The Romance Dictionary: Your Ultimate Guide to Romance
Welcome back, romance readers!
Whether you’re a new or seasoned romance reader, there are a ton of tropes and abbreviations to keep track of. This is where The Romance Dictionary comes in. Bookmark this page to reference for all your romance needs.
The Romance Dictionary: A
Age Gap
Age Gap romance is when two people in love aren’t exactly rocking the same number of candles on their birthday cake. It’s all about couples with a significant age gap—it could be a few years or several decades—falling in despite the age difference.
Alpha
So, an Alpha? That’s the lead love interest, usually a man, who’s all about taking charge and doing things his way. You might hear them called Alpha Heroes or Alpha Males, too.
See also: Beta, Gamma, Omega, Omegaverse.
Check out these 10 Alluring Alpha Males
Alphahole
An alpha with toxic traits. Toxic masculinity ruins the party again!
Alpha Roll
An alpha that is secretly a cinnamon roll. Delicious!
Angst
Angst is the emotional rollercoaster the MCs ride in their relationship. It’s all about inner drama, anxiety, or the severe distress they go through. This stuff pops up from misunderstandings, past baggage, or just feeling insecure or tangled up in obstacles outside their control.
Antihero
An antihero? That’s your MC, who’s not exactly the poster child for heroism. They’re more on the shady side, not your classic good guy. Think selfishness, cynicism, maybe a rough past. They’re not following the usual hero rulebook; they’re more into challenging the norm and doing stuff that’s not exactly ‘admirable hero’ material.
AOC
Author of color.
Arranged Marriage
When the MCs get hitched, it isn’t because they’re head over heels for each other but because someone else—family, society, or fate—sets them up.
ARC
Advanced reader copy. An author or publisher sends an ARC for selected readers to review before the book is published.
AU
Alternate universe.
Autobuy
A book you will automatically buy because a particular author writes it. Also referred to as a one-click. Tate James is my autobuy.
The Romance Dictionary: B
Backlist
A backlist is like an author’s book stash—it’s all the stuff they’ve written before, still up for grabs even if they’re not the shiny new releases. These older books might’ve been around the block for a while but are still hanging in there, ready for you to snag a copy.
Backstory
Backstory is all about the history that made the MCs who they are. You get all the details on their past, what makes them tick, their relationships, and all the big life stuff that went down before the main story kicks in. It’s like the backstage pass that gives context and makes the characters’ actions and vibes make sense.
BBW
Big, beautiful woman. Your FMC has some curves, and she’s not afraid to show them.
BDSM
Bondage and discipline (BD), dominance and submission (DS), and sadism and masochism (SM).
Check out 7 BDSM Novels That Make You Say “Yes, Sir.”
Behind Closed Doors
It’s like a PG version of the love story. The juicy bits—the intimate, steamy spice—are left to the imagination. Instead, the story hones in on the feels, the character growth, and the emotional journey of the romance. The physical stuff? Well, that’s left up to your imagination.
Beta
A Beta is a more laid-back and approachable character than an Alpha.
See also: Alpha, Gamma, Omega, Omegaverse.
Big Misunderstanding
Every couple has one. The Big Misunderstanding is a problem the couple has to work through to reach their HEA or HFN.
Binge
A shortened form of Binge-Read.
Binge-Read
You’re basically devouring multiple books—could be a series, could be from the same author—in a pretty short time. It’s like one book finishes and boom, onto the next without a breather.
BIPOC
Black, Indigenous, and person of color.
Blurb
The sneak peek you get on a book’s cover. It’s a quick summary that’s all about hooking you in without spilling all the secrets. Just enough to get you curious about what’s inside without giving away the whole plot.
BOB
Battery-operated boyfriend. AKA your vibrator.
Bodice Ripper
Back in the day, there were these romance stories, primarily historical fiction, called bodice rippers. They were all about powerful men chasing after ladies who weren’t initially thrilled about it. Over time, the term picked up some negative connotations due to its portrayal of forceful or non-consensual relationships and homophobia.
