I was admittedly nervous when I decided to write my So You Want to be a Billionaire series. If you frequent many of the Christian fiction reader groups, contemporary romance frequently gets a bad rap. And Billionaire romance? You might as well admit to getting a thrill from kicking puppies.
Oh sure, there are a few brave souls who will admit to loving it, but more often than not, you instead get the wrinkled nose and emphatic headshake that go along with the words, “I don’t read billionaire romance.”
I know this for a fact, because I lost a handful of ARC readers with pretty much those exact words. “I love your books, but you’re writing billionaires and I don’t read that.”
And hey, everyone has their boundaries, I get it.
But you know what? I think the majority of romance lovers love billionaire romance more than they realize. Let’s take a few minutes and consider, shall we?
Raise your hand if you love You’ve Got Mail.
Okay. Cool. I’m seeing most of your hands are up. Let’s think about Joe. F. O. X. Son and second in command of, effectively, Barnes & Noble. He has a yacht. A yacht that he keeps moored in a New York City marina. Like it’s nothing. If he’s not a billionaire, I don’t know what billionaires are.
So okay, we’ve got regular Joe, the book billionaire, who we all love. Let’s consider others. Another show of hands if you like Sleepless in Seattle. Uh huh. I see those hands.
Sam Baldwin. Architect. Living in a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle. Any idea what those go for? I had a little Google, because I was curious. The house they used for his home in the movie just sold for over 2 million dollars. You know who lives in multi-million-dollar homes?
Yeah, that’s right.
And okay, okay, maybe he’s not a true billionaire. Maybe he’s just really, super, incredibly rich.
I don’t think we need to bicker over the exact number of zeroes that come after their net worth when we’re past the first seven. Do you?
In the romance and rom com movie world, I can find a ton of examples that we swoon over where we have regular gal falling for the super rich (i.e. billionaire) guy. Pretty in Pink. Notting Hill (that one, at least the girl gets to be the billionaire). A Touch of Mink (because of course we need Doris Day in our lives.) Say Anything (here again it’s more the girl with the super rich family, but still.) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (how about some Marilyn Monroe to wrap things up.) I could go on, but you get the point.
Do you enjoy historical romance in addition to contemporary? I know, I know, we don’t talk historical around here usually, but I did want to quickly point out that so much Regency romance is the uber rich member of the Ton (oh, hi there Regency era billionaire) and the debutante in need of money via a good marriage.
The majority of Jane Austen’s books? Billionaires.
No, really, I’m serious. Mr. Darcy? Billionaire. Mr. Bingley? Also a billionaire. Captain Wentworth? Billionaire.
Big fan of royalty romance? Last I checked, princes and princesses? Yeah…that’s right. Billionaires.
And it’s all of this that has me saying: I love billionaire romance, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
I grew up on billionaire romances. All of the above, plus TV shows like Remington Steele and Hart to Hart.
And one of the things I love most about billionaire romance is that it shows us, if we’re looking, that money doesn’t fix everything. So often, I think we’re tempted to say, “If only I had a little more cash, it would all be all right.” And while sure, there are problems money can fix, there are so many more problems money exacerbates. And there are problems that are unique to those who have piles of money. And really, at the end of the day, we’re all people, made in the image of God, hopefully in relationship with Him and therefore trying to live out His will for our lives while spreading the Gospel.
When I finished the So You Want to be a Billionaire series, I wasn’t sure what was going to come next. I’m finishing up a standalone novel right now, and after that? I wasn’t sure. But recently, another billionaire series has been tugging at the back of my brain. And I spent a good bit of time fighting it. Because it’s hard to write something when you know there are a group of people who are predisposed to dislike it without even giving it a chance.
At this point, though, the characters are starting to come alive, and I’m not sure how much choice I have in the matter. These are books that want to be written. Stories that want to be told. So, that’s what I’ll do. And maybe, just maybe, having realized just how many billionaire stories you already enjoy, you’ll be willing to give my existing series, and the one to come, a shot.
I’d love to know your thoughts — did any of this change your mind on billionaires, or at least get you thinking? I’d love to offer one commenter their choice of my So You Want to be a Billionaire books – I’ll choose a winner on Monday, November 1st.
