Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Reader Preferences: Input Needed!

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First off, Happy Halloween! A couple of years ago, my husband and I were on a cruise during Halloween and we went to the big costume party onboard. So much fun! (here’s a pic of us as Popeye and Olive Oil!)

When I was brainstorming a topic for today’s post, I decided to take an informal poll about something I’m curious about. I’m in the process of re-releasing some of my early books, which it tons of fun, but it’s prompted me to go back and re-read all of them to make some updates. (It’s crazy how things have changed in just a few years. I had one book where the character talked about e-mailing to keep up with friends…but I changed it to a group text because the e-mail reference seemed so dated.)

As I’ve been reading those books, the characters all seem so very young. Some of the books were plotted more than a decade ago when I, myself, was in a different age bracket.

It got me to wondering about readers and their preferences. I know that for me as a reader, now that I’m a fortysomething…I find myself sometimes wishing for “older” characters instead of the twenty-something heroines I used to prefer. There’s still a place on my “to read” pile for those fun “first love” kind of romances. But some days I think I’d prefer to read about someone I can relate to right now, in this season of life, rather than someone I can relate to because I remember going through something similar a decade or two ago. Am I alone in this?

And as an author, I think that as I’ve “grown up” it’s become a little harder for me to write characters who are right out of college and just starting their adult lives. Capturing what it feels like to be under thirty is a lot more challenging to me than it was ten years ago!

As I look ahead to my next series, I’m toying with putting the characters in my own age bracket. A heroine who isn’t fresh-faced and in her twenties with limited life experience, but who is instead firmly in her forties, with a little more insight and an interesting backstory–and maybe even a wrinkle or two!

What do you think, readers? Do you prefer to read about young love? Or do you think there’s a place on your shelf for a series that centers around an older heroine?I’d love to know in the comments what you think! And if you have a recommendation for a book where the main characters are over thirty, please share!

 

Annalisa Daughety (52 Posts)

Annalisa Daughety writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations, including the Walk in the Park series, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in Arkansas and is hard at work on her next book.


Comments

  1. I remember one of your early series about parks in America (Shiloh, the Washington and one other) I loved those and it made me want to see the places.
    while I don’t mind reading the younger hero/heroines I would like to read books with older characters. I would love to read some books where someone older finds love for the first time

  2. Hi Annalisa, happy 500 year anniversary of Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg:)
    I don’t mind younger or older heroines. I do think there is a place for older heroines because love is certainly not limited by how old one gets!
    Blessings:)

  3. There is definitely a place on my shelf for a heroine in her 40s. I got married for the first time a few years ago at age 40 so in my world, it is definitely realistic that have a love story for an “older” couple. Offhand I can’t think of any books that feature older characters but I know I’ve read a bunch where the characters are around 30…

  4. I guess I like reading romances with characters at any age, because I just like a variety. One excellent book where the characters are over 30 (they are in their 60’s) is A Time to Laugh by Marion Uerckermann.

  5. I enjoy reading about different ages in books. Yes it’s funny how much technology keeps changing. Kids are intrigued by our VHS tapes!

  6. I enjoy reading books with different ages. I guess I trust my fave authors to write what is in their heart…so I dive into their books!

  7. There are so many young love stories that I’d enjoy reading about older lead characters.

  8. Hi! Carrie Stuart Parks’ Gwen Marcey series have main characters that are in their mid-thirties. I’ve read quite a few books where the main characters are in their forties or even older – some finding love for the first time and others getting a second chance. Sorry I can’t recall those titles right now.

  9. I would definitely like to read a book where the heroine was over 30. One of the first ones I read with an older couple was The Big 5-OH! by Sandra D. Bricker. I have read others but that one is the only one I can think of at the moment.

  10. Annalisa, if the age is written appropriately (not too immature or too mature for the age specified), then I love reading about any age. I would love to see more from the thirties and forties, as I think those are given less attention. Like Susan, I adored The Big 5-Oh! by Sandra Bricker. That book opened my eyes to a whole new age bracket to enjoy reading about. I currently find myself writing a story that features both a couple in their twenties and a couple in their fifties. This will be challenging for me as I’m thirty. I remember the concerns of my twenties well, but the fifties are still a couple of decades away for me, so I’ll have to stretch my imagination and get some great insight from my elders on this one. Happy writing!

  11. I actually like characters in their early to mid 30s, but certainly agree that love can occur at any age and this should be recognized and celebrated. Yes, there has been such leaps in technology! Our son has gone from being amused by the old atari to writing code to make his own basic computer game.

  12. I’m 68. So I’d enjoy stories for the older set! I enjoy all age groups but we’re old— not dead yet! Thanks for this post!

  13. I would love to see more stories written with *older* heroes & heroines. Their issues are unique and just as story worthy, and I think you’d have an audience eager to read them.

  14. I like reading books with characters in their late twenties or early thirties (close to my own age) but I wouldn’t turn a book down if the characters were older. I think the characters having more life experiences could help add some depth to the story.

  15. I really enjoyed your Popeye and Olive Oil pic. You guys look great!
    I’m glad to hear you care about what readers like reading. I too don’t relate much with 20 something characters and think they are too young for any dept in relationships, but I also think that 40 something might be a bit too much of a stretch. It might be related to my age group, but I do prefer reading about 30 something. I also think they are in an age of making important career choices (late 20’s and early 30’s) as well as family (spouse/children). Unless you already have a child (I’m kind of tired of reading about single parents though, it seems like everyone is doing that now) or don’t plan to have one, a relationship starting after 40’s kind of feels like you’re giving me a heroine who’s going to miss out on family life.

  16. I am 62, and would love to have more books written about characters who are middle aged. We have dreams, adventures, and love too.

  17. Yes, I would love more books with older love stories. I hate that they make anyone 60 a gray haired woman in a nursing home or hardly able to get around.

  18. I prefer reading characters who are generally in their early thirties, sometimes a bit older (or younger on more rare occasions, depending on their stories). The older heroes and heroines have more life experience, and whether or not they’ve had much dating experience, they’re more mature and settled in their lives and careers. HOWEVER, I also like to read about secondary characters of all ages, and some enjoy a romance of their own.

  19. I would love to read about thirties and up. Sometimes I would love to read about a couple that are 60+ that come together when they think they will grow old alone. Or someone who has been alone for a long time & runs into that perfect other half. Actually, it really doesn’t matter about the age as long as the story touches my heart, emotions and I have a hard time putting the book down. I admit I don’t care for regency and I’m a little old to enjoy YA. :c ) I’m soon to be a great-grandmother. Stories about 40’s, 50’s, etc would be a nice change

  20. I don’t mind characters of any age…although I’m not a YA fan where they are 18 and under. I can’t relate to older teens…lol! But I have to agree with you now that I’m older I’d love to read more books with characters my age with a few life experiences :-) And I do love the first love kind too of younger folks.

    I’m not sure if the really answers your question…but for me, a good age range is mid to late 20’s up to whenever :-) Or if it’s a younger person, maybe an older mentor-type to help them along life, I love that too!

    P.S. The costumes are super cute!!

  21. I would love to read about characters who have a bit more experience and age on them. Characters who’ve been disappointed by ‘young love,’ or have had to rebuild their lives because of health challenges or career changes, or caring for an older adult. There are so many struggles that are not covered where the blossom of romance and renewal of God’s grace are desperately needed. For the record, I enjoy young love too, but as I’ve grown older, I appreciate the strength, courage, and determination it takes to love and maintain love at a later age. May God give you wisdom and inspiration as you create stories for Him.

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