I Don’t Want To Be the Protagonist of a Romance Novel

My Thoughts on I Don’t Want To Be the Protagonist of a Romance Novel

I dove into "I Don’t Want To Be the Protagonist of a Romance Novel" with a good deal of excitement. The gender-swapped otome setting promised a fresh take on familiar tropes, and the premise of regressed female leads vying for the protagonist's attention sounded like a recipe for comedic chaos. While the novel had its moments, I ultimately found it a mixed bag.

First Impressions

Initially, I was intrigued by the world the author created. The idea of a society where gender roles are reversed, with powerful women in positions of authority and men expected to be courted, had a lot of potential. The early chapters set up this dynamic well, introducing the main character and the various female leads who are all vying for his attention.

What Works Well

The concept itself is the strongest aspect of the novel. The author presents a world that is different enough to be interesting, yet familiar enough to be relatable. Some of the character interactions are genuinely enjoyable, especially when the heroines clash with each other. I found myself chuckling at their attempts to win over the protagonist, even if their methods were sometimes a bit over the top. The premise and unique characters are what kept me reading.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to the potential of the premise. One of my biggest issues was the lack of depth in the world-building. While the gender-swapped roles are interesting, I felt the author could have explored the implications of this dynamic in more detail. The world felt somewhat shallow, lacking the richness and complexity that could have elevated the story.

I also found the protagonist to be a bit frustrating. While his desire to avoid becoming a damsel in distress is understandable, his passivity often hindered the plot. He frequently comes across as dense and indecisive, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in his character. The heroines, while initially intriguing, sometimes fell into stereotypical tropes.

Final Verdict

"I Don’t Want To Be the Protagonist of a Romance Novel" is an okay read if you're looking for something light and entertaining. The unique premise and comedic character interactions make it a decent time-killer, but the shallow world-building and frustrating protagonist prevent it from reaching its full potential. It's not a masterpiece, but it's not terrible either. I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars.