When it comes to romances, they can come in all shapes and sizes. There are the fun, flirty ones, the deep, soulful ones, the love/hate ones (a personal favorite), the tragic ones and so on. The impact each of them leaves on us can vary widely but there is one type of romance that sucks you in and keeps you there. These are the slow-burn romances. Frequently surprising and always enjoyable to watch unfold, these are the sort of relationships on which fandoms are built. So, without further ado, here are eight reasons why slow-burn romance is the best kind of romance.
8 Reasons Slow-Burn Romance Are The Best
#1 More Realistic … And Yet More Romantic Too.
With slow-burn romance, the writer(s) really take the time to show a connection develop between two people. You see it happen organically the way you might in real life. This added sense of realism makes the love story feel real and lends it greater depth. While love-at-first-sight can also be very romantic, there is something incredibly charming about watching two people gradually see each other in a new light and begin to fall in love.
#2 The Characters Have More Time To Develop
Because these stories don’t often begin like a romance, there is more time to see the characters on their own before they become a part of a couple. They feel more like real people, like friends who you want to be happy.
#3 We Care. We Care A Lot
The characters are well-developed on their own so we have more time to get invested. And once you’re in, there is no going back. You find yourself scrutinizing every interaction, hoping for some indication that there’s something there. The characters are awesome and deserve to be happy; if only they would just see it themselves.
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#4 Value Is Placed In Small Gestures
In slow-burn romance, because the love story often feels like a surprise, we are often made to act detective. Every glance, every accidental touch, every moment of understanding means something and is weighted with expectation. Classic novels are particularly good at this form of writing romance, especially since the characters have to contend with much stricter societal rules.
#5 The Suspense
While it can be terribly frustrating when characters will not see what is right in front of them, the build-up only adds to the enjoyment of the story and makes the eventual conclusion all the happier for it.
#6 The Moment
You know the moment. You’ve seen all the little hints, the false starts, the impediments but this time something is actually going to happen. One of the characters has finally found the courage to admit their feelings. There’s maybe even a kiss – if we’re lucky. TV series do this really well. If you’re anything like me you may have literally jumped for joy when the moment finally came for your favorite couple. Extra points if you’re the only one who picked up on what the writers were planning.
#7 More Satisfying In The Long Run
Due to the waiting, the hints, the build-up and the love we have for these characters, when it finally all comes together, it’s a very good feeling, cathartic even. The happy ending feels truly earned because the characters have worked for it and in a way so have we.
#8 Re-readability/ Re-watch-ability
Of the love stories that have stayed with me and brought me back time and again, it’s most often because of these reasons. It seems to always be fresh no matter how many times you revisit these characters.
Do you like slow-burn romance? Have any favorites? Which moment made you punch the air or shout a little too loudly? Sound off below.
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Thoroughly enjoyed this! I love reading, writing and viewing slow-burning romances. Watched every episode of the X-Files to see when they’d finally get together. Scully and Mulder’s chemistry may have been one of the many reasons my first marriage broke up. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed. Yeah, Scully and Mulder are certainly one of the best examples of slow-burn. Definitely a favorite. : )
loved this. And every picture made me say “aah yes!”…
I’m glad you enjoyed. Which is your favorite slow-burn romance? : )
I loved it especially my Delena and the otp on Faith… Can you write the name of the couple or at leats the show/movie plz-.- What’s the couple at number 7?
Thank you! For anyone who needs to know: Couple 1 – Branson and Sybil, Downton Abbey. 2 – Emma and Mr knightley, Emma (2009). 3 – Damon and Elena – Vampire Diaries. 4 – Main couple – Faith: The Great Doctor. 5 – Hayley and Elijah, The Originals. 6 – Margaret and Mr Thornton, North and South.7 – Jane and Rochester, Jane Eyre (2011). 8 – Mulder and Scully, the X-files.
You’re welcome<3 And thank you!!!!
Slow burn romances are the best! Man, the ending of the North & South miniseries gets me every time! And the sexual tension between Miss Phryne Fisher and DI Jack Robinson in season 3 is glorious!
Yeah, I’m so glad that they went slightly off book for that ending. Yes, definitely a squee moment when they kissed at the end.
If you are into Chinese dramas and novels, the recent novel and drama “Three Lives, Three Worlds and Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms” has a very slow burning romance as the heroine is romanced over three “lives” – really one romance in disguise as a man, one as a mortal and one where she’s lost her memories. It’s worth the wait!
Thank you for the recommendation. It sounds very interesting.
i love slow burns, i love seeing the stages of them falling in love. like you my fav is actually the love-hate relationship which usually is a slow burn. i love the build up, the underlying sexual tension and the individuals complexities and how that affects their dynamic and contributes to their interactions and chemistry.
Ten Miles Peach Blossom is better than what I expected. I’m watched this drama. It’s a mixture of romance, fantasy, and action. If you watch this, you will be hooked up because of its amazing story and at the same time will be fascinated with the action scenes. There’s a bit of political struggle too but all in all you will really enjoy this series.