History Main / RomanceNovel

A genre of {{literature}} that has become popular starting in the early 20th century and by the end of the century did much to suppress all other meanings of {{Romance}}. While romantic subplots have existed in fiction since fairly close to the beginning, romance as a focal point and driving force hadn't really been explored in depth until the last few centuries. Romance novels as an industry started in TheThirties with the company of Mills and Boon releasing hardcover romance novels. The genre changed significantly with the distribution of ''Literature/TheFlameAndTheFlower'', which is noteworthy for showing that buyers of romance novels are more than happy to read about sex. Because of the single requirement required for a book to be a Romance (a HappilyEverAfter) many different genres have been incorporated into subgenres, such as Historical Romance, ParanormalRomance and even MilitaryFiction.

* ''Literature/VitaNuova''

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific purpose of letting the reader turn their brain off and escape into simple, formulaic smut. As such, the novels are often CriticProof.

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific -- and sometimes much-needed -- purpose of letting the reader turn their brain off and escape into simple, formulaic smut. As such, the novels are often CriticProof.

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific -- and sometimes much-needed -- purpose of letting the reader turn their brain off and enjoy simple, formulaic smut. As such, the novels are often CriticProof.

For tropes popular within Romance Novels, see RomanceNovelTropes. See also QueerRomance for when these tropes are applied to same-gender pairings, which may also include additional themes such as coming out, queer culture, and homophobia (and not neglecting the gratuitous sex of course). ParanormalRomance is another subgenre where the romance is paired with a fantasy/sci-fi setting. Another subgenre is the "Clean and Wholesome Romance," a type of ChristianFiction with elements similar to a CozyMystery or SugarWiki/AHallmarkPresentation -- small towns with cute names (and shops, ditto), independent businesswomen, strong and caring male allies/love interests, etc. Sometimes, as with Rae Anne Thayne's ''Blackberry Summer,'' these actually are Cozy Mysteries as well. See also RomanceGame, for Romance {{Visual Novel}}s.

For tropes popular within Romance Novels, see RomanceNovelTropes. See also QueerRomance for when these tropes are applied to LGBTQ+ pairings. ParanormalRomance is another subgenre where the romance is paired with a fantasy/sci-fi setting. Another subgenre is the "Clean and Wholesome Romance," a type of ChristianFiction with elements similar to a CozyMystery or SugarWiki/AHallmarkPresentation -- small towns with cute names (and shops, ditto), independent businesswomen, strong and caring male allies/love interests, etc. Sometimes, as with Rae Anne Thayne's ''Blackberry Summer,'' these actually are Cozy Mysteries as well. See also RomanceGame, for Romance {{Visual Novel}}s.

For tropes popular within Romance Novels, see RomanceNovelTropes. ParanormalRomance is a subgenre. Another subgenre is the "Clean and Wholesome Romance," a type of ChristianFiction with elements similar to a CozyMystery or SugarWiki/AHallmarkPresentation -- small towns with cute names (and shops, ditto), independent businesswomen, strong and caring male allies/love interests, etc. Sometimes, as with Rae Anne Thayne's ''Blackberry Summer,'' these actually are Cozy Mysteries as well. See also RomanceGame, for Romance {{Visual Novel}}s.

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific -- and sometimes much-needed -- purpose of letting the reader turn their brain off and enjoy formulaic smut. As such, the novels are often CriticProof.

* ''Literature/AssistantToTheVillain''

* ''Literature/DangerousDamsels''

* ''Literature/TheFaith''

* ''Literature/ThievesGambit''

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific--and sometimes much-needed--purpose of letting the reader turn their brain off and enjoy formulaic smut. As such, the novels are often CriticProof.

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" if it's full of [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]]. But nowadays "trashy" is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek descriptor used by the readers themselves rather than a statement on quality, as the novels serve a specific--and sometimes much-needed--purpose of letting the reader turning their brain off and enjoy formulaic smut. As such, ItsNotSupposedToWinAwards.

The genre has always experienced a lot of stigma, generally getting critically dismissed as "not literature" for most of its existence. They are often derisively known as "bodice-rippers" (particularly the historic ones) or "trashy romance novels" though it's obviously a stereotype that they all have [[SexStartsStoryStops gratuitous sex scenes]].

* ''Literature/TheMister''

* ''Literature/AllAmericanGirl''

* ''Literature/JaneEyre''