A romance or romantic novel is a type of story that focuses on the love between two people. These stories often end with a happy or satisfying conclusion. Many authors have helped shape this genre, including Samuel Richardson, Frances Burney, Maria Edgeworth, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë.

Romance novels include many types, such as bodice ripper, fantasy, contemporary, historical romance, paranormal fiction, sapphic, and science fiction. These stories often use common themes, like enemies becoming lovers, a second chance at love, or characters being forced to spend time together. While women have traditionally been the main readers of romance novels, a 2017 study by the Romance Writers of America found that 18% of people who buy romance books are men.

Stories now called "romance novels" existed in ancient Greece. Earlier examples can be found in 18th- and 19th-century literature, such as Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded (1740) and Jane Austen’s novels. Austen inspired Georgette Heyer, a British author who wrote historical romance novels set during Austen’s time and also created detective stories. Heyer’s first romance novel, The Black Moth (1921), was set in 1751.

In the 1930s, the British company Mills & Boon began publishing romance novels for women. These books were sold in North America by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd, which started directly marketing to readers and allowed stores to sell the books.

An early example of a mass-market romance novel in the United States was The Flame and the Flower (1972) by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, published by Avon Books. This was the first romance novel to be released as a standalone paperback in the U.S. In the UK, the romance genre had long been popular through the works of Georgette Heyer, whose books included many common themes and stereotypes, some of which have been removed from newer editions.

Strong sales of romance novels have made this genre one of the largest parts of the global book market. The genre grew a lot in the 1980s, with more types of romance stories and more standalone novels. During this time, authors began exploring new ideas and creating characters that reflect modern life.

Definition

According to the Romance Writers of America, the main story in a mass-market romance novel should focus on two people who fall in love and work to build a relationship. The main problem and the most exciting part of the story must connect to this theme of growing romantic feelings. However, the story can also include other stories that are not about the main characters’ love. The story must end in a way that feels satisfying and hopeful.

Leslie Gelbman, president of Berkley Books, says that the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine must be the most important part of the book. In general, romance novels show kind characters being rewarded and unkind characters being punished. A couple who works hard to keep their relationship strong is usually shown receiving love and happiness. Bestselling author Nora Roberts says romance books are about celebrating love, emotions, and promises, which are things people value.

Most romance novels follow these rules, but some books that are called romance novels do not. The Romance Writers of America define romance novels as stories that focus on a growing romantic relationship and end with hope. Romance novels often give readers a sense of escape, as one Avon executive said, “The phone never rings, the baby never cries, and the rent is never overdue in romances.” Many publishers, libraries, bookstores, and critics still use the traditional definition to sort books.

There are disagreements among romance authors about what should be included in romance stories. Some believe the genre has rules, such as the main characters meeting early in the story or avoiding certain topics like cheating. Others argue about whether the story must end happily. Some readers accept stories with sad endings if the focus is on the love between the main characters, like Romeo and Juliet.

Romance novels can take place in any time or place, even in space. There are no strict rules about what can be included in a romance novel. Topics such as date rape, domestic violence, addiction, and disability are sometimes discussed. The setting, time, and story details help classify a romance novel into a subgenre. Despite many choices, some say all romance novels feel similar. Some people think all romance novels are like those by Danielle Steel, which feature rich, glamorous characters in exciting places. However, many readers disagree, saying Steel’s books are more like general fiction.

Mass-market or formulaic romance novels are sometimes called “smut” or female pornography. These are the most popular type of modern erotica for women. Some romance novels include more sexual scenes, while others only show characters kissing. The genre includes stories at both ends of this range. Since women buy 90% of all romance novels, most are written from a woman’s perspective, using first or third person.

Most romance novels focus on heterosexual relationships, but some stories include same-sex relationships. These are sometimes labeled as F/F (female/female) or M/M (male/male) in the publishing industry.

While most romance novels end with happiness, some famous literary fiction stories have sad endings. Examples include Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, Atonement by Ian McEwan, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

History

The genre of long stories about romantic love existed in ancient Greece. Over twenty ancient Greek romance novels are known, but most are only partly preserved. Only five have survived nearly complete: Chareas and Callirhoe, Leucippe and Clitophon, Daphnis and Chloe, The Ephesian Tale, and The Ethiopian Tale.

