What are the characteristics of the top 100 best selling romance novels?

Well, one characteristic is the strong emotional connection. They often have characters that readers can easily empathize with, whether it's the longing of the lovers or the heartbreak they might face. Another is the engaging plot. It could be a story of star - crossed lovers, or a journey of self - discovery within a romantic relationship. Also, the setting can play a big role. A beautiful, exotic location can add to the allure of the story.

Well, for one, they often have strong character development. In a top - selling mystery romance like 'Gone Girl', the characters are complex and their motives are not always clear at first. This adds to both the mystery and the romantic tension as you try to figure out who they really are and what they'll do next.

A great deal of them also have engaging storylines. 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith has a very captivating plot. It's about a chance encounter between two women that leads to a deep and complex relationship. The way the story unfolds keeps the reader hooked, which is a common trait among top selling lesbian romance novels.

Often, they have relatable characters. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout is a character many can identify with. They also tend to have engaging plots. 'The Great Gatsby' has a plot full of mystery and unrequited love. Another characteristic is that they usually touch on universal themes like love, in 'Pride and Prejudice', or power and control as in '1984'.

Typically, they have a strong sense of suspense. For example, in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', the mystery surrounding Harriet Vanger's disappearance keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Many novels in the top 100 best selling novels have relatable characters. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout and Atticus Finch are characters that readers can easily connect with. Their experiences and values resonate with a wide audience. Another characteristic is that they often deal with universal themes. 'Pride and Prejudice' deals with love and social class, which are themes that are still relevant today.

A third one could be 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. This novel combines elements of time travel and historical romance. The story of Claire and Jamie has a large and devoted fan base, and its popularity has led to a successful television series adaptation as well.

Well, strong character development is often a key characteristic. In best - selling black romance novels, the characters are complex and multi - dimensional. For example, they might have to deal with issues related to race, family, and career while falling in love.

They usually have an engaging plot that keeps readers hooked. In addition to the steamy parts, there's often a story of self - discovery or overcoming obstacles. Take 'The Notebook', the love story between Noah and Allie is set against the backdrop of different life circumstances they need to overcome, and the steamy moments are part of the overall emotional journey of their relationship. These novels also tend to have well - developed characters that readers can either relate to or be intrigued by.

One characteristic is complex characters. In novels like 'Jane Eyre', Jane is a multi - faceted character with strong will and moral compass, and Mr. Rochester is brooding and mysterious. Another is the exploration of social class differences. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth's family's lower social standing compared to Mr. Darcy's creates many conflicts in their relationship. Also, they often have elaborate descriptions of settings, like the grand estates in 'Wuthering Heights', which add to the overall atmosphere of the romances.