Have you ever been out on a date with someone and felt like the two of you were really clicking, only to never hear from the guy (or gal) again?
Yep, me, too.
That’s part of what makes dating exciting, I think—the uncertainty. It’s also what makes reading a romance novel so much fun.
You’re pretty sure the hero and heroine are going to come through all their ups and downs and twists and turns to get to their happily ever after, but you can’t help but wonder, How on earth are these two crazy kids ever going to work things out?
In my opinion, the more angst, the better! I love reading a book that pulls my emotions all over the place.
If it’s clear to me how a fictitious couple is going to solve their problems, I get bored. Yes, I want that happily-ever-after (HEA) ending, but I don’t want it to come easy. I want those characters to work for it. I want to be kept guessing about how they’re going to earn their HEA until almost the last page.
My husband doesn’t understand my love of angsty romance novels. For him, reading about someone else’s emotional conflict doesn’t sound like any fun.
For me, though, reading an angsty book about characters I truly care about is a way to inject a little emotional excitement into my life without having to actually experience it . . . or its unpleasant side effects (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger, etc.).
Of course, it’s also very satisfying to read about characters who, with God’s help, work through their issues and find true love.
For me, the happy ending is just so much sweeter when it’s hard earned.
How about you? Do you like angsty books, or do you prefer a kinder, gentler storyline?
Elizabeth Maddrey says
I like just enough angst – and then once I’m past that threshold, I have a hard time. It’s super unhelpful because I can’t quantify exactly what “just enough” is. But I have put books in my finish another time pile for having too much.
Kathleen Mattingly says
I like to read both types, as long as it’s not overly done.
Jcp says
I prefer a kinder or gentler read but if there’s angst I want to know before I read it (ie. Blurb)
Trudy says
I like both, depending on how it’s done. I don’t want so much that you wonder if they’d ever really be happy, but I don’t everything to be all rosy and wonderful, either.
Meghann Whistler says
I understand! I haven’t found a lot of overly angsty Christian reads, but there have definitely been some secular books I’ve read that have been WAY over the top!
Meghann Whistler says
I think that’s key! If it’s overdone, it’s not believable!
Meghann Whistler says
Makes sense!!!
Meghann Whistler says
That’s such a good point, Trudy! If the angst is coming from the fact that the hero and heroine just aren’t well suited to each other, then that’s no fun to read at all!
Trixi says
Meghann, I absolutely agree with you on your statement “the happy ending is just so much sweeter when it’s hard earned”. I don’t know why that’s true for me too, but it seems like it’s more rewarding when the hero & heroine have gone through tough times & come out the other side with a love that’s stronger for it. Not that I like seeing them go through things, of course, but it’s just so much more satisfying seeing them FINALLY happy :-) I much prefer the angsty books. My favorite type are the second-chance or reunion romance for the fact that they need to work through WHY the relationship didn’t work the first time around. I love when the writer peels back those layers exposing the wrong to get to the right…and the HEA again of course!
There are times that I DO want a kinder storyline, however. Maybe I’m going through something myself and just need a comforting read that’s easy on my heart. Or maybe I’m just in the mood for one.
I think there needs to be a balance though (like I’ve always said), I don’t want TOO much angst because that turns me off…..it makes the storyline unrealistic in my mind & the love story frustrating. But at the same token, I don’t want it TOO easy or perfect either….because that’s unrealistic as well. And then I become very bored and not feel like I want to finish the book (rolling my eyes the whole time through it, lol). A good balance makes for a good book in my opinion :-)
Meghann Whistler says
YES!!! I feel exactly the same way, Trixi! If there’s too much angst, the story isn’t believable, but if there’s too little, it’s boring!
