Last month my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary and I’m still feeling sappy about it. So, I hope you’ll indulge me another post inspired by my own real-life romance! With every year that passes, I appreciate more and more how romance changes and gets better with time. That’s not to say it’s been easy. Any of you who are married know how much hard work and intention it takes to make it one year, twenty years, or fifty.
But the twenty-something baby versions of my husband and I who promised to grow old together on a hot July day in 2002 are now 40-somethings with reading glasses and a big bottle of ibuprofen who can look at each other and say “we’re actually doing it!” It’s such a simple but profound sweetness.
This milestone in my own love story has me thinking about CCR books out there with more mature couples. At 41, I don’t consider myself old by any stretch, but for the sake of this book list I’m including titles with main characters who are 40+ as well. Some are finding love for the first time, others are seeking second chances, and some are even already married but in need of renewal. Be sure to add others you’ve read in the comments!
Hope at Last
A widow, a widower, and some matchmaking daughters come together in this lovely CCR by Elizabeth Maddrey—the last in her 6-book Hope Ranch Series.
Chapel Cove Romances Series
This collection includes fourteen sweet romances set in Chapel Cove, Oregon – “where life begins at forty.” Includes several titles by IR’s own Marion Ueckermann as well as other Christian authors!
Irresistibly Yours
In this beautiful classic love story by Andrea Boyd, Vivian’s late husband left her wanting nothing to do with love. But widower Bo makes it his mission to patiently woo her into a second chance for romance and happiness.
The Fab Forties Series
This four-book rom-com series by Liwen Y Ho tells stories of forty-somethings looking for love that’ll make you laugh but was written with readers of all ages in mind.
An Unscripted Christmas
A bonus “Christmas in July” style entry! My novella in the Christmas in Mistletoe Square collection tells the story of Ellie and Oliver, owners of the local theater who’ve been married for thirty years but find themselves hoping for a second act when things go off script.
Cadence of Cranberries
If you love holiday books, you’ve also got to check out Valerie Comer’s festive story of a widow and a divorcé in their 50s who attempt to meld family customs in helping plan their kids’ wedding, but neither is looking for love a second time around.
I’d love to hear if you like stories with more mature characters or about a book with mature characters that you’ve enjoyed not listed here. Leave a comment so we can continue the conversation!
Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern contemporary romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications professional. Teresa is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She’s an introverted Enneagram 4 (if you know, you know) and loves coffee, traveling, and almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
I do like to read stories about mature couples and I enjoyed the Chapel Cove series and Marion Ueckermann’s books in that series. I’ve also enjoyed Juliette Duncan’s A Sunburned Land Series.
Happy Anniversary. So fun. My in laws were married 50 years and my parents were married 52 years. My husband and I will be married 40 years this September. Yes you are so right that it takes intentionality and perseverance and joy to serve the other person the way God intended us to. I now love characters that are a little more mature. They have a specialness about them that I felt the same way many years ago with younger characters. They have been through the younger years and now wonder if love will come their way again. They are wiser in some areas which can be fun to read
Each love story is special, no matter the age of the couple. There are differences and similarities with each “age,”
and I enjoy a well-written romance whether the couple is in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or more. :)
One I loved (and was honored to be asked to read an ARC) was Believing the Hero by Tara Grace Ericson. LOVED it!! Autumn McArthur has an older couple in two of her Love In Store books, Nothing More and Least Expected, and also in the Tuscan Legacy series. I know I’ve read others, but these are the ones that stick out now!! As an older person, I love romances with older couples!
I’ll have to check Juliette’s series. Thanks!
I think you’re so right! Thanks and happy soon-to-be 40th!
Absolutely!
Oh, that gives me several others to check out. Thanks!
I love reading books with mature couples, I like to read as how they are doing as they age , I read a beautiful book called “My Heart Weeps” by Pamela S. Thibodeaux ,it is about a mature lady grieving the death of her husband and she meets a man who becomes very special to her. It is a very good book , to me it is a Second chance at love for a woman who lost her husband.
Happy anniversary, congratulations on 20 years! I’m your age but only coming up to 12 years married this September.
I think as I get older I do enjoy stories with characters of all ages, though I haven’t read many. I really enjoyed Elizabeth Maddrey’s ‘Hope at last’ (and the whole series) that you mentioned, and I think I’ve read a couple by Evangeline Kelly with older than typical heroines but I can’t remember exactly which. Thank you for the list, and to the other commenters, I will add them to my to read list.
I enjoy more mature characters because they tend not to have as much overt drama. :D
I loved the Fab Forties series, and I have most of the Chapel Cove Romances Series on my TBR list. I think Alexa Verde’s Cowboy Crossing Romances features heroines in their 40s.
Also, Happy (late) anniversary! May God bless you and your family!
That sounds lovely!
Lots of great ones to choose from for sure!
That’s true! Though every story needs a little drama. Ha!
Thanks so much!
My parents were married 72 years. They knew that it took work, forgiveness, and lots of prayers.
Since I am 70, but closer to 71, I do now enjoy stories with mature characters. I have several books with older heroes and heroines on my TBR list.
Being a mature character myself, I like characters in my age bracket.
I read a Barbour novella 4 in one book named Autumn with all stories in the autumn of their lives. I didn’t agree with the definition at the time and still don’t but enjoyed the stories.
They had Spring is 0 – 20, Summer is 20 – 40, Autumn is 40 – 60 and Winter is over 60. I was in my later 40;s and no way did I think I was in the autumn of my life.
Cecilia Dowdy has one of the book I think its Caramel Kisses with an older couple I haven’t read it yet but I did buy it and its on my TBR pile. I have read others too and I love them. Kaye Darcus had chracters in min – late 30’s finding love for the first time.
Yes, I enjoy reading about mature couples as we are advancing in years. My brain is not coming up with any books that feature mature couples. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I do enjoy reading books with more mature characters as long as the story holds my interest! I adore The Fab Forties Series!
Happy Anniversary! I haven’t read very many books with couples in that are group, I’ll check these out. Thank you for sharing.
Seventy two! That is incredible!
I think it’s natural to enjoy characters who age with us.
Right! I think it just makes sense.
Yeah, that seasons notion of ages does seem a bit off. But I guess I see what they were going for.
Same to you. Thanks!
Same! No matter the age, must hold our attention.
Thank you!
can be interesting
Happy Anniversary!
I haven’t read that many over 40s books since I’m new to the genre.
Will have a look at the recommendations.
I must love mature romance stories because I’ve read every book on your list and loved them all!
One of the books was a couple about to be empty nesters just dropped the child to college. then one they were in their 80’s.
I agree!
Wonderful!
Appy Anniversary! I love reading books with mature characters! Have a great Day!
That was suppose to say Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary ❤️
We’ll celebrate our 20th in February 😁
I’ve enjoyed The Fab Forties Seriea!
Happy Anniversary!
I love “older” couples in books, I find I can’t read teen romances as I feel so out of touch (I’m only 41 lol).
I love Sandra D Bricker’s books she has a few with over 40’s characters. I feel like Janice Thompson’s are older but no idea of the main characters actual ages.
Also read most of the ones you mentioned plus Cecelia Dowdy.
My grandparents were married 70 years before my grandma passed away suddenly on March 24 2020. In November my parents will be married for 27 or 28 years.I like both mature and not mature characters in books.
I enjoy a romance with more mature couples. It gives me hope of finding my own special someone as I get older.
I like to read more in my age range (40s) but but I also enjoy a variety of other age ranges.
Offhand, I can’t think of any CCR books I’ve read that feature a mature couple but I have read several women’s fiction books that feature mature couples and enjoyed those. I think the main reason I haven’t read any is that they are somewhat few and far between, although you have some great suggestions listed.
Personally, I like stories with couples no matter the age. I’m 20 but I’m also writing a book about a couple in their late 30s, so I don’t really care about age… Unless it’s too young, I don’t really like teen romances but I’ve enjoyed many mature romances.