Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Pardon me for being a new kid and pushing to the front - but I have a question, and I think you people can answer it:

What makes a romance into a romantic comedy?

I just finished a great book ("Beach Read," by Emily Henry) which Amazon recommended to me when I went looking for romantic comedies. It's an excellent book - I gave it five stars and my own two sturdy thumbs way up - but it's not a romantic comedy. Yes, it made me laugh out loud - but its purpose wasn't to amuse me. It's the story of two broken people who work through a lot of damage before finding the courage to evolve; the wit and humor is incidental to the (very good) plot.

So I'm wondering: Does a romantic comedy ONLY get to be zany/wacky/screwball? "Bringing Up Baby" is a total rom-com (nobody even evolves; Katherine Hepburn just gets what she wants and Cary Grant surrenders deliciously). But "While You Were Sleeping" - that's not QUITE a rom-com, you know? What with the dead dad and the guy in the coma and the potential to destroy a family, and all...

So can you help me? What makes a romance into a romantic comedy for YOU? Is it like that classic definition of art vs. pornography - I know it when I see it? Or can you put some boundaries on this thing to help me out?

I only classify as a Comedy when the book makes me laugh out loud. Smiles, scoffs, and snickers get a humor tag.

Trio wrote: "I only classify as a Comedy when the book makes me laugh out loud. Smiles, scoffs, and snickers get a humor tag."

Trio, you make a distinction between "humor" and "comedy?" I find this fascinating. And the difference - an out-loud laugh or not? I'm digging your levels of refinement; I'd never considered the difference between the two!

Wow Pru you know I've never been one to go with labels. I read a book depending on the synopsis/people comments etc.

But now that you have, I think its easier for the publishers to have a generic group without too many demarcations. it eases their work tremendously. There was romance and you laughed right ✅ so it's ROMCOM

I personally get uncomfortable when black humour is considered 'rip roaring funny'. Recently I read a book called 'Teased by Fire' which is supposed to be a funny romance. But underlying that was so.much sadness and loneliness..it was upsetting. And I'm rambling!

And I'm curious how this conversation pans out. More of my rambles possibly.

Leena wrote: "Wow Pru you know I've never been one to go with labels. I read a book depending on the synopsis/people comments etc.

But now that you have, I think its easier for the publishers to have a generic ..."
Yes - EXACTLY! I get annoyed when something is supposed to be a romantic comedy and then I'm suddenly in the midst of emotional turmoil and angst! So - I celebrate your willingness to forego labels - be free, little book children! But I've bought a LOT of "rom-coms" that are NOT comedies... and so I'm sort of wishing there were slightly better walls put up around the sub-genre. Just because a book has a bright, cartoony cover and has wit in it does NOT make it a rom-com! (A few years ago, that movie came out with Casey Affleck - Mystic Connecticut? Can't remember the name. It was billed as the "feel-good hit of the summer" so I went, thinking I would - I dunno, FEEL GOOD. And then I sat there slowly sinking into a real longing for the sweet release of death and I just got mad. They lured me in with false marketing and it wicked ticked me off!!)

omg. what a horrible experience.

have you read the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren? Similar feelings

Leena wrote: "have you read the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren? Similar feelings"

Leena - that is UNCANNY. I was going to start that book tonight!! Dang. It's a bummer, huh? All right - I'm going back on the hunt then, Where is early Jennifer Crusie when you need her??!

No its not to bad. iT really starts off great. its the middle that slows down a little. its a one time read.
The hype around this book doesn't hold up.But I would love to know your views if you're still game.

Leena wrote: "No its not to bad. iT really starts off great. its the middle that slows down a little. its a one time read.
The hype around this book doesn't hold up.But I would love to know your views if you're ..."

Okay - I've got it back in the queue then. We can put our heads together once I'm done. Cool - feels like friends!

yup

Leena wrote: "yup"

Hey, Leena - I finished "The Unhoneymooners" today - I dug it big-big! I thought it was charming, and definitely deserved its "rom-com" tag. Do I gather it didn't hit you as neatly as it got to me?

I felt the middle dragged a little and the end was too pat? Little contrived. but I loved the first half

im so glad your faith in rom-com is back:)

what are you reading next?

Leena wrote: "what are you reading next?"

I honestly hadn't chosen yet; I picked 41 great books for that meet-and-greet challenge and now I'm afraid I have to NOT read them until August! So I've got to go hunting. (Oh, like that's such a burden!) What have you liked lately?

I've been reading suspense and thrillers as part of my mystery reading challenge.
I started with a terrible romance called The Pregnant Professor. I just DNF ed it.

im currently reading Puppy Love by Lycy Gilmore

Its actually sweet. im on çbapter 4, and I m hoping it continues so.

