From richardarmitagenet.com
I’ve been reading some fun blogs about the difference between love in fiction and love in real life.
Since I’m working on a novel right now in which the main character (like me) likes Darcy, Thornton and Rochester a little too much, it has been on my mind.
In my not so humble opinion, a good romance is realistic. There are enough “men are from mars” type insights in Pride and Prejudice, North and South, and Jane Eyre to make those male characters ring true emotionally. Of course, they may be richer and better looking than the men at the grocery store, at church, or at work but underneath the fictional glitz, they really are men — and that’s why those books are so popular today.
Or am I just deluding myself?
One of the interesting blogs:
Beverly Farr 
I’m inclined to agree with you. It can backfire though, where the character has too many faults, which is my perception of 50 Shades. The author is trying to balance out Christian’s overwhelming good looks and fortune to make him more realistic and human, but she does so with too many mental issues that take forever to get resolved. I quickly stopped believing in his character.
Since you love Richard Armitage, have you watched the Robin Hood television series? I love his character for the antagonism he provides Robin, but also because he shows genuine feelings for Marian while having questionable morals throughout the show. He’s a real character for me, and while I don’t root for his romance, I definitely haven moments of softening towards his character.
I liked the BBC Robin Hood, too. Never has the evil henchman been more attractive and sympathetic. Richard Armitage is an amazing actor.
Yes, I agree that the flaws make romances more realistic and add tension. But I do think that we love heroes in spite of their flaws, while we love heroines because of their flaws. There has to be the wealth, or charm, or amazing good looks to balance out the heroes’ flaws.