5 Ways To End Your Romance Novel

Learn how to end your romance novel with an ending that fits your story, satisfies your readers, and feels right for your characters.

Read the first post in the series here: 5 Ways To Begin Your Romance Novel

Romance novels usually have one of two types of endings. The Disney version, known as an HEA or Happy-Ever-After, or an HFN a more realistic Happy-For-Now ending. An HEA gives readers a lasting commitment and a clear future together. An HFN suggests that the relationship has a strong future, without showing exactly what happens next.

Accepted wisdom says that if your book has neither the HEA nor the HFN ending, then it’s not a Romance. But no one lives happily ever after. This is fiction, I hear you cry. Don’t tell us Darcy ran to fat and lost his hair! I’m certainly not advocating that! But is the final kiss the only way to end a romance novel?

5 Ways To End Your Romance Novel

Here are some things to consider when ending your romance novel. Be warned there are spoilers ahead!

1. Finish With Crocodile Boots: A Happy-For-Now Ending
   In the rom-com adventure movie Romancing the Stone, the jewel Jack has been hunting is swallowed by a crocodile. Reluctantly he abandons the jewel to rescue Joan. Once Joan is safe, he kisses her, and dives into the water in search of the crocodile. The next time we see Jack, he’s wearing crocodile-skin boots. He’s also on a sailboat and has come to take Joan away for a romantic around-the-world cruise. As he’s the selfish type, we’re not convinced he’s great Happy-Ever-After material, so it’s definitely a Happy-For-Now ending.
2. Keep The Hero And Heroine Alive: A Love-Despite-Life Ending
   The award-winning novel, Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald, is 796 pages of often heartbreaking drama set in India during the Indian Mutiny. After everything that has happened, including an awful quarrel with Oliver which she bitterly regrets, Laura only discovers Oliver is still alive near the end of the book. They reunite on the second-to-last last page. These two have more than proved their love can survive no matter what gets thrown at them, so I’m calling this an LDL, a Love-Despite-Life ending.
3. Take Away Everything But Their Love: A Bittersweet Ending
   When you look at some famous fictional romances, you’ll see that they don’t end well at all. Instead, they break your heart. Titanic may be a disaster movie, but it has first billing as an epic romance. It’s definitely a love story. But it’s also what I call a LUD. A Love-Until-Death romance. In Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier takes the reader on a torturous journey. As the book is written in the first person, we find ourselves loving Max and hoping for the same things for which Mrs de Winter hopes. Even after Max has admitted to murder, we still want everything to turn out alright for them. The book ends with Manderley burning. They have lost everything except each other. An LDL or Love-Despite-Life story certainly, but one that ends on a bitter and tragic note.
4. Tie Up All The Loose Ends: A Satisfying, Resolved Ending
   Hollywood isn’t the only place that loves a magically-lit epilogue. The ending of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë follows the pattern. In most novels, the sub-plots are resolved before we get to the final chapter because that’s reserved for the hero and heroine’s final resolution. Followed, of course, by the all-important kiss, if not the wedding scene. Then there is a time jump and we see them living out their Happy-Ever-After ending. A picnic under a tree with two kids and a dog spring to mind. A similar thing happens in Jane Eyre. Written almost as a personal letter to the reader, Jane begins with one of the most memorable lines from the book, ‘Reader, I married him’. She goes on to reveal what happened to her and Rochester, as well as the other characters. On a side note, resolving the sub-plots and tying up all the loose ends in a logical and believable way is important no matter what genre you’re writing!
5. And Now For Something Completely Different: An Unexpected Ending
   Georgette Heyer is the undisputed Queen of Regency Romance. Her books have laugh-out-loud happy endings. Her book, The Grand Sophy is no exception. A dimly lit, dingy manor is not the most romantic of settings. The fact that it is filled with an assortment of characters whose relationships Sophy has profoundly disrupted, plus a small flock of constantly escaping ducklings, makes things even more unromantic and chaotic. Georgette Heyer delivers a final, memorable paragraph: ‘Charles!’ uttered Sophy, shocked. ‘You cannot love me!’ Mr Rivenhall pulled the door to behind them, and in a very rough fashion jerked her into his arms and kissed her. ‘I don’t. I dislike you excessively!’ he said savagely. Entranced by these lover-like words, Miss Stanton-Lacey returned his embrace with fervour, and meekly allowed herself to be led to the stables. The ending is funny, romantic and completely in keeping with the characters. This is a Happy-Ever-After ending.

When writing the end of your romance novel, remember – no matter what sub-genre it’s in, it must, like Rebecca or The Grand Sophy, match the tone of the book, tie up the sub-plots, and be logical and believable. Most importantly, it should give your readers an ending they will remember.

The Last Word

The ending of a romance novel should feel earned. Whether your characters get their happy-ever-after, find a happy-for-now ending, or face something more bittersweet, the conclusion should fit the story you have told. Give your readers an ending that feels right for your characters – and one they will remember. If you want to learn how to write romance, we can help.

Next time: 5 Ways To Get You Through The Middle Of Your Romance Novel

Click here for more posts on romance writing.

by Elaine Dodge. Author of The Harcourts of Canada series and The Device Hunter, Elaine trained as a graphic designer, then worked in design, advertising, and broadcast television. She now creates content, mostly in written form, including ghost writing business books, for clients across the globe, but would much rather be drafting her books and short stories.

More Posts From Elaine:

1. 5 Ways To Begin Your Romance Novel
2. The 6 Non-Fiction Genres That Sell The Most Books
3. The 6 Fiction Genres That Sell The Most Books
4. Stuck For A Scary Plot? Try These 5 Horror Story Ideas
5. The Essential Guide To Writing Horror Stories
6. Why Is Horror More Popular Than Ever?
7. The Art Of Writing A Great Love Triangle
8. Love Story vs Romance: Key Writing Differences Explained
9. A Quick Start Guide To Writing First & Last Lines
10. What Is A Character Bible & Why Do I Need One?

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