Book Boyfriend
An MMC who is the perfect man for you. He’s everything you want, but, of course, he’s not real—basically, your fictional significant other.
Book Girlfriend
An FMC who is the perfect but very fictional woman.
See Book Boyfriend.
Book Hangover
That feeling after finishing a fantastic book is that you find it difficult to move on to your next read.
Bookstagram
The book community on Instagram.
BookTok
The book community on TikTok.
BookTube
The book community on YouTube.
Breeding
Breeding is a kink where an MC gets turned on by the thought of getting another MC pregnant.
Bromance
When two guys are super tight but in a non-romantic way, you get a Bromance—ultimate friendship goals.
Buddy Read
A buddy read is when you and your friends dive into the same book together. It’s like having a book club with your buddies, all reading and chatting about the same story simultaneously.
Bully Romance
In a bully romance, the story starts with one MC, usually the MMC, bullying the other MC. They’re not exactly BFF goals—more like pushing buttons and being aggressive. Surprisingly, despite the rocky start, their story becomes a romance as things change between them.
Burn the World Down
When one MC tells the other, they’d literally set the world on fire for her. It’s the ultimate “I’m all in” declaration. It’s hardcore love and dedication, showing they’re ready to do absolutely anything, even the craziest stuff, just for their LI.
BWBH
Bibliophile with Blue Hair (sometimes it’s a mouthful!).
BWWM
Black woman, White man.
The Romance Dictionary: C
Category Romance
Category romance is like a specialized kind of romance book that sticks to a set of rules from a particular publisher. They’re usually shorter, around 50K words, and stick to specific themes or styles within the romance scene. You’ll find them in series or lines, each with its own vibe.
People enjoy category romances because they’re consistent and reliable. You know what you’re getting into—it’s a familiar story that keeps readers returning for more.
Catnip
Your favorite tropes that you just can’t get enough of. Mine? Why Choose, Enemies-to-Lovers, and Hockey Romance.
Character Arc
A character arc is basically a glow-up for your favorite character. It’s all about how the MC changes and grows while dealing with all the drama and challenges in the story. Think shifting beliefs, attitudes, or motivations—like they’re leveling up through all the ups and downs.
Chick Lit
Chick Lit is a subgenre of fun, relatable books that focus on the lives and adventures of modern women. They’re full of humor and often follow the ups and downs of relationships and careers.
Cinnamon Roll
A sweet, loveable MMC. A teddy bear.
Clean Romance
A romance story without all the steamy details. It’s all about the love story without the graphic stuff—no spicy scenes, explicit language, or mature themes. Instead, it’s all about the feels, character growth, and building that sweet romantic connection.
Cliffhanger
A cliffhanger is when the story hits pause right at the most intense moment. Storytellers pull that move to keep you hanging, totally on the edge, dying to know what happens next.
Closed Door
A love story where they keep the spice behind closed doors. Instead of getting all explicit about the steamy bits, the story’s all about the feels, character growth, and building that romantic bond without spilling all the beans about what goes on physically between the characters.
See also: Clean Romance.
CNC
Con-NonCon
Con-NonCon
Consensual non-consent is a planned dark fantasy in stories. Usually, one of the MCs, often the dominant, sets up this intense scene with the consent of all involved parties.
Contemporary Romance
Contemporary romance? It’s like love stories set in the here and now. Think relationships that could totally be happening next door, at the local café, or in the city around us—just like real life, with all its quirks and everyday stuff.
CR
Currently reading. It is commonly seen in social media bios.
Crossing Swords
Crossing swords is when things get a bit spicy between two or more MMCs in a story. You’ll often see this in MMFs, where some sexual tension or contact is happening among the male characters.
Also seen as “swords cross/crossed.”
CW
Content warning. See trigger warning.
We’ve finished A through C! Have you learned anything new in this ultimate romance guide? Tell me in the comments below!
