Clean Romances discussion
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I love the idea of characters you've read about popping up in a different book but I agree, some series are badly structured. They are written with the express purpose of forcing readers to follow them, I believe. Not to enjoy the story for its own sake. Like a soap opera on TV. I'm very wary of a series which appears to have a heap of individual books. I definitely want the beginning, middle and ENDING, not some cliff hanger to take me to the next book.
Why don’t you try The Wrong Envelope by Liz Treacher? Not too long, set in 1920 and a romance that focuses on character rather than sex. It’s a standalone.Among mysteries, I love those by Louise Penny; the first one is Still Life. They’re a series but she is careful to orient readers in each one so you don’t necessarily have to read in order.
Anne wrote: "I love the idea of characters you've read about popping up in a different book but I agree, some series are badly structured. They are written with the express purpose of forcing readers to follow ..."I totally agree, Anne! I also prefer each book in a series to be a stand-alone, with recurring characters :D
I've been avoiding reading series, although I do have one set of books I'm yet to get into, for fear they will not be stand alone. Its like starting watching a TV series half way through first season, you're so busy trying to piece together the characters attitudes you lose the storyline lol
My problem with these serial romances which are written more like a soap opera then a novel, is that they are often long winded, repetitive and full of way too much drama to be believed. Some of these novels are short - 100 words or less, and should just be one novel. Others are really long and should be hacked and slashed editted to a reasonable page count and make them one book. I will also note that many of these books also have quite a bit of sexual content so may not be the ideal read for those looking for a clean story. Reviews aee good for calling out if its a cliff hanger book. Hopefully spoiler free if you do end up reading.
Exactly - I like books like a good movie. Heck I prefer movies to tv series any day. If it’s a series with an overall same theme or a group of people and each book is about a different group or set, great. Each person has his own story to tell. These books that drone on and on about the same two people are just painful. Even the ya ones are nothing but drama. I like the soap opera analogy. Ain’t nobody have time for that. One book advertised was only 140 pages I was like nope wasting my time on a chapter book that’s the same length as the ones written for a 2nd grader.
Agree with all the great posts here! I also seldom waste my time with anything less than at least 224 pages, I do not consider those to even be "BOOKS"!
Lisa, if you like fantasy and mystery you might enjoy Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. It's a standalone book and definitely has a romantic element.
I like my books to be at least as long as a Harlequin novel (so 160+). Novellas are alright once in a while, but I find few authors who write them well (even traditionally published and well known authors often struggle). Either way, the story should have a beginning, middle and an end.
I was given a couple of novellas recently and I just can't get into them. I was put off when the relationship between the two just kinda jumped from strangers to kissing without any interim interaction. It just didn't work for me. I'm sure they're well written but no, I like something I can get my teeth into without being a massive tome
I write a romantic suspense series, BUT each book has a beginning, middle, and end. Finding Claire
It's free until the end of the month. It's clean.
I hope you find something that pulls you out of that reading rut!
I've also been in a reading rut. What helped was finding clean reads! Betty Neels and Heather Horrocks are two favorites right now. I'm ever on the search for new clean authors who I can get into and recommend. (:
Clarissa and the Poor RelationsIIRC, this was kisses only.
Crumpets and Cowpies
Took place mostly in Oregon. Don't let the title turn you off.
The couple agreed to a MOC w/o sexual congress. But the H
genuinely was attracted to the h and used innuendos to keep
her 'on her toes.'
Clean Romances
Books mentioned in this topic
A Dangerous Madness (other topics)The Social Tutor (other topics)
The Gentleman Physician (other topics)
Clarissa and the Poor Relations (other topics)
Crumpets and Cowpies (other topics)
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I hate reading ruts