There's an interesting post over on RTB about cheaters. Apparently I'm in the minority when it comes to having a tolerence for cheaters, not that I would in real life. But if the author creates the setting, plot and characters to reach a HEA, I'm pretty open to following along for the ride. It's the author's job to make me believe there's something worth salvaging about the relationship, especially in historicals, when people may have married for any number of reasons, least of all love. If cheating happens in a contemporary I'm much less likely to believe the relationship's worth saving, but hey, I'm willing to be convinced.
There are plot devices I don't like and there are character types that aren't favorites, but I'm usually pretty open minded. Rarely will I pick up an amnesia story, and my tolerence for TSTL, fiesty or clueless heroines is incredibly low.
So, what's your deal breaker?
7 comments:
I'm with you - I'll "get over" the adultery if the author "convinces" me I should. Also, like you, I'm a bit more tolerant of this plot device in historicals than I am contemporaries.
I have two solid deal breakers - "soul mates" and love triangles. I abhor the idea of soul mates because it means the characters don't have free will. That they "have" to love each other because it's predestined. Blah.
I don't like love triangles because it makes the heroine come off as clueless. Hello?! Just make a decision already cupcake so we can get on with our lives.....
Hey Tara Marie :D
Well I have to agree with you about cheaters... if it happened to me, of course I wouldn't be able to tolerate it, but in books... just depends on what's the story and how the author can pull it off.
My deal breakers - when the characters are not faithful.. I know it does sound contradictory to my tolerance to cheaters, but what I mean is if the characters sleep around or if they start a relationship while in love with someone else... stuff like that.
I'm with Wendy--I tend to stay away from love triangles, too. At the very least, I'll read the ending to see if I like it before I start. :-) I'm also leery of partner swapping and menages involving people who have been together for a long time.
I used to have zero tolerance for adultery, but I'm more open to those stories now. I like to have prior warning, though, because they're inevitably tear-jerkers.
Ten years ago, I would've agreed with many of the comments at RTB but not anymore. Tastes change. I used to love amnesiacs, secret babies, virgin brides and didn't even notice when characters were TSTL. But now I'm a lot pickier.
I don't know that I've read any real deal breakers. If it's a true romance it's going to have an HEA and I can get past whatever it is I don't like to get there.
That said, however, I would rather not read about cheating. Like you, it's a little more acceptable in an historical.
I THINK I can buy anything executed well. Obviously, this excludes heroines who are TSTL =)
Wendy LOL@cupcake.
Mine are when the heroine get's knocked up by a decent guy and then tries to deny him a chance to get to know his child. Or a heroine that won't accept child support because she wants to make it on her own.
Wendy, I'm not big on "soul mates" or love triangles, for the same reasons, but not enough to make them deal breakers.
Nath, "if they start a relationship while in love with someone else..." for me it still depends on how it's handled. If they think they're in love with someone else before meeting the h/h I can probably accept that, but if one cheat after declaring love for one another, I wont be a happy camper.
Kat, the old "with age comes wisdom" seems to work for most of us. :D I had all sorts of pet peeves in the past, but these days I'm just looking for a good story.
Jen, I'm not real shocked that we agree on this one. :D
Amie, exactly if it's well executed it's going to work.
Cupcake is a good one, perfect for a clueless babe.
Kristie, all of that falls under TSTL at least for me :D
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