5 Romance Tropes + Book Recommendations

There are so many romance tropes that I love. But we all have our favorites—the tropes we can't help but swoon over.

These five romance tropes are my guilty pleasures. And I'm sharing a few books I've loved for each (you're welcome 😉).

Romance Trope #1: Enemies to Lovers

I have nothing against friends to lovers, but enemies to lovers always gets me. And I feel like it plays out so well in fantasy novels.

A few of my favorites:

1. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen

3. The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Perhaps it's no surprise that my book DARKLING uses this trope...😅

Romance Trope #2: Forced Proximity

Forcing your love interests together is just delightful. Make them have to share one bed or one horse is even better!

1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (hang in there and you'll get to this trope!)

2. A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane

3. A Deal With the Elf King by Elise Kova (definitely read the other books in this series too!)

Romance Trope #3: He Falls First

I live for those "touch her and die" moments in books where he's just so head over heels for her and she still hasn't caught on.

1. Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster

2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

3. Gild (Plated Prisoner series) by Raven Kennedy

Romance Trope #4: Fated Mates

I'm waiting for this one to get old...but it hasn't yet. I especially love Fated Mates when it's mixed with "enemies to lovers" or "him falling first." Just cue the swoon.

1. Throne of Glass (series) by Sarah J. Maas (ACOTAR too!)

2. What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L. Woods

3. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair (BONUS: It's a Hades x Persephone retelling)

Romance Trope #5: Found Family

I'm a sucker for fantasy romance novels where the heroine finds some sort of redemption or new family. Half the joy of romance novels is the new friends and people that surround the couple by the end. When done well, this trope really touches me!

1. A Shadow Bright and Burning (series) by Jessica Cluess (Did I cry? Yes.)

2. The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy is great for this trope too!

3. Fable by Adrienne Young

Tell Me Your Favorite Tropes!

I feel like this just scratches the surface of the tropes I love in romance novels. As you can tell from my book recommendations, I'm a little biased towards the genre I write in—fantasy romance. So, please share your favorite tropes and books in the comments!