several layers to these beliefs, which will be revealed at the crisis key decision points in the story.

When the hero and the heroine reveal the reasons

The external conflict or plot creates the pressure where the hero and heroine are trapped in a situation similar to a closed furnace or crucible, where the pressure and heat inside this crucible will build and build over the story until they are forced to make a leap of faith and break down the old barriers in order to escape.

Your job is to create a series of challenges which will force these belief systems to change as the characters are transformed as a result of the romantic relationship.

The best way to make sure that your story and the emotional journey of your hero and heroine are both compelling and irresistible to readers is to use story structure and story craft techniques.

WHY they think and behave the way they do and the reason for their limiting belief systems, then they are making themselves totally vulnerable and this moment should be used as a key part of the romance journey.

Both methods are perfectly fine. Your process is your process and you have to respect that.

You can choose the hero or the heroine to kick off your story but be aware that this is the character who the reader is going to root for the most, so make sure that they are well motivated with a clear goal which will carry them through the whole book.

It is good practice to give at least one scene to one character and then allow the other character to respond to what has happened so that the reader can get inside the minds of both hero and heroine.