You don't have to have been reading my blog all seven years to know that I love romance novels. If you've been here at all before today, first, thanks for sticking with me. Second, you've probably already learned a thing or two about romance. (If today's your first day reading my blog, thanks for being here.)
The most important trope of romance, in fact, what makes a romance novel a romance, is that every story has a happily ever after ending. To be clear, the main characters can go through all kinds of wild and horrible and scary you-can't-be-together moments during the story, but in the end, they're not only supposed to be together, but the reader should believe that their togetherness will endure whatever new hardships come their way.
Some authors these days seem okay with a "happy for now" (HFN) rather than a "happily ever after" (HEA), and I'm here to tell you, not on my watch! The problem with a HFN ending is that it implies that the main characters might not have done the internal work they need to earn the ending we want for them.
I'm not okay with that. If I don't believe they'll be together and stay together, the ending might as well be a pit stop on a depressing path to loneliness. Count me out.
With all the chaos and unpleasantness in today's world, I want the guarantee of a HEA. What do you think? Are you okay with HFNs? Do you like to read books without the guarantee of a happy ending? Please share your responses in the comments.
HEA 4-EVA! Give me the promise of the premise!
EXACTLY!!
This is my kind of discussion!
Do you think a HEA requires an epilogue? I’m with you on wanting to see internal growth from both characters, but am NOT a fan of time-jump chapters at the end to a wedding, or a pregnancy etc. I find I can get a HEA without those, but I wonder if they’re prerequisite for other people.
As for happy endings being required – I like both types of romances. If I’m in the mood for a relaxing, fluffy romance, it MUST have some kind of guaranteed happy ending for the couple, but I’ve read great romance dramas without them that I loved (as long as I know going in that could be the case!)
Heart the Lover by Lily King was a great recent read romance that fit in that box. But my recent Christina Lauren reads were much needed as well!
Oh, I hadn’t though about the epilogue as a requirement. I don’t need them, as long as the ending isn’t ambiguous. That said, I often appreciate the “where are they now” a good epilogue offers. The only King I’ve read is Stephen, so I’ll add Heart the Lover to my TBR.
I don’t accept your assumption that happily ever after or “depressing path to loneliness” are the only possible outcomes, and I think a lot of great fiction (visual or written) includes ambiguous endings. … But I also kind of agree that the romance genre is defined by HEA.
You make a good point. There’s a lot of room between HEA and misery (and Misery, now that I think about it). That said, these days, I don’t want ambiguous. I want happy!
I am a fan of Jennifer E. Smith. Her YA novel, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, hooked me on to read most, if not all, of her works. Field Notes on Love was terrific. She then wrote an adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James, which if I recall, left me in tears. If you haven’t had a chance to read her works, I highly recommend them. As far as HEA vs. HFN, as long as it is an excellent read, I can care less. (And this is coming from a kid that was not a real reader growing up. I am catching up now!!)
On your recommendation several years ago, I read three of Jennifer E. Smith’s books. I liked them all — thanks!! (I haven’t yet read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, so I’ll add that one to the TBR.)
I’m old,,,,,didn’t remember my earlier recommendation!!
I never remember anything — that’s why I write everything down…which may end up being the title of a future post, “Why Write it Down.” But it’ll be the title only if I remember to do that.