Ah, romance: a genre as old as time, yet somehow still evergreen. Romance novels consistently dominate year-end lists of the bestselling genres, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Indeed, from Bridgerton to the novels of Ali Hazelwood, there’s been no shortage of thrilling romances to enjoy recently. If you’re looking to dip your toe in the proverbial pool of love, look no further! In this post, I’ll walk you through the fundamentals of the genre and show you how to write an endearing romance novel.
The rules of romance
Before you can write your own heart-racing romance, you’ll need an understanding of what makes its readers tick. Every genre has its own set of reader expectations and structural beats that make it satisfying, and romance is no exception.
So what exactly are the “rules” for a satisfying romance? In the words of the great Nora Roberts (one of my favorite authors), “romance is about how people grow together, not just how they meet.” To be loved is to be changed, after all — so romance is all about character transformation through love.
Readers are usually looking to see:
- Two characters, both of whom are flawed in one way or another;
- A meeting with instant chemistry, even if they don’t necessarily “like” each other at first (hello, enemies to lovers!);
- A thoughtful progression of their relationship, in which we see how well they complement one another;
- A turning point at which they realize that they are in love; and ultimately,
- An ending where both of them have changed for the better.
So while character development plays an important role in any narrative, it’s especially important in romance because the character progression is the story — not just a component of it.
Since a successful romance hinges on the strength of its leads and the chemistry they share, let’s discuss how to create characters that readers will fall in love with (so to speak!).
Diving in characters-first
Given that the romantic arc between your leads is the beating heart (ba-dum-tss) of your story, you’ll need to create a pair of protagonists who readers can root for.
Fortunately, the principles for creating a strong romantic lead are largely the same as for any other character. They should have aspirations, flaws, and personality quirks that will endear them both to their prospective love interest and to the reader.
Get a grasp on each character’s essence. What are their innermost desires, insecurities, and defining life experiences? How does their inner world inform their beliefs about love and the way they present themselves? In my experience, this more than anything else will go a long way toward getting readers engaged with your story.
Free character profile template
Fill this out to develop characters who will have readers smitten.
Romance character tropes to know
If you’re not sure where to start with your leads — or you have a vision for your future couple but are unsure how their dynamic should evolve — there are plenty of well-established archetypes that you can lean on for some inspiration. I’ll go through a few of my favorites here to inspire you!
😈👩 The “bad boy” and the “girl-next-door”
The quintessential opposites-attract pairing, this trope sees the charismatic “bad boy” falling for the innocent “girl-next-door.” Beneath the bad boy’s indifferent facade lies a longing for warmth and sincerity, while the girl-next-door yearns to be free from her cage of social expectations.
Together, they both get a chance to open up and cut loose: she challenges his cynical worldview and he teaches her the joys of letting her hair down and having fun. Both get a chance to change — not by altering who they are, but by growing into fuller versions of themselves.
🌧️🌞 The “Grumpy/Sunshine” couple
In a similar vein, we have “Grumpy/Sunshine” — a pairing that’s pretty self-explanatory (though this one’s a bit more gender-flexible!). Once again with this dynamic, we see both parties changing for the better: the “grumpy” one will start to become warmer and more open-minded, while the “sunshine” one will often become a bit more grounded and practical.
One of my all-time favorite sitcom couples falls into this category — April Ludgate and Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation.
Grumpy/Sunshine example: April and Andy in Parks and Recreation
April’s natural personality is moody and pessimistic, while Andy is hyperactive, optimistic, and enthusiastic. Prior to getting together, April struggled to open up to people and enjoy the small things, while Andy lacked the direction to channel his boundless energy.
But once they become a couple, Andy is able to melt (or slightly defrost) April’s chilly demeanor with his lovable-doofus charm, while April’s pragmatic mindset helps steer Andy onto a more personally fulfilling path — making for one of the most beloved TV pairings in recent memory.
😡 ➡️ 🥰 Enemies-to-lovers
I touched on the importance of character progression in romance above — and nothing says “growth” like the journey from bitter rivals to tender lovers. Enemies-to-lovers is one of the most celebrated tropes in romance (and my personal favorite) for this reason!
It also sets the stage for our soon-to-be-sweethearts to engage in some delightfully witty banter, while also creating palpable tension. As our couple gets closer, they move past their differences and realize that they have deeper compatibility hidden beneath their surface-level animosity.
Trust me, there's no resolution that feels more satisfying than a good old-fashioned enemies-to-lovers “I love you!” Hence why so many of romance’s best couples — from Lizzy and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice to Lucy and Josh in The Hating Game — fall into this very category.
Considering the “pursuit dynamic”
Regardless of which romantic archetype(s) your leads might fall into, you should also consider how they’ll engage with the dynamic of pursuit.
One of the protagonists must take a more active role in courting the other, though it’s rarely quite so straightforward. The pursuer and pursue-ee will often switch roles at different points throughout the story, engaging in a back-and-forth dance of emotional vulnerability.
“Pursuit dynamic” example: Otis and Maeve in Sex Education
Think of Otis and Maeve from Netflix’s Sex Education. When the two team up to earn some cash through their ill-advised sex advice business, it’s clear that their romantic arc will be the show’s emotional centerpiece.
At the start of the series, Otis is definitely the pursuer. His heartfelt feelings for Maeve mesh with his bumbling teenage awkwardness to create a protagonist that I personally couldn’t help but root for. Unlike her clumsy counterpart, Maeve oozes cool with her grungy fashion sense and in-your-face personality; she almost seems too charismatic for our awkward leading man!
Still, their chemistry is palpable from the jump — which, along with their excellent characterization, allows the audience to get invested in their romantic arc straight away. The dynamic of pursuit shifts back and forth as their circumstances change, but their chemistry remains strong.
Landing on your romance’s subgenre
Romantasy books like A Court of Thorns and Roses have made particularly big waves in publishing recently — but there’s a long list of many more romance subgenres you can choose for your love story. Young adult, paranormal, erotic, spiritual; slap an adjective in front of “romance” and odds are it’s a subgenre!
You may already know which subgenre you’re interested in, even if you’re not aware of the term for it. If the story you’re imagining is a corporate love affair between a jaded office worker and the doe-eyed new hire, for example, you’re likely looking at contemporary romance.
Or if you’re itching to describe extravagant dinner parties, forbidden glances across a candlelit ballroom, and the delicate dance of societal expectations, you're probably drawn to historical romance.
Once you’ve decided on your subgenre, it’s time to think about how to structure your story. Fortunately, romance is a genre with lots of tried-and-trued plot beats that you can use to craft a compelling narrative.
Classic romance conventions
There are tons of timeless tropes you’ll pick up on if you read enough romance. One of the best parts about writing in a genre with such established elements is getting to mix-and-match the ones you want to include, play straight, or remix to throw your readers for a loop.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most iconic romance conventions now.
🤝 The meet-cute
Ah, the meet-cute: something we’ve all fantasized about from time to time. Perhaps you’re wistfully sitting on a train when a beautiful stranger strikes up a conversation with you à la Before Sunrise, or maybe the cute cashier from your favorite pâtisserie heroically saves you from a spot of trouble, as in the manga series The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity.
The meet-cute is the charming first encounter between two characters who will eventually become a couple. You can think of your meet-cute as the story’s inciting incident — the best ones will reveal some essential details about both characters’ personalities, while creating an all-important spark of chemistry to build upon.
“Meet-cute” example: When Harry Met Sally
Of course, not every meet-cute has to be so “cute.” Some of the most iconic first-encounters in romance start out with the eventual lovebirds ruffling each other's feathers.
In When Harry Met Sally, the titular pair share a car ride from Chicago to New York, where they argue about various things — including, crucially, whether men and women can be friends. Their playful bickering establishes clashing viewpoints and mutual chemistry, showcasing their opposing personalities while also hinting at their compatibility.
