“I’m a cynic. And a cynic is a romantic who’s too scared to hope.”
A romcom, short for romantic comedy, is a genre that blends romance and humour to spin a heartwarming, entertaining love story. Whether it’s on the big screen, television, or in book form (our personal favourite!), romcoms normally orbit around two characters whose relationship evolves through witty banter, awkward misunderstandings, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments before coming to a satisfying resolution. Some popular tropes attached to this genre include enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity, all of which have become staples, helping to make these types of stories a favourite among readers looking for feel-good stories.
But what is it that really separates a romcom from a traditional romance novel? Join us at What We Reading as we explore what defines a romantic comedy, the common tropes and themes that shape the genre, why romcoms are still so popular today, and some of the best romcom books that deserve to be on your TBR pile.
What Does Romcom Mean?
The word romcom is simply a shortened version of romantic comedy. It’s a widely used term for stories that blend romance and humour, whether they’re found in books, films, or television series. No doubt you’ve seen the abbreviation both online and across society; romcoms have been arguably the defining subgenre in the romance space for decades now.
In a romcom, the romantic relationship is always the heart of the story; however, it is balanced with lighthearted moments, witty dialogue, amusing misunderstandings, and plenty of comedic scenarios. Unlike more serious romantic novels, romcoms are tailored to make you laugh just as much as they make you root for the couple.
Although the term is closely tied to classic romantic comedy films (especially those that came with the ‘90s heyday of romcoms), romcom books are just as popular.
Authors have embraced the genre by coupling swoon-worthy romances with relatable characters, smart banter, and beloved tropes like fake dating, forced proximity, and rivals-to-lovers.
Whether you prefer reading or watching them, romcoms offer the perfect blend of tender romance with feel-good humour, making them one of the most accessible and enjoyable genres around.
What Makes A Story A Romcom?
At first glance, a romcom may just appear like any other romance tale with a few more funny moments layered in. However, the best romantic comedies strike a careful balance between heartfelt emotion and genuine humour. While every story is different, most romcoms share a handful of key ingredients that define the genre.
- A central romance: The dynamic between the two characters is always the driving force behind the story. Whether they’re strangers, rivals, or lifelong friends, their journey towards love should be your focus from the start to the end.
- Plenty of humour: Comedy is what separates a romcom from a traditional romance novel. This humour can come from witty dialogue, awkward scenarios, quirky supporting characters, or amusing misunderstandings that keep the story light and entertaining.
- Emotional growth: The romance isn’t just about two people falling in love. Along the way, the characters typically overcome personal fears, insecurities, or past mistakes, making their relationship feel more meaningful and rewarding.
- Romantic tension: A great romcom keeps readers eagerly turning the pages by building chemistry between the characters. Slow-burn attraction, flirtatious banter, near-misses, and unresolved feelings all create anticipation before the couple finally gets together.
- A satisfying ending: Most romcoms do end with a hopeful note, usually a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending. Your readers expect the emotional investment in the relationship to pay off.
- Memorable chemistry: By far the most important component to a romcom book is characters who work well together. Their personalities bounce off each other through clever conversations, playful teasing, and believable emotional moments, making readers genuinely invested in seeing them fall in love.
When all of these elements come together, a romcom produces more than just laughs or romance on their own – it creates a feel-good story that’s both emotionally satisfying and endlessly entertaining.
Common Romance Tropes
One of the biggest reasons why romcoms are so enjoyable is down to their use of familiar storytelling tropes. These recurring plot devices create anticipation, spark romantic tension, and allow readers to revel in the comfortable feeling of knowing they’re in store for a fun ride – even if the journey is brimming with surprises along the way.
Here are some of the most popular romcom tropes you’re probably already used to seeing around:
- Enemies to lovers: Two characters who cannot stand one another are forced to spend time together, only to learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate. Their sharp banter and growing attraction make this easily one of the most popular romcom tropes.
- Fake dating: Whether it’s to make an ex jealous, impress family members, or help each other out of a messy situation, pretending to be in a relationship can lead to some unexpected feelings.
