Romance Novels Examples
While romance novels often have a reputation as low-brow literature, they remain one of the most popular genres in English. The core guidelines of the romance genre revolve around the development of a romantic relationship and an emotionally satisfying ending.
Romances are about a developing monogamous relationship and must end with an HEA (Happily Ever After). They also feature intimate scenes, which can range from chaste to electric.
Historical
Historical romance novels often focus on a specific time period. This can help them stand out from other types of fiction that may be set in a place or time period but lack specificity. It’s a good idea for writers to avoid coming up with a story first and then deciding on the location and time period, as this can lead to problems.
This can be particularly true for a historical romance, which requires an author to do their research and pay attention to the details of clothing, real estate, hairstyles, castles and jewelry. They also need to consider the social and cultural context of their characters.
Whether it’s the landed gentry of Regency England or the American Civil War, a well-researched romance novel needs to have engaging dynamics and a powerful connection between its protagonists. This can be achieved through a combination of snappy, clever, suggestive dialogue and conflict. Readers are also often drawn to the visual aspect of a romantic scene, such as veiled glances and inferences.
Contemporary
Whether you’re a fan of erotic entanglements, historical romps, or summer love, contemporary romance novels will have something for you. From the classic hate-to-love trope to stories of second chances, these steamy romances are full of characters with personalities and problems that make them more than just a pair of lips and eyes.
The first in our ode to romance titan Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice is an timeless tale of boy meets girl who initially despise each other but realise that there may be more to one another than they appear at the surface. A darker take on the same trope, Rebecca is a story of obsession and secrecy as it follows a nameless protagonist into marriage with Maxim de Winter whose previous wife’s spectre haunts their relationship.
For modern readers looking for a little more than just a sexy rom-com, there are contemporary romance books like Finding Gene Kelly, which is based on the true story of a grumpy librarian and Golden Retriever football player who fall for each other in a small town. Or, if you’re more into something a little lighter, there’s the wildly sexy and funny romance novel You Deserve Each Other.
Erotic
For those who prefer their romance with a healthy dose of erotic spice, there are plenty of steamy novels to explore. A few of the best erotic romance books include the following:
Bared to You is an emotionally intense and sensual story about a business woman (Eva) who falls for her billionaire boss (Gideon). This Sylvia Day book has become a favorite for those who like fifty shades of grey, and it’s definitely worth a read.
Opposites attract in this erotic romance novel written by H.L. Swan. Sexy bad boy Aiden is dominant and protective, but when he meets young Emilia, his feelings change. This steamy story will leave you wanting more.
This sexy novel is more rom-com than pure erotic romance. However, the characters are so irresistible that readers can’t help but fall for them. This unique tale follows a pre-law student (Julia) and her sexy new boss. Their harmless relationship turns into a sexy ride with many twists and turns along the way.
Inspirational
There’s a whole lot of variety within the romance genre and some writers are masters at weaving together subgenres for a unique and satisfying story. For example, The Kiss Quotient is a quirky contemporary romance about a neurodivergent woman who falls for a man with Asperger’s syndrome. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon mixes romance, historical fiction and fantasy for a time travel novel about a World War II nurse who falls in love with a man from 18th century Scotland.
Romance readers want a happy ever after ending but they’re also looking for a good read that makes them smile, laugh or cry. While some authors write inspirational romances that are fun flufff stories, others tackle serious life issues such as identity crises and hardship.