The Romance Dictionary: D
Daddy
A nickname for a male dominant in a relationship.
Degradation
Degradation is a kink where one MC humiliates another through hurtful words, emotional mind games, or even physical actions meant to make the other person feel less worthy or respected.
DNF
Did not finish—a book you did not enjoy. You don’t have to finish everything you start reading!
DNR
Do not read. A list of books, authors, or tropes you will not read.
Dominant
An assertive MC who is in control of a scene.
Double Penetration
One sexual partner is being penetrated twice at the same time by one or more partners.
Double Vaginal Penetration
One sexual partner is being vaginally penetrated twice at the same time by one or two partners.
DP
Double penetration.
D/s
Dominant/submissive
Dub-Con
Dubious consent.
Dubious Consent
The gray area between a consensual and a nonconsensual relationship.
DVP
Double vaginal penetration.
The Romance Dictionary: E
E2L
Enemies-to-Lovers.
Enemies-to-Lovers
A juicy trope where the MCs start as rivals or can’t stand each other’s guts. But as the story goes on, they start feeling a different kind of spark—going from butting heads to feeling some seriously romantic vibes. It’s all about that tension and sizzling chemistry that keeps you hooked!
Check out eight of our favorite enemies-to-lovers books.
Epilogue
An epilogue is an extra bonus at the end of the story. It’s where you get a sneak peek into what happens after the big finale. You get to check out what happens in the characters’ lives once all the main stuff is done and dusted.
Erotica
Erotica is the spicy version of romance—it’s all about the steamy, explicit stuff. While romance novels focus on emotions and relationships, erotica is more about diving deep into the sexy scenes, desires, and raw, passionate moments between MCs.
Erotic Romance
Erotic romance is a mashup of romance and spice. It’s got all the feels of a romantic story but with extra heat. You get a strong, sizzling love story between the MCs, and it’s not shy about diving into some scorching and explicit moments.
Check out these eight erotic romance novels.
Exhibitionism
When someone gets a thrill from showing off their body or performing sexual acts in front of others. Exhibitionism is a way characters explore their sexuality or get turned on in a consensual environment while being watched or seen doing naughty things.
The Romance Dictionary: F
F2L
Friends-to-Lovers.
Fade to Black
Fade to black? It’s when romance stories decide to keep the bedroom stuff a mystery. Instead of spelling out all the steamy details, they hit the pause button or use hints and subtle cues to let you know that something intimate is going down without actually describing the nitty-gritty.
Fae
Think of Fae as fairy-like creatures that live in a whole other world or realm. They’re like pure magic, living in their own special hideout far from our regular world.
Fake Relationship
Okay, so, a fake relationship? It’s when the MCs fake being together for different reasons. But here’s the kicker: as they play pretend, they start feeling some real stuff. It’s like a rollercoaster of tension, laughs, and deep emotions as they try to balance this made-up romance and figure out their actual feelings for each other.
Also referred to as a Fauxmance.
Fast-Burn
The MCs meet, and boom! Next thing you know, they’re head over heels, like super fast. It’s all about going from just meeting to full-on deep feelings in a blink.
Also referred to as Quick-Burn. See also: Medium-Burn, Slow-Burn.
Fandom
A crew of readers who are totally into a specific character, book, author, or series. They’re the fans who can’t get enough and just love diving into everything about their favorite stories.
Fantasy Romance
Fantasy Romance mixes romance with a whole bunch of magic and make-believe stuff. You’ve got love stories happening in made-up worlds filled with wizards, mythical creatures, and all sorts of fantastical things.
Also called Romantasy.
Fated Mates
They’re like MCs who are totally meant to be together as if fate itself decided it. You’ll often find this in paranormal romance.
Fauxmance
The MCs pretend to be in a relationship for personal gain.
See also Fake Relationship.
The Feels
You feel every emotion in the best possible way. The feels is a slang term for feelings.
FF
Female-Female.
FF+
Two or more female participants.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
FMC
Female main character.
Forbidden Romance
Forbidden Romance is a love story with tons of hurdles. These MCs have feelings for each other, but there’s a whole bunch of reasons why they shouldn’t—like society, laws, or the status quo saying their love’s a no-go. It’s like a juicy, ‘we know we shouldn’t, but we can’t help it’ kind of deal. Can also be called Taboo Romance, same vibes and all.
Forced Proximity
When the MCs get stuck together thanks to things totally beyond their control. They’re forced to hang out, maybe due to crazy situations or circumstances they can’t escape.
Friends-to-Lovers
Friends-to-Lovers? It’s when the MCs start off as friends, just chilling as buddies before they catch feelings for each other. Sometimes, you’ll spot this vibe in stories where they pretend to be a couple, i.e., Fake Dating.
Friends with Benefits
It’s like a friendship upgrade with extra perks. These MCs stay friends but also, you know, have a casual thing going on—no strings attached. They’re cool with the physical stuff without getting caught up in the feelings or commitment you usually find in a full-on relationship.
FTB
Fade to black.
FWB
Friends with benefits.
The Romance Dictionary: G
Gamma
A gamma is like a mixtape of alpha and beta vibes for male characters. They’ve got this combo of confidence and sensitivity going on, you know, strong yet emotionally tuned in. They’re the kind of characters that bring both assertiveness and emotional connection to the table, making them pretty appealing as LIs.
See also: Alpha, Beta, Omega, Omegaverse.
Genre
A category for books, sorting them by what they’ve got in common—themes, vibes, you name it. Romance is considered a genre of books.
GR
GoodReads.
Grovel
When an LI messes up big time and has to pull out all the stops to make things right. They have to show their partner they’re sorry, usually with some kind of grand, over-the-top gesture to fix what went wrong.
Grumpy/Sunshine
One MC has a bright and cheerful personality, while the other is more prickly.
The Romance Dictionary: H
Hand Necklace
Everyone’s favorite accessory. Ask your partner to wrap their hand around your throat. How does it feel?
Hardcover
Hardcover books are like the VIPs of the book world. They have sturdy, fancy covers that make them look all posh and durable. They’re the boss editions, usually out before the paperback versions, but they can be pricier.
HEA
Happily ever after. Almost guaranteed at the end of every romance novel.
Heat Level
Heat level? It’s like the spiciness meter for a book. But hey, it’s different for everyone. Some might feel the spice more than others. AKA spice level, like measuring how much sizzle there is in the story.
HFN
Happy for now. The book did not end with the typical HEA (wedding, pregnancy, etc.)
H/h
Hero/heroine. An outdated term for FMC, MMC, or MC.
Historical Romance
Historical Romance takes you on a trip through history, diving into different eras, from ancient Egypt to the Roaring ‘20s. They’re all about love and relationships set against the backdrop of specific historical periods, giving you a vivid picture of what life was like back then—culture, society, and romance.
Hybrid Author
An author who publishes books through both traditional and independent publishers.
The Romance Dictionary: I
Impact Play
A kink where one person smacks or strikes another person to get in the mood or feel some good sensations. They use all sorts of stuff—hands, paddles, whips—to create feelings of pain, pleasure, or sometimes a wild mix of both, all in a consensual and gratifying way.
Indie Author
This author self-published their books. They do everything—writing, promoting, the whole nine yards—from start to finish.
Independent Publishing
Authors skip the traditional publishing companies and do everything themselves or team up with smaller publishers. They’re in charge of the whole deal—editing, designing, getting the word out, and getting the book out there, all without the big publishers.
Instalove
Love at first sight.
Instalust
Lust at first sight.
Interconnected Standalone
An Interconnected standalone lives in the same universe as other books but doesn’t need you to read the whole series to enjoy them. Each book can stand on its own but shares some fun connections—like characters or locations—that fans of the entire series will notice, but new readers can jump right in without missing a beat.
IR
Interracial romance.
