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“What’s Something That’s Hot In Books But Repulsive In Real Life?” (40 Answers)
Interview With Expert
Many people read books to escape reality and get lost in the fantasy world. However, sometimes authors depict things in a way even the most dedicated fiction readers can’t get behind.
Recently, the romantasy genre lovers were discussing behaviors that are romanticized in books but actually are repulsive in real life. Scroll down to find them, and make sure to leave your own observations in the comments below.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with Jeanne De Vita, award-winning author and editor, creative writing instructor at UCLA Extension, and founder of Book Genie, as well as Michelle M. Pillow, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of Romance, Cozy Mystery, and Paranormal Women’s Fiction, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about romanticized yet repulsive IRL tropes in romantasy books.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Sleeping all tangled together. I cannot sleep that way, when it comes to sleep do not. frickin. touch. me. lol.
RELATED:
#2
Kissing someone to make them shut up. Anyone did that to me my fist would meet their gut.
#3
Moody secretive men who won’t discuss anything about themselves or their history, but are super hot. Their only interactions with FMC they are irritated because they’re trying to control primal urges. FMC can’t get him out of her head and tries to interact with him more.
Real life: I’m sorry, but if you’re rude and act like I’m annoying, I’m going to leave and never think about you again. There’s no one hot enough for me to put up with that. It’s not intriguing and I don’t want to fix you.
UpupaEpops 1 month ago
It's pretty hurtful imo. I get that guys (mostly) have different coping mechanisms and talking it out (with a woman) isn't one of it, but it's really hurtful to ask your partner what's up, only for them to completely shut you out and give one of those "alpha male" speeches on how you as a woman would never be able to understand their feelings, blabla
"Exploring the contrast between what’s thrilling in fiction but unsettling in real life is something I often navigate in my writing, especially in my paranormal romance and fantasy worlds," said Michelle M. Pillow, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of Romance, Cozy Mystery, and Paranormal Women’s Fiction to Bored Panda.
Her favorite trope to write about that is quite disturbing in reality is the fated mate—two people irresistibly drawn together by an unbreakable, supernatural bond. "In fiction, it’s all-consuming, swoon-worthy, and layered with tension. But in real life? If someone showed up claiming destiny had decided we must be together, I’d be reaching for a restraining order," she joked.
"This is a trope I love playing with in my books, especially in the fan-favorite relationships of my Dragon Lords series. These guys are the ultimate believers in love at first sight—they even have crystals that glow to tell them who they’re meant to be with. It’s excellent for futuristic fantasy, but can you imagine a stranger telling you a magic rock wants you to get married?"
#4
Dirty talk. I’m sorry, it takes me out of it. I’m too analytical and in my head for it and a lot of the time it sounds cringey as hell. Heck even when reading sometimes I hate it when it’s overdone and I’m like “dude, please stop talking, you’re ruining it for me!”.
#5
Whenever one of them rescues the other from weeks of imprisonment or w.e. and they immediately start making out. As a dental hygiene freak I have to try very hard to pretend they wouldn’t have awful reeking breath.
Lavern Defazio 1 month ago (edited)
This!! And when they just eat or wake up. Although, they just might have had worse things in their mouths.
#6
Hand on the throat. I don’t even really find it hot in books, but less so in real life, lol.
Another one of her favorites is the morally gray antihero. "So much fun to write, but in real life, red flags would be waving like it’s a parade. Fiction allows us to examine power, redemption, and emotional intensity in a way that’s thrilling and consequence-free. It gives us the space to ask, What if? while safely knowing we can close the book at any time," Michelle explains.
#7
Cheating. Forbidden, sexy and exciting in novels, particularly when written well. In reality, it disgusts the hell out of me.
Janelle Collard 1 month ago
And when the female character takes the cheater back? Anybody else get the urge to throw the book thru a window? Also - shout, yell + exclaim about how dumb, etc., the female is?
#8
Obsessive men.
Meanwhile, Jeanne De Vita, award-winning author and editor, creative writing instructor at UCLA Extension, and founder of Book Genie, shares that she adores writing about alpha males. "The swoony heroes who live to protect and who charge past morally gray boundaries and into the darkest aspects of humanity (always, of course, for "reasons"). In reality, I'm a bit of an alpha female who tends to resist/reject patriarchy, inequality, and masculine aggression in all its forms."
#10
"Touch her and die" possessive dudes would be f*****g embarrassing.
Sorry about my macho 6'4 boyfriend with many insecurities and no more than one shirt in his possession. He doesn't know how to act right.
#11
Outdoor s*x. It’s fun in theory, until you’re got sand and mystery substances in your cheeks. Also I’m terrified of bugs getting inside me somehow 😭😖.
#12
Jealousy of any kind for me. like i love jealousy in books (not at dark romance levels but still) but IRL i have never truly experienced jealousy & it is pretty much a deal breaker. This is not including like healthy, developmentally normal jealousy, I mean the book kind if that makes sense.
Julia Ford 1 month ago
Some people love to have a jealous partner. I think it’s annoying, it is a bad look.
The rising popularity of romantasy books in recent years makes it clear that not only do writers enjoy writing about these toxic character traits but fans are also absolutely loving reading them. Of course, we were curious to understand why.
"Romance is the genre that allows female readers to safely explore the real issues that we battle in every day life with a guarantee (yes, a guarantee) that no matter the journey, we will end up safe, fulfilled, and happy. In real life, toxic men and toxic relationships are an inevitable part of the social contract. The statistics don't lie," says Jeanne.
#13
Claiming bites on the neck, enough to draw blood .
#14
A man telling me what to do 😭 in a book im like ok daddy! 🙂↕️ in real life im like 🔫🔪.
April Pickett 1 month ago
In real life,, men want to tell you what to do. They want to fix "it" for you so that it is no longer a problem. Unfortunately, we don't care about fixing "it," we want to vent. We'll fix "it" later.
"Women will experience intimate partner violence, abuse, and aggression in our lives—likely more than once. Romance novels that deal with dark, toxic, or damaging themes can allow us to understand boundaries and safely engage in power dynamics, communications, intimacy, and conflict resolution in ways we may not be able to in real life," she further suggests.
"Romance novels are critical because they are first and foremost entertainment, allowing us to enjoy a fully escapist fantasy (where, for example, love really can change a bad man) while at the same time giving us a safe place to explore issues that are far more challenging, nuanced, and potentially unsafe in our real lives."
#16
Your partner being a leader/ruler of a society.
The idea of an extremely competent, intelligent man is hot, but there’s no way the fae king who is the ~strongest warrior/most magic sorcerer/wisest man~ has enough time and energy left over for my needy a*s 😂.
#18
The will they/ won’t they anxiety! Great in books, awful irl.
Michelle shares a similar opinion on why people enjoy reading about behaviors that would be disturbing in real life. "For me, it’s the same reason I love watching horror movies. They’re exciting and fun. Fiction is a playground for the what if—a space to explore intense emotions, darker themes, and high-stakes drama without any real-world mess," she tells us.
"Toxic traits in books can be thrilling because we know they’re not real. No one is actually signing up for a relationship with a brooding, dangerously possessive shifter or a ruthless vampire. Instead, we get to experience the emotional intensity and drama from a safe distance, all while rooting for that cathartic moment of redemption or realization."
#19
Fated mates or whatever, it’d be pretty f****d up if you couldn’t leave someone no matter how badly they treat you.
Bacon Tentacles 1 month ago
I love the fact that Mercedes Lackey spent an entire trilogy building up the idea of a lifebond, and then spent several others explaining why it's a horrible thing for some people.
#20
Brooding.
- In real life you need therapy.
Calling the FMC “Baby”
- Didn’t realize just how much I hate this until I had to listen to my BIL and his boyfriend call each other “Babyyyy” every other sentence for an entire weekend. “Babyyy can you pass the ketchup?” “Babyyy will you make me some coffee?” “Babyyy what time do you want to leave?” 🤮.
KazzaHazza 1 month ago
Me and my husband love each other very much but we’re not a soppy couple. We’ll wake up and say ‘Good morning, t w a t’ ‘Hello w a n k e r’ 😂
#21
Mating bonds with mental talking and sensing emotions. I have enough of my own thoughts I don’t need yours up in there too GET OUT OF MY HEAD.
While writing about engaging and complex characters with toxic flaws, Michelle believes that balance is key. "I love writing morally gray characters, but their flaws have to matter—actions have consequences, and redemption isn’t handed out like free candy. If a character is controlling, manipulative, or destructive, those traits aren’t excused just because they’re attractive or have a tragic past. Instead, I make sure their flaws serve the story and push character growth rather than being framed as desirable," she explains.
"For example, in Merely Mortal, Tamara encounters beings who operate by their own supernatural rules. Some of them have a warped sense of morality, but that doesn’t mean they get a free pass. She’s not afraid to call them out."
#22
“250” year old “man” (fae, etc) with a 20 year old maiden.
Sky Render 1 month ago
It's almost never the other way around either. Where's the impulsive and immature barely-adult men getting hooked up with the thousand-year-old sorceress, huh?
#23
Just finished Nocticadia and DAMN was the professor-student relationship hot....but that would be so messed up IRL. I'm glad it's a standalone, because obsessive lust like that with a huge power dynamic is not healthy. It was hot as hell to read though lol.
#24
Having s*x while traveling or kissing first thing in the morning. I’m sorry, I can’t with the smells 😷.
Concluding this discussion, Jeanne says that romance novels is a truly critical genre. "Culturally and socially, we're the first writers to tackle real human issues: mental health, addiction, violence, trauma, and more, and to package these issues in themes and with messages that give people hope and release from the complexities of reality," she says.
"We can see the powerful impact that romance has on people reflected in movements within our society, such as conversations about consent and birth control. I'm really proud to be part of this genre (as a second-generation romance author, I grew up around romance writers and this industry and chose, after years of education and work, to focus on romance) and the impact it has on human conversations and connections."
