I’ve been reading a lot of different kinds of romance lately, trying to switch it up, stave off reading boredom. No matter the subgenre, length, or heat level, I’m finding that the disappointing books have one thing in common: the lack of intensity.

By this I mean a sense of urgency, that feeling that these two people need to be together. Intensity on the part of the characters, and intensity on the part of the reader. Not only should the reader really feel that the two characters are falling in love, but we should feel intensely that they should be together. As a reader there’s nothing more disappointing than a “meh” reaction to a romance. “Well, they seem like a nice enough couple” is great in real life, but if that’s all one can say about a romance novel? Disappointing.

So how is it that certain authors are able to make the growing feelings between the hero and heroine just leap off the page? And also make me so invested in their HEA? A certain amount must be chalked up to the writing. Some writers just have more expressive styles than others. And of course particular styles will appeal to certain readers more than other. It’s all so subjective. However, I have noticed certain things that some authors do (or do not do) that really seem to add that little extra sumpin’ sumpin’ to a romance.

• Characterization: Romance is such a character-driven genre. It’s hard to care about the heroine or hero when they are just a stereotype, or, even worse, have no discernable personality. How annoying is it when the reader is told how interesting or fascinating a character is, and of course that’s why so-and-so is sooo in looove, when that character has neither done or said anything particularly interesting or fascinating. Make ‘em funny, make ‘em annoying, but please make ‘em do something memorable.
• Great Sex=Love: In general, I like a bit of heat in my romance, but I find it disappointing when the only connection seems to be a sexual one. When characters are all of a sudden professing love, and we’ve never seen them have a conversation, it takes something away. Even if the sex scenes themselves are intense, it’s not enough to make me feel their true love.
• Offstage Events: I recently read a book where the hero told the heroine that he loved her offstage. The reader got a scene where they discussed this declaration that we didn’t witness. That’s my payoff? What? I hate it when momentous developments take place off stage, then the reader hears about it later. Things like nights out, weekends away, road trips. Let us witness a bit. I don’t like too much fast forwarding.
• The Little Things: The gestures, the looks, the small actions, the throwaway lines. Many of my favorite authors excel at the revealing details that tell us much about a character and their emotions.

Ultimately, all of these things can be lumped together into my biggest complaint as a reader: Show me, don’t tell me! The most involving, intense stories are anchored by consistent, interesting characters who are developed through the details, large and small. Likewise for the romance. I would use Lisa Kleypas, Meljean Brook, Kresley Cole, Linnea Sinclair and Joey Hill as some examples of authors who can always bring it. How about you? What makes a novel “pop”, what gives it that extra intensity? And give examples!