Title: Happy Endings Author: Connor Guenther Target Audience: Women (18-30) Tone: Darly Funny; Emotionally Raw; Sexually Chaotic. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary: Happy Endings is based on the true story of a man finally stepping into adult life — with a degree in hand, charm to spare, and a full tank of excitement for the future. Marc is optimistic, handsome, and awkward in all the wrong ways. But after a deep dive into philosophy, he lands on a simple truth: the one thing keeping him from real happiness is love. Back in his hometown and stalling hard, Marc sets his sights on connection. He finds it — or something like it — on the dance floor, where he learns that courage, confidence, and a bit of goofiness can take you far. Maybe even to “the one.” But what starts as an innocent search slides into something darker. Fueled by heartbreak, ego, and a gnawing fear of not being enough, Marc's journey turns hilarious, raw, and increasingly unhinged. It's a cocktail of sex, self-destruction, fleeting highs, and desperate questions: Why does happiness always slip away? What if I’m the problem? Did that really just happen? Dark, sexy, and emotionally honest, Happy Endings is a brutally funny coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever chased love and found chaos instead. It’s about longing, loneliness, and how far we’ll go to feel whole — even if it breaks us in the process. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Word Count: ~116,000 Draft Number: ~8 drafts. I think it is more accurate to describe the time spent editing (based on my own thoughts and feedback), which is ten months. I believe it is close to being finished, which I can do with your help!

Requirements & Requests

Many people have started reading Happy Endings, but few have finished. All I ask is that you read and give me the feedback of things that stand out to you. For example: Is there a point where you wanted to stop reading? What do you think of the main character, and side characters? Is the ending earned? How could it end better? Does this story read well for a woman between 18-30? Is the locker-room talk too much? Favorite and hated scenes? Do the multiple romances feel real? Does the suspense carry between the chapters? Do the three Acts feel connected meaninfully?

Comparable Stories:

Happy Endings will appeal to readers who like messy, voice-driven literary romance like Beautiful World, Where Are You, Exciting Times, and Normal People — but with more spice, more chaos, and a twist of real-life heartbreak. Happy Endings is unique, but here's the closest comparisons: Similar Voice, Tone, and Emotional Spiral: Beautiful World by Sally Rooney Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion Similar Sexually Chaotic Romance: Normal People by Sally Rooney The Idiot by Elif Batuman Similar Sexally Charged Male Narrators: Apathy and Other Small Victories by Paul Neilan You by Caroline Kepnes Similiar TV​/​Film: Euphoria 500 Days of Summer Aftersun

Trigger Warnings:

Sex; Drug and (a lot of) Alcohol Use; Emotional Manipulation; Toxic Relationships; Intense Emotional Volatility; Language; Objectification