Romance or lack of it

[AlwaysWorthIt]

It seems extremely rare to see a novel without the concept of romance. I think that this is because in reality, romance blooms everywhere, even to say a romance that was not acted upon, but theorized. Romance adds something to the development of characters. We learn if they have another side to them. Or would they react differently given the circumstances.

[Amagine]

Of course, a little romance is always welcome. To me the lack of romance in a book makes it less real. Everyone has someone that they "romance" with.

Personal experience proves this assertion wrong.

I'm always glad to see stories with little to no romance in them. Platonic relationships are so much more important to me, and they're rarely explored that deeply. Emotional (and physical) intimacy is possible in platonic relationships. Hard to believe, I know

I do agree that a platonic relationship is something you don't see that often in fiction. While I love my true romance stories, I wouldn't mind reading something new like that.

[Rebeccaej]

Of course, a little romance is always welcome. To me the lack of romance in a book makes it less real. Everyone has someone that they "romance" with.

Personal experience proves this assertion wrong.

I'm always glad to see stories with little to no romance in them. Platonic relationships are so much more important to me, and they're rarely explored that deeply. Emotional (and physical) intimacy is possible in platonic relationships. Hard to believe, I know

Similar here. I'm asexual, and my romantic orientation is...weird. I appreciate stories that treat other aspects of life as more important than romance, or else explores complicated relationships in healthy, honest ways.

Or else in really unhealthy, messed up ways that are acknowledged to be unhealthy.

[Camogirl217]

I like some romance as long as it doesn't take over the entire plot. Sometimes it even adds some spice to an otherwise dry plot.

I totally agree! Sometimes a reader needs a break from the action, especially if it's been intense for the past few chapters.

[kandscreeley]

I like some romance as long as it doesn't take over the entire plot. Sometimes it even adds some spice to an otherwise dry plot.

I totally agree! Sometimes a reader needs a break from the action, especially if it's been intense for the past few chapters.

Yes but I believe this can be accomplished in other ways. Some humor injected in the story can go a long way. It doesn't always use to be romance.

[rssllue]

I like some romance as long as it doesn't take over the entire plot. Sometimes it even adds some spice to an otherwise dry plot.

I totally agree! Sometimes a reader needs a break from the action, especially if it's been intense for the past few chapters.

Yes but I believe this can be accomplished in other ways. Some humor injected in the story can go a long way. It doesn't always use to be romance.

I totally agree that there are many ways to create a different mood for a time in a story.

[classicaltwist]

It might be because I binge read romance novels until I'm sick of them, but I definitely appreciate it when a book doesn't have any romance and focuses on other elements of the story.

[CarrieMe]

I really liked that there wasn't any romance in the book and I hope it stays that way. I can't really imagine their being a believable romance between the two main characters, so I hope it's not forced in at any point. I like being able to read something with a male/female platonic relationship for once.

[Peta2017]

Hmmm, sometimes novels can be enhanced by a romantic story line. On the other hand, there are times when a book, may not need to have such a story line. It may detract from the book as a whole.

[bobRas]

Of course, a little romance is always welcome. To me the lack of romance in a book makes it less real. Everyone has someone that they "romance" with.

Personal experience proves this assertion wrong.

I'm always glad to see stories with little to no romance in them. Platonic relationships are so much more important to me, and they're rarely explored that deeply. Emotional (and physical) intimacy is possible in platonic relationships. Hard to believe, I know

Similar here. I'm asexual, and my romantic orientation is...weird. I appreciate stories that treat other aspects of life as more important than romance, or else explores complicated relationships in healthy, honest ways.

Or else in really unhealthy, messed up ways that are acknowledged to be unhealthy.

Not that you would interpret it wrongly, but I would still like to clarify that I'm not speaking from an aromantic/asexual perspective. Even characters with sexual/romantic attraction should be able to live through at least one story without having someone they "romance" with. It's been at least six years since I've been in love with anyone or had a crush or anything like that. Romance and sex simply aren't a high priority for me. So it's somewhat disconcerting to rarely see my perspective in the stories I read.

[Jaime Lync]

I like that there was really no romance in this book because, like somebody said earlier, it would have felt really forced...ain't nobody got time for that!...with all that action and drama going on it would have felt really odd for strangers to fall in love so quickly. But it was hinted that the romance might be spiked in the following books, which I wouldn't mind at all depending on how Lincoln portrays it - I like romance, not pornography.

[Chitopogi]

Romance and 'sex' between Abigail and Haatim can be sprinkled in the book to add more spice and make Raven's Peak a more 'rounded' book.

[Shreyoshi Sen]

Romance in thriller generes are very difficult to deal with. I appreciate romance in thrillers as long as they maintain their essence. Once the story goes off track and I am done with the reading. But I guess Raven's Peak has managed to gain a lot of attention with is amazing story. So romance in this story would be a treat to read altogether but, only if it shapes well.

[kandscreeley]

I personally applaud Mr. Cole for not adding any romance. I've read stories where authors add it just because they think they have to. It then comes off as awkward and forced. My first thought is always that they thought it would make the book more popular. That really turns me off.

[James Craft]

I personally applaud Mr. Cole for not adding any romance. I've read stories where authors add it just because they think they have to. It then comes off as awkward and forced. My first thought is always that they thought it would make the book more popular. That really turns me off.

Yeah, I hate when it feels like it was just tacked on. I would rather have there be chemistry between the characters.