Lots of people (and by people I mean โill-informed snobsโ) say romance novels
are unrealistic, that they idealize relationships in a way thatโs somehow
irresponsible and lets women get away with harboring silly fantasies. I could
write a whole post on what I think about that, but for now let me just quote one
of my favourite authors, Tessa Dare, who said: โWomen are constantly told itโs
fantasy to expect fidelity, respect, and orgasms in this life and to seek the
same in our reading. Itโs not.โ
So, in complete agreement, I would say, yeah, romance novels absolutely idealize
love. And not only is there nothing wrong with that, thatโs the whole point.
But Iโve been thinking lately about how romance novels idealize another kind of
love, too: the best friend. If romance novels give us something to aspire to in
terms of how we expect to be treated by men, they also model female friendships
that are healthy, supportive, and fun. And I think thatโs awesome.
In my newest release, SLEEPING WITH HER ENEMY, my heroine Amy is left at
the altar on page one. Yes, she has to learn some stuff about herself in order
to earn her romantic happily ever after, but she also has to face up to the fact
that sheโs not very well-endowed in the friend department. Her friends were all
people she knew through being part of a couple.
So one of the things she works on is getting some new ones. Sheโs a beginner, if
you will. But she quickly learns that friends make life better in so many ways
(and by the time this series wraps up when I release its last instalment in
November, this group of friends, which acquires one more member, is overtly
calling itself a โgirl gang.โ)
Letโs think about the romance BFF for a moment.
She is really good at seeing through your bullshit and will not tolerate you
settling for less in any aspect of your life.
She usually makes you call the boy.
She takes you out and gets you drunk when the situation calls for it.
She can cue the righteous indignation on your behalf faster than you can
blink.
Sheโs usually really, really good at karaoke. And if sheโs not, she makes up
for lack of talent with enthusiasm.
Idealism? Sure. But just as with heroes in romance, why not? Am I that kind of
friend all the time? No. Do I aspire to be? Yes.
What about you? Are you part of a girl gang?
About Jenny Holiday
Jenny Holiday started writing in fourth grade, when her awesome hippie
teacher, between sessions of Pete Seeger singing and anti-nuclear power plant
letter writing, gave the kids notebooks and told them to write stories. Most of
Jenny's featured poltergeist, alien invasions, or serial killers who managed to
murder everyone except her and her mom. She showed early promise as a romance
writer, though, because nearly every story had a happy ending: fictional Jenny
woke up to find that the story had been a dream, and that her best friend,
father, and sister had not, in fact, been axe-murdered.
From then on, she was always writing, often in her diary, where she liked to
decorate her declarations of existential angst with nail polish teardrops.
Eventually she channelled her penchant for scribbling into a more useful format.
After picking up a PhD in urban geography, she became a professional writer,
spending many years promoting research at a major university, which allowed her
to become an armchair astronomer/historian/particle physicist, depending on the
day. Eventually, she decided to try her hand again at happy endings--minus the
bloodbaths. You can follow her on twitter at @jennyholi and @TropeHeroine or
visit her on the web at jennyholiday.com.
About SLEEPING WITH HER ENEMY
He'll complicate all her plans...
Amy Morrison is supposed to be at
her wedding. But when her
husband-to-be jilts her at the altar, a distraught Amy runs
to the only place she feels safeโher office. Besides,
everyone who works on her floor is at her wedding...except
him. Dax Harris. Playboy, executive, and Amy's
official office enemy.
While he and Amy don't see eye-to-eye on the best
of days,
Dax can't help but feel badly when he sees Amy mid-meltdown.
Next thing he knows, he's gotten her good and drunk, and
they're making out like two teenagers. And since
neither of them want anything serious, why shouldn't they be
frenemies-with-benefits? Because there is no possible way
they could ever fall for each other...
I'm part of a gal gang of senior citizens that have each others' backs. We met at a Breast Cancer Support Group. It's a joy to be friends for LIFE! (Joanne Hicks 11:30pm February 24, 2015)
I'm not part of a girl gang, but I have Girl friends who live all over the country. There are a few that I can count on one hand who I can call my closest, who are just like Sisters to me. The others are close, and I would do anything for any of them, if they asked. We have been through all different things together, including deaths of other friends that we knew through association. One friend I've known since Grade School, and that's been a long time. The other friend I've had for over 10 years, and we're very close - like Sisters. I could say things about some of the others as well, but you don't always need to be in a group. Sometimes a one-on-one is just as special. I'm looking forward to reading your latest book. It sounds like a great read to usher in Spring!! Congratulations!! (Peggy Roberson 9:38am February 25, 2015)
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