By May
I’m looking for a few average men.
I don’t want a hero in a uniform, the ultimate alpha male, the billionaire sheik/vampire/Viking/angel either today. No, I just want a regular, ordinary, nothing special guy to read about in my romance novels.
He could be average looking, or unremarkable in his own way. Standing in a room full of people, you would not notice him except that he is very common. He blends. Perhaps he is shy, perhaps he has super secret spy skills, perhaps he’s a fierce former pugilist. You wouldn’t know or care though – because the super cute guy across the room is getting your attention.
Or is he?
My attraction to the guy who will never be a cover model or a much swooned after heartthrob is similar to the love I have of the physically ugly hero: the author has to convince us of his awesomeness using more than his stunning features and perfectly sculpted, six foot two, lush hair, not a spec of gross about him body.
“oh, he’s so pretty.”
“he’s the most handsome man ever, he could never be into me”
These are quotes we won’t hear from heroines. His lack of pretty boy status means that we should be in for a great treat. This is not to say I don’t love a beautiful specimen of manhood – sculpted, toned, and gorgeous – of course I love my eye candy. We’ll talk about that some other day.
But the plain average guy, like the ugly, is a rare treat. I think it’s something like rooting for the underdog – I just can’t help but root for the average Joe to find his HEA.
I could not find an example anywhere in my memory of a PNR, UF, or Romantic Suspense of the plain hero. I feel that this makes sense, as a PNR or UF leading man is extraordinary by design. Whether he’s the alpha of his wolf pack or a centuries old vampire, he’s someone memorable and if not incredibly handsome, then in some other way stands out.
In romantic suspense, I actually feel like the guys are too good looking more often than not. There may be some battle scars, there could be a prosthetic foot or a missing finger – but the author isn’t making a romantic leading man in a romantic suspense unremarkable or ugly. My favorite author in this genre (Cindy Gerard) makes her guys so good looking, her heroines have mentioned it in books before that hot must be a requirement.
Now I feel like I should clarify that in most cases, I believe our plain guys have hidden talents, assets, and skills. They may also be somewhat attractive in an average way. There are things that make them special – but they are more believable, more in the realm of normalcy than the beast lord of Atlanta, the centuries old vampire warrior, the Duke of Earl, or the Navy SEAL turned mercenary with the heart of gold.
So where are these plain men hiding? Why are there not more average Joes in my romance reading? I would love to hear your recommendations and favorites if you have them! I struggled to find a lot examples, but I do have three excellent reads/ leading men to suggest:
Hugh in “The Governess Affair” by Courtney Milan.
A coal miner’s son, former pugilist and now the man of business for a duke Hugh is known as fierce and ruthless. Yet, his physical appearance (at least when he’s got clothes on) is decidedly plain. The heroine in this book feels safe with this ordinary man, confides in him and soon discovers he’s quite a remarkable man.
Marcus in “Revealed” by Kate Noble
Our heroine repeatedly puts down or dismisses him for being plain, boring, unworthy of her notice. It takes the suggestion that he is actually England’s premier spy to catch her eye and make her really listen to and take note of the man, and once she does she finds she quite likes what she sees. What I loved about Mr. Marcus Worth is that he knows he’s ordinary looking, and he’s good with that.
He is hard working, practical, and humble – not to mention that he thinks very little of the frivolous and petty Phillipa Benning. He melted my heart and had me scowling at the heroine – she really had to work to deserve a diamond in the rough like him!
Carter Maguire in “Vision in White” By Nora Roberts
A quiet English teacher (Carter) isn’t what the bold photographer Mac would have ever pictured for herself… yet something about him attracts her attention. While Carter was probably written as a fairly attractive guy, his quiet nature compared to the more dominant Mac made him stand out and be memorable as a regular guy.
These three examples (and books I recommend) aside – I’m having trouble coming up with more but I am sure that I’m not alone in my love of a more ordinary leading man. I hope you will share your favorites with me!
