We know romance books are all about love. Acts of love, falling in love, first kiss, wooing, hugging, glances…you get the idea. I’m a hopeless romantic, and I think that’s one of the reasons I became a romance author. I love LOVE! The plot of the story varies from book to book, but the common denominator revolves around all the ways the characters fall in LOVE.
One thing I’ve found that’s fairly common in most romance books is they usually end with either a proposal or a wedding. I guess that’s the easiest way to wrap up a love story if you’re going for a HEA (happily ever after). It also seems like the natural progression of a story, where it lends itself to a grand proposal (or wedding) at the end. 
For today let’s focus on proposals. We live in a world where technology is literally at our fingertips all the time, so it’s easy to share with our friends when an engagement happens whether it be a text or a social media post. My two oldest boys are at an age where many of their friends are getting engaged, so it pops up frequently in my social media feed. I find myself scrolling on my phone while ooohing and ahhing over pictures and videos that my friends or their children post. I’ve even taken a few notes that might show up in a book someday.
Proposals come in all shapes and sizes in books (and in real life). Some engagements are private moments only shared between the couple. Other proposals are a big event where the whole family and even some friends attend. I’ve read sweet proposals, funny proposals, proposals on the beach, proposals in the mountains, boring proposals, impromptu proposals…the list could go on and on.
Do you expect a proposal or wedding at the end of a romance book? I’m also curious to know some of your favorite engagement scenes that you’ve read before. Or, if you like, share your own engagement story.
K. Leah is a hopeless romantic and adores a good Hallmark movie. Growing up in the South, she likes her tea sweet and coffee strong. Family and faith are what matter most and she wears many hats, including being a wife, mom, and graphic designer. Other than being creative with designs or stories, she likes to spend her free time escaping reality into the pages of a sweet love story.
It depends on the story. I normally expect to see one or the other, because a proposal or a wedding are great ways of showing the couple are committed to each other. I love all kinds of proposals, but my favourite ones are private, sweet, impromptu ones. Perhaps because that’s what mine was like, haha.
No I do not expect a proposal at the end of the story
Hi K Leah! At 70+ and having read hundreds of romance stories, I enjoy a story with an unusual twist – something unique. I also watch Hallmark movies were every romance ends in a kiss – rather stereotypical and predictable. Having been married 49 years, our proposals were private – a walk on the beach or dinner out. Often over months discussions about marriage, then the decision for commitment and as a couple shopped for the engagement ring / wedding set. After dating 9 months, for Christmas hubby surprised me with a pearl promise ring. Not sure when the drop to one knee became popular. Don’t remember my generation or my sons’ generation doing that. For this reader (mom & grandma) it is interesting to see the approach an author has for the story. Enjoy your weekend. Best wishes.
I do not expect a proposal at the end of a book. If the couple has gotten married it’s nice to have an epilogue. I like series because I find out how the couple is doing.
As long as the couple seems to be in a good place at the end of the book, I don’t care if there is a proposal or wedding. I feel like some stories call for it and some don’t.
welcome today. I too love romances and how they get from stranger/friend to being in love. at the end of the story it is nice to see that a proposal has happened or a wedding. what I would love to see is some time after the wedding. things are not all roses after getting married.
That makes sense!
Good to know!
Wow… that’s interesting to hear how things have changed over the years. I must say it’s even changed a lot since I got married 26 years ago.
I agree… just a little glimpse into “where are they now” is nice to see.
Yes, that’s a good point.
The first few years of marriage are an adjustment for sure. As a romance author, it’s easy to write the love story, but it’s often harder to write the real story when it’s not happy or feel-good. Interesting perspective that you’d like to see that in a story, but an opportunity to show how love grows with grace and God’s guidance.
While I do expect a proposal or wedding at the end of a book, it doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. As long as it’s significant and sweet for the characters, that’s all I need. :)
I don’t really care if the actual proposal or wedding is in the book! I’m happy just knowing that it’s coming!! I also really like an epilogue, sometimes, that gives me those details. I don’t need to know ALL of the details, just that it was carried through. Unless, that book is one in a series, and then I’m really happy if the proposal takes place in the next book!! I’m also happy if the book starts off with them back from their honeymoon and getting on with their lives!
That’s wonderful :)
These are wonderful ideas!
I just like go we the couples to be in a good place in their relationship, they don’t have go always end in marriage.
I do like to see a proposal or a wedding as part of a HEA ending – even if sometimes it means a couple getting engaged quite quickly – in real life I’d be thinking ‘it’s a big decision, are you sure about that’ but in a romance story I can just get caught up in it and enjoy!
I haven’t got a favourite proposal scene I can think of, but I do like it to be meaningful for the characters rather than just a big gesture – for example, that picture you have in the blog would be a lovely proposal for a couple who love the ocean and spending time at the beach, but a bit empty if someone just did it for a cute photo without it being particularly special for the couple.
no, but nice to have
I don’t expect a wedding or a proposal. I enjoy it when it happens though.
I don’t expect a proposal or engagement as sometimes it makes the story feel rushed.
I like to have the mention of the wedding whether it is a full description or an epilogue. For me it just winds the book up. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks for reading the blog today!
I agree with the real life vs. reading a book quick proposals! It’s funny how it’s okay when we read it in a story.
It is nice to have them!
I enjoy them too! (And probably why I usually write them)
It’s a fine balance of “too soon” and “is this realistic enough” for me when writing. One reader commented she’s okay with a quick proposal in a book but may question if it happened too soon in real life. lol!
Thank you for reading!
Hi, no I don’t expect proposals at the end of some books, but alot of times they are a very nice surprise when they are.
Right now I cant think of one but know I have read some good ones. I do like an engagement or wedding even if in the epilogue. It can depend on the book too as sometimes like in a novalla a wedding is too early and unless an epilogue an engagement can be too soon (especially if its over just a couple of weeks).
I am still single so ne engagement story.
I like if there is a proposal at the end and if in the epilogue there is a wedding.i just read a book by Alexa verde and first the guy proposed but she said no but after he left she realized she mad a mistake so she goes and proposed to him.
Agree! It’s an extra added touch.
I’ve read many great ones over the years, but it’s hard to remember after you’ve read so many books.
Oh that’s an interesting twist!