In the past couple decades romance book covers have changed a LOT —and I have a few theories as to why.
When you think about book covers for romance novels, what comes to mind? Do you picture those iconic Fabio-style covers from the '80s and '90s with their extremely detailed backgrounds and swooning leading ladies…
Or do you see today’s playful, cartoonish designs with a cute couple giving each other the side eye (to indicate their enemies-to-lovers arc, of course!).
Both styles have their charm, but they represent very different eras in publishing - and the very different focuses of their audience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how book cover designs have evolved over the years and why we’ve seen such a big shift toward animated book cover design.
From Elegance to Drama: A Quick History of Book Covers
Harlequin Novels
Image: 1stopretroshop.com
Before the Fabio era, book covers for romance novels were much softer and more elegant. These early cover designs—often seen on Harlequin books—featured light, modest illustrations that hinted at romance without being too bold.
The Fabio Book Cover
As the 70s and 80s approached, so did the Fabio years, where dramatic covers took over.
These book covers put shirtless male models (like Fabio himself) front and center, making it impossible to miss that this was a romance story. While these cover designs grabbed attention, they also earned a reputation for being over-the-top.
Hiding in Plain Sight
By the 2000s, cover designs started to change again. Readers wanted something more subtle, leading to the rise of book covers that felt “safe” to carry in public.(Not that anyone will beat you up for toting around a Tessa Bailey novel or anything…I hope - but more like being safe from judgment.
Cartoon Book Covers: The New Standard
Today, cartoon-style book covers dominate the genre. These bright, playful covers with illustrated characters and minimalist vibes seem to be a complete 180 from Fabio’s dramatic poses.
So, why the shift?
I think one big reason is aesthetics.
Social media platforms like Instagram (and more specifically the “Bookstagram” community) have turned book covers into part of a reader’s personal brand.
Cartoon-style cover designs look fantastic when displayed on a bookshelf or in a pic on your feed. They’re cohesive, colorful, and make it easy to nail down a pleasing aesthetic—perfect for readers who love to share their books online and are looking to grow a community around their love for reading.
Trad publishers and indie authors alike have been leaning hard into this trend for years now. The phrase “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” honestly feels obsolete - half of us buy a book specifically for its cover so we can display it like a trophy on our shelves (even if it’s going to remain on our TBR - to be read - pile for the next two years).
Why Minimalist Designs Work So Well
One thing that I think goes hand-in-hand with cartoon covers is that they create very simple - minimalist, if you will - images. As someone who sits right on the cusp of Millennials and Gen Z (literally, I’m technically a millennial by 12 and a half hours)...I know firsthand that both generations can generally agree on one thing: minimalism.
From pastel palettes to clean typography, cartoon designs are built to appeal to that taste. They have just enough color to pull the eye on a sales table, without crossing that line to “bold” that is more indicative of covers from a time past. They stick in the realm of “cute” instead of “drmaatic,” making them perfect for today’s market.
The Pros and Cons of Modern Cover Designs
Young adult books by Ashley Poston vs adult book by Hannah Grace
However, not everyone is a fan of cartoon-style cover design - and for good reason. Let’s break it down:
Cartoon book covers make romance novels feel approachable and fun.
Cartoon covers seem to lean in to the “com” part of a “romcom,” which I think really opens up the genre to people who are looking for a fun, relaxing read (whereas they might not have picked up a Fabio cover, which gives more of a soap opera vibe).
Additionally, I personally think cartoon covers make the books more…I don’t know if accessible is the right word, but let’s go with that for now.
I think a lot of people - especially those new to the romance genre - might hesitate to pick up a cover that screams “there’s some spice in here!” Whereas a cartoon cover is more innocuous. (This also makes it a “safer” cover for multi-generational families where young adults might feel judged by parents and grandparents for their reading material, or parents might have to skip out on books they want to read because they don’t want their young children seeing provocative posts on their book covers.)
And, of course like I mentioned before, these designs work well with one another, giving a cohesive vibe when lined up together on a shelf.
Incorrect Portrayal of the Book and the Audience
Some feel that cartoon book covers make romance novels feel too “childish” and don’t relay the fact that there are rich characters and deep themes hidden in the pages. To me, this is a fair argument. Since the beginning of publishing time, romance has been one of the largest sections of the market…while also being the one that catches the most flak.
Too many readers and writers alike don’t take romance seriously as a genre, and cutesy cartoons probably don’t help that perception much. (Though if they look at the sales numbers…they might change their mind.)
On top of that, cartoon book covers can make it hard to tell who the intended audience is for a book.
I’ve seen multiple TikTok videos from teachers saying that their 4th and 5th grade kids are walking in with books like “Icebreaker” (very much an adult novel) because the front cover is a cute cartoon of a figure skater and hockey player (who also look very, very young).
While this isn’t the fault of the publisher or writer or cover designer (personal opinion: it’s the family’s job to do research to figure out what’s right to give their kids), I can see where parents might have been tricked into thinking the book was Middle Grade or Young Adult. Because a lot of books in those genres have cartoon characters and similar color schemes on the covers.
I’m not here with solutions, lol. I’m not really one for “rating” books like we do with movies - I think that different people are ready for different content depending on their age, experiences, and maturity. But I do think there’s something to be said about making sure parents and young students alike are aware of books that might have explicit content so kids aren’t surprised by content they’re not ready for.
Do Book Covers Reflect the Story Inside?
At the end of the day, a book cover should match the tone of the story. While cartoon covers are fun and inviting, they don’t always reflect the depth and complexity of modern romance novels.
Still, it’s hard to deny how well these cover designs work in today’s market. They’re eye-catching, fun, and perfect for creating a cohesive, Instagram-worthy shelf. And honestly? They’re probably more budget-friendly for the publishers who don’t need to hire real-life models - take that one the way you will, but I’m guessing that’s a factor at play.
Final Thoughts
While I can definitely see where there are points of contention amongst the romance audience (and why they’re important to talk about)…
I, for one, love the cartoon covers.
I’m a huge fan of how cute they are, and - I’ll be honest - I’m their target demo, and the marketing is working on me perfectly. When I see a cute animated cover online, I stop and take a look at the synopsis.
Hook, line, and sinker.