Many romantic novel subgenres that have emerged in recent years, perhaps because it is more fashionable than ever and it has never ceased to be. And everyone comes with their Anglicism, also very fashionable due to the use we make of them in any area.
We take a look at those that are having the most success, the result of the many authors, and even more female authors, who have come out thanks to the publishing platforms, promotion in social networks and word of mouth. This success has been total among younger readers, but not exclusive to them. Let's see.
Romantic novel subgenres
friends to lovers
Literally, from "friends to lovers»: puts the focus on love stories that begin with a friendship between the protagonists, who share a great connection in all aspects and, as time passes, they fall in love.
Their characteristics They are that solid and lasting friendship that is based on trust and support because they know each other very well; the realistic evolution of those feelings, which gradually transform that friendship into love, although the characters fight against what they feel for fear of losing the friendship or for other reasons. There is also the sexual tension, which advances the story and increases readers' expectations. And, of course, the overcoming conflicts and obstacles that they often face and that test their relationship, such as what others think, personality differences, or other circumstances.
Everything together makes readers identify with these stories.
Some famous titles of this subgenre are Before december, Joana Marcus, The art of being us, by Inma Rubiales, or Just friends?, by Ana Álvarez.
Enemies to lovers
Literally, from "enemies to lovers»: the opposite is the case, with stories that begin with two characters who hate each other for different reasons, from personal to professional or just because they have opposite characters. But throughout the plot that enmity softens and, in the end, turns into a deep love.
Among its characteristics are that typical conflict of the beginning in which the protagonists (who are usually co-workers, neighbors, rivals in some activity or even members of feuding families) feel a great antipathy among them. So they give provocations and confrontations constants that, little by little, become blurred when begin to discover qualities attractive in the other, something that will make them have feelings that they will deny at first.
Furthermore, there will also arise obstacles both internal (fears, insecurities) and external (social pressures, opinions of others) that they will have to face. But in the end there will be reconciliation and acceptance of that feeling romantic that will lead them to an intense and passionate love story.
Some titles that we can highlight from this subgenre are found in classics such as Pride and prejudice, by Jane Austen, and much more recent as in the saga of The Bridgertons, by Julia Quinn. But they are innumerable.
sports romance
Another of those romantic novel subgenres is this one, translated as «sports romance»: is possibly one of the most popular now. In reality, they are the romantic novels with sports elements, whose recent hook has skyrocketed thanks to discoveries and recommendations on social networks.
Their characteristics main thing is that they all have in common that they are set in sports environments and, normally, one or both protagonists are usually professional players of some sport. Although at first that was the male protagonist, the trend has changed and more and more women are playing everything professionally. Some of the most popular sports in this subgenre are football and American football, baseball, and especially recently, the ice Hockey.
Some titles that can be named are The rules of the gameby Sarah Adams Break the ice, by Hanna Grace, or follow my rhythmby Amy Lea.
dark romance
O «dark romance»: is the subgenre romantic-erotic youth and adults with novels that tell passionate love relationships but set in Dark environments with dangerous characters or elements. Some have a high level of passion, sex and, in some cases, violence.
Some authors who have revolutionized the publishing world in this subgenre are Ana Huang with his saga twisted love o Sarah Rivens, a phenomenon in France, with Captive: Don't play with me, the first volume in a series.
But there are many more subgenres of romantic novels such as slow burning, or slow-burn romance, in which the protagonists do not suddenly fall in love, but rather their relationship progresses slowly until it culminates, or the romance, that combines romance in a fantasy world with touches of adventure.
And, finally, it must be said that all of them intermingle or borrow elements, which thus forms a very broad panorama for all tastes.