It’s my 17th wedding anniversary tomorrow, which of course is making me think about my own personal love story. 🥰 I’ve enjoyed seeing some of my favorite romance writers put together graphics about their real-life romance tropes, so I put one together for you!
When I did it, though, I realized that my story isn’t very tropey.
I mean, we’re both too practical for instalove, although we definitely had some instalike going on. 😎
We kind of had the fish out of water thing going on, because we’re both Canadians who were living in Boston at the time. To be honest, though, Canada isn’t that different from the U.S., so it wasn’t as though we felt out of our depth. 🐟🐠
We did meet on a blind date, which was wildly surprising in real life and is fun to talk about when we’re getting to know new friends. And bonus! It turns out that “Blind Date” is an actual trope!
Here’s what the internet has to say about it: “The heroine agrees to a blind date. The date usually delivers a surprise or a twist—for example, her dinner companion turns out to her boss, best male friend, or an ex-boyfriend.”
Our blind date didn’t have a surprise or twist, unless you count the fact that I had been quite unimpressed when I spoke with my now-husband on the phone prior to the date, but he managed to thoroughly win me over when we met in person.👩❤️👨
Our most recognizable trope, however, is opposites attract. Not because of our personalities (sorry, Grumpy/Sunshine, you’ll have to find spokespeople somewhere else!), but because of our professional interests.
You see, Paul is a bona fide math genius, while I was the artsy kid who was writing novels when she was in fifth grade!
Their First Love: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
I like writing about STEM-focused heroes; they make sense to me because I have one at home! 😆
Turns out I’m not the only one who likes them, either. Here are a few Christian romance novels that feature math and engineering “nerds” who fall for artistically inclined ladies.
Carolyn Miller’s recent release features a math genius who works at an investment firm and the artist he’s loved for years.
Here’s the blurb: Toni Wakefield may be a talented artist, but past choices means this single mother never feels the equal of those around her—especially her brother’s best friend, investment funds manager Matt. Matt long ago fell in love with his best friend’s younger sister, and try as he might, he just can’t fall out of it. And between his crazy working hours and the fact she’s now settled two hours away in beautiful Muskoka it seems they never have any time together. How can he persuade her to consider to give him a chance, when she’s sworn the only man she can care about is her baby boy?
The lovely Jaycee Weaver writes about an artist looking for love in the wrong places and a bored engineer searching for purpose in this sweet romance.
Here’s the blurb: Jobie Everett is building a life around teaching art to senior citizens, a boutique job to fund her passion, living green(ish), social media, and wild pursuits that inspire her Muse. When her roommate introduces her to a God who personifies Love like she’s never known, she begins to see the shallowness of her life and searches for greater meaning.
Surely there’s more for Caleb March’s lackluster life than work and his computer hobbies. Desperate for change, he buys a run-down house near an old friend and her pretty roommate. Ready for more than “just friends,” Caleb will first have to reconnect with a God he’s been ignoring for too long.
As Caleb and Jobie bond over renovations, a new development forever changes her and pulls the rug out from under him. Jobie needs a godly man who will support and pursue her. Caleb must break himself free of the friend zone and become the man she needs in order to finally give her heart a home.
A driven accountant falls for the carefree chicken-loving artist next door in this opposites attract romance. (Valerie, you had me at the chickens! 😂🤣😂)
Here’s the blurb: Artist Marley Montgomery finally thrives in her inherited rundown cottage with its overgrown yard, but there are rules about how many rescue chickens fit on her urban lot. Too bad the cute but uptight accountant next door is friends with the animal control officer.
Alex Santoro prefers things orderly and by-the-book, but his waif-like new neighbor offers a glimpse into a carefree lifestyle that is surprisingly intriguing. Maybe it’s the whimsical art she creates. Maybe it’s the wild beauty emerging in her unkempt yard. Or maybe Alex is simply falling in love with a pretty girl who’s unlike anyone he’s ever known.
How can Marley trust her secrets and fragile wings to the man who has everything?
An orthopedic sureon and an art therapist find love after loss in this sweet story.
Here’s the blurb: Brandon St. Clair is one of Minneapolis’ top orthopedic surgeons. Still crushed by his wife’s sudden death almost a year ago, he’s struggling to care for their two young daughters and find the will to keep going. Their one wish is something Brandon can’t fulfill, and it breaks his heart.
Morgan Anderson is a highly respected art therapist in Chicago. Her work gives her great fulfillment, but her personal life is lonely and lacking. A deep personal secret has kept Morgan from succeeding in any long-term relationship, and she’s ready to give up.
Brandon’s brother is married to Morgan’s sister, and they meet at a family event. Their initial dislike of one another plus the fact that they live in different states almost guarantees that they’ll never connect. But sometimes God—with a little help from a pink-haired matchmaker named Rosie—can make what seems impossible, possible.
What About the STEM-tastic Ladies???
Lest you think I’m forgetting about all the awesome STEM-inclined ladies out there, I have a book in the works right now that features a mathematically gifted heroine and her creative chef hero, but it won’t be out until next summer. I’ll keep you posted!
In the meantime, Kristi Ann Hunter’s first contemporary release fits the bill!
This book sounds like a hoot, and I love the cute cover!
Here’s the blurb: For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood.
Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success.
Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies.
As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?
Have you read any of these books? Do you enjoy reading about so-called nerds and the creatives they love?
