Women's fiction is a group of books that focus on the lives and experiences of women. These books are sold to female readers and include many popular novels and books about women's rights. It is different from women's writing, which means books written by women, not necessarily sold to women. There is no similar term in English for books that are sold to men.

The Romance Writers of America describe women's fiction as a story about a woman who is about to experience big changes and grow as a person. The story shows her emotional journey and how she changes her relationships with others. It ends with a happy or hopeful outcome for her romantic relationship.

The Women's Fiction Writers' Association has a wider definition. It includes books that may not have romantic elements, making it more inclusive.

Criticism of the term

Some authors support the "women's fiction" label, but others believe it is used for too many books by women that could be classified as literary fiction. This, they say, makes women's writing seem less important. Critics note that there is no similar label for books by men, and men's works are rarely called women's fiction even if they fit the genre. Author Jennifer Weiner strongly opposes the term, arguing that it causes books by women to get less attention, fewer reviews, and be seen as less valuable than books by men. The term "women's fiction" has sometimes been compared to "chick lit," a term that is no longer widely used.