“They Lived Happily Ever After”; a sentence we have grown on hearing from the days we were kids. From the days we used to read 
fairy tales and presently reading romance books, and watching movies and TV. Most of them end with this common theme suggesting to the readers and viewers that everything always ended up, um, happily ever after.
When I was younger I dreamed of what my life would be like in the future. I was always looking for my happily ever after, prince and all. Problem was I seemed to always attract frogs. I have yet to meet the person or persons that would qualify, not sure if I ever will or if I believe in HEA anymore. Does that sound cynical? I think I’m just being realistic, so much for my dream. But the big question really is, “Is it possible to still be hopeful even though we are living in a world that seems to suggest otherwise? Would do you think, can we have HEA, or is it just left for our romance books. Comment and be entered to win Larissa Ione’s LETHAL RIDER or Jennifer Bernard’s HOT FOR FIREMAN.
I guess I’m a cynic too because for me personally, I don’t think I’ll ever see that HEA. That said, I still want the films I watch and the books I read to end happily. That’s my reward for making the effort to watch or read!
Karen, I agree with you. I don’t believe in Happily Ever After in real life. And wonder sometimes what actually would happen to characters in the books and movies the following day after the lovely HEA ending. But I do want my romances to end happy, I want the believe they will have a happily ever after. After investing my time and energy into a book – I want the happy ending. I know in real life there is no such thing but that is why I am reading fiction. Give me the happy ending damn it! (smile).
Hi Karen, I’m right there with you. I’m a sucker for any movies or books with HEA. I tend to stay from anything otherwise.
I like to think we can all have our own “happily ever after”. I had to go through a few frogs and a bad marriage before I found my HEA. If you set standards in what you won’t put up with in a relationship and be honest about it, I think, the relationship will be better off. My husband and I are honest with each and appreciate each other’s flaws and quirks since that makes us who we are and why we love the other person. We even teasing each other on occasion about them.
So, yes, I think we can have our own happily ever after.
(But I also think every single man should read a romance novel or two to step up their game — in and out of the bedroom!) 🙂
I agree Melissa, every man should read a romance book or two…lol.
Honestly, I think life would be very boring if we all have HEA. Would you really want a happily ever after in your life? I do like the dynamics of life. Plus, I love the escape of the HEA in the novels I read.
Honestly, I think life would be very boring if we all have HEA. Would you really want a happily ever after in your life? I do like the dynamics of life. Plus, I love the escape of the HEA in the novels I read.
I do not believe there is something like Happily Ever After: there can be happiness in life, but also a lot of pain. I hope to find a form of contentment and companionship in my sentimental lifre which will allow me to gather enough strength to cope with hardships ahead.
No, I don’t believe in a HEA in real life for me (I waked up from that dream hihi). But I believe there is a HEA for other people.
Well I have it. I have been married for 34 years. I think now days women’s idea for HEA is not realistic. This is just how I feel. It doesn’t mean it is right. I think women read and watch romance books and movies and think that is how a real relationship is. They think if the hot exciting feeling at the beginning of relationship goes away that the relationship is over. There is no way a relationship can stay that way forever. It changes as time goes on to many things. You will go through good times and bad times. Joyful times and hurtful times. As long as you feel love for each other you can make it through the hard times in a marriage. There are three things that I feel are reason to leave the relationship. 1. Abuse 2. Addiction 3. Cheating. Other then that I really do feel that if you work through the hard times you will always be grateful that you did, because it isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.
I don’t even think it’s HEA in romance novels, not really. Every story ends with at least “happy for now,” but even if your relationship is full and rich and happy until you both die, there will be struggles in your life (death, sickness, other tragedy) and you will have to work through them. Even with a fantastic relationship, your life won’t always be happy. Some days, you’ll want to kick each other, or duct tape your kids to a chair, or tell your boss where he can put his attitude (hint: where the sun doesn’t shine). But I do think that it is possible to find someone who will be there to help you, who will love you through all of those things, that you can work together with to bring the good times back whenever life gets in the way. That’s my definition of HEA, and I think it’s possible (and awesome).
