Calculated: How to Write a Romantic Subplot

Romance is the best-selling literary genre in the world. Despite there being thousands of books out there in this genre, people are constantly clamoring for more of them. And whether romance is driving the main plot of a story or simply featured through a character’s loving parental figures, it is almost inescapable. Every author, every director, ever screenwriter, seems focused on the joys and sorrows that come with the pursuit of an amorous relationship. 

And there’s not necessarily anything wrong with that. Romances, when done well, can be some of the most powerful, moving stories out there. But what should you do when you aren’t writing a romance novel? What if you want to write adventure or thriller instead, but you still want to incorporate a romantic subplot? How does that romantic interest fit into the high-stakes, crazy story you’ve put together and actually manage to enhance it?

Here to answer these questions is the YA adventure novel: Calculated by Nova McBee

Calculated

Josephine Rivers is a math prodigy. And, not only is she good at math, but she’s also extremely talented at applying it to finances and making millions of dollars. At only fifteen years old, she has earned her PhD and is now on her way to work for a major organization in China that will help her change the world. However, before she can even get there, she is kidnapped and torn away from her family. Now, she’s forced to work for a vicious crime syndicate run by a woman named Madam, who harnesses Josephine’s talent to boost her wealth and continue to keep herself in power.  

But all her suffering comes to an end when a rich businessman, Chan, pulls her out of jail. Unlike the others, this man built his business on goodness and honesty, and needs Josephine’s specific ability in order to save his company. Josephine gratefully takes the case in order to escape captivity, but now she must work alongside Chan’s son, Kai. 

Kai is an energetic, kind boy around Josephine’s age who works for his family’s multi-million dollar company as an apprentice to his Dad. Although he’d rather spend his time on more hands-on work, Kai still does an excellent job at calculating numbers to make his father proud. He’s intrigued by Josephine, especially since she just showed up at his house one day and refuses to explain her past. Despite Josephine’s carefully crafted mask of stoicism and mystery, she learns to be friends with Kai and, later, falls in love with him. 

How to Utilize a Romantic Side Character

Calculated isn’t a romance. This book mainly follows Josephine’s journey of rising to power, getting revenge on Madam, and shutting down her wicked operations for good. However, the two work diligently side by side on missions to free Madam’s victims, Kai helps Josephine learn how to trust again, and the two even end up dating in the end. The couple’s romance was noticeable and brought in specks of happiness and light to fill the protagonist’s dark life. The balance between the high-stakes action and the beauty of Kai and Josephine’s relationship was perfect.

And that’s because light isn’t the only thing Kai brought into Josephine’s life. As well as being her strength and support, Kai’s presence also raises the stakes. Since they’re interested in each other, Josephine’s enemies are able to use Kai against her. Whenever they tackle a mission together and go out to fight crime, Josephine (and the reader) feels the added stress of hurting Kai or getting him killed. Because he’s not just simply another side-character or even just a friend, but someone who Josephine deeply cares for. 

In general, the stakes are raised every time the protagonist has someone to care about. No one wants to watch the main character lose their boyfriend or husband. The tension of watching the main relationship tossed and turned by horrendous dangers will keep your reader on the edge of their seat. The presence of a love interest could actually raise the stakes, instead of deflating them. 

Not to mention, romantic interests can often bring out your main character’s internal desires. They reveal what deeply matters to the protagonist, whether that’s trust or hope or unfailing love, and makes them generally more understandable to the reader. It’s hard to relate to someone who’s perfect at math, but as soon as you see them deeply care about someone else, that character can suddenly be much more loveable. 

Whether you’re writing an epic fantasy series or a high-action thriller, add romantic tension strategically, in a way that reveals your protagonists weaknesses, as well as their strengths. Instead of bringing the excitement down, use your romantic interest to generate suspense and high stakes. Don’t let your romantic interest lower the intensity in your novel, but rather use them to elevate the action and keep the readers engaged until the very last page. 

Let us know:

What stories have you noticed that use their romance like Calculated did?