#25
Men in love with no reason.
Seriously every romantasy the dude like instantly in love but doesn’t really know her. It isn’t cute in real life for a man to be obsessive (obsessive at all yes) but what’s up with this I’m so in love I’ll die for you immediately??? AKA LEUTHER IN SPARK OF EVERFLAME DRIVES ME NUTS.
Alex Schneider 1 month ago (edited)
Don't relay your selfesteem on a dude who fells in love without knowing you.It isn't a magical vibe.., he is in love with an option not with your personality
#26
Devil's threeway. Having two men rut around on me in real life sounds repulsive.
#27
Morally grey love interest.
Luke Branwen 1 month ago
Funny thing is that the same "hot morally gray love interest" would be regarded as "despicable deranged psychopath" if he looked like Danny DeVito.
#28
I admit, I am totaly into athletic man with broad shoulders in books. Well, in real life not really.
Lavern Defazio 1 month ago
It's okay. I become a wolf, or a fish or a scorpion in books, but in real life, I'm not
#30
Multiple partners. Reverse Harem books are great but me being done multiple times in a night (often at the same time) or multiple times through out the day damn near daily? No thanks.
#31
The soliloquy’s, the “you are the air I breathe, there is no one I could want more in this lifetime or the next, my soul will forever find yours, you are my one true reason for being, I will always put you before all else” ESPECIALLY when the character has a lot of convictions up until this point… like FMC falls for him because of the selfless way he puts his friends/court/kingdom first but then once he falls for he his priorities shift exclusively to her?
Not only are the speeches clingy, intense, and cringy, but they’re symbolic of the character totally changing! They go from loyal stalwart figures of dedication and commitment to flighty little boys. I don’t get how the FMC is still attracted. I would be appalled.
I guess I didn’t really answer because I don’t think this is hot in books either but this kind of s**t is constantly highlighted so I feel like I’m the odd one out here.
#32
I just tried to read a book about a werewolf cop that pulls over a woman for speeding and smells her and realizes she’s his true mate. She’s on a road trip so when he asks her to go out with him she says no, she’s just passing through. He then arrests her for like a whole week until… I’m actually not sure what else happens because I DNF. But let me be clear: the reason I stopped it was because the book was very badly written, not the premise. I went on with eyes wide open and loving it.
Sometimes I catch myself loving things like that and I wonder what’s wrong with myself. Good thing my husband knows I love those books but I want none of that in real life.
#33
When the main male kisses her scars and says “promise me no more” like bruh it is sooo cringe in real life. Especially with a hookup.
Alex Schneider 1 month ago
What does she have to promise: Never burn her fingers on hot food,because she is hungry? Never use a razor again for her legs? Nevermore outdoorsex cause she got bruised?
#34
The one horse situation!!
Lavern Defazio 1 month ago
Yes. This is annoying because that poor horse has to haul two asses now.
#35
Animalistic growls….
#36
It's really weird to me how the men are always so h***y. That can't be what is actually going on in real men's heads, right? The most innocuous things will get them all hot and bothered. I've only dated one guy, so I don't have much to compare to.
DoubleDoubleTiredAndTuckered 1 month ago
As an ace (asexual) on the male side of human existence, it’s beyond me. Why would you be thinking about procreation nonstop when there are better things to do?
#38
Sleeping together before they talked about their feelings / how they stand / before admitting they like each other.
#39
Breeding kink. Sounds hot sometimes in written but the thought of having irl child makes me so uneasy.
Poll Question
What is your favorite aspect of fantasy romance novels?
The escapism
The romanticized adventures
The unique settings
The complex characters
What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
I've been pretty lonely and isolated IRL for a long time (finally escaped a bad, 23-year-long relationship last October) so I've been on a pretty hardcore "romantic fantasy"-genre reading kick lately. I've read some pretty good ones and some REALLY bad ones. Some are hilarious and fun and light, some are really poorly-written. There was one trilogy where the author used the word "huffed" instead of "laughed" 20-30 times per book. Another series is set in a fantasy world (with magic and swords) but the author has the characters say modern phrases like "my two cents" or "whatever!" It really breaks immersion XD
ElfVibratorGlitter 1 month ago
I... guess I like weird stuff most people don't like? 🤷🏻♂️ Except sex on the beach. That's honestly the worst...
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
I've been pretty lonely and isolated IRL for a long time (finally escaped a bad, 23-year-long relationship last October) so I've been on a pretty hardcore "romantic fantasy"-genre reading kick lately. I've read some pretty good ones and some REALLY bad ones. Some are hilarious and fun and light, some are really poorly-written. There was one trilogy where the author used the word "huffed" instead of "laughed" 20-30 times per book. Another series is set in a fantasy world (with magic and swords) but the author has the characters say modern phrases like "my two cents" or "whatever!" It really breaks immersion XD
ElfVibratorGlitter 1 month ago
I... guess I like weird stuff most people don't like? 🤷🏻♂️ Except sex on the beach. That's honestly the worst...
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