While we’d all like to believe our good relationships will last forever, that’s not always the case. If it were, there’d be no angst in a good romance, or in life. Nothing pleases me more as both an author and a hopeless romantic than to hear of old loves finding each other again. Whether it’s later in life, or after a bump or two in the road.
What I find most interesting in reunion romances are the infinite possibilities we’re afforded by our experiences. Whether it’s college sweethearts who went their separate way after graduation and happen to run into each other years later. Or, the younger couple who gave up on their relationship too quickly.
I’ve had friends and family that fit into both categories, and definitely pulled some of my research from their real-life experiences.
Most often in the case of the later-in-life romances, one or both of the parties involved have had other relationships. Marriages. Children even. And, for whatever reason, now find themselves back on the market. Often with some humorous results.
While younger couples may not have experienced as much, they too have gained life experience, had other relationships that may not have lasted but did manage to make an impression on how they approach their lives.
In my island location related June and July books, I delve into both of these renewed romance scenarios. My later-in-life novella, I Do...Again, revolves around high school sweethearts Mitch and Lily. Separated by distance when the hero’s family relocates, neither has forgotten the other. Lily married and has children. Mitch remained a bachelor by choice. Theirs was a love that never died and, now, twenty-five years later, they’re getting their second chance at love.
My July full-length novel, takes on the classic runaway bride theme. When Emily runs out on her wedding rehearsal, leaving Chase standing alone in the chapel, it’s because she’s young, frightened that she’ll never truly experience life, or fulfil her ambitions. When the two meet up again, there’s a lot of hard feelings to work through. A lot of apologies to be extended and accepted. However, as with any good love story, there’s always room for forgiveness and renewal of what they’d once shared.
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6 comments:
Thank you for featuring my article and reunion romances.
Hello, my friend. Lovely to see you here! Great post, BTW
Nancy,
Being in the older and wiser category although not in the I Do Again, I will say that reading books with characters who have a bit of life under their belt is always a pleasure.
Is the island in your island romance real or is it one you made up? Other than England and Ireland, the only island I've been on is Grand Cayman and that was a real treat albeit challenging due to the tropical weather. However I'm ever so glad I went! The gazillion pictures of turtles taken at the turtle farm always bring a smile to my face (actually a grin as I remember my silliness over them).
I, too, love a second chance romance. The conflict is built in because something drove them apart. And I like the idea of someone making a mistake and getting a chance to correct it rather than suffer from remorse the rest of their lives. I loved Mitch and Lily's story! Can't wait to read Emily and Chase's!
Great post! I too love reunion stories. Second chance romance's fulfill those notions most people have at some time in life around "what would have happened if..."
Whenever one goes to a class reunion there is a chance to meet up with an old flame and wonder what if. Whenever one finds themselves single again (whether divorce, widowed, or without a longtime partner) it is natural to look back at those we'd met in the past and evaluate the what if question.
Also, as M.J. mentioned, the conflict is already built in and they have to work that much harder to overcome their past. Like, Judith mentioned, I also like people later in life who come with a past that has given them a good sense of who they are and what they want. It makes the connection that much more powerful when it happens.
Now I have to go look up all your books.
Nancy - I do love a second chance book. As an author, it is fun to know a bit about the character's past relationship going in and then developing the next phase of their stories. I do enjoy your books and can't wait to read these two. See you this fall at FILNE!
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