Beta Heroes in Romance Novels?

Which do you prefer?
This?

Or this?

Some people prefer the first one – the sexy, muscular he-man that we see so many times on the front covers of romance novels.  I prefer the second one.

With all the emphasis on alpha men, the beta man has got a bad rap.  I’ve seen him described as “an unremarkable, careful man who avoids confrontation, and who lacks the physical presence, charisma and confidence of the alpha man”.  Hardly the kind of hero for a romantic novel, you might think.

Think again!

A beta man doesn’t have to be a boring wimp.  He represents a more rounded idea of what masculinity is really all about.  He rejects the all-conquering, competitive model of the alpha because he is secure in his own strengths.  He isn’t threatened by intelligent and/or powerful women because he doesn’t have to be in control of every situation to maintain his sense of self.  He isn’t the abrasive, ruthless, overbearing alpha macho-jerk we’ve seen so many times in romance novels. Instead, he exudes a quiet self-assurance that has its own charismatic appeal.  He seeks a mate who is his equal, not one he can dominate.

His so-called ‘introverted character’ may in fact indicate a thoughtful and quietly capable man.  He doesn’t see compassion, sensitivity or a display of emotion as weaknesses.  He has the character traits which, in my opinion, women really admire.  He’s intelligent, honest, moral, faithful and loyal.

A woman may fantasize about a rich and sexy bad boy, but does she want to spend the rest of her life with him?  I offer as a prime example of 'bad boy' the recently-fired actor from ‘Two and a Half Men’ and I rest my case.