Remember When . . . Love Was in a Triangle?

It was bound to come up sooner or later. And as it happens, I seem prone toward them, including with my latest historical, so now seems as good as time as any.

Let’s talk love triangles. (See me rubbing my hands together with glee? Mwa ha ha ha.)

They can be overdone. Yes, I came right out and said it. I have been known to sigh and roll my eyes when I’m presented with a supposed love triangle, yet it’s obvious the other guy (or girl) is there only to provide conflict for the author, and really there’s nothing to endear him (or her) to the heroine (or hero). It rings fake, it’s annoying, and there’s never any real question who the heroine (or hero) will choose.

I know, I know. In a romance, we always know who ends up with who anyway. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t times along the way when you wonder if maybe–just maybe–the author will trick you. And it certainly doesn’t mean that if done really, really well, you might want the unexpected, yet still be satisfied with the happily-ever-after you knew you’d get from the get-go.

In this day and age, one can’t talk love triangles without mentioning Twilight. I mean, the fans are divided into “teams.” I’m Team Jacob. On the opposing side are the Team Edward girls. Now, am I unhappy that Bella ended up with Edward? No way. It was the way it had to be. But I still loved Jacob more. That takes skill. It takes talent.

And it takes one killer love triangle.

Now, when I use them, I try to bring something new or unexpected to the table. And always, if I intend to really make folks wonder, I give the third point of the triangle a POV (point of view). How are people ever going to take the triangle seriously if it’s lopsided toward the hero? 😉

So, give me your take. Which side of the love triangle do you come down on?