A type of early love story, Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, was written by Samuel Richardson in 1740. Pamela was the first popular novel to tell a love story from the perspective of the woman. Unlike many other books of that time, Pamela had a happy ending. After Mr. B tries to seduce and harm Pamela multiple times, he eventually proposes a fair marriage to her. The book became very popular, with five editions printed in its first eleven months. Richardson originally wrote Pamela as a collection of letters. He agreed to write it only if the letters had a moral purpose. As he wrote, the letters became a story. Richardson aimed to both teach and entertain readers. He wrote Pamela as a guidebook that explained proper social behavior for men, women, and servants, while also telling a story to provide a more moral reading experience for young people.

Maria Edgeworth, a romance novelist, influenced the Victorian era with works like Belinda (1801) and Helen (1834). Jane Austen, who admired Edgeworth, also shaped the romance genre with her novel Pride and Prejudice (1813), which was later called "the best romance novel ever written." In the early Victorian era, the Brontë sisters, like Edgeworth and Austen, wrote stories that influenced later fiction. Maria Edgeworth introduced the idea of an orphaned heroine in her books Belinda and Helen. Charlotte Brontë later used this idea in Jane Eyre (1847). Jane Eyre includes elements from gothic novels and Elizabethan plays, showing how flexible the romance genre could be.

As literary romance stories continued to develop in the 20th century, a new type of fiction, called genre fiction, became more popular after World War I. In 1919, E. M. Hull wrote The Sheik, a book about a strong, dominant man who kidnaps a woman and wins her admiration through force. This book was one of the first modern works to include the theme of rape fantasy, which also appeared in Pamela (1740). At the time, publishers believed readers would only accept premarital sex if it was framed as a fantasy. In these stories, the heroine rarely shows fear, stress, or trauma.

The popular historical romance, which Walter Scott helped develop in the early 19th century, became widespread in 1921 when Georgette Heyer published The Black Moth. Set in 1751, many of Heyer’s novels were inspired by Jane Austen’s works and took place during the Regency period. Heyer included detailed historical information in her books to help readers understand the time period. Unlike other romance novels, Heyer used the setting as an important part of the story. Her characters often had modern attitudes, while others pointed out the heroine’s unusual choices, such as wanting to marry for love. Heyer wrote one to two historical romance novels each year until her death in 1974.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, a type of printed romantic novel called caizi jiaren ("scholar and beauty") became widely popular. These stories usually involved a talented young woman and a handsome scholar. Examples include Ping Shan Leng Yan, Haoqiu zhuan, Iu-Kiao-Li, and others. These novels were influenced by older works like Yingying's Biography and The Tale of Li Wa, as well as plays from the Song and Yuan dynasties. They were most popular in the 17th century.

The large number of caizi jiaren novels was criticized in The Dream of the Red Chamber, where it was mocked: "There are thousands of such 'scholar and beauty' books, and yet they are all alike!" These Chinese romance novels also influenced both Eastern and Western literature.

In the 1930s, British publishers Mills & Boon began selling hardcover romance novels. These books were sold in weekly libraries for two pence each and were called "the books in brown" because of their brown covers. In the 1950s, the company sold the books through newsagents in the United Kingdom.

A Canadian company, Harlequin Enterprises, started distributing Mills & Boon romance novels in North America in 1957. Mary Bonneycastle, wife of Harlequin founder Richard Bonneycastle, and her daughter, Judy Burgess, decided which books to reprint. They rejected more explicit material based on a "decency code." Richard Bonneycastle later read a more explicit romance novel and found it popular. Harlequin tested the novel and found it sold better than a tamer version. The novels were short and followed a formula, featuring heroines who were kind, pure, and innocent. Heroines who worked did so in traditional roles, like nurses, governesses, and secretaries. Romantic scenes in the books never went beyond a chaste kiss.

On October 1, 1971, Harlequin bought Mills & Boon. By then, romance novels were already popular in Great Britain. Harlequin tried to copy Mills & Boon’s success in North America by improving distribution and marketing. They sold books "where the women are," including supermarkets and stores, and all books were exactly 192 pages long. Harlequin also started a reader service, offering books to readers who agreed to buy a certain number each month.