I'm trapped - yes, on a weekend! - with work and volunteerism and my head is spinning and I LONG for a good romance!! I am reading NOTHING at the moment! But now I long for Puppy Love!

you must. I loved it.

now Im starting something called Beautifully Damaged bu Laura Pavlov

reading challenges are truly challenging (:

In self-defense (I've been SWAMPED for weeks now!), I grabbed a new one - "Well Met." I'm only a few chapters in, but already it's tempting me away from all the work I still have to do. WAAAH! I want more reading time!!

I had messaged with GR staff because I was looking for a group that only focused on RomComs. The guy who responded invited me to start one bc apparently, there aren't any. I loved BEACH READ even though I still have a resentment about the misleading title and the shite cover.

I dislike many of the RomComs that are what I would call farsical. I am not looking for Three Stooges or "I Love Lucy" kind of ditzy comedy when I seek a romance that makes me laugh. I mostly just don't want alpha-wolf a-holes. But what I have learned is that laughs are in the eye of the beholder so to speak. I have yet to make it through a Sophie Kinsella book. Ditto for Jennifer Crusie. I realize though that I might need to dig deeper. When I first tried to watch Parks & Rec, it was so lame. Someone suggested I try the 2nd season and I became addicted. I watched something like seven seasons in three weeks. Maybe Sophie and Jennifer are my Season One of Parks & Rec?

What works best for me is skimming reviews for like-minded readers whose sense of humor resonates with mine. I also search Reddit threads.

You didn't ask for this but here are some books that have made me laugh and laugh:

ARROGANT DEVIL by RS Grey. Author Rachel Grey is hit or miss for me. I have quit some of her books because they aren't my thing but this one I loved. Meredith is one of my favorite heroines. Her internal monologues (or side convos with the dog,) tickle all my funny bones. Another RS Grey book I loved: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. Even though this was often "over the top" and got off to a bumpy start, once I caught the groove, I loved it. Also good: THE TROUBLE WITH QUARTERBACKS. Conversely, I couldn't even finish RS Grey's THE BEAU AND THE BELLE; so bleh. The only thing I really liked about B&B was that it was set in New Orleans.

Not exactly LOL but funny bits: AFTER I DO by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This would probably fit more into the BEACH READ category. The soulmates-who-marry couple hits the skids and they are really in angst. It has a happy ending but there's death and birth in the mix.

RUNAWAY GROOM (I DO, I DON'T) by Lauren Layne. Listened to the audiobook. This is the 2nd book in the series. The 1st one was a dud. Luckily, I listened out of order. Lauren Layne books are very hit or miss for me. Some series don't even seem to be written by the same person. I liked some of the Oxford/Stiletto series.

CRAZY FOR LOVING YOU by Pippa Grant. Not a big fan of most PG books because they're too over the top. Is "melocomedic" a word (like "melodramtic" but in terms of humor instead of drama?) I find most P-Grant books to not resonate with my humor but this one was funny despite the unrealistic zany billionaire Daisy and her cray. I described this as a Goldie Hawn ebook version of Private Benjamin only with a baby instead of military enlistment.

Shelly Laurenston's Honey Badger Chronicles. Paranormal. About shifters. But funny and with romance. I listened to the audio books and Charlotte Kane, the narrarator, was stellar. (#1) HOT & BADGERED, (#2) IN A BADGER WAY, (#3) BADGER TO THE BONE.

I FLIPPING LOVE YOU (Shacking Up #3) by Helena Hunting. Low expectations but delightfully surprised. Pierce was a character!

ANYTHING BUT EASY by Susie Tate If you liked Bridget Jones Diary, this is a sister from a different mister-ess.

SHORTCAKE by Lucy Watson.

EVERYTHING GIRL by Emily Mayer. Objectifies men which I find offensive but city girl on country ranch trope has good laughs.

YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER by Sarah Hogle

ATTACHMENTS by Rainbow Rowell

NEANDERTHAL MARRIES HUMAN by Penny Reid

MY FAVORITE HALF-NIGHT STAND by Christina Lauren Also: THE UNHONEYMOONERS

Historical Rom Com: Anne Gracie's MARRY IN SCARLET Not a laugh a minute but sarcasm and a spunky heroine in George.

Laughter & tears: DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Mhairi McFarlane

I didn't really like most of her other books but Tara Sivec's JUST MY TYPE was 5 stars for me.

Paranormal funny romance: Most of Molly Harper's books. I started out of order with DRIVING MR. DEAD. Gave it 5 stars.

Audiobook version of HERE BE SEXIST VAMPIRES which is obvs paranormal. The narrator is amazing. I'm not sure if e-reading would be nearly as good. It's a Suzanne Wright so it verges on porny, always so much steamy sex and in this one, the characters have side talents which means that the sex scenes are paranormally enhanced.

hey Erin thanks so much for the list. im definitely going to try some. im not big into Helena Hunting or Penny Reid. Sophie Kinnell is shallow. I actually liked Christina Lauren books. its really weird for such a huge genre I cannot seem to remember one I loved off the cuff.