In our childhood we learnt that every children’s story should end with “Happily Ever After”. This is the mantra we were taught as young readers and it has stuck with us throughout our lives.
I want to grow old looking at the same face every night at the dinner table. I want to be one of those old couples you see still holding hands and laughing after fifty years of marriage. That’s what I want. I want to be someone’s forever.
―Rachel Gibson
Unfortunately, this is not always the case in reality. Families go through difficult times and some relationships don’t work out.
Some years ago I saw a fairly unknown Disney movie called “Bridge to Terabithia“. This children’s story is about a real friendship and about the limitless nature of fantasy.
After I finished the book I felt heartbroken. A beautiful story, with little to no optimism at the end. For the first time in my life I felt, life shouldn’t be like this, this isn’t fair at all.
Maybe a little bit spiritual, but in all in my life I felt, that there should be a reason for though times in our life, and the reason is always that we need to learn to value the good times.
This is the most important part of HEA, we need to believe. We need to believe in good faith that lies before us. Even in the face of adversity, we must remember that each individual deserves to be happy. That’s why it’s so important to have positive outlooks on life and to stay optimistic. When we do this, we can find happiness even in the darkest of times.
Now let’s see our selection of HEA books sometimes referred also HFN “Happy For Now”. I should say not always romances are my favorite HEA novels, but there should be always a strong connection between two people (or community) in these stories.
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, by Mariana Zapata (2016)
Vanessa Mazur is aware of her decision is correct and shouldn’t feel bad about it. She was known to be an assistant at the NFL’s top end for a long time. She had future plans, and she didn’t want to remain always with the team. But when Aiden Graves showed up wanting to return to the team, she couldn’t say no.
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is a real feels good story. I felt like I connected with the story about NFL star Aiden and his personal assistant, Vanessa. I liked how the story was written in first person and felt like I was right there with them. The story was funny, heartwarming, and romantic. I would definitely recommend this HEA book to anyone who is looking for a good read.
Ugly Love, by Colleen Hoover (2014)
Several weeks ago we collected our favorite Colleen Hoover books, and of course Ugly Love was one in the list.
Tate Collins temporarily moved to her brother, Corbin, an airline pilot, while she saves for her own house and goes to school for her Masters in Nursing. On her first day at her brother’s apartment complex, she finds a drunk man sleeping against the wall and blocking her access to the apartment.
Every good story starts with a weirdly funny beginning, but this one what I really loved. The writing is so powerful and Colleen Hoover is an expert at ripping our hearts out in this book. Somehow she manages to mend it back to together again. This HEA book is just amazing!
The Hating Game, by Sally Thorne (2016)
There is real hate between Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman. They have no problem displaying their feelings through their passive aggressive behavior hence they are working at the same publishing company. Lucy is unable to understand Joshua’s inability to appreciate the work he does, and his seriousness. Joshua is boggled by Lucy’s flamboyant clothes, eccentricity, and Pollyanna’s overall positive attitude.
Their fight to get the same job has just reached its peak. Lucy will not compromise her career for the sake of their sporting battle. But there is something more between them.
Lucy was a great character in this novel. The story is told from her perspective, and I think it was a great trick from the author. She was funny, but also snarky and unsure and flawed. She knew and liked herself, but also struggled with self-doubt at times. This angered her to see her mates throughout her life except Josh.
Sparrow, by L.J. Shen (2016)
This is the story of Troy who is getting revenge on the men who have been accused about his father’s death. Later on, Troy gets married to Sparrow. Sparrow’s parents force her to marry Troy. They always takes every opportunity to humiliate them. Sparrow appears to be an affable good girl, but Troy’s narrative does an excellent job of disproving this.
This is a hard to put down HEA book, with excellent characters and storyline. Troy Brennan is the definition of an anti hero. Sparrow is a very different kind of individual to Troy, she helps him to show important lessons about life and how to be a better person.
Maybe Someday, by Colleen Hoover (2014)
We couldn’t stand to put another Colleen Hoover book on this HEA book list. Colleen Hoover’s ability to tell a story is absolutely stunning and her writing is full of emotion. I lost count of the times my heart stopped when she would describe a particular scene or character. I felt everything that she was feeling and it was incredibly immersive.
Sydney is twenty-two years old and has an enjoyable life. She is in college and working, she enjoys her relationship with her boyfriend, Hunter, and is rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her. Now she’s struggling to figure out what to do.
Colleen Hoover’s books are sure to leave you with a lasting impression and I can’t wait to continue reading her work.
Things We Never Got Over, by Lucy Score (2022)
Naomi wasn’t just running away in place of her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her unfortunate twin sister to Knockemout, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled with one hands and beer.
Naomi and Knox ́s first meeting was troubled. Their relationship started off quite unfavorably. But they were so intense! Heat burned off between each other like fire.
What makes this story unique between the many HEA books? Well, I really loved when Naomi and Knox have been opened up and showed their vulnerability for readers, these moments were so honest and true even if they are just fictional characters.
Conclusion
When it comes to falling in love, most people want the happy ending. We want our relationships to be lasting and fulfilling, and we want to be the ones who make our partner smile every day. But what happens if our partner ends up leaving us? What if they don’t feel the same way about us anymore?
There are a lot of different ways that a relationship can end, and each one is heartbreaking in its own way. Some couples break up because one person can’t handle the other being independent or rebellious. It’s a mutual decision that one or both parties feel isn’t working any more. But whatever the reason, when a relationship ends it feels like there’s been a loss.
Since the ending of The Fault in Our Stars, fans of the book and movie we still question what could happen to them. Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters were living happily ever after, many readers feel like something has been lost in the story, maybe hope. The characters in The Fault in Our Stars had a unique chemistry that made their story stand out and they helped to understand the need of positive image of the future.
What to read next? Try our new chick lit book selection!