The Romance Dictionary: J
J/P/O
Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive
The Romance Dictionary: K
Kink
A non-conventional sexual act that brings a person pleasure.
Knotting
When a werewolf reaches climax, they often hold themselves inside their mate to increase their chances of procreating.
Paranormal romance commonly features knotting.
KU
Kindle Unlimited.
Looking for your next romance read? Get our free checklist and find your next book!
The Romance Dictionary: L
LGBT
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.
LGBTQ+
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and other queer identities.
Check out these seven LGBTQ+ Romances.
LGBTQIA+
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other queer identities.
LI
Love interest.
Love Triangle
A love triangle is like a romantic puzzle with three people involved. Picture this: Person A likes Person B, who also likes Person A, but Person C likes Person B, creating a tangled web of affection where feelings intersect and complicate the whole situation. It’s basically a mess where emotions are all over the place!
The Romance Dictionary: M
Mass-Market Paperback
These paperbacks are the regular, easy-to-carry version of a book you might find in stores or supermarkets. It’s a smaller-sized book, often with cheaper paper and bindings, making it more affordable and convenient to read on the go.
May-December Romance
There’s a significant age gap between two people in a romantic relationship. The term comes from May, symbolizing youthfulness, and December, representing old age.
MC
Main character.
MC Romance
Motorcycle Club Romance.
Medium-Burn
The spice hits around halfway through the story.
See also: Fast-Burn, Quick-Burn, Slow-Burn
Meet Cute
A meet cute is that super adorable or quirky moment when the MCs meet for the first time. It’s all about those charming and sometimes totally unexpected encounters that kick off the relationship. You’ll see this a lot in rom coms.
Ménage
Three people have a sexual and/or romantic relationship.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
MF
Male-Female.
MFM
Male-Female-Male. The men only engage with the female.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
MH
Mental health.
MMC
Male main character.
MM
Male-Male.
MMF
Male-Male-Female. Swords cross.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
MMFM
Male-Male-Female-Male. It can include swords crossing.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
MM+
Two or more male participants.
See the Ultimate Guide to Ménage for book recs.
Mood Reader
A reader who selects a book based on their mood. Mood readers are notorious for reading multiple books at a time.
The Romance Dictionary: N
NA
New Adult.
New Adult
New Adult is a genre focusing on MCs between 18 and their mid-20s. It’s all about discovering who you are, navigating life and relationships, and the wild ride from teenage years to full-blown adulting.
Non-Con
Nonconsensual.
NOTP
Not your OTP. The characters shouldn’t be together, no matter what.
Novel
A story that goes deep into what characters do and how they evolve. They’re usually pretty hefty—think tens of thousands to even hundreds of thousands of words—which lets you really dig into the characters and the storylines.
Novella
Think of a novella as the middle sibling between a short story and a full-blown novel—usually around 20,000 to 40,000 words. Novellas dive into a focused story without as many side plots or characters as a novel.
Novelette
A novelette is like the mini version of a novella, falling somewhere between a short story and a novella in length—usually clocking in at around 7,500 to 20,000 words. It’s a bit more stretched out than a short story but not as hefty as a novella—kind of like the ‘in-between’ snack size of storytelling.
NSFW
Not safe for work.
The Romance Dictionary: O
OTP
One true pairing. This couple should ABSOLUTELY be together.
OM
Other man.
Omega
An omega often gets shown as the more laid-back or sensitive type. Usually, authors portray them as nurturing, empathetic, or really in tune with their feelings. They’re like the yin to the alpha’s yang, bringing their own vibe to the table that balances out the alpha’s strength.
See also: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Omegaverse.
Omegaverse
The Omegaverse is this awesome subgenre in romance and speculative fiction. It’s all about a universe where everything—like how characters interact and love each other—is organized like wolf packs, with alpha, beta, and omega characters setting the stage for social rules and relationships.
See also Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omega.
OOP
Out of print.
Opposites Attract
The MCs have very different personalities and likes, but these differences draw them together.