I’ve been enjoying your series. The premise is fascinating. The only reason I’ve sometimes skipped the billionaire stories is because they’re beyond my ability to imagine.
I have read and enjoyed your Billionaire series. :-) I don’t choose my stories based on the billionaire premise, but on the other details in the plot. Your series had a lot of plot variety.
It’s funny because I would never read billionaire stories either but then an author I like, Lorana Hoopes , wrote a series around billionaires and I loved the characters and stories so I do read some books about billionaires which I never thought I would. I will have to check your series out.
It can definitely be a challenge to feel sorry for the problems of someone swimming in money.
Love this! I don’t tend to rule things in or out based just on that big trope either.
Lorana’s are so good! I hope you’ll check mine out.
I was hesitant at first to start the billionaire series, but I love all your books so I started it and I absolutely loved the whole series. It was actually one of your best series. I look forward to whatever comes next.
Thank you, Linda! I really love that series as well and feel like it’s one of my best, too.
Hi, Elizabeth!
I have been enjoying your series, too. Actually, I see the billionaire characteristic as just another ideal and romance is full of them. How many heroes are tall, handsome beyond dreaming and fit, with muscles in places where most of us guys don’t even have places? How many couples find constant excitement, tingles and all the feels in romance stories? And how many of the tropes show one or both of the main characters in a position of strength that, in the end, becomes a blessing (benefit, provision, etc.) in the life of the other?
That structure is the very essence of romance as a genre. Christian romance simply adds the overwhelming (and, by definition ideal) love of God providing for the deepest need of the human heart to the mix. Our hearts long for belonging, being cared about and cared for, for joy and happiness and for the unconditional commitment to our well-being that is at the base of it all. The ideals are easy ways to present characters as being desirable while we learn about who they are and how they are worth risking the emotional vulnerability of a God-style commitment kind of love.
Writing undesirable main characters just loses the interest of the readers. Writing nothing but rainbows and unicorns with an HEA by chapter 3 is boring also losing the interest of readers. The ideals are a shiny surface to gain interest while the real struggles give the meat of the story that makes us want to know and be like the people we are reading about.
Somewhere in the middle of the range we each find the kind of story we like. One might want more of the wish for the ideal and less of the struggle. Another may want to see more of the gritty trials of life to contrast with the hope-filled ideals.
The upshot for me is that those ideals all have a place in presenting a romance. Wealthy-handsome-courageous-muscular-super-kind-father-material heroes anyone?
I think my hang up with the typical contemporary billionaire stories it that money is the solution to all the plot problems. The billionaire throws cash around and all the other person’s problems disappear.
I am not opposed to reading billionaire stories, and have read several I loved: yours, Toni Shiloh, several royalty. But when character development suffers, I have an issue with it.
I love billionaire romance! In fact, I had planned on writing a billionaire series this year, and went as far as choosing titles and getting two book covers. Then another concept grabbed me and I’ve put my billionaires on the back burner. They may get an outing in 2023.
I’ve been wanting to read one of your billionaire books for a long time! And I will, as soon as I get through the novels I’ve already committed to reading for author friends.
So true! And yes, we’re definitely all looking for those ideals — even in self proclaimed “realistic” romance. Because if things were truly über realistic, no one would read.
That’s a valid concern! I am not seeing it as often these days — particularly not in CCR. I think most of us have that same hangup and really work to avoid falling into it.
Yay! Bring on the billionaires! (And I love reading for author friends but sometimes I glance longingly at my own want to read pile. ;) )
I love billionaire romances, Regency era romances, and all the chick flicks you mentioned. I’m a happy hopeless romantic (though I don’t think romance is hopeless) and I eagerly read your series. I’m practically jumping over here that you’re going to write another billionaire series. Woohoo!
😁😁
Thanks for always being so supportive and enthusiastic, Toni! 😘
Ok, I have to say, I do like billionaire romances! I don’t watch “modern” movies, so haven’t seen the ones you mentioned, not even the Doris Day one or the Marilyn Monroe one. If I watch a movie, it’s a western or it’s like War Room or I Can Only Imagine. I used to think I didn’t like billionaire romances, except, honestly, that’s what I read in the old Harlequin’s, they just weren’t called that. I didn’t think I’d like them in contemporary, and I didn’t think they could be written that well from a CF standpoint. However, with the right author, oh yeah!! And, I must say, the ones I’ve read of yours are great! I haven’t read all of them YET, don’t own all of them YET, but I’m getting there! I will volunteer right here that if you need another ARC reader, I’d love to do it! That said, I can’t review on Amazon, just Bookbub and Goodreads.
Yay! And you’re right, all the old Harlequins are absolutely billionaire romances. :) (In fact, I think the majority of romance in the 80s and 90s was billionaire romance, we just didn’t use that term.)
I’m so glad you’re enjoying mine. And YES my ARC team is currently open — I’m good with BB and GR reviews. Can you just pop over here and fill out the form?
https://forms.gle/TeNsNE9kj6Exe8oj7
Yes, I love stories about Billionaires, alot of them are down to earth. Thank you for sharing. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
There are so many that really are down to earth! It’s good to see them getting a little more acceptance.
Thank you for pointing out the double standard! Judgmental condemnation from people holding double standards is one of my biggest pet peeves. Just be consistent, people! Lol!
That being said, I loved the billionaire series you did. I don’t read a ton of billionaire romance, but if the premise is good, I’ll give it a whirl. I mean, why discount a whole sub genre just because of an assumption?
I mean, I’m not normally a fan of the secret baby trope. But have I read enough books that did it well to know better than to dismiss them all? You betcha. I’ve learned it’s better not to make blanket statements because the exceptions to the “rule” (even if that tule in only in your own head) are often, well, exceptional!
Thankfully there are billions of books out there to satisfy even the most set-in-their-ways reader (or what-will-people-think readers, which I think is the real reason). To each his or her own. Keep writing, though, because I enjoy reading your tales. You make billionaires approachable and use their wealth for good.
Ha. The what will people think readers. I think you might have something there :)
Done!! Thanks!! My favorite author was Betty Neels, and most of her heroes were very well off doctors, with the heroines either being nurses, secretaries, or no career at all. Almost all of her books were marriage of convenience. I read these when I was in junior high and high school, some later on, too. In the early 80’s there were finally some good fiction Christian books coming out, and my paychecks went toward buying quite a few of those!
I’ve enjoyed a few Billionaire romances in the past. Honestly, as long as the story is good and I like the characters, I’ll read most anything. One thing I do enjoy about Billionaire romances is the reminder that whether people have money or not they’re all basically the same. We all have problems and money often has its own set of worse problems.
I say, if you feel led to write a Billionaire series go for it. The right readers will find you and who knows who you might reach.
I was already a fan of the billionaire romance.
Yes! I love seeing that regular people have all walks in life.
Yay!
I will be honest. I looked at billionaire stories in comparison to what I see in real life. I also look at it from the Bible standpoint. I have not looked at the stories on their face value only on what I think in my own mind. Thank you for sharing. It has given me something to think about. God bless you.
I like that movie & enjoy billionaire book series.
I’ve so far liked this series of stories & hope they get more interesting
I’m not usually a contemporary billionaire fan (just regencies and royal romances). But when I saw you had a series coming out I knew I would read it as I have really enjoyed all your books and thought if anyone can make it good and Christian then you could. I wasn’t disappointed, read the whole series and loved it. I really liked that the wealth can be used for so much good as God would have us do. Most of us will never reach that status but there is still nuggets of gold to be had from the themes through your books that can help us all be better with what we have.
Look forward to the next series I know I will be reading it.
I have to say you lost me at Jane Austin but then I don’t like the ton but thats me. I know in real life many billionaires don’t advertise they are billionaires and while there are some that are portentous that is the same with any pay level.
For me its more what the story is about as many rich heros are no flaunting their money and often still working hard. If the story is about a spoilt rich male or female then I may be lost if its more about a hard working person maybe with a charity or even trying to just live a normal life I would be interested.
