If you've read many romance books, you've probably encountered the grumpy male main character (MMC). He's quiet, intimidating, and acts like smiling is as painful as a root canal. If you make it past the prickly exterior, you actually get a glimpse of his heart of gold.
Confession time...I go weak at the knees for a grumpy MMC!
Why do we love these flawed MMC's as romance readers?
I'm married now, but back in my dating days, I didn't put up with that nonsense. In fact, I nearly canceled my first date with the man I married. We were texting about our upcoming date and he made a comment about me being the one to ask him out. I didn't. It was the other way around, and he was trying to be playful and silly with his comment, but it landed poorly. I turned to my friend and said, if he can't even take credit for being the one who asked me out on a date, why would I want to go out with him?
Lucky for him, I realized he wasn't being serious before I called it off, and decided to give him a chance.
But that was over a silly comment. Can you imagine if he actually acted some sort of way? Meanwhile, I'm here screaming over an MMC with a rap sheet of flaws longer than the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
Despite my infatuation with grumpy MMC's, however, even I can admit there is a fine line between grumpy and a straight up asshole.
So what's the difference?
A grumpy MMC can be rude. He can be sarcastic. He can pretend he doesn't care when it's obvious that he does. He avoids conversation like the plague, hates everyone, and would rather be lonely and dried up than admit he has feelings.
But despite how hard to works to put up this cold front for everyone, his actions always betray him.
He makes sure the FMC knows he's annoyed by her presence, but he always shows up when she needs something. Usually with an excuse in hand, but we'll allow it. He complains about how chatty she is, but he hears every word and commits even the most insignificant details to memory.
An asshole, on the other hand...acts like an asshole. He is genuinely disrespectful. He's constantly insulting the FMC, ignoring her boundaries, embarrassing her, and even hurting her under the guise of protecting her. My point?
Being emotionally unavailable is not the same thing as being emotionally abusive.
And no amount of sexy broodiness or extensive wealth can change my mind on that fact.
Grumpy: "I don't like people."
Asshole: "I don't respect people."
Grumpy: "Leave me alone."
Asshole: "I don't care about your feelings."
Grumpy: secretly brings you your favorite coffee.
Asshole: ruins your life and calls it character development.
Where can you find a grumpy MMC? Mariana Zapata and Emily Henry both have several books featuring this brand of MMC, including The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and Book Lovers. One of my favorites is The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker. If you prefer your MMC less outwardly grumpy and more reserved and closed off, Jacob from my book Falling for Gypsy might be your guy.
Believe me when I say I don't need my fictional men to be perfect. Seriously. Bring on the baggage! Sprinkle some extra flaws and sarcasm on him. The more the merrier. But show me why she should want to be with him.
There's a big difference between "only soft for her" and "she's the only one who will tolerate him."
Who is your favorite grumpy MMC?