Many 'captive romance novels' conclude with a resolution of the power dynamic that was initially present due to the captivity. If it was a case of one character having power over the other because of the captive situation, by the end, they are on equal footing. This is often symbolized by their relationship becoming a loving and consensual one. The captive may gain freedom in a literal or metaphorical sense, and the two characters find a way to be together, whether it's in a small village away from the chaos that started their story, or in a more integrated way within their existing society.
Often, they start with a relationship based on power imbalance. The captor has the upper hand, but as the story progresses, feelings of respect and love start to develop. For example, in some novels, the captor may initially see the captive as a trophy or a means to an end, but then discovers her unique qualities and falls in love.
Historical captive romance novels often start with the capture event. For example, in a pirate - themed one, the female lead is kidnapped by pirates. Then, there's a period of conflict and misunderstanding between the captor and the captive. As they spend time together, they start to see each other's good qualities. In a medieval setting, like in 'The Knight's Captive Maiden', the knight may initially be cold towards the maiden, but as they interact more, feelings change. Finally, they usually overcome various obstacles like differences in social status or cultural backgrounds to be together.
In many romance survival novels, the ending could be bittersweet. The characters may have survived but at a cost. Their relationship might have been tested to the extreme during the survival journey. However, they come out of it with a deeper understanding of each other. They may choose to move forward together, having learned important lessons about love and survival. Take 'The Hunger Games' for instance. Katniss and Peeta survive the Games, but they also have to deal with the aftermath and their relationship is forever changed by their experiences, yet they remain together in a new way.
Revenge romance novels usually end in one of a few ways. Sometimes, the revenge plot is completely dropped as the characters come to understand each other better. They may start a new life together, free from the grudges that once separated them. In other cases, the revenge might lead to a transformation. For instance, the character seeking revenge might find that through love, they no longer need or want to carry out their vengeful plans. This can result in a more mature and loving relationship at the end. Another possibility is that the revenge actually brings the characters closer together in an unexpected way. They might see the pain behind each other's actions and decide to work through it, leading to a happy ending for their relationship.
Often, they end with the vigilante achieving some form of justice and finding true love. For example, the vigilante might take down the bad guys and then ride off into the sunset with their love interest.
Some mob romance novels end with a bittersweet note. The lovers might be separated due to the unforgiving nature of the mob, like one getting killed or having to go into hiding forever. But in many cases, they will fight against all odds. The author will build up the relationship throughout the story so that by the end, the reader is rooting for them to overcome any obstacles, whether it's rival mob families or the law. The end might also see the transformation of the mobster into a better person because of the love he has found.
In some cases, the end of a romance novel might be a bit more bittersweet. Maybe the couple has to part ways for a greater good, but they still have a deep love for each other. However, the more common ending is the happy one, where they are united and all the loose ends in their relationship are tied up. This is what most readers expect from a romance novel as they are often looking for an escape into a world where love conquers all.
Most of them end with a happy ending. The couple in love overcomes all the obstacles, whether it's the differences in social status or family opposition, and gets together. For example, in many novels, the commoner and the royal get married and live happily ever after.
Often, they end with the cheating spouse either reforming and trying to rebuild the relationship or the relationship ending for good. For example, in some novels, the cheater realizes the error of their ways and spends a great deal of time and effort to regain the trust of their partner.
Often, they end with the couple falling in love. For instance, in many of these novels, after going through various conflicts and misunderstandings related to their unwanted marriage, they finally realize their true feelings for each other and have a happy ending together.