This question came to me when I was reading a review of a book I dearly loved. I thought the book was absolutely fabulous but the reviewer thought otherwise. She hated the hero…for the very same reasons I loved him.
Of course, this got me thinking why do I love the hero. Why do I connect so well with his character. He wasn’t not even close to warm and fuzzy–not to say that’s how women prefer their men. Most readers would consider him cold, remote, a bit of an island. He wasn’t cruel or hateful to the heroine, but he wasn’t nice and they didn’t particularly like each other at first. They were, however, violently attracted to each other much to their chagrin. And they fought the attraction. Fought it, fought it, fought it.
Sounds like a lot of conflict right? Well that’s another reason the reviewer didn’t like it, it was too much for her. I, on the other hand, relished the conflict. To me, that makes the coming together in the end all that much better.
And why is that, I wondered. Why do I love that kind of high intensity conflict between my hero and heroine. Why do I like my heroes standoffish, so self-contained? I thought back to the kind of books that hooked me into reading romances, you know those delicious Harlequin Presents of the early 80s with their super alpha males. I also thought back to the males in my life. I grew up with three brothers and my father wasn’t the warm and cuddly type. Actually none of them were–although my brothers are warm and cuddly with their own children. I realized that’s what I was accustomed to in men. My youngest brother is extremely witty and sarcastic and enjoys that same dry sarcasm I adore.
So you see, I believe I take comfort in reading about men I understand and moreover, that I’m accustomed to. I get them. I think I even get how they tick. And let’s face it, a man like that is a challenge.
And who doesn’t love a sexy challenge?
What about you? What do your reading preferences tell you about yourself as a person? Comment and enter to win an ARC of Lila DiPasqua’s August single title historical release, A MIDNIGHT DANCE.
I’m not sure I have a type. I like dark, angsty stories where it looks like they just won’t be able to get together and I love that because I read rom, the h/h will overcome all the obstacles anyway. It’s easier to pin down what I don’t like which is the patronizing jerk hero. And I have no clue what that says about me. 🙂
Great subject. I never thought of the why I like certain romance novels. You mention your dad and your brothers. My dad was not a cuddly type, but he was a huge force in my life and allowed me to hug him and kiss the top of his head (my favorite thing) without squirming. When I became an adult I realized that I could do no wrong in his eyes. He also had dry wit. I have five much younger brothers who are all huggers and nurturing, I am sure because my mom was.
My favorite romantic character is J.D. Robb’s Roark, he fits my ideal, he is tough, smart, witty, loves Eve to the max and will do anything for her. I enjoy characters and real life men who are similar.
I like reading about situarions that I would never place myself in real life.
This is the beauty of romance! Everyone finds their men attractive in different ways. Luckily for Romance readers we have LOTS to choose from and can generally pick out the authors that write characters we can connect with. As someone who doesn’t like conflict in a relationship I don’t particularly understand realtionships based on conflict. I would rather connect, have things in common, and feel like a partner rather than fight or be at odds. However, I know couples where the conflict is what brings them together…. I can read a variety but prefer relationships based on mutual attraction, friendship and desire. A little conflict is always needed because nothing is perfect, but I love books where the characters conflict is outside of the relationship.
Interesting concept. I read all kinds of stories in most genres. I like stories that seem like they could have happened, that are plausible. I guess that is why I don’t read many sci-fi stories.
I like strong heroes with convictions and a sense of purpose. I grew up reading my father’s Western books and I guess my idea of a hero was the cowboy type and Western man.
I also read my mother’s books that had strong heroines in them-Forever Amber and Gone withThe Wind so I like heroines who are assertive and have a goal in life.
I like to read conflicts that challenge the characters.
I just like to read, period.
I don’t like a lot of conflict in a romance. Oh, the hero can be somewhat standoffish when the heroine first meets him, but I want to see them develop their relationship and HEA from a positive standpoint and not a conflicting, argumentative one. I like heroes who have a sense of humor and realize the heroine is the greatest treasure of his life.
I think you are right. A lot of times it is what you are use to. My dad wasn’t the soft and cuddly type either. He was an only child too and my grandmother lived with us and supposedly he could do no wrong lol. I swore up and down I would never, ever go for an only child. Well never say never because that’s what I married. It’s been 42 years but it hasn’t been easy. I’m thinking I was very use to it not being easy and wouldn’t know what to do with a “nice” guy lol. One of my daughters is having the same problem. Heart over brains lol.
