Unlock the secrets to writing a bestselling romance novel. This book reveals the specific structure of the genre and the essential elements that make these stories captivating.

Balance reader expectations with your distinctive voice to create an irresistible story that satisfies romance readers.

Go beyond the "meet-cute" and learn about the scenes readers expect in commercially successful romance novels. Portray character growth and perfect your story's pacing by writing scenes that build tension and demonstrate conflict. Drive your story forward by weaving in external and subplot story arcs.

We analyze six commercially successful romance novels with different subgenres and subplots. It's exciting to see that each novel follows the story arc pattern but is still a unique story. You'll see the full breakdown of these books:

• The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

• Happy Place by Emily Henry

• The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

• The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

• The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

As with all the books in the Write Novels that Sell series, you'll learn the theory -- the "why" behind our recommendations -- and use the actionable advice to outline, write, and edit your novels.

Praise for Secrets to Writing a Romance

Secrets to Writing a Romance is a valuable tool with an arsenal of actionable advice for seasoned and novice romance writers alike. Stanley and O'Donnell leave no stone unturned when dissecting the genre so readers feel confident and in control at every step of the writing process. I'll definitely have this guide on hand for many years to come.

- Jenna Moreci, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of The Savior's Champion

• We started tracking this book on October 8, 2025.
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• Publication Date: August 24, 2025
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 382 Pages
• File Size: 36 KB