American literature included themes like rape fantasy, unclear consent, age gaps, underage women, and forced relationships in response to competition from other industries. These changes happened partly because of media censorship laws, such as those in comic books controlled by the Comics Code Authority.

Critical reception

Some important authors have received praise from experts for writing romance novels. For example, Gabriel García Márquez, a winner of the Nobel Prize, was praised for his romance novel Love in the Time of Cholera.

Arthur Schopenhauer believed that romance novels have been written for a long time because the theme of love is always important. He argued that love is more significant than other topics because it affects the survival of the human species. Choosing a partner is often necessary for having children and continuing the human race.

Even though romance novels have been combined with other genres and are now more accepted, they sometimes still have a negative reputation. Some readers feel embarrassed about reading them. Critics sometimes say romance novels lack suspense because it seems clear that the main characters will solve their problems. Others question whether it is helpful for women to spend time reading stories that focus on idealized love. Fiction author Melissa Pritchard said that romance novels might give the idea that perfect love exists, which could distract people from learning to love themselves.

Romance novel writers say the negative reputation comes partly because the genre is often seen as "written almost exclusively by women for women." Jennifer Crusie, a romance novelist, explained that modern romance novels show women being rewarded with love only if they stay true to themselves. Susan Elizabeth Phillips noted that romance novels are popular because the main female character often succeeds, even after facing major challenges.

In recent years, more studies by experts have focused on romance novels, especially from the perspectives of feminism, gender, and equality. The popularity of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, which were adapted into television shows by STARZ and Netflix, has increased the public interest in the genre. In 2022, it was announced that the best-selling Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid, a self-published author, has been chosen for a television adaptation by Tomorrow Studios.

There is ongoing discussion about whether certain novels fit into the romance genre or belong to other genres. This debate has gained attention in part because Diana Gabaldon often says her Outlander series is not romance fiction. However, both expert studies and conversations between Gabaldon and her publisher show that the discussion about genre labels is more complex than it appears.

Formats

Romance novels are divided into two types: category romances, also called series romances, and single-title romances. Some authors write only one type, but others, like Jennifer Crusie and Jayne Ann Krentz, have written both types successfully.

Category romances are short, usually no more than 200 pages or about 55,000 words. These books are published in specific groups, with a set number of books released each month in each group. Many books in a group are numbered in order. These novels are sold worldwide and often remain on store shelves until they are sold or until new books in the same group are released. Writers for the publisher Harlequin/Mills & Boon may have their books translated into 26 languages and sold in over 100 countries.

To write a successful category romance, the author must simplify the story by removing or moving subplots and minor characters to the background. However, each group of category romances has its own unique identity, which may include similar settings, characters, time periods, levels of romantic content, or types of conflicts. Publishers provide guidelines for each group, explaining what elements are needed for a book to be included. Publishers may start or stop groups based on market trends and reader preferences. Recently, new groups for erotic and Christian romances have been created, while traditional Regency romance groups have ended.

Single-title romances are not part of a publisher’s category. They are longer, usually between 350 and 400 pages or about 100,000 to 110,000 words. Publishers may release these books over a shorter time for sales and publicity reasons, but on average, authors write 1.5 books each year and publish one book annually. Single-title novels stay on store shelves at the store’s choice.

Although they are called "single-title," these books are not always standalone stories. Some authors write connected books, such as trilogies or long series, to revisit characters or worlds. These books often share similar titles, like "Number 1 in the XXX Series," but they are not considered series romances because they are not part of a specific group.

Subgenres

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Romance novels can include any type of story, time period, or place, which has led to many different types of romance stories. These stories often share elements with other types of books, such as mysteries, science fiction, and fantasy. For example, romantic suspense stories are similar to mystery books, and paranormal romances use ideas from science fiction and fantasy.

Contemporary romance stories usually take place after World War II and are what many people think of when they hear the word "romance novel." These stories are set in the time when they are written and often show the customs of that time. Before 1970, heroines in these stories often stopped working after marriage or having children, but after 1970, heroines usually kept their jobs. As these stories became more complex and realistic, they started to look more like women's fiction.

Most contemporary romance books include details that make them seem old-fashioned. Many of them become outdated over time and are no longer printed. However, some books, like those by Jane Austen, are so well-written that they are now considered historical romances.

