The Disconnect: Why the Original Ending of Set on You Left Readers Frustrated
We have all been there. You are 85 percent of the way through a perfect gym-nemesis romance, watching the tension between a curvy fitness influencer and a sarcastic firefighter finally explode into something beautiful, only to be hit with the 'The Third Act Breakup.' In Set on You, this moment felt particularly jarring for fans who had championed the heroine's journey.
The conflict hinged on a fundamental misunderstanding of independence. When the hero stepped in to defend the protagonist from a viral wave of fat-shaming trolls, she viewed his protection as an insult to her strength. Many readers on Reddit argued that this made the heroine appear irrational rather than empowered.
True empowerment does not mean standing alone in the face of a digital mob; it means knowing when to let your partner hold the shield while you sharpen the sword. The 'forced' nature of their separation felt like a plot device rather than a natural character progression. It robbed us of the 'Power Couple' moment we were promised from the very first squat rack confrontation.
In this creative re-imagining, we are fixing the narrative gap. We are stripping away the unnecessary miscommunication and replacing it with a united front. This is the ending where the fire doesn't just burn between them—it burns the trolls to the ground.
The Blueprint: The Anatomy of a United Front
To fix this ending, we have to look at the psychological root of the conflict. The heroine's brand is built on resilience, but the viral nature of the internet is a beast that no one should have to fight solo. In the original text, her anger at the hero felt like a step backward in her emotional maturity.
Our 'Fix-It' scenario focuses on collaboration. Instead of pushing him away for defending her, she enlists him. They don't just survive the scandal; they use it to redefine what a modern, supportive relationship looks like in the public eye.
This rewrite prioritizes the 'Female Gaze'—the fantasy isn't just a man who fights for you, but a man who listens when you tell him how you want to fight. By aligning their strengths, we transform a moment of vulnerability into a moment of absolute dominance. Let's step into the gym one last time.
The Scene: A Different Kind of Heat
The blue light of the smartphone screen felt like a physical weight against her palm. Outside, the rain lashed against the windows of the apartment, a rhythmic thrumming that usually calmed her, but tonight it felt like static. The comments were a toxic sludge, a relentless tide of vitriol that targeted her body, her worth, and her right to occupy space in an industry that still demanded perfection.
A warm hand settled on her shoulder, the heat of it seeping through her thin gym shirt. He didn't try to take the phone away. He didn't offer platitudes about how the internet wasn't real. He just stood there, a solid, grounding presence in the middle of her storm.
'They're relentless today,' he murmured, his voice a low rumble near her ear.
She leaned back into him, letting her head rest against his chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart—a stark contrast to the chaotic buzzing of her notifications. 'They think they can shame me into disappearing. They think if they say the word 'unhealthy' enough times, I’ll believe them.'
He shifted, his arms coming around her waist in a protective but loose hold, giving her the choice to stay or pull away. 'You know they're wrong. I know they're wrong. But that doesn't make it hurt less.'
She turned in his arms, looking up at the man who had once been her greatest annoyance and was now her greatest ally. 'In the past, I would have pushed you away for even suggesting you wanted to help. I would have told you this was my fight and my brand.'
'And now?' he asked, his eyes searching hers, filled with a fierce, quiet loyalty.
'Now I realize that having a teammate isn't a sign of weakness,' she said, a small, defiant smile tugging at her lips. 'I want to burn them down, Scott. But I want to do it with you standing right next to me.'
He grinned, that sharp, arrogant expression she had grown to love. 'I thought you’d never ask. What’s the plan, Influencer?'
She grabbed her laptop, the glow of the screen reflecting the new fire in her eyes. 'We aren't going to ignore it. We're going to lean in. A joint live stream. You, me, and a very public lesson on what happens when you mess with someone who has a firefighter and an entire community at her back.'
They spent the next hour strategizing, not as a victim and a savior, but as two equals preparing for battle. He brought her coffee, he checked the lighting, and he reminded her of her own statistics when her confidence wavered. He was the anchor, but she was the captain.
When the 'Live' button turned red, the numbers climbed instantly. Thousands of people watched as she sat there, poised and powerful, with him sitting just slightly behind her, a silent testament to his support.
'I see your comments,' she started, her voice steady and clear. 'I see the hate, the concern-trolling, and the attempts to diminish my work. But I also see this.' She reached back, taking his hand and bringing it into the frame.
'Strength isn't just about how much you can squat,' she continued, looking directly into the camera. 'It's about the people you choose to have in your corner. It’s about knowing that you deserve love and respect exactly as you are, and that having someone defend that truth isn't an insult—it's a partnership.'
He squeezed her hand, his eyes never leaving her. For the first time in her career, she didn't feel like she was performing. She was simply living. The comments began to shift, the tide of hate turning into a wave of support as her followers saw the genuine connection on display.
Later, after the stream ended and the world felt a little quieter, they sat on the floor of the gym, the smell of rubber and sweat familiar and comforting. The weights were racked, the lights were low, and the battle was won.
'You did good,' he said, bumping his shoulder against hers. 'Really good.'
'We did good,' she corrected, resting her head on his shoulder. 'I think I like being part of a duo.'
'Get used to it,' he whispered, kissing the top of her head. 'I’m not going anywhere. Not even when you’re being a brat about the leg press.'
She laughed, the sound echoing through the empty gym. There was no breakup, no weeks of pining, and no unnecessary tears. Just two people who realized that they were stronger together than they ever could be apart.
The Deconstruction: Why the 'United Front' Ending Wins
The reason this alternate ending resonates more deeply than the original is found in the psychological principle of 'Social Support as Empowerment.' In the published version of Set on You, the heroine's rejection of help is framed as a defense of her independence. However, in modern romance, readers are increasingly looking for 'Interdependence.'
Interdependence is the ability to maintain one's identity while fully leaning into a partner. By removing the third-act breakup, we eliminate the frustration of seeing a character we love make a self-sabotaging choice. Instead, we see her evolve. She moves from a place of 'I must do this alone to prove I am strong' to 'I am so strong that I can accept love without fear.'
This also enhances the hero’s arc. He moves from being a 'protector'—which can sometimes feel paternalistic—to being a 'partner.' This shift satisfies the 'Female Gaze' by showcasing a male lead who respects the heroine’s agency while providing the emotional safety net she deserves. It transforms the story from a standard trope-fest into a narrative of genuine emotional maturity.
FAQ
1. Does Set on You have a happy ending?
Yes, Set on You by Amy Lea ends with a Happy Ever After (HEA). Despite the controversial third-act breakup, Crystal and Scott reconcile and commit to a long-term relationship, with Crystal maintaining her successful influencer career.
2. Why do people dislike the ending of Set on You?
Many readers find the 'Third Act Breakup' forced. The heroine, Crystal, becomes angry with Scott for defending her against internet trolls, which some feel is an irrational reaction that creates unnecessary drama.
3. What are the main tropes in Set on You?
The book features several popular tropes including Enemies-to-Lovers, Gym Nemesis, Forced Proximity (at a grandparents' wedding), and a Curvy/Body-Positive Heroine.
4. Is Set on You part of a series?
Yes, it is the first book in 'The Influencer' series by Amy Lea. Each book follows a different couple within the same social circle.
References
goodreads.com — Set on You - Goodreads
amazon.com — Set on You - Amazon Retail
reddit.com — Reddit RomanceBooks Review & Rant