Romance Novels That Embrace "Seasoned" Women
Book Club. Image via Paramount Pictures.
By Leslie Price
Something interesting is going on in the world of romance novels. Thanks in large part to social media, the genre — much maligned in the ‘80s and ‘90s — is moving past its Fabio phase. Book protagonists are becoming more diverse, and now, there are finally more “mature” female characters.
“It’s really awesome the way it changes the story,” says Maya Rodale, author and former romance reviewer for NPR Books, of an older female lead. “If the heroine’s passed her childbearing years, that takes out all the accidental pregnancy plots and the pressure to get married and have a baby, especially in historical books. ‘Seasoned romance’ is a term people use, but they also just call it romance because it is just romance. It still delivers the fun of falling in love.”
While women read romance novels for all sorts of reasons, the escape they offer – particularly during these times – cannot be overstated.
“You can be assured that it will be about a love story and will end happily,” says Rodale of the industry’s strict adherence to an HEA (happily ever after). “It will not be depressing. No pets will die. No children will die. The people will get together in the end and you will feel warm and fuzzy and happy. That is the promise.”
If you’re new to romance novels, she suggests heading to your local Barnes & Noble to browse in person. “This is super old-school, but you can look and see what cover grabs your eye. There are so many fantastic authors and stories; you really have to find what rings your bell.”
Because the world of romance is so vast, we asked Rodale to share a few of her favorites (featuring ‘seasoned’ women) to help you get started.
Waiting for a Scot Like You by Eva Leigh: “A sexy historical about a widow on the way to an orgy with a grumpy soldier as ‘chaperone.’ It's inspired by ‘80s movies, and part of a series. I LOVE this book.”
Gray Hair Don't Care by Karen Booth: “A second-chance-at-love romance. As I wrote in my NPR review, ‘It's got all the sparkles and tingles of first love, but without all the angst and BS. Just sexy, confident, competent people finding everlasting love.’ This is also part of a series. I adored this one.”
Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan: “The women in this story are 70+; it's wickedly funny and gorgeously written. Courtney Milan is one of the smartest and most talented romance authors, and is a great author to start with for readers new to the genre.”
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory: “Her novels are really good and extremely popular. This features a 50-something couple.”
“And check out Sandra Antonelli on Twitter (and her books), as well as The Ripped Bodice bookstore – it's run by two sisters who really know romance.”
Maya Rodale is the best-selling and award-winning author of funny, feminist fiction including historical romance, YA, and historical fiction. A champion of the romance genre and its readers, she is also the author of Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels, Explained. Her new novel, The Mad Girls of New York, is out in bookstores now.