- Friends to lovers: Long-time friends gradually discover there’s something more between them. This trope thrives on emotional intimacy, mutual trust, and the fear of risking an important friendship.
- Opposites attract: Two people with totally different personalities realise they actually complement one another, leading to unexpected chemistry.
- Forced proximity: A shared apartment, a road trip, a snowstorm, or a work assignment leaves the characters with no option but to spend time together, allowing for romance to blossom naturally.
- Workplace romance: Colleagues, rivals, or business partners all find themselves navigating professional responsibilities whilst trying to ignore their obvious chemistry.
- Second-chance romance: Former partners reunite years on and are given another opportunity to make their relationship work, often with the benefit of maturity and personal growth.
- Only one bed: A classic romcom scenario where two characters unexpectedly need to share a bed. The awkwardness, tension, and undeniable chemistry often make for an unforgettable scene.
- Small town romance: A bustling city character finds themselves in a close-knit community where slower living, quirky locals, and unexpected romance change their whole perspective on what life is meant to be.
- Grumpy sunshine: One character is cynical, reserved, or perpetually grumpy, whereas the other is optimistic, cheery, and full of warmth. Their contrasting personalities create both humour and heartfelt moments.
These tropes may all be familiar; however, it’s the quirky characters, witty dialogue, and emotional payoff that keep your audience coming back time and time again. If you enjoy one of these storylines yourself, you’ll likely find a plethora of books that put their own unique spin on these beloved romantic comedy staples.
Why Are Romcoms So Popular?
Romcoms have remained one of the most popular genres because they offer the perfect blend of laughter, romance, and emotional satisfaction. For most readers, they’re the ultimate comfort read – stories you turn to when you need something uplifting, familiar, and easy to immerse yourself in.
Part of their appeal stems from the sense of escapism they provide. Whether the story unfolds in a charming small town, a bustling megacity, or an idyllic holiday destination, romcoms invite readers into a world where love, humour, and hope take centre stage. The witty dialogue and lighthearted situations all keep the tone entertaining, even when there are some potentially heavy personal challenges in play.
Readers also connect with the relatable characters. The best romcom protagonists feel like genuine people, complete with flaws, insecurities, and aspirations, which all make their romantic journeys feel authentic. Combined with the optimistic endings that the genre is renowned for, this creates an emotional payoff that leaves readers feeling happy, hopeful, and eager to pick up another romantic comedy.
Romcom Books Vs Romance Books: What’s The Difference?
Whilst every romcom is a romance, not every romance book is a romcom. The two genres share one crucial feature – a central love story; however, they differ in pacing, tone, and the role that humour plays throughout the story.
A romance novel puts the emotional journey of the relationship first. Whilst it might include some funny moments, the emphasis is very much on the characters’ personal struggles, emotional development, and the challenges they need to overcome together. Romance novels typically delve into heavier themes such as grief, trauma, heartbreak, or family conflict, creating a more dramatic and emotionally intense reading experience.
On the flip side, a romcom gives the comedy just as much of the spotlight as the romance. The relationship still lies at the heart of the piece, but it’s surrounded by witty dialogue, playful banter, awkward encounters, and humorous misunderstandings that help keep the overall tone light and playful. Rather than delving into the heavy emotional conflict, romcoms use comedic scenarios to bring the characters closer together and establish romantic tension.
The pacing also typically feels different. Romance novels are normally slower, more emotionally fuelled, whereas romcoms trundle through at a far briskier pace, with funny setpieces and memorable interactions keeping the story going forward.
Popular tropes such as fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and only one bed show up a lot in both types of stories; however, they’re typically played for laughs in a romcom.
Ultimately, deciding between a romance novel and a romcom comes down to your mood. If you’re looking for a heartfelt love story with emotional depth, romance is a great shout. If you’d rather laugh your way through a charming relationship brimming with banter and feel-good moments, a romcom is your better fit.
Common Themes In Romcoms
While romcoms are renowned for their humour and romance, they’re also constructed around universal themes that make their stories emotionally satisfying and relatable. One of the most common of these is finding love unexpectedly, with characters often discovering romance when they least expect it. Along the way, they’re typically forced to become more vulnerable, learning to trust others and open themselves up to genuine connection.