Perhaps what I love most about the ordinary (looking) man is the romantic notion that he could be anyone – he could be the guy next door. The heroine would never know if she did not get to know him, did not find those hidden depths and really give him a chance. While I suppose this is true regardless of physical appearance – I do like a diamond in the rough. A perfectly ordinary, seemingly nothing special, unremarkable guy who doesn’t realize he’s about to become a romance hero.
Unfortunately, I cannot think of any “ordinary” heroes on the top of my head. I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed these posts you do. It helps me find books that are outside the box. It’s so easy to get caught up in a reading trend. I very much enjoyed your post about the “ugly” hero and have been reading my way through the delightful books and series (loved Terrible and Chess in the Downside series) that you’d suggested. Thanks.
I’m glad to hear it!
im sorry when i read a book i want to be transported in a fantasy world of sorts. i want my heroes honourable,gorgeous larger than life and tall, {i love tall men, my husband isnt great looking but hes tall]. we can have ordinary very day. so when you read a book you want your imagination satified with heroes of unbelievable talents and wonderful lovers, i want to get away from everyday life, in escapism for just awhile.
I used to feel this way, and of course to each her own! Quite frankly, I’ve read enough now that I’m more interested in a fascinating character than a blank pretty face. I want more depth and substance to my characters, and being tall or having a pretty face aren’t requirements for awesome in my book.
A few books that deal with a man who is a bit more ‘average’ – (1)Soldier on her doorstep – Soraya Lane, (2) A Maverick for Christmas – Leanne Banks, (3) The doctor takes a princess – Leanne Banks, (4) Shelter in a soldier’s arms – Susan Mallery, and (5)Rough Ride – Keri Ford. Mainly, they’re successful (but not crazy wealthy), and/or average attractiveness, etc.
thank you for these suggestions!!
Some other titles… (1) How to knit a heart back home – Rachel Herron, (2) In total surrender – Anne Mallory, (3) Destiny – Carly Phillips, (4) The Next Best Thing – Kristin Higgins, (5) Dear Cordelia – Pamela Ford, (6) A Week to Be Wicked – Tessa Dare, (7) Never Love a Lawman – Jo Goodman
In A Week to be Wicked I think Colin was actually quite handsome… he had women chasing him all around. LOL.
THANK YOU for looking all these up!
Sarah Mayberry’s latest, “Her Best Worst Mistake,” features an ordinary hero in Martin. As the heroine discovers, it’s what beneath the 3 piece suit that counts.
ooh… looking it up!
The first hero who comes to mind I’d Terrible, the male interest of Chess in the Downside Ghosts series. He’s not just plain, but ugly. Quite a lot in that series is against type, Chess herself is strong, but also a drug addict. It took me two tries to get into the first book, but I really loved the series, mostly for Terrible. Despite his lack of beauty.
Terrible inspired my “ugly” guy article a few weeks back. ADORE that series and him. Really cool how unusual her characters are.
I’m thinking of one of my favourite heroes from Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters — Stan. Yes he is impressive in that he does dangerous work, but my recollection is that he’s not anything special to look at. The book is “Over the Edge”.
Oh, what a cute topic for a blog!! One of the few types of men I would love to both read AND have at my side in real life. People would go “hmm, wonder what she sees in him” & only I would know his secret awesomeness…. :-D
The book that came to me was “What Happens in London” by Julia Quinn. He’s a spy too… Such a cute book!!!
I wholeheartedly rec. What Happens in London… I need to re-read it. I don’t remember him as plain. Ooh… off to find my copy.
I never thought about it but yes so many hot men out there. And many plain jane’s (who then get a make-over). But I like those plain men, cos they would feel safer
Fun article May. I can’t think of anything, but I totally understand where you’re coming from. On the flip side, I love a story that has a heroine who isn’t model worthy. I love a heroine who is not big breasted, doesn’t have long blonde tresses with curves in all the right places. An average woman, who isn’t perfect but still manages to attract a good looking man, someone she would consider out of her league. I’m a sucker for the female underdog.
now see, I feel like I see plain heroines all the time. Or quirky, beautiful only in Hero’s eyes, etc… they seem far more common than a plain guy to me. Maybe it’s just what I read?
