Romance Novels

[Ridha]

100 usd, damn that is crazy.

So wait who DOES get the money if not the authors? How is the business model working? As you say these books while a guilty pleasure are badly edited even as guilty pleasures though, so 1) where are they finding customers who’ll pay 20 times more money for 20 times less quality, and 2) if they are then why aren’t the authors getting the money and who is?

[Gigiree]

I’ve spoken with several authors on another pay-to-read app (Dreame because I found plagiarized books on their app via Facebook ads and had zero luck with reaching the people who own the app). Basically, the authors get like a penny a chapter purchased and the app takes the rest. Someone is making a ton of money off these writers, and I have encouraged the ladies I’ve spoken with to explore marketing their books elsewhere because they are being ripped off entirely. A lot of them come via WattPad and the like, so for them any money is better than none.

I think a lot of people who use the apps don’t necessarily realize just how much they are paying. With bonus points, sales, and wait-for-free options, some people can make it work, but that’s a lot of effort for subpar product.

[Ladybug]

Has anyone here read any Ali Hazelwood books? I read The Love Hypothesis and it was ok, but I had a few problems with it. I tried reading Below Zero and I could not get into it at all and DNF'd it. I guess if you work in a STEM field maybe you'd be into these, but the science aspect is of no interest to me. I didn't like either heroine in the books I tried either. Just wondering what others' opinions are because this author's books are everywhere!

I have been on a big Lisa Kleypas kick this fall. Read all of the Hathaways and now into the Ravenels, but I started the series out of order.

[piscessiren]

Ooh! Just about to re-read Kleypas' last book in the Bow Street series! How are the other series? How's the spice???

I read the sample for "The Love Hypothesis" and liked it so I ordered the book on a buy one get one 50% off deal. A bit disappointed to learn it's a sort of Kylo/Rey fan fiction, but I'm not up to date on the Star Wars saga.

When I'm bored or need a comfort read, I usually read an Amanda Quick or a hockey romance.

Plan to read a bunch of Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and will finally read the Bridgerton series this winter.

[Carolinian]

I enjoy Lisa Kleypas and will read whatever comes out. I will say I felt the most recent Ravenel book was not as good as the previous ones. Currently I'm reading/listening to the 18(!) books in Jo Beverley's Company of Rogues series, in order. If you like Kleypas you might like Loretta Chase.

True confession: I dislike Julia Quinn's writing. I got as far as the 4th book (Colin/Penelope) and it wound up being a DNF and I abandon the series. He was a bully and she was a milquetoast.

[Deleted]

Nov 6, 2022 21:38:31 GMT -4 Carolinian said:

True confession: I dislike Julia Quinn's writing. I got as far as the 4th book (Colin/Penelope) and it wound up being a DNF and I abandon the series. He was a bully and she was a milquetoast.

I had read and enjoyed Julia Quinn years ago (like, she was still only halfway thru the Bridgerton series when I was reading them) so I had fond memories of the books. Anyway, after the Netflix series came out, I decided to reread them out of nostalgia. They really have not held up well.
I still think Mary Balogh is the gold standard of romance:)

[Carolinian]

I have the first book of Balogh's new series on my nightstand. It is next after the Georgette Heyer I'm reading (Devil's Cub). When Balogh gets late in a series she feels compelled to add "where are they now" lines and paragraphs about previous romantic pairs, which can bog down the story she's telling. I'm looking forward to seeing her shake off that sort of baggage. Of the books of hers I've read my favorites are the Four Horseman trilogy. I like how they interlock. Chonies (::sniff::, I miss her) remarked that the male/female relationships had a significantly darker tone (rape, sexual abuse) than her recent works, and I agree.

[Deleted]

Nov 9, 2022 14:24:02 GMT -4 Carolinian said:

I have the first book of Balogh's new series on my nightstand. It is next after the Georgette Heyer I'm reading (Devil's Cub). When Balogh gets late in a series she feels compelled to add "where are they now" lines and paragraphs about previous romantic pairs, which can bog down the story she's telling. I'm looking forward to seeing her shake off that sort of baggage. Of the books of hers I've read my favorites are the Four Horseman trilogy. I like how they interlock. Chonies (::sniff::, I miss her) remarked that the male/female relationships had a significantly darker tone (rape, sexual abuse) than her recent works, and I agree.

It's been awhile since I read her books (I've fallen out of reading romance books, for the most part), but I don't think I read that one. I really liked her Simply series (and the spin off, the one where the family's former governess opened a school for girls).

[Ladybug]

Sept 9, 2005 20:02:52 GMT -4 Carolinian said:

True confession: I dislike Julia Quinn's writing.

I read the first of the Bridgerton series and that was enough Quinn for me. I couldn't get into the show and the love scenes really bothered me because the actress looked so young. Like 14 years old young.

I just finished the latest in the Bromance Book Club series by Lissa Kay Adams, A Very Merry Bromance, which is about Gretchen the lawyer and Colton the country singer. They have both appeared in previous books but they have one of the best romances of the series, IMO. I love, love, love this series. The banter between the characters is so good, I think she has a real knack for dialogue.

I just started Come as You Are, which is billed as a Gen X romance, the characters are older and have been through some stuff.

[chitowngirl]

I thought the second Bridgerton book, The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony and Kate’s story), was a much stronger story.