Happy belated Valentine’s Day! I just love romance, don’t you?
My favorite genre as a reader is definitely romance.
As a historical romance author, I’d even go as far as saying that I’m more of a romance writer than historical writer. My stories always end up with a romance element. It seems to come out whether I’m writing time crossing or YA or historical.
Most of the time readers appreciate the romance aspects of my books. Occasionally I get complaints like: “for a historical it was too romance-y.” But overall I’ve gotten a positive response to the romantic sizzle in my books.
After I finish reading a romance novel, I usually muse over elements I liked or didn’t like. A romance novel usually has to have several key elements to make it to my “keeper” shelf.
These elements might cause some readers or writers to classify romances as “formulaic.” But essentially, those tried-and-true basics are the building blocks for penning a winning romance. They’re the things romance readers expect, love, and essentially why they pick up a romance in the first place.
Here are 5 must-haves for fan-favorite romance novels (at least the romance novels that are my keepers):
1. Both the hero and heroine must be likeable. The reader must be able to fall in love with the hero right along with the heroine. He has to be the kind of guy that melts readers’ hearts. Sure he has to be flawed but in such a way that readers still love him.
And the reader must also be able to cheer for the heroine. She can be many things, even a feisty tomboy. Certainly not perfect. But she has to be the kind of woman that readers would aspire to be.
2. The hero and heroine must meet early in the story. It’s best if the hero and heroine meet within the first chapter or two. Even if we have a love triangle, readers still like to know which man they’re rooting for.
This goes back to the above point. Readers want to fall in love with the hero. And if they don’t know who he is, then they can’t do that as easily.
3. A barrier must keep the hero and heroine from finding true love together until near the end. In fact, there could be many barriers standing between the two keeping them physically, emotionally, and relationally apart.
Readers have told me, one of the most disappointing aspects of a romance novel is when all the barriers keeping the hero and heroine apart fall away. If the love relationship is wrapped up too neatly too soon, a romance reader doesn’t have motivation to keep going, no matter how strong the rest of the plot might be.
4. The romantic tension must be strong and gradually increase throughout the book. Obviously, a romance must have heart-warming and pulse-pattering romantic moments between the hero and heroine. That doesn’t have to mean we have to load our books with kissing or bedroom scenes.
My books have very few kisses and no sex, and yet I weave in a lot of sizzle. I also intentionally find ways to put my characters into romantic situations that fit with each unique story.
5. The romance must come to a satisfying conclusion (aka happily-ever-after). The couple must get together by the end of the book. They need to realistically overcome the barriers that have kept them apart. They have to fall in love. And they have to want to be together forever. Period.
In fact, the ending really should be sigh-worthy. When the reader closes the book, we want them smiling in ultimate satisfaction because they’re happy the hero and heroine persevered through great obstacles, defeated the antagonist, grew in character as a result, and in the end found true love.
Is there anything you’d add to my list of must-haves for a romance? Do you think romances have become too formulaic?
Jody Hedlund
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This is a great list, Jody. I agree with all your must-haves. May I add a must-NOT-have? I just hate when the two characters hate each other all through the book, fight constantly, snark at each other, and then fall into each other’s arms and declare everlasting love on the final page! That is NOT the makings of a good marriage and such a dangerous message for any young readers who pick up the book! I don’t mind if they have some misunderstandings or disagreements early on, but those shouldn’t last the entire book and suddenly dissolve with the proposal of marriage.
So true, Deb! It must be realistic.
Sounds like the things I like to see. I especially agree with needing to like the hero and heroine. Even though I expect and enjoy an HEA, the journey getting there is what is important.
Excellent list, Jody! I don’t think any of elements you listed make a romance formulaic. What makes a romance formulaic, in my opinion, is when it’s extremely predictable. I lose interest when the premise is unoriginal and then when everything that I expect to happen ends up happening just the way I knew it would.
This is a great list. I like that you mention the romantic tension must “gradually increase.” I lose interest quickly in novels in which characters fall instantly in love. Attraction happens quickly, but love needs a little more interaction between the characters.
Oh, Jody! Don’t sell yourself short. You have WAY more than “a few kissing scenes” in your stories! You write oodles of sexual tension and really good kissing scenes. It’s one reason I love your books. A romance should sustain a good level of physical attraction between the characters as they really get to know each other, and I get bored to tears when it isn’t there. A single, chaste kiss on the last page just to wrap things up in a neat bow isn’t enough!
I’m currently reading Runaway Bride, and the sizzle is HOT! Rooting for you Peter Kelley!!