When Can You Forgive the Protagonist for Cheating?

[Brett Linette]

I read one story where the lead character cheated on her boyfriend because he was so perfect that he was boring. I found it hard to root for the lead character and the person she chose to cheat with, given her reason her cheating. Had the person she was cheating with been providing her with something her boyfriend had no right to deprive her of, such as love and affection, while I may not have agreed with her decision to cheat, I would've at least agreed that she deserved to be with someone else.

What do you guys think? How bad of a partner does the lead character's partner have to be for you to forgive (or even excuse) the lead character for cheating?

[Samantha Brehm]

Personally, I will avoid books with cheating at all costs, and it completely ruins the book for me most of the time. I can completely see your point, though, that cheating purely because the lead thought her boyfriend was too boring would make it extremely hard to root for her. I could maybe, and that's a big maybe, excuse it while reading if it was a case of abuse or being treated extremely poorly.

[Brett Linette]

Personally, I will avoid books with cheating at all costs, and it completely ruins the book for me most of the time. I can completely see your point, though, that cheating purely because the lead thought her boyfriend was too boring would make it extremely hard to root for her. I could maybe, and that's a big maybe, excuse it while reading if it was a case of abuse or being treated extremely poorly.

It's true that in the case of an abusive relationship, the protagonist may want to be with someone else but refrains from breaking up with their partner in fear of how they might react.

[Bridgette C 2]

Oh no... no, I won't forgive a protagonist for cheating. I know how it feels to be cheated. It's unacceptable and it's hurting. Cheating is infidelity. It only means that you don't strongly love him/her

[Brett Linette]

Oh no... no, I won't forgive a protagonist for cheating. I know how it feels to be cheated. It's unacceptable and it's hurting. Cheating is infidelity. It only means that you don't strongly love him/her

I'm sorry that happened to you; no one deserves to have that happen to them.

I used to think cheating was just due to a lack of self-control, but most people wouldn't cheat if it was going to kill them; the thing is that it doesn't kill them.

[Brittany Slade]

I love that I found this discussion!! When there’s cheating involved in a book, I lose interest immediately. My couple is either meant to be or I don’t want it. Cheating takes the allure away from the couple’s connection that I need to enjoy reading. I always have so much FOMO when I don’t continue a book when cheating happens. This group makes me feel better

[Brett Linette]

I love that I found this discussion!! When there’s cheating involved in a book, I lose interest immediately. My couple is either meant to be or I don’t want it. Cheating takes the allure away from the couple’s connection that I need to enjoy reading. I always have so much FOMO when I don’t continue a book when cheating happens. This group makes me feel better

Welcome to the discussion! It's a pleasure to have someone as enthusiastic as you've shown yourself to be.

Know that you're far from alone, when it comes to disliking infidelity in books. I agree that love is either right or not and that if two people have to cheat to be together, then they shouldn't be together.

I have trouble putting a book down once I've picked it up, too. No matter how much I lose interest in a book, I make a point to skim through the last few pages, just to know how it ends.

[Brittany Slade]

Yes same! I’m getting better though. I took some books back the library the other day after reading only halfway through

[Brett Linette]

Yes same! I’m getting better though. I took some books back the library the other day after reading only halfway through

I can't remember not liking the first half of a book, only to love the second half, so I think you're right to return the books after that point.

[inChristalone247]

I always disapprove of cheating. However, for the love of books, if the other half is actually abusive or rude and the cheating was a drunken mistake or such, I might actually condone it. In books only though, I don't stand for cheating in real life

[Lola_Scotch]

Infidelity makes it difficult for me to like a character. If they had been a shining example or just a really likeable person all along, maybe they would have a better chance but overall, once I step away from my high chair, I realise this flaw or misstep, just goes to show that they're human. The character you describe sounds like a lot of people in real life. I believe it was unfair of her, and I would find it difficult to forgive her too.

[Uddy123]

Wow,I always thought that I was the only one who felt a certain way about infidelity, especially when a book where the main character cheats,and says he or she is still in love with their pattern,I feel like even if I was a writer,I won't be able to write on such topic,I guess I'm not that open minded after all

[janeadika]

It's unacceptable and it's hurting. Cheating is infidelity. It only means that you don't strongly love him/her, good review

[Charlienmegan Wehner]

In a romance book, cheating is a definite no-no for me. Part of the joy of romance books is the happy ever after and the soul mate connection. It’s hard to romanticize a soul mate cheating for any possible reason.

[Penny Ann Criswell Johnson]

I don’t think anything would be a reason for cheating. This is an act of betrayal, lie and deception. I think the author should be careful, writing the main character as someone whom needs forgiven just because they are the main character isn’t smart. I believe we each judge the characters in merit not because they are casted as the main person in the story. What do you think?