used enjoy a good love story...

Oh dear! Maybe its because all the love stories end at the boy meets girl bit. They don't tend to show the boring bits when they just get on with life complete with ups and downs and all the rest?

Have you read "The Marrying of Chani Kaufman" by Eve Harris? It is a love story, but quite different to the usual - and it also shows three established marriages and their ups and downs (not the usual betrayal/infidelity/divorce but the wear and tear). I am rereading it at the moment.

I to have been a fan of "chick lit" for years but my enthusiasm has waned I hadn't thought of it being an age thing more a case of I've read every conceivable plot mote than once
Maybe I should start reading DH's Lee Child collection.

too
more

Aren't there supposed to be only half a dozen plots for story lines? Perhaps you've been through the lot.

I like my characters to be flawed and to do unpredictable and unwise things like real people and I just don't find this much in novels. I'm very keen on American writers especially Anne Tyler for realism and good plot.

I don't think I've ever bought or borrowed a book that is described as a "romance" although I have enjoyed some books that contain romantic plotlines.

Teetime Like you, I'm a great fan of Anne Tyler (though not her recent books so much). There is a romance of sorts in The Accidental Tourist but it is not a conventional romance and the plot contains many other powerful themes that are equally important.

Have you tried any by Sue Hepworth? I think you'd call them 'Hen Lit' as they're about romance in middle-age and have a bit of humour but worth a try. Have to admit I've never really liked romances but every now and again I like a change from detectives/thrillers. Another diversion included several novels by Raphaella Barker - also worth a read!

I loved the marrying of Chani Kaufman too Elegran I read it a year or 2 back. Fantastic characters and yes a different kind of love story.

Thanks to you all. I'm going to try all your recommendations, might take me a bit. But with the dark nights starting I will be curling up with a good book. My op title should have been 'Used to enjoy a good love story'.
Apologies