I read in multiple genres, and I like reading stories that include characters who I dislike, or even hate. In a contemporary Christian Romance (CCR) I’m okay with disliking characters as long as they aren’t the hero or heroine. I don’t want to be stuck in an unlikeable character’s point of view for long periods of time, and hating every moment in their headspace. Those are the CCR books I’ll DNF (did not finish).
Sometimes the characters I love to hate will exhibit narcissistic traits in the story. These types of characters, if well written, can feel like real people. I’ll recognise their toxic behavior patterns and expect them to cause problems in the story.
People with narcissistic traits can be attracted to religious organizations for a range of reasons. The defined rules of religious moral behavior can give them leverage to control and manipulate others. Not that they actually follow the rules themselves unless it’s convenient. They often believe they’re superior and the rules don’t apply to them.
Characters with narcissistic traits like mayhem and drama. They delight in creating trouble and chaos for the main characters in the story who may, or may not, be aware of their true nature. These characters are phonys who will act nice and sweet and say all the right things to get what they want. They can also be passive aggressive and nasty if their inappropriate behavior is challenged.
I thankfully don’t often see these types of people in main character roles in CCR books. Being in their point of view is revealing, and disturbing, because I’m gaining an insider look into what these characters are really thinking and feeling. I want to believe the hero and heroine in a romance story are worthy of each other. I want to cheer for them and believe that a happily-ever-after in a God-centered marriage is possible and realistic.
In other genres, these types of characters can make for great villains. In soap operas, they’re the characters who connive, manipulate, and behave in extreme ways to get what they want. They often drive the conflict in the storylines and hook the viewers who can’t wait to see what crazy stunt they’ll pull next. One reason I struggle watching reality tv dating shows is I don’t like seeing people in supposedly real life situations being portrayed as having narcissistic traits.
In real life, people with narcissistic tendencies are horrible to be around. They are typically the people who are always right, can never genuinely apologize for anything, and often default to gaslighting to get out of sticky situations. They thrive on creating drama and strife that’s never their fault. Their extreme selfishness, which we often don’t see when we first meet them because they fool us with their phony ‘nice person’ act, is psychologically damaging for their victims, and it sadly keeps psychologists and therapists in business.
I’m going to let you in on a secret from the Trinity Lakes Romance series that’s not a spoiler if you read the book description. Kyla, a side character in Meredith Resce’s The Ocean Between Us, has narcissistic traits.
Kyla is mentioned in my book, Never Find Another You. My characters have mixed opinions on Kyla. Hannah, my heroine, has only ever seen the nice side of Kyla. But her friend’s Tabby (heroine in Iola Goulton’s debut book, Always By My Side) and Leah (heroine in I’ll Always Choose You by Lisa Renee) have seen a different side of Kyla.
At the start of The Ocean Between Us, Kyla is newly engaged to Caleb. Here’s the book description for The Ocean Between Us (Trinity Lakes Romance, Book 2):
Alanah, has set off on a trip of a lifetime.
Her best friend from high school, Sasha Kennedy, has invited her to Trinity Lakes, Washington State, to be part of her wedding party.
South Australia to Trinity Lakes is literally the other side of the world, so Alanah has a full schedule of adventure planned while she’s away. A summer camp counsellor; a trip to Canada; Sight-seeing in New York and Boston; and avoiding Sasha’s twin-brother, Caleb.
But a silly accident puts Sasha out of commission for all the planned adventures, and Caleb is sent to retrieve his former high school sweetheart from the airport. Eleven years should be enough time to have cooled the love Alanah and Caleb once shared. Should be, but apparently not. This is not a great thing to acknowledge considering Caleb has just announced his engagement to someone else.
Six months of avoiding Caleb—worse—avoiding feelings about Caleb—is going to be a long time.
Available for preorder at Amazon
Last weekend we recorded a batch of StoryChats @ InspyRomance episodes, including a spotlight episode with Nicole Deese chatting about her April release, The Words We Lost. Nicole has a fabulous side character, SaBrina, who is Ingrid’s boss, and a truly awful person who is mean to Ingrid. It was satisfying to see SaBrina reap the consequences of her behavior during the story.
What are your thoughts on unlikeable characters in CCR? Can you think of any side characters who you disliked? Did they reap the consequences of their actions by the end of the story (or series)?
I’m giving away a $10 Amazon US gift card (or $15 Australian dollars gift card from Amazon AU store) to a reader who comments on this post. The giveaway will close on March 16, and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I have come across a few characters that I didn’t like very much, because of their nasty ways and trying to cause problems for others in the story. Normally, they do get their come-uppance by the end of the book. I can’t really think of a particular person right off.
