‘Once upon a time, a girl met a boy in high school, college, or maybe at her workplace. They fell in love and got married.’ That’s what Romance Book is at its basic level.
But it is just the surface-level story. This genre is so much more than that! I have always enjoyed reading the Happily-ever-afters that seem elusive in the actual world. Every couple’s journey is different in every romance story. The setting, characters, and plot are so diverse depending on the tropes that the story follows.
Most of these genres overlap with each other, and to be honest, I love the variety in them.
This post is a guide to all things Romance Books Genre. I’m going to list down all the Romance Genres that are popular. This will help you understand and define the genre you love reading, and find a new favorite!
What is Romance Genre?
A Romance book follows the romantic story of two protagonists, with a Happily-Ever-After ending. The main focus of romance books is the romance or the love story between the main characters, the hurdles they overcome, and achieving their happy ending.
Characteristics of the Romance Genre
Here are the two basic elements you’ll always find in a Romance book, as defined by Romance Writers of America
- A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work
- An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: The lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
Types of Romance Genre
Romance Genres List (Dive in!)
Young Adult Romance
YA Romance is more of a High School Romance following Young Adults from the ages of 13 to 18. The teen couple navigates their high school life, usually a part of cliques like the cheerleader, nerd, or jock (those are the cliches found in most of the YA books), and their family (could be divorced parents or a deceased parent).
Some of my recommended reads:
New Adult Romance
New Adult (NA) Romance is like the older version of Young Adult Romance.
The main differences between YA and NA Romance are the age of the characters and the themes in the content. NA romance often features new adults in school or college, usually over 18. The steamy content is more detailed in New Adult as it is written for a more mature group (Aged 18 to 29).
NA Romance bridges the gap between Young Adult and Adult Romances. It gained popularity in the 2010s, as many bestselling authors, such as Jamie McGuire and Jennifer L. Armentrout, released books in this genre.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorites:
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Deviant King by Rina Kent (Also a Dark Romance)
Contemporary Romance
Contemporary Romance is a romance story set in the contemporary time of the author. The characters are older than 18, either in college or working. The stories are usually realistic, focused primarily on the romantic development between the characters.
It is the most popular Romance Genre with many sub-categories. I enjoy flitting from one book to the next.
Some popular sub-categories include:
Sports Romance: One or both of the characters play some sport. Although the romance takes the front seat, sports form a major part of the story.
Billionaire Romance: You will typically see the hero as the billionaire in this trope. He is at the top of the ladder and wields power in society. The heroine, however, will have a simpler background. The financial bit plays an important role, but romance is at the forefront.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite Contemporaries:
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
Wait for It by Mariana Zapata
Historical Romance
Historical Romance is set in a time before 1950. While it shares similarities with Contemporary Romance in terms of the romantic development between characters, it reflects the lives of the people in that era in terms of behavior, dialect, and attire. It is interesting to see how we have evolved… then, wearing bikinis would have made any female faint in horror.
‘Historical’ was likely contemporary for readers at that time, and typically, you differentiate it from contemporary by the absence of technological advancements and its historical context.
One of the popular sub-categories in this genre is Regency Romance, which refers to the Regency era of England.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite book:
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Dark Romance
Dark romance explores the darker aspects of life. It coincides with the other romance sub-genres but is characterized by themes that are darker than those found in contemporary romance.
The themes include Captivity, Non-Con, or Dub-Con, stalking, kidnapping, and slavery, to name a few. They include brutal violence or torture scenes.
Dark Romances can get gritty, angsty, and sometimes heartbreaking to read. If you haven’t tried this genre before, I recommend starting with something milder or reading the trigger warnings before you start.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite Dark Romances:
Tormentor Mine by Anna Zaires
Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark
PS – Please check all the trigger warnings before you read any of them!
Reverse Harem/Why Choose Romance
Reverse Harem has gained popularity in recent years. In a traditional harem, one male character has multiple female partners. In a Reverse Harem or “Why Choose” scenario, there is one female heroine who has more than two male heroes as her boyfriends. If there are only three characters involved, it is considered a ménage rather than a Reverse Harem.
This sub-genre is also called ‘Why Choose’, as the heroine doesn’t have to choose any one of the guys she likes, and can get a HEA with all of them together.
The popular themes in the RH romance genre include Bully Romance and High School/Academy Romance, set in either Contemporary or Paranormal settings.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite RH Romances:
Trickery by Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington (Curse of the Gods series)
Spark (Academy of Unpredictable Magic #1) by Sadie Moss
Erotic Romance
A mix of Erotica and Romance, this romance genre has explicit sexual content. Here, the romance between the main characters develops via their sexual interactions. While erotica as a standalone may focus primarily on sex, blending it with romance emphasizes a well-developed plot, character growth, and a satisfying Happily Ever After. They are fast-paced and usually deal with kinks like BDSM, etc.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite Erotic Romances:
Bared to You by Sylvia Day (Also Contemporary)
Wall Street Titan by Anna Zaires (Also Contemporary)
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal romance is a genre that features otherworldly creatures such as vampires, werewolves, and faeries existing in our world—Earth. This genre consists of paranormal elements that cannot be defined by science. The stories typically have well-developed characters, with the paranormal aspects taking center stage while the romance develops gradually.
Sci-Fi Romance
Science Fiction Romance may be considered a separate sub-genre. It is similar to Paranormal Romance, but this time, the science elements take the central role. The story can take place in a futuristic world or on some distant planet in the universe.
Some of my recommended reads:
Check out my review of my favorite Paranormal Romances:
Fantasy Romance
Fantasy Romance takes place in a different world and consists of magical elements. This fictional world has its own history, politics, culture, and attire. The romance is the central focus of the story, while the fantastical elements provide the backdrop.
There are two categories in this genre:
- High Fantasy is set entirely in a fictional world and is primarily driven by fantasy elements rather than romance.
- Low Fantasy can take place either in the fictional world or in our world, and romance takes the primary role.
Urban Fantasy Romance
Urban Fantasy Romance is a blend of Paranormal and Fantasy Romance. As the name suggests, it takes place in the modern world and has fantastical elements. Human beings might be aware of supernatural creatures, and they might have also been affected by magic. The story can also take place in a dystopian/post-apocalyptic world where the government’s rule has been thrown out.
Some of my recommended reads:
Here are some reviews of my favorites:
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout
Romantic Suspense
A plot that is driven by suspense and mystery. The romance between the characters revolves around the suspense or mystery that they are trying to resolve. The theme could involve solving a crime, uncovering a character’s mysterious past, or a serial killer stalking the character.
If you have never read a romance before, I hope this guide helped you figure out a genre you would like to try!
Here are some reviews of my favorites:
Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz
FAQs:
What is the difference between Romance Genres and Romance Tropes?
The Romance Genre defines the overall theme of the book. The genre defines the book at a broader level and gives the reader an idea of how the story might go. Romance Tropes, on the other hand, are the plot devices that move the story forward. For example, The Spanish Love Deception is a Contemporary Romance, and Enemies to Lovers is one of the tropes that define the initial relationship of the main characters.
Why Romance is the best genre?
I can answer this for myself, but aside from the pleasant feeling it leaves you with, it helps you become much more understanding and empathetic towards people around you. It encourages you to open up emotionally and can help you navigate relationships.
Are Romance Novels bad for you?
I believe reading romance novels is good for you. They provide a respite from the real world and generally make you feel good. They reduce stress and anxiety. Romance books also encourage you to explore yourself.
Which Romance Genre is most popular?
Contemporary Romance is the most popular sub-category in the Romance Genre.