I've always been a big fan of Happily Ever After (HEA) as opposed to Happy for Now (HFN). Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I grew up on Disney movies or my mom's old Harlequins (though looking back I can't stand either type of hero now, lol). Now I like my heroes a bit darker and with a little more angst, but I love picking up a book with the word Romance on the spine and knowing that I'll be getting that HEA at the end.Lately I've noticed that there's been a fairly clear line drawn between erotic romance and erotica. With erotic romance you're more likely to get HEA or HFN, but with true erotica, you're not guaranteed to get either. Ellora's Cave has separated erotic romance and erotica by designating Exotica as their erotic fiction line. And I could be wrong, but everything I've read from eHarlequin's Spice line has been erotic fiction vs. erotic romance. There's no promise of a commitment at the end, but I know what to expect when I buy it.
I appreciate that so many publishers have clearly defined what to expect when I buy from their lines. There's no guesswork involved and I get exactly what I'm looking for.
Which do you prefer? HEA or HFN? Or does it depend on the story?
10 comments:
I'm definitely in the HEA camp even if I have to suspend belief that someone could fall in love in a short time. I can't say I've read any HFN stories. For me, there would be some disappointment not having at least the "spark" of something more.
I want the HEA and I like knowing when I pick up a book that no matter what goes on in the story, how tragic things get- that at the end there will be a HEA. Real life is full of HFN stories, I like the escape from that with a "sure thing" HEA. :o)
Guess I'm odd woman out. I am okay with either HEA or HFN because the HFN stories usually have the possibility for the HEA. I appreciate that publishers distinguish so you know what to expect.
Lol, that's true Dara. In some cases of HFN, I write the ending in my head, lol.
I am a HEA girl. I get really annoyed when I am told one thing ie (romance) and there isn't a HEA.
Really I can handle a HFN but I don't want to be surprised.
I'm a HEA kind of girl. I can deal with a HFN but would rather, HEA. You know, I had a blog planned about this too. Not just HEA vs HFN but endings where you don't get either. I was browsing the bookstore and happened to pick up one that was just that. By the tag line I knew something was up so I read the end and the hero died. I couldn't do it. I hadn't even read the book but I had a cold, sad feeling.
If it's a series with a romantic arc that spans volumes in the series, I'm ok with the HEA for now. BUT I'd best get my HEA by the series end book, or I'm going to be an unhappy reader!
Outside of romance, I don't need either. Sometimes a story without a happy ending can be satisfying. But within the genre, I prefer HEA. There's something so romantic about committing to another person forever. I don't care if it's only been a week! I want to believe that they are head over heels, crazy in love, hopelessly devoted at the end of the story.
As far as publishers distinguishing, I think it's appropriate in some cases. Megan Hart's books are called "Erotic Novels" rather than romances. That seems to fit.
This topic seems to be making the blog rounds. I don't like a gratuitous epilogue with the marriage/baby/whatever. It's hard enough to write romantic suspense, which by its very nature unfolds over a very short period of time, handle the romance, and assume the h/h are going to tie the knot at the end. However, I do want to believe that their relationship will continue, and that it has a good chance of success.
I haven't married off any of my characters in my books (and I even wrote a sequel where the same h/h were continuing to work on their relationship).
However, the assumption at the end of all my books is that they WILL get together, and that it will work.
I met hubby-to-be in October, engaged in February, married in August (1969). We're still married.
I write erotica. Not erotic romance. And I really wish there were more people out there who liked reading erotica without the corny HEA or HFN endings. It's frustrating!!!
I prefer to read stories where there's more grit--less rainbows and unicorns. It always irritates me when the two MCs trot off and get married in the end. Not that I have a thing against HEA (or marriage), because sometimes a HEA fits the story...but when EVERY story ends with the two MCs getting married or sailing off into the sunset, it gets a little tiresome, lol. *sigh*
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