I don't want her to be sexually involved with more than one guy in the series. It's just not my thing, honestly.

[Cindi]

I've been reading more UF lately myself because I've gotten so tired of the sex in Romance and PNR (also the clichéd plotting). I have seen more of what you are describing as that line between UF and PNR is becoming more blurred; I agree that it is for probably commercial purposes. UF used to have such original plotting but recent books seem to follow the romance story guidelines more. Is nothing sacred anymore?

[PepperP0t]

it just drives me nuts when the triangle doesn't really make sense no matter the genre. the 3rd person just seems to be an oh by the we meant to make a lover's triangle, and I think its a money grab But for UF it seems that it knocks it into PNR.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I do feel that UF is getting to be very formulaic and moreso with female leads. It seems to revolve around the heroine's love life, which I find restrictive and less interesting, than a solid plot with some romance thrown in for extra texture.