I’ve always believed that it’s the hero, rather than the heroine, who makes or breaks a romance story.
As a reader, if I’m uncomfortable in the heroine’s headspace, I’m probably going to struggle to enjoy the book. If it’s written in third person rather than the closer first person point-of-view, that discomfort will be less intense. I’ll often continue reading a third person point-of-view romance if there are multiple viewpoints and I’m enjoying other aspects of the story.
Earlier this year I stopped reading a first person point-of-view general market contemporary romance by an author I usually enjoy reading.
The romance trope was a love triangle, which isn’t one of my favorites. The main reason I only read the first quarter of the book related to the hero. I thought he was a jerk, and I found it painful to be in his headspace and read his unfiltered, but undoubtedly realistic and true-to-life, thoughts and feelings.
I recently chatted with an author friend about our favorite books by an award winning author. Her favorite book was one of my least favorites, and vice versa. Interestingly, we agreed on the same book as our least favorite because we both didn’t care for the Christian contemporary romance (CCR) story premise.
Why was our order of favorite books reversed? Again, the story premise was a factor, but the first reason we cited related to the hero.
I loved the hero in my favorite book, but my friend didn’t care for him and thought he needed psychotherapy. I didn’t care for the hero in her favorite book because I thought he was too arrogant and full of his own self-importance. In contrast, my friend didn’t mind the hero’s arrogance because the heroine was a strong woman who was his match and could keep him in line.
During our conversation we didn’t talk about whether or not we liked or disliked the heroine in each book. It was all about the hero.
Will you continue reading a romance if you don’t love the hero? When you finish reading a contemporary Christian romance, is it the hero or the heroine who you’ll most likely remember when talking about the book later with friends? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
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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 must confess to a bias towards the hero. If he is lacking then the story does suffer for it.
Hi Narelle, I haven’t thought about this before but you are right- it is the hero who I remember most! If I think the hero is underserving of the heroine- does not show any potential to grow etc. then there is not much point to keep reading.
Blessings:)
It’s the hero I remember best also. My sense of romance is intrigued by a swoony hero. However, it can be killed by either a disagreeable hero or heroine.
Hi Narelle! Loved this thought provoking blog! Chuckled at “I recently chatted with an author friend about our favorite books by an award winning author. Her favorite book was one of my least favorites, and vice versa.” Monthly I attend the Lake Bluff Book Club with a friend at our local library. We usually have dinner before the meeting. We read many best sellers. If she likes the book, I usually don’t. She likes non fiction and is therefore not fond of historical fiction. I do not recall that we dislike a book because of the hero’s personality or thoughts and actions. Personally as a reader, I am not fond of first person narrative since very few authors write first person narrative well. As a literature teacher for 30+ years I analyzed the many aspects of a story – setting, point of view, characters, conflict, resolution. What I remember is the plot – the interaction between characters, the conflicts and how they are resolved. Can two different people find common ground and overcome their differences? Does the interaction make sense? Is there give and take? Or does one character always give in to keep the peace and relationship? Example: While I do not really remember the characters of Tuscan legacy, I do remember the intrigue of who sent the mysterious paintings. I remember the grandmother. Looking forward to reading responses.
I most remember the heroine. Usually, because I place myself in that spot.
For me, it’s definitely the hero!! However, the heroine has to have common sense, be strong in her own right (or at least not a total flake), but most of the time, the books I remember most have a strong male character who knows when (and how!) to be sensitive and compassionate when he needs to be. There are a few books where I remember the heroine more, but that’s more because of the situations she was in than anything else. By the way, how is your Dad???
I usually remember the hero the most but it depends on the book.
Yes, a weak or (more often) insufferably arrogant hero will cause me to delete a book without finishing. If I can’t see any reason for the heroine to fall for him, I’m done. She should be smarter than that!
