As a reading genre, romance novels are loosely defined as fiction books about romantic love and the relationship between two people.
Many sources list romances as the highest-selling genre in the U.S.; percentages of total fiction sales range from 20 percent to 33 percent. That’s a hunk, a hunk of burning love!
Why is romance so popular? Well, romance books generally have happy endings. They focus on the main character’s happiness and well-being. And there are as many types of romance books as there are styles of beer in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the major subgenres of romance are:
- Contemporary romance: These romances take place in modern times, although some definitions extend that time frame to start any time after World War II.
- Historical romance: Centers on the relationship between two characters in an historical period such as Civil War or Regency.
- Paranormal romance: Either one of the main characters can be characterized as supernatural (werewolf, vampire), or the story involves elements without scientific explanation (ghost).
- Romantic fantasy (romantasy): A story that combines fantasy and romance.
- Romantic comedy (rom-com): Romantic comedy, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plotlines.
- Western romance: Adventure and romance, set in the American West. Hint: look for a woman on the book’s cover.
- Inspirational romance: Themes of love, faith, forgiveness and personal growth.
Harlequin, the world’s largest publisher of series romance, even has a guide to romance genres on its website. And every romance book has a thermometer on the cover! Well, not really, but they easily could, because the temperature ranges vary from prim and proper to pyrotechnic.
