You’ve got a great fantasy or sci-fi plot. There’s a war in the stars. Or a kingdom full of magic. Your world is strong. Your stakes are high. But something’s missing… love.
Adding a romance subplot can make your story more emotional and memorable. Readers love rooting for characters to fall for each other, even in the middle of danger, magic, or alien planets.
Here’s how to build a romance subplot that fits your main story and makes your readers feel all the feels.
Read Sci-Fi Romance Books on Inkitt
1. Start With the Main Plot First
Before you build the romance, know your main goal. What is your story about?
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Is it a rebellion?
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A quest to find a lost artifact?
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A journey through space?
Once you have that, ask: where could love naturally fit into this journey?
2. Choose the Right Characters to Fall in Love
Not every hero needs a love story. But if you want one, pick characters who already have a reason to spend time together.
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The fighter and the medic
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The commander and the stowaway
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The mage and the thief
They need shared scenes. Shared struggles. That’s how chemistry starts.
On Inkitt, books with romance subplots often perform better when the two characters have opposite strengths.
3. Use the Setting to Add Romantic Tension
Your fantasy or sci-fi world can help the romance feel special.
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In a fantasy world: add magical rules that make love dangerous or rare.
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In a sci-fi world: put your couple in a spaceship with nowhere else to go.
4. Let the Romance Build Slowly
Don’t rush it. Let the feelings grow over time.
Here’s a simple guide:
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First meeting (conflict or curiosity)
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Forced to work together
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Small moments of connection
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One character starts to care more
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A turning point (a kiss, a rescue, a reveal)
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A breakup or betrayal
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A choice: be together or not
Readers on Inkitt are more likely to stick with a story when the romance has ups and downs.
5. Make the Romance Matter to the Plot
The love story should change something.
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Does it change the hero’s goal?
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Does it make the mission harder or easier?
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Will one person have to choose between love and duty?
If the romance has no effect on the main plot, it will feel flat.
6. End With Impact
Your romance doesn’t have to end with a kiss or a happy ever after. But it should feel earned.
Maybe they survive together. Maybe they part ways with respect. Maybe they’re just starting something new.
Inkitt readers love endings that feel honest, even if they’re not perfect.
A Final Word from the Inkitt Team
We see so many great stories that mix action, fantasy, and sci-fi with just the right amount of heart. Romance doesn’t need to take over your story. It just needs to feel real.
Build it slowly. Make it part of the journey. And most of all, let your characters feel something deep.
Writing a story with a romance subplot? Tag it on Inkitt. We’re always cheering for new stories with magic and heart.
Read Sci-Fi Romance Books on Inkitt
