The romance genre is vast, with numerous sub-genres and tropes that shape the stories we love. While some sub-genres function as clear-cut categories, others blur the lines between sub-genre and trope. Understanding the difference can help both readers and writers navigate the world of romance fiction.
Let’s break it down!
Let’s break it down!
What's the Difference Between a Sub-genre and a Trope?
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Example: Historical Romance (e.g., "Bridgerton: The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn) focuses on love stories set in the past, while Fantasy Romance (e.g., "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas) blends romance with magical and supernatural elements.
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A trope is a recurring narrative device or relationship dynamic within a romance novel. Tropes shape the interactions between characters and drive the emotional tension in the story.
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Example: Enemies to Lovers (e.g.,"The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne) is a trope that can appear in contemporary, historical, and fantasy romance.
How They Work Together:
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A book can belong to one sub-genre but contain multiple tropes. For example:
- "Code of Silence" by Shantel Tessier is Mafia Romance (sub-genre) but also features Arranged Marriage and Second Chance Romance (tropes).
- "Black Ties and White Lies" by Kat Singleton is Billionaire Romance (sub-genre) but uses Forced Proximity and Fake Relationship (tropes).
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Comprehensive List of Romance Sub-genres:
Here is a breakdown of all major sub-genres in romance fiction:
Traditional & Classical Sub-genres
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1. Historical Romance – Love stories set in past eras, often focusing on courtship and societal expectations.- Example: "The Black Lyon" by Jude Deveraux
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2. Contemporary Romance – Set in modern times, dealing with relatable relationships and conflicts.
- Example: "Indiscretion" by Vi Keeland
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3. Regency Romance – A subcategory of historical romance, typically set in early 19th-century England.
- Example: "Grace" by Beverley Watts
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4. Gothic Romance – Love stories with dark, atmospheric settings, mystery, and brooding heroes.
Example: "Gothikana" by RuNyx -
5. Romance Comedy – Works where both romance and comedy are both central to the story's plot.
Example: "The Path to Loving Him" by Meghan Quinn
Darker & More Intense Sub-genres
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6. Dark Romance – Features morally gray heroes, dangerous relationships, and taboo themes.
- Example: "Phantom" by H.D. Carlton
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7. Erotic Romance – Focuses heavily on sexual relationships with detailed erotic scenes.
- Example: "Priest" by Sierra Simone
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8. Mafia Romance – Centers on crime families, power struggles, and forbidden love.
- Example: "Fierce King" by Sadie Kincaid
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9. Romantic Suspense – A mix of romance and thriller elements, often with danger and intrigue.
- Example: "Naked in Death" by J.D. Robb
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10. Psychological Romance – Twisted, intense love stories exploring emotional and mental conflicts.
- Example: "Verity" by Colleen Hoover
Fantasy & Paranormal Sub-genres
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11. Fantasy Romance – Love stories featuring magic, mythical creatures, and fantasy worlds.
- Example: "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros
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12. Paranormal Romance – Supernatural love stories with vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.
- Example: "My Funny Demon Valentine" by Aurora Ascher
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13. Sci-Fi Romance – Romance set in futuristic or dystopian settings.
- Example: "Born For Silk" by Nicci Harris
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14. Time Travel Romance – Love across different timelines.
- Example: "Parallel" by Elle O'Roark
Modern & Niche Sub-genres
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15. New Adult Romance – Focuses on characters in their early 20s dealing with college, first jobs, and emotional growth.
- Example: "Deep End" by Ali Hazelwood
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16. Young Adult Romance – Typically features high school or early college love stories with coming-of-age themes.
- Example: "Binding 13" by Chloe Walsh
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17. Billionaire Romance – Centers on a wealthy, powerful hero and often features themes of luxury, dominance, and seduction.
- Example: "Inked Adonis" by Nicole Fox
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18. Rockstar Romance – Love stories involving musicians, fame, and the rock-and-roll lifestyle.
- Example: "The Other Brother" by Tierney Page
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19. Sports Romance – Features athletes as main characters, combining competition, fame, and romance.
- Example: "Chase Lovett Wants Me" by Helena Hunting
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20. Military Romance – Focuses on soldiers, military life, and the emotional toll of love and war.
- Example: "Pretend You're Mine" by Lucy Score
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21. Western Romance – Often set in rural locations with cowboys, ranchers, and themes of small-town life.
- Example: "Wild Love" by Elsie Silver
Diverse Romance Sub-genres
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22. LGB Romance – Features same-sex relationships or gender-diverse characters.
- Example: "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston
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23. Interracial Romance – Explores love across different cultural or racial backgrounds.
- Example: "King of Pride" by Ana Huang
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24. Disability Romance – Focuses on protagonists with physical or mental disabilities, portraying love stories with depth and realism.
- Example: "Stay With Me" by Nicole Fiorina
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25. Age Gap Romance – One character is significantly older than the other, leading to power dynamics and tension.
- Example: "Mr. Masters" by TL Swan
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26. Reverse Harem Romance – One woman has multiple romantic partners, a growing trend in both fantasy and contemporary settings.
- Example: "Forced Proximity" by Jaymin Eve & Tate James
Tropes that are NOT Sub-genres:
Some elements of romance are strictly tropes and do not define a full sub-genre:
These tropes can be found across multiple sub-genres and are used to shape character dynamics rather than define the book’s overall structure.
Key Distinction: Subgenre vs. Trope
For example, Enemies to Lovers is a trope, but it can appear in Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Historical Romance, or even Fantasy Romance. Meanwhile, Mafia Romance is a sub-genre, but it often includes tropes like Forbidden Love, Power Struggles, and Arranged Marriage.
Final Thoughts
Romance is a dynamic and evolving genre, offering endless variations of love stories. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of historical romance, the thrilling dangers of dark and mafia romance, or the heartwarming charm of small-town love, there’s a romance novel for everyone. Understanding sub-genres and tropes allows readers to find books they’ll love while helping writers craft compelling, structured love stories.
What’s your favorite romance sub-genre or trope?
What’s your favorite romance sub-genre or trope?