I totally believe in HEA. It all depends on how you define it. Yes, there will be sad times and difficult times, but that is a part of life (and usually it’s part of a great romance novel.) Without those times, wouldn’t the good stuff not feel as good? My grandmother passed away two months ago. I miss her terribly, but her passing makes me grateful for the people I still have in my life. I also know that she and my grandfather loved each other very, very much. They’d been together for over 60 years and still said I love you. In fact, he took care of her in their home for the last ten years. All she would eat were mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce, and ham salad and every day, for every meal, Grampa formed the ham salad into the shape of a heart. If that isn’t love and HEA, I don’t know what is.
Although it’s dwaining, I have to have at least a spark of hope that there can be that HEA – especially for my children. I think that goes for most things – hope is the one thing that keeps me going and books lead the way.
I’m an eternal optimist, so yes, I like to believe in happily ever afters.
I think in this day and age HEA is hard to find, my husband and I have been married for 18 years and while we occasionally fight we are always best friends, so I guess I’m living my HEA.
I think HEA is what we all would love to have. Relationships are not always hearts and roses. There are ups and downs that we have to deal with. Finding someone you love and can share your life with is a realistic HEA.
I don’t believe in HEA for myself, but I do believe that it’s out there. I especially like to read about it in my books and see in in movies and TV show.
I believe an HEA is possible, but not guaranteed. People have to have things in common and grow together or the relationship will not work in the long run.
I don’t believe in HEA like it is written in most romance novels. That’s not realistic, we as individuals can’t be “happy” all the time, nor can our spouse. Do I belive you can find your one true love and spend your life together. Absolutely!! I found mine after kissing way too many frogs. I found him when I wasn’t looking….. after meeting we married 6 short weeks later and have been living “HEA” for the last 15 years.
HEA is absolutely attainable! But what I think a lot of people forget, perhaps because most romance books & movies often end at the courtship or honeymoon phase of a relationship, HEA does not mean life and your relationship will be perfect and without strife. Happiness changes and it has to be nurtured and encouraged to evolve.
I’d love to read Jennifer Bernard’s book , btw! Thanks!
Heck yeah we can have our own HEA. I was able to find mine and I know plenty of others that have too.
I believe that we make our own HEA but that we have to be realistic too. We need to remember that it takes a lot of work to make a successful relationship.
I don’t believe there is a HEA in real life—that’s why I read romance books.
(Don’t enter me for the contest.) I’ve been with my husband for 26 years and though I think the term HEA has unfortunate connotations, we are still in love and I believe we will stay in love. (Or more accurately, fall in and out and back in love many more times.)
One of the things I’ve had to learn in life is that it’s not a story with one ending. For example: my husband and I were infertile for many years. Then I got pregnant and had a baby. Happy ending. Then my baby was diagnosed with a disability and the story changed. It’s still a happy story, mostly, but it’s a different story, with no clear “ending.” My friend got cancer and was treated and apparently cured. Happy ending. Then the cancer came back and killed him. And I kept thinking, that was not the way the story was supposed to go. Well self, that’s because it’s real life, not a story.
Getting back to fiction, I like it when authors continue a story with some ups and downs. Like Suzanne Brockmanns’s characters, who don’t just go on to utter bliss popping out babies, but still have issues. As long as they stay in love, that’s all I ask.
I’m quite cynical, but I do believe there is somebody out there for everyone. The trick is to find them and I’m sure many times we don’t actually cross paths with this person.
I would love to believe in happily ever after but so far the ppl i have surrounded by doesnt have happily ever after. Happily ever after is only in books and which is y one of the reasons i like to read romance. But theres a hope tht one day even i will have HEA just like in romance books!!! 🙂
I think it all depends on what you think happiness is-for me it often is just sitting down with a tall glass of iced tea and reading a good book. Yes, there is always happiness to look forward to and try to attain.
I think it’s possible to still be hopeful of a HEA, it’s just a matter of being open to the possibility. I have to admit I’ve pretty much given up and am pretty used to being on my own, but I know if I really wanted to make an effort, there are plenty of nice men out there that would suit me just fine.
HEA in a marriage is possible but it comes and goes. No one is truly delighted 100% of the time.
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. So yeah I believe we can have our HEA, but the fun is in how we get there. And once we have found our HEA (like I have, lucky me to have found the love of my life) it doesn’t stop there. I like the Ever After part…
I think people should still be hopeful because without hope what left is there? I don’t think everyone can find that perfect HEA or it may take a while but it’s always good to keep trying.
Madison, please don’t give up on love. I married my very flawed prince 39 years ago, and although I don’t think there is any such thing as HEA except in books and movies, we have been very happy and are still very much in love. Besides that, none of us are perfect. We all have our flaws.
I think there’s an HEA in book and in real life. We shouldn’t give up hope.
I think a HEA is a work in progress. I’ve read some romance books the show a happily married couple working together as a team on the challenges life throws at them. They love and understand each other, accept their spouses quirks, and together face life together holding each other up. I’ve seen this in real life but not often. I wish in my heart of heart it was more often but it is what it is.
Please enter me for Larissa Ione’s book, it’s on my “New Release Must Get” List 🙂
Yes if we try hardmbut most in the novels , Ty for the great giveaways
I never really thought about HEA or trying to find my prince when I was young. I was focused on school and getting a job I could enjoy. In the back of my mind I always figured I would have a husband and family, but I didn’t give it much thought.My prince found me and I really didn’t deserve him, still don’t. We are still working on our HEA. I think people forget it is work to make it happen. You can’t just sit back and expect all the good stuff to happen. Life isn’t that way. Bad stuff happens, but it is the relationship that counts. We have spent 40 years working on our HEA and hope to have another 40 to perfect it.
As for men reading romance books, why not. I check out books on CD from the library and we would both listen to them. Some are romances and he listens to them too. The first one that actually had a sex scene in it took him by surprise. I was told to warn him from then on so he didn’t run off the road : ) I have also read books to him when we are traveling. I read him the first 4 of Janet Chapman’s HIGHLANDER books on a trip to Maine. The books take place in the general area where we were staying. I will admit I chickened out in reading some parts, but told him I’d bookmark them and he could read them on his own. Don’t know if he ever did. I didn’t start reading romance until I was about 50, so I am still exploring authors and sub-genres.
I’ve had a few frogs in my time. I think that for a fortunate few there is a HEA. For the rest of us – good luck!!
I do believe that HEAs can still be realized. My sister and I have both been married 35 and 34 years to our soul mates. Although, life has thrown in many ups and downs along the way. My 4 children (two are married, two are in serious long term relationships) all have found their soul mates. We have all been very fortunate to be living healthy and happy lives.
You changed your blog layout/design! I really like it!
For me I think in real life there is no HEA. Sure there is a lucky few that find/have it, but that’s not the 99% of others. *shrugs* The divorce rate is so high now to me that proves it. I just love to read about HEA’s and escape into the fantasy of it. I don’t believe it would ever happen for me personally. I’m OK with that. There’s more to real life than a HEA. Well, for me that is. Thanks SOOO much for the chance to win Lethal Rider! I have the first two paperbacks on my to read shelf. I can’t wait to dive into this amazing series!! 🙂
I think there are HEAs. I think people have to work on their relationships, but I feel like people can find true love. I think people turn to books because they want to believe in HEAs and books give them a chance to escape from reality for a while.
I would love the chance to win Lethal Rider because it is a book in an amazing series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I think in relationships you have happy times and tough times. Thinking that you will never have any problems is just not realistic. I like some of that realism in my stories. Some of my favorite stories have the hero and heroine dealing with difficult situations and being there for each other in the end.
I agree with Melissa, all men should pick up a romance novel or two. My version if HEA has changed through the years. After finding many frogs I decided my HEA would come from different things as I grew older. But I definitely read Romance because it’s a good thing to read about someone’s HEA.
Carol L
Lucvky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I don’t know about happily ever after, but I’m certain about contented ever after. How happy/contented I am depends on me. Of course, I do read books with HEA, but that’s not real life.