You asked, so here they are!
Below is a list of all 50 categories. You can download a text PDF, a graphic PDF, or a Canva template. Please note these links don’t include the definitions. For those, keep reading.
One aspect of the reading challenge is to read books of all varieties. This might mean seeking out some books in categories you may not be familiar with. Below we’ve given a brief description of each category, but please know, this can be very subjective and as long as you genuinely feel a book fits a certain category, we won’t argue. We do ask you to play fair and be honest about the book’s content.
Action & Adventure
The characters are embroiled in exciting and usually dangerous activities and adventures.
Age Gap
A story where one character is at least 7 years older than their romantic partner.
Beach Reads
Usually light and fluffy books that are hard to put down.
Celebrity
Involves a famous person, such as an actor, writer, YouTube star, musician, etc.
Coming Out
A story where a character deals with coming out about their sexuality.
Dark Romance
A romance that dives into the darker side of things, such as morally gray characters, perilous situations, and/or high stakes.
Disguised as a Man
One character disguises themselves as a man.
Divorced Character
One of the characters is either divorced or is going through a divorce.
Enemies to Lovers
The love interests start off as enemies, such as coworkers vying for a project, opposing teammates, etc.
Fake Relationship
Where the pairing in the novel starts off faking a relationship but end up falling in love.
Fantasy
A story with a fantasy plot. It can have a romantic subplot, but it doesn’t have to.
Fish Out of Water
One of the characters is placed in a situation they’re unfamiliar with, such as a city girl having to run a ranch.
Forced Proximity
A story where the two main characters are forced to be around the other, such as by being stranded in a cabin in the woods, or where they are forced into working or living together.
Found Family
When characters who aren’t related form family bonds.
Growing Older
Stories that involve characters who are dealing with the consequences of getting older.
Grumpy / Sunshine
A story where one of the mains is the grumpy sort and the other is cheery.
Historical Fiction
A story that is set in the past by at least 30 years. (TB and Miranda acknowledge this definition makes any story set during the time they went to high school “historical.”)
Holiday Romance
A story revolving around a holiday, such as Christmas, Passover, Hannukah, etc.
Hot for Boss
One of the characters is attracted to their boss.
Ice Queen
A story where one of the main characters comes across as cold, indifferent, and prickly. Usually, by the end of the story, she thaws somewhat, often as a result of the love interest’s influence.
Kink
Stories that explore BDSM, fetishes, and alternative sexual practices.
Love at First Sight
There’s an immediate and intense romantic attraction or emotional connection felt upon first meeting someone, often described as instant chemistry or a sense of destiny.
Main Character 40+
One of the main characters is 40+.
Medical
One of the characters is a medical professional.
Mistaken Identity
When one of the characters is mistakenly believed to be someone or something else.
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
Stories around gripping plots, high-stakes tension, and unexpected twists that keep them guessing until the final page.
Nerdy / Geeky
One of the characters is nerdy or geeky.
No Strings Attached
A story where the characters become involved without having certain relationship or emotional connection expectations.
One Night to Forever
When a one-night stand turns into a forever relationship.
Only One Bed
A situation when two characters who are not in a romantic relationship must share one bed.
Opposites Attract
Two people who are opposites, yet they still fall for each other.
Quirky Characters
Includes characters with peculiar, often humorous, traits.
Return to Hometown
When one of the love interests returns to their hometown, willingly or unwillingly. Usually for a short stint, but they wind up staying.
Rich Girl / Poor Girl
One of the characters is rich and the other poor.
Royalty
One of the main characters is royalty.
Science Fiction
A science fiction story that does not have romance as a central theme, though there may or may not be a romantic subplot.
Second Chance
Where a couple had been in a relationship and failed, but then try again later in life with an HEA.
Secret Crush
One of the characters has a secret crush.
Self-Discovery
The character learns about themselves.
Single Parent
One of the characters is a single parent.
Slow Burn
Where the characters develop romantic feelings at a slow pace.
Small Town Setting
A story that takes place in a small town.
Spooky Sapphics
Stories with witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, etc.
Sports
One of the characters is an athlete, umpire, or coach.
Starting Over
When one of the main characters has to start over in life, such as getting divorced, starting a new career, etc.
Taboo / Forbidden Relationship
Involves a relationship that is considered taboo or forbidden, like falling for your best friend’s mom, brother’s ex, etc.
Toaster Oven (Sapphic Awakening)
A story when one of the mains comes out later in life (after the age of 29), because they either didn’t know or didn’t want to confront their identity. The story generally involves the character’s first romantic or sexual experience with a same-sex partner.
Vacation / Travel
A story involving a vacation or characters traveling.
Wartime
A story that occurs during a war.
Workplace Romance
A romantic relationship that happens in the workplace/office.
