I recently finished one where throughout the book the heroine had some good internal dialogue - she knew who she was and why she didn't want to risk her heart. It took another character -who she had limited contact with and didn't really like to make her realize she should risk her heart for the hero. Everything about the story rang true until that part. If she didn't like this guy so much - why take his advice? She didn't need him telling her to follow her heart. I think if the author had another 20 pages, the heroine would have figured it out on her own.

The quick wrap-up is the worst. I hate it. I feel cheated. I've read a few books where the book ended quickly, like slamming into a wall, for effect (kind of like that episode of Alias that ends with them getting broadsided by the truck) but that's a whole different thing. But if you build a story, you have to take time to wrap it up.

I wrote an article on this that was actually published across several chapter newsletters, and the basic contention was that while writers focus so much on beginnings because they want to sell, they don't focus as much on ending, which is a huge mistake because endings are much more memorable to the READER than beginnings. I don't remember the beginnings of many books, but I remember endings quite well, and I think most readers are the same.

Sam

I think if characters go through 200 pages of angst they need more than a page to resolve their issues. I don't like to black moment resolve to be anticlimactic and the lightning moment needs to shoot sparks

I read about a while back that did this and needless to say, I've never picked up another book by this author. I felt cheated. She chose the wrong scene for the climactic one, though the two were similar. The one she should have chosen had the hero's ex, which to me would have been the better one, because of their history and the heroine's reaction to her, etc. That scene was given short shrift(telling, not showing)and I was an unhappy camper. That wasn't the author's first book or her last, but it was my first and my last written by her. I'm sure she's heartbroken.

LindaC

I've seen a few that work (Nora Roberts' The Perfect Neighbor) but usually, its a slap in the face.

And it's not just books. I've never understood why the movie An Officer and a Gentleman is considered such a grand love story. It's got the fast ending down to a T and I hate it.

ani

You're not picky. I feel cheated when a book ends abruptly.

I also like to see a little (ok maybe sometimes a lot LOL) grovelling

When I read a book that is humming right along, everything is working and I realize the last page is only a few pages away I know I am headed into a major disappointment. There is no way the author is going to be able to tie up the lose ends and give this reader a satisfying finish...yeap, it's rushed and I'm annoyed. I feel cheated.

And then, what about the book that comes to the ending...only it's not the end! There's a sequel that you have to go out and buy. These books get me even more.

My brain totally heard "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and now for the last twelve hours all i keep hering is in perfect "Spicoli Speak" is "Hey bud, Lets's Party!" I know i'm totally giving away my age here but i remember that movie so well, i loved it!
Anyway.
I hate when a good book goes sucky at the end, which means it will be slammed against the wall and quickly given away so i'm not tempted to burn it. But yes, reading one by an author you've liked before does put a stop to buying their books. Which is sad, that a good author has a screw up that costs her readers. You'd think the edotors would call them on it, and warn them of the easy ending. But i guess they have more to do huh!
oh well, it happens. But it is so not good!
later ladies
and remember....
Hey bud, let's party!
jody lynn
(WHy should i be the only one channeling Sean Penn right!