Popular Romance Tropes
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As a writer, it’s my job to know popular romance tropes and to weave them into my stories. As a reader, you most likely have your favorite romance tropes, although you may not call it that.
What is a romance trope?
Romance tropes are plot devices, motifs, or themes commonly appearing in romance fiction. Readers can easily recognize romance tropes, and they often play a significant role in the story's plot.
There are many different types of romance tropes, including enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, forbidden romance, insta-love, slow burn romance, age-gap romance, love triangles, and fake dating/relationships.
These tropes have unique characteristics and plot devices that make them appealing to readers. For example, the enemies-to-lovers trope involves two characters who start off as adversaries but eventually fall in love. This trope is popular because it creates tension and conflict, which can be satisfying for readers when resolved in a romantic way.
In this article, I’ll explore the different types of romance tropes and provide examples of popular books that use these tropes effectively. We will also discuss why romance tropes are so popular among readers and how they contribute to the overall success of the romance genre.
Whether you are a die-hard romance fan (like me) or just starting to explore the genre, understanding romance tropes can help you appreciate the stories more deeply.
Classic Romance Tropes
Romance tropes have been used in literature for centuries, and some of the most beloved classics feature these familiar themes. Here are some of the classic romance tropes that have stood the test of time.
Friends to Lovers
One of the most popular romance tropes is the "friends to lovers" storyline.
This trope involves two characters who have been friends for a long time and slowly realize they have deeper feelings for each other. This trope allows for a natural progression of the relationship, as the characters already know each other well and have a strong foundation of trust and respect.
A classic example of this trope includes Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe in Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables."
Enemies to Lovers
Another classic romance trope is "enemies to lovers."
This trope involves two characters who start disliking each other but eventually fall in love. This trope allows for plenty of conflict and tension as the characters must overcome their initial animosity towards each other.
Some classic examples of this trope include Beatrice and Benedick in William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" and Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind."
Second Chance at Love
The "second chance at love" trope involves two characters who have had a romantic relationship in the past, but for one reason or another, it didn't work out. Later on, they are given another chance to rekindle their love.
This trope allows for a lot of emotional depth, as the characters must confront their past mistakes and work to rebuild their relationship.
Some classic examples of this trope include Cathy and Heathcliff in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" and Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre."
Love at First Sight
"Love at first sight" is a classic romance trope involving two characters who instantly fall in love upon meeting each other.
This trope allows for a lot of passion and intensity in the relationship but can also be criticized for being unrealistic.
Some classic examples of this trope include Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and Cathy and Edgar in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights."
Unrequited Love
The "unrequited love" trope involves one character having feelings for another character who does not feel the same way.
This trope allows for a lot of angst and heartbreak as the character must accept that their love is not returned.
Some classic examples of this trope include Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and Holden Caulfield and Jane Gallagher in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."
These classic romance tropes have been used repeatedly in literature, but they continue to captivate readers with their timeless themes of love, passion, and heartbreak.
Contemporary Romance Tropes
Contemporary romance is a sub-genre of romance that is set in modern times.
It often features relatable characters who face realistic challenges in their relationships. Here are some popular contemporary romance tropes that readers love.
Fake Relationship
The fake relationship trope is a classic in contemporary romance.
In this trope, two characters pretend to be in a romantic relationship for various reasons, such as to make an ex jealous or to impress someone. As they spend more time together, they start to develop real feelings for each other.
One popular example of this trope is "The Kiss Quotient" by Helen Hoang. The protagonist hires a male escort to teach her how to be better at relationships, but they end up falling for each other.
Office Romance
The office romance trope is another popular one in contemporary romance.
In this trope, two characters who work together start to develop feelings for each other. This trope can be tricky to pull off, as workplace relationships can be complicated, but it can also be very satisfying for readers.
"The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne is a great example of this trope. The two protagonists work in the same office and have a fierce rivalry, but they start to see each other in a new light as they work together on a project.
Opposites Attract
The opposites attract trope is a classic in all genres, but it works particularly well in contemporary romance.
In this trope, two characters who are very different from each other fall in love despite their differences. This can create a lot of tension and conflict, but it can also be very rewarding for readers.
One great example of this trope is "The Proposal" by Jasmine Guillory. The protagonist is a successful career woman who hates public speaking, while the love interest is a laid-back sports doctor who loves being in the spotlight. Despite their differences, they find a way to make it work.
Overall, contemporary romance offers a wide variety of tropes to choose from. Whether you prefer fake relationships, office romances, or opposites attract, there's something for everyone in this sub-genre.
Paranormal Romance Tropes
Paranormal Romance is a subgenre of romance that involves supernatural elements.
This section will explore some of the most popular Paranormal Romance tropes.
Vampire Love
Vampire Love is a popular trope in Paranormal Romance.
It involves a human falling in love with a vampire. The vampire is often portrayed as a dark, mysterious, and dangerous figure. Humans are usually innocent and naive, and vampires must protect them from other vampires and supernatural threats.
Some common elements of Vampire Love include:
The vampire is immortal and has lived for centuries.
The human is often unaware of the vampire's true nature at first.
The vampire must resist the urge to drink the human's blood.
The vampire and human must overcome societal and cultural barriers to be together.
Who can forget Bella and Edward in the “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer.
Shape Shifter Romance
Shape Shifter Romance is another popular trope in Paranormal Romance.
It involves a human falling in love with a shapeshifter. The shape shifter can transform into an animal or another form and often have supernatural abilities.
Some common elements of Shape Shifter Romance include:
The shape shifter is often part of a pack or community of other shape shifters.
The human is often unaware of the shape shifter's true nature at first.
The shape shifter must balance their human and animal instincts.
The shape shifter and human must overcome societal and cultural barriers to be together.
Time Travel Love
Time Travel Love is a unique trope in Paranormal Romance. It involves a human falling in love with someone from a different time period. The time traveler can be from the future or the past, and they often have supernatural abilities.
Some common elements of Time Travel Love include:
The time traveler must navigate the differences between their time period and the human's time period.
The human is often unaware of the time traveler's true nature at first.
The time traveler must balance their desire to be with the human with their obligations to their own time period.
The time traveler and human must overcome societal and cultural barriers to be together.
In conclusion, Paranormal Romance is a popular subgenre of romance that involves supernatural elements. Vampire Love, Shape Shifter Romance, and Time Travel Love are just a few of the many tropes that can be found in this genre.
Historical Romance Tropes
When it comes to historical romance, there are many tropes that are commonly used. These tropes can be found in both Regency and Medieval romance novels. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular historical romance tropes.
Regency Romance
Regency romance novels are set in England during the Regency era, which lasted from 1811 to 1820. These novels typically feature aristocratic characters and focus on their social lives and romantic relationships.
One of the most popular Regency romance tropes is the "marriage of convenience." This trope involves two characters who marry for practical reasons, rather than for love. Over time, the couple falls in love and their marriage becomes a true partnership.
Another popular trope is the "rake and the innocent." This trope features a rakish hero who falls in love with a young, innocent woman. The hero must overcome his reputation and prove himself worthy of the heroine's love.
Medieval Romance
Medieval romance novels are set in Europe during the Middle Ages, which lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. These novels typically feature knights, lords, and ladies and focus on their romantic relationships.
One popular Medieval romance trope is the "knight in shining armor." This trope features a brave knight who rescues a damsel in distress. The knight and the damsel fall in love and live happily ever after.
Another popular trope is the "forbidden love." This trope features two characters who are in love, but are forbidden from being together due to social or political reasons. The couple must overcome these obstacles in order to be together.
Overall, historical romance novels are beloved by many readers for their timeless settings and romantic plots. Whether you prefer Regency or Medieval romance, there is a trope out there for every reader.
Romance Tropes in Young Adult Fiction
When it comes to young adult fiction, romance tropes are a staple of the genre. From high school romances to first loves, these tropes are used to create compelling and relatable stories that resonate with readers.
High School Romance
One of the most popular romance tropes in young adult fiction is the high school romance. This trope features two teenagers who fall in love while navigating the complexities of high school life. This can include dealing with cliques, peer pressure, and academic stress, all while trying to maintain a relationship.
Some popular examples of high school romance in young adult fiction include "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han and "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. These books use the high school setting to create a relatable and realistic backdrop for the romance.
First Love
Another common romance trope in young adult fiction is first love. This trope features characters who are experiencing love for the first time and are often unsure of how to navigate their feelings. This can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and ultimately, growth and self-discovery.
Some popular examples of first love in young adult fiction include "Eleanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell and "The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon. These books use the first love trope to explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of connection.
Triangular Love
Finally, the triangular love trope is another popular element of young adult romance. This trope features a love triangle between three characters, often with one character torn between two love interests. This can create tension and drama, as well as explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of love.
Some popular examples of triangular love in young adult fiction include "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer and "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. These books use the triangular love trope to create complex relationships between characters and to explore themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the nature of love.
Overall, romance tropes are a key element of young adult fiction, allowing authors to create compelling and relatable stories that resonate with readers. Whether it's a high school romance, a first love, or a triangular love, these tropes can be used to explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of connection.
Romance Tropes in LGBTQ+ Literature
When it comes to romance tropes in LGBTQ+ literature, there are a few that are commonly used. In this section, we will explore two of the most popular tropes: the coming out story and the bisexual love triangle.
Coming Out Story
The coming out story is a classic trope in LGBTQ+ literature. It is a story that follows a character as they navigate their sexuality and come out to their friends and family. This trope is often used to explore the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face when coming out, as well as the support systems that they have in place.
One example of a coming out story in LGBTQ+ literature is "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli. The novel follows Simon, a high school student who is gay but has not come out to his friends and family. The story explores the challenges that Simon faces as he comes to terms with his sexuality and decides to come out.
Bisexual Love Triangle
Another popular trope in LGBTQ+ literature is the bisexual love triangle. This trope involves a character who is attracted to both men and women, and who finds themselves torn between two love interests. This trope is often used to explore the complexities of bisexuality and the challenges that come with navigating relationships with both men and women.
One example of a bisexual love triangle in LGBTQ+ literature is "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston. The novel follows Alex, the son of the President of the United States, as he falls in love with Henry, the Prince of Wales. The story explores the challenges that Alex faces as he navigates his relationship with Henry, as well as his feelings for his best friend, who is also a woman.
In conclusion, the coming out story and the bisexual love triangle are two popular romance tropes in LGBTQ+ literature. These tropes are often used to explore the complexities of LGBTQ+ relationships and the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face when navigating their sexuality.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, romance tropes are a popular and enduring aspect of literature. They provide readers with a sense of familiarity and comfort, while also allowing for unique and creative storytelling. From the classic "friends become lovers" trope to the more unconventional "secret billionaire" trope, there is a romance trope for every reader.
Through our research, we have found that some of the most beloved romance tropes include the meet-cute, enemies become lovers, and second chance romance. These tropes allow for interesting and dynamic character development, as well as exciting plot twists and turns.
It is important to note that while romance tropes can be enjoyable, they are not without their criticisms. Some argue that certain tropes perpetuate harmful stereotypes or reinforce gender roles. As with any genre, it is important to approach romance novels with a critical eye and an open mind.
Overall, romance tropes are a fascinating and complex aspect of literature. They offer readers a wide range of stories and experiences, and will likely continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common themes in romance novels?
Romance novels often feature themes of love, passion, and desire. Other common themes include second chances, enemies to lovers, and friends to lovers. Many romance novels also explore themes of trust, forgiveness, and self-discovery.
What are some unique twists on classic romance tropes?
Authors often put their own unique spin on classic romance tropes to keep readers engaged. For example, a common trope is the billionaire romance, where a wealthy protagonist falls in love with a less affluent love interest. A unique twist on this trope could be having the protagonist be a self-made millionaire who falls in love with a struggling artist.
How do romance tropes differ across different genres?
Romance tropes can vary depending on the genre of the novel. For example, historical romance novels may feature arranged marriages, while contemporary romance novels may focus on online dating. Paranormal romance novels often feature supernatural creatures such as vampires or werewolves.
What are some popular subgenres within the romance genre?
Popular subgenres within the romance genre include historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. Other subgenres include romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and LGBTQ+ romance.
What are some common character archetypes in romance novels?
Common character archetypes in romance novels include the alpha male, the bad boy, and the girl next door. Other archetypes include the damsel in distress, the best friend, and the forbidden love interest.
What are some tips for writing a successful romance novel?
To write a successful romance novel, it is important to understand the genre's conventions and tropes. Other tips include creating compelling characters with clear motivations, establishing a believable and compelling conflict, and balancing the romance with other elements such as plot and setting. It is also important to write in a clear and engaging style that will keep readers invested in the story.
