Reading Age Gap Romances for a Week

[@kimreese3530]

My husband is 13 years older then I am and we have been married 27 years! He is a fabulous husband and unlike younger guys I dated, he acts like a grown up. I might add that he is still a sexy man.

[@-rianna]

Age gap is the only trope in romance i don’t vibe with but maybe I just keep reading really badly written ones lol. Especially ones where the author * could’ve * made the gap more digestible by making the FMC 2 years older than she is, but no, why are they always 19!!

[@gracesull78756]

facts, because early twenties and late thirties or up is still quite the age gap and could work. if it's about being taboo, it would usually still be considered taboo in many of the settings these books are usually set, like it will still potentially raise eyebrows

[@-rianna]

@@gracesull78756 exactly! age gaps will always be taboo, and it can still be done right but something about the FMC being 18-19 and the MMC being early thirties or upwards is just…..how do you justify that kinda behaviour even in fiction😭 feels very pr*datory

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I would guess that it may be because authors might feel that 19 makes the gap the most "taboo" still without actually making it outright like basically a high-schooler/minoe and an older[ / adult] man/woman? Like..perhaps they want something other or more than just the fact that the characters are [X]-number of years apart or at slightly different lifestyle or career places to be why their relationship could be perceived as dubiously pursuable. I'm sure not everybody is into the trope for the same reasons as Chandler is, where it's because it affords such a great opportunity to dig into things outside of age that can make or break the compatibility of a relationship; I'm sure, for some people, the appeal of the trope to them is specifically because they want to read about something that is or 'should'-be somehow overtly off-limits and yet for whatever reasons happens anyway for better or for worse. Kinda like enemies-to-lovers or boss/employee or bad-boy romances. (..If that makes sense?) But, I dunno, that's just me guessing-so maybe I'm wrong. 🤷 😅 🙂 Either way, I definitely agree that it also makes it the most likely to not work well for any readers who are not just into it purely to be scintillated or such though, and the most likely situation to[ in my personal opinion] _really_ NEED to dig even more into what makes the characters compatible or not in spite of age. But, again, maybe that's just me. ^-^

[@-rianna]

⁠For sure! I guess part of the readers who enjoy age gap are people who find the idea of a forbidden relationship exhilarating, and so do I, hello enemies to lovers!! But there’s a difference in liking the idea of something and actually wanting it. Like I love reading about enemies to lovers but I don’t think I’d ever want to date a guy I despised in real life lol. But as opposed to age gaps, I don’t think enemies to lovers is considered taboo? At least not in the way age gaps are. I think the only instance where I’d find really big age gaps acceptable is if the relationship is shown as a cautionary-tale? Because if authors end up gl0rifying a relationship between a legal teenage girl but a much older man, it might make young girls think that it’s fine to be in relationships with men that are twice their age. ( but also maybe things like age gap, t0xic relationships and dark romance should only be read by people who are old enough to discern the difference between fiction and reality, because I see a lot of really young girls reading very questionable books lol ) but I’m totally not shaming anyone who enjoys age gaps, to each their own!! :)

[@canyounot6858]

I generally enjoy Age Gap romances and especially Daddy flavored ones so believe me, I am the intended demographic for these novels and STILL, a protagonist below 21 years old is just icky. Like Age Gap isn't a synonym for 'dangerously close to underage' like many authors seem to believe. 😅 It's hugely to blame for the bad rep this flavor of morally grey romance gets, I think.

[@rebeccaridgway1117]

Can’t think of an age gap book better than Birthday Girl bc it’s crucial to the book but had me totally convinced that they’re soulmates 🥰

[@evelynantl897]

Lately I find age gap romance is more about the spice rather than characters building an emotional bond.

[@MadeleineMarina]

Hope you're doing well Chan! Missed your videos, they're my go-to background entertainment when I do chores.

