Romance? Renovation shows?
Yes, really. Trust me on this.
A renovation show, especially a show like Home Town (on HGTV), is the house and family version of a romance novel. For those who haven’t seen it, Home Town is set in Laurel, Mississippi, and has woodworker Ben Napier and designer Erin Napier (the most delightful, sweet married couple ever!) renovating older houses for people who are looking to move to their town. It’s the epitome of sweet, feel-good television, and it’s become one of my go-to shows during this pandemic, when I need something to take my mind off of my current reality. It helps keep my anxiety in check, though that’s a whole other post!
A renovation show, like a romance novel, has a specific structure. There’s the introduction or first meeting of the house and the people buying it. There’s the plan, and the execution of that plan, the building up of the house, where everyone falls in love. And then, with very few exceptions, something goes wrong. There’s a black moment. It could be the discovery of termites (shudder!) or bats (cute but stinky!) or half your floor rotted away. Whatever it is, it can put the renovation in jeopardy, either through damage or cost. You know that things will work out in the end, but you don’t know how. And then, finally, the building is done, and the people who have bought the house get to see how it’s turned out, and everyone lives happily ever after in their gorgeous house.
A romance novel starts with the meeting of the two (or more) love interests. There’s the pursuing of the romantic relationship, the build-up, the falling in love. And then, there’s something to make the characters doubt their love, or something that gets in their way. And that black moment happens, where you’re not sure how things will turn out, or how they can possibly succeed. But you get to the climax, and love wins out, and everyone lives happily ever after.
See what I mean?
Do you have a renovation show favourite? Or perhaps a romance novel whose story revolves around a renovation? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for new shows or books!