Romance Book Tropes: My Thoughts and Recommendations
One of my favorite parts of reading romance books is noticing the tropes. I will always fall for some of them, others… not so much. Every romance reader has their favorites, and here are mine, plus a few I’ve learned to approach with caution.
All of the books mentioned below are ones I’ve read and enjoyed, so I feel confident recommending them if you’re in the mood for a specific trope!
Enemies to Lovers
Characters who start off hating each other but slowly fall in love.
I love this trope. It almost always leads to some serious tension and great banter, which is my weakness. I don’t even mind if it’s more “mild dislike” to lovers or even one-sided dislike. Actually, one-sided where one person secretly loved the other the whole time? Yes, please.
Recommendations:
Not Safe For Work by Nisha J. Tuli
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Summer in the City by Alex Aster
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
Friends to Lovers
Two friends realize there’s something more between them.
Friends to lovers is an all-time fave. There's something so sweet about that foundation of friendship turning into something more. I love when they’ve known each other forever and suddenly can’t ignore the chemistry anymore.
Recommendations:
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Powerless by Elsie Silver
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban
Fake Dating
A couple pretends to be together for a specific reason and then catches real feelings.
This trope can be super fun, but I do think it’s overdone. I tend to avoid it unless the book comes highly recommended. That said, I love the tension it creates, and I will fall for it if the execution is good.
Recommendations:
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Grumpy x Sunshine
One character is brooding and closed-off, while the other is cheerful and bubbly.
This one’s hit or miss for me. I like it, but when the grumpy one, usually the guy, just grunts and barely speaks? No thank you. But if they balance each other well, I’m in.
Recommendations:
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Heartless by Elsie Silver
In a Jam by Kate Canterbarry
Love Triangle
One character is torn between two love interests.
Okay, this trope is hard. If it is done well it can really pull out the tension and leave you wanting more. If done poorly it can have you very annoyed at all involved. Its tough to balance, but I have rated 5 stars to some love triangle books.
Recommendations:
Lightlark by Alex Aster
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
Second Chance Romance
Former lovers reconnect and rekindle their relationship.
This one is okay. I don't hate it, but if they broke up for a bad reason (miscommunication), I’m out. But when it’s two people who clearly belong together and just had bad timing? That can be really moving.
Recommendations:
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Happy Place by Emily Henry
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Forbidden Love
Love between people who aren’t “supposed” to be together due to family, society, or other circumstances.
This trope can be fun when done right. There's usually more steam, higher stakes, and a little bit of angst. I like it when it’s spicy and emotional without being overly dramatic.
Recommendations:
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Final Thoughts
Tropes can seriously shape your reading experience, whether you're in the mood for tension-filled enemies to lovers or a cozy friends to lovers story. I think it’s fun to know what you like, and maybe even challenge yourself to try a trope you usually avoid once in a while.
Let me know what your favorite (or least favorite) trope is in the comments or over on Instagram @BookTabby!