Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

How do you feel about jealous heroes?

I love jealous heroes. They give me the shivers. I don't know why I do. In real life, I wouldn't be bothered with it, but in the books, it really adds to the story. Especially when the hero is jealous of guys who aren't even as good-looking or alluring to the heroine because he's so crazy about the heroine. I think it can be a sign that the hero is falling for the heroine. Of course, I want the jealous hero to be a faithful one. I am not down with double standards.

I know in real life, jealousy typically is not healthy. But romance books aren't real life. So bring them on!

Jealous men are sexy! I also like it when he has to work a little to get the affection of his love.

I think it's one of those things that are sexy vicariously... I mean, who wants a jealous man in RL, when all he's doing is watching you and growling at anyone looking your way? That's great for one date/evening, but long term? Nope, not for me :)

It's, to me, one of those things that needs the rosy glasses to be found sexy - and I find that in books but not RL. Kinda like having cardio blasting, rip-roaring sex every night. Sexy on paper, tiring in RL, LOL!

I like a jealous hero - it's not so much that's he is jealous, it's that he is in love and is trying to deal with the way he feels for the heroine. He probably never been in love before and is experiencing it for the first time. What does he do? He stands tall and protect his rose. She belongs to him. Another man doesn't even have to pay her any attention and the hero still stands tall. I love the tension he brings. I'm all about the tension. The hero is able to make me fall in love with him. : )

Megan wrote: "Jealous men are sexy! I also like it when he has to work a little to get the affection of his love. "

Agree! I like the hero to be a little bit uncertain of the heroine's affections.

Arch wrote: "I like a jealous hero - it's not so much that's he is jealous, it's that he is in love and is trying to deal with the way he feels for the heroine. He probably never been in love before and is expe..."

Good point. It's especially interesting if the hero was never jealous about women in the past.

Zee wrote: "I think it's one of those things that are sexy vicariously... I mean, who wants a jealous man in RL, when all he's doing is watching you and growling at anyone looking your way? That's great for on..."

So true about the rose-colored glasses.

I think I've only read 1 or 2 books where I didn't like a jealous hero...and I think that was because of the writing, not the jealousy. But I will say its not nearly so attractive on a woman :(

Jealous men make the best heroes, especially when they're just realizing how they feel about the heroine and they don't know how to show it other than hating the competition. Usually the heroine only has eyes for our hero but he's so blind to it.

Jealously works for me lol I love it as a quality in men even in real life.

Haba haba to the jealous hero. I think at the root of it, the jealousy is a symbol of his deeper feelings. He's claimed her. She belongs to him and no one else. If another man dares to look her way an altercation gets my blood boiling teeheehee

Only in books though, if a my man threw a punch in real life I'd be seeking the closest therapist's office.

Any book recommendations on the topic of jealous heroes?

Kourtney, I'd love more recommendations as well. Here is my jealous hero shelf.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Thank you Danielle, going to add some of these on my TBR list :)

Kourtney wrote: "Thank you Danielle, going to add some of these on my TBR list :)"

You're very welcome!

Yes, but it definitely depends what type of jealousy!! I like a jealous hero matched with a strong heroine who doesn't take his rubbish. Or a hero with a good reason to be jealous (say challenging experiences from his past that he's overcoming). Or a hero with jealousy that the hero can balance so as not to dim the heroines light or try to mold her into only a shape of his choosing!
In short I find a jealous hero sexy, but not an unstable hero!!
And I do love when a hero who is normally quite hard, harsh or just not good with love or emotions begins to fall his heroine and he has his mixed reactions and his feelings are all over the place for her. This makes a great jealous hero! But is also often amusing which I like.

I love jealous heros. I was married once before and my ex husband was not jealous at all. It bothered me because it made me feel like he thought no one would have me so he had nothing to worry about.
Then there is my husband now...a long time ago we spilt and he was camping across the hill from my house spying on me. I know that's creepy to some but I loved it. He parked the car and walked 2 miles to my house and camped all night just to see me! How romantic! So jealous hero's remind me of my husband and that's why I love them. Jealous hero's are the best because they care enough about you to do outrageous things just to win us. Such a powerful emotion that is....that a man will do anything to win the woman he loves.
What's even better is during that time mt husband was a fire fighter...sounds like a story line but it's all true.

I love it in fiction. Sometimes in real life I do wish my husband would get jealous but he never does. Not that I try to make him jealous but it'd be nice if he got a little jealous. There is a fine line though, jealousy that includes him accusing the heroine of cheating or calling her names is not sexy.

I think it's great to have jealous heroes in fiction and not have to worry about that in real life, although I can imagine, sometimes those larger than life heroes really stick on you mind in real life. :)

I love it when the hero gets all jealous and possessive also

AղցҽӀɑ W. wrote: "I love it when the hero gets all jealous and possessive also"

Yes. Making me want to read a bunch right now!

I have different criterias for real life and my book heroes, and it also depends on a few things: where it's coming from, how it's displayed, how often and when it's shown. In real life I don't like jealousy that comes from insecurities or because of something that's happened to the guy - that kind is unpredictable and unfair. In a romance however, the unpredictability and unfairness can add to the angst and be a good plot device for later character growth. I generally prefer it if it's because I/heroine is someone he values and wishes all for his own - that kind of jealousy can act as a kind of attestment of how important I/heroine is to the guy.

How it's displayed also differs in real life to fiction. I wouldn't put up with someone who behaved as a guard dog, showed violence towards other males, restricted my choices or followed me everywhere. In a book, that degree of obssesion can be a turn on, mainly because the real life implications can be ignored or glossed over.

The only times real life and fictional life jealousy match my preferences is how often and when it's displayed. Too many displays of jealousy specially oncen the relationshp has become well established is a total turn off for me.

Well Said, Nene. I think that there can be a bit too much jealousy. I don't like it if the hero is jealous of a child or the heroine's attention to a family member. And also if it's out of distrust.

I hadn't thought about that, but yes, I totally agree, being jealous of family, friends, heroine's job/interests is also a no go. I guess that's because at heart it implies that the hero doesn't really like the real heroine. After all, all of those things are part of what makes the heroine who she is.

The distrust bit I can deal with in a book, if it's part of a hurdle the protagonists need to get past, say if their aquaintace beguins with a pre-existing missconception or the hero and heroine come from opposing sides of a faction. That can work for me by drawing ou the angst and bring in a reluctant attraction. But unless the author is really good a ballancing it, for me, it only works at the beguining of the relationship.

That being said, it all depends on the writer and the mood I'm in. Sometimes I like to sink into and lose myself in an improbable and obssessive, all consuming romance with posessively jealous, barely sane heroes. Other times I want an ideal and honourble hero worthy of the heroine, and yet other times I'm just interested in smutty reading and couldn't care less about the hero's character. A very good author can work with an over the top jealous hero and make me wish I were the heroine, and then have me look for fanfiction with said character in it.

For me it's all in the author's writing.
If she actually knows how to do it, we get jealous ones "it's them I don't trust, not you" , and great scenes (still love the fights in Bridget Jones 1+2 movies). Or Anne Stuart books :D

If there's bad jealous, it's all the harlequin presents line
Hero completely a moron that refuses even the littlest friendship of the h :(

I like possessive/protective heroes, the ones that treasure so much their heroine because they are a tad insecure and are just deathly afraid of losing her..... Jealous neanderthals- not so much.

I'm definitely not into neanderthals either, Period_Lyoness.

Peridot_Lyoness wrote: "I like possessive/protective heroes, the ones that treasure so much their heroine because they are a tad insecure and are just deathly afraid of losing her..... Jealous neanderthals- not so much."
Exactly!

What do you think of a jealous hero who has been or is promiscuous? Hypercritical or no? Why?

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "What do you think of a jealous hero who has been or is promiscuous? Hypercritical or no? Why?"

I absolutely hate double standards, so if he has been promiscuous, he cannot get jealous if he heroine also has been. It makes no sense to be jealous of someone's past. In the middle of the current relationship? No way, no how.

I guess, in a way, it makes sense for someone who has been promiscuous to be a jealous person. But, on the other hand, why would you want to be with someone you do not trust?

I finished a book recently where the hero had been really promiscuous and was still in contact with some of his ex-lovers, but he was jealous because the heroine was pulled on his friend's lap and hugged. It irritated me because I don't think he realized how awkward it was for the heroine hearing about all his conquests.

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "I finished a book recently where the hero had been really promiscuous and was still in contact with some of his ex-lovers, but he was jealous because the heroine was pulled on his friend's lap and ..."

What a moron!

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "I finished a book recently where the hero had been really promiscuous and was still in contact with some of his ex-lovers, but he was jealous because the heroine was pulled on his friend's lap and ..."

These people don't sound like they had any chemistry at all and was forced to be together, because they were the hero and heroine in this story. It sounds like the hero was made out to be this "I can't live without him" man. He's handsome - he's sexy. Pure lust.

A quiet sort of jealousy is okay. But I find confidence sexy, and confident men don't get jealous in a dramatic way.