With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I have been thinking about romance in cozy mysteries. Most cozies have at least a hint of romance in the stories. Mine certainly do. In my books, it varies from series to series how important the romance storyline is. The characters in each story are in different stages of their lives. Some are open or wishing to fall in love. Others are concentrating on their careers. And others have been in love before and need to recover before they can move on.
When I first started writing cozies over a decade ago, my stories had very little romance in them. As a reader, I had always been drawn to the mystery and puzzle in cozies. I like the romance too, but that was always secondary for me. As my career has gone on, I have discovered that readers really want main characters to find their romantic happily ever after. I get so many emails and messages asking if a couple will get married and what will happen to them. As a writer, it’s a honor that readers are so invested in the stories that they want to know what the future holds for the characters.
Also I will admit that as a reader I now like more romance in my cozy mysteries than I did years ago. Just like many of my readers, I want my characters to find their happily ever after.
So what’s your take? Do you love romance in cozies? Let me know in the comments!
Also this week’s featured book is from one of my most romantic series, the Appleseed Creek Mysteries. A Plain Malice is the fourth book in the series. Be sure to check it out!
Happy Reading! ❤
Amanda
Chloe Humphrey has two masters degrees and no job and takes the only job she can find in the middle of Ohio’s Amish Country where life is not as tranquil as it seems…
Amanda Flower-Sweet Cozy reads 
I like romance in my cozies — I’m not a fan of love triangles, though. I always enjoy a happy ending!
I love a happy ending too. Sometimes I like love triangle at the beginning of a series, but I do not want them to go on more than a couple of books. I think it’s hard on the character have her torn between two people. Thanks for the comment!
Yes, I love romance in my mysteries. I also like to see the blossoming relationship bloom. I do not like love triangles. If you have it at the start of the book, by the end, she should have made a decision.
Every time I see a love triangle pop up I wish the author would let the protagonist just keep both. I guess people aren’t ready to see poly people like myself in these types of stories and it makes me sad. I do like romance in my stories, just get frustrated with how they all venerate monogamy.