Personal growth is another defining theme. The best romcoms aren’t just about falling in love – they’re about becoming a better version of yourself. Many stories also explore the importance of family and friendships, showcasing how supportive relationships define the characters’ romantic journeys.
Another recurring theme is balancing career ambitions with love, as protagonists navigate demanding jobs whilst making room for meaningful relationships. Finally, most romcoms end with a happily ever after or the hopes for a better future together, giving readers the emotional payoff they expect.
These uplifting themes are a huge part of what makes romantic comedies such enduring comfort reads.
10 Best Romcom Books To Read
If you’re ready to dive into the genre, these romantic comedy books perfectly capture everything readers love about romcoms. From hilarious fake dating schemes to swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romances, each delivers plenty of laughs alongside an unforgettable love story.
1. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Literary agent Nora Stephens reluctantly agrees to spend the summer in a small town after her sister, where she repeatedly runs into editor Charlie Lastra. Jam-packed with witty banter, emotional depth, and a refreshing take on romance tropes, it’s perfect for readers who adore smart, character-driven romcoms.
Check Out The Best Books Like Book Lovers
2. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
A fake relationship between a PhD student and an infamously intimidating professor slowly turns into something real. Blending fake dating, workplace romance, and plenty of humour, this is a perfect pick for fans of slow-burn romance and sharp dialogue.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Love Hypothesis
3. Beach Read by Emily Henry
Two writers with totally different tastes swap genres for the summer whilst challenging one another’s assumptions about love and happiness. Equal parts funny and poignant, it’s perfect for readers who enjoy emotional romances with plenty of chemistry.
Check Out The Best Books Like Beach Read
4. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
After a disastrous wedding, sworn enemies Olive and Ethan wind up taking the honeymoon trip that was intended for someone else. Forced proximity, fake newlyweds and laugh-out-loud moments ensue to make for one of the genre’s standout romantic comedies.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Unhoneymooners
5. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Tiffy and Leon share the same flat – but never at the same time. As they communicate through handwritten notes, an unconventional romance soon blossoms. Readers who love quirky premises, lovable characters, and slow-burn romances will adore this one.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Flatshare
6. Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
Shy florist Annie recruits bodyguard Will to help improve her dating confidence, only for real feelings to grow between them both. This charming small-town romance is brimming with heart, humour, and irresistible chemistry.
Check Out The Best Books Like Practice Makes Perfect
7. Funny Story by Emily Henry
After being unexpectedly dumped, Daphne agrees to become roommates with the ex-fiancé’s new partner’s former boyfriend. What starts out as an awkward arrangement soon develops into a heartfelt and genuinely funny romance. It’s perfect for readers who love emotional growth alongside plenty of humour.
Check Out The Best Books Like Funny Story
8. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
A heartfelt workplace romance between two doctors who find comfort in each other unexpectedly. While it tackles some deeper emotional themes, the warmth, humour, and unforgettable characters make it an excellent choice for readers looking for a romcom with some substance.
Check Out The Best Books Like Yours Truly
9. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Professional bodyguard Hannah is hired to protect a famous actor, but circumstances force them to act like they’re dating. Filled with fake dating, witty dialogue, and charming characters, it’s a delightful romantic comedy from beginning to end.
10. The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
Set in a cosy small town, this feel-good romance blends charming characters, gentle humour, and an irresistible bookshop setting. It’s a wonderful go-to for readers who enjoy cosy romcoms with plenty of warmth and a comforting atmosphere.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Cinnamon Bun Book Store
Wrap Up
Romcoms are one of the most popular genres because they blend humour, heart, and romance in a way that feels both entertaining and comforting. Whether you’re drawn to witty banter, awkward meet-cutes, or slow-burn chemistry, there’s a romantic comedy out there for every reader.
At their core, romcoms are about connection – between characters, and between the story and reader. With their feel-good endings and relatable journeys, they present a welcome respite from stories that leave you smiling long after the final page. If you’re new to the genre or looking to expand your reading list, there’s never been a better time to dive in.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
