These Are Adults
These are romance books where both characters have fully formed frontal lobes, where they are competent in their endeavors and where they can have a god damn conversation when needed. I don't need this in every romance, but man, it hits the spot sometimes.
created by sarahjeanromance
last updated May, 2026
Comments
Mature, but not necessarily older. Love it! 🥰 Too many MCs (at least for my liking) are being written behaving as maturely as if they’re in middle school.
Are you interested only in contemporary romances (as opposed to historical ones) for your list?
I'm open to all subgenres :) There are several that I've read lately that I thought for sure would make the list, but the lack of communication between leads just tanks it for me.
Not that miscommunication doesn’t happen. I just find it becomes too much. Takes up too much space. MCs that have to end the relationship rather than go cool off for a bit, or are unable to ask a straight forward, low risk clarifying question, or can’t stop their excessive internal spiralling (done without any real evidence outside their own negative thoughts). It quickly becomes tedious. I don’t mind, however, when there’s a little miscommunication, but for the most part it’s got to resolve quickly.
