One interesting feature of Erina Alcalá's romance novel El comienzo fue una mirada is its , specifically the tension between a traditional desire for monogamy and the lifestyle of "open relationships".

The story follows Nuria, a Sevillian teacher living in Edinburgh, whose relationship with Evan McLean initially fails after just one night because his view of open relationships is fundamentally incompatible with her own. This creates a narrative focus on:

: While they initially fail, the narrative forces them back together when Nuria is tasked with caring for him, allowing for a slower, deeper exploration of their differences. EL COMIENZO FUE UNA MIRADA (Spanish Edition) eBook

: The plot is set in motion when Nuria meets Evan through one of her primary school students, his niece Sensa, adding a domestic and familial layer to the standard romantic trope.

: The protagonist's refusal to compromise her values for a man she is attracted to.