Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Hmmm... It's kind of rare for me to find a book that's plotted heavily around romance that I really enjoy. It's a tricky genre to base a book on, I think Twilight did it well. I mean, say what you like about it, but I think Stephenie Meyer realised too many writers were writing fantasy-with-romance books instead of romance-with-fantasy, and it's because Twilight's so based around the romance and it's done so well it's such a big hit.

I personally have a pet peeve about romances, when the girl totally falls over herself with love for the guy; it's not realistic, I'm a fan of the love-hate relationship (: Makes it more interesting I think.
And the whole tormented hero thing has become a staple of YA romance recently... It still works for me, but I've noticed I enjoy romance way more lately when the girl isn't a total pushover and completely dependent on the guy, and vice versa.
Hush, Hush looks like it's going to be a romance I'll enjoy, I've read a bit of it already and although it is a little like Twilight the characters seem interesting.

Oh, and I HATEHATEHATE love triangles. Eugh.
I always like one better than the other, and what if the character picks the one I don't like? (Peeta & Gale?) Too stressful. I'd rather a two person relationship that's a bit dysfunctional, love triangles just give me a headache.

LOL, I love romance books. I usually read adult romance, but I'm a sucker for any kind. I hate love triangles but I'm okay with it as long as it turns out the way I want.
I think the best romances are when the girl stays true to herself but can fall in love without losing herself because of the guy.

I don't like stories where the only plot point is romance. There is more to life than finding that special someone. I like to see the spark unfold naturally while two people experience an adventure together.

And romance based solely on physical attraction annoys me. "Oh his sapphire blue eyes! And his curly hair!" Yeah, whatever.

I think that's why I prefer love-hate relationships too. A friend of mine wrote a book called Coyote Dreams (currently seeking publication), in which the main character girl (Jenna) and the main character boy (Will) fight quite a bit in the first few chapters.

He acts like she can't do anything because she's a girl, and she intends to prove him wrong. Great story.

I think that's why I like chick lit books. There's usually romance but it's found within the story of something else happening. You should try books by Mia King. Her books are great for that!

Mia King? I'll look that up. Do you have a recommendation on where to start?

There's one called Table Manners. That's what I started with. I think it's the second in the series but you don't need to read them in order.

Thanks, I added it to my to-read list. I'll try to order it from the library when I'm done with the few books I have now.

Sure thing. Hope you enjoy it.

Amy, have you read the Gemma Doyle series, starting with A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray? It's one of my favorites, but the romance part is laced throughout and yet not on the sidelines either.

No I haven't. What type of series is it? Is it more historical or modern day?

It takes place during the late 1800's in England, but it has fantasy elements too. The main character (Gemma Doyle) is 16 years old when she discovers that she has inherited her mother's magic, but her mother is dead and can't tell her how to use the magic.

Saying it like that, trying to sum up a very complex plot, sounds rather cheesy. But the writing is very intense.

I'll be willing to give it a try. Not usually into anything historical.

It didn't really feel historical, honestly, which is why I feel like I'm not doing it justice. Anyways, let me know what you think.

Thanks Rita!

To me, a Romance centres around a relationship as the main plot point. The primary focus is on the two people getting together, not on anything beyond that.