Oh, I completely agree… Plain Jane heroines was so very common & the hero for these Plain Janes are almost always oh-so perfect.
Interesting. Perhaps there are more of this “plain Janes” in historicals, which I don’t read anymore. I have not come across too many of them in my contemporary reads.
The first book that pops into my mind is Lords of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. One of my most favorite HR. Highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already. :)
Dain was the inspiration for my “ugly” hero article I did a while back. Oh yes.
I don’t think he’s plain at all – with his striking looks, massive size, extreme wealth… he’s anything but! I did have him in ugly because he sees himself that way – as a hideous beast.
Oh, I ADORE Lord of Scoundrels that is for sure!!!
Oh… excellent blog post. I kind of love the ‘typical’ guy more for the hero myself. Too much of the larger than life thing just kills it for me, especially if it’s all I read.
Jude Bertrand from A Little Bit Wild, by Victoria Dahl.
At one point he admits that another women thinks she’s in love with him, and the heroine flat out says, you said you never slept with her, so why would she love you? (Insinuating that the only reason anyone would love him is for his low-class, big, rough body.) Every single time I read that paragraph I scream, “You BITCH! I can’t believe you SAID that”, nearly throw the Kindle across the room and have to go for a walk to calm down before continuing.
Okay, I’m not sure this is what you’re looking for, but the main character of this UF series blends into his Arizona surroundings because he looks like any of a million twenty-one year old slaker types with some tattoos and a goatee.
Of course in actuality he’s a twenty-one HUNDRED year old Druid who’s in hiding fromt the Irish god of love who’s been sending out hit men to try and kill him for about 1900 of those years.
The series is called The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearn. The first is called Hounded, and I just read it. And I loved it. From other gods and goddesses from his home country coming in, tempting him, tying to kill him, sleeping with him, and then beraying him, the plot is fast. There’s werewolves and a vampire (they’re Lawyers–the vamps’ the night shift for the firm) the fae, elementals, Old Coyote, a coven of witches, even a possessed barmaiden. And of course his best friend, his Irish Wolf Hound Oberon, who he literally talks to mind to mind.
And the old irish widow down the street that drinks whiskey on her front porch at all hours of the day and night.
If you haven’t read it, I think you should. I loved it, and have the rest of the series ordered.
It’s been a while since I’ve read any of hers, but Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick always used to have what could be considered less than good looking men. Long, hawkish noses, scars, limps, and so on.
Nice question May, and I really cannot think of one at the moment. I will try to remember one for you.
It hasn’t been long since I started reading romance, but already my interest in a book wanes as soon as a handsome billionaire enters the summary, and also sometimes if he’s a man in uniform. The second is believable at least, but how many perfect billionaires are there really in the world?
While I wasn’t keen on the book itself, Alan from Jennifer Greene’s No More Mr. Nice Guy was very regular and a great hero. The heroine is ordinary too, but finds she wants more excitement in the relationship, and the idea of the story is to show that ordinary isn’t always a bad thing.
Have you read Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase? I loved Sebastian. He was an amazing hero, unattractive, ruthless, a tortured soul. I have reread the book over a dozen times.
Tamara LeJeune wrote a Regency called Simply Scandalous featuring a plain, not particularly smart, ginger haired hero. I wasn’t wild about the book, but that’s more because I prefer my Regencies to be angsty and this one was definitely a farce, but the hero certainly fits what you are looking for. Also wanted to add that I loved A Little Bit Wild, by Victoria Dahl, but the heroine is very self-absorbed and you kind of have to give her the benefit of the doubt in the first part of the book.
I love what you are saying. The fact of the matter is that most people aren’t breathtakingly beautiful. While it’s nice to be transported to a fantasy world of hot guys sometimes you just want a story with a little more reality to it. It’s strangely optimistic in a way, it reassures you that true love is possible for the more average person. Some good books that highlight the average guy theme are Montana Bride by Joan Johnston and The Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt.