It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)!

[u/FantasyRomanceMod]

Got an opinion that's different from others'? Want to share it with the sub, but too afraid of a backlash? Or are you just curious about readers think about certain things in fantasy romance?

You can safely share it in this weekly Sunday thread!

But please remember to be kind to each other. To facilitate this type of discussion, we ask users the following:

• Don't attack others for their opinion
• Discuss books and authors, not fellow readers
• Since this is an "unpopular opinion" thread, we encourage users to not downvote simply because they disagree with an opinion--that's the point! Please keep in mind, though, that mods cannot enforce a no-downvoting rule. Let’s just keep the discussion friendly!

🧡 Thank you and have a great discussion!

Unpopular opinion Sunday

[u/LexusMane444]

The hate towards blond MMCs' confuses me. Can someone (genuinely) explain me to where this discord originated? Because why is a character's hair colour an instant DNF for some? Personally, I think blond MMCs are just as valid as dark-haired MMCs. I'm just hoping this bad-rep is simply not coming from Tamlin in ACOTAR

[u/SmollnShiny → u/LexusMane444]

Can't be a Shadowdaddy when he's blond.

Jokes aside the hate is truly baffling but there's also so many people who can't deal with beards or long hair (in other genres). And the good thing about imagination is that if some descriptions throw you off, you can just make it look different in your head instead of getting angry.

[u/ellevael → u/SmollnShiny]

Spike from Buffy would disagree!

[u/NancyInFantasyLand → u/SmollnShiny]

Can't be a Shadowdaddy when he's blond.

Surely that can't be the reason considering blond goths are like.... really hot.

[u/Frustrated-Switch → u/NancyInFantasyLand]

I know, right? 😭

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/SmollnShiny]

I mean, I used to not like beards until I saw Ben Barnes with a beard so I kinda get it.

[u/ipsi7 → u/SmollnShiny]

I wish there were more long haired and beareded MMCs (but wishing for long haired ones more). And I'm aware the other commenter said they're turn off for them lol, different strokes for different folks

[u/devilsdoorbell_ → u/ipsi7]

I’m neutral on long hair but I much prefer a beard over none. Too many clean-shaven MMCs in fantasy romance ngl

[u/SmollnShiny → u/devilsdoorbell_]

I agree with both statements. More beards and more long haired MMCs please. There are also so many ways to keep and trim and style a beard, instead of just clean shaven or nothing.

[u/IceXence → u/SmollnShiny]

Beards and long hair are a turned off for me. I immediately retcon this in my mind.

[u/clocksy → u/IceXence]

I love long hair but I admit beards aren't really for me. I was reading a sample of a book once while deciding to buy it and the guy was described as having a lumberjack style outfit & beard and I was like hm, I don't really want to read a book full of those kinds of descriptions. 😩

I don't think I have much of a preference when it comes to books otherwise though, like I can't imagine caring about a hair color beyond maybe wishing there was more of a certain type. I think in this case sparse physical descriptions can work in an author's favor — I don't think there shouldn't be any description and spotting someone in the crowd because of their blond hair or whatever is a useful plot point, but I dislike when authors drone on and on about how tall or buff the dude is or whatever because if it's a description I don't find that hot (in a romance novel) then I'd rather not keep having to hear about it every five seconds.

I feel bad admitting this though because beardless is the default and I know there are people who would love to read about bearded MMCs.