In the right corner, wearing red satin trunks and weighing in at 250 lbs of pure muscle and industry history, we have HEA, our alltime heavyweight champion – undefeated by cynicism, divorce rates and statistics on infidelity. In the left corner, wearing purple satin trunks and weigning in at 225 lbs of lean muscle and a new industry convention, we have HFN, with all the romance and none of the certainty for the future.
HEA stands for happily ever after. The concept of course is that two people fall in love, commit to a lifetime together and despite the challenges and obstacles they face, they keep their love alive and their relationship from crashing on the shoals of apathy and dishonesty that account for so much of our divorce rate stats.
HFN stands for happy for now. The concept being that two people fall in lust at least, commit to seeing where things go and may or may not stay together. They’ll probably fight for their relationship, after all, they’ve negotiated the dangerous rapids of romantic conflict and taken the risk to open their hearts – at least part of the way.
My question for you is, if this is your boxing ring and you get to decide with fighter wins the battle for the ending of your favorite books, which is it? Do you want a solid HEA with the certainty this couple is in it for the long haul, or are you okay with the HFN prospect, where the couple is busy enjoying the sharing of bodies and maybe part of their lives, but not necessarily their futures?
I think you all know what I prefer 
, but the HFN has become more popular, especially in the last five years, that I’m happy to discuss why this ending works for so many readers. 
Some of the erotica publishers even require it, and are unwilling to buy books with an HEA. I don’t see myself ever writing it, I’m far too fond of my Scooby Doo endings (where most everything gets wrapped up), but I’ve read some really talented authors who do.
It’s your turn: what are your thoughts? What’s your favorite HEA for all time, or even just lately? What’s your favorite HFN? Do you like/not like an ongoing series where it takes several books to reach the HEA? Are your expectations different for different imprints?
i rather HEA but settle for HFN ,lol
grease, the fight this sat whhhoo
Hey, Tami…I had a lot of readers on my personal blog who didn’t mind an HFN if they could “see” the HEA coming to be.
KH..LOL!!
I too will settle for HFN if there will be a HEA in the future. Otherwise even romantica/erotica I am not really for HFN. I read to escape and in my mind there has to be HEA.A lot of Urban Fantasy use the HFN as well.
Good point, Tina – I think Sci Fi & Mystery series will play the HFN card too, but I’m more tolerant of it in a different genre. I really want my HEA in romance.