I have been thinking for awhile about adding other bookish stuff on my blog besides reviews. I have thrown several ideas around and one thing that kept coming back to the top of my list is my random ramblings. I have a group of friends who love discussing all things bookish and we have an absolute blast doing it! And because we have so much fun I got to thinking that maybe others out there would like to discuss bookish ramblings too!
So... without further adieu... I give you Weekend Ramblings! What exactly is Weekend Ramblings? Well... I will post a topic and then share my thoughts on said topic. If you want to join in on the ramblings all you gotta do is start commenting! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Right?!
So... are you ready?! Yes?! Well then... let's get ready to raaaaammmmmbbbbbllllleeeee! Hehe.
*Love Triangles*
While searching for my next book on Goodreads, I came across a book that sounded really good. When I read some of the reviews there was mention of a love triangle. One particular reviewer made a comment about how she loves herself a good love triangle. Me?! Not so much!
So I got to thinking. When it comes to love triangles there are two kinds of people. You either LOVE them or you HATE them! I don't think I have found an in between... yet. One of you out there may surprise me! ;)
So... what are my thoughts? I hate, hate, hate love triangles! Did I mention I hate them?! Lol. I will actually go out of my way to avoid any book that has a love triangle. Why? It's just not fair in my opinion. Someone always, always ends up getting hurt. I feel gypped for the character that gets kicked to the curb. I mean think about it... that would seriously suck! It would be a different story if one of the people in the love triangle was a jerk. But they never are! At least in the ones I have read. There might be some bad guys out there but I haven't come across any. Oh! And don't even get me started on the books that have a bachelor/bachelorette TV theme to them. I can't read those either! They bug me big time as well! That's like a love dodecagon! (Yes... I looked that up... it has 12 sides! Haha.) I am probably the minority when it comes to TV themed books but that's okay... I am a rather odd duck! ;)
So... lay them on me! What are your thoughts on love triangles? Do you love them? Do you hate them? Do you not even care? Inquiring minds want to know! ;)
I hate them too! Mostly because my hubby is, and always has been my one and only. I just can't relate to loving 2 different people. However, I have a friend who said she loved 2 people at once, and totally relates to the love triangles and loves reading those stories. So there ya go!
ReplyDeleteI'm not married but I feel the same as you. When I do fall in love, he will be my one and only. I just can't see myself loving two people at the same time. I do know it happens but I'm just not built that way. I'm kind of selfish.. I hate sharing! I'd be too jealous and would definitely overreact if I was ever in that kind of situation. Haha.
DeleteYes KJ, and you know full well that if even one of the guys she is trying to choose between started showing interest in another girl she would freak out!
DeleteI'm so not a fan of love triangles!
ReplyDeleteThey are seriously horrible! I just can't.. I'm sorry! Lol.
DeleteOkay, so love triangles are kind of a pet peeve of mine. I may not be like you and totally avoid a book that has them, although if it is the main plot point I would probably skip it. There have been very few books where it was done in a way that seemed realistic and didn't leave me hating the heroine (the one that comes to mind is the River of Time series). I think it boils down to three main gripes.
ReplyDeleteFirst, no matter what...the girl always comes off looking bad. There is ALWAYS going to be one guy that you love more and in most cases its VERY obvious who the girl really likes and it comes across that she is just keeping the other one around as a backup. And I don't like the whole wishy-washyness of the whole thing. Make up your mind. Build a real story around the main couple.
Second, it undermines the relationship of the main couple. If she has spent 1-3 books wavering between two guys, why should I believe that when she *finally* chooses one that its the real deal? And frankly, I don't many guys that would put up with being strung along.
Lastly, I think they're extremely hypocritical. It seems most LT are between a girl and two boys. But come on, if it was a guy deciding between two girls everyone would think he is the biggest jerk around. Call him a player, say he is just leading them both on, etc. So why is it unacceptable for a guy to choose between two girls and yet perfectly fine or even "romantic" for a girl to do it?
So yeah, not a fan. Now, I don't mind if a girl feels tempted or attracted and has to work through those type feelings. But, when its a flat-out love triangle makes me crazy. I think a big problem is it has just been so OVERDONE! Its just laughable now and so unoriginal. Be creative and please publishers, stop shoving them down our throats! :)
And you have hit the nail on the head! I agree 110%! I was almost going to post about how it's only girls who are in love triangles with two guys but I knew I would've gone WAY overboard! Lol. You, on the other hand, said it perfectly! It is very hypocritical and people would definitely freak out if it was a guy and two girls.
DeleteAnd that brings up another pet peeve of mine.. why are so many books a double standard?! In a lot of cases it's cute and romantic when a girl does something idiotic or, for this post's purpose, is in a love triangle. But when a guy does it?! Holy Hannah watch out! People are going to tear the poor guy to shreds! I just don't get it. I am one of those readers that always roots for the underdogs and the misunderstood heroes. While others are pulling them down and calling them names, I'm over here building them up and singing their praises! Lol. But like I said in my post... I am a rather odd duck... ;) Hehe.
On another note, why do said choices involved even put up with it? They deserve to be #1 dang it! They shouldn't be someone's option! So maybe they're bringing some of the hurt onto themselves?! Hmmmm....
I don't think most guys would put up with it. And I know that if the main guy started showing interest in another girl the heroine would freak out. He should be like, "well, if you're having doubts and love someone else, maybe I should be looking for someone else as well." I wish that would happen in more books actually. Just be like, forget you Heroine, I'm going to find a girl who will appreciate me.