Have a beautiful day!
I have read some books that have characters that I don’t like. I usually keep reading on hoping the character will change. Sometimes I have seen the character change in the next book in the series which makes me feel good and I end up liking the character.
I completely agree I wouldn’t want the hero/heroine to have narcissistic traits, but these sort of characters can make good side characters and help build the drama in a story. I can’t think of any specific examples right off but I’ve definitely read stories where a parent or ex partner of the hero or heroine have been like this, and sometimes their behaviour causes conflict between the central characters or sometimes it brings them together because they need help to deal with the narcissistic character.
A book having different types of characters always make for an interesting book. If all the characters have the same type of personalities, the book can be somewhat boring. Of course, I wouldn’t want the the main characters to be narcissistic, but I do like to read about real life behaviors /real people.
I like characters that I don’t like well especially when they are redeemed. Thank you for sharing.
I have quite a few characters in books that I dislike, and one I want killed off! lol!! That particular one is not in CCR, but a historical western. I would NOT want to see a character like him in a CCR, though I have seen some almost as bad, and they get redeemed. At least, some of them do. To be honest, while I want my hero and heroine to be redeemed, some of the side characters need to stay “bad” and then just fade away, as everyone in real life is not redeemed. I don’t want a “perfect” world even in books, just better than what we have in real life.
I have read books with characters I dislike. Some of the books I did not finish.
great post today. welcome. my niece gave me my first Agatha Christie book. The Mysterious Affair at Styles. the perceived bad guy was Emily Inglethorp’s second, much younger husband. I fell into the group of not liking him either. I was sure he was the killer, the slime ball.
I have read some books that I dislike a character and hoping later in the book I like the character more.
Hi Narelle :)
The one that just came to mind was Mrs. P(etersen) from Joanna Alonzo’s “The Prodigal Ones” series. I think it’s interesting how she wrote her, yet also showed her as a human being, with her reasons for being/doing what she did (of course, we only find out more about this character towards the end of the series, but especially in Prodigals Once.) I think, for me, there has to be a reason why they’re like that (and not just have an “evil” character just for the sake of it), and/or for them to reap the consequences of their actions by the end of the story.
I’ve read several books with side characters I despised. I think having characters like that can really drive the storyline, but it’s also fun to see those same characters have a redeeming moment and get their own story sometimes too.
I have read several books with unlikable characters. One was a thriller. The character at first seemed like a hero, but in the end was the bad guy and I did not see it coming at all. I believe he may have died in the end.
Great post. I have some characters I dislike
Hi, I like to read books that have not very likable characters , but then they are redeemed and I really enjoy the story alot more. It really makes a story more interesting and more real when there are characters in books that are more like real people . I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for sharing it.
Sometimes unlikeable characters seem the most real.
Vera, a boss in the 86 Bloomberg Place series by Melody Carlson, is a pretty nasty character. I’m not at the end of the series yet, so I don’t know if she gets her comeuppance or not :)
I like to see the author bring a very unlikable character, and redeem their behavior later in the story.
Great post I have read some books where I disliked the character.
In Betsy Amant’s book, Taco’s for Two, the father who was the head of the law firm had those traits. It is hard to read when you have lived through family members who are the same way. Betsy did a fabulous job writing the character. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I like unlikeable side characters. It moves the story along. I’m looking forward to Nicole’s new book.
I don’t mind unlikeable characters as a side character I too don’t want to read a book with a naracistic heor/heroine. especially if the way to transform them is the salvation conversion as in reality it takes way more than this. Having dealt with a few in the past few years I would struggle with a converstion unless we find there was abuse in childhood or a traumatic incident.
I have read an advance copy of Meredith Resce’s book and Kyla is a peice of work. I am sure she will keep popping up and I would like her to get a real wake up call but I don’t want a quick fix. It would need to happen over time and maybe cumulate in a situation that makes her wise up or face the consequences of her behaviour. In reality narcissists then to thrive on drama and the only time you can take control is by calling out the behavour and refusing to partake in it anymore. (it really frustrates them when they realise you are no longer engaging with them).
In books they do like to create mayham and in most cases it brings the hero/heroine closer after they work out and address the behaviour.
could be interesting to read
Hi Bonnie, It can be good to see nasty characters put in a situation where they have to deal with the consequences of their actions. Sometimes it’s not possible, and in real life many people get away with not experiencing any consequences. Enjoy your day and thanks for commenting. 😊
I have read books with characters that I didn’t like very much or that were very annoying. I usually just ignore them just as I do in real life. It has never been enough to make me stop reading a book because it’s part of the story.
