What Goes Into Illustrating a (Good) Romance Book Cover
I spoke to illustrator Decue Wu and Berkley editorial director Cindy Hwang to understand the secret behind a compelling cover.
Even if you don’t read contemporary romance, it’s hard to ignore the splashy illustrated covers. I mean, how could you, when each cover is specifically designed to beckon to you from its spot on the shelf? The explosive hues, bold typography, and detailed depictions of the characters — they’re all meant to catch your eye and encourage you to pick up the book, promising a reading experience that’s just as playful or sweet or passionate as what’s portrayed on the front.
“For more than five years, most romances have been published with illustrated covers,” says Cindy Hwang, vice president and editorial director at Berkley. “Illustrated covers have become the most common look and illustrations have become more popular in other genres now as well, including mystery, fantasy, and science fiction.”
Despite the fact that these cartoon-y covers have become a widely-accepted signature of the genre1, there are plenty of readers who dislike them. In fact, I used to be one of them. A quick perusal of /r/RomanceBooks will yield several threads debating the merits of this very trend. I know better than to judge a book by its cover, but it takes a lot for me to a) notice an illustrated cover and b) actually like it.
That’s why when I found myself admiring the illustration on the front of Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen (an author whom I interviewed back in the fall!) and taking in its dreamy landscape and pleasant watercolor palette, it got me thinking that this is a topic I could stand to be educated about. So much goes into cover art design, and I’m grateful that illustrator and art director Decue Wu (the very artist who designed Nora’s cover) agreed to give me a crash course.
With a background in editorial illustration across both magazines and books, Decue describes her style as vibrant and lifestyle-focused, with a strong influence from fashion and culture. As a fashion lover myself, this explains why I’m drawn to her work — it’s elevated and sophisticated, rather than juvenile and cartoon-y. “I love working with saturated colors, bold shapes, and intricate patterns — especially anything fashion-related. My illustrations aim to capture a mood or a sense of place in a way that feels both stylish and storytelling.”
Ahead, I explore the intricacies of cover design with the help of Decue and Cindy.
Finding the Right Illustrator
While I had assumed that authors are at the mercy of their publisher when it comes to making decisions about a cover, that’s not always the case. “For Berkley, I would say author preference holds the largest sway in terms of the kind of illustration,” Cindy says, noting that they may pursue working with an artist whose style matches the author’s aesthetic and preferences. “For example, if an author is especially interested in facial expressions, Berkley will hire an artist whose approach is more detail-oriented. An author who loves vibrant colors may want an artist who is known for their color usage.” Publishers will then reach out to an artist (or an artist’s agent in the case of Decue) to commission a cover.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Once Decue accepts the project, she gathers references and inspiration to help shape the concept. “The first thing I do is read the manuscript to get familiar with the story, the characters, and the overall tone and setting,” she says. “I also spend time researching specific elements of the book — whether that’s the city it’s set in, cultural details, or the atmosphere the author is trying to convey.”
The story itself will help determine whether she focuses on the vibe or the characters in her design. She notes that some stories are better represented through the emotional atmosphere or setting, while others are more character-driven and call for a visual focus on the people and their relationship dynamics.
As an artist, Decue can’t help but gather inspiration from everyday life to inform her work. “I often draw from the neighborhoods around me, my own culture and heritage, my cat, my daughter, books I read, and art I love — basically, whatever feels meaningful or visually striking to me in the moment. These personal connections really fuel my creativity.” When it comes to other artwork that inspires her own, she’s particularly drawn to the mood and composition of romance movie posters. “Film posters like La La Land really influence the way I think about lighting, atmosphere, and how to evoke emotion through visuals. I love how a single image can instantly pull you into a story — and that’s something I try to channel in my cover work.”
From there, she’ll typically develop two to three different cover concepts to share with the publisher and author. “We collaborate closely throughout each stage — starting with sketches, then moving into color and refinement — making sure their feedback is incorporated along the way.” On average, a cover takes her about a month to complete, including all the rounds of feedback and revisions.
Designing an Irresistible Book Cover
So what makes a good romance book cover? In other words, what are the elements that draw you in, make you pause, and decide this is the book you’re going to read next? “A good romance book cover needs to capture the essence of the entire story — its mood, theme, and spirit — in a single image,” Decue says. “It's often the first impression a reader gets, so it has to be both visually attractive and emotionally resonant.”
She explains that atmosphere is especially important. “Whether it’s dreamy, dramatic, lighthearted, or intense, the mood should really give the viewer a clear sense of the story’s tone and emotion — almost like a glimpse into the world they’re about to enter.” Mood aside, there are specific details from a book’s environment Decue likes to capture. “I’m often drawn to subjects like cityscapes, plants, and everyday scenes that feel alive and expressive,” she shares — the latter of which I’d say perfectly encapsulates the scene on the cover of Adam & Eve’s Matchmaking Tour. “It’s a balance of storytelling and visual impact, and that makes it a really special kind of challenge.”
But perhaps the most important aspect of cover design? Color. Decue notes that color plays a big role in setting the emotional tone of a book. “I naturally gravitate toward warm colors; my personal favorites are pink, salmon orange, and brick red. These shades feel romantic, intimate, and emotionally rich to me, which is why I love using them. They can subtly communicate warmth, connection, and vulnerability before the reader even opens the book.” From a publishing perspective, Cindy says certain colors like bright pink or bright teal tend to stand out among darker color palettes, which is why they’re commonly used. “We always want covers that will ‘pop’ for readers shopping in person or online. Granted, once a color becomes overused, we’re looking for a new one.”
Following Book Cover Trends
While illustrated covers are here to stay for the foreseeable future, there are microtrends within the style that come and go. “At the beginning of this most recent illustrated cover trend, figures were more ‘impressions’ of people whereas now, some of the art has moved in a highly detailed direction such as the covers in Liana De la Rosa’s Luna Sisters novels,” Cindy shares. “Carley Fortune’s ‘painterly’ illustrated novels was a direction we took to stay in keeping with the illustrated cover trend, but to make it distinctive from many of the other novels in the market.”
Decue also points to Carley’s painted covers as a standout example of an atmospheric approach. “One trend I’ve really been noticing — and enjoying — is the use of large, detailed background scenes with small human figures placed within them. This approach leans into conveying the overall vibe or setting of the story, rather than focusing too heavily on specific character features.”
As for what could be the next big thing? Decue says she’d love to see a comic book-inspired approach to romance book covers. “It could bring a fresh, playful energy to the genre, especially for stories that are more lighthearted or humorous. With the right execution, this style could be super engaging and add a unique narrative flair to the cover design — almost like a visual sneak peek into the tone of the book.”
Trendy or not, Decue’s main goal is to create a beautiful illustration that captures the essence of the story and conveys the feeling of the romantic relationship. “I focus on what feels right instinctively — whether it’s through color, composition, or character interaction. I think staying true to my own aesthetic naturally brings a unique perspective, even when working within a popular style. If it happens to align with current trends, that’s a nice bonus.”
I know this newsletter is a bit of a departure from my usual book recommendations, but I had so much fun exploring a topic in more depth! If you enjoy this type of content, I would so appreciate it if you could give the post a like or a restack!
Fellow Substack creator
recently shared a brief look back at the evolution of romance book covers if you want to learn even more!