When you read as many romance books as I do, many romance book tropes naturally become my favorites. And from the number of fellow romance book lovers who email me, I know I’m not alone in loving these popular romance tropes!
Romance tropes are utilized by romance authors as a plot device to shape the storyline of a romance book that gives the reader a general sense of what the romance is about.
Although there are many romance tropes to devour, these fifteen are the most popular among readers and writers. Below you’ll find these popular romance tropes as well as my favorite book recommendations for each so that you can check them out yourself and find your own favorite.
To learn more about romance tropes, be sure to also check out my ultimate guide to romance genre as well as my quick list of 100 romance tropes.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Most Popular Romance Book Tropes
1. Enemies to Lovers Romance Trope
Enemies to lovers is my personal favorite romance book trope because I love the tension that builds between the main characters who start out as enemies but soon cross over that thin line between love and hate.
My Favorite Enemies to Lovers Book:
Truce
by R.L. Mathewson
Truce by R.L. Mathewson is one of my favorite enemies to lovers books because the tension between Robert and Elizabeth sparks the best chemistry that neither can ignore despite their animosity toward one another.
These two tormented each other as children so the hate between them had years to develop before it finally morphed into the greatest love story of all time. Truce is also a historical romance but you can check out these additional enemies to lovers books for examples of this popular romance trope:
- From Blood and Ash (fantasy enemies to lovers romance)
- Paper Princess (young adult enemies to lovers romance)
- Heated Rivarly (MM enemies to lovers romance)
2. Friends to Lovers Romance Trope
Friends to lovers is another popular romance trope where two characters who have been just friends finally decide to purse more and become lovers.
My Favorite Friends to Lovers Book:
Hook, Line, and Sinker
by Tessa Bailey
Hook, Line and Sinker is one of my favorite friends to lovers books because it really demonstrates what this romance trope is all about. Hannah and Fox became friends when she spent time in his small fishing village and they started texting each other and growing their friendship after she left.
When Hannah suggests Westport as the perfect location for the new movie her boss is filming, she finds herself back in Westport and sleeping in Fox’s guest bedroom.
Check out these romance books for more great examples of the friends to lovers romance trope:
3. Second Chance Romance Trope:
The second chance romance trope is when love is found a second time around, typically after a breakup.
My Favorite Second Chance Romance Book:
Paradise
by Judith McNaught
Paradise is one of my favorite romance novels of all time and one of the best second chance romance books that will totally consume you. Matthew Farrell is well known for his corporate take overs but he was once the boy from the opposite side of the tracks. That didn’t stop, 18 year-old Meredith Bancroft from disappearing from the country club with Matt and finding a once in a lifetime connection.
Only the department store heiress ultimately betrayed him. Now years later, Matt’s back and ready to exact some revenge on Meredith and the Bancroft empire, only to find that their past is mixed up in lies and deceit and their feelings returning with a vengeance.
Check out these romance books for more in the second chance romance trope:
4. Slow Burn Romance Trope:
The slow burn romance trope is used when an author very slowly builds up the tension between characters to where they have no choice but to recognize they are falling for one another.
My Favorite Slow Burn Romance Book:
The Flatshare
by Beth O’Leary
The Flatshare is such a fantastic romance that epitomizes the slow burn romance trope. Tiffy accepts an offer to share a one-bedroom flat with Leon, who is a quiet hospice nurse. The idea is that she will get the flat at night and then he will get it for the day.
Despite never meeting each other, they share a flat and begin leaving each other notes as their way of communicating with each other which slowly builds an amazing relationship. This book enthralled me and made me invested in the story just to see what these characters would do, say, and write next.
For even more books with the slow burn romance trope, check out these must-read books:
5. Opposites Attract Romance Trope:
The opposites attract romance trope is when two characters who are opposite in temperament, personality or other characteristic end up falling for one another despite those differences.
My Favorite Opposites Attract Romance Book:
The Simple Wild
by K.A. Tucker
The Simple Wild is a fantastic opposites attract romance book that pits the city girl against the wilderness man. Calla hasn’t been back to Alaska since she was two years old, but now she’s back to repair her relationship with her ailing father before it’s too late. She just doesn’t know if she’s more at risk from the wilds of Alaska or the obnoxious charter pilot she meets and soon falls for.
More of my favorite in the opposites attract romance trope include:
6. Grumpy Sunshine Romance Trope:
The grumpy sunshine romance trope describes a romance book where one character is a complete grump and who appears to be angry or stoic a lot of the time where the character he or she falls for is the complete opposite- a ray of sunshine who is always happy and smiling.
My Favorite Grumpy Sunshine Romance Book:
Things We Never Got Over
by Lucy Score
Things We Never Got Over is a popular romance in the grumpy sunshine romance trope and one of my favorites as well! Knox likes to live his life alone and without drama but when Naomi barrels into his life (in her wedding dress!) to take care of the niece she never knew she had, he can’t help but help.
Knox is one of those grumps who thinks he’s got it all figured out when he really has it all backwards. Naomi was his perfect, sunshine match.
More recommendations in the grumpy sunshine romance trope include:
7. Billionaire Romance Trope:
The billionaire romance trope has a billionaire as one of the main characters.
My Favorite Billionaire Romance Book:
Dirty Filthy Rich Men
by Laurelin Paige
Dirty Filthy Rich Men is one of my favorite billionaire romance books in this romance trope because it epitomizes why readers love billionaire romances. More often than not they focus on an alpha male with a big bank account that takes what he wants in work and in his personal life.
Sabrina did not exist in the rich world like Weston King or Donovan Kincaid but she was drawn to both men. Now ten years since she first fell under their spell, she confronted with both men but she’s not sure if you can resist all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck her.
After reading the Dirty Filthy Rich Men duet, check out these books for more in the billionaire romance trope:
8. Why Choose Romance Trope:
The why choose romance trope aka reverse harem romance trope is used when the female main character has three or more love interests at the same time.
My Favorite Why Choose Romance Book:
Faking With Benefits
by Lily Gold
Faking With Benefits is one of my favorite books in the why choose/reverse harem romance trope because it’s a standalone, contemporary romance that has incredible characters. Layla is failing at dating so her three neighbors propose an idea to “fake date” her to assess what she’s doing wrong and to teach her how to get better at finding a mate. In return, she’ll talk about her progress and what’s she learned on their podcast each week. This is the perfect entry into the why choose trope since it isn’t in a series but depicts a polyamorous relationship.
More of my favorites in the why choose/reverse harem trope include:
9. Brother’s Best Friend Romance Trope:
The brother’s best friend romance trope includes books where one of the main characters falls for their brother’s best friend.
My Favorite Brother’s Best Friend Romance Book:
Beautiful Player
by Christina Lauren
My favorite book in the brother’s best friend romance trope is Beautiful Player because it not only has fantastic writing and a wonderful storyline but it shows how these relationships can easily develop from their connection to the brother and how these relationships usually stay secret for a time.
I especially love how Hanna decides to give dating a try after her overprotective brother lectures her about getting out more and that she chooses to do so with his playboy best friend.
For more recommendations in the brother’s best friend trope, check out:
10. Arranged Marriage Romance Trope:
The arranged marriage romance trope includes stories where the main characters are forced into marriage, often by others, to satisfy a need or reason instead of choosing to marry for love.
My Favorite Arranged Marriage Romance Book:
The Bride
by Julie Garwood
One of my favorite books in the arranged marriage romance trope is The Bride because it involves a young, headstrong English woman and a hot, arrogant Scotsman. Alec may have arranged the marriage to satisfy the edict of the king, but their clash of wills creates the best chemistry that soon neither can deny. It’s one of Julie Garwood’s best.
These books are some additional favorites in the arranged marriage romance trope:
11. Fake Dating Romance Trope:
Romance books with the fake dating romance trope include characters who agree to fