Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2022 Read Harder Challenge
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#7: Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40.
Cay wrote: "I read a review that described the novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce as a love story, not a romance. Too big a stretch? I’m not a romance reader."In the end it's your challenge, so I'd say do what feels right to make it work for you! But if you want to follow the letter of the challenge, the basic definition of a romance novel would be that it has a central love story with a happy ending (even a "for now" happy ending) for the people involved.
Based on the blurb for this book... it might actually fit that? It might even be more about marketing that they call it a "love story but not a romance". (Unless it's Nicholas Sparks style and ends in tragedy - his work often gets called romance but generally is not actually genre romance).
Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks) wrote: "Bingo Love by Tee Franklin! It's a comic about Black women in their mid-60s rekindling their romance!this is such a good option!! It's cute and fun, and it's also a very quick read for those who don't read a lot of romance and want to just get a little bite to accomplish this task.
Chelsea wrote: "Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a great gothic romance, and perhaps more so a thriller/mystery. Perfect read for anyone not super into the romance genre. Maxim de W..."Great suggestion, thanks!
I'm currently reading Under the Whispering Door, so I'm probably going to do that one. For those who aren't into romance, I think that Swordheart or Paladin's Strength by T Kingfisher would work. I can't remember the ages specifically, but the sword was definitely over 40 in Sword heart. I loved them and only realized that they were romance as I was finishing them.
Madzia wrote: "Could the House in the Cerulean Sea work for this prompt? I can't remember the exact age of the protagonist. The House in the Cerulean Sea"
He is 40. I am reading it now.
Esther wrote: "Would The Switch also counts for this? Age wise it fits, but I don't think I would consider this a romance.. Can anyone who has read it help judge this please?"
I would totally consider The Switch romance! That was going to be my suggestion.
I think Shards of Honor would fit this for an SF romance (one of the protagonists is 43 at the beginning of the book, and I would personally absolutely consider it romance).
I'm looking for something that's not a typical romance but more of a re-finding the romance that once was (been married 17 years, so I find this way more relatable than the classic, meet and fall madly in love trope). Any recommendations that fit the prompt? I was hoping What Alice Forgot, Landline, or The Course of Love would fit, but the protagonists in them are too young 🙄
Shoshana wrote: "I'm looking for something that's not a typical romance but more of a re-finding the romance that once was (been married 17 years, so I find this way more relatable than the classic, meet and fall m..."I can't recall if the couple in this novella is in their 30s or 40s but you might want to check it out Making It Last
Bonnie G. wrote: "Shoshana wrote: "I'm looking for something that's not a typical romance but more of a re-finding the romance that once was (been married 17 years, so I find this way more relatable than the classic..."Thank you! That seems like what I'm looking for... Now to find out if the age works 😁
I'm reading 40-Love right now but I feel a bit like it's cheating because she turns 40 during the book, I will probably pick up Gray Hair Don't Care for this instead as I want to read that one anyway
Would “Remains of the Day” work for this? I really don’t like romances, and this was on a list of Romances for People Who Don’t Like Romances.
Shoshana wrote: "I'm looking for something that's not a typical romance but more of a re-finding the romance that once was (been married 17 years, so I find this way more relatable than the classic, meet and fall m..."Heartache Falls by Emily March is in the genre I would describe as romance-adjacent women's fiction. It's the third in a series but I think it could be read as a stand-alone (the recurring character is the place more than anything). I've also been married 17 years. :)
Gail wrote: "Would “Remains of the Day” work for this? I really don’t like romances, and this was on a list of Romances for People Who Don’t Like Romances."Remains of the Day is one of my favorite books, and I think everyone should read it, but I would never call it a romance. If you do consider it a romance, there is definitely a character over 40.
I read Mr. Loverman after someone recommended it as a queer option, and I really enjoyed it! It’s about a Black Antiguan British man in his 70s figuring out how to come out to his wife and daughters and commit to a life with his long-time (60ish years!) lover. It’s funny, HEA (for all the main characters, including his wife), and lighthearted given the topic.I also second Bingo Love, a graphic novel, for folks who are looking for queer and/or Black readings for this challenge.
The Woman Who Met Her Match by Fiona Gibson
Margaret wrote: "Dani wrote: "Kari wrote: "I'm not normally a romance reader so I always need a little help with these prompts. Any LGBTQ+ recs? Particularly of the wlw variety? I've already read The Care and..."</i>Thank you for the [book:Mr Loverman recommendation! Just downloaded it.
After listening to a couple of podcasts, it seems like Olga Dies Dreaming might fit; it's got a "love story" and is described by The Washington Post reviewer as a "romantic comedy." For others who struggle with the romance tasks, this might be worth checking out. Has anyone read it yet? Is this too much of a stretch?
someone suggested Bingo Love for Prompt #4 so I read that since I don’t usually do graphic novels and I wanted to give it a go, and realized it works here too, AND for #23 as well!It is an LGBTQ+ storyline too and quite sweet.
Any of the books in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series from Voyager (book #3) on up would work for this prompt, as both Claire and Jamie are 40+. The books aren’t technically classified as romance, but anyone who’s familiar with the books and/or show can tell you that there’s plenty of content to qualify them as romance.
Briana wrote: "someone suggested Bingo Love for Prompt #4 so I read that since I don’t usually do graphic novels and I wanted to give it a go, and realized it works here too, AND for #23 as well!..."
This was probably me. I adore that book. I supported it when it was on Kickstarter.
Also, I wanted to throw in some love for Strange Weather in Tokyo. I read it for a prompt last year and it was a pleasantly surprising read.
Maybe I'm stretching pretty far here but I could see this as a good fit:Star Wars: Original Trilogy
Vader is around his 40's in the OT and depending on a point of view he can be seen as a protagonist.
If not I can go with something else.
Ron wrote: "Meredith wrote: If it's helpful ... there is a Nicholas Sparks book that should work for this task:Nights in Rodanthe
You know I started thinking about my Sparks books and that was one that did c..."
Thanks, you both just reminded me that I just read Sparks' Every Breath and they are in their 60's I believe. It was really good if you haven't read that one yet.
Jessica wrote: Thanks, you both just reminded me that I just read Sparks' Every Breath and they are in their 60's I believe. It was really good if you haven't read that one yet.Nice. I can't remember if I've read that one yet or not. Either way, it would definitely fit.
I'm also thinking about 'The Notebook' since Noah is in his late 70's or so when he tells the story of his youth.
Just realized that technically Twilight (and many other vampire romances) fit this challenge.
@Ron Twilight might actually be a good one for you since it’s already in your tbr and fits the requirements of the romance genre.
David wrote: Just realized that technically Twilight (and many other vampire romances) fit this challengeI suppose if you want to get technical, it can fit. Given that vampires don't age and stuff. I mean Edward was 109.
I already posted about Studfinder, which was super fun, but I also just finished The Idea of You and it was totally amazing.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand would work here and it’s lovely
I read Paladin's Strength by T Kingfisher for this one. I’m not a big romance reader, and this book also has plenty of fantasy adventure, humor, and even a little bit of horror. Plus I love her characters and their awkward kindness.
I read Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan for this, and it was fun, I enjoyed it. Also a novella, which was nice, I keep meaning to read more of them.
Robin wrote: "I also am excited to read Hitomi Kawakami's books The Nakano Thrift Shop and Strange Weather in Tokyo."I love Strange Weather but hated Nakano. I was really disappointed in it.
Lisa wrote: "Our Souls at Night"I highly recommend Our Souls at Night for folks who might not want to do a genre romance but also don't want to stretch this prompt too far. This is a really beautiful love story very simply told, which kicks off with a 70-something widow going to her neighbor's house with an audacious proposal: We're both lonely so what if you just came over at night and stayed with me and talked with me and kept me company ....
Has anyone read The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? I'm wondering if it would qualify for this challenge. I really dislike genre romance, so I'm hoping to find some other kind of love/relationship story that works.
Heather wrote: "Has anyone read The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? I'm wondering if it would qualify for this challenge. I really dislike genre romance, so I'm hoping to find some other kind of love/relationship story..."I was wondering this myself. I've read it and loved it. It starts when she's quite young but ends with her well into old age. I'd say yes because most of the story is about her 40+ life?
If you like shapeshifter romance, Zoe Chant’s Silver Shifters series all feature mature protagonists.
Lauren wrote: "Would The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue count? She is technically about 300 yrs old."I don't know that I would classify Addie LaRue as a romance. There's definitely a love story, but it doesn't end in a Happily Ever After or a Happy For Now which is part of what defines romance as a genre.
I've read How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. It definitely fits the task (Stella is 42), but I found the heroine a bit annoying. It would also fit the book by a POC about joy, not trauma.I read Mr Loverman , as recommended above, earlier in the year and thought it was great. It's less of a traditional romance.
Thoughts on In the Midst of Winter? It's not strictly a romance but there is an over 40 romance happening within the story?
Love in the Time of Cholera is one of my all time favorites.Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is about a man in his seventies and a woman in her sixties - and cultural barriers. It is a sweet story, too.
Antony and Cleopatra - Antony is definitely over 40, Cleopatra was 39, I believe.
Chéri is about a love affair between a 49 year old woman and a 23 year old man.
I believe the man in The End of the Affair is over fourty.
I think the same is true for Memoirs of a Geisha
As you can see I don’t read the romance genre but I read romantic books, any suggestions for me? I already read these above and recommend them all.
Marta wrote: "Love in the Time of Cholera is one of my all time favorites.Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is about a man in his seventies and a woman in her sixties - and cultural barri..."
Maybe The Idea of Perfection or Katherine (takes awhile for this book to fit the prompt, but it does get there, IIRC!) ?
Meredith wrote: "Maybe The Idea of Perfection or Katherine (takes awhile for this book to fit the prompt, but it does get there, IIRC!."Thanks! I have read several history books set in that period so Katherine sounds wonderful!
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Apology Project (other topics)The House in the Cerulean Sea (other topics)
Katherine (other topics)
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (other topics)
Love in the Time of Cholera (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jeanette Escudero (other topics)Daphne du Maurier (other topics)
Gabriel García Márquez (other topics)
Hiromi Kawakami (other topics)
Daphne du Maurier (other topics)
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Bingo Love by Tee Franklin! It's a comic about Black women in their mid-60s rekindling their romance!