2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

We have another story where the primary romance has the woman older than the love interest. Joan is 32-years old and Mike is 25. What point is Brockmann trying to make? At their age, is the difference significant for Joan and Mike? What would be the short and long term obstacles/issues (in 2002)?

I don't think that is a big age difference at all. It's not like one of them is a teenager. This seemed to be a big problem for Joan but I don't see it being an obstacle in their life together.

I don't know why Brockmann has brought this up in so many books. I wonder if there is an age different between her and her husband.

This trope is getting SO old in this series. I have no problem with the age difference or its inclusion, but when it becomes an unnecessary focus or cause for angst and conflict, it is irritating.

Brockmann appears to have a serious hangup on something that is really a non-issue, and her focus on it actively detracts from and undermines the romance.

I’m so over this storyline and have to believe it’s personal for Brockmann in some way. As best as I could find, she got married when she was 24-years old so I don’t think it’s a reflection of her own relationship.

I don’t recall this being an issue at all in 2002. Maybe two decades earlier it might have been a provocative topic. The age difference between Mike and Joan is fairly negligible, especially when he hits 30. Nevertheless, this “man” is old enough to go to war so he should be old enough to be in a committed relationship.

Make it stop.

I have to agree with all of you. Brockman's constant problem with age is getting to the point that I almost lost interest with Joan and Mike as a couple.

I tried to find something in Brockmann's bio that would shine a light on her continually gravitating to the trope, but I don't see anything.
I hope this is the end of the age conflict.

Making the age difference a point of contention between Joan and Mike was fine in the beginning of the book. It was a big deal for Joan and that is valid. My problem was with it continuing to be a problem throughout the whole book. It's like Brokmann couldn't come up with anything else to focus on.

I agree Anita. It would be normal to think about it at first, but to continue throughout the story was too much.

It was the central focus, which tuned me out of the romance.