What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than browsing the covers of romantic novels? There are six basic types of cover that are used on romantic novels, and although designers occasionally break the mould, most stick to tried-and-tested. Readers of romantic novels, it seems, are creatures of habit.
Let’s take a look at the six:
1) Rumpled sheets/discarded clothing
Be it discarded garments of clothing, or crumpled Egyptian cotton sheets (with a high thread count, naturally!) Romanic novel covers are littered with items that have been cast-off as a prelude to, during, or after coitus. While some, like Seduction in Session and Outbid by the Boss, stick to bedding, heels and pearls, items such as handcuffs and riding crops have become more common – especially since the success of 50 Shades of Grey. When reviewing these covers, one starts to feel pity for the poor intern responsible for the lost & found box at the top end hotels that our heroes and heroines inevitably find themselves, ahem, entangled in.
Seduction in Session by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
shaylablack.com
lexiblake.net
Available in paperback and Kindle
Outbid by the Boss by Stephanie Browning
stephaniebrowningromance.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
nicholassparks.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
2) The Six Pack
When it comes to getting naked on Romance covers, there is a lot more male flesh on display than female. Arms and shoulders are good, but a quick Amazon.com search reveals that the current trend is for abs, abs, abs! There can be no doubt that depilated men who flaunt their musculature are good for more than simply taking up space in the gym – they sell books too.
Bad Brother by R.E. Swanson
Available on Kindle
Bad Billionaire by R.E. Swanson
Available on Kindle
By My Side by Jessie McKnight
Available on Kindle
3) The Emotional Woman
Whether historic or modern – an emotional character set against an attractive landscape is a popular choice. There are plenty of emotions to choose from: confident, confused, sad, defiant – just steer clear of psychotic – that’s a whole different genre!
The Other Man by Nancy Adams
nancyadamsromance.com
Available on Kindle
Blackstone's Bride by Kate Moore
katemoore.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong
cathleenarmstrong.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
4) The Holiday Read
Stretches of deserted beach, blue skies, a couple walking along, clutching each other as if they will never let go. We know at a glance that it will never last, but we slip it into our carry-on baggage regardless.
The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis
Wendy Francis
Available in paperback and audio
Summer by the Sea by Jenny Hale
itsjennyhale.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra
virginiakantra.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
5) Raunchy
While mainstream publishers have kept a clear line between romance and erotica, self-publishers have blurred these lines. After all, sex sells and once you have downloaded it to your Kindle, no one on the train knows the smut you are flicking through directly opposite them. You'll have to search Amazon for these yourself - my mother reads this blog!
6) Romantic Comedy
When it comes to romantic comedy, your book needs to be hand drawn and use a pastel colours scheme. I’m not sure why, but them’s the rules. Whilst your title may not immediately inform your reader that the book is a romantic comedy, the lone female character on the cover’s slightly awkward, off-balance pose certainly will.
Divine and Dateless by Tara West
tarawest.com
Available in paperback and Kindle
Summer Kisses by Sarah Morgan
sarahmorgan.com
Available on Kindle
Seen any other types of Romance cover that I have missed? Let me know in the comments below!