See also Grumpy/Sunshine.
OW
Other woman.
Own Voices
An author from an under-represented group is writing a character from the same under-represented group. The author uses their own experiences to create the character(s).
We’re over halfway through! Am I missing any of your go-to lingo in the romance dictionary? Sound off in the comments!
The Romance Dictionary: P
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance is like “regular” romance but with a magical twist! These love stories are packed with magic, mythical creatures, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, angels, demons, monsters—you name it! Basically, it’s romance mixed up with all things supernatural and fantastical.
PB
Paperback.
PNR
Paranormal Romance.
POC
Person of color.
Poly
Polyamorous
Polyamorous
Polyamorous is when someone’s totally cool with having multiple romantic relationships at the same time. Instead of being exclusive to just one person, they’re open to having loving connections with more than one partner all at once.
POV
Point of view.
Praise
A kink where receiving or approving actions during a sexual encounter is a huge turn-on.
Prequel
A prequel is like the backstory before the main story hits the shelves. It’s all about events, characters, or relationships that happened before the main plot. You get to dive deep into the past of the MCs, learning about where they came from, their old relationships, and the stuff that made them who they are.
Primal Play
A type of kink that allows participants to tap into their animalistic instincts.
The Romance Dictionary: Q
Quick-Burn
The MC’s romance moves like lightning! Everything happens super quickly, and their love story goes from zero to a hundred in no time.
See also: Fast-Burn, Medium-Burn, and Slow-Burn.
The Romance Dictionary: R
Reading Slump
A reading slump? That’s when you just don’t feel like picking up a book anymore. It can hit after you finish a really amazing book and experience a book hangover.
Rec
Recommendation.
Regency
Regency romance is like stepping back in time to the early 1800s. It’s all about fancy balls, dashing lords, and spirited ladies in those frilly dresses. Think Jane Austen vibes with swoon-worthy love stories set in a classy, historical backdrop.
Reverse Harem
Reverse Harem flips the script on traditional romance. Instead of one FMC surrounded by a bunch of potential LIs, it’s one lucky woman caught in a whirlwind of multiple LIs. It’s all about the FMC juggling their affections among a whole crew of admirers.
The term reverse harem is now considered outdated—Why Choose is the more widely accepted phrase.
RH
Reverse Harem.
Romantasy
Romantasy is basically when love stories collide with a bunch of magical or fantastical elements. Think romance meets fantasy—lots of heart-fluttering moments with a side of wizards, dragons, or whatever magical twists you can imagine.
Romantic Comedy
These are stories that mix lovey-dovey with tons of humor. You get all those funny, quirky moments that make you laugh out loud, along with a good dose of romance to make your heart swoon.
Romantic Suspense
Romantic Suspense is like a thrilling rollercoaster of love and danger. It’s where heart-fluttering romance meets heart-pounding suspense. You’re on the edge of your seat, not just for the romance but also for all the intense, nail-biting action and mystery.
Rom Com
Romantic Comedy.
Royalty Romance
Royalty Romance is all about the fairy-tale vibes! It’s like diving into a world where princes, princesses, kings, and queens find love. Imagine castles, grand parties, and loads of royal drama wrapped in some seriously dreamy romances.
The Romance Dictionary: S
Sapphic
Sapphic romance is all about love stories between women. It’s where you’ll find amazing tales of romance, passion, and connection, focusing on relationships between FMCs.
Scene
A defined sexual encounter with a set beginning and end.
Science Fiction Romance
These are love stories set in space or some futuristic world. It’s all about that cosmic mix of romance, aliens, advanced tech, and exploring the universe. Picture epic love stories playing out in a galaxy far, far away.
Seasoned Romance
Seasoned Romance is all about love stories featuring characters who aren’t in their twenties or thirties anymore. It’s where you find romances involving more mature adults, bringing in the life experiences and wisdom of characters in their 40s, 50s, or beyond.
