As per the Romance Writers of America, every romance novel is built upon two fundamental elements: a central love story and an emotionally gratifying, optimistic conclusion. The conflict and climax of the novel are intricately tied to the core theme of fostering a romantic relationship. While the narrative may incorporate subplots unrelated to the main characters' romantic love, these elements should remain central. Various definitions of a romance novel may exist, with broader interpretations encompassing additional plots, endings, or involving more than two individuals. Conversely, narrower definitions may limit the types of romances or conflicts explored in the novel.
