Hot Takes: Best Trends in Romance

So a couple of weeks ago, I had done a post of the worst trends in romance and today I want to do the opposite where I share the the best trends that are happening in the romance community right now where books are concerned that I am really really loving.

Clinch Covers Returning

So we are starting to see a slow focus on clinch covers being focused a bit. I do think much of this is due to instagram and its influence on there. Now its not super strong yet, but I think the saturday meme on Instagram “stepback saturday” has really help build that. We have seen some great covers that are very clinch and I love seeing that. Now much of it is in monster romance, but I am starting to see it in other sub genres of romance as well. I want MORE of these type of cover. These type of cover is what I want more in romance. I love a good couple clinch, it really reflects what romance is most of the time. Sexy, sensual and intimate. I hope that this trend grows and becomes more mainstream and wins over the illustrated trend. Because I think eventually the illustrated covers will die down once publishers start to lose readership from the actual romance community.

Diversity Focus

I have really loved seeing the rise of diversity. Now don’t get me wrong, there are pros and cons to the rise of diversity, because some diverse books gets so political. But what I do love is seeing authors that are willing to write diverse romance and in such a authentic way and have it become so mainstream is what we need more of. I have always enjoyed diverse romance because I love seeing various cultures in romance and when it becomes so focused in a story, I really enjoy that but written in a way where its not written just for diverse sake. Its probably why I read so many native american romances when I was younger or why I fell so hard for Beverly Jenkins. And seeing more representation is really beautiful to see.

Consent Focus

I absolutely love seeing this more present in books. I never really had issues when consent isn’t focused on, but when it is focused on its just as beautiful. I am not a fan when its too focused, but when it really balances well in the story I just love seeing that. And when it goes both ways, that is even better! I really love the way in which authors get creative where this is concerned.

Rise of Dark Romance

We are seeing so MANY great dark romances out in the genre and I love seeing this. This is being so focused on and is becoming so mainstream and I love that. It used to be so rare to see them, but now its everywhere and I have to say that I am really loving it so so much. Dark Romance is one of my favorite sub genres in romance, and to see it becoming so well loved is amazing for me. And also authors becoming more creative in the sub genre is also a wonderful thing as well. Dark romance covers everything from Assassins, Motorcycle Clubs, Mafia, Taboo, etc.

Self Published Romance Becoming Mainstream

This is FANTASTIC!!! When I was a younger blogger, the only self published author that I knew of that was actually mainstram was Kristen Ashley. But in recent years, we have seen the rise of self publishing in romance and how well received it has become. To the point that wer are getting special book boxes and publishing houses that go after these authors to get their books in main bookstores like Barnes and Noble. I really love seeing this so much. For example, self published contemporary romance is where its at right now. Some of the best contemporary authors out there, self publish their work and its delightful. Some of the best books I have read in the past couple of years have been self published and we are starting to see it more in other sub genres like historical romance too. Not really in PNR, but PNR is still really good in traditional publishing so that isn’t a big surprise. But maybe PNR will get more expansive in self publishing soon.

Blue Collar Heroes Becoming Mainstream

I absolutely love seeing more heroes that aren’t billionaires haha As much as I love a hero with money, there is something so much more relatable and real with heroes that are just the regular hard working, blue collar, middle class type of heroes. This is where we see them in the rise of small town romance or westerns that are becoming popular thanks to authors like Melissa Foster and Elsie Silver. I absolutely love seeing just normal type of guys being in romance.

Emotion being a Focus

What I have been seeing in romance of late, is authors focusing on genuine emotion and intimacy between a couple. Books are so much more intense and almost vibrant in the emotional level. I really love that. Or I am just getting more emotional as I get older. It could be both but I have noticed the writing style that authors use in romance is more on a deeper level when it pertains to emotion especially the connection that builds between a couple. I just love seeing that.

Alternate Covers

I am actually enjoying these to be honest. These are completely different fromt he rise of illustrated covers. In Alternate covers, these are additional covers that readers can read instead of the sexy covers. As long as they don’t “replace” the sexy or more clinch type of cover, then I am completely in support of these. For example Elsie Silver has some beautiful alternate covers that you can buy in addition to the sexy ones. I do get the appeal of these here, especially if you are younger and want to have physical books without the sexy poses but not the cartoon kind. Some of them are quite pretty.

So tell me what trends in romance are you really love seeing right now? Let me know in the comments below!