We're Back!
Hello everyone! We took the week off last week but we are back at it with a great topic that was suggested by Leigh of Little Book Star. She wants to know how we feel about romance in YA books and if we ever feel that we would have loved a book more without the romance. I know that there are many instances where the romance definitely hinders my enjoyment of a story, so here goes!
So often it seems in YA that we are presented with a strong, kick-ass heroine who I come to respect and almost admire in the beginning of books. As the story goes on she meets a boy, and once she meets the boy and falls head over heels for him she completely loses who she is. Most recently this happened with Reboot by Amy Tintera. I loved Wren, she was so cold and detached but once she met Callum (who I also really liked) she became such a gooey puddle of love and I lost so much respect for her. What was really saddening about that one was just how much I liked those characters separately but lost all my love for them once they were together.
Then there are the times when the romance just doesn't make sense to me, or have the enough backing for me to fully buy it. Ann Aguirre's Enclave is a perfect example of this. I was all for the story when they were down in the sewers and trudging away at life but once Deuce went topside and fell for a rapist the story started to lose me. I'm sorry but that love story will NEVER make sense to me. Also, Erin Bowman's Taken had a romance that left a sour taste in my mouth. The first few chapters of the book were spent solidifying how much Emma disliked Gray and then BOOM his brother dies and they are traipsing all over town together. The shift into a romance for them just didn't make sense and was not natural and therefore not believable at all. I'm not sure if there is any saving the latter here but I do think there is a strong possibility that, had these icky romances not been a part of the story, I could have gotten more lost in the plot and came to like the characters by themselves.
It seems as though authors see romance as a pre-requisite for crafting a young adult novel and I really wish this wasn't so. Sometimes I find myself getting lost in and enjoying middle grade novels so much because the romance just isn't there and I am more than OK with that. I love seeing strong women in my stories and a strong woman does not need a man by her side, so I would love to see that explored more. There is nothing wrong with an MC (male or female) surviving in a post apocalyptic world and NOT randomly finding the one person on earth that is perfect for them and whom they just can't live without. I mean really there is a strong possibility that that would realistically happen, no? I don't think I would be looking to get down and dirty when I haven't had a shower in weeks nor shaved any part of my body.
What do you think about the constant presence of romance in YA?
Any instances where it didn't work for you at all?
I totally agree with you about Reboot, while the romance was cute, Wren changed way too quickly when she met Callum. As for Enclave, I never really shipped Fade and Deuce but they were way better than Stalker (the name is off putting too, I mean Stalker(?) *shudders*
ReplyDeleteFor the romance in general, I would prefer it when it's better developed and less coincidental. I love MG books as well and Percy Jackson is a perfect example for a romance that's gradual and actually seems legit.
Great post, Jenni! <33
I agree with you. As much as I love romance in my books, sometimes it ruins the story for me. I've read the first book in the Ann Aguirre series but then I heard how the MC falls for the rapist in the 2nd book and I decided not to continue the series which is a shame since the series had a lot of potential. Definitely agree about the romance in Taken as well. It made no sense to me. Plus, if a romance starts of with insta-love, that's something that puts me off as well. I hated what happened to Wren in Reboot too! She was such a fierce character then all of a sudden she's this romantic girl and that pretty much ruined the book for me!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jenni!
I so agree with what you've said here. I loved Enclave, but I had to DNF the sequel when the rapist became a love interest. It really frustrated me because I didn't see the point of it, and quite frankly was shocked that he even became a love interest in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not a fan of when the romance overshadows the plot, or when once the romance is formed the mc is so focused on it that she kind of abandons her friends (e.g, Twilight.)
Brilliant post!
Although I'm not the biggest romance fan, I do enjoy it - just not constantly. I think it's a little bit of a shame that romance features so heavily in YA ALL THE TIME - real life isn't like that - but I understand why it's so popular.
ReplyDeleteNow, when it turns into a love triangle that's where I get realllllllllly mad.
Great post :-D
Awesome post love!! I think I am just going to do a vlog so I can randomly babble. I need to really think about what books I have read recently that could have done without the romance lol!
