Is it a love story or a romance? Is there a difference? Are the terms interchangeable? Do you prefer one over the other?
Love Story or Romance: Is There a Difference?
Since it’s February and some of us might have read something romantic this month, I’m curious if you’ve ever thought about the difference between a love story and a romance.
I think there is a difference, although it can be difficult to pinpoint or describe.
Do you have more love stories or romances on your bookshelves? Which do you prefer reading?
I think that each reader may have a different definition of these terms. In today’s post, I will share my thoughts and I’d love to hear yours.
*This post contains links that lead to reviews that have Amazon affiliate links.
Defining Terms
Romance and RomCom:
- Books in the romance genre require a HEA (happy ever after or happy for now)
- Stories in the romance genre rely on common tropes (which tend to make the story predictable)
- Stories follow a predictable pattern which often includes a “meet-cute” and a third-act breakup
- Romance is the central focus of the story (i.e. without the romance, there would be no story)
- A RomCom (romantic comedy) is a romance with witty banter and humor
- Romance is sometimes referred to as chick lit
- Romance can also be known as women’s fiction…although not all women’s fiction is romance
- The level of spice or steam (open-door romance) varies greatly from author to author
- Examples of romance from my bookshelves: The Rom-Commers, The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right
Love Story:
- Romance is not the central focus of the story (although it is still an important element)
- Without the romance, we would still have a story
- Examples of love stories: Where the Lost Wander, Heart of the Glen, The Holiday Cottage
Women’s Fiction:
Romance and Love Stories fall under the umbrella of Women’s Fiction: stories concerning women and issues women face. Defining terms becomes murkier here because a story with strong themes that appeal to women and a small side of romance seems more like women’s fiction to me than either a romance or a love story. However, if the love element is especially compelling, it might qualify as a love story. If categorization seems subjective and mostly undefinable, it is! I think it’s a case of “you’ll know it when you see it” and “no two persons read the same book.” So why bother??? Because we’re book nerds???
Examples of Women’s Fiction (with sides of romance): New Arrivals on West India Dock Road, Kate & Frida, The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted, Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel
*** I’m not sure we need a women’s fiction category since we don’t have a men’s fiction category. Men should read whatever they enjoy just as I enjoy a story about wilderness survival with two male characters such as The River (which is categorized as contemporary fiction rather than men’s fiction). Thoughts?
Does it Matter?
If you’ve never thought about the difference between a love story, romance, and women’s fiction you are not alone. Many readers use the terms loosely and interchangeably. Read what you enjoy! I prefer a love story over a romance, although I enjoy an occasional sweet romance and appreciate well-written women’s fiction.
If you are writing book reviews or enjoy using words in precise ways, the terms might matter.
TL;DR:
Love Stories and Romance can fall under the bigger umbrella of Women’s Fiction. A Love Story has a romance element, but romance isn’t the central focus. In a Romance, the romance is the central focus of the story. Women’s fiction may or may not have an element of romance.
QOTD:
Do you prefer a love story or romance?
I’m linking up with Deb @ Deb’s World, Sue @ Women Living Well After 50, Donna @ Retirement Reflections, and Jo @ And Anyways… for the February installment of #WhatsOnYourBookShelfChallenge.
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
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“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes
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I have often commented on the difference between romance and love stories, Carol. Great idea for a post. 💖📚
It’s a difficult one to distinguish between. The Romance Writers competitions tend to separate them in that the romance categories must have the romance as the central plot, whereas women’s fiction and romantic suspense have “romantic elements” ie it’s not just about the love story, there’s also character growth and usually sub plots. Tbh though, I don’t really care. As long as the story is compelling.
I’m seeing more and more books categorized as romance without meeting the criteria…..but for most readers,we just want great stories! 🙌💖
Fab question Carol. I’ve never really thought about it, and just want to read good books! 😀
Right?! Bring on the good books!
Great post Carol. I will often comment and say things like, this wasn’t a romance, it was more a book about love. I think about Eddie Winston is Looking for Love. There are times when I read a book and a romance is tossed in and it does nothing for the book, and other times, it makes it hopeful and uplifting. I love your comment about “Men’s Fiction”. So true. Makes you think and that’s always a good thing.
Romance is a very specific sub genre and the lines are becoming blurred!
The “women’s fiction” label (which is really just a more polite version of saying “chick lit”) is so unnecessary, and honestly, bugs me a lot. Especially when people started referring to books as chick lit, it felt belittling, like these kind of books aren’t real literature. Ugh. In terms of romance vs love story, I think you’ve listed the differences really well. One key difference is the happy ending – love stories can end with tragedy, but romances can’t! And I agree, some books may have love stories but aren’t romances — like books focused on families or friendships, but where the characters get to fall in love and have compelling relationships too.
I don’t particularly care what they’re called, so long as it’s a good book!
Yes the HEA seals the deal! Give us all the good stories! 💯📚
Not to detract from your points, but…I would suggest there is a “Men’s Fiction” along the lines you’re looking for. Called Lad Lit by many. Nick Hornby (particularly his early works), Jonathan Trapper (his non-TV work), early Mike Gayle, Nick Spaulding, Matthew Norman, Matthew Hanover, Ian Shane, Wesley Parker…and I’m cutting myself off there because I can keep going and I really meant to list 4 names.
(There are a few other “men’s fiction” subgenres, too. For example, Men’s Adventure Fiction was a big thing especially in the 70s and 80s, but you can find it earlier and up to now, too–which is just as formulaic and trope-dependent as the cheesiest example of a Harlequin that you can imagine.)
Lad lit! Clever!!! I need to expand sub genre knowledge!
Did you ever read The River by Peter Heller?
and, yes, I realize just how “man-splaining” that whole thing sounded.
Not at all! Thanks for sharing! 🙌📚
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Thanks for the shout out! 🙌💖
Hi, Carol – Interesting topic. The books that I read that have romance in them are usually either Incidental Romance (the romance is there, but it is not the main part of the story) or Romance Plus (definitely a romance book but there are also more themes and literary devices going on). I agree with Jo Tracey’s comment above. As long as the story is well-written and compelling I’m happy! <3
Agree💯📚
Enjoyed your post and agree that they are not necessarily the same thing and agree with your thoughts on their differences.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Kristin!