In 2004, over half of all romantic fiction published in the United States (1,468 out of 2,285 books) were contemporary romance novels. These books were even chosen twice by Kelly Ripa for her book club.

Historical romance, also called a historical novel, is a type of story set in the past. This genre became popular in the early 1800s, thanks to writer Walter Scott, who wrote books like Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. Historical romance includes many types of stories, such as Regency romance. These books are usually published in mass-market paperbacks, not hardcovers, and their popularity depends on trends in mass-market publishing.

In 2001, 778 historical romance books were published, the highest number in 10 years. By 2004, this number dropped to 486, which was still 20% of all romance books published. Publishers like Kensington Books report fewer submissions for historical romance, and some authors have moved to writing contemporary romance.

Romantic suspense stories involve a mystery or problem for the main characters to solve. Often, the heroine is a victim of a crime and works with a hero, such as a police officer or soldier, to solve it. By the end of the story, the mystery is solved, and the hero and heroine develop a strong relationship. These stories usually take place in modern times, but some include historical settings.

Like all romance stories, romantic suspense novels focus on the relationship between the main characters. This relationship affects their choices and increases the tension in the story. These books often use simpler language than traditional romance novels and are more focused on solving the mystery than on deep character development.

Mary Stewart was one of the first authors to combine romance and mystery in her books, which she wrote between 1955 and 1967. Her stories helped show how solving a mystery can reveal a hero’s personality and help the heroine fall in love with him.

Paranormal romance mixes real-life elements with fantasy or science fiction. These stories might include vampires, witches, or time travel. Some are set in the past, others in the future, and some involve traveling through time. Between 2002 and 2004, the number of paranormal romance books published in the United States doubled to 170 per year. Some of these books sell over 500,000 copies.

These stories often blend elements from other genres, like suspense or chick lit, with their fantasy themes. Some focus more on the romance than on the world-building, while others create detailed magical systems and cultures.

Science fiction romance combines three genres: science fiction, fantasy, and romance. These stories explore futuristic or imaginary worlds while developing a full romance. The level of sensuality in these books can range from very modest to very romantic.

Many publishers include futuristic, fantasy, and science fiction romance in their lines, such as Harlequin Temptation. One of the first science fiction romance books, Sweet Starfire by Jayne Ann Krentz, was published in 1986 and set in a different galaxy. This genre has become more popular since 2000. Krentz says these stories are like historical romances that happen on other worlds.

Science fiction overlaps with other genres, like steampunk, which mixes science fiction with alternate history set in the Victorian era. Examples include the TV show The Wild Wild West. Authors in this area include M. K. Hobson and Gail Dayton.

Fantasy romance, also called romantic fantasy, is a type of fantasy story that includes romance elements. These books are published by both fantasy and romance publishers. Some focus more on the fantasy world, while others emphasize the romance.

Time-travel romance is a type of story where characters move between different time periods. These stories often explore how love can develop across time.

Tropes

A trope is a common theme or story element that appears often in books. In romance novels, tropes are used to create parts of the story that readers enjoy. Tropes, which relate to the plot, are sometimes confused with "hooks," which are character or setting details that interest readers, such as a character's job, where the story takes place, or a character's personality.

According to India Holton, tropes may seem cliché, but they connect with readers by showing "universal experiences and archetypes." They help romance writers attract readers by offering familiar ideas. Tropes can also be a starting point for new ideas, and authors can intentionally change them to create unique stories. Many tropes appear in romance novels, and some of the most common ones are:

• Love Triangle: Two characters compete for the love of a third person.
• Friends to Lovers: Two friends who have known each other for a long time become romantic partners.
• Forced Proximity: Characters are required to spend a lot of time together, leading them to fall in love. Arranged Marriage is a type of this trope.
• Enemies to Lovers: Characters who dislike each other learn to overcome their differences and fall in love.
• Forbidden Love: A relationship between characters is not allowed or considered taboo, but it happens anyway. Workplace Romances and other character or relationship details are often types of this trope.
• Second Chance: Characters who were once in a relationship but broke up find a way to reunite.
• Fake Relationship: Characters agree to pretend to be in a relationship, but it becomes real.
• Soulmates: Characters are drawn together because of a strong, unavoidable connection.

