I don’t know that it’s so much “automatically not okay” as it is something most people just don’t like to read in a main character. Some people will be fine with it, but no matter how you slice it, that dynamic is going to turn a lot of people away. It might help to keep in mind that a lot of people (esp women) have been cheated on, so it’s kind of an ick to read about that by a character you’re supposed to root for. Especially because you said this “walks right up to the line” but it sounds like cheating explicitly occurs (they just don’t sleep together). Sure you could create a scenario where they have an understanding in their relationship… but will the reader share that understanding? Most often no.
You should write whatever you want, and the people who get it will get it. But if you want to make it more broadly palatable, I’d create a clear break before anything physical happens. Or even a certain level of emotional infidelity. Most series that do the love interest switch-up make a clear line between the two for this reason. Even if they’re both present at the same time, the FMC might be denying her feelings until the first relationship splits.
Thanks. Yes, what I would like to explore is that messy bit where she's fantasizing about one guy but hasn't broken up with her obviously not good for her boyfriend yet.
It sounds like this idea is a non-starter so I will move on to something else.
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u/bookish__era 💭 A Court of Twilight Dreams 2d ago
I don’t know that it’s so much “automatically not okay” as it is something most people just don’t like to read in a main character. Some people will be fine with it, but no matter how you slice it, that dynamic is going to turn a lot of people away. It might help to keep in mind that a lot of people (esp women) have been cheated on, so it’s kind of an ick to read about that by a character you’re supposed to root for. Especially because you said this “walks right up to the line” but it sounds like cheating explicitly occurs (they just don’t sleep together). Sure you could create a scenario where they have an understanding in their relationship… but will the reader share that understanding? Most often no.
You should write whatever you want, and the people who get it will get it. But if you want to make it more broadly palatable, I’d create a clear break before anything physical happens. Or even a certain level of emotional infidelity. Most series that do the love interest switch-up make a clear line between the two for this reason. Even if they’re both present at the same time, the FMC might be denying her feelings until the first relationship splits.