One such novel is 'The Age of Innocence' by Edith Wharton. It features a complex relationship where the heroine is older and from a different social standing. Another is 'The Time Traveler's Wife', which has an age - gap relationship between the main characters.
One characteristic is the power dynamic. Often, the older heroine may have more life experience, which can create an interesting shift in the typical power balance in a relationship. For example, she might be more confident in her decisions.
In romance novels, the female protagonist was much older than the male protagonist, which was usually a plot arrangement. It could highlight the maturity, charm and experience of the female protagonist, and at the same time, it could make the male protagonist feel an unusual fatherly love or love. This kind of plot arrangement was also common in reality because women tended to mature later than men and had more experiences. Therefore, sometimes in novels, the female protagonist would be much older than the male protagonist. However, the specific plot arrangement and character description still had to be decided according to the theme and plot of the novel.
One common plot device is the mentor - protege dynamic. The older hero, with his more life experiences, can guide the heroine in different aspects of life, like career choices or dealing with family issues. Another is the age - gap - induced conflict. The heroine might struggle with society's perception of their relationship due to the age difference, which adds drama to the story. Also, the hero's past relationships, which he has had more time to accumulate compared to the heroine, can create interesting sub - plots as they might influence how he approaches the new relationship with the heroine.
Older heroines in these novels are often more independent - minded. They are less likely to be swayed easily by the hero. For instance, in 'North and South', Margaret Hale has her own beliefs and values and stands up for what she thinks is right, even in the face of her growing feelings for Mr. Thornton. This independence adds an interesting dynamic to the romance as the relationship is built on mutual respect as well as love.
Older hero romance novels often have strong - willed heroines. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet is not afraid to speak her mind. The heroes, on the other hand, are usually complex characters, like Mr. Darcy who appears proud at first but has a good heart. These novels also tend to be set in a particular historical context, which adds charm and authenticity.
One popular trope in such novels is the mentorship aspect. The older male could be a mentor in some area like career or life skills, and through that, a romantic connection blossoms. This type of relationship can also show growth for both characters. The older male may learn to be more spontaneous from the younger female, and she may gain more confidence and direction from him.
Sometimes, it's a plot device to create tension. A scared heroine adds an element of mystery and drama. The author might use this to gradually develop the relationship between the two characters. As the story progresses, the hero can then work to gain the heroine's trust, making the romance more interesting.