I’d have to agree it’s the hero that makes or breaks a romance. But if the heroine isn’t relatable, I may be just as quick to not finish reading it. She’s got to be a strong character in her own right.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever put down a book for that reason. Generally what causes me to stop reading is a story that moves too slowly.
This is a topic I haven’t thought about before! Interestingly, I recently stopped reading two different books after the first chapter because I couldn’t identify with the heroine’s point of view right away. I didn’t even wait around to read about the hero in the stories! And one of the books was by an author I usually enjoy reading, so I know the hero would have been pretty great.
Hello. It is usually the hero that I tend to remember the most. And yes I will put the book down and not continue until a later date if I am becoming frustrated.
Very interesting post, Narelle, and it really has me thinking…I think I am more about the heroine, myself. Of course I want to like both characters!❤️
I have to like them both to keep reading. I want a hero worthy of the name and a heroine I want to pretend to be for a while. My least favorite thing to find is a heroine who does things that make no sense. I’m a very logical person so the heroine’s actions have to be believable. “She did it on impulse” doesn’t cut it!
Great question!
I definitely have to like the hero. I tend to place myself in the story and if I don’t like the hero I don’t like the plot.
This is a great question. I’m the odd one out. I need both the heroine and hero to be good or I will stop reading. For me, I have to believe in the team of the hero and heroine, or I don’t care to read the book.
I do wonder if we asked me this question what they would say. Would a heroine make or break a book for them?
I want to like both the hero and heroine. I don’t care if either or both aren’t the most likeable people at the beginning of the book because I expect them to grow and change, but if I don’t see some redeeming qualities begin to appear as I continue to read, I will probably abandon the story.
I like the hero also but I also am glad when the heroine is a strong willed person Thank you for this wonderful post I hadn’t thought about this because I love to read and I would continue to read the book to see what happens in the end!
I love the hero, but I also love all the characters in the book. Reading these books makes me feel warm & cozy inside.
It’s difficult for me to read a book whose main character either male or female doesn’t have at least some traits or strength of character that I can identify. This seems to happen more frequently though with a main female who lacks a backbone or who is too easily deceived. I get annoyed with waiting for them to grow up
I remember the hero the most. If I put a book down it is usually because the storyline is moving too slowly for me and I lose interest.
Yes, I totally agree, the hero is usually the most memorable to me too! For me one of the main reasons I read romance novels is because I want to fall in love with the hero, so it’s super important to me that he be noble, protective, kind, caring, and an all around good person who puts others first. I can’t stand arrogant or self-centered heroes! I’m a single twenty-something waiting for God’s best in a husband, and I guess if the hero is someone that I wouldn’t be willing to date or marry (if he were real, of course!) I probably wouldn’t finish the book! 😊
I think in general that I agree with I liking the hero more. I recently read a book where the heroine was too perfect and I didn’t relate to her at all. But the hero was a wonderfully flawed man with a good heart, and he was what kept me reading the book and what I remember most about it.
However, if I don’t like the heroine, too, I most likely won’t be re-reading the book, which is how I decide if I really like & recommend it.
I probably rate the Hero to a higher standard because I love a strong transformation in a man as he’s falling for the heroine. An egotistical guy is a major turn off for me no matter what his looks. A bad temper in either characters will shut the cover for me too. Arguments happen, but disrespect is just not something I’m going to pay to read in a love story. Thanks for such an interesting article!
If I’m invested in the story, I’ll finish it even if I’m not in love with the hero or heroine. I think it depends on the book whether I remember the hero or the heroine better.
Thinking back on some of the best books I have read, I did like the heroine best in some, and in others the hero was the outstanding character. I think it depends on the book.
This is not an easy question because, well, both matter to me. I really don’t care about the book if I don’t like both characters. I’ve read books with amazing heroes whose match was really just boring or annoying. I didn’t think she deserved him. And I’ve read other in which I couldn’t care for the hero. Sometimes we can see the arrogant type changing and the superficialities giving room to deeper characters, but not always… which will just be too disappointing when happening to authors I like.
