Romance Writing Problem: The Confession Continued...

My favorite example of a romance that uses a confession as climax--yet the confession doesn't imply years-of-follow-up-intensive-therapy--comes from another of Joanna Chambers' Christmas stories, "Rest and Be Thankful" (slight spoilers).

And yup, it hinges on a business issue!

The rift between the main characters occurred before the story begins. It happened because Cam is starting a new company in a Scottish tourist spot; it has the potential to be successful but he completely underestimated the amount of money he needed for start-up costs (this is totally typical, by the way) as well as the amount of work involved.

During the summer season, Cam ran the risk of losing customers because he was operating the business by himself. So he started selling cheap coffee to keep people around. The local cafe--run by our second protagonist, Rob--was taking a hit. Arguments ensued, largely aggravated by the first protagonist's unwillingness to admit that he is somewhat out of his depth. (He was an accountant, so he is ticked at himself for not foreseeing the problems that attend any new business.)

This is a Christmas Romance--technically

New Year's Romance--story.

When Cam finally confesses the problem to Rob, Rob is able to (1) recognize that the source of the original argument was rooted in misunderstanding and unintentional disloyalty (the businesses owners in the town rely on each other to not "steal" tourist business from each other); (2) help Cam brainstorm ways to earn money during the off-seasons (such as using his accounting skills)--that is, trade his skills to other business owners for their services in return.

A confession still occurs! But it does not hinge on years-of-therapy or on anybody being instantaneously healed. Cam grows a little, learns more about himself. Rob grows a little, learns more about himself. Since the protagonists were already mostly well-balanced guys, the rapprochement nudges them forward down the same path; it doesn't utterly undermine their personalities (a fictional character needs an entire night and three ghosts to accomplish the latter).

Darcy and Elizabeth don't become who they are after Darcy's confessions about Bingley, Jane, Wickham, and his sister. They learn who each other are--and who they already are--instead.