Every romance novel has to have a happy ending, right? But what does “happy ending” mean? In terms of romance novels, that is – I’m not talking slang (Although that happens in romance novels, too.).
Happy Ending Variations
in Romance Novels
Love and Marriage
If we’re talking traditional romance novel, there’s only one possible happy ending. It has 2 main components.
- The hero and heroine declare their love for each other.
- They get married.
Granted, sometimes, they get married before #1 happens, but both have to happen or be declared by the end of the book.
Even books with less traditional main characters trend towards this now (including trios) unless set where it isn’t legal. Then, they go with the love and promises option (see below).
Love and Engagement
See: Love and Marriage Lite.
Yes, some books manage to leave out the marriage but only by technicality. The main characters still tell each other of their love. Then, instead of marrying in the book, they get engaged with the implication that they will marry and live happily ever after. It simply happens off-screen as it were.
Love and Promises
In response to changes in modern views on marriage, some authors leave that bit out. Instead, the characters end up with the essence of a marriage sans the legal part – they love each other and make promises to be true to each other. They become a unit. But they don’t have the ceremony.
This is still pretty uncommon. Or at least I haven’t come across it that often. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were sub-genres of romance or specific authors that use this ending more often. That said, the majority of the genre hasn’t accepted this as a truly happy ending yet.
I don’t know if that’s because that sort of arrangement still isn’t as acceptable long-term to our society or if it’s not romantic enough for a romance novel. After all, lots of reality isn’t acceptable in a romance novel since it’s a romanticized version of love and relationships.
Or maybe, it’s a combination of the two – the societal acceptance determines what counts as romantic, right?
Summary
There’s not a huge difference between the happy ending options, is there? Romance novels are pretty predictable in that sense.
I’m not sure it’s very healthy – teaching our audience that the only way to have a happy ending is to fall in love and marry is pretty limiting. Especially since population numbers alone keep that from being universally possible.
At the same time, I doubt the genre would accept major variations. I mean, if you had the heroine fall in love but choose to pursue a career instead or even pursue serial monogamy, I don’t think it would go over with the fanbase very well. It might not even be counted as a romance novel. 🤔
Are there any other genres that require something that specific about the ending? I can’t think of any. Can you?
Savannah Knightly 