Valentine’s Day is about romance and love, a day to celebrate the compassion and devotion between couples. Yet, some would rather delve into the romance of fiction than the romance of reality. Avid readers, story writers, and movie producers flock to find the best love stories to satisfy their craving, usually stories which incorporate many common tropes. Tropes are plot devices commonly used in storytelling and have been used for years and years in the media. There’s something about them that has people coming back for more. Here are a few romance tropes and some recommendations that have been popular with the crowds for years and may keep you entertained this Valentine’s day.
Forbidden Lovers
The classic Romeo and Juliet love story, two individuals who are in love but unable to be together due to their circumstances. Anticipation builds for them as they finally achieve happiness, defying societal pressures and coming together. Forbidden Lovers is a trope about determination, adversary and desire; giving lovers a dark and despairing they’re forced to overcome. If you like these somber love stories, some books to look into would be One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake, Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston, and The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan. All of these novels will keep the reader on the edge of their seat the entire time, anxiously waiting for the two people in love to get their happy ending.
Enemies to Lovers
Take two enemies, ones who absolutely despise one another, then make them slowly and eventually fall in love. This is the enemies to lovers trope, showcasing humanity having a mutual respect for each other and learning to put aside their differences in the case of love. If this is a trope that you absolutely die for, some novels to check out include Twisted Hate by Ana Huang, Beach Read by Emily Henry, and Enemies with Benefits by Roxie Noir. All of these texts lay into this very idea, taking two people who initially hate each other and making them work it out through discussions, romance, and their own self journey. From wanting to end each other, to becoming infatuated with each other, enemies to lovers is a story that usually ends with a satisfying conclusion.
Opposites Attract
Just like in physics, opposites always attract one another. One partner making up for the other’s shortcomings, and vice versa, is always a sweet idea. If you’re interested in this style of romance, a few books that lean into the trope are It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, King of Pride by Ana Huang, and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. These books all show that two people, no matter how different they are, can end up together and find common grounds with one another. Guess romance and physics aren’t so different.
Love Triangle
The obligatory love triangle, a trope so loved yet so hated at the same time. Where two parties fight for one person’s love, and that one person simply cannot choose between the two. Stories like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid are for those who love the love triangle trope. The choices and the regret all culminate to make a love story all novelists can enjoy. This trope, when done right, can have a powerful meaning of love, loyalty, and what it means to be truthful, which can make it powerful and inspiring.
Amnesia
What happens when someone’s lover fails to remember them? Do they give up, or do they carry on life with their partner as normal? The amnesia trope focuses on the idea of forgetting your loved ones, a thought that can be scary and heartwarming at the same time. For those interested in this very concept, Forget Me Not by Q.B. Tyler, Help Me Remember by Corinne Michaels, and Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas lean into this trope for a heartwarming tale, one book lovers are sure to remember.
Fake Relationships
Getting into a fake relationship only for it to slowly turn romantic is a trope usually filled with wacky hijinks, hilarity, and the misadventures of the two slowly realizing they’re in love and not just faking. Books such as The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, and The Deal by Elle Kennedy are for those who love the idea of the chaotic antics love makes you do. All highlight fake relationships in a positive light, watching them blossom into something more while focusing on the nature of growing feelings and communication.
All of these tropes have a special place in the hearts of many as, despite their repetitive nature, they can all be blended and twisted into intricate plots and themes of compassion, honesty, and loyalty. While Valentine’s Day cherishes our loved ones, romance is built on the pillars of trust, which can be highlighted through fiction and the author’s personal experiences. These romance tropes may be cheesy, and they may be overdone, but they’re always reliable to highlight the struggles and perks of romance. We hope these tropes help make your Valentine’s Day read a good one!
