A Romance Trope for Every Reader

Well well well…the season of love is finally upon us, which means it’s my time to SHINE, dear reader! Valentine’s Day will encourage some readers to crack open a romance or two, but for others (like me), it’s what we read most of the time anyways. 

Amanda, one of our lovely owners, has asked me before how I don’t get bored with the formulaic nature of romance books. To that I say…the formula is the reason why I love it. There’s comfort in knowing you're going to get a happy ending, and the story isn’t actually always the same just because the structure is there.

So get your happy ending on and dive into some of the most popular romance tropes below. There will be three recommendations per trope, each one a book that epitomizes the trope’s juicy features. Whatever kind of reader you are, I’ve got recommendations for you. 

Enemies to Lovers

First, there’s hate, or something like it. Maybe it’s just animosity, or maybe it’s the beginnings of pure, fiery passion…Regardless, the two leads are opposites, butting heads and not willing to budge. But underneath that fierce emotion there is a flame, and it’s smoking. 

Sometimes, enemies to lovers can be problematic. Why would you ever want to be in love with someone who was a garbage human to you? Those who write this trope well know there’s a line between “enemies” that make mistakes going for what they want and “enemies” that are willing to ruin a good thing with abusive behavior.

It’s funny because I often will say I don’t enjoy this trope due to the fineness of that line, but, in fact, I find myself loving it almost every time! (Well, not when a garbage human is involved because I don’t have time for trash, and neither does this list of great books.)

Book List: 

1. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

2.  Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams

3. Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood

Second Chance Romance

This trope – just the thought of it, even – melts my heart. Actually, it melts the entirety of me. I am just a little puddle on the floor. What is it about reconnecting with your true love after a long period of time that I find so romantic? Maybe it's growing up with The Notebook as the gold standard for romance, and maybe it's the idea that despite all life throws at us there’s still the possibility of coming back together. My favorite variation of this trope is when a young love ends due to unforeseen reasons but the leads find each other again after many years.

Book List: 

1. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

2. A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria 

3. The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary

Bookstore Romance

Okay. Maybe it’s because certain romance books hyped up the idea of a “meet-cute” in a bookstore, but finding love in one always seemed like a dream. When I first began bookselling at Dog-Eared Books, there were definitely moments when I thought,  “Oh my gosh, is this my meet-cute?!” It didn’t matter if I was selling books, shelving books, or doing any of my other duties. Anything seemed possible (and in the end I did sort of adjacently meet my partner in a bookstore)!

Even now, I get all the butterflies in my stomach when I read about a bookstore romance. It’s so precious for a bookish person to find someone in the same space they spend so much time doing what they love. So this trope is for all the bookish individuals who want to find love in the stacks. 

Book List: 

1. Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

2. Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey

3. Well Met by Jen Deluca

Friends to Lovers

Lizzie McGuire and Gordo (Lizzie McGuire). Jenna Rink and Matt Flamhaff (13 Going on 30). Marcus and Sasha (Always Be My Maybe). Jack Malik and Ellie Appleton (Yesterday).  I hear these names, and my heart instantly swells with love. This trope is all about pining for a long time and finally FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLLYYYYYY coming together. These characters found friendship at a young age, but it’s not until 10+ years later that they discover they might be something more. Talk about payoff. There’s something about knowing someone pined for another person so long that I think is so pure. 

Now, does it annoy the hell out of me sometimes? Absolutely. You read about a character and think, “Seriously, you have to know they’re into you – it’s so obvious!” But playing the long game, a slow burn, and fireworks at the end are what make this trope more than huggable. 

Book List: 

1.  Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis

2.  Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

3. Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

Forced Proximity

This trope makes me want to instantly “deep voice” giggle. Two strangers suddenly become flat mates, or maybe they’re both in a wedding party and have to spend a weekend together, or maybe they can’t literally can’t escape each other because they’re stuck in an elevator. Whatever the uncomfortable but entertaining situation is, romance is bound to occur. This trope is so fun because often you get two people who can’t really stand each other and watch as each of their guards come down. Eventually, they open up and begin to understand each other. This love is a fun one. 

Book List: 

1. The Royals Next Door by Karina Hale

2. Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

3. Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

And even this list is just a small sampling of some of the best romance tropes (having to share one bed, anyone?) What are your favorite romance tropes? Tell us in the comments!