Whether to remind ourselves that love is real or to escape from the world of dating apps and first dates, there are many reasons to read romance books.
One author cemented in the contemporary romance scene is the Seattle-raised Alexandria Bellefleur, whose work captures queer love in many forms. She’s written four romance books so far, including the 2021 Lambda Literary Award winner “Written in the Stars.”
Bellefleur’s latest book, “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” is an enemies-to-lovers story between romance novelist Truly and family lawyer Colin. Bellefleur said she draws inspiration from romance movies like “27 Dresses” and “When Harry Met Sally” and the love stories she’s read over the past decade.
“‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ was a marriage of all the things I love about romance, with some of my favorite tropes like antagonists to lovers, opposites attract and forced proximity in Seattle, one of my favorite cities,” Bellefleur said.
To build out her characters, Bellefleur said she creates detailed spreadsheets for each one that covers everything from their zodiac sign and whether they’re a morning or night person, to their dream job and what they were like as a kid.
“I thought it would be fun to play around with two very opposite characters, a romance writer and a family lawyer who has a more realistic view on love,” she said. “I hope that readers will be swept away by the banter, almost like they’re listening in on two people flirting.”
Bellefleur, who currently lives in New York City, is a Pacific Northwesterner at heart and sneaks in references to the area in the book. It features an improv theater loosely based on Seattle Rep, mentions characters escaping to Lake Chelan and describes familiar streets like Leary Way and Lenora Street.
“Truly’s parents love theater, and I envision that they all live near downtown Seattle and that her dad would probably do guest lectures at Cornish College of the Arts,” Bellefleur said.
An important part of the book is when the main characters Truly and Colin have an explicit conversation about being bisexual while in a male/female relationship. Bellefleur said this representation is validating both as a bisexual author and for readers as a reminder that there is no one way to be queer.
“Although people might label Truly and Colin’s relationship as ‘straight passing,’ it’s important to note that relationships don’t have orientations, people do,” she said. “I wanted to make it very explicitly clear that the gender of your partner doesn’t change your orientation if you’re bi.”
Along the way, the book highlights some learnings about love and what it could look like for readers.
“Love and relationships aren’t one-size fits all, and neither is any romance novel,” Bellefleur said. “What I really love about many contemporary romance novels is they highlight depictions of mutual respect. Along the way, characters still hold themselves to high standards while choosing not to settle for less than what they deserve.”
Seeing these characters learn to communicate about what they need or open themselves up to love after heartbreak, is a reminder that relationships don’t have to be perfect, they have to be real and honest.
“The most rewarding part of writing this book was giving Truly and Colin a realistic happy ending, and they go into it with eyes wide open,” Bellefleur said. “They don’t want to change each other, they just want to be the best partner they can be for the other person.”
For Bellefleur, it’s been an honor to be part of a genre she’s been reading for years.
“It’s surreal to walk into a bookstore and I see my books on shelves, and I definitely don’t take it for granted,” she said. “I get to take readers on a roller coaster of emotions where I can make them feel happy and tug at their heartstrings, and maybe make them feel a little hot under the collar. If I make people feel hopeful and a little brighter, I’ve done my job.”
Whether you’re new to queer romance or are a longtime fan of the genre and Bellefleur’s books, there’s something for everyone.
“It’s an exciting time to be a writer and reader because there are more queer books being published than ever before,” Bellefleur said. “Romance is a genre of hope and joy, and it means a lot to write queer romance books that make queer joy as meaningful as a coming-out narrative.”
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.