Dear Contemporary Romance Settings,
I'm a huge fan. Let me just get that out of the way. I prefer contemporary romance over any other romance. It feels the most real. Well, since I am living in this time I guess it would feel that way wouldn't it?
I love the small towns. Usually by an ocean or out there in the country somewhere. By a mountain! There is always a diner that serves meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Everybody know's their neighbor's and there is always a town gossip. Somebody always owns the cute B&B. If you add some home town boys you've got yourself a contemporary romance! It is all so idealistic. I love it.
Some of my favorite contemporary romance series settings are Virgin River by Robyn Carr, Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis, Shamrock Falls by Kelley Vitollo. As well as anything written by Kristin Higgins and Shannon Stacey. They do the best small towns in the business.
But, I'm not going to lie...it might be time to add a new setting. How about something abroad? or maybe a big city? Maybe something on an island. Singles cruise anyone? I'm not saying these book aren't out there. I'm sure they are...somewhere. But, I've not come across one yet. I'm saying that it should be the new trend! Let's branch out ya know?
I'm ready for a new setting in my contemporary romance reading. Does anybody have any good recommendations for me of anything a little different? I'm all ears!
Sincerely,
A contemporary romance lover
Let’s Talk Romance is an original feature/meme hosted by yours truly {Mary @ The Sweet Bookshelf} and {Jac @ For Love and Books} . We love romance and wanted a place where we could discuss it freely each week! Come along each Thursday and you’ll be able to participate in discussion questions, reviews, lists, and all things romance. When we have a Mr. Linky present you’ll be able to post the topic on your blog as well. We hope to get to know other romance lovers as well as maybe get a few more to give the genre a try. Let’s Talk Romance!!
I couldn't agree more. I absolutely adore these settings. And fully admit that the husband and I have a plan to visit small towns every summer so when we are ready to retire we have some ideas of where to move and open some sort of small town business (yes we are total nerds, like this).
ReplyDeleteBut I have been reading about these types of settings for over 15 years(Wow - That's dating myself, isn't it) and I am very ready for something new. I think adult contemporary could learn a lot from YA contemporary romance. I am thinking along the lines of Flirting in Italian or Just One Day. A vacation romance and fling that turns into something more.
*sigh* Now I am in the mood for a romance. Off to the bookshelf :-)
Nat
Nat, I agree! I think the adult romance genre could learn a lot from YA. It's fun to shake up the setting and try out new places. Maybe I'll just have to write one myself!
DeleteI love these small town settings so much. But, I wouldn't mind something different from time to time.
It makes me so happy that you wrote this letter, because how awesome would it be to have a contemporary romance set on a cruise or in some country abroad or on a road trip? I think it would be epic. And it would probably convince me to read more of them :)
ReplyDeleteI know!!! I used to work on a cruise line and I just think a foreign fling would make for an exciting romance novel. We need new scenery don't you think? Feels like everybody is writing the same stuff these days.
DeleteI'm really starting to feel like the only place you can really put a Contemporary Romance is the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. I mean, seriously? Seattle area and New England are the only two locales I read lately. And I love the settings, I do. But I want something exotic. And different.
ReplyDelete-Jac @ For Love and Books
I know right?! I love it but maybe the small town thing is over done. Why do all contemporary romances need to be set there?? Shake it up!
DeleteGood question! =)
ReplyDeleteI love the Virgin River series, and also enjoy Debbie Macomber books ( she also writes alot of stories set in the Montana / Washington area )
Right now, Im reading "The Last Boyfriend" by Nora Roberts. This is 2nd in a series of 3...This series is set around a real inn ( and small community ) in a upper Eastern State. Ive seen photos of the real inn,..gorgeous!
Virgin River!!! I love it when I find other Robyn Carr lovers.
DeleteI've never read a Nora Roberts. Maybe I'm going to have to start!
I love a city setting, particularly New York! Milly Johnson's Here Come the Girls is set on a cruise ship & most of the books I've read recently have been city settings...
ReplyDeleteYeah I love a city setting too. Chic-lit has better settings. They can put a single gal anywhere! I love it. But, I'm specifically talking about contemporary romance which is a different genre than chic-lit.
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