Second Chance Romance
Second Chance Romance is like hitting the rewind button on love. It’s all about giving love another shot with someone you’ve had a history with. Think of it as a love story where characters get a fresh chance at making things work, even after things don’t quite pan out the first time.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is when an author does everything solo—they put out their book without teaming up with a traditional publishing company. That means they handle everything, from editing and cover design to getting it out there and ensuring people know about it. Thanks to the internet and tech, it’s become a hit, making it simpler and cheaper for writers to get their stories out into the world.
See also Indie Publishing.
Sequel
A sequel is like catching up with old friends from a book you already know. It’s the next chapter, continuing the story of MCs you’ve already met. Sequels keep the adventure going right from where the last book ended, letting you dive deeper into their lives, relationships, and all the new challenges they’re facing.
Sexual Awakening
When someone starts figuring out their feelings and desires romantically or intimately, it’s like that lightbulb moment when you begin to understand more about yourself and your attraction to others.
SFF
Science Fiction Fantasy
SFR
Science Fiction Romance
Shifter
A shapeshifter, or shifter, is like someone who can transform into something else—usually an animal. Shifters have this extraordinary ability to switch up their appearance whenever they want.
Ship
To support a romantic relationship between two characters who may or may not have an actual relationship in the story.
Short Story
A short story is like a little pocket adventure. It’s a complete tale that doesn’t take too long to read, usually just a few pages—sometimes up to 20 pages. Despite its brevity, it’s packed with characters, a plot, and a satisfying ending—all in a compact, bite-sized format.
Single-Title Romance
Single-title romance is like a standalone book. It’s not part of a series, so you get the whole romantic rollercoaster packed into one book without needing to read a bunch of others to get the entire story.
Slow-Burn
It’s the romantic version of a marathon, where the sparks take their sweet time to catch fire. If you’re halfway through the story and still haven’t spotted a kiss, congrats—you’re in the slow-burn zone!
See also: Fast-Burn, Medium-Burn, and Quick-Burn.
Smut
Slang for those spicy romance stories that don’t hold back on the steamy stuff. It’s all about those intimate scenes that might make you blush—definitely not for the faint of heart!
Spice
The level of heat or steaminess in the intimate scenes. It’s all about how intense or passionate those moments between characters get—whether it’s a sweet, gentle romance or something hotter and more, well, spicy!
See also Spicy, Heat Level, and Spice Level.
Spice Level
The spice level in romance novels is like the heat meter for the sizzle factor. It’s all about how hot and steamy the love scenes get. Some are mild, while others crank up the temperature, making your cheeks flush and your heart race!
Spicy
In the world of romance novels, spicy refers to the level of heat in sex scenes. It’s the steam factor—how intense, passionate, and hot those moments between characters can get.
See also Spice, Heat Level, and Spice Level.
Spin-Off
A spin-off is an alternate story from a book or series you already know. It zooms in on a side character from the original and builds a whole new adventure just for them.
Spoilers
Spoilers are those secret tidbits or reveals about the story that ruin the surprise. They spill the beans on crucial plot twists or the ending, taking away that delicious suspense and surprise for readers. Don’t be the person that spoils the story!
Spice
The level of heat or steaminess in the intimate scenes. It’s all about how intense or passionate those moments between characters get—whether it’s a sweet, gentle romance or something hotter and more, well, spicy!
See also Spicy, Heat Level, and Spice Level.
Spice Level
The spice level in romance novels is like the heat meter for the sizzle factor. It’s all about how hot and steamy the love scenes get. Some are mild, while others crank up the temperature, making your cheeks flush and your heart race!
Spicy
In the world of romance novels, spicy refers to the level of heat in sex scenes. It’s the steam factor—how intense, passionate, and hot those moments between characters can get.
See also Spice, Heat Level, and Spice Level.
Spin-Off
A spin-off is an alternate story from a book or series you already know. It zooms in on a side character from the original and builds a whole new adventure just for them.