At first glance it would appear that I read anything and everything. Deeper analysis would reveal I like historicals, I favor the Georgian/regency era, have a definitive preference for certain authors, and most definitely enjoy a HEA!!
I think I prefer my heroes to be provocative and challenging rather than out and out angsty. If they’ve got issues, I like them to handle them in a grown up way and not take them out on others, especially the women in their lives. I’m also drawn to elements of eccentricity, especially nerdy but gorgeous types, with a strong sense of morality and quiet authority.
Give me a hero like that, a heroine who sticks up for herself, and a happily ever after, and I’m one contented reader. 🙂
I think my reading preferences shows that I admire strong, confident heroes and heroines and that I am a fan of history and supernatural occurrences.
Great topic! I started out reading the bodice ripper romances in the 80’s and I think that’s why I love Alpha heroes so much. I love confident, strong heroines, but if they’re too kick-butt-assertive they seem out of place in a historical to me. I’d rather read about a tough-as-nails heroine in a paranormal romance, like Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series. My favorite romances have lots of conflict and sexual tension, whether the book is an edgy paranormal or a sweeping historical.
I don’t know why I gravitate towards certain types of heroes, but I’ve always liked strong alpha-male types. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the occasional beta hero, but there is just something about alphas. I love that they don’t back down and let people walk all over them. I feel with a good alpha there is always a lot of sexual tension between him and the heroine. Plus, it always seems like they are the ones that need the most love.
One the lovely things about romance — what ever type of hero is needed can be found within the pages of some book. Want tough & aloof, there he is; quiet & brilliant, you got him; daring & dangerous, he’s waiting for you; sexy & seductive, he’s all yours 🙂 The only question is: What do I want him to be tonight? 😉
You just described my reading preference to a “T”. I love dark, complicated heroes that are remote with the heroine at first. I enjoy when they don’t get along and bicker. It almost always leads to explosive situations. Their chemistry gets the better of them and they stop fighting their attraction for each other.
I gravitate towards the dark, richly emotional reads where the hero is imperfect. He may not be likeable, or loveable or be charming but he is what he is and he doesn’t care. What he isn’t is a monster. He is not cruel or hateful. That is one complicated man and one in need of rescuing even if he doesn’t realize it. He lies to protect and he break conventions to help others, that is the extent of his badness. He is redeemable and in need of a very special lady to do just that. It says that I am an emotional person, who relishes the journey and thinks a HEA should occur only if it is deserving of it.
It tells me that I need to travel back in time and find me a hunky historical scottish hero!
I love all kinds of heroes and stories, from the kind, gentle, scholarly type, to the aggressive, intense, warrior type and everything in between, so I’m not sure what that says about me except that I love to read great stories.
I am a mood reader. So it tells me that I am fickle
I am like Debra a mood reader and it depends on my mood as to what I want to read. My father wasnt the cuddley type but I tried to be that way with my son, but he is not the cuddley type now, not sure what happened.
I think my favorite romance novel says a ton about me — it’s “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton”. What’s not to like: the wallflower who is more than she seems, the wicked wit hidden inside a delightful but off-the-beaten-path dreamer, and the hero who’s had the right girl under his nose for years, but just needs a gentle nudge to realize it. So yeah, I think it says I love strong women (and not just being *told* she’s a strong woman, but seeing evidence of it through her pursuits and dreams).
When I read romance I need to identify with the heroine or at least be able to respect her thoughts and actions, so I like competent, clever heroines who are independent and resourceful. I also have a pretty dry sense of humor, so that is what I also like to see in my main characters. I like complex plots that are character-driven, and I don’t mind drama, but there is only so much angst I can take before it starts sounding ridiculous.
I think I tend to go for the more warm and friendly heroes-like I have a soft spot for the warm and open ones. Maybe it’s cause I’m not used to that in real life and am surrounded by very cold and remote males.
My fav genres are Fantasy & Romance (historical, PNR & fantasy romance NOT comtemporary). I tend to avoid anything contemporary. Perhaps I’m looking for escapism?!
I definitely think the stories you like and relate to do have some connection to what you know and understand. I know that there have been reviews that I have read about stories I liked where the reviewer didn’t understand why a character behaved in a certain way but for me, the behavior made sense because I was familiar with a person like that.
These days I’ve been rotating genres. Does that make me a bit flighty? Maybe. I read to escape. I like my alpha with a beta chocolate coating. It’s a little easier to swallow. I like my books to make me laugh out loud until I cry. I like my heroines to be feisty. I want to be able to cut the sexual tension with a knife. Throw in a riding crop for good measure. I want my hero and heroine to fight for their HEA. Hmm… looking back at this, I like a good roller coaster ride of emotion. Not sure what that says about me. Maybe I’m bound for the crazy house.