Honestly, I need to like both major characters to enjoy the romance. Even if the hero starts out less likable, I need some reason to believe he has worthwhile qualities underneath the negative exterior. If I like one, but dislike the other, it’s hard for me to enjoy a romance storyline that will inevitably pair them together.
Hero is Hero lol … but the heroine usually compliments and ads zest to the story :) so, it’s a combination for me!
Hmm, I don’t know if I’ve ever given it that much thought. I do agree, if I can’t like the MCs then I won’t continue reading. Sometimes the female lead is a doormat or appears to have no brain. And sometimes the male lead is too arrogant or full of himself or just plain unlikeable. All of those would make it hard for me to stick with the story. I will admit, I don’t like most love triangles. Too many authors make it seem as though the female lead is so amazingly talented and beautiful that every guy in town is after her. And that makes me dislike the book.
Hi everyone, My apologies for not having a chance to reply to all your lovely comments (we usually reply to all comments within 24 hours). I currently have both of my parents in hospitals on different sides of the city. My father is recovering well from the heart bypass surgery. Thank you for all your prayers and support. My mother has an ongoing illness that occasionally requires time in hospital, and she’s slowly recovering. I’ll hopefully have time over the next day or so to reply to your individual comments. I appreciate your understanding.
I’ve never thought about this question before. Even thinking it through now, I’m not really sure how much weight my feelings on the hero carry. I’ll have to pay more attention as I’m reading!
Great question — I’ve never really thought about it before.
I have to like both the heroine and the hero, or I don’t want them together.
I will keep reading if I don’t like them, but it’s very hard for me to overcome those feelings while I read.
For me, it depends on the story and the strength of the heroine whether I remember the hero or the heroine. I do like strong, sensitive heroes.
Hi Mary, I agree, the story does suffer if the hero is lacking. Have a lovely day. :)
Hi Wemble, I agree, the hero definitely needs to be worthy of the heroine’s love plus have the potential to grow with her in the story. Blessings :)
Hi Sherri, Yes, disagreeable lead characters don’t make for a good story. A swoony hero is appealing to romance readers. :)
Hi Renate, It’s interesting how we’re all different. Personal tastes matter and are often the reason why we have different reactions to the same story. With your English background, a story lacking good structure and plot and characterisation is likely to frustrate you. For other readers, they may not see this as an issue because they adore the characters and miss seeing plot holes etc. I agree re. first person POV – it can be painful to read if it’s not well written. Nonna in A Tuscan Legacy series is a fascinating character. :)
Hi Michelle, I think this is one reason why I couldn’t read the story where the hero was a jerk. My natural reaction to his behaviour was different to the heroine’s, and that made me mad with her, too. If I was in her shoes, I wouldn’t put up with his bad behaviour. :)
Hi Trudy,
I can’t stand reading romances with TSTL (too stupid to live) heroine’s who lack common sense. She has to be worthy of the hero for me to continue reading.
