As usual, these aren’t in any discernable order–I’m just writing them as they occur to me.
10.) Friends to Lovers – I love a good Friends to Lovers romance. All that angst and uncertainty and fear about screwing up a perfectly good friendship? Loooooooovvvvvveeeeeee. Then the awkward morning afters and the inability to deal with the whole changed dynamic in the relationship? Love that, too.
9.) Enemies to Lovers – Enemies to Lovers is one of my all time favorites. I adore people who are getting their hate on but are utterly and unreasonably attracted to the object of their loathing. That whole trope is just delightful. And delicious. And dickish, because they’re always dickish to each other in the best ways possible. If the plot has a side of Forced Proximity, it’s even better. And when they finally come together (no pun intended to have all the hate sex? I. Am. There. For. That.
8.) Coworker/Office Romance – There is something that I adore about Workplace Romances. I think part of it is the emotional and social risks they take to be together that really appeals to me. This trope is almost always closely tied with the upcoming Secret Relationship trope which I also love. There’s something really satisfying about watching these two people who have to work together–no matter what state their relationship is in at the moment that immediately grabs my attention.
7.) Secret Relationship – As I mentioned above, this one is closely tied (for me, anyway) with the Coworker/Office Romance trope. There’s something I love about all the sneaking around, the having to pretend everything is normal when they’re with family/friends/coworkers even though they might have just finished having mind blowing sex in the closet. There’s nothing I don’t love about that dynamic.
6.) Second Chance – I’m a huge fan of this trope. I love seeing relationships work out the way they’re meant to for people–especially when you can see how much they belong together. And I love when they work through legitimate relationship issues in a meaningful way and when there’s been emotional growth by both parties. Reunion books are a big love of mine.
5.) Scars and Angst – I would be lying if I said that I didn’t love me a matching set of monogrammed emotional baggage. Bring me all the angst! ALL OF IT! However, said luggage needs to be realistically written and all of those emotional issues absolutely cannot be solved by the magic peen or the magic vag. That’s a hard nope for me.
4.) Fairy Tales – I love Fairy Tales in all their iterations and romantic retellings are often a good comfort read. One of my favs will always be Beauty and the Beast–which is handy. A lot of people like that one, so there are some great versions out there.
3.) Geeky Romance – I know a lot of people love their alphahole heroes, but I’m not one of them. I’d rather read a good geeky romance that are populated by people who are so much like the people I hang out with, that often, the characters seem like old friends. Characters who are smart, may be a socially awkward and who are are passionate about their nerdy interests and each other, too, This is my tribe.
2.) BFF’s Sibling – This is another one of those that usually slots in nicely with Secret Relationship, because there’s always so much at risk there. Not only the romantic relationship, but also the BFF friendship.
1.) Fling to a Thing – Another fave is Fling to a Thing. You know the one–both parties agree that it’s just going to be a no-strings fling and then they get all the feels? But they just keep fighting it. That is a thing of beauty.
Bonus Item.) Student/Teacher – I really love this trope–with some caveats. Not the super sleazy kind with an unhealthy power imbalance, manipulation, or coercion. NOPE.
Okay, so share. What are some of your favorite tropes? And if you can think of titles you love that involve any of my faves, please share those, too! And if you happen to be riding any of the same trope trains as me, may I suggest…
Rewritten: Coworkers Romance, Scars/Angst, Enemies to Lovers, Geeky Romance
The Professor’s Student: Student/Teacher, Secret Relationship, Fling to a Thing
Drawn That Way: Geeky Romance, Coworkers Romance, Secret Relationship, Fling to a Thing
Out of Sync: Friends to Lovers, Fling to a Thing, Secret Relationship, Second Chance
In Bounds: Enemies to Lovers, Coworkers Romance,
Finding You: Friends to Lovers, Scars and Angst,
Unexpected Gifts: Friends to Lover’s, BFF’s Sibling,
Oh, I love second chance romances!! I also love romances that involve people who have sworn off relationships because of a past marriage or whatever then end up falling for someone new. All the struggle and angst.
My favorite trope? Hmmmmmm . . . Weeeeellllll . . . As long as it is well written, I like most of them.
The work place with some geek – Drawn that way – yep! Loved it. Have you read The Wrong Kind of Compatible by Kadie Scott? Some really great geeky workplace romance there. Love it.
Prof/student – The Professor’s Student. Yep loved that too. Dear Sir, I’m Yours by Joely Sue Burkhart is a favorite read of mine too.
Actually Bron, I love all your books no matter what the trope. You keep writing. I will keep reading. Thank you.
Oh man, I looooooove me some friends-to-lovers books! There is something just so irresistibly adorable about it.