In triangle romance novels, the competition between the two love interests creates tension. For example, in a love triangle where one character is a good - hearted but poor man and the other is a rich and charming man, the heroine's indecision makes the readers eager to know who she will choose.
The different qualities and values of the two potential lovers also add to the tension. Suppose one offers stability and the other offers adventure. The protagonist's struggle to decide which one she wants more can keep readers on the edge of their seats. Also, the fear of losing one or both of them due to their own insecurities and the actions of the other person in the triangle is a major source of tension.
Another way is by creating a sense of competition. Each character in the love triangle may be competing for the affection of the one they love. This competition can be in the form of grand gestures, trying to outdo each other in kindness or achievements. It makes the reader root for one side or the other, and as the competition intensifies, so does the tension in the novel.
In rivals to lovers romance novels, the tension is often created in multiple ways. First, there's the basic difference in their personalities or values that put them at odds. This leads to heated debates and arguments. Second, their social or professional standings can be a source of tension. If one is from a higher class or more powerful in the workplace, it adds a layer of complexity. For example, in a historical romance, a poor but headstrong girl and a rich, arrogant nobleman may start as rivals. Their every encounter is filled with power struggles and unspoken attraction that builds the tension until it finally breaks and turns into love.
Trapped romance novels create tension in multiple ways. One is by trapping the characters in a social situation. For instance, if they are from different social classes and are trapped in a society that doesn't approve of their relationship. They have to fight against the norms and prejudices, which creates a great deal of tension. Also, when the characters are trapped by their own past traumas or mistakes in relation to love. They might be afraid to open up to a new relationship but are forced to be in close contact with someone they are attracted to, and this inner conflict creates a palpable tension in the story.
Another way is through the slow development of the relationship. The captor may start off as cold and distant, but as they interact more with the captive, small changes occur. This slow burn while the captive is still in a kidnapped state keeps the reader on edge, wondering when and how the relationship will fully develop into a romantic one.
These novels create tension by showing the characters' conflicting goals. In 'You Deserve Each Other', the couple who are on the verge of breaking up have different ideas about how to handle their relationship. The man wants to win back the woman in a rather manipulative way at first, while she wants to move on. This clash of intentions builds tension. Also, physical proximity can be a factor. In 'Wallbanger', the female lead and her neighbor are constantly in close quarters because of their living situations. Their annoyance with each other at first, combined with this proximity, makes for a tense and interesting dynamic.
One way is through the power dynamics. For example, if the male lead is a powerful mob figure and the female lead is an ordinary person, the difference in their status creates immediate tension. He has the power to control her situation, which makes their relationship precarious.
Family feud romance novels create tension through the inheritance and power struggles within the families. Often, the lovers come from different sides of these power battles. For instance, in some novels, one family might be trying to take over the business of the other family. And when their children fall in love, it becomes a very tense situation as it goes against the family's goals. The characters are then torn between their love for each other and their loyalty to their families.
Writers create tension in erotic romance stories through the characters' internal struggles. For instance, if one character has moral or ethical beliefs that conflict with their growing sexual attraction to another. Also, external factors like family or social disapproval can add to the tension.
Competition fantasy novels create tension in multiple ways. Firstly, by pitting characters with different skills and motives against each other. In 'Harry Potter' during the Triwizard Tournament, the students from different schools have different goals and abilities. Secondly, the high - stakes nature of the competitions. If a character fails in a competition in 'Red Rising', they may face death or slavery. Also, the element of the unknown. In 'The Maze Runner', the boys don't know what's in the maze or how to escape, which adds to the tension during their competitive attempts to find a way out.
They often use unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are distorted, making the reader question what's real. This creates a lot of tension as the truth is hard to figure out.