Hyper-Independent People Love the Found Family Trop
Have you noticed you gravitate toward books that have a strong found family -- like ACOTAR and the Fourth Wing series? This is common if you've spent your lifetime being hyper independent.
I've just started re-reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, an epic fantasy (romantasy) that features a strong found family trope.
Last night, I was reflecting on how it’s really the found family that makes this series so emotional for me. The romance is great, the conflict is solid, but the found family is top-tier.
That made me wonder why? Why do I love stories with found family so much? So I started researching it.
Turns out this can really resonate with someone who craves belonging.
People who have spent their lifetime being hyper-independent can find themselves enamored with this specific trope.
Imagine you’ve done everything for yourself your whole life, and now you’re reading about a family built by choice and held together with love and loyalty. Yeah, I can feel that deep in my bones.
Being seen, loved, and valued for who you are is a significant draw, but beyond that, being part of a team where everyone complements each other and helps one another is the ultimate fantasy for many of us who have been hyper-independent.
Instead of shouldering all the burden on your own and not celebrating victories on your own, you lose yourself in a story about people who fight for each other. People who hold space for each other’s pain and celebrate each other’s victories together.
That’s beautiful.
It’s also a little painful when you realize this is what draws you into a story and enamours you.
However, my thought is always, once I recognize something about myself, I can try and do something about it — so that’s nice.
In the meantime, I’ll keep going through my third re-read of ACOTAR and feel my heart grow as I watch the Inner Circle take care of each other.
What’s your favorite found family in fiction? My TBR is ridiculous, but I’ll move any book/series with a strong found family to the top!