I started reading Christian fiction during a time in my life when I needed kinder, gentler stories… and then I got hooked! I’ve found that angsty Christian romance is generally a lot LESS angsty than angsty secular books, so I guess when I say I like my books angsty, the caveat is that I like the angsty Christian reads! 😁
Lori Smanski says
I am so with you. LOL and my husband is like yours LOL
I really love it when God works in their lives and they have to go through hardships and or work hard to get to the end
Meghann Whistler says
It’s awesome seeing what God can do, isn’t it? 😊
Priscila Perales says
I like them, though it has to be the right balance of not too easy, not too hard. Maybe that’s why I enjoy the “enemies to lovers” trope so much? Since the question is up there from the beginning (how are these two ever going to end up together?).
Debra Pruss says
I have to say it would depend on my mood. I enjoy reading them both. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Mary Preston says
It depends upon the type of angst. Too much self pity and I want them to discover a backbone – quickly.
Meghann Whistler says
Enemies to lovers is great!!!
Meghann Whistler says
Thank you, Debra! Blessings to you, too! 💖
Meghann Whistler says
LOL — I agree! Self pity is the worst!
Babbling Becky L says
While I like some angst, I do dislike it when it comes at the cost of one or the other of the characters being “wishy-washy.”
Meghann Whistler says
Ooh, yes — I hear you! There needs to be some good external conflict keeping them apart — not just one character’s insecurity!
Lilly says
I usually prefer funny stories with touches of comedy where something distressing happens at some point, the blow is stronger that way! hahaha without leaving me emotionally tired. I usually really like a story where the anguish comes from a side that is not the insecurity/stubbornness of both or one of the characters like… they both work in an orphanage, oh no! some people want to expropriate it to build an elite academy! things like that.
In anguish I like stories from best friends to lovers, especially when the hero takes the heroine for granted then gets a girlfriend who amuses him, attracts him, etc. Then the heroine (in love with him or not) decides to distance herself to go out with someone too or simply says “ok I’ve been doing some things that your girlfriend/future wife should do I think I should distance myself”. And he loses his mind lol It’s really gratifying and funny to see the hero being punished for the plot due to his lust and blindness to see that his ideal woman was next door.
Lilly says
TRUE! secular books are a lot of the idea of making angst books where everything is absolutely miserable and hopeless for one of the characters or both and they ONLY find comfort and help in the other, which not only excludes Jesus and gives unrealistic expectations ( a human will not bring you redemption or salvation) but everything is so terrible!
The heroine grew up on the streets, with an addicted mother, they try to rape her several times, then she finds a friend, that friend dies, she gets a job, they fire her, nobody helps her, they are all bad, she meets the hero and oh no! they discover that he or she has a dangerous, apparently incurable disease. Or she gets pregnant and has an abortion. Christians simply know that God would never beat you beyond what you can bear to leave your soul broken.
Amy Perrault says
I enjoy angsty books mostly especially to know about the person while reading there story.
Sylvain Perrault says
I like both types of books really
Trixi says
100% agree Meghann….I only read Christian fiction so anything I read must be Christian. :-) Angsty, gentle or anything in between.
I can’t do life without God and so the characters shouldn’t either. :-)
bn100 says
both
Ausjenny says
I’m late. I think it depends how it does. If the angst gets to much or is more from a heroine who so insecure I want to reach in and knock some sense into her its too much. Its the type of character that really annoys me when they are a strong women (due to the job or what they do) but are showed as being so insecure and doubting all they do. This type of person (male or female) wouldn’t be where they are if they were so full of angsts and this is what drives me made.
On a whole I would side with your husband on what I would want to read.
Meghann Whistler says
I love this, Lilly — “a human will not bring you redemption or salvation.” So true!!!
Meghann Whistler says
Amen, Trixi!!!
Meghann Whistler says
I like books with humor, too!
I don’t really love the books where the hero is clueless and goes out with other women, though. In the end, I almost never feel like he deserves the heroine, and I almost always wish that she’d found someone who saw her worth right away!
Meghann Whistler says
❤️❤️❤️
Meghann Whistler says
It’s nice to have options!!!
Meghann Whistler says
👍
Meghann Whistler says
I agree that an insecure hero or heroine gets old pretty quickly!