Spoilers image
Spoilers are those secret tidbits or reveals about the story that ruin the surprise. They spill the beans on crucial plot twists or the ending, taking away that delicious suspense and surprise for readers. Don’t be the person that spoils the story!
Stalker Romance
Stalker Romance is like a love story turned upside down—it’s when the line between romance and a seriously unhealthy obsession gets blurry.
Stan
Stalker + Fan. A superfan.
Standalone
A standalone is like a solo act—it’s a complete love story all by itself, not connected to any other books. You get the whole romantic journey in one book without reading any sequels or prequels to get the entire picture.
See also Interconnected Standalone.
STFUATTDLAGG
Shut the fuck up and take that dick like a good girl.
Stockholm Syndrome
It’s a trope where an MC falls for their abuser or captor. It’s a tricky situation and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea in romance plots.
Subgenre
Subgenres are different flavors within the romance genre. Some common subgenres include historical romance, erotic romance, and romantic suspense.
Submissive
A partner who likes to hand control over to their dominant during a sexual encounter.
Sweet Romance
Sweet Romance is the cozy, heartwarming version of love stories. It’s all about the warm fuzzies without the steamy scenes. Think cute dates, gentle kisses, and lots of butterflies in your stomach!
See also Clean Romance
The Romance Dictionary: T
Taboo Romance
Taboo Romance is the “forbidden fruit” of love stories—when MCs fall for each other in situations that society might frown upon or consider off-limits, like relationships between step-siblings or teacher-student. It’s that edgy, controversial side of romance where love crosses some pretty unconventional lines.
Taboo romance includes Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, and BDSM.
TBC
To be continued.
TBR
To be read. Often used as part of the phrase “TBR list.”
TL;DR
Too lazy: Didn’t read. TL;DR highlights the essential points of a long block of text.
TP
Triple penetration.
Trade Paperback
Trade paperbacks are the in-between book format—not as hefty as the hardcovers but fancier than the mass-market paperbacks you see around.
They’re kind of like the Goldilocks choice—not too big, not too small, and not too pricey. It’s all about that balance of quality and comfort for readers who want a sturdy book without breaking the bank.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing is like the classic way books hit the shelves. It’s when a big-shot publishing company picks up a book, takes care of everything from editing to getting it out there in stores, and makes it feel all official. It’s like the big leagues of book publishing!
Trope
A trope is a popular plot twist, character type, or story theme that you see all the time in romantic tales. They’re like the building blocks that shape how the story rolls out, affects the characters, and sets up those romantic connections in the plot.
Common tropes include enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and second-chance romance.
TSTL
Too stupid to live.
TVP
Triple vaginal penetration.
TW
Trigger warning.
The Romance Dictionary: U
UF
Urban Fantasy.
Urban Fantasy
Take magical abilities and mystical creatures and plop them right into our modern world—That’s Urban Fantasy. It’s where you find wizards, vampires, or supernatural beings hanging out in city streets or urban settings, adding that fantastical twist to the everyday hustle and bustle.
UST
Unresolved sexual tension. The characters just need to bang it out.
The Romance Dictionary: V
Voyeurism
Voyeurism is when someone gets their kicks from watching other people without them knowing. It’s peeking at someone’s private life or watching them, like being a secret observer.
The Romance Dictionary: W
Wallbanger
A book that irritates you so much it makes you want to throw it against a wall. The BWBH does not recommend actually throwing your book – especially an eReader!
WC
Why Choose.
Why Choose
Why Choose is like a romance remix—it’s all about the MC having a tough time picking just one love interest. Instead of the usual one-on-one romantic deal, it’s a whole lineup of potential matches, each bringing their own spark and connection to the MC.
WLW
Women love women. See also sapphic.
The Romance Dictionary: X
The Romance Dictionary: Y
YA
Young Adult.
Young Adult
Young Adult romance is a love story designed specifically for readers in their teens and early twenties. These books capture the rollercoaster of first crushes, navigating friendships, and figuring out life and love while being in that younger age group.
While YA is written for a younger audience, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
