Just curious due to the ask you just answered, but you mention you had to add "more romance" at least twice the process of getting published.
How do you feel about the current, published version of the book? Is the book better for it, or do you feel as though the extra romance detracts from your original vision?
I find it interesting there still wasn't enough of it after the first time you edited, and they asked for more again.
I think all the editing notes I got were good!
they definitely wanted me to play Sir Cameron up as a romance, but I'm not anti-romance, so I was happy to make those changes. the only problem was that all the romance books I'd read were written prior to 2010 (Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, etc) and conventions have shifted since, so my lack of familiarity with modern romantasy had me making choices that accidentally blue-balled people.
I have since fixed this!! I've read Sarah J. Maas! and also a bunch of denmei for good measure. and in my upcoming book, The Ignoble Invasion of Prince Proculo, there is no fade to black, no matter how much you might wish for it. full pedipalp and carapace action, I swear to you.