Most romance novels end either with the couple on the threshold of marriage, with the wedding itself, or while the lovebirds are in newlywed bliss. We close the book with a happy sigh, knowing that this couple are going to grow old together, along with all the joys that married life brings.
But, far too often, real life doesn’t play out that way. The statistics on marriage breakdown are sobering, even when the husband and wife are professing Christians.
Back in 2006, my husband and I were part of that year’s cohort of engaged couples who went through my church’s pre-marriage course. Of the ten pairs, two couples are divorced now, and a third is separated.
It’s not rare for Christian couples to separate, and I like my novels to reflect real life challenges. If you’re reaching your fifth decade in the 21st century, chances are very high that you know someone whose marriage has ended in separation. That someone might even be you. So, while I planned out the stories of my Norway-based series about couples in their late forties and early fifties, I knew at least one of them would have been through a broken marriage.
Marriage in Trouble Romance
I’ve read some wonderful Christian fiction about couples who are in the midst of a relationship crisis.
I loved the book Fireproof, based on the movie of the same name, about a couple who are facing what seems to be an inevitable divorce.
And Lila Diller’s Love Is series follows a couple through their courtship, engagement, marriage, and their struggles as newlyweds.
But I wanted to write about two people whose marriage is already over. In Through the Blaze, Kai and Lisa’s marriage fell apart because of Kai’s gambling addiction. At the time the story begins, they’ve been separated for a number of years, and there seems to be no hope for reconciliation. But when their daughter announces her engagement, old wounds are scraped open, giving God a chance to bring lasting healing.
Through the Blaze releases today, and I’ll give away an electronic copy to one commenter.
I still feel a pull towards writing marriage reconciliation romances, so watch this space!
Do you enjoy “marriage in trouble” romance? What are some you’ve read? I know InspyRomance’s own Liwen Ho has written a rom com about a couple who were once married, and I’d love to hear of more examples.
Oh, and today is the final day of the InspyRomance Back-to-School bash! That means it’s your last chance to comment on any InspyRomance blog post and be in the running to win paperbacks, audiobooks, ebooks, and more. The more times you comment, the more chances you have to win. And, unlike many giveaways, prizes are open to everyone, wherever on this globe you call home. Click here to find out more.
I write fiction that reflects my Christian faith. I love happy endings, heroes and heroines who discover sometimes hard but always vital truths, and stories that uplift and encourage. My family and I live in the east of England where we enjoy rambling in the countryside, reading good books and making up silly lyrics to our favorite songs.
Hi Milla, I haven’t read many marriage in trouble romances, but I think I would enjoy them – as you say, it’s absolutely true to life that difficulties in marriages occur for everyone and I like to read stories that mirror real people’s lives. I must look out for some. I always enjoy the marriage of convenience trope as having the marriage in place seems to make it more meaningful for couples to fight for their relationship, and I suppose this is even more true of couples who have been married for some years and built a family together.
Thanks for your comment, Ruthie! I love true to life stories, too. Especially when they give hope.
Yes! Happily ever after is unfortunately the exception these days and after fifty years of marriage I know that it can be hard work, but the making up can be wonderful! So keep writing about the hard times, hopefully your stories will encourage some folk to persevere with their own marriages.
Wow, fifty years of marriage is wonderful! What a testimony. It’s nearing 16 years for us, and it does indeed take hard work. Thanks so much for your comment.
I’ve read a couple books, which now that I’m thinking about it, are probably women’s fiction, that dealt with couples who were struggling in their relationship, one of which also dealt with the couple losing one of their children. The books I’ve read with this storyline are more serious and not very lighthearted, but the ending was super satisfying as they reconciled. I would love to read some CCR books in this genre to see how it is handled.
You’re right, Jessica, women’s fiction handles “marriage in trouble” stories a lot more often than romance does. It’s much harder to fit a struggling marriage story into the shape of a CCR novel, but I’m very interested in trying.
I enjoy those types of stories, if they are well-written. I like having realistic issues in the books I read.
You and me both, Elizabeth! Thanks for your comment.
Many blessings for your upcoming release. I haven’t read that many books on this genre. Many years ago I read
Paula Wiseman covenant of trust series and
The scarlet thread by Francine Rivers.
I will be checking out your seasons of faith series.
Thanks so much, Geozla! I need to read Paula Wiseman’s series. I read The Scarlet Thread years ago and loved it.
I have not read very many books where the marriage is in trouble. I have read Liwen Ho’s book.
There don’t seem to be many romance books about struggling marriages. I’d love to see many more.
Karen Kingsbury has a few books with this type of theme, actually!! They’re stand-a-lones not the in the Baxter bunch. I don’t mind this type, but I really prefer that the couple gets back together. Yes, I know that’s not real life, but I like my books to be better than real life! It’s way too easy nowadays for people to walk away, even Christians, because of the “norms” society has, and the “watered-down” version of the Bible that quite a few churches preach from the pulpit. However, just because it’s the “norm” doesn’t mean it has to stay that way!
You’re so right about many Christians being influenced by society instead of being the influencers. And I’m with you about wanting books to be better than real life! I need to check out Karen Kingsbury’s books. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve not read any yet, and yet I hear such good things about them. Thanks for your comment, Trudy!
I need to branch out in both my reading and my writing. I am very much a “happily ever after” devotee, probably since my own story did not end well. After 24 years of a very up-and-down marriage, my husband left our family and his faith for greener pastures. He was once a youth pastor and after that, a high-profile church leader for over two decades. We put up a good front and when everything blew up, it sent shock waves throughout our extended family and church community.
