[Book Talk] Where's the Line Between Insta-Attraction and Insta-Love?

08:00 Cilla 8 Comments

Aah, that moment in a book when two characters lay eyes on each other for the first time and something between them sparks. There's interest (for better or for worse), there may be attraction (or friction), and maybe some humour. When done right, a meet-cute is exactly that: cute. But when is it insta-attraction, and when is it insta-love?

I don't quite believe in love at first sight. I believe, however, in attraction at first sight. I think it's entirely possible to look across the room, think 'wow, they're gorgeous/interesting', and be quite enchanted. So, as a reader, it doesn't bother me if the characters have such moments of instant attraction between them. I also think it's possible for that moment to lead to something deeper, if it's followed up by actual interactions between the two people.

I am bothered, however, when the characters decide the other person is 'the one', then proceed to throw out all plans or defy all rules and expectations for each other based solely on that first meeting. It's here that I stop believing the story. Insta-love of this variety - the sort that has Romeo and Juliet getting married after one day of courtship and despite the glaring family history - is not so common anymore. At least, I haven't come across it lately.

However, insta-love is still very much around, though what constitutes it seems to be rather subjective. I've read a review that says a ship in one of my favourite books is a total insta-love, and I never saw it that way. Other times, it may be the other way around.

My definition of insta-love is when the characters decide they are devoted to each other and can't live without each other, even though they barely know each other. Usually it annoys me because it lacks character development, or because I feel it to be a rather shallow love. An example that jumps to mind for me is Twilight. I'm still not entirely sure what prompted Bella to declare that she was irrevocably in love with Edward other than his weird, mysterious behaviour toward her. This is different from insta-attraction, where the characters might be interested in one another right away, but they'll need a fair bit of convincing still before they declare their undying love for the other.

Your view of it could be quite different from mine though, and I'd love to hear about what you think!