When I started reading many many years ago, love at first sight was more of a rare happening. It was more like lust at first sight and then a story watching the lovers grow. I am not saying it was rare, but I guess I never read a ton of love at first sight books. And twenty years ago, the fated soul mates that appear in paranormal romance wasn’t a big thing.
When I started reading paranormal romances about 7 or so years ago, fated soul mates seemed to be the craze. I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I loved that two people were fated to be lovers and that no one else would do. As I started to mature more in my reading of this genre, I started to wonder where the free will was in that and what would happen if fate was just plain wrong.
Now, there are books that buck the whole fated mate deal. I adore the authors for not making it easy on them any more. While fate may make you soul mates, that doesn’t mean that fate made you actually like or love that person, shifter, vampire, or whatever.
Now I am not slapping down this stream of love at first sight or even fated mates. Every once and a while this really appeals to me when I am looking for a story where these people know what they want, when they want it and they get it. The problem is that almost most of the books I have read lately have been fast paced, where people fall in love within 2-5 days and get a HEA. Huh? While I like that from time to time, in reality I am looking to see these people build a life together that doesn’t end the story after a week.
There are times and places for shorter realities like novellas. But when I am reading a kick ass story and getting into everything, falling in love and living happily forever after in a short times span doesn’t seem real…even if it is a paranormal book.
Now some authors get around the short time span but having the characters know each other for sometime before actually getting together. I still think sometimes this is over used. I can be a friend with someone for years. But falling in love and moving in together isn’t just magical without some time to adjust.
So I find myself even confused as to what I like. Sometimes I want that wam bam let’s be together forever as it renews my hope in love. But then again, I want to see couples who really do take the time to grow and learn to love for a forever after.
So what do you like? Do you believe in love at first sight, or is it lust at first sight? Do you buy all the fated mates/lovers themes? Let’s chat!
Shari
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I believe in love at first sight and at times I’m not a fan of insta-love stories, but they do (or should I say have to work) in shorts, novella’s, etc.
But I would like to read a story where the relationship grows…where it spans say maybe 2 books?….
I’m not a fan of long drawn out stories either. Idk…maybe it all depends on what the author is trying to convey in their story. If they make it believable…convincing, then I’m all for it.
Sharonda
I agree with you. While I was writing this post I kept flipping back and forth. I guess it comes down to what the author is trying to convey and if that works.
I’m a fan of both ends of the spectrum and things in between. I’ve discovered that it comes down to mood and the author’s ability to convince me the couple is romance material. I’ve read long drawn out romances that didn’t grab me and that goes double for quick ones, but the reverse is true too. I’ll say this- its harder convince me when its love at first sight unless the author does a good job at it.
Fun discussion!
Exactly! It’s harder to believe love at first sight if the author doesn’t convince me! Having a happily ever after when they have know each other only 3 days though usually has me calling them out on it. If there is instant love in three days, then the couple needs to have known each other in the past.
I’m not sure about love at first sight, but I definitely believe in lust at first sight. I think it takes time for you to actually fall in love with someone.
True, I can believe in lust at first sight, but I think love takes work and some time. Not forever, but longer than a week!