Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

I'm writing a guest blog post about this and I'd love to include some comments from readers on why they love this type of storyline. Any input would be appreciated!

I'm no help to you. I just love this theme and I can't explain why. LOL!

LOL, well, good to know!

I think it's that thin line between hating and yet at same wanting the other person that draws you into the story.

It happens through no fault of their own h/h end up on opposing sides whether it be a murder, family ties, or both.

I also like how h/h come together to resolve/solve the underlining issue/conflict to discover a new found awareness of the other that is IMO should build slowly/given time to evolve and not be shoved down the readers throat.

hope this helps,

Yes, that's great, A.M.! I just wrote about the slowly part, too, because it's got to be believable. And the thin line part, too, is perfect.

I love this theme. I have to give Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke credit for making me love this theme so much. I've read their story for the first time in 2003. Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann. I'm reading the book again for a challenge on another group.

To me, enemies to lovers = I'm deeply in love with you, but I don't know how to tell you, so I'm going to fight you.

The fight occurs, because someone or both parties want the strong magnetic pull to go away, but at the same time, they don't want it to go away.

Some people don't know how handle attraction. That's why a lot of guys be mean to girls they like and vise versa.

I love the tension between the enemies to lovers. Well, if the story is a catcher, I love to see the tension.

Give me tenison!

Ah, Arch, you have a different angle on it, which is great. Yes, fighting the attraction is always fun to watch, especially when they have good reason to.

I always like these types of stories because the H/h have to overcome their preconceived notions of each other. To me this makes for an even deeper connection and love because it's so much harder won, and because it's truly based on KNOWING the person instead of liking a few things about a person.

:) @ Jaime_Rush.

I want to add that the enemies to lovers "falling in love" is different than regular hero and heroine "falling in love".

Maybe it's just me, but the hero in the enemies to lovers story tend to be more protective of the heroine.

I have to agree with that.

I want to add that the enemies to lovers "falling in love" is different than regular hero and heroine "falling in love".

Maybe it's just me, but the hero in the enemies to lovers story tend to be more protective of the heroine.

:) @ Debbie.

Diana Gabaldon quoted Patton as saying, "Men who can't fuck can't fight." There is something about the fighting part that makes this story line so fun for me too. The winning and "takedown" that isn't anything like a domination or rape, but a real sweeping off the feet - that's the part about romance I ABSOLUTELY CRAVE!!!

I like these types of stories too, as long as it does not take half the book for the couple to get over their differences. lol

I don't mind this theme as long as its not overkill. Some of the best dialogue I've read is where the H/h are verbally sparring. Dripping sarcasm and scathing retorts! I also don't like it to continue through the entire book. Maybe halfway but no more.

I'm in total agreement with that, Pamela....at some point it gets to be too much.

Arch wrote: ":) @ Jaime_Rush.

I want to add that the enemies to lovers "falling in love" is different than regular hero and heroine "falling in love".

Well said, Arch.

Maybe it's just me, but the hero in the enemies to lo......more protective..."

Debbie, I'm glad you said that. Because in my story, one minute she's trying to kill him, for good reason, and the next, they're both being attacked and he instinctively protects her and gets her out of there. It's such a big change, but it felt right to me.

Megan wrote: "I always like these types of stories because the H/h have to overcome their preconceived notions of each other. To me this makes for an even deeper connection and love because it's so much harder ..."

Yes, well said!

You have to be careful about writing it to not make the whole book a bickering match, ::attraction:: ::fight:: back and forth too much. They have to give in on their views and realize that maybe they were wrong about the other person, or that they weren't on the right side after all. Which is a character growth thing, too. It can't happen too quickly either.

These are great comments! I'm including some of them in my guest post and will try to remember to post the link here.

Jaime,

I'm the one that said the hero in enemies to lovers stories be more protective of the heroine. Debbie was agreeing with me.

Arch wrote: "I love this theme. I have to give Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke credit for making me love this theme so much. I've read their story for the first time in 2003. Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann. I'..."

Sure you are only re-reading GTF again "for another challenge", Arch! We all know you read that book at least once a month, because, well, because YOU LOVE SAM!

I think its important to know what "kind" of enemies they are, why they are. Some books using the "enemies to lovers" tag don't really have enemy characters, just a heroine who is independent or bristly/snarky (I too love the sarcastic H/H!) but not really an enemy except in his/her own mind. Much tougher are true and obvious enemies, ie: undercover operative falls for the female assistant to the mean drug lord he's trying to take down . . . of course, she secretly thinks he's gorgeous but knows her boss will kill her if she acts on his flirting . . . . somebody else write this story!!!!

Cindi wrote:"Sure you are only re-reading GTF again "for another challenge", Arch! We all know you read that book at least once a month, because, well, because YOU LOVE SAM!"

Well what can I say? Sam is my baby! :)

**singing** Oh Sam, Sam, you know where I am
Come around and talk awhile
I need your smile
You need a shoulder
Oh Sam, Sam, you know where I am
And the door is open wide
Come on inside
Longing to see you
Oh Sam, Sam, you know where I am

I like when the hero and heroine are nemesis - Rivals and they fall in love. That to me is enemies to lovers.

I'd have to agree with a lot of what has been said.

I like when the H/h are mortal enemies, and they could actually kill each other if they stayed in their own worlds and across the battlefield from each other. But, as they interact, and realize how well-matched they are, a respect forms. That respect turns into an intense attraction that becomes devotion. I like seeing the progression of hate to love. Not to sound maudlin, but I truly want to believe love conquers all, and a book that shows two people who hate each other become lovers who love each other in the truest sense is very appealing.

Plus, I like the intensity of the H/h being enemies. That bloodlust becomes passion. Very fascinating to me.

I have to say that most of the guys I really disliked, I felt absolutely no attraction to. I think for the H/h who are enemies to lovers to work, their has to be an underlying respect for each other, even while they are determined to bring each other down.

Arch wrote: "Jaime,

I'm the one that said the hero in enemies to lovers stories be more protective of the heroine. Debbie was agreeing with me."

Sorry, Arch! I knew I was getting confused somewhere but couldn't find out where :?

Cindi, I agree, a true enemy story isn't just that they don't get along, or IMO, that he broke her heart years ago. In my story, she worked for a top secret psychic program for the gov't, assuming her boss was the good guy, going after the Rogues. Eric, one of the Rogues, psychically set her lover on fire WHILE they were making love. He had good reason for doing that, too. So I think they're solidly in the enemy camp :)

Lady Danielle, you're right, there has to be respect, seeing that the other person was doing what they thought was right.