DeleteI have to be 100% honest... I would LOVE to read a book about a love triangle and BOTH guys say forget it and move on to someone else. Haha. Is that mean?! It probably is BUT I think it would open the Heroine's eyes and help her to appreciate what she has right in front of her. It might also help her to love deeper and understand not to take anything for granted. That's just my opinion though.
DeleteSo, the one series where I think it worked or was handled well was in the River of Time series. It's clear that Gabi is in love with Marcello. Yet, in book two or something she is taken by Rudolfo and supposed to marry him. Rudolfo was pretty great in his own way and in a moment she does take the time to consider the possibility of what would happen if she chose him. But, then quickly dismisses it and stays true to Marcello. For me that was a good example of how to handle it. Its realistic that she would be attracted to Rudolfo and even consider her options. She DOES NOT spent three books wavering between the two. She was mature about it and handled it well. Made me like her all the more.
ReplyDeleteOk.. I have read that series and I honestly do NOT remember a love triangle! Maybe back when I read the series, they didn't bother me as much. But like you said in a previous comment LT's are seriously WAY overdone! I cannot stand them. I roll my eyes and may or may not let out a little growl when I come across them. Lol. I like originality when it comes to the books I read. Is that too much to ask?! Lol.
DeleteI didn't realize until recently that I dislike love triangles. And you both have listed the reasons above: The heroine almost ALWAYS comes off looking bad. One guy gets hurt. Lose-lose all around. And ugh, at the points when she's back and forth and goes back to my non-favorite guy, I want to scream! Noooooo! (I might actually scream sometimes, ha!)
ReplyDeleteThe worst kind of "love triangle" (it's not technically a love triangle storyline, just a one girl, two guys situation) for me, though, is when the heroine is dating a jerk and meets a great guy and STAYS WITH THE JERK for way too long throughout the book, all the while falling for the other guy. I have such a hard time even liking the girl because I want to yell "BREAK UP WITH THE JERK." I know the author probably thinks it keeps tension/drama involved, but I hate it. But that's a rabbit trail and personal pet peeve. ;)
Anyway, yes, I dislike love triangles, but there are a few books that have them and I still like the book. Not because of the love triangle, but despite them...probably because I like one of the guys *so* much that he almost makes up for the triangle. Almost. :)
Ugh, I hate that too Tara. When she's with a loser guy and still stays with him. At the vet least she should realize what a loser he is and dump him, even if she never ends up with the other guy.
DeleteI just hate jerks period!! I do not get how an author can write a jerk and keep the heroine with the jerk. It makes NO sense and it's Huber frustrating! Would they want their daughter with a jerk? Probably not. So why have the heroine stay with one?! Grrrrr. Lol.
DeleteI meant more like when they are with the jerk for like three years...but still end up with the good guy. I just have a hard time liking the heroine when she's been with a guy who is so obviously wrong for her for so long. Even if she ends up dumping him. It wastes most of the book for me. Does that make sense?? I would HATE the heroine if she actually ended up with the no-good guy!
DeleteI think the series that really pushed me over the edge was the Tigers Curse series, where she fell for the two brothers. Man, the heroine came across really bad in that one. IMO. I actually haven't read the last book because of it. :/
ReplyDeleteThank you... thank you... thank you!!! You have saved me from reading that series!!! I cannot tell you how many times people have told me I have GOT to read that series. I have been going back and forth for over a year now. I no longer have to battle with a yes or no answer... it's a definite NO! Lol.
DeleteThe sad thing is, it is a great series. And the main love interest is pretty great. Even the brother. It was just ruined by the love triangle. :(
DeleteOh, wow. You are ALL going to hate me. :) I don't mind them too much, but some really bug me. I hate it when the girl stays with a jerk, but at the same time, it always makes me glad when she finally dumps him, instead of having her try and choose between two great guys! I'll send you a PM with more on that. I'm also guilty of the Tiger's Curse syndrome. Yikes! Are you all going to throw rocks at me now?
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Nope! There will be no throwing of rocks! We each have our own opinions. I have no clue why I'm so against them but I am. But I have read several reviews were people absolutely LOVE them! That's kind of why I chose this as my first rambling. I love hearing others opinions and thoughts. It just adds that much more to all things bookish! ;) Hehe.
DeleteIt does! Can you imagine if we were all the same? I do know that I can't read too many books that are similar in a row or I go crazy, so if all I read were love triangles, that would stink. I wonder why they're so big right now? I would hate to be in one now. :)
DeleteI hate one guy/girl and two girls/guys situation. I know it's technically not a love triangle but this is one situation which irks me a lot. I just can't imagine one of the protagonists stringing along another. And the hurt it causes.. Oh my I always feel uncomfortable with that kind of reads..
ReplyDeleteI agree with you guys on many points.I don't like love triangles that draaaag out. That I hate. I also don't go looking for love triangle books....but they don't necessarily bother me either. I definitely find them realistic because I unfortunately experienced it myself. I met my amazing, now husband , while the guy I dated for two years, and grew up with, was serving an lds mission. We had agreed of course that I would date others while he was gone but I had absolutely no plan to ever date another man seriously. Then I met Jordan. What a mess. You're right KJ. Someone always gets hurt...and it's absolutely horrible! BUT....I'm EXTREMELY grateful every day for the decision I made and for how patient and supportive my husband was through all the drama and heartache. He is my Prince charming and we are living are happily ever after. :) The other great thing is...the missionary found his happily ever after eventually too and has an adorable family!!!! Everything works out how it's supposed too! As long as authors remember that as well, bring on the triangle I guess. ;)lol
ReplyDelete