Happily Ever After Book Club discussion

I realize this may be rocking the boat a bit in a group titled "Happily Ever After", but what the heck ;-)

I will preface my comment by stating that I love ~ absolutely love ~ a happily ever after story. Living close to Disney World, being an annual passholder, and getting married to my beautiful bride at the wedding pavilion, I think it's just a natural extension of my DNA :-)

However, I've read stories that haven't "exactly" been happily ever after, but rather "hopefully ever after". Situations are left open-ended (without there being a sequel in the works) with the possibility, if not the probability, that everything will work out as hoped.

How do you feel about the hopefully ever after scenario? Is it something you enjoy? Or, are you let down by it? Does it make a difference if you know about it beforehand as opposed to being "blindsided" by it?

Just a little question to stir the conversational pot ;-)

Definitely not satisfied! Exceptions might be novellas or situations where an HEA would be insta-love. But even there, I'd want an HEA epilogue. In which case, perhaps that would be an HEA anyway!

Dave wrote: "I realize this may be rocking the boat a bit in a group titled "Happily Ever After", but what the heck ;-)

I will preface my comment by stating that I love ~ absolutely love ~ a happily ever after..."

I’m with Marlene. I want my happily ever after. I would feel like the book was unfinished with a “hopefully.”

I am OK with hopefully ever after if there is a resolution to the romance aspect of the story arc. There was a Sarah M. Eden title that was 5 plus stars for me, that others felt mixed about because the heroine/wife had a weak heart condition that she could die from tomorrow or when she was 99 years old. I was fine with it ending that way though. There was a different Regency Era author that had a title that didn't have a romantic resolution that I read this year that made me scream aloud and want to throw my Kindle across the room. So yeah it depends for me.

Great topic Dave! I have to admit I've never heard of "hopefully ever after" until I read your post. :o)

I kinda like it but admit I am a full blown "happily ever after" girl! I feel cheated if I don't have any closure. Lol. I love epilogues... even if they are only a few months down the road.

I guess the only time I'd be okay with a "hopefully ever after" is when there's a series and we get to see glimpses of the couples in the various books. Other than that, I'm a grumpy Gus without a "happily ever after"! Haha.

I'm definitely Team HEA. I want that resolution at the end, I read for enjoyment and a break from reality and unless its a series, I like all the loose ends tied up. If its a standalone book, a hopefully ever after just wouldn't cut it for me and would probably get docked a star. :)

So it isn't just me! I have been known to dock half a star if I'm left hanging with no closure. I get so frustrated! Haha.

I'm with you all too. Love my Happily Ever Afters!!! I don't mind conflict and struggles and setbacks but by golly I need all the kinks and problems worked out in the end or I don't enjoy the journey. And yes I'm ok if it's a cliffhanger for a series that WILL end Happily Ever After.

Julie wrote: "I'm with you all too. Love my Happily Ever Afters!!! I don't mind conflict and struggles and setbacks but by golly I need all the kinks and problems worked out in the end or I don't enjoy the journ..."

Same
I mean really that's literally the name of this group too