eugh brother eugh
my icks in books
I am a massive reader. I read any genre but I read romance the most. And to be candid, I read almost the same tropes every time. You could say I’m an expert in certain tropes. I could smell the conflict in every romance book I read just by reading the prologue or the first chapter. Since I’m reading practically the same set or formula of books, I find some weird ‘quirky’ things the authors add to somehow bring attention to their novels.
(Note: most of my icks are from romance books.)
1. Logical discrepancies
I know these romance books are fiction. I don’t expect real-life people to do something or be someone that a fictional character would do. But if the logic doesn’t match, that’s where I get icks.
To illustrate, I read It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. I was fine with it until the sex came along. It was cute at first. A grumpy fisherman and a flighty influencer. But the thing is, you cannot say that a man, just fresh off the fishing boat, smells like musk and woodsy and manly. That man would smell like fish inevitably. To have sex when he is presumably fish-smelling is just downright nasty. I am not against fishermen. I believe their jobs are noble and indispensable. BUT PROPER HYGIENE PLEASE.
2. Random sex scenes
Since when is porn a plot? Some books could do with much less porn and more with the plot (I’m looking at you Icebreaker). Some books are written for smut, which are also good in their own way. Some books, though, need to slap smut on the cover if 70% of it is smut anyway.
Also, not every romantic moment needs to end up in smut. And not all conflict should also end up in smut. I’ve read way too many books where smut immediately follows the moment they both made up. Like why? I don’t and never will see the need for it.
3. Current trends
I don’t mind books with trendy tropes. What I mind is when they add trends in the books. Like Tiktok for example. Don’t mention Tiktok challenges or the Tiktok app itself in the book. Just say social media or something.
4. Overpowered characters who are somehow weak?
I think a lot of fantasy novels produce this kind of female characters. Women who could fight a bear but faint at just one hit from the villain. It’s crazy to me how these make sense. I often avoided fantasy novels like these. If she could kill a bear, she could also theoretically and physically kill the villain.
5. Immature adult characters
I’d understand immature actions from a YA fantasy, especially from a child to teenage characters. But from adults who were supposedly billionaires or whatever? NO. I read a book where the billionaire’s POV often said he’s hangry. Hangry? HANGRY? Are you a child? You’re a freaking billionaire go buy a restaurant if you’re hungry.
6. Romanticizing abuse
I think this pretty much explains itself.
7. Degrading insults to women
Again, this pretty much explains itself.
8. Useless plot fillers
Some authors have the tendency to go on and on about a topic or an event in the life of the characters that has literally and practically zero impact on their character arc. Cut it down. You don’t need to fill us with dates that does not have an impact to the characters at all.
9. Zero character development
Do you mean to tell me that all of these plot twists amounted to nothing? All of the trauma yet they never learn? No. Just no.
10. Inconsistencies
There’s this one book I read where the character just randomly flips every single time. I witnessed four character-altering decisions made by just one person in a single chapter. I was so baffled I had to touch grass for a while before continuing the book where it became more insane. The thing was, it wasn’t a psycho-thriller or something, it was a romantic comedy.
I’m sure I could conjure another list soon enough. I love reading and all but I would immediately DNF (do not finish) the book if at least one of the icks showed up.
ICYMI, I have a bookstagram where I share my short reviews on books I love. I read a lot of books so I’m somewhat more active there than here!