Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

Are they specific to the hero or heroine?

A TSTL heroine will kill it for me, as will a too self-centered one. A too arrogant hero without some shade of softness or compassion is also a no-go.

A overly snarky or sarcastic h is a turn off. I can sometimes handle if she also has softness and a caring attitude.

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "Are they specific to the hero or heroine?"

TSTL heroines drive me crazy, but can push through if the other story elements are to my liking. On the other hand a TSTL hero almost always is a guaranteed DNF for me no matter what else is going in the book.

Varied Books wrote: "A overly snarky or sarcastic h is a turn off. I can sometimes handle if she also has softness and a caring attitude."

I agree to a big extent and the irony is that I can snark with the best of them. I think a lot has to to with the writer and her ability to create a well-rounded female character. Kresley Cole can, IMHO, do a snarky heroine that I adore. But, she shows the person behind the snark - all the fears, insecurities, and flaws that sometimes all that snark is just a cover for.

I think romance writers struggle with how to make a strong heroine. Back in the heyday of the bodice ripper a heroine's strength was often portrayed by her being a foot-stomping "feisty" type. Often, however, she came off as TSTL. Being feisty and running off straight into danger by yourself doesn't prove you're smart or strong. Now the trend seems to veer more toward making the heroines OTT snarky and sarcastic as a way of showing strength. Problem is, they often don't show the other side of their personality enough (the softness and caring) or they just aren't that good at writing snark and I find myself rolling my eyes at the corniness of some of the supposedly cool one-liners. Badly written snark is just cringe-worthy.

I hate it when the H or h make a 180-turnabout for whatever reason...usually its about love.

Easy. When the hero/heroine cheats.

I hate it when the h/H sleep with other people after they've met. It feels wrong and makes me question the blossoming romance

I also expect true romance between the characters, not just sexual attraction. I want to see why these two people are perfect for each other.

I don't like heroines who are doormats. Or heroes who are too demanding!

Dawn wrote: "I hate it when the h/H sleep with other people after they've met. It feels wrong and makes me question the blossoming romance

I also expect true romance between the characters, not just sexual att..."

Agree!

MadameZelda wrote: "Easy. When the hero/heroine cheats."

Ditto!

I really dislike when the hero is disrespectful to the heroine throughout the book and you wonder how he could love her if he doesn't even respect her as a person. It's really hard for me to get past that with a hero.

Heroine body-shaming other females and finding any random guy hot. Hero being extremely controlling to the point its abuse but the author thinks readers are dumb so its called alpha male.

I posted my review for a recent read and this hero really made me create this thread.

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