I read to escape, to take my mind to another time and place. I love historical romance with some hot steamy sex. Sexual tension is good as well. I don’t have a preference on the heroin just as long as the man is strong. I also like a good scary book. Paranormal romance intrigues me if it isn’t to far out there. Dark romances are good as well. I love a book that moves me. Whether it’s crying, laughing, sighing, getting angry, etc. Oh, and cowboys, can’t forget those! Whether current or historical.
I guess you could say I’m open to a lot of different genres. I’m rambling now, so what does that say?
My favorite genre is historical romance but I also go off on tangets in completely different directions. My husband loves history and historical ficton so I’ll go from reading about Regency London to reading London by Rutherford! He also loves studying about the American Revolution and the Civil War so I might end up reading a biography of Tho thimas Jefferson.
The best thing that happened was I got a Kindle at Christmastime so if I read a blog about an author who just came out with a great mystery or contemporary romance and it sparks my interest I can put off reading that romance until I’ve ventured into a great beach read to take me away from my everyday world.
Diversity is the spice of life but in the end I end up back with my favorite authors plus a few new authors thrown in reading those historical romance (some of which have a little “time travel” thrown in!
I think my reading performance shows that I like anything that doesn’t have to do with reality. I just like to escape from my life sometimes.
I love to read romances of almost any kind. I am a romanticist at heart, and have always been a sap for a good romance. By reading, it takes my mind to many different places to visit that I never have gone to before and possibly may never get to go to. I prefer Historicals, but give me a good romance, and I am happy. I also like to delve into the characters different personalities.
Interesting question! My preferred reading material is Regency set historicals (with Victorians and Georgians and an occasional medieval thrown in for good measure!) So, I guess that means I like OLD stuff! LOL I guess when I read to get away from it all I really mean IT ALL! I choose another time (19th century) and another place (England.)
I love big, bold, dark, sexy, angsty heroes and heroines who can tame them on every level. And I have NO idea what that says about me!
I also read paranormal romance. I like light and funny and dark and deadly when it comes to paranormals – the sexier the better. HOWEVER, if a series starts to go wonky with the heroine hopping from guy to guy to guy and just when I decide she’s met THE ONE he gets killed off or they break up over something stupid – I’m out of there.
Terribly old fashioned of me, I know, but I happen to believe in monogamy. Shop around a bit sure, but in the end once you catch that perfect big fish – get outta the pond!
I read only historical romances and I find myself drawn to imperfect characters like Mary Balogh’s heroes and heroines and stories where love starts out a bit dead (like Sherry Thomas’ stories) and is rekindled by the main characters.
I think I like the idea of redemption and hope — I like the idea that love can be so resilient. I guess I’m really a romantic. ^_^
Actually I’m afraid what it would say about me. I’m a lover (Romances), a killer (Murder/Mystery/Thriller), Comic-con geek (Sci-Fi), nostalgia fiend (YA Horror like Stine, Pike, Cusick), and in my dreams a Chef (Cookbooks). But if I had to choose who I am I’m afraid I’m a Killer even though I want to say I’m a Lover.
When I was a teen and just started reading romance novels I loved those Harlequin Presents and those alpha heroes! I still do! I don’t really know what that says about me!?
I really don’t know what to make of my reading choices. I absolutely love reading about Highlanders. Love it. I also love reading about sexy Cowboys, Pirates, Vamps, Werewolves and Historical romance. I know I love the Alpha male. The protector but also someone who isn’t easy and doesn’t always show his tenderness to everyone. I grew up in a family of constant huggers and feelings were verbalizes all the time. My Dad was not a hugger but you knew he loved you. I lve all the Heroes who most importantly have a gentleness and tender side under that Alpha tough man. 🙂
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Clearly we like the same types of heroes for the same reasons.
I think we do prefer to read about characters that resemble the kind of people we Like or the kind of people we want to be. If we like people who are sweet and innocent and kind we prefer to read the nice stories about couples who are kind. If we prefer strong and stubborn but good inside we’ll go for the harder men/women who have to fight for what they want, whether it’s that they Want to be together or fighting because they think they Don’t.
Now that I think of it, one of the books I liked Least lately was a book about a couple who were both naive and sweet. I just can’t understand it and I find it too easy to enjoy. Great post and Great point! It’s so obvious but I never really thought about it.