[@wallacejames221]

Age Gap romance is one of my absolutely favourite tropes and I love it to pieces. Thank you for doing a vlog on books with the trope!!

[@deepudeepu913]

can you recommend me some?

[@rekakokeny]

i've been starved of Chandler content, today's a good day ✨

[@watermelonmichellon]

So glad to see another video from you it feels like it's been forever! I generally don't like age gap, I was ruined by kulti which I didn't really like, but when you talk about a book you like it always sounds good! I might check some of these out

[@kimberlylopez3230]

My husband is 14 years younger than me and we’ve been married 10 years. I will say this, I don’t think the problem is the gap, but the age. If you have one person being 30 and the other 40, it’s fine, it’s when you have a 18 year old and a 30 year old. I guess it’s the maturity level or life experience, or lack of, that is the issue

[@komalshah3673]

I love age gap but they are hard to pull off if you are looking for depth. Birthday Girl is supreme for a reason. Its hard to beat. For love triangle, Marni Mann - Even it hurts is really good. The black swan affair by KL Kreig is also amazing and a rollercoaster of a good triangle and Serenading Heartbreak by Ella Fields is also really angsty.

[@ffiontill5924]

Birthday giiiirl! I loved this one. Possibly my favourite Penelope Douglas book although haven’t read all of her books. Cannot wait to watch this. I love this series!!💗 it’s a great day 💗

[@KitKatSam27]

This is a trope I love if done right and so far Birthday Girl is one of the few I’ve enjoyed! I think book 1 in the dreamland billionaires books.. he said a couple times that the heroine looked like a little girl…? And im just like DISGUSTED. If there’s ANY mention of how overly young a girl looks, I’m fucking OUT. Can’t do it.

[@janjancancan6561]

This is the only love triangle done well I can think of: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

[@elinmor89]

Yes so true. Only love triangle I love🤭

[@George_Washington1438]

Hear me out technically in the toll in the scythe series Rowan and citra have a 117 year age gap

[@Beril_.]

My guilty pleasure 💜 exactly what I needed now

[@KaatReadsALot]

YAY i love this series

[@Katie-qx7ys]

I need a video recommending romance novels with the best character development. I have to love the characters to give a shit lol

[@agnesogundiran6515]

I love your reviews - never fails to inform/ entertain. That’s it, those are my comments ❤

[@josephinecatherinemcleod4159]

Flock series is right up there for my favourite love triangle romance

[@samanthacranmer1224]

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley is a grumpy F-sunshine M nerdy romance with older protagonists if you go back to those. :) It has a false age gap in it. (the heroine thinks the hero is a college kid and the hero thinks the heroine is an 80 year old, but there's no romance until they actually meet irl)

[@sofiepolfliet8697]

I really liked the video! But I was expecting this trope test to be a little later this year to include Hopeless by Elsie Silver, because we all know that is going to be a BANGER!

[@chandlerainsley]

i'm reading that one this month for a diff video :)

[@sofiepolfliet8697]

​@@chandlerainsley can't wait for your review! Elsie Silver got me on the edge of my seat

[@BlackCatBritt]

Curious if I'm the only one who prefers to read my smut in fanfic form? Bc with fanfic, all the character backstory is already fleshed out in whatever canon media, & then the fanfic just enhances it (or alters it, if it's an AU) as necessary to the fic. I find I have more connection to characters I already like in that way rather than trying to learn & care about "Generic Hero(ine) X with a boring name" in a physically mass-published generic romance novel. Smutty romance is like cotton candy for me, so I genuinely just enjoy it more when I don't have to do the mental slog first and can get right to the good bits.

[@nupoorhumane7251]

Carian Cole writes really good age gap romances you should check them out if you have not. Don't kiss the bride is one of my favourite.

