what is hea in books

In the context of books, HEA stands for "Happily Ever After" and refers to a romantic ending where the couple ends up together and happy. It used to mean marriage and babies, but the expectation has changed along with the times, blurring the lines between HEA and HFN (Happy For Now) . HFN provides a resolution that implies a positive outcome, if not guaranteeing it. The HEA ending is a defining feature of the romance genre, and many readers expect it. However, some readers prefer HFN endings, which may be more realistic or fit the narrative arc of the story better.