PS one who did it well was Mary Connealy it was historical but there was an unlikeable character infact I really disliked him and we were meant to he was in the 3 book series and we do learn why he was this way and eventually due to circumstances he is reformed but he has to pay for some of what he did. By book three he is the hero all be reluctant hero and full of self doubts but the change was real and plausible. I think this is the only way this sort of character could be changed over books and while as a side character. To give them a book when they are like this would have so many not wanting to read it. I know I would really struggle to read a book is someoene like Kyla got her own book before she changed.
Hi Lori, I do like learning more about characters and what makes them tick. Understanding why they behave in certain ways can make me more invested in them. Sometimes that extra bit of insight into their background can make them more likeable as I read on and understand them better. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I think every good story has someone who’s isn’t as lovable as the hero and heroine, but when they become truly unlikable it can get a little tricky for me. Some such characters I love (and love to read their redemption story later), but others I just want to go away and leave the other characters alone. I’m not sure where the difference lies between me connecting with them versus not.
Hi Ruthie, The family dynamics, when a family member has narcissistic traits, are very complicated. When they’re side characters in a story, the drama they create can help to bring the main characters closer together. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kathleen, I agree that stories with a variety of characters and different personality types are more interesting. Well rounded characters with depth are my favorite because I understand who they are and why they say and do things in the story. These types of characters are realistic and relatable. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lucy, It can be good to see unlikable characters redeemed, depending on the situation. I’ve discovered I can dislike characters who other readers love, and vice versa. I do love a powerful redemption story. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, I agree, it’s not realistic for all the bad side characters to be redeemed. I really like seeing awful characters receive justice in the story that often wouldn’t happen in real life. The villain being brought to justice in the mystery/suspense/thriller genres is an essential story element. In CCR, there’s room for antagonists and villains to get what they deserve, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Rita, yes, I’ll stop reading as well if I strongly dislike one of the viewpoint characters in a CCR and can’t stand being in their head. If I dislike them, I will struggle to believe that a happily-ever-after ending for the romance is possible or plausible. Then I’m pulled out of the story and quit reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, I love it when we can remember reading the first book by a new-to-us author. I loved Agatha Christie’s books (and movies). The whodunnits often have a cast of quirky characters who are the potential villain, and we pick our ‘winner’ who we often dislike. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kendra, I feel like that when it’s the hero or heroine who didn’t give me a great first impression. I’m always happy if I’ve kept reading and started liking the characters. Sometimes those books can be the best books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Priscila, I agree, one dimensional characters are boring because we don’t know enough about them to understand who they are and what’s motivating them. Mrs. P sounds like a fascinating character from Joanna’s series. I like seeing consequences but I know it’s not always possible, depending on the story. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Megan, yes, these difficult character can drive the storyline in interesting directions and create obstacles for the main characters. It’s fun when it’s possible for some of these characters to get their own story. I loved seeing Connor from Valerie Comer’s ‘Urban Farm Fresh Romance’ series gets his own story in ‘Her Unlikely Hero’ in the new Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bonnie, I read thrillers, and I like those types of stories where you can’t pick the ending. The bad guy dying can make for a satisfying conclusion. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Elizabeth, thank you. Appreciate your comment. 😊
Hi Mary, yes, I agree, they are realistic. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Unlikeable characters are sometimes necessary for the story, so I don’t mind them in the story as long as the unlikeable character does not take over the main character’s likability. I don’t think all unlikeable characters have to reap what they sow since that is not “real life”.
Hi Alicia, You’re very welcome. Perfect characters are often boring characters, and they aren’t a reflection of real life. I like reading stories with redemption themes. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kathy, I haven’t read that series by Melody, but I’ve appreciated reading about nasty and badly behaved characters in some of her other books. In Melody’s latest book, Second Time Around, there were a few characters who weren’t pleasant but were entertaining to read. Those characters added to my enjoyment of the story. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Susanne, I agree, it’s satisfying to see the character growth, and the character being redeemed later in the story. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sarah, thank you. Appreciate your comment. 😊
Hi Debra, yes, I remember the unpleasant and difficult lawyer father in Tacos for Two. I loved the way Betsy portrayed his character, too. I need to reread that book! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Paula, I enjoyed Nicole’s book, and I guarantee you’ll be disliking SaBrina, too. It was satisfying to see what happens with SaBrina’s character before the story ends. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, I agree, a simple salvation conversion for a character with strong narcissist traits would have me wanting to throw my Kindle at the closest wall. It’s not realistic or believable from my perspective as a reader. Others might have a different opinion, because as readers we all bring our bit to the story and relate to characters in different ways.
