I have a bone to pick with romance books. Specifically, the ones where the couple spends the majority of the story fighting each other instead of fighting for each other. You know the ones—Book One ends with a swoon-worthy connection, only for Book Two to rip them apart with unnecessary drama, miscommunication, and, of course, a breakup. It’s like authors think the only way to keep readers invested is by throwing their characters into an angst fest instead of actually developing their relationship.
I get it—conflict is necessary for a good story. But does it always have to be them against each other? Why can’t it be them against the world? Them growing together rather than apart? That’s the kind of love story I want to read. More importantly, that’s the kind of love story I write.
Love That Fights Together
When I write romance, my goal is to create couples who don’t just survive together but thrive together. My characters from my Seasonally Spellbound Series don’t get stuck in an endless cycle of breakups and misunderstandings. They face obstacles, yes, but they do it as a team.
In The Midnight Masquerade, Theodore Ravenwick (Theo), a vampire, and Vespera Blackwood, a witch, are fated mates. Instead of pushing each other away, they explore their bond together, learning what it means to be truly connected. Their story isn’t about tearing each other down—it’s about discovering how strong they are when they stand side by side.
In Mistletoe and Magic, Gertrude Evergreen (Trudy) finds herself entangled with Niklaus, the winter elf king (AKA Santa Claus himself). Their romance isn’t built on unnecessary heartbreak; it’s about trust, magic, and learning to embrace destiny together.
And now, in my latest work, Arrow Bound, Celia Thornfield and Riven Ravenscar are thrown into a race against time to retrieve Eros’s stolen arrow. Riven rejects their bond at first, but that doesn’t mean their journey is filled with petty fights and self-sabotage. Instead, they have to work together to stop something much bigger than themselves. Their romance isn’t about breaking apart—it’s about finding a way to fit together, even when the odds are stacked against them.
Romance Should Be About Growth
Love isn’t just about attraction or dramatic breakups. It’s about growth. It’s about finding someone who challenges you in the best way and helps you become the best version of yourself. That’s what I strive to write—stories where love isn’t a battlefield between two people but a force that helps them face the battles ahead.
So, if you’re tired of second-book breakups, endless misunderstandings, and angst for angst’s sake, my books might be for you. Because love stories should be about more than just surviving—they should be about thriving.
What do you think? Do you prefer romance books where couples fight against each other or ones where they fight for each other? Let’s discuss this in the comments!
Elizabeth Yuen 