Meghann Whistler is a wife, mom, and Christian romance novelist who loves writing sweet, happy stories that WON'T make your grandmother blush! When she's not writing, reading, or jamming out to Christian rock music, you can find her enjoying a relaxing evening with her rocket scientist husband (seriously—he's a real, live rocket scientist!) or playing with her three kids.
Happy Friday and Happy Anniversary Meghann! Love the STEM theme on your blog and getting to know you better. This German American retired teacher, mom and Oma has been married to her nerdy husband for 50 years. Hubby love science and technology. His “babies” are the computers he builds. He is the family IT man. I enjoy science and math – but am spacial challenged to think about engineering. My oldest son is good at that.
I have read Glimpses of Gossamer by Valerie Comer. Her Urban Farm Fresh series are inspiring reads. Animals in stories always make me chuckle. Enjoy your weekend. Happy writing.
Thanks, Renate! I love having an IT guy in the family! 😆 And I can definitely relate to being spacially challenged!!!
How neat that your oldest son is a good engineer! My oldest is 12, and while he loves coding, he also loves reading (even more than I do!!!) and music. It’ll be very interesting to see what he ends up focusing on as an adult.
I have not read these books but I have read books by these authors. The books look interesting.
They sure do, Lori! 💕
Woohoo! Looking forward to reading your female STEM-tastic book next year! Thanks for including Muskoka Hearts :)
Thanks, Carolyn! Always happy to highlight your fabulous books!!!
I’m in 22 year opposites attract marriage with my own STEM hero! 😆 Great list!
Awesome! Love those STEM heroes!!! ❤️
I haven’t read any of these, but I think Elizaebeth Maddrey and Valerie Bodden both of nerds in some of their books, and I love those!!!
Neat, Trudy! I’ll have to check those out!
Mind was foggy this morning. Elizabeth Maddrey’s Billionaire series – the guys made their money because of technology. Definitely Nerds.
I’ve read the first book in that series, Renate—it was a fun one!
I have what makes a home on my kindle but haven’t read it yet.
That one sounds great, Kendra! When you get to it, let me know what you think 📖
I enjoyed reading about your own love story! I’ve read Glimpses of Gossamer. It’s interesting to me that in my dad’s family, he got the science genes and my aunt got the artistic genes. I can understand science, and am sort of artistic :-) My husband is a lot like my dad. He’s our family IT guy, but I do better at explaining computer stuff to people who aren’t nerds :-)
I’m impressed that you’re good at explaining computers, Margaret! I used to work in the marketing department at a software company, so explaining technology to “normal” people is something I’ve done a lot of, too!
Thanks for the shout-out for Glimpses of Gossamer! STEM vs artsy is definitely a fun expression of “opposites attract!”
We’ll be having Kristi Ann Hunter on the StoryChats podcast later this fall, and I’m in the midst of Pixels and Paint right now. It’s definitely a step up from opposites attract to worlds collide! LOL
Oh, how fun! I love her cover and am looking forward to reading the book! 😃
Hi, Meghann! Great post. I’m the poster boy for STEM *and* the arts so don’t assume your oldest will need to settle :-)! My wife and I (34 years, yay!) are both strong mixtures of computers and the arts. I am also one whose family of origin, especially my parents, didn’t get the computer side of my life.
The common ground that I look for when trying to connect with the STEM-challenged is that math, computers and the sciences are all crafts. The human and creative elements are just as present as in writing and music. Computer programming has style guides and tropes (by other names) just like writing fiction.
I find wonder and beauty in both worlds and both worlds show the creative image of God within us. His creative genius is overwhelmingly amazing across the board (key, chalk, white or cork!)
Thanks for your creative gift, too, and for sharing it with us. I’m looking forward to your next chef d’oeuvre, eh?
Thank you, Lincoln! Great reminder that there’s a lot of creativity in STEM fields, too!
I don’t think I’ve read any of the books listed but they sound great! I am enjoying Elizabeth Maddrey’s Billionaires Next Dpor series which others have mentioned and which definitely had STEM heroes.
Happy Anniversary. Hope you have a lovely day.
Thank you, Ruthie! Hope you’re having a nice day, too!
No. I have not read any of these books. Yes, I enjoy reading about nerds and creatives who get together. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
God bless you, too, Debra — have a nice weekend!
Im late been sick or am still sick. I haven’t read the books but I like the reverse with the Mathes science genius heroine. I know I have read some. Although most seem to be high powered heroines in jobs like Lawyer, etc.
My brother is the Science I can’t say nerd cos he was also very sporty but his wife isn’t she is a teacher as is he but he teachers high school Chemistry, Maths and physics.
I do like the absent minded professor type books as I have a friend (female) who is highly educated and very absent minded at times. she will often explain something in so much detail that we go Um you lost me at step one.
But she was hopeless with the computer. Her husband wrote out instructions to start up word. and I am not kidding when I saw them I laughed step one. Turn on the computer at the side, Dont try to turn anything else on just the button. this is how most steps were listed as she tends to think it must be more complicated than it really is. But it would make a great story.
Aw, sorry to hear you’ve been sick, Jenny — I hope you feel better soon! And that is too funny about your friend and her husband’s instructions for turning on the computer!!! I love it that she assumes it MUST be more complicated — great insight into how her brain works!
It really was funny. then the info to get into word and open a new document. this was probably 15+ years ago. Part of the lots of words was that in an essay you need x amount of words so she would use a lot that were not needed. She’s a great lady and friend but her Hubby knew I would appreciate the instructions.
feeling a little better today am hungrier and its staying down
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better!