How do you feel about time jumps in romance novels?
Hello, I originally posted this in RomanceBooks, but I wasn't allowed to post there. I wanted romance readers' opinions, but this might be better haha.
I am writing an MM romance novel (my first), and I wanted to get some opinions from the pros.
My book is about two friends who meet at work, become friends, go their separate ways, and then are brought back together as friends (and romantically obvi). My question is: how do you feel about time jumps in romance novels, especially when combined with other tropes and people figuring out their sexuality? How long is too long? My two MCs met in high school and are reunited two years later (college-aged), when one is finally out as bi (but the other MC doesn't know this yet). I want to do the angst/slow-burn right, but I don't want to lose readers because of the time jump. I obviously plan on filling in the gaps/explaining what happened during that gap in time later in the book.
Thank you for your time and consideration!