It’s Valentine’s Day, so what better day to write about love than today?!
Recently, romance novels have had a popular come back. They were always there (just check out the Free Little Libraries by your house), but they were never in the mainstream so prominently as now. One change that helped was e-readers (so people didn’t judge you based on the bodice-ripping cover art). Another change that has helped sell more romance paperbacks is the cover art. Romance readers no longer have to roll their eyes at the nearly topless women in front of a wind machine with a half-naked man standing behind them.
So where is this blog going? Tropes. Tropes are commonly occurring plots or situations that authors use to build their stories. As a fan of reading romance since I was in junior high, I know that I have certain tropes that I love to read. When readers pick up a book, they want to have their expectations met in fun, entertaining, and predictable ways. Readers love the recognizable: it’s comforting. As writers and editors (and readers) know, romance books are more than just happily ever after. Readers love to see characters develop and find love. So, readers pick up a book because of the trope.
A lot of the books on the lists below are recommendations from one of the most voracious readers I know: my sister. She has high standards for writing, and loves a good trope as much as the rest of us. The majority of these books also tell the stories of diverse characters, which is something that I love about the recent romance books. (Again, change is good!)
Here are a few of my five favourite tropes to read (this is definitely not an exhaustive list of tropes by any means!). If you are curious about a trope, these books are a great place to start. (The synopses are my own…maybe check out the websites for the more detailed blurbs.)
Friends to Lovers
This trope is a classic. Think about Emma by Jane Austen. Usually the characters in this trope are clueless (there’s a movie reference here) about their feelings for each other. Sometimes it takes another friend or family member to point it out, or one of the friends to start a new romantic relationship with someone else (jealousy is a good wake-up call). Sometimes, one of the friends is very aware, but doesn’t make a move because they don’t want to ruin the friendship. From friends to lovers is sweet, funny, and heartwarming all around.
- Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron. This is a retelling of Emma. Kamila loves being a matchmaker, but doesn’t see the perfect match is actually the best friend who works with her Dad and stays over at their house every Friday night.
- Someday Maybe by Colleen Hoover. In this book, Sydney ends up falling in love with her roommate, Ridge. The tension builds as they both try to navigate what a friendship looks like, while having feelings for each other, so their relationship creates a lot of emotional drama.
Enemies to Lovers
We know this trope. We love this trope. Seeing such a dramatic change in characters is satisfying. We get to see tension, and someone having to admit that they’re wrong. Once again, think about to Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. In this trope, someone has to get over their bias, prejudice, or misunderstanding for love to work.
- The Layover by Lacie Waldon. In this book, one character is determined to keep their opinion, while the other character is starting to lose hope that something more is there. Add a layover in Belize, and boom! Magic and romance.
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. International enemies: Prince Henry of England and Alex the First Son of the USA. But it turns out the hostility is only one sided.
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry. What happens when you keep bumping into the person you least want to see? Sparks!
Marriage of Convenience
This trope is found more in historical romance (think Scottish Highlands and Maya Banks, The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, or The Bride by Julie Garwood). But there are some contemporary romances that use this trope. This trope is one of my favourites because the characters can sometimes be so awkward in trying to avoid falling in love (and I find that entertaining). Two people have to sort out how they are going to make things work, while learning that they secretly love each other. Who will admit it first? I’m in!
- The Bride Test by Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient series). Although they technically aren’t married, Khai’s mom convinces Esme to move in and become Khai’s bride, whether he likes it or not. Seeing their relationship develop, and seeing how Khai grows to depend on and need Esme is delightful. There’s way more depth to it than that, but that’s for readers to find out!
- With You Forever by Chloe Liese (Bergman Brother series). What is at first convenient, becomes uncomfortably romantic! Axel, who doesn’t do romance, needs to be married to inherit, and Rooney, who wants to be part of a big family like Axel’s, can’t help but offer a solution to a problem. Also, there’s lots of yummy talk about gluten-free cinnamon buns and desserts (that truly made me smile!).
Faking It
This trope is the fake dating / fauxmance / fake relationship take at romance. Just someone helping out someone else to take away pressure from family or friends. The expectations of others plays prominently in this trope, and the characters often realize that they don’t need to approval of others to live a great life, but are also so grateful for that pressure because now they have with them the love of their lives.
- The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. When Drew gets stuck in an elevator with Alexa just before his ex’s wedding, he convinces Alexa to be his wedding date. And then they keep on dating because it’s clear there’s something between them that’s more than friendship. (It’s love!)
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient series). Stella hires Michael to teach her how to be a better lover, then how to date. But as things carry on, the charade lasts longer than either of them thought. Also, they fall in love. Yes!
Forced Proximity
In this trope, the author makes two characters spend a lot of time together, whether the characters want to or not! The forced proximity trope often works with others, like enemies to lovers.
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Olive and Ethan are the only two wedding guests who don’t get food poisoning as a wedding, so the bride and groom give them the tickets and reservation numbers for their honeymoon in Hawaii. Two almost strangers find out that being together for days on end in paradise might be the best thing that ever happened to them. Three cheers for food allergies!
- Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese (Bergman Brother series). I especially love this book because it includes a female soccer player. When Willa and Ryder are forced to be partners for a university class, things start to become more physical and less academic.
Hopefully there are some books on this list that are new to you, and that you add to your TBRP (To Be Read Pile). And Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy reading!
Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash