Many romance novels are series containing the same characters--that is the say, book 2 takes the brother from book 1 and gives him his own romance. Book 3 takes the boss from book 1 and 2 and gives her her own romance. By book 4 you've got all these side characters popping up for semi-gratuitous scenes, presumably meant to please fans?
The result is the book's protagonist is surrounded by all these bland super-happy-highly-sexed-gorgeous couples who have perfect relationships because the author can't imply that any of her previous Happily Ever Afters might be having problems. Without having read the previous books in the series, I can tell these are previous characters, and it takes me out of the book. The novel suddenly rings false and I long to be rid of the interlopers.
I get why an author can't spoil the HEA Effect, so I wish these books just had new friend characters. With a balding husband here, a sarcastic wife there--something to relieve the monotony and somewhat reflect real life. Just because it's a fantasy about the hero and heroine, does it have to be a fantasy about all their buddies too?
I love romance novels, but I think the genre has falling into some ruts. Too many gorgeous and brooding men, too many sassy heroines with banging bods (though of course they don't think so), too many young characters, and too many previous characters littering up the landscape.
Song of the Day:
A song about the difficulties of writing love stories.
"Love Over and Over" by Kate and Anna McGarrigle*
I've walked upon the moors of many misguided tours
Where Emily, Anne and Charlotte poured their hearts out
What did they know, or anyone know, about love?
_______
*We were talking about shmoopy songs the other day and Judy, Judy, Judy mentioned she hadn't heard Kate and Anna McGarrigle. They're a Quebec folk duo, and sisters. Kate was married to Loudain Wainwright III was mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and died just a couple years ago.
