Paranormal romance novels are (literally) about unearthly love
Much can be said about the Twilight books and movies, but it can’t be said that they didn’t make an impression. The cheesy romance ushered in a renewed interest in paranormal love stories (and fan fiction).
The paranormal romance genre exists somewhat on the fringes. It has a diehard fan base, of course, but you probably won’t find any adorable supernatural creatures in the next Reese’s Book Club selection.
It’s also about much more than vampires and werewolves. Here’s what makes the genre so enticing for readers.
What is paranormal romance?
Paranormal romance falls into the broader category of romance and, as the name suggests, features otherworldly characters or elements in a recognizable world. While romantasy (a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy”) is usually completely fantastical, paranormal romance is closer to reality.
As such, the paranormal details often have an element of absurdity—a ghost, alien, witch, or fairy appearing in a non-magical society. In some stories, a human character falls in love with a paranormal one, such as a werewolf or vampire. In others, both characters exist in a paranormal context.
Still, recent releases have blurred the lines between paranormal romance and romance. New releases feature monsters and dragons typical of pure fantasy novels. Some play with contemporary romance clichés, says Niah Freed, an influencer at BookTok.
“People are taking more risks when it comes to paranormal romance,” says Freed.
These innovations also include diverse human characters. Freed, who has been reading paranormal romance novels since middle school, noted that older books often revolve around a white protagonist who is “shy” and needs an attractive man (insert paranormal character here) to save her. Newer releases are more diverse and feature strong-willed main characters of color or queer storylines.
“People are more receptive to the desire for complex characters that are tactile and multifaceted,” says Freed.
Why you should read paranormal romance novels
Escapism is a key appeal of the paranormal romance genre.
“It lets (readers) discover a romance that they might not have been able to experience in our world,” says Lizzy Mason, advertising director at Entangled Publishing. “One of the main elements I love about romantasy and paranormal romance is that they usually provide such a compelling, immersive reading experience.”
Themes such as empowerment – female agency, self-realization and freedom of choice – also make the genre attractive.
And for romance readers, it’s an easier genre to get into than diving headfirst into fantasy literature, says Ashley Doliber, senior director of marketing strategy at Entangled Publishing.
“Often these stories, at least traditionally, are set in our modern world, so they are recognizable and feel a little more like everyday life,” Doliber says.
“Vampires are hot,” jokes Freed. “I’m sure that’s probably why I bought my very first one. It wasn’t deep.”
Freed is a fantasy reader. She loves books that take her out of reality and stimulate her imagination. Paranormal romance novels do just that. But it’s not just a genre for romance or fantasy lovers, Freed says. She would recommend the genre to any type of reader. Because it’s so established, there’s something for everyone.
Common Paranormal Romance Tropes
Like their counterparts in the broader genre, paranormal love stories often follow romantic cliches, but with a fantastical twist.
There’s the cliche of the “fated mate” or “true mate,” where a character has only one partner who corresponds to them. That’s a comforting read, says Freed, because you know, “No matter what I do or what happens, that person will always love me.”
But sometimes pairings start a little rockier. You might see the “enemies become lovers” or even “friends become lovers” cliches. They’re not as common in paranormal romances as they are in classic romance novels, but newer books lean on them more, Freed says.
There is often an “alpha” or more dominant character, typically in werewolf stories (though this applies to other paranormal duos as well). It can go hand in hand with the “touch her and you die” cliche, where the alpha character will do anything to protect their lover.
Perhaps the most popular with readers is the motif of the “outsider.” These supernatural beings live on the fringes of society, either because they cannot relate to others or because they have been pushed there—this changes when they find love and unexpected companionship.
“It probably touched me a lot when I was 12 and 13,” Freed says. “It still does and probably always will.”
The best paranormal romance novels
Stephanie Myers’ Twilight is one of the most well-known paranormal romance stories, but that doesn’t mean it has to be your first foray into the genre. Here are some books Freed, Mason and Doliber recommend:
Next, try a cozy crime novel: How this genre combines crime with coziness
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