ReplyDeleteStrong women should, if anything, get STRONGER when they have someone to support them. Like, knowing that, if you need them, someone's got your back should make you more powerful, right? Not be like "boyfriend, go get them for me." I'm always really happy when the girl saves the guy's ass. Or the rare book where the guy knows the girl could easily kick his ass and thinks that's hot. *kicks gender norms*
ReplyDeleteSo agreed! I am loving MG books right now because we get to concentrate on an awesome plot and fun characters instead of swooning. I am rarely as taken with love interests as many readers and so most of the time I end up rolling my eyes during the intimate seasons anyway, haha
ReplyDeleteI'm a romance girl through and through, so I actively seek out the books that have a romance arc to the story, but I agree it has to be a romance that makes sense and is well done. If it's a case where the romance is just tossed in because the author/publisher/whomever felt the story needed a romance in order to sell, then I struggle because the relationship is so superficial and doesn't really feel romantic at all. Romances with a great deal of angst are also problematic for me. I just want two people in the relationship, not three or four, just two figuring things out as they go along without anything crazy over the top happening! Most of the time though, I'm really pleased with the romantic storyline in a given read:)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read a book, I search and search for the romance. I'm such a romance lover that if it's not there, I'm disappointed. BUT there are times where the romance is too fast, or just doesn't make sense and I think that's the only time when I don't like it being there. I think it's those books where there is so much going on that the addition of romance just isn't necessary -- OR when the characters involved in the romance just don't go together.
ReplyDeleteIf there is romance in the YA book I'm reading, it NEEDS to make sense. It needs to be realistic. I fully believe you can be a kick ass heroine and not fall into a gooey pile of mushy crap.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, but my favorite part of any romance is the time right before the couple gets together. The flirting, the uncertainty, etc. Those are the moments that make me feel all tingly inside :-)
ReplyDeleteGAH, YES to Reboot. I loved cold-hearted Wren, and I looove Callum, and as a couple they're adorable, but I don't WANT adorable. Sure, adorable relationships are awesome, but it seemed incredibly out of place with Wren's character. Amy Tintera meticulously pointed out Wren's badass and cold-heartedness, then she introduced Callum and it's like...what happened there?
ReplyDeleteAmen to all this! Ugh, Example 1 makes me want to cringe. Romance like this is entirely uncalled for, and I can never understand why such a sensible heroine could turn to a girl who goes goo-goo eyed over a boy. Especially if the girl's living in a dystopian world, or a post-apocalyptic one. It really doesn't make sense! I haven't read the books you mentioned, except for Reboot. I totally agree! Wren's transition from a stone-cold soldier to someone who suddenly likes this boy out of the blue was so unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteOh, and don't forget those ultra unbelievable love triangles!
"You're beautiful. I love every part of you," Boy 1 says.
Girl swoons. They proceed to have a makeout session. A few hours later, Girl meets Boy 2 and they have an instant attraction. Boy 1 has met his match, and the two boys finally take their jealousy out on each other by punching the other in front of the girl. Girl stands at the side, a damsel in distress.
"CHOOSE," Boy 1 says.
"You're beautiful. I love every part of you. I want to spend my entire life with you," Boy 2 says.
Ugh! Annoying as hell. I can't believe there are so many girls out there who are beautiful and whom every male she meets wants to be with her. So yeah. Love triangles - well, most of them - don't work for me at all. And when the girl picks the wrong guy? That's worst.
Ha, I ranted. >.< Great topic!
Yes, sometimes the romance just feels thrown in as an afterthought, almost as if it weren't originally planned, but added later, at the demand of some editor. I agree that Reboot was totally ruined by the romance, which was a damn shame since the rest was so awesome. There are so many examples of this, unfortunately, and then there are love triangles, which is even worse, of course.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone can be Perry and Aria, unfortunately. :) Great post, Jenni!
I haven't read the books that you mentioned but I think sometimes adding an aspect of romance could bring out another side of the characters that we haven't seen. And I have to agree with you, I never understand why the characters can enjoy smooching so much when they haven't bathed or brushed their teeth for weeks. Loved the topic :)
ReplyDeleteI am a hopeless romantic, so I love me some good romance. But there are books that just don't need it and it is irritating when it just takes over what would have been an amazing book. I still haven't read Enclave, it's really not one that I would probably pick up. But Reboot is on TBR, and I kinda worried, I want Wren to be kick ass like she appears to be in the trailer, not all lovey dovey. I'll still that one a go though. Love the post!
