Mature FMC
Jen’s 2024 Diversify Your Romance Challenge
I’ll be 42 in October, my hearts. I’m proud of my age and my life so far. But for this challenge, I selfishly wanted to read about women older than I. (Remember in middle school when you wanted to read about teenagers? And when you were a teenager, you wanted to read about 20-somethings?)
Alas and alack, it seems I was asking too much of Romancelandia when I wished for books with FMCs over 50.
God bless Jasmine Guillory for ALWAYS understanding the assignment. After finding Royal Holiday, the best I could do was find romances with FMCs in their 40s.
As always, I welcome recommendations! What have you read with FMCs over 50?
Week 11: FMC over 50
54
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory, narrated by Janina Edwards
Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality.
Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's private secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.
Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they?
47
Gray Hair Don't Care (Never Too Late, Book 1) by Karen Booth, narrated by Romy Nordlinger
At 47, newly divorced makeup artist Lela Bennett is dreading her next steps. Dating. Meeting people. Not letting herself go. But then she runs into Donovan James and tries something different—sleeping with her sexy crush from college. Unfortunately, in a post-orgasm stupor, Lela confesses she was in love with Donovan all those years ago. He responds by leaving while she sleeps. The next morning, her gray hairs are practically taunting her. She knows she has to get it together. Forget men. Embrace her age. Own her gray.
Donovan James is a marketing genius, but his ex-wives will tell you—nothing freaks him out like feelings. Three years after his one-night stand with Lela, he’s focused on his daughter’s lifestyle company, but unprepared to meet the face of their new beauty brand. It’s Lela. With stunning silver locks and new confidence, she’s no longer swayed by his charms. When business starts booming, the universe seems intent on throwing them together time and again. And suddenly, two people convinced that romance was behind them are wondering if love could be what’s next.
“Over-40”
Sterling Brick by L.B. Dunbar, narrated by Stella Hunter & Patrick Zeller
Love wasn’t part of the blueprint when high school sweethearts reunite in their small town. But this former military man never forgot the girl he left behind and he’s more determined than ever to rebuild their relationship brick by brick and heart by heart.
Getting locked in the men’s restroom during my mother’s funeral wasn’t exactly how I expected to run into my high school sweetheart. The one who got away. The one who broke my heart.
I could toss the busted doorknob in my hand at him, but I’d prefer to get the heck away. Because twenty years later, Knox Sylver isn’t a teenage boy anymore but a broad-shouldered, thick scruff man with eyes that still look at me like I’m the only person in the room.
As a newly divorced mother of two teenagers, it’s been a long time since anyone sees me. And Knox is definitely watching.
Unfortunately, he made choices in the past and I wasn’t one of them.
According to him, that is ancient history.
Also, according to him, it’s never too late for a second chance. He’s out to prove he’s solid and stable, having returned to our small hometown, in a better place after a career in the military. He’s a local hero as a fireman and he wants to rekindle the flame between us.
I’m the one with decisions this round.
Do I stay where memories hurt? Or do I leave my past, and Knox, behind me again?
