Romance novels where suspense, mystery, or thriller elements are an important part of the plot.

Arizona State University

The romance genre is divided into various subgenres that categorize stories based on time period, setting, plot focus, and target audience. These subgenres help organize romantic fiction by specific themes, such as historical periods, paranormal elements, or levels of suspense.

Subgenres of Romance

Advanced Solutions International. (2022). Romance Writers of America: The Voice of Romance Writers. Romance Writers of America. The Voice of Romance Fiction. Retrieved June 25, 2022, from https://www.rwa.org/ 

Romance Writers of America

Contemporary Romance novels are usually set from 1950 - the present with a  focus on developing romantic relationships.


Contemporary Romance

These romance novels have, often, explicit, sexual interaction as an inherent part of the plot character growth, and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. 


Erotic Romance

Historical Romance novels that are set before 1950.


Historical Romance 

These romance novels have fantasy worlds, paranormal, or science fiction elements that are an integral part of the plot.


Paranormal Romance

These romance novels use religious or spiritual beliefs and practices as an inherent part of the plot, character growth, or relationship development, and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. The specific belief system portrayed may come from any religion, spiritual tradition, or culture.

Romance with Spiritual Elements

Romantic Suspense

Romance novels where the genre of young adult literature and young adult life is an integral part of the plot.
 

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