👀 The will-they-won’t-they
Unfortunately for your sweethearts, love isn’t always so straightforward. Like any other genre, a great romance needs some good old-fashioned tension to get readers invested in what’s coming next.
A “will-they-won’t-they” is any scenario that causes the reader to question whether or not the protagonists will end up together by the dénouement. It can be a tricky balancing act to master — neither of your leads can do anything too off-putting, lest they lose readers’ allegiance. Likewise, if one of your leads commits a fairly minor sin that’s blown out of proportion, readers might roll their eyes at the melodrama.
“Will-they-won’t-they” example: Ross and Rachel in Friends
To craft a truly suspenseful will-they-won’t-they, the reader should be able to sympathize with both characters. The more organic the conflict, the more heart-breaking the “won’t-they” — and the more gratifying the “will-they”!
No format loves a will-they-won't-they more than the long-running sitcom, and Ross and Rachel from Friends are perhaps the most iconic example of this trope. At the start of the series, Ross has a not-so-secret crush on Rachel from their high school days, yet she remains oblivious to his feelings.
The dynamic of pursuit shifts back and forth over the course of the show, as various life circumstances get in the way of their relationship truly taking off. All that buildup makes that final “will they? they will!” all the sweeter.
💖 The happily-ever-after
Through all the trials and tribulations, love prevails! The happily-ever-after (HEA) is the heartwarming conclusion to a romantic arc where the leads (you guessed it) confess their love and live happily ever after.
Keep in mind, there’s no need to sprint towards the finish line. Readers will have grown attached to your characters over the course of the story, so give the climax some much-deserved time and space to breathe. Be sure to wrap up any other loose plot threads as well — this is one of my pet peeves in romance, as it takes you out of the story and makes it harder to appreciate the HEA.
Also remember that a truly satisfying happily-ever-after doesn’t just end with a kiss and an “I love you”! Romance is all about character progression through love, so ask yourself: how have your characters changed as a result of the journey they’ve taken together? If the answer is “they haven’t,” you may need to rethink your narrative arc.
“HEA” example: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice
If you’re an enemies-to-lovers fan like me, you’ll certainly appreciate Lizzy and Mr. Darcy’s HEA in Pride and Prejudice.
The couple’s major external obstacle is the pressure of societal expectations regarding marriage. Mr. Darcy is a well-to-do gentleman, who initially scoffs at the idea of betrothing a lady of lower social class like Elizabeth. However, Mr. Darcy eventually proves he has overcome his pride through his actions, being kind to Lizzy at Pemberley and saving her sister Lydia’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Lizzy resolves her own internal conflict by overcoming her preconceived notions of Mr. Darcy as a snob. Their wedding put both conflicts to bed: both have resolved their respective dilemmas, and the Bennets' precarious financial situation has been secured through their marriage. The novel ends with them looking toward a happy future together.
Speaking of which: it can be nice to conclude your romance with a glimpse into what lies ahead for your loved-up leads. It doesn’t need to be a white-dress or countryside house with kids — even something as simple as scheduling a coffee-shop date will give the reader some nice closure on what the future holds for their favorite couple.
The nature of romance
Two people meet, get to know each other, and fall in love: a story told countless times across different cultures over the millennia, yet people keep finding new and heartwarming ways to tell it.
No matter the medium, writing romance is more than just meet-cutes and happily-ever-afters; at its core, romance is about showing how love can change people, challenge their perspectives, and help them grow.
The specifics will vary depending on your preferred subgenre and writing style, but the heart of a good romance will always be authenticity. As long as you create rich, multi-dimensional characters with some genuine chemistry, your story will resonate. So let Cupid’s arrow fly true, and craft a tender romance that will melt your readers’ hearts!
About the author
Nick Bailey writes about anything and everything in the realm of writing and publishing. From articles on honing your craft to launching your book, Nick aims to provide valuable insights and practical tips to the Litreactor community in his posts. Aside from books, Nick enjoys hiking, electronic music, and filling up his personal cookbook with new recipes.
