Or, plot device?

I hate "the husband is old and has wife sleep with younger hunk to get pregnant" plot line. "Approved" infidelity is not my cup of tea.

I also dislike "on the run" from Mafia/drug dealers/hitmen, etc plots, too.

I have a few "Auto not buy" plots;

You split for a reason...
Ex'es getting back together.
Secret pregnancies and baby daddies. Pretty much any plot that revolves around a kid.

Unrequited love...
Best friends: If, after all these <insert time frame> they aren't into you, they just are not into you.

If your profession is...
Prostitute, Mistress, Courtesan – yuck.

I know there are more but those jump out at me. I also hate cheating of any kind. For some reason it makes me, the reader, feel violated and I don't like it. Doesn't make sense but it is what it is.

Definite "yuck"!

I read a historical fiction novel that I absolutely loved (and could share with my 80 something mother - she enjoyed reading it, too). I was looking forward to reading the author's earlier book. Huge disappointment, it was about a professional courtesan. I just couldn't finish it. Definitely not one to share with Mom!

It's funny that when I think about it, I do have distinct plot lines that I prefer.

Main characters: Police and detectives yes, lawyers no. Scientists looking for answers, yes but journalists, no.

Nothing with kids in jeopardy--instant turn off.

Same with time period. Anything before the 1800s, unless it's based in Scotland or maybe England, is a no buy. (Unless it's highly recommended)

I kind of chuckled when I was reading your post. I have to agree though with all those but "unrequited love". I do like the ones where they've been friends for years but secretly in love with each other.

Other than that...I can't really think of anything off the top of my head but I guess if I had to give it thought I could come up with something...

My "no vote" goes to Pirates and Vikings. If I read a blurb that mentions one of these, I usually just put it back.

Also don't like books about Faeries or people with healing abilities.

I'm not a big fan of Love Triangles. I guess I want to know who to root for up front.

No paranormals for me and older woman - younger man story.

I just say no to prostitutes, promiscuous heroines, alpha kickass heriones, heroines already pregnant w/another mans baby, heroines involved w/brothers or cousins- almost incestuous imo, heroes so poor they are under the control of a family member who tells them they must marry or who to marry.

If the question was what themes do I love, I could easily give you answers. However, I don't have many don'ts. The only theme I can say I don't really care for is older woman younger man. Ironically, one of my favorite books of all time, Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas, has that theme. But the h, as well as the readers, don't find out he's younger till towards the end of the book. I didn't mind so much in this book.

Good Question;

Usually I avoid if the blurb has ... young Kids (& there is nothing worse than an author making a 3 year old sound like a 5 year old ) There are very few authors who I would read if it involved a kid....

Ditto...


Weak heroes Betas

Kickass heroines...(to a degree) or ball breakers....

I don't read a lot of paranormal anymore, but I would avoid if a a lead was Zombie, Gargoyle etc.

I probably have others but nothing jumping out at me at the mo....

I recently read an erotic book in which the h is kidnapped and raped by the H's brother. The h has sex with the H right after being raped. If I had known that ahead of time I would not have read it.

Great list Olivia! I can go with unrequited love - or friends to lovers, if it is well written.

What I really dislike is the secret baby plot, virginal H or h, young man/older woman and Vikings. Otherwise I am up for reading almost anything once!!

Anything kid-centric (they're okay as background), lawyers, CEO's, zombies

Historicals, paranormals and Dom/sub storylines hold no interest for me.

Like Klass, I do not care for kick-ass heroines or those who do really stupid things to prove they can 'look after themselves' when they are in peril. I like a heroine with backbone but who knows when to accept help.

HR

I don't like love triangles.

BrownEyedBeauty, I also loved Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas. It's one of my favorites by her. I don't t mind older woman/younger man stories but some are done better than others.

A definite NO for me is books dealing with kidnapped children. It's too depressing.

I hate love triangles too. Like Robin said, I need to know who to root for. The last love triangle book I read, my vote went to the wrong guy

I also do not care for the older woman plot. I admit I did love Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas however it was Lisa Kleypas! She is the exception, not the rule.

To expand on the unrequited love thing. If they are both secretly into each other but circumstances keep them apart that is not unrequited love in my book. It's when one is in love and the other just thinks they are friends. If there is no spark how can there be fire?

I have noticed a few people nixing the older woman/younger man storyline. I have not read many of these types of books, but one that stands out in my mind is 'Leaving Normal' by Stef Ann Holm--in fact, it is one of my keepers. The h, owner of a flower shop, is divorced with a daughter in college. The H, nine years her junior, is a married firefighter who lives across the street. There is no cheating and the romance is very slow-building, but the book is beautifully written, with a heart-tugging epilogue.

HR