This is more “real life” than my rosy view. Perhaps one day I’ll be brave enough to weave some of this into one of my stories. Thank you for a thought-provoking post.
Your story is heartbreaking, Erin. God bless you for holding to the faith. And, yes, it’s really scary to write about things that are close to home. It really is like bleeding onto the page. May God continue to uphold you.
Thank you for your kind words, Milla. You’re right–I’m not ready to bleed onto the page about something so close to home, although it’s been almost twenty years. God has been faithful each and every moment, every day, week, and month of those years. My walk with Him has become so much closer and stronger.
I enjoy reading romances like this too! I think it’s important to show the reality of struggles in Marriages while giving hope that the marriage doesn’t have to end.
Thanks for your comment, Megan! Your words confirm my feeling that there is a space for stories like these.
welcome today and thanks for your post. My in-laws were married 57 years before my father in law died. My parents were married 55 years before my mother died. With both sets of parents, there are a lot of memories and things to take away from their marriages. My in-laws went through loosing two children after being born for a few years. They had many tough times, but were committed to each other and their little growing family. (they were catholic) My parents were committed to their marriage and each other (they were Christians) My husband and I have brought from both of our parents into our marriage (we are Christians) and are committed to following Jesus and putting Him first in our marriage. We have now been married 39 years
What a wonderful legacy you have, Lori! Sadly not the norm these days, but I rejoice for your blessing.
I loved this story if live, tough and redemptive but in no way without grace!
I always think of weddings as the beginning of the trouble. Poor things don’t know what’s coming! :)
Dalyn, you made me snort with laughter. :-D Because you speak the truth!
I have read a few but they are more in my the women’s fiction genre— Karen Kingsbury and the Forgiving Hour by Robin Lee Hatcher come to mind.
I reallly need to read Karen Kingsbury’s books! And Robin Lee Hatcher is amazing, although I haven’t read The Forgiving Hour. Thanks for the suggestion!
I love Karen Kingsbury stories on this topic!
I’m hearing “Karen Kingsbury” loud and clear! Thanks for your comment, Natalya.
These are always so interesting to read. I know that I have read a few but I can’t think of them now. I have read a series by Robin Jones Gunn where the characters are married but it is more of them figuring out what it means to be married and help each other out.
Ooh, I need to look that one up, too, Angeline. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
I recently read “Kissed by a Cowboy 1 & 2” by Lacy Williams and I loved the “part 2” of the story, where it shows the couple going through a rough season. I even noted in my review that there should really be more of those stories out there, so that means I’m also looking forward to reading your book. :) As for Liwen, I think besides “Retying the Knot”, she’s also written “Tropical Kiss Or Miss”, which deals with an estranged couple.
Women’s fiction does seem to have more of these stories, but I want more romance so I can have the guaranteed happily-ever-after! Thanks for your comment and your recommendations.
Congratulations on your new release! Your book sounds like a great read! Yes, I like stories like that , it makes it more real. Have a great weekend and stay safe.(not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy at all) have a great day .
Thanks, Alicia! Have a great weekend, too.
Your new book looks like a great book,I read retying the knot it was great book.i like if books have trouble in marriage
Thanks, Kendra! I’ll check out that book. The title sounds vaguely familiar.
I have read several books with the story line of troubled marriages; however, the titles and authors elude me. Your book sounds good and I would like to read it. I love stories that reveals God’s handy work. Thank you.
Thank you, Bonnie!
can be interesting
Absolutely! Thanks for your comment.
I read a Barbour novella I know Autumn was in the title not sure if that was the whole title. It was 4 novellas with people in there autumn years or over 40 which I didn’t consider the autumn years at the time. One of the books the couple had dropped there last child of to college and were empty nesters and finding they had nothing in common anymore and were drifting apart. The novella sees them rediscover love . Although it was a married couple it was still very much a romance as being a novella things need to happen quick.
That sounds like exactly the kind of story I’d love to read!
I love books where marriages are saved. Seeing a couple go back and find the reasons they chose to be together in the first place is probably what we need more of today. I know so many friends and unfortunately family who are no longer married and it breaks my heart. I’m also feeling a pull toward marriage reconciliation romances. Let’s do it!
Yessss!!! Let’s absolutely do it.
I enjoy real and how they work through difficulties. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Lelia. I think stories about working through the challenges of marriage would bless many people.
Thank you so much for sharing. You mentioned Fireproof. I would have to say Courageous is another one that falls in that category. There is so much pain in this world today. So many people do not want to do the work to keep a marriage together. There is a lack of communication . God bless you.
Thanks for the recommendation, Debra! I can’t believe I haven’t read Courageous. Adding that to my list right now. God bless you, too!
Love this. It is both realistic, with its share of pain and healing, and ultimately hopeful.
Thanks, Jacqueline. Yes, marriage restoration stories are deeply emotional, and it would be so good to reflect the hope we have through faith.
Marriage in trouble isn’t my favorite storyline, but I do read it sometimes.
Thanks, Melynda! I’ve become interested in stories like that in more recent years.
I’ve never read a romance where the marriage was in trouble, I didn’t even know there were any like that. That would be refreshing…
Thanks for your comment, Cindi! There are a few out there, but they’re scattered. I can’t believe I forgot to mention one by my friend Emily Dana Botrous, The Miracle of Mistletoe. It’s a wonderful book about a couple who are still together but struggling.