Explicit content

The presence or absence of sexual content in romance novels, as well as the type of content, is important for readers. Readers, reviewers, and publishers often use terms like “spice,” “steam,” or “heat” to describe this content. Whether a story has explicit content depends on factors such as how much sexual activity is shown, the kind of details included, and how vividly the scenes are described.

Some publishers or authors assign content ratings to their books based on their own rules. It is sometimes debated whether including explicit content ratings in library catalogs is appropriate. The American Library Association believes that labeling books with explicit content ratings can be a form of censorship. It also argues that such labels might suggest that all books in a library’s collection have been reviewed for explicit material. However, some libraries use tags to identify explicit content in their catalogs. These tags help library workers assist patrons but may be harder for general users to find.

Markets

The romance fiction market was unaffected by the economic recession in 1982, as loyal readers spent up to $40 each month on romance novels. That year, paperback romance novels generated $300 million in sales, and the audience was estimated to include 20 million readers. A survey of 600 regular romance readers found that they had similar ages, education levels, marital statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds as the general population. Over half of the women surveyed had some college education, and 40% worked full-time. Sixty percent of the women read at least one romance novel every two days. These women said they read romances to reduce stress, escape mentally, and learn about history and new jobs.

By 1982, at least 25% of all paperbacks sold were romance novels. By 1991, romance novels made up 46% of all mass-market paperbacks sold in the United States. This growth was partly due to readers who bought many books, with more than half of Harlequin’s customers purchasing 30 novels each month. By 1991, the romance novel audience had become more educated, with 45% having college degrees, and more than half of the audience working outside the home.

By the 2000s, romance novels became the most popular genre in modern literature. In 2008, romantic fiction generated $1.37 billion in sales, with 7,311 romance novels published. Romance novels made up 13.5% of the consumer book market. Over 74 million people said they had read at least one romance novel in 2008, according to a study by the Romance Writers of America. The study found that 9.5% of romance readers identified as male, and romance readers were more likely to be married or living with a partner. According to the study, 84% of romance buyers were women, and 16% were men. Of the entire American population, 24.6% read at least one romance novel in 2008.

In 2004, a company called 831 Stories began publishing books with covers that had no images or illustrations to create a kind of inside joke or shared understanding between readers.

In 2008, 74.8 million people read an English-language romance novel. Harlequin sells more than 4 books every second, with half of those sold internationally. Author Heather Graham said this is because emotions are easy to understand. In the United Kingdom, over 20% of all fiction books sold each year are romance novels.

Although romance novels are translated into over 90 languages, most authors of women’s fiction are from Great Britain or North America. In France, where over 12 million romance novels are sold each year, all are translations, as are almost all Harlequin novels in Italy. Some publishing companies in Germany do not allow their romance authors to use their real names, fearing readers will not buy a romance novel that does not have an American fake name.

Stories with an Anglo-Saxon perspective sometimes sell less well in European markets. In Italy, which is the strongest foreign market for chick lit books sold by Red Dress Ink, romance readers do not care to read books about cowboys, as that type of job was not common in their culture. The paranormal romance genre is not popular in countries like Poland and Russia, but historical romance is very successful. Inspirational romance does not sell well in Europe, where romances with babies are very popular. German readers enjoy more erotic romance novels, and some German translations of English romance novels add or expand love scenes in otherwise simple stories. Other German translators may remove or censor love scenes.

By 2014, romance was the most popular literary genre in Russia, chosen by 13% of respondents, especially among younger people.

In 2004, sales of romance novels in Australia increased by 28% compared to the year before. Between 1999 and 2004, the number of new romance titles released increased by 40–50%. Harlequin, which received 20,000 unsolicited manuscripts each year, found that women make up 99% of romance readers.

Awards

The most important and well-known awards for romance novels are the RITA Awards. These awards are given every year by the Romance Writers of America to the best books in the romance fiction genre.

Another important award is the Romantic Novel of the Year Award (RoNA), which is organized by the Romantic Novelists' Association. This award is divided into categories:

• Contemporary Romance
• Historical Romance
• Romantic Comedy
• Fantasy Romance
• Romantic Thriller
• Romantic Saga
• Shorter Romantic Novel
• Debut Romance Novel