[@hashbrownreads]

Age Gap romance definitely has to be done right to really hit for me and Birthday Girl was just that. Is there a age gap book that is the top of your list besides birthday girl? Love you videos they are always so helpful for reviews and your honest opinion ❤

[@clareh8484]

I would say you made the right choice of DNFing Power. I have never loathed a fictional man like I loathed Jett. I read this amidst a bunch of dark romances and I would rank him worse than literal murderers and mafiosos. He sucks that bad.

[@LLCoolJ_25]

The fact that his name is Jett makes him automatically punchable.

[@baleyrobinson]

Love Triangle - can't wait!!! I would recommend Thoughtless Series by S.C. Stephens (she's old so maybe a reread for you?) Kellan Kyle forever 🤩 One is a Promise, Two is a lie, Three is a war - series by Pam Godwin - I've read this twice and just LOVE IT! Also older so probably a reread for you. Those are my faves though to this day. As a numbers lady, I also love how you rate them and then give your recap per trope! Love that idea! I actually have a board game youtube channel (Botany & Board) and I'm like oh I should totally try to do this with different board game mechanics - so thank you for the inspiration there as well!!!

[@diddums86]

I really enjoyed The Englishman by Nina Lewis. It came out a while back, and it's set in a college. He's established prof, she's newbie prof. The age gap isn't the main point, but the power difference is dealt with really well. It's a bit Hazelwood, with the academic setting, I mean Love, Theoretically, but the heroine isn't as annoying. YMMV.

[@christineanyalai5008]

I loved Power. It was a great book

[@Dcong16]

I’ll be really curious to see what you read for love triangles because I feel like it’s a trope I really don’t encounter much in the romances I read. Pretty much the only one I can think of is give me more by Sarah Cate which i don’t think is really a traditional love triangle but I did greatly enjoy it.

[@jaimecardona92]

Woo! New video

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

I’ve got the pool boy. I haven’t started yet but plan to really soon. The others sound good as well.

[@mindyb2015]

as soon as i heard you say you’re reading Power i screamed “NOOOOOO!” that one is sooo unhinged. i should’ve dnf’d after the first spicy scene 😂😂

[@elinmor89]

Birthday girl is the only age gap romance I have liked so far, who is not in a historical setting. There was still some things I didn't like about the book, specially the son/father thing but I love their relationship so much.

[@yourfavourite28]

Loved Birthday Girl, another age gap romance book I loved, is called Highest Bidder by Sara Cate

[@Areyka]

My favorite love triangle book is Transcend by Jewel E. Ann 😊

[@amywade2753]

Shout out to Val on goodreads she’s so real

[@ilariafeira1077]

I'm reading Irresistible by Melanie Harlow so this video came out at the perfect time! Deffo would work even if it wasn't an age gap tho 🤷🏻‍♀️ As for recs for the love triangle trope, one that I enjoyed and is not widely talked about is The Magnolia Chronicles by Kate Canterbary. Is it her best work? Prolly not, but it's fun nonetheless!

[@ashdondondon]

My recent fav age gap romance is Praise by Sara Cate. Definitely recommend it if you haven't read it yet! :)

[@LiLDCherry]

You should do another series like this but instead of comparing Romance Tropes, compare Book Boyfriends! Boss, Rockstar, billionaire etc. Find out which one's the best

[@delaneyewert5399]

Omg the Four Horseman books on your shelf! I bought them last month. They’re so good 😂 I remember you read Pestilence… did you ever finish the others?

[@sdg3639]

My favorite love triangle is in fortuna sworn by k j Sutton

[@karensamuel5616]

I don't enjoy age gap in contemporary romance, but I don't mind it so much in historical romance. In historical, it's not treated like a taboo, so maybe that's why. The whole "taboo" romance isn't my vibe.

[@carolineblueskies]

This. I always say I don’t vibe with age gap as a trope at all and then one of my favorite books is Emma 😂

[@elinmor89]

​@@carolineblueskiesomg me too😂 I was like... I don't like age gap. But I love Emma 🤭 Never thought of it before now. I guess I like age gap in a historical setting.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I need to read Birthday girl 😤

[@mymelodymarie]

I usually hate love triangles but Wicked Envy by Sawyer Bennett is my one and only exception.

