Have you ever been reading a romance novel and thought about how you’d prefer to have the admirable characteristics and skills of a specific character? For a change, would you prefer to be a particular character in a romance novel, solely based on how someone else made them feel hopelessly in love? I don’t care if the romance novels have 5-star reviews; if you can envision yourself replacing a character in a book for everlasting love, maybe it deserves to be on this list. It could be that you prefer someone’s resilience and/or relationship advice, where the character is not actually in a romantic relationship.
While The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory is comedy gold, name anyone who would want the traumatic experience of Nikole Paterson (a freelance writer) attending a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend. Then, when there’s a scoreboard proposal in front of 45,000 people, her name is misspelled. There’s more that happens in the story, like when there are disappointed fans, Carlos Ibarra (a doctor) comes to Nikole’s rescue when the event goes viral. The experience detailed between Nikole and Carlos can make you want to share their happiness, but it’d be a challenge for a significant other, let alone yourself, to get rid of past trauma.
Today’s topic is about five romance novel characters we’d switch places with this week. Any beloved character that did not make this heartwarming list doesn’t mean they’re not appreciated. If you feel like a character is deserving of being on this list, feel free to give your opinion on The Bookshop Blog’s Twitter.
5. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts has over 225 romance novels to her name. The books in the Chesapeake Bay Saga are the following: Sea Swept (1998), Rising Tides (1998), Inner Harbor (1998), and Chesapeake Blue (2001). Sea Swept is about the Quinn brothers (Cameron, Phillip, and Ethan) returning to their family home on the Maryland shore to honor their father’s last request. Their father was injured in a car wreck and orders his three sons to look after Seth (a troubled 10-year-old boy who Ray is trying to adopt).
Cameron Quinn is a champion boat racer, who travels the world and spends his winnings on champagne and women, but he has to relive being in the same household as his brothers again. Without the thought of living with your siblings again and indulging in champagne, wouldn’t you like to experience the life of Cameron? Cameron is struggling with cooking, cleaning, and caring for a difficult boy, but after the death of Ray, Seth’s custody is questioned. Anna Spinelli (an attractive case worker) decides the fate of Seth, investigating the Quinn household to see if the area is appropriate for Seth. Meanwhile, Cameron is busy trying to impress Anna.
4. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Deceptions can turn into exceptions as they relate to the feelings of love. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman work in a shared office in New York City, as administrative assistants to the co-CEOs of a publishing house. They spend the day devoted to books and playing pranks on each other. Lucy is concerned with Joshua’s meticulous, uptight, and pessimistic approach to his job and Joshua is concerned with Lucy’s bright clothes, quirkiness, and optimistic attitude.
When Lucy and Joshua are up for a promotion, somehow, they share a kiss on an elevator, making them question if they share the same feelings. The hilarious aspect of The Hating Game is that each day is a game where they get pranked. Falling in love with an enemy seems like holding a grudge against someone only to forget what you were originally mad about. If you remember what you were mad about, you have the power to forgive. The emotions of love would have to feel mutual (and not dominant) in order to want to take a relationship with a former enemy seriously. Before watching The Hating Game (2021) movie (starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell), you may want to read the book first, which was published back in 2016.
3. You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria
After a public breakup, Jasmine Lin Rodriguez (a soap opera star) returns to her home in NYC to film a bilingual romance, called Carmen in Charge, for a streaming service. Ashton (a telenovela star) views the new series as a chance to reinvigorate his career and provide for his family. When Jasmine and Ashton are rehearsing, they have to make the on-screen romance believable, then real sparks between them fly.
The rumors are that Jasmine and Ashton are a couple, but Ashton is trying to focus on his career. Jasmine eventually discovers Ashton’s big secret. Thus, the couple is focused on keeping the paparazzi from discovering Yadiel (Ashton’s 8-year-old son), who is living with his family in Puerto Rico.
2. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Yes, The Notebook is a 1996 romantic novel, which got adapted into the talked-about 2004 film. Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson have intense feelings that endure World War II and the death of a child. The couple first met in the summer of the 1930s in New Bern, North Carolina. While you may prefer experiencing the affectionate and heartfelt moments that led up to how the story ends, the most romantic scene is when Noah stays by Allie’s side when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Surely, you wouldn’t want want to live as a character with Alzheimer’s disease, but the relationship is effective. Many of us would prefer to have someone who will love us unconditionally.
The Notebook is actually based on a real-life love story. If you are not aware, The Notebook is based on the grandparents of Nicholas Sparks‘ ex-wife, Cathy Sparks. Her grandparents managed to be married for over 60 years.
1. A Princess In Theory: Reluctant Royals by Alyssa Cole
Receiving ongoing email scams is a nuisance, especially if you fall in love with the person, only to discover that they’re not real. In A Princess In Theory, Naledi is about a grad student working multiple jobs in New York City who receives constant messages from Prince Thabiso (an African Prince), claiming they were betrothed as children. Oddly, the African Prince is real and Naledi doesn’t remember too much of her childhood before being in foster care. She’s skeptical of Prince Thabiso, but can you blame her?
Prince Thabiso, who is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, makes his way to Naledi‘s doorstep. Instead of confessing his love right away, he pretends to be a commoner. The chemistry goes from an instant, irresistible, and flirty friendship to passionate nights. Wouldn’t you prefer to make love to a monarch, even if you didn’t know the ruler was in such a position? The storyline for A Princess In Theory is an uncommon masterpiece.