Romance
In order for a novel to qualify as a romance, it must meet certain plot requirements:
There must ALWAYS be a happy ending.
The characters must overcome some sort of obstacle that temporarily drives them apart.
The lead characters must be good people and likeable by the reader. They can have flaws and be imperfect, but they must be characters with whom the reader can empathize.
Historical Romance
The historical romance subgenre can be broken down even further into sub-subgenres: Regency, Victorian, and Gothic being the most popular.
Regency romances are set in England in the early 1800's during the British Regency period from 1811-1820. The first and original Regency romance author was Jane Austen (1775-1817), who actually lived during the British Regency. This is the subgenre that is sometimes more colloquially known as "bodice-rippers".
Victorian romance novels are set in England (and sometimes the United States) during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. Many of them are set during the later years of that period, which overlapped with the Belle Epoque in Europe and Gilded Age in the United States. Many Regency romance authors also write novels set in the Victorian period.
Gothic romances are also usually set in England in the 1800's, but they are defined more by their plot elements than the time period. They usually take place in a dark, empty mansion and have elements of fear, foreboding, or the supernatural. One of the original authors of this subgenre was Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823). She was followed by Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) and her classic gothic romance novel Jane Eyre. Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) and her classic Rebecca followed.
Try these authors: Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Eloisa James, Sophie Jordan, Sarah Maclean, Beverly Jenkins, Mary Balogh, Madeline Hunter, Joanna Shupe
Wilde Child by Eloisa James
The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
Contemporary Romance
Contemporary romance is any romance novel set in the modern day. Many contemporary romance novels would be considered the literary equivalent of a romantic comedy movie.
Try these authors: Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, Christina Lauren, Jasmine Guillory, Alisha Rai, Sophie Kinsella, Sally Thorne, Tessa Bailey, Farrah Rochon, Rosie Danan, Olivia Dade, Alexis Daria
The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal romance is a very popular subgenre and is any romance that features supernatural elements and characters like vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, fairies, demons, etc.
Try these authors: Charlaine Harris, Christine Feehan, Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kresley Cole, Patricia Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton, Deborah Harkness
Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts
The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark
Romantic Suspense
Romantic suspense novels are contemporary romances that center around the investigation of a crime or criminal threat. The threat and the investigation serve to bring the two main characters together and add an element of danger.
Try these authors: Nora Roberts (sometimes under the pen name J.D. Robb), Sandra Brown, Lisa Jackson, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz
Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown
The Lady Has a Past by Amanda Quick
Friction by Sandra Brown
After Sundown by Linda Howard
Western Romance
Western romances usually take place in the modern day, but on ranches in the Western United States, and the main characters are "cowboys" and/or "cowgirls". The plot complications usually revolve around property ownership and the difficulties of managing a ranch in the modern age.
Try these authors: Linda Lael Miller, Diana Palmer, and Maisey Yates.
Country Proud by Linda Lael Miller
Fire Brand by Diana Palmer
The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch by Maisey Yates
The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Lori Wilde