Thanks for asking about my dad, He’s doing exceptionally well – he’s up and walking and doing the rehab gym work to build his strength. I’ve appreciated everyone’s thoughts and prayers. The last month has been insanely busy, and I’m looking forward to having the time to go back to work at my day job. :)
Hi Lori, yes, sometimes it’s the heroine’s story that’s more memorable. :)
Hi Stacey, yes, I’ll stop reading before the end of chapter one if I’m not engaging with the main character. A great hero can’t make up for a heroine who is lacking, or vice versa. :)
Hi Valerie, Yes, I want to read about smart heroine’s who will not fall for the jerk. :)
Hi Sally, Yes, a strong heroine who isn’t a pushover and can stand her ground is important for me, too. :)
Hi Kimberly, yes, if the pacing is slow, I’ll be falling asleep and not picking up that story again, lol. Too much flowery/descriptive language that slows down the story is another reason why I’ll stop reading. :)
Hi Lori, yes, I can relate. As a reader, the one emotion I don’t want to be feeling when reading a romance is frustration with the logic behind the main characters’ actions and motivations. :)
Hi Paula, I learned that I needed to be invested in the hero and his journey when I became frustrated by reading heroine-only point-of-view romances. I want to know what the hero was thinking and feeling. :)
Hi Sally, I agree! If the heroine is genuinely impulsive in a consistent way through the story, then the logic works for me. If she’s impulsive to make the story work, then I’ll toss the book because the characterisation is obviously shallow. :)
Hi Linda, I agree! If I don’t like the hero, it can feel like the story is a bad date night that is on repeat and never ends, lol. :)
Hi Nicole, Yes, I definitely like seeing the hero and heroine working as a team. The ‘I hate you’ romance trope stories have to be compelling for me to believe that the hero and heroine can form a long-lasting relationship that will survive the ups and downs of married life. Asking the opposite question re. the heroine making or breaking a book would be interesting. I can cope with a bland/boring heroine if the hero is fabulous, but I can’t cope with reading chapter-after-chapter of heroine stupidity, lol. :)
Hi Merrillee, yes, I’ll stop reading a story if there’s no character growth and the main characters lack redeeming qualities. :)
Hi Sarah, Prior to owning a Kindle I almost always read every book to the end. Now I can afford to be more fussy because I have too many books to read. I love strong minded heroine’s who stand up for themselves. :)
Hi Linda, yes, I love reading feel good stories, too. :)
Hi Beth, yes, immature heroine’s who are unnecessarily naive and don’t stand up for themselves will frustrate me, too. I will ditch the book if there isn’t a logical reason in the story to explain why they are weak.
Hi Angela, yes, a boring story will get lost somewhere in my Kindle, lol. If I’m not hooked into the story early, I toss the book. :)
Hi Caitlyn, yes, I totally agree. I want to understand why the heroine is drawn to the hero, and know that they’re a great match for all the right reasons. I need to believe that their love is genuine and lasting and will survive the inevitable hurdles that all couples face at different stages in their lives. If I can’t love the hero from the start, I’m outta there and tossing the story. :)
Hi Lila, I’ve read and enjoyed romances where the heroine is not someone I’d seek out as a friend, but the hero is adorable and keeps me turning the page. An unlikeable heroine who’s annoying will turn me off from reading the book. :)
Hi Angela, yes, good looks leave me cold if the hero doesn’t have a good heart. Egotistical heroes aren’t the type of hero I find interesting. And yes, in a romance I don’t want to see red flags that indicate either the hero or heroine may become perpetrators of domestic violence. That’s not my idea of healthy romance. :)
Hi MJSH, yes, sometimes a compelling romance story will trump my personal likes/dislikes of the individual characters. :)
Hi Judy, yes, the story itself does make a difference. It’s rare for me to finish a romance book where I like the heroine and dislike the hero. :)
So glad your Dad is doing so well!! Continuing to pray for him, your Mom, and you!!
Hi Priscila, this is true. It’s so disappointing to read a romance where the hero isn’t growing and developing as a character throughout the story. And yes, some heroine’s just aren’t worthy or deserving of the hero. :)
Hi Kim, yes, it’s challenging to enjoy a romance when you dislike one or both of the main characters. :)
Hi Natalya, That’s a lovely way of putting it. Yes, the heroine does add the zest. :)
Hi Arletta, Yes, those traits you’ve mentioned definitely make the hero and heroine unlikeable. Love triangles aren’t usually my favorite trope, although if they’re done well I will enjoy the story. :)
Hi Melynda, I’m glad I’ve given you food for thought, lol. :)
Hi Dianna, I struggle to read on when I dislike the characters. :)
Hi Paula, yes, the relative strength of each of the main characters in the story goes make a difference. Strong and sensitive romance heroes are always a winner with readers. :)
Thank you ♥️