This is a mini-rant that’s been building in my head the entire day because lately it seems like every romance I read ends too abruptly and I can’t figure out why. Really, I’m not sure if it’s just me and they aren’t really that abrupt or if suddenly all the “epilogues” are missing. I put that in quotes because I don’t necessarily mean literal epilogues. At least not all the time. Sometimes all I need is a quiet moment between the hero and heroine to put a period on things but it doesn’t even seem like that’s happening with a lot of books lately. Suddenly almost every one I read, the minute they triumph over the bad guys, win the day, whatever, the book is over. And sometimes it doesn’t always seem like things are wrapped up completely but maybe that’s because of all the connected books. I don’t honestly know. (Side note: when was the last time you read a completely stand alone, non-connected romance??????)
I do know that the abrupt endings are starting to bug me. A lot.
The other odd thing is that I really can’t point to any particular sub-genre, theme, format or even publishing house because it seems like so many new-to-me books I’ve read have done this lately. Am I really the only one noticing this trend?
And if not, how do the rest of you feel about it or why do you think it’s happening?
Ames: Sometimes I really, really, really miss the true spin-off type romances where the author writes a good book and a character simply demands their own story. Nothing preplanned, just good writing karma. Know what I mean?
Tara: I hear you. I’ve been thinking about that one for the last few days and still haven’t thought of one. We know we’re in trouble when even all of Krentz’s new books are connected.
Mailyn: Okay, girl, what are you reading and where are you getting them? I need titles! ‘Cause seems like everything I pick up is already connected to something.
Cindy: Well, yeah, it’s possible for authors to go overboard on those endings but lately I haven’t been seeing even a little sap. I suppose I should count my blessings that at least we aren’t having books that end at the bedroom door, but still. I need a little bit more, um, closure than I’ve been finding lately. I swear a couple of books this year seemed to end in the middle of a scene.
I have to admit that I have not been reading as many ‘new’ books as I should because the TBR pile frowns at me if I try.
Anne Stuart made this an art and even then, I would wish for more time but hey, if you’re going to be a fangirl, then shut the trap 😉
I don’t like to see the conflict over and then have the book end. Rosario had mentioned how she felt the end of Slave To Sensation was a bit much but I loved the end moments. You get to see the evolution of a family and I for one was happy to see it. Since it’s a first book in a series it wasn’t too smaltzy but maybe after upteen books the ‘evolution’ would become it’s own book 😉
Oh, and DO NOT get me started on connected books. OY!!
CindyS
I haven’t noticed this but, then again, I am not into Romance series. I’d say about 99% of Romance books I’ve read are stand-alone with a normal ending. As far as the other stuff I read [Fantasy, Paranormal] I also see a normal ending. Unless, of course, it’s a series and the main characters are expected back.
So nopes, can’t say I’ve run into this problem often.
Sorry to hear about the migraines!
when was the last time you read a completely stand alone, non-connected romance?
Yikes, I have absolutely no idea.
I’m not going to answer your question-but something you said had popped into my mind earlier today as well: The stand-alone book. Almost every book I’ve read belongs in a series or is the beginning of one. Especially with paranormals. Why? We don’t need another LKH disaster on our hands. Spare me from that.
That’s why I’m reading a non-fiction book right now. About horses. 😛