The Romance Genre: Romance Literature Subgenres

All romances have a central love story and an emotionally satisfying ending. Beyond that, however, romance novels can be set in any time or place, entertain any number of plot elements, or convey moods from light and humorous to dark and suspenseful. The genre of romance can be classified into various sub-genres depending on their setting and plot elements. Those sub-genres include:

Contemporary Series Romance
Series romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and typically set after 1945.

Contemporary Single Title Romance
Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series and set after 1945.

Historical Romance
Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location.

Inspirational Romance
Romance novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship.

Novels with Strong Romantic Elements
A work of fiction in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries.

Paranormal Romance
Romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot.

Regency Romance
Romance novels in which the majority of the story is set against the Regency period of the British Empire.

Romantic Suspense
Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.

Young Adult Romance
Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers.