Can you have too much of a good thing? When it comes to series, my answer is… occasionally. But I’d happily read more in most of my favorite series, even when I’m satisfied with the ending we were given. There are only a couple I’ve dropped as they hit book 21 or book 32.

So how does an author decide when a series is complete? In romance, the wedding is often the endpoint for the series romance arc. But not always. I did finish the Rebuilding Year series that way, but in my Life Lessons series (which is next up for rerelease) there were significant things that happened to and between Mac and Tony, after the wedding. In PsyCop #12 by Jordan Castillo Price, the wedding at last is a highlight, but those guys are far from done and settled (and I’m delighted to look forward to the next one.)

The topic is on my mind, because I just released Undeniable Bonds – Hidden Wolves book 6 – a new book in the series intended to wrap up the arc of the wolves’ coming out. And it does― most readers seem happy with the resolution. But. I had a reader ask about Simon and Paul, who don’t feature as main characters in this story, looking for their resolution, and the guys jumped up telling me their Unplanned Coda. LOL. I’m writing it for them, although it will probably just go on my website when it’s done.

It’s hard to let go of favorite characters, as an author or a reader. And it’s hard to round off a series in a way that leaves readers satisfied and happy, but isn’t too unrealistic in its completeness. (Even with Life Lessons I get folks asking for an update, now the kids would be teenagers… and I admit to being tempted.)

As someone who likes the imperfections of reality in my stories, I’m probably never going to write the bow-wrapped riding into the sunset ending that can never be expanded. (I thought I had for Into Deep Waters but then when someone said the guys‘ lives were effectively over, I wrote the flash fiction Can’t Hurt to Believe on my website, just to prove them wrong. (Here)) In real life, it’s not over till you’re dead, and even a solid romance has room for more, for change, for life to still happen. Series reflect that too.

So as I wrap up the Hidden Wolves I hope that readers leave the series satisfied. But I don’t mind the ones who wish for more, or the reader who planned to write a fanfic, or any of the other indications that my men live on in readers’ heads, with more adventures yet to come.

– Kaje Harper

June 2020