[@kyrumptionmakeup8197]

I hated The Doctor by the author of The Pool Boy so good luck 😂😅

[@lostinmyimagination7485]

I havent read the other books but i read Birthday Girl. I thought it was boring and too long. I felt like it wasnt a slow burn, just slow. I didnt feel a romance between them. I just thought something was missing and i wasnt hooked. I LOVED Hush Hush. The heroine was in her senior year of college so mature enough to be with a much older man. U could tell when they start having true feelings for each other and i loved every min of it. It had heartbreaking moments that wrecked me. Im happy for people that loved Birthday Girl. I just think this author wasnt for me.

[@livloveread]

I really hope you read Eclipse as your love triangle Edward Bella and Jacob are the ultimate love triangle

[@andiman44]

Is it really a triangle when Jacob never had a chance? Edward was always Bella’s first choice and the one she viewed as her soulmate

[@heathermalmal9943]

I like age gap romances, but for some reason there’s always something icky in the majority. Like the Mc is married, or the younger person is just barely legal.

[@moodyfloral6234]

My rec for the love triangle video is Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall (it is not the strongest love triangle of all time but it technically is one). It kind of walks the line between romance and „women‘s fiction“ but I just love it so much! Bisexual single mom protagonist enters a TV baking competition a la Great British Bake Off and there are two guys interested in her. This one is hilarious and peak Alexis Hall in my opinion. And the audiobook is spectacular because the narrator does all these different British accents and has great comedic timing. Highly recommend!

[@isabelp3858]

I wish you picked The Naked Fisherman for this video!! Or have you already reviewed it??

[@chandlerainsley]

i DNF'd it, wasn't a fan

[@slitherclaw420]

Is there any age gap romance where the FMC is at least in her mid 20s? Cus i keep finding them to be like 18 or 19 and it's still kinda give me the ick. Any recommendation is appreciated

[@chandlerainsley]

i believe the age gaps in elsie silver’s books are typically like that (like in Heartless)

[@losj3020]

imo age gap is the kinda trope you like the idea of but can so easily find gross. Personally I've never found a book that matches my taste. A lot of the language I've seen used to describe the younger partner (innocent, childish, pure, etc) feels kinda icky to me, and the older partner is often way too immature that I fail to see why even make an age gap at all. I mean I personally love it when an older character is a mess who doesn't have their shit together, but so often they're written like college fratboys lol

[@shamilaadam-march6098]

Nikki Sloane recommendations: filthy rich Americans series.

[@julibaro575]

I used to feel icky about age gap romances. Then I went and fell in love with someone 13 years older than me 😂. Still, I'm not into this trope in fiction. I don't like how the whole plot/relationship hinges on the age gap, either as the main conflict or worse, as a reason why the man is interested in the main character. In my experience, the age difference is just one of our differences, but we are together because of our many shared interests. Idk, romance authors can be so dramatic when approaching "taboo" subjects. But maybe there are some well written age gap romances waiting for me hahahah

[@serinalovett6940]

you’re weird age gap romance books are always disgusting and predatory

[@KatieColson]

🖤🖤🖤🌹🖤🖤🖤

[@Theebec1]

How is this a booktube and you're not gonna do reactions to the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature??

[@chandlerainsley]

too true bestie, too true

[@Theebec1]

@@chandlerainsley So how come you aren't reacting to it?

[@deniserubio7610]

Yes I dnf'd Power because it just wasn't good. It's all about sex which can be fine but I agree too many red flags. He's an asshole but he cares about the environment so that's supposed to be his redeeming quality? I just didn't care for the characters and found myself skipping over paragraphs/pages. Also I love Birthday Girl. I am not the biggest Penelope Douglas fan but I will say Birthday Girl is solid and I've even re-read it.