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
You made a lot of good points, Jenni. Your reasoning is why I won't read Enclave. that's just too much and no excuse can justify it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteTaken's love triangle, or whatever it is, is being bad-mouthed by almost every blogger I know.. I feel bad for the author for that. I.. Yeah. Anyway, I think most of the readers I know have a problem with insta love as do I. I have nothing against falling in love, but there has to be some sort of attraction first, then falling in love and usually that in love period lasts a little longer than two weeks for a person to feel love. There's a difference between in love and love and I don't think a lot of characters understand that.. Hahaha. I know about that one person. It's ridiculous. What if that person lives in Africa and dies of Malaria before you meet him? You'll never be truly happy? I don't think so. One instance where I was so mad about the love triangle was where almost everyone I've met through blogging and reading was team X in a book. The MC liked him and there was like so much chemistry between them, but of course we knew she'd pick team Y instead of X. Anyhow, the author killed X off. Wtf? Seriously? Like.. I'd be okay if the MC freaking picked Y, but no-no-no-no!! She was confused a little and we knew she had feelings for X, but there was no freaking reason to kill off X when the MC needed to make a decision. X should have gotten one's HEA with someone else. It was just plain stupid. And people really rated the book with one star because the auuthor killed off the most loved character in the series bc the MC couldn't make a choice. So.. I think there's your lesson of not killing off potential love interest to make the choice easier for the MC. There isn't a choice and it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth for the other team's supporters. Ok, lol, I'm supposed to go eat and get to work. I hope you have a fun day Jenni :D
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Sometimes the romance seems to be thrown in there because romance is supposed to be in YA. I dislike this. Sometimes romance just doesn't work, or seems like an afterthought thrown in there.
ReplyDeleteI like strong heroines, I like it when they might get a wee bit crazy about a boy, then remember who they are, and are willing to walk away if it's best for them. I would say my favorite romances are the ones that girls can walk away from -- because they know it's right, or it's best for them.
This is an interesting topic Jenni. I feel exactly the same way as you. Although I love my romances, I devour contemporary YA like nobody's business usually I need my romances to work well. I too was utterly disappointed with the romance in Reboot and Taken. Romances which completely change a character or a rushed are usually my pet peeve, but if they're done well then I have no problem with them at all. I'm glad we're have such a similar opinion when it comes down to romance in books!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy romance in the books that I read, but I can't stand it when it becomes the main focus and the story that I was looking forward to reading so much just goes by the wayside. If I want a romance novel, I will go grab a contemporary, or a romance novel, and there you go. If I want sci-fi or paranormal or fantasy, that is what I want. Throw in some romance, but for goodness sake please don't let it take over the story. A good example of the perfect balance, in my opinion, is The Angelfire series by Courtney Allison Moulton. The romance was a focal point, but not THE focal point, and I still got the paranormal I was looking for. Another plus, Ellie! I loved her from the get go, and I grew to love her more because she stayed strong, she stood on her own two feet, and she didn't change herself for Will. She was an amazing character. Altogether, a great story with some of my favorite characters!
ReplyDeleteFirst LOL at the no shower or shaving! I also think about that a lot during the romance of dystopians! Not to mention probably the lack of toothbrushes and toothpaste as well when they often mention having to search far and wide for can goods. The world isn't ending and there are billions of men and I can't find a damn boyfriend so I do find it unrealistic these characters magically find them during the end of the world!!! LMAO! But maybe they are just desperate for companionship so whoever they find is perfect to them because the pickings are so slime!
ReplyDeleteBut what can I say I'm a romantic and heart and usually find books without romances disappointing. I think it is just an important balance. Good plot and good romance and not basing the entire plot on the romance.
Also funny that you say the romance and Reboot made you lose respect for the character because I felt the opposite. She was so robotic that I thought I would never get through the book but then when Wren came she opened up and became likable to me.
"I don't think I would be looking to get down and dirty when I haven't had a shower in weeks nor shaved any part of my body."
ReplyDeleteBAHAHAHA Jenni, you're too funny! But omg, I completely agree. It's the same thing with toilets and going to the toilet in some of these books! Like, they just cut it out or something cause it's not romantic? :3 I hate it when authors feel like they have to include romance to appeal to women, because I personally find it much more enticing when there's a strong female MC for a change, who isn't looking for a guy. The whole idea that girls need strong, manly guys to function is so prominent in our society today especially, and it's berserk! Research shows that girls are actually smarter than guys! HAHA take that you stupid silly smelly boys. Just kidding... okay, maybe not. Lol! Great post, Jenni! Some very relevant points that need to be heard. :) <3 x
Well said, hilarious & too too true! I too love strong kick-ass female leads but I HATE when they completely lose their sense of self AND purpose because some cute guy looked their way. I wish a LOT more YA lit was romance-lite...I don't mind something slow and unexpected eventually developing but does it always have to all about finding your one true love 15 minutes in?! Bleh! Anyways thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one doll ♥
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