Fantasy: Fantasy romance is any story that exists in a magical or fantastical world where romance is the driving force behind the narrative. While some stories, such as George R.R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones, might have some side stories that deal with interpersonal romantic relationships, fantasy romance is driven by the relationships that develop between the main character and one of the ancillary characters. Dark fantasy has continued to grow in popularity in the 21st century and fanfiction has been particularly popular. One of the most commercially successful romance authors, especially within the dark fantasy genre, is New York Times bestseller Katee Robert. Perhaps best known for her “Wicked Villain” series, which deals with fanfiction-esque retellings of established intellectual properties such as Disney’s Peter Pan (Twink’s Special Punishment), Beauty and the Best (The Beast) and Aladdin (Desperate Measures.) The latter was my personal introduction to smutty romance books and it’s especially spicy, as the indoctrinated would say.
“My Savior… Or My Ruin?
One night, and my entire life went up in flames. All because of him. Jafar. As my world burned down around me, he offered me a choice. Walk away with nothing but my freedom… Or rise to his challenge and win my fortune back.
I bargained.
I lost.
Now Jafar owns me, and even as my mind rails against his rules, my body loves the punishments he deals out when I break them.
But a gilded cage is still a prison, I’ll do anything to obtain my freedom.
Even betray the man I’m falling for.” –GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44323708-desperate-measures
Historical: The historical subgenre is exactly what the name states: a story set in the past that surrounds a main character and their romantic relationships. Although this is a subgenre under the general umbrella of romance, there exists multiple offshoots with the most popular being “Regency,” or stories set during early 19th century England featuring the romantic entanglements of the British aristocracy and the social complications that arise as a result.
One of the most popular series in the history of streaming, Netflix’s Bridgerton, began as a hugely popular regency romance book series by author Julia Quinn. The first of which, The Duke and I, was published in 2000.
“In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable.”
“…amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…” –GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/series/40393-bridgertons
LGBTQIA+: This subgenre deals with romance from the perspective of queer individuals. It weaves in and out of different other subgenres but the main character is a queer individual and the development of their romantic relationships.
As a queer individual myself, I sought out some titles specifically geared towards this audience and found Cleanness by Garth Greenwell, published in 2020. As with other queer romance stories, this one deals with fetishism and forbidden love.
“Sofia, Bulgaria, a landlocked city in southern Europe, stirs with hope and impending upheaval. Soviet buildings crumble, wind scatters sand from the far south, and political protesters flood the streets with song.
In this atmosphere of disquiet, an American teacher navigates a life transformed by the discovery and loss of love. As he prepares to leave the place he’s come to call home, he grapples with the intimate encounters that have marked his years abroad, each bearing uncanny reminders of his past. A queer student’s confession recalls his own first love, a stranger’s seduction devolves into paternal sadism, and a romance with another foreigner opens, and heals, old wounds. Each echo reveals startling insights about what it means to seek connection: with those we love, with the places we inhabit, and with our own fugitive selves.” –GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45892271
Fetish/Kink: Typically leaning towards the smuttier side of romance, fetish and kink stories are focused on a relationship based within the BDSM, fetish and kink communities. It typically revolves around a main character exploring desires outside of the more vanilla world of sex with a more experienced partner.
One of the most popular romance series of the 21st century is E.L. Jame’s Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Originally a fan-fiction inspired by the Twilight book series.
“When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.”
-GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10818853-fifty-shades-of-grey
Young Adult (YA): Speaking of Twilight, there’s a market within the young adult fiction sphere that specifically focuses on the romantic entanglements of young people. Incorporating many elements of a traditional “coming-of-age” story, YA are usually less smut and heavier on the romance with main characters who are working through the challenges of growing up through the lens of a relationship.
One of the most popular book series of all time is Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight saga, beginning with the eponymous first book in 2005.
“About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him – and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
–GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41865.Twilight
Forbidden: These stories deal with relationships that go against societal or cultural norms and expectations where the odds are stacked heavily against the main character and their love interest. “Forbidden” romance stories can deal with relationships between individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds, large age gaps, teacher/student, boss/employee and many other situations. These can be viewed as slightly taboo or risque and can exist in morally gray areas.
An interesting title that blends some of the sub-genres mentioned previously, Self Made boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore blends young adult queer storytelling with a re-imagining of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
“New York City, 1922. Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old transgender boy from Minnesota, has no interest in the city’s glamor. Going to New York is all about establishing himself as a young professional, which could set up his future—and his life as a man—and benefit his family.
Nick’s neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious young man named Jay Gatsby, whose castle-like mansion is the stage for parties so extravagant that they both dazzle and terrify Nick. At one of these parties, Nick learns that the spectacle is all for the benefit of impressing a girl from Jay’s past—Daisy. And he learns something else: Jay is also transgender.
As Nick is pulled deeper into the glittery culture of decadence, he spends more time with Jay, aiming to help his new friend reconnect with his lost love. But Nick’s feelings grow more complicated when he finds himself falling hard for Jay’s openness, idealism, and unfounded faith in the American Dream.”
–GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59251247
Images:
Crossed out heart. Upwork. https://www.upwork.com/services/product/writing-translation-an-excellent-plot-about-love-with-a-creative-writting-1673938033759539200
Lunademuerte. Demon with woman in arms. Tumblr. https://www.tumblr.com/lunademuerte/694614007826563072/sanjin-halimic-art
Hand holding handcuffs. Women’s Health. 9 May 2018. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/g20265258/recurring-sexual-fantasy/
People holding hands with LGBTQIA+ flag. Pan Macmillan. 12 April 2023. https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/young-adult/best-queer-ya-books-for-adults-too
“The Wedding”. Internet Movie Database. 2014. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3627460/mediaviewer/rm390490880
Young people embracing in rain. Writing Tips Oasis. https://writingtipsoasis.com/5-tips-for-writing-a-young-adult-romance-novel/