Though this week’s episode of Younger — the TV Land series surrounding a 41-year-old woman lying about her age to enter the publishing industry — was about main character Liza’s artist roommate Maggie slashing a millennial rival’s interpretation of her artwork, it really put a spotlight on the romance genre.
The episode started at a photoshoot for models posing for a romance book cover for a famed romance novelist who unexpectedly died in the previous episode. Then the conversation turned to finding her successor, or a ghostwriter to continue her stories under her moniker. Interviews ensue with all the wrong candidates until one walks in — a Columbia professor with kids heading to college — who expresses her wish to kill the HEA aka “happily ever after.”
At the art show where Maggie slashes her repurposed art, Liza runs into her ex-boyfriend Josh and asks that he stay in her life (even though she cheated on him last season). It inspired her to tell her boss Charles that readers need HEA.
But does HEA need to be in every romance novel?
Many argue yes. It’s a part of the formula of creating a romance story. With my next idea entering that genre, I came up with a new plan that would incorporate HEA, which has been nonexistent in my other stories. So it was a sign to start the romance novel sooner than later.
Also, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books got a shoutout, so not only did viewers get insight on romance, they also learned about a new blog/podcast.
