About four years ago, I started entering contests hosted by Harlequin Love Inspired in an effort to get my manuscripts in front of a particular editorial team and hopefully receive a publishing contract. This quest morphed into becoming a student of all things Love Inspired. What’s this line of sweet romances all about, anyway? What keeps readers engaged and consistently buying these books? I’ve learned a lot, not only from reading the line, but also from submitting to the editors and receiving valuable feedback, as well as speaking with other authors who’ve published repeatedly with Love Inspired.
Puppies, firefighters, law enforcement, cowboys, natural disasters, Amish communities, small towns … these are just a few of the characteristics that consistently show up in Love Inspired novels. The longer I mingled with this fantastic community of editors and authors, the more I realized their casual references to a specific aspect of pop culture were lost on me.
Gilmore Girls? What’s that?
Lauren Graham? Isn’t she the actress from Parenthood?
It was clearly a delightful, fictious slice of Americana that I was missing out on. I felt like everybody was drinking coffee at Luke’s Diner without me. So began my quest to binge-watch six seasons I mean, um, check out a couple of episodes on Netflix and see what all the fuss over Stars Hallow, Connecticut was about.
Now that I’m well-acquainted with all things Gilmore Girls, I must say that my friends at Love Inspired have drawn some great parallels between what works in the show and what also drives a compelling sweet romance. Without further ado, here’s my list of 10 reasons why sweet romance readers love a place like Stars Hollow.
- Luke’s Diner (and Luke! AKA, the flawed and loveable handsome hero sporting a plaid shirt, baseball cap and ever-present five o’clock shadow).
- The gazebo: every small town needs a cute gazebo, don’t you think? *Spoiler alert* also the perfect setting for a romantic first kiss.
- A quaint bed and breakfast: gives the heroine a place to work and tackle all manner of hospitality issues (when she isn’t being a single mom or drinking coffee at Luke’s diner).
- Unique cast of characters that emphasize other characters’ strengths and weaknesses. The vast differences between the residents both unite and divide the community, which fuels tremendous interpersonal conflict and keeps the plot rolling.
- Noticeable contrast between the wealthy and the middle class: this age-old divide has served as the subplot for about a zillion different novels, movies and TV shows. I suppose because it works. In both sweet romance novels and Gilmore Girls, the different expectations and obstacles keep the viewer/reader engaged. It makes us feel empathy and root for the heroine to succeed.
- Fantastic, witty dialogue: whether on the screen or in a novel, well-crafted dialogue is key. Funny, poignant, and well-timed wins every time.
- Emotional baggage and gritty backstory: I love a good backstory and a hero and heroine who are really wrestling with their flaws and the wounds of their pasts. Sweet romance and Gilmore Girls have both. And I love it!
- Coffee. Need I say more? The references to this exquisite beverage are abundnant in the show. Here’s one of my favorites:
9. A simmering romance developing at a comfortable pace. While there is certainly a time and a place for a whirlwind courtship, Luke and Lorelai’s relationship builds over several seasons. It’s plausible, entertaining and keeps the audience engaged.
10. Strong female friendships: Gilmore Girls features three generations of Gilmore women. Their friendships with other women are often a crucial part of the plot. I value my friendships with other women, even though sometimes those relationships are challenging, and I love how this plays out in fiction and TV, too. A strong female friendship adds another layer to a plot and makes for well-rounded characters.
If you haven’t already heard, Gilmore Girls is returning to Netflix next week. While many Americans will commemorate the day after Thanksgiving with Christmas shopping, visiting family, watching football and eating leftovers, there will be a vast segment of the population glued to their devices, eager to enjoy every minute of this show’s new content. Curious? I recommend checking out the Gilmore Girls Facebook page for more details.
Your turn: do you watch Gilmore Girls and are you excited about its return?
Photo credit: Freddy Castro via Unsplash
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her formative years in Alaska. Her unique upbringing, coupled with Alaska's breathtaking scenery, fueled her active imagination and loosely inspired her debut novel, Unraveled. Heidi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three active little boys. When Heidi isn't stepping on Legos, chauffeuring the boys around suburbia or watching one of their many sporting events, she loves to read and write heartwarming romance.
Hmm, good breakdown of reasons! I have only watched a couple of episodes of Gilmore Girls. I enjoyed them, but it was shown here during the afternoon- when everyone is at work!! so it was a bit hard to get into. Have fun watching new episodes:)
I never watched Gilmore Girls when it was a weekly episode…I’d never heard of it. About a year ago, I stumbled upon a rerun and started recording them for “research.” :) I’ll admit it makes my daily hour workout go a lot faster. Enjoy the return, Heidi! I don’t have Netflix so I’ll wait for your review. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Hi Heidi and thanks for sharing your writing journey. i never watched Gilmore Girls. Living in a small community in SW Michigan, I know our unique setting works well for Love Inspired romances. Jessica Keller uses our West Michigan towns as inspiration for her Love Inspired Goose Harbor Series. Happy Writing and Happy Thanksgiving.
I love Gilmore Girls, I am currently binge watching to try to be fresh and ready for the 4 new episodes! Am only on season 2 right now but I am going to try my best to get done in time anyway! Lol I may have to wait a few more days to watch the 4 new episodes but am going to try anyway.
I love Gilmore Girls! My friend and I are going to watch the new one on Friday! We are so excited!
Thank you for reading my post. Yes, I think I was busy with babies and toddlers when it came around the first time because I completely missed it. I watched the series finale last night and super glad I only have to wait a short time to see the new material. Have a great weekend!
Hi, Jill. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, all this binge watching is in the name of research. Of course. :-) I will happily watch the new stuff and report back. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Renate. Yes, you are so right, Michigan is the setting for several Love Inspired novels. Jessica’s The Fireman’s Secret is a great read and I LOVED the cover of Small Town Girl, another Goose Harbor novel. Haven’t made time to read that one, but I hope to do so very soon. Thank you for reading my post and a happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
Hi, Cassandra. Truth-telling time: I skipped ahead and watched the end of the series last night. Although clearly I missed a major plot point because someone was talking about ‘Jess’ and how he is in a new show now and I have no idea who Jess is. Perhaps I have more watching to do. Enjoy the show and the new episodes whenever you have a chance. Take care!
I’m very excited, too, Beth. Happy watching!
I’ve watched it when it first aired. Was disappointed when ended. All the characters had such an amazing relationship. I might catch an episode or 2 on Netflix.
Really entertaining post today! I am a big Gilmore Girls fan and can’t wait to see all the actors reunited in Stars Hallow again!!
I watched the series finale for the first time last night, Colleen. Totally cried. So glad I only have to wait a week for more. Can’t imagine how all the long-time fans must’ve felt, waiting all this time for the ‘revival’. Super excited!
Thank you, Linda. It was a fun post to write. Not much longer to wait, right? Have a great week.
I am one of those who has yet to meet the Gilmore Girls. Where is the time? That’s my struggle. One of these days, though, I will get to them!
I’ve never watched an episode of this show. My sister-in-law raves about it, and while it sounds like a good one–for me anyway–it just doesn’t appeal (Sorry all you die-hard fans!). I do enjoy these same examples in books though, this is why I LOVE to read as much as I do.
I’m just not a big TV or movie fan anymore!
What a wonderful post!~ You are so right. Love Inspired is about small town America, just like Gilmore Girls. Did you know the TV show, Hart of Dixie uses the town square and gazebo from Gilmore Girls.
Praying for success as you write with Love Inspired as your target. You certainly GET IT!!