Don't you love it when you're reading a romance, and it's going along, and you love it, and then, the author takes the story in a completely unexpected and delightful direction? I do.I think probably because nearly 100% of my reading is romance, I so enjoy it when an author make a choice that makes me go, "Whoa." That being said, nothing is more jarring than an author who makes a bold choice, but doesn't have the writing chops to pull it off.
I was reading a very recently published historical romance last week. The book is gorgeously crafted with descriptions of landscapes that sing, and a heroine who is fascinatingly nuanced, and a hero who appears to be one thing, but turns out to be something completely different. They are separated for reasons that don't seem clear well into the book. All you know is that they have a simmering chemistry that sparks between them, and you like them both, and you can't really understand why it is that they aren't together. But there's this chasm between them. And it's one that the heroine is completely unwilling to cross.
And then we find out why.
The hero slept with another woman. Less than a week before he was to marry the heroine.
See? Bold choice. One that literally made me go, "Whoa."
The thing is, no one feels worse about it than the hero. Once he finds out that the heroine knows about it, he's devastated. He can't imagine how on earth she would ever forgive him. And despite the fact that he's a good man, one who loves her unimaginably, he accepts that she could never ever forgive him. And yet she does. Slowly, tremulously, she forgives him.
And I bought it completely.
Now, I know that a lot of readers believe in the "magic hoo-hoo"maxim. You know the one. It states that "When hero meets heroine, he is mesmerized by her magic hoo-hoo, and shall have no other hoo-hoo EVAR." Me? Not so much. I bought this hero's actions. Mostly because of the artistry of the author, who was smart enough to get me well invested in both the hero and heroine before she disclosed the hero's mistake. Even more, the author made me buy the hero's redemption in the heroine's eyes. Because honestly, he was always the better person, even the heroine thinks so.
It was a bold, bold choice for a romance author. One I respect tremendously.
What do you think? Are you a believer in the magic hoo-hoo? What romances can you think of where the author made really bold choices?
15 comments:
Having read this book in the last couple of weeks (I think), I was totally invested in the characters, particularly the hero. All the way through everything was pointing to the issue being heroine related and so it was a bit of a surprise when the revelation came.
I think that this author also makes bold choices in the actual setting of the book, but in also using the setting in such a way as it doesn't detract from the relationship between the two main characters. There was danger and excitement, but it all just developed our hero and heroine further. No external suspense subplot, no secondary romances - just the hero and heroine in an unusual and exciting time in history, trying to figure out their past, their present and their future.
I have no idea what book this is (I'm afraid to find out in case I read it and ruin the reveal.)
I don't need the magic hoo hoo, and I'm ok with this happening, as long as it feels necessary to the plot and development of the characters.
One author that sets me up with a certain expectation and then surprises me (which I LOVE, btw) is Loretta Chase. And usually, my expectation is due to a certain romance convention -big mis, virgin heroine, etc. and then, she totally blows the convention apart. The result is that usually the hero or heroine has more depth, is smarter, or in some ways exceeds my expectations.
Since we all read so many books, the ability to surprise the reader is something I love in an author.
I read this one too. I had a brief uh-oh moment wondering how the author was going to redeem him. I love flawed characters and as anyone who's listened to me talk about my favorite books knows, there's nothing I like better than redemption.
So brilliant and so flawed the both of them. You are so right when you say in lesser hands it might be hard to buy into.
Crikeys that's twice in one night I've waxed on in your comments.
Aw, I like the magic hoo-hoo. ;) Since I read romance novels for the romance (strange concept, I know), I don't think I would mind the sort of plot twist you're talking about as long as it's well-written. But in general I prefer both the hero and heroine to be faithful to each other once they meet in the book.
So are you going to tell us what this book is?
It is really hard of me to enjoy a romance where the hero or heroine cheats on the other, especially after they have formed a bond. An author will have to be very masterful in their writing for me to accept it.
If there is a magic hoo-ha, is there a magic stick also? ;P
I don't always believe in the magic hoo-hoo, but I want to believe LOL. Srsly, I'm with Kate on this one. Less than a week before the wedding and the hero sleeps with another woman yet loves the heroine? That's gonna take talent and a lot of finesse to convince me that the hero can be forgiven. A LOT.
I think I know which book this is (you might have mentioned it at my blog?) so now I want to read it and see if it works for me.
Stace - I'd be really interested to know what you think.
His redemption totally worked for me. And here's why, because we get 2/3 of the way through the book before his actions come to light. You're already attached to him. He's a genuinely good man, who made a damn bad decision. I just...totally bought his redemption. I'd love to hear what you think after you read it.
Ooooo, you already know I LOVED this book you refer to. So, so much. Hell, it might be my most favorite book this year. So far, the power of it hasn't been topped, not by books I read prior or after.
Couldn't agree more with you on this post. It really was the author waiting to reveal what he'd done. I was on the edge of my seat, WANTING to know so bad. But we really get to know the characters first, we get to fall for them and then by the time we find out what he'd done, we are cheering for BOTH of them.
Just an amazing book.
KMont
I like the magical hoo-ha but it’s also has to do with the fidelity issue for me. I mean if they’re already engaged or attached to one another and then he goes off and sleeps with someone else I have an issue with that. Because if someone I was going to marry did that to me I would be up in arms about it. But if that attachment isn’t there and they’re only acquaintances then I don’t mind because he’s not doing anything wrong.
The book I’m currently reading he meets the Heroine and then doesn’t see her again for over a month where he sleeps with other women. I’m ok with that since the bond hasn’t formed yet.
But now I’m curious about the book and want to see how she makes it work.
LeeAnn, I'd be really interested to see what you think of the book. It's just gorgeously crafted, and it's so nuanced.
The hero is seriously delicious. He's a caregiver, and he honestly cherishes the heroine. And yet he fucks up. It's just fascinating, and bittersweet.
Ohhh, this book sounds interesting. I have to be honest - having the hero do 'that' would definitely have me taking a step back. I agree with LeeAnn that it does depend on where the hero and heroine are in their relationship. But, regardless, the author would need definite writing chops to make it work. Ohhh, now I'm intrigued :)
I don't mind, providing it's done tastefully. But what I really, really want to know...What is this book?? So I can read it :D.
The book is Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas.
I loved this book! And I'm one who does not go in for the h or h sleeping with someone else when their engaged or committed. However this book was written in such a way that I completely understood the hero's thinking at the time. I didn't condone it but I understood it and that was good enough for me. :)
go niners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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