ROMANCE TROPES

Romance Tropes for the Writing Heart

BY J. MINAYA

I’ve compiled a list of romance tropes that have helped me brainstorm new ideas for my writing, and I thought it would be really cool to share it with you. So here it is. Enjoy!

• Friends to Lovers - Usually two lifelong friends whose platonic relationship turns romantic. The risk of ruining their friendship could be the conflict keeping them apart despite their strong feelings for one another.

• Forbidden Love - Love prohibited either by societal norms or the MC’s personal belief of what’s wrong or right.

• Redemption - MC is seeking a second chance at love or in life. This could happen after a move, a breakup, or a tragedy.

• Love triangle - Two men or two women trying to conquer the same love interest. Two different perspectives could be used here. One is through the eyes of the middle point of the triangle (the character being pursued) or through the eyes of one of the legs (one of the two pursuers).

• Enemy to Lovers - Two enemies whose feud sprouts attraction towards one another, making them fall in love by the end of the story.

• Fake Relationship - two people pretending to be in a relationship to hide a secret or deceive other people’s perception of them.

• Billionaire - a story where one of the MCs is filthy rich and uses their fortune to persuade the other.

• Ugly Duckling - A story where the main character is “ugly” or plain looking, then goes through a makeover or even surgery to change their appearance and become more attractive.

• From two different worlds - The relationship is usually seen as taboo due to the big difference between the two MCs. These differences could vary from one story to the next, but I’ve compiled a list of some of the most common within these romance tropes.

  • Different Classes - One of the main characters is rich, and the other is poor.

  • Different Religions - Both or even just one of the MCs come from a religious background that clashes with the other.

  • An age Gap - The age difference between the two MCs is unacceptable by society’s norms.

  • Different Experiences - (This is one of my favorites!) Between the two characters, one is more experienced, while the other is quite naïve and innocent.

  • Interracial - The MCs are from different races, countries, or regions. (e.g., White and black; Asian and Hispanic)

• Revenge - MC was wronged and is seeking revenge. The love interest could be the reason why the MC doesn’t achieve his/her plan, or it could be the ally that makes sure things go as planned.

• Roommates - The MC and their love interest end up living together, creating conflict and sprouting an unexpected romance between the two.

• Single Parents - A single mom or a single dad trying their luck at love while doing their best to care for their children.

• Amnesia - The MC forgot what happened, either through trauma or substance abuse. The love interest is there to help retrace their steps and get answers as to what happened.

• Anti-Hero - MC is the villain of the story, but they have a credible and sympathetic reason for why they are bad.

• Accidental Pregnancy - MC gets pregnant by either a love interest or the wrong man, and now she has to figure out what to do next. It could also be seen through the male eyes as he finds out about the pregnancy and now has to figure out his next move.

• Arranged Marriage - Usually an unwanted marriage forced upon the MC, but through the plot development, it becomes romantic.

• Blackmail - MC has obtained delicate information about their love interest, and with such information, he/she can make their love interest do as they please.

• Fling - A relationship between the MC and their love interest that’s supposed to be temporary but becomes serious by the end of the story, making them regret not pursuing more than just a “one night stand.”

• Catfish - A story where the MC or their love interest is pretending to be someone they are not.

• LGBTQIA2S+ - This is a category of its own! It contains all LGBTQIA2+ stories, which could easily include any tropes mentioned in this list.

• Office Romance - A romance between the MC and their love interest that begins in their workplace. It is usually seen as taboo if both parties have different level titles. (e.g., Manager and employee; boss and subordinate).

• Playboy/ Playgirl - A story in which the MC is promiscuous and/or immune to falling in love until their love interest turns their world upside down. It could also be written from the love interest’s perspective as he/she tries to make the MC settle down.

• Protector - Usually a male role, but it could also be reversed. This is a story in which MC is trying to protect their love interest, either because they are keeping them from finding out some information that could put them in danger or by trying to shelter them from something or someone.

• Runaway Bride/Groom - Bride or groom who ran away on their wedding day. Love interest could be the reason why they ran away, or it could be the reason why the bride/groom doesn’t go back to face their demons.

• Widow(er) - The MC lost their spouse and, through grief, could develop a romantic interest in someone close. (e.g., Spouse’s best friend, Sister/Brother)

• Sibling/Twin Rivalry - A love story in which siblings or twins fight for the same love interest. This is a fun little twist to a love triangle.

• First Love - The story of how the MC felt love for the first time. It could be a teenage story, a YA story, or even how the MC overcomes its flaws and falls in love for the first time.

• Stalker/Obsession - This one leans a bit more towards the dark side of romance. The MC is the perpetrator who is obsessed with their love interest, making them do things that are illegal, dangerous, and borderline psychopathic. The story could also be told from the perspective of the victim as he/she survives being stalked.

• Opposites Attract - A story where two people from different worlds end up falling in love. It can also be the story of how two people with different ideas of what’s right and wrong end up together. (e.g., Cop and a thief)

• Friends with Benefits - A story in which the MC and their love interest agree to have a strictly physical and/or sexual relationship with no strings attached.