Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

LIKES

1. Slow build / friends first

Realistically, you have to get to know someone before you fall in love with them. It’s just unrealistic when two characters fall head-over-heels in love over the course of a day. I want to see the attraction build! I want to see the friendship grow into something more!

Ex.) Graceling by Kristin Cashore – Katsa & Po

2. Honesty / communication

I really appreciate it when characters communicate with one another, especially when they’re honest about their feelings. This is not to say they don’t have misunderstandings and get frustrated with one another, it’s just that their obstacles are not a result of miscommunication.

3. Witty banter

*SWOON.* I love the witty banter between love interests. I will actually giggle aloud when the back-and-forth begins.

Ex.) The Mortal Instruments series, The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare (She is the master of witty banter)

4. Opposites attract

I think it’s adorable when characters balance each other out – their personalities are complementary. I’m not talking about characters that have nothing in common. I’m talking about characters who have something to learn from one another.

Ex.) Best example of this is Hermione & Ron (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling)!

5. Love triangles

LET ME EXPLAIN! (If you scroll down you’ll see that I also have this listed as a ‘dislike.’) I don’t mind love triangles when they’re done right. I always think it’s interesting when a character thinks he/she is in love with someone, but realizes later they’ve actually fallen for someone else. I think love triangles work when the characters actually make a decision in the end – none of that indecisive stuff.

Ex.) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – Celaena & Chaol & Dorian

DISLIKES

6. Insta-love

I don’t even think this needs an explanation. But if you really want one, I encourage you to take a look at ANY other TTT post, because I assure you it’s there. 😉

7. Assumptions / excuses

Miscommunication, GAH! When a character sees his/her love interest in the school library whispering with someone else and thinks they’re cheating but refuses to talk to him/her about it. And then avoids love interest for a week and gives some dumb excuse. (Turns out it was actually the love interest’s COUSIN, who randomly arrived in town only minutes before.)

8. Author gimmicks

The characters have fallen in love and have expressed their feelings for one another – but there are still 30 pages left! And there must be one last obstacle – a reason they absolutely CAN’T be together! No. Please, no. This is just a gimmick.

9. Jealousy

Jealousy is a very common human emotion. Sometimes we just can’t help it. But it’s not attractive.

10. Love triangles

It can be tacky when it isn’t done well. When a character can’t make up his/her mind, I want to bang my head against the wall.