My Affinity for Love Triangles

One of the great debates — Dylan vs. Brandon, Conrad vs. Jeremiah, Collin vs. Hal

When I was a kid, I looked through a bridal magazine until it was shredded (I guess after severe harassment at the checkout line of Tom Thumb grocery, my mom bought it for me).

I still remember the scene from 90210 where Brenda listens to R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” when Dylan McKay (my preference between the Dylan vs. Brandon choice!) dumps her. She’s in her bedroom, tears falling... fade to black — and I’m in my suburban Texas home — loveless!

I was a chubby kid with short hair, glasses, and bangs — let’s just say my love life wasn’t fire. Or even coal. It was non-existent. And yet I was beholden to the thought of love triangles. Forget the elusive Bermuda Triangle — put me in the middle of the affection of two boys, and that would be exotic heaven for me!

My favorite series was The Babysitters Club, but particularly the book called Mary Anne vs. Logan. Why? Because there was just a hint of romance!

The elusive love triangle has been the North Star for many a book and TV show — even now, The Summer I Turned Pretty conversation (at least in my house) was so filled with Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad talk that my husband thought they were real people.

My affinity for the love triangle is surely one of the reasons I devoured Conform by Ariel Sullivan — the first book I’m publishing through Thousand Voices! I’m most taken by this one because of the nuance of Team Hal vs. Team Collin. Both contenders for Emeline’s heart are mysterious, handsome, and real. There isn’t such a strong, obvious choice! I’ve asked many of the readers of Conform, and I would say — we are split 50/50!

At church on Sunday, my ten-year-old daughter was sitting in the front after she pulled her little brother (literally!!!) to the front for a moment for the kids, in front of the entire congregation.

The minister asked the kids what a villain was and to name some famous ones from films. He was referencing a story from the Bible that praised goodness — humility, helping those less fortunate, LOVE.

My daughter raised her hand and, without hesitation, said, “This isn’t a movie yet, but it soon will be — and Jeremiah from The Summer I Turned Pretty is a villain.”

The love triangle is an outlet for hope and love and dreamers. And the affinity for that type of romance is genetic.

Jenny Han — you queen.

xx, Jenna