Ah, love

I recently finished reading a book and there was something about the romance plot line that I just didn't like, and I just couldn't figure out what it was that I didn't like about it. And then it hit me. It was just too much of the romance genre romance. I don't mind the love story plot. There is nothing wrong with a good old bit of romantic interaction. But, there is a difference between romance and the romance genre, and I just don't do the romance genre. Generally the writing style is obvious, the action is shallow, and it just doesn't work for me. And that is what I didn't like about this book. Everything else worked, but the romance was a huge detractor for me. It distracted from the major plot and I think it weakened the story.

As I said, I never mind a bit of romance. People falling in love is always a happy thing. One of the greats for adding romance is, remarkably, Agatha Christie. Honestly, Poirot? Brilliant detective, but his other hobby is matchmaking. It's impressive. He's such a sucker for love.

I can't actually think of any other romance books right now, but I do enjoy the more organic approach rather than the spontaneous and passionately crazy love. For example, I don't really buy the Cinderella love story, but I do like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. This is a much more believable love story. And, a lot more fun.  Little Women is another great romance story. The way the characters fall in love is so normal, natural, and believable, that you just gotta like it. And Jane Austen, for all the stereotypes she gets, really does know how to do a love story.

Anyway, I clearly haven't read a ton of romance/love stories, but a love story done right is a pleasure to read.