Re. Kyla – Meredith never planned for Kyla to be anything more than a side character. Kyla might be mentioned in passing and briefly reappear in later books, but she’s not going to feature in the series as a main character for all the reasons you’ve mentioned.
In real life, strong boundaries are required to manage narcissists if you can’t avoid interacting with them. They feed off the negative emotions from all the drama they create, and walking away can often be the only way to find peace. The hard part about walking away is other people in your life, who haven’t seen what the person is really like, can struggle with why you won’t engage and be a ‘good Christian.’ Of course, the narcissistic person will backstab you and hate on you and say terrible lies about you to whoever will listen. They are difficult people to deal with in real life, but can make interesting side characters in stories.
I agree, it’s easier for authors to redeem difficult and unlikeable characters if they don’t appear as main characters until later in the series. Mary’s series sounds fun. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi bn100, yes, they are interesting to read, for sure. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Cindi, I think that’s why I don’t mind reading about side characters who I dislike or find annoying. If I’m not in their headspace in the story, I can choose to disengage and ignore them. They’re part of the story, and if they were deleted, the story wouldn’t be the same. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Melynda, we There’s definitely a difference, and for me it can depend on whether I know enough about the unlikable character to understand them. If I understand the character, I can usually connect with them on some level. If the characterisation of an important side character isn’t deep enough, I’ll skim read their bits in the story and focus on the main characters. If I don’t connect with one of the main characters, that’s when I’m looking to DNF (did not finish) the book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Denise, yes, that’s a good point. How the main characters interact with the unlikable side characters can impact their own credibility as likeable lead characters in the story. These difficult characters can make the main characters look weak or passive if the main characters aren’t proactive in how they respond. Sadly, in real life there are sometimes no negative consequences and the outcome can be unfair for everyone involved. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I don’t like to read about unlikeable characters. I won’t even watch them on TV.
Hi Audrey, It can be hard to avoid watching unlikeable characters on tv. At least in a book we can skim read sections and still follow the story. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I have come across a few characters that I didn’t like very much; however, there’s always something I can learn from them! It’s a reflection on myself, how not to be like those characters….
I think unlikeable characters can add interest and dimension to a story especially those of redemption. I agree with you that characters with narcissistic traits make good villains but not necessarily a favorite character.
I have come across some characters I don’t like, bt not because they are necessarily narcissistic, but just because of their personality or habits. Often this makes it hard to finish a book and I will simply set it off to the side and maybe come back to it later.
I do love to hate a good villain😅😉
I have read books where there was an unlikeable character. I just try to focus on the main characters and not let them distract me too much,
I agree with your comments about unlikable characters in CCR books. I read almost exclusively Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense books. One thing I do find interesting when you have an unlikable character is when he or she is led to God and repents to change his or her ways. It is always good to see someone find their salvation in our Lord!
A good story needs unlikeable characters to push and test the character of the lead characters and can often lead to growth for them. I don’t need the unlikeable character to find redemption, but I would enjoy some kind of payback for bad behaviour.
Hi, I agree, redemption stories are often better if the characters are a bit rougher around the edges. If I’m in the pov of a main character (not a villain) who’s sounding like they have narcissistic traits, I will DNF (did not finish). Life is too short to waste time on books I’m not likely to enjoy. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Natalya, As long as they’re not the main characters, I’m usually intrigued by why I’m finding them unlikable. Yes, we don’t want to be behaving like those characters, either. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Martha, I can relate, and I’ve set aside books for this reason. Sometimes I’ll pick up the story later and wonder why I stopped reading in the first place, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Elly, yes, and the best villains are often incredibly unlikable but at the same time fascinating to read about. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Doris, yes, the loveable main characters are a great distraction and we can skim read the parts with annoying side characters. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Carolyn, yes, the redemption stories with repentance and the characters coming to faith and turning their lives around can be very satisfying reads. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sue, yes, the main characters can’t grow unless they struggle with something. Characters can be unlikeable for a range of reasons, and it’s interesting to discover in the story why the main character has an issue with them. Becca Kinzer in her romcom, Dear Henry, Love Edith, had an awful character who got what they deserved before the story ended. That was very satisfying to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