Top Ten Tuesday is a thing where we get given a topic, and we have to list our ‘top ten’ things for the topic. Pretty self-explanatory.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This Week’s Topic: Ten Things I Like/Dislike When it comes to Romance in Books
Five things I like:
1. The Shipping
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate just how much fun this is.
2. When the couple are also friends
And I don’t mean when the forever-best-friend suddenly reveals that he/she’s been in love with the other all this time. That’s annoying. But I mean when the two people aren’t just all about gazing lovingly at each other, but are actually really good friends.
3. When the character’s actually trust each other
It annoys me when the character’s have been together a while, but then one of them sees the other doing something that may be considered suspicious (ie, walking out of a room that another girl was in), they automatically assume the worst.
Where is the trust, people?
And then they don’t give the character a chance to explain what was happening. Which leads to all sorts of complications.
4. When they are able to function without the other
Sometimes you get characters, and as soon as one of them is away, the other one doesn’t know what to do with their life.
That is not good.
5. The way Maggie Stiefvater writes romance
I’m sorry…I just had to put this in here. (Totally not sorry).
Five things I dislike
6. Instalove
I have a feeling that this will be a popular one. Often, I don’t mind it so much, and it rarely affects my enjoyment of the story, but still…annoying.
7. Love Triangles
When they aren’t done well!! I feel the need to make that clarification, because there is a difference between good love triangles and bad ones.
8. When the Best friend is secretly in love with the main character
I dunno…it just really bugs me. Especially since they never seem to have the guts to say anything about it until they miss their chance, and then get really annoyed at the other for not noticing.
9. When it’s all romance and no talking
Relationships don’t last without conversation. Conversation is how you get to know people. You can’t be in love with someone if all you ever do with them is make out.
10. The “I’ve watched you from a distance for several months/years without you knowing and now I’m in love with you” thing
This happens WAY too often. Seriously.
Usually ends with a “now I won’t kill you/take you away to marry my relative/take you to my leader who doesn’t like you”
The Magical Adventures of Cassie the Weird 
Great list, Cassie. I think mine would be the same.
Aww, thank you 🙂
Excellent list, agree with almost all of them. Especially the ‘trust’ thing – I’m so sick of characters that instantly are at eachother’s throats because someone said something or looked at someone else the wrong way.
Also agree with the Love Triangle. It’s *way* too overused.
“Almost all of them”? I’m curious now…which ones didn’t you agree with? (no judging, just curiosity).
Well, I’ve never been big on ‘shipping’. I mean…some of what the internet has produced when it comes to shipping borders on downright creepy and wrong; now hey, I respect everyone’s opinion (and creative talent), but drawing fan fiction of Harry Potter hooking up with Professor Snape is just violating my childhood memories.
Plus Shipping implies a lack of trust in the original writer, as if the community disagrees with, or doesn’t trust, the writer to make the best/correct decision for their character.
And I think Instalove has been unfairly criticised with this TTT. In straight Romance, it’s certainly deserving of the criticism; but in SFF or more psychological thrillers, there is some evidence to suggest that people thrown together in close proximity will develop what they interpret to be feelings of love (but are more likely desperate feelings of bonding and trust). In any case, Instalove still has a place, especially if the ‘spell’ can be broken after the end of the harsh environment.
Otherwise, I agree with everything else (can’t speak about Stiefvater though, haven’t read anything from her).
The shipping! How did I forget the shipping!? Great list, Cassie. 🙂 I REALLY need to read more books by Maggie Stiefvater — especially if she writes good romance. 🙂
Yes! How could you forget the shipping?
AND YES READ ALL THE MAGGIE STIEFVATER!!! She is amazing.
I hate books where it’s all romance and no conversation. Seriously why can’t you do something else? Why can’t you be friends at the same time? Why can’t you have witty banter? Doesn’t conversation help romance along?
I agree with the shipping. It’s so fun! I agree with every single thing you’ve said. And BTW, I think books with trust are some of the best. Why does every single person question how trust worthy the other is? Why do they always get into a conflicted over it? It seems you can’t have a romance without it now. And then to make things worse sometimes it happens more than once. Seriously!
Sorry, I’ve just gotten ranting:P My bad:)
No, don’t feel bad about the ranting. Ranting is good, let it out.
But, yes, the lack-of-trust thing is something I see pretty often. It annoys me quite a bit, because it’s all “I love him, but the second that other girl talks to him I’m going to assume he’s an untrustworthy jerk even though he says he loves me”…grrr
And the witty banter! How I love the witty banter!
This is second such list I’ve read in past 10 minutes and this is so funny 😛
I also dislike when either of the two people have much character like in twilight..and love triangles are over used now 😛
Glad to have amused you *bows*
And love triangles are becoming over-used, but I find that they can still be done well.
What annoys me is when they feel shoved in there because the author needed more conflict or something.
This is a great list! The trust thing is also a big part of any relationship for me, and I also get super annoyed when the main characters are “in love” but never talk about anything important!!
Yeah. Because they say they’re in love, and yet never speak to each other? Like, how do you even?
what a well thought out list! Kelley at the road goes ever ever on
Aww, thank you 🙂
And thanks for visiting 🙂
Oh YES, the shipping! It’s so much fun 😀 And a HUGE yes for well-written love triangle! The bad ones are just a pain in the butt, but the good ones are awesome to read 😀 Awesome list!
Yes! It’s important to note that love triangles can still be done well.
Nevertheless, I was relieved when there was no love triangle in Divergent or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. They didn’t need it.
And shipping is the best thing ever. One day, I’m going to make a heap of paper boats, write a ship on each one of them, and have shipping wars with my sister.
And we’re going to sink the ships that have sunk.
I am with you on love triangles and instalove! I like when couples are best friends too. Great list! ~ Megan
http://wp.me/pzUn5-2fZ
Yes, I have a feeling that instalove would have made a lot of people’s lists. (I didn’t get a chance to visit around, though)
And couples that are best friends are the best.
Love this list!!!! I changed mine up a bit check it out 🙂 http://bookbabble.weebly.com/blog/top-ten-tuesday2
HA HA HA HA HA!!!! “Take you away to marry a relative” BEST!!!! XD omg and can I just AGREE 100% ABOUT MAGGIE STIEFVATER ROMANCE!!!! So lovely. Always.
Wow now I feel like going to edit my first draft novel because I have included things that are hateful to a few bloggers…. gosh darn it!
The thing is, I’ve actually seen the relative thing happen…more than once! It starts a whole range of complications when the guy decides he wants her for himself.
And then there’s the poor girl who knows nothing.
And you may not need to cut out the things that are hateful…just make sure they are done well and serve a purpose. There is nothing more annoying than a love triangle that feels like it is only there because the author was running out of ideas.
And I don’t mind instalove if there’s some supernatural connection-thingy going on…like in a book where they keep reincarnating and are drawn together only to have her die and him to live on in the pain of losing her until he dies and they are both reborn and drawn together again. I quite liked that.