My Favorite Romance Tropes

I really wanted to make an on theme post considering its love day, but I haven’t been in a booktag type of mood, I have no recommendations for you andddddd… I couldn’t think of any other post to do except ramble. Because if I’m good at anything… it’s talking too much.

I had referenced this list for tropes because I’m bad at knowing the names of things? Like, I know what it is, but I couldn’t tell you what it was called.

Now, this is a guilty pleasure post. All of these tropes are guilty pleasures. My definition of guilty pleasure is a little different– I’m not guilty for reading things that make me happy. This isn’t the time to go into it, but tdlr: guilty pleasure tropes, keep that in mind.

soul mates

*Um, disclaimer? I don’t exactly endorse any of these books? I mean, I liked ACOMAF, but the other two…. I don’t actually recommend.

**Also, Significance is such a guilty pleasure read in the worse way… Ahahaha.

I think it has less to do with oh we’re stuck together and there’s nothing we can do about it you’re mine and more just the angst? THERE IS SO MUCH ANGST IN THIS HERE TROPE? The fear of losing them and the intensity of said relationship.

billionaire hero

i know this is wrong.. BUT I LOVE WHEN THE MALE LOVE INTEREST IN BOOKS IS FILTHY RICH I'M SORRY

— nat (new to booktwt!!) (@heart4ryke) January 30, 2022

Imagine being spoiled? Let. Me. INDULGE.

But also, this trope has some humor in it. Especially when the heroine is like–

…couldn’t be me, but go off sis.

mafia

Freshman year of high school, this was my guilty pleasure if there ever was one. Picture this– it’s after school. I’m waiting for my mom to pick me up. I walk three blocks to the local library. I find a chair in the corner, I came prepared with my second hand Nook. And I download a mafia romance (with maybe a little sunshine/grumpy to boot?)

Good times.

the book I’m specifically referencing is Friendzoned by Belle Aurora heheh.

friends to lovers

Since the beginning of time, this has always been a favorite. I’m not in the business of angst. Yes, I just said I like angst , but if there were a list, it wouldn’t be up there in terms of what I gravitate towards. Also, I am a firm believer that the best relationship are off of a foundation of friendship, so imagine just starting off there? Amazing, 10/10 you’re halfway there–

sunshine/grumpy

This could piggy back off of friends-to-lovers, but I specifically look for the role reversal. Give me feral woman and her chill, happy boyfriend who buys her cheesecake.

even though the ones I listed aren’t subverting anything.

I also will die on the nice guys finish first forever and always. I have had many debate on this and I win. All the time. Let’s subvert the toxic masculinity and gender roles, it’s sexy.

single parent

Fun fact– I’m not very fond of kids. And for a time, I refused to read any book that had any mention of kids in them. Was I 14? Yes. But, I have grown and I just find it very attractive when an outsider makes it a point to care about someone you care about and puts in effort….

we’re going deep into my psyche huh?

hurt/comfort

This could go with or without romance: having a support system and someone who has the patience, understanding and want to be there for you? The “now let me carry you” aspect, having the most I work alone, cocky, confident person just fall apart and just… UGH. UGHHHHHHHHH. Again, in any context, this will always be a plus, an extra 1,000,000 points.

star crossed lovers

Angsttttttt. When I’m in the mood, I’m in the mooooooood. Will they? Won’t they? Will I SURVIVE??

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I decided to keep this at a cute eight because it’s an even number and I may do a post like this next year. Who knows. But! What are some of your favorite tropes? Any you se on this list? Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!