I like billionaires, I believe that there are people who sincerely follow God in all socioeconomic strata! and sometimes there are simply jobs that make you a millionaire. For example, having a high position in a company in my country, if you really had a lot of success, then you honestly become a billionaire. There is also nothing wrong with inheriting your family’s money.
The funny thing about stories where the hero or heroine is rich is that you see their past problems / wounds and they confirm something that we already know: every human being has been hurt at some time in their life and deep down they long for love and need redemption, It doesn’t matter how much money you have.
It’s interesting billionaires are off limits as a hero to some readers. They exist, don’t they? Granted, there are not as many as romance books might lead you to believe, but still…Fiction is allowed to stretch the limits of life as we know it!
I think we’ve some good examples of billionaires in real life (take JK Rowling who is so charitable that she is no longer a billionaire) and I’ve never read in the Bible where is says wealth is sinful. It’s only when we put the gain of money and the keeping of money above Christ (eg the love of money) when we get into trouble. And the poor and the middle class (and any others that I missed in there) are just as vulnerable to that as a billionaire.
Yay :)
Thanks
Thanks! ❤️
I would be out if the story was about a spoiled hero or heroine regardless of income. I am so frustrated with spoiled and entitled in general that it wouldn’t make for relaxing reading.
Yes!!! And for me it’s that, exactly, that I love to see. We’re really all the same when you boil it down.
This is very true! And one of the many reasons people read fiction.
Hi Elizabeth,
I LOVED your series.
At first, I was one of those who thought, “Really? A billionaire book? Is anyone watching me read this?”
But as I read your series I realized it wasn’t focused on money and wealth, it was focused on the couples and their relationships and how God can help them get through their struggles. I found you had a wonderful balance in each book and I really loved how Joe lead his employees with Godly integrity. I actually forgot Joe was a billionaire. He just seemed like a normal guy who loved his company and the employees.
I also like the fact that your billionaires aren’t trashy. I think some people equate these kinds of books with the kind that have a guy on the cover ripping his shirt off.
NOT GOOD!
I loved how in this post you brought our minds to see that what we watch and read actually does show people who are wealthy and in the upper class, and yet we don’t limit our watching and reading of those. Thank you for opening our eyes to this!
I am one of those, who just loves a good romance (Like Toni said!) Give me a romance and I’m fine! We all love to read books that take us to places and things we might never experience in real life.
I say go for it!
Write that series.
I’ll read it!!
I didn’t realize (or think about really) that my two favorite movies (the ones you named) were about billionaires. But it makes sense thinking about them now.
I would give a billionaire story a chance….especially if it’s Christian fiction, and it’s written by an author I know. I’ve read two or three of yours Elizabeth and enjoyed them, so I would definitely read yours!
I think maybe a lot of people have preconceived notions about rich people. We tend to attribute negative views of them such as acting better than others or flaunting their money around or something like that. That tends to turn some readers off. That’s my thoughts anyway :-)
I think the author of a book is much more important than the trope. Although there are some tropes I prefer over other, I wouldn’t turn down a book or series written by an author I enjoy based on that.
As an aside, I think the Sleepless in Seattle situation doesn’t really fit here. Architects, in general, don’t make anything close to enough money to rank as millionaire or billionaire. Being in the business world means that some architects can make 6 figures, but that’s not guaranteed. It depends on what type of architect you are and the size of the company you work for. I think the house choice in that movie was more creative license because it worked for the tone and setting they were going for.
Sincerely,
Wife of an architect who is incredibly far from a millionaire 😜
Also, this isn’t a criticism of your argument for billionaire romances. Just info for future reference because architects are often portrayed in movies very differently than what occurs in real life.
I haven’t read any of your books but they sound like a great series
Thanks Marilyn!!
We definitely have preconceived notions…. probably about people in all walks of life :)
I did go back and forth about including Sam in the lineup. So he may just be a more rare “very wealthy” architect vs a billionaire. I guess it depends on how much he charges that lady to move the kitchen cabinets each time :)
Thanks! I hope you get the chance to read some (they’re all in KU if that helps.)
Oh, those cabinets! 🤣