Was having this convo the other day with a romance buddy. I hate the breakup. I love the testing of the relationship - after spending an entire story showing why these two characters are together, growing into a healthy couple, and then challenging that. https://twitter.com/minareadss/status/1285758787236827136

For me, that challenge usually comes from external factors. People trying to pull them apart or a twist that could break them.

The point is to show them overcome that challenge to ensure they'll be able to overcome future challenges.
They now have the skills to deal with drama

I'm not completely against a breakup. (It's in FEARLESS as a dual timeline second chance rom.) But personally, I like to avoid it whenever possible.

I will push them close to the edge, but I'd rather the couple overcome their final act issues together rather than splinter apart

It boils down to: how sure are we that this couple is going to survive future issues if X is causing them to rupture? It's important to me that my HEAs feel long term.

Showing united strength thru tribulations is the best way I know how to do that.

tl;dr:

I rarely write third act breakups. Much more likely to show a couple facing a challenge together, one that has the *possibility* of breaking them up, but they don't bc love is healthier and stronger after all that growth.

Breakup DENIED.

Okay one more thing:

In Book 3, the breakup is happening between the Heroine and her best friend which acts as the bleak moment bc it devastates her. I've worried about this bc its not btwn the hero and heroine but ya know.,..

I'm doing it anyway. Friendships are important.