10 Classic Romance Tropes to Keep Readers Turning Pages

The romance novel genre is one of the most popular in fiction, if not the most popular. With its origins dating back to 18th century France, romance novels have been popular for centuries.

What is a romance novel?

Simply put, a romance novel focuses on romantic relationships. Therefore, it typically contains many obstacles and challenges for the couple to overcome before being together.

What is a romance novel trope?

In the world of romance novels, there are several different tropes. For example, a trope might be the “boss who falls for his secretary” trope. When you read a romance novel, it might surprise you to find some tropes. However, it is simply a literary device when you think about what a trope is. A literary device is used for artistic purposes in the novel.

A trope is a narrative device, such as a character type or plot device, that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or novelty.

The word “trope” comes from the Greek word τρόπος, which means “turn.” The term is used in the sense of “a figure of speech,” and in this sense, it can be traced back to Aristotle.

Disclaimer

It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway. With this article, I am not implying that any of these situations are healthy relationships or healthy attitudes to have in real life. In fact, in many cases, quite the opposite. Unfortunately, healthy relationships usually make for dull, unmarketable fiction without much conflict or angst, at least in the romance genre. With that said, let’s begin.

Alpha male character

The alpha male is the most dominant, aggressive, and successful man in any given group.

The alpha male is not always a good character, but he does have his uses. He can be domineering and overbearing, but he also has a protective side. Alpha males can be seen as extremely attractive by many women because they are usually confident and powerful.

Alpha males are the most desired type of man in the western world. They are strong, confident, and assertive. In addition, they have a certain charisma that draws people to them and makes them seem larger than life.

The alpha male character is not new in literature. We see him as early as Homer’s Odyssey, in which Odysseus is a classic example of an alpha male hero. He is domineering, brave, and clever. He has a way with words and can talk his way out of any situation — even if he has to lie through his teeth to do it.

Stuck up heroine

The story’s protagonist is an independent, headstrong woman who is not afraid to speak her mind.

The stuck-up heroine is a common trope in romance novels where the heroine is initially a “princess” who needs to be saved by her male love interest. She’s often described as being cold, aloof, and unapproachable. The hero is typically handsome, charming, and wealthy. The reader watches as the heroine gradually falls for her male protagonist while pursuing her romantically.

Meeting at the wrong place or time

The meet-cute is a term used to describe a scene in which two people meet for the first time, and there is an instant connection. This can happen in any setting, but it usually occurs when one of them is running late or in the wrong place.

This type of meeting usually leads to romance and love, but not always.

Hollywood screenwriter Marc Lawrence coined the term in his 1997 film “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”

Strangers in a strange land

The stranger in a strange land story arch is where the protagonist begins in a familiar world and finds themselves in an unfamiliar one. They are surrounded by strangers, some of which may be hostile. The protagonist tries to find their way back home and has to adapt to their new surroundings.

This is what happens when people move to a new country or culture. The protagonist must learn about the culture, customs, and norms of the new place they live in. They have to make friends with the locals and figure out how things work there. This can be difficult for them as they are not used to the environment they live in now. However, this plot device can easily lead to finding love in this new place.

Accidentally kissing and liking it

Kissing is a big deal. It’s the first step in a relationship, it’s often the first time two characters will touch, and it can be the most intimate experience in a story. So when an accidental kiss occurs, it can have some significant consequences on the characters and their relationship.

The accidental kiss is one of those tropes that pops up repeatedly in romance novels and movies. It’s usually done to create tension or add some complication to a relationship. There are always questions about whether or not these two people should be together after this event. Sometimes it leads to them getting together, and sometimes they break up, sometimes they get married.

Love at first sight

Love, at first sight, is an age-old phenomenon that has been explored in many forms of media and has been a topic of interest for centuries. This often inexplicable feeling typically occurs when one is deeply attracted to someone they have just met. Love, at first sight, can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous — especially if one falls too quickly and too hard.

This trope is so popular because it sets up a story, allowing readers to connect and predict outcomes from the beginning. With this trope, readers can anticipate what will happen next and feel like they are playing a fun game when reading- where they constantly try to guess what will happen.

Some people might not find this trope very believable, but many do enjoy it. The idea of a couple coming to meet and then fall in love at first sight is often used for exploring the concept of fate or destiny in popular culture.

Hometown hero

The small town romance trope is a popular theme in American fiction. It often features a protagonist who is the “hero” of their hometown, and the protagonist’s love interest is often from out of town. These stories are usually set in small towns in the United States and often feature life-long friends as supporting characters.

The story’s hero is usually a high school senior who has always been the small-town hero. He was a star athlete, got good grades, and had many friends. But when he meets her, she doesn’t know about his reputation and falls for him quickly.

Bad boy with a heart of gold

The trope of the bad boy with a heart of gold has been a common trope in romance novels for decades. The protagonist initially is drawn to and intrigued by the bad boy because he is exciting and dangerous, but eventually falls in love with him because they overlook his flaws in favor of his redeeming qualities.

The bad boy with a heart of gold trope has been popularized by Twilight, 50 Shades of Grey, and many other novels. In addition, this trope has often been used to explore the idea that even people who seem hopelessly lost can be redeemed by love and charity.

Rich girl with poor boyfriend

One of the most well-known archetypes in popular culture is the poor boy gets rich girl trope. This archetype often is where the female lead character is typically wealthy, and the male lead character typically has less privilege.

This story is often about a rich girl and a poor boy. The girl is used to getting what she wants, but the boy struggles to make ends meet. She’s been spoiled by her parents and always has the best of everything. He’s often had to work multiple jobs just to afford his basic needs.

This trope is often used to show the difference between social classes. It’s also an easy way for writers to create conflict in the story by having these two characters fight over money or having the girl’s wealth be why they break up in the end.

Love triangle

This ubiquitous love triangle plot device draws readers in and keeps them guessing about what will happen next. This trope consists of at least three characters who are romantically involved. Generally, one person is “taken” from another person. This type of love triangle adds suspense to the story and leaves readers wanting to know more about the relationship between the two possible winners.

Love triangles are a staple in romance novels, but they provide tension and drama in any genre. The protagonist is faced with an emotional decision to choose between two people they love. The love triangle can be the plot’s driving force or simply a source of a subplot exploring the love triangle as it develops.

Conclusion

The truth about romance novel tropes is that they are here to stay, and readers love them for various reasons. Therefore, authors can use the tropes to their advantage to craft the perfect story that will keep a reader hooked until the end.

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