This week on instagram, I posted a cute little video where I talked about what I am looking for in a romance. I thought I’d take that concept here and flesh it out in more than a hundred words and 15 seconds of me lip-syncing to a sitcom.
So – here are my Top 6 ingredients for a perfect romance novel.
Non-negotiable:
My number one requirement for a romance is that there are no bedroom scenes! I want chemistry — but not *too* much emphasis on physical attraction. I love a good kiss in a romance novel. But I also have to know that is as far as the physical relationship will progress. And I want to know that the hero and heroine are attracted to one another’s character and personality, not just their body!
Strongly preferred:
I want the characters to have a satisfying faith arc. I know that whatever the problem is, the answer is found in the gospel. So, I want characters to grow in their walk with Jesus as they navigate whatever else is happening.
Speaking of the characters – I really want to read about characters who are realistic. Some people want characters to be “likeable,” but I don’t necessarily look for that. But if they are caricatures of stereotypes… I don’t want to read it.
I really want those characters to walk through a really solid storyline. I want to see them be challenged, respond, and grow. I enjoy all kinds of stories but if there is nothing at stake, I’m going to get bored!
The icing on top:
Now, if I’m building *my* perfect romance, I’m going to add a few more ingredients… Specifically, I want a romance to happen in a charming small town that makes me want to live there. I want the neighborhood coffee shop and the cooky mayor or the busybody neighbor. I want the crazy festivals and the
And if I can find this perfect romance and then binge-read an entire series in that same place… I’m totally sold. I’ll add it to my ereader right now!
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There you have it — my list of ingredients for a perfect romance novel. The truth is, I love all kinds of romance, but I definitely tend toward certain types. Of course, it’s no wonder that these are the kind of stories I write: small towns, realistic characters with interesting storylines and a prominent faith arc. And lots of good kissing scenes for good measure.
If you haven’t read my books, you can check out my most recent series here.
So tell me, what would you add or take away to make this your perfect recipe? I’m going to give one commenter a $5 Amazon giftcard!
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living.
Happy Thanksgiving Tara from one Midwesterner to another. Spot on for the Top 6 Ingredients for a perfect romance novel. Living in a small resort community in SW Michigan, small town settings are definitely the icing on the cake. As a retiree, who reads about 150 books a year, I also enjoy characters finding love as seniors and to make a perfect novel something unique in a series besides the setting. For example: Valerie Comer’s Farm Fresh or Urban Farm Fresh series. Elizabeth Maddrey’s Billionaire series were main ingredient was a contest, but each story had a unique troupe. Happy Holidays. Stay warm.
Something unique definitely makes a big difference for me in how memorable the book is! After reading so many books, sometimes they all run together, ha ha.
My list is actually the same as yours, but I’ll add a “bonus” if the couples are older!! I love the Chapel Cove series because all of the couples are “older”. I also like Alexa Verde’s Show Me series for the same reason, the couples are in their 40’s. I don’t mind younger, but the older I get, I like to see characters that are older, which is why I LOVED Jan’s story in the Freedom Ridge series, too!!!
That’s a great addition to the list for you! I’m glad you enjoyed Jan and Pete’s story.
This is a great list and I agree with all your requirements. I really like realistic struggles for the characters to go through, even if their issues can’t be tied up in a pretty bow by the end. I will say though, I want the HEA too. I hate it when books leave you hanging on where the two leads end up with each other.
Haha, I suppose I included a HEA in the “pre-requisite” category but didn’t even list it. Definitely the happily ever after is critical. Can you even call it a romance if there isn’t a happy ending?
Good list, Tara. All of the above and I’ll add a yummy hero. If I don’t fall for the hero right along with the heroine, I’ll stop reading. Looks are a plus, but character is my main attraction. He has to be caring and have moral integrity, if not at the beginning then by the end of the book.
Oooh, that’s a great addition to the list!
I agree!!!! And add HEA :)
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
How did I forget to list that?! Haha!
I would have taken out the small town setting if you asked me this question a couple years ago, but I love the fictional town Freedom, Colorado & wish it was real. I’m hooked on the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. ❤️ 🏔
Awww, yay! I’m so glad you like that series. It’s been a fun one to be apart of. And definitely, that’s exactly the kind of small-town I’m talking about on the list!
Happy thanksgiving. (As an Aussie we don’t have it but it always intrigues me)
I like your list. Ironically the book I just finished had all but one of the items. It had the nosy neighbour in the form of a elderly lady who is head of the neighbourhood watch and she takes down details in a book about everyone in the neighbourhood. the only thing it didn’t really have was a local hang out although they did go to the playground (had twins in it). Oh and isn’t a series.
But I do like series where we get to know the place. Oh and I second, third, fourth etc the older couples Or at least couples where they are not approaching 30 thinking there life if over cos they are still single.
Thanksgiving is a unique holiday, for sure.
I’m sensing a theme here for older characters!
Wow! You’ve said it so well I don’t know what to add… maybe little details, like the small town is set in the mountains. :) Or that the tropes I prefer are enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, or bodyguard/blue-collar heroes, haha. But seriously, a faith-centered story + sweet romance + relatable characters will be a winner for me.
I won’t complain about mountain settings, haha! Those are some good tropes you mentioned as well.
Sounds like you have great taste in books ;)
I have to like the characters
I don’t think you are alone in wanting the characters to be “likable”!
You pretty much nailed the recipe for a perfect romance for me Tara! :-)
Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Hope it was a wonderful day!
Chemistry is a must. Without it the story just falls flat.
It’s one of my favorite parts of the story (reading and writing!)
I would add a good sidekick be it a friend, family, or neighbor.
Oooh, great addition! I love the best friend character… and then I love it when they get their story later!
It all sounds Great to me! I love happy endings for sure! I don’t like to be left hanging , unless it is a series, then I don’t mind it at all. May you all have a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
Definitely a romance needs a happy ending! Is it even a romance if it doesn’t?
Happy Thanksgiving, Alicia!
I’d ditch the sexless scenes (it’d be a weird Christian romance if it had them) and an arc of faith, but I’d trade point three for another.
I just don’t care much where the romance unfolds.
I would add “that the relationship of the characters forms slowly” I like the so-called “slow burn” I simply find it difficult to get excited with the couple if they feel an undeniable attraction as soon as they meet.
Unless it is for deep reasons like … she is a woman with a burn on her face and the hero is the man with whom her friend made her a blind date, she thinks he will be scared or disappointed to see her like everyone else but the hero doesn’t even care.
He loves the security that she has despite the stares of the people. Both feel a great attraction for the other due to the first meeting.
This does seem very cute to me.
Basically that this coup of attraction is not “she is so beautiful” and “he is the most handsome and masculine man I have ever seen”.
Slow burn romances can be fun to read. I think that plays on the importance of the attraction being more than skin-deep.
Thanks for commenting.
I would add peanut butter with chocolate chip cookies we have. Have a great Thanksgiving
The best thing to add to a perfect recipe if a dessert is maple syrup.
I like all your points! I love small historical towns for a setting!
Those can be very fun! I’m thinking Becky Wade’s series – the Bradford Sisters! The historical town they own is adorable!
Your list of great! A small town setting isn’t a must-have for me, but there definitely needs to be a sense of community even if that’s a smaller group/neighborhood/area within a large city.
That’s a great point. I think Elizabeth Maddrey does a great job of building that sense of community, even though many of her books take place in more metro areas! I don’t miss the “small town” at all when I read them because the friendships are so strong!
You have a great list. The small town could be in the mountains for beach. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Both your list and the add ins are great and make for a yummy romance!
Hi, Tara! My wife and I were just discussing the character elements of this. Yes, I am all for people in the story dealing with challenging life experiences. However, in the same way that the friendly small town setting is an idealization that makes for a more “pleasant” story, I want to see main characters that are appealing in the sense that I want to root for them. I want to experience the hope fulfilled as their development arc plays out.
I was reading a non-romance recently where much of the emotional conflict in the story came about because this main character was immature and selfish. Since I like to read for escape, I didn’t want to keep reading. I can find selfish and immature people making bad choices which make life difficult here in real life. I imagine there are folks who enjoy reading that kind of realism, but I’m not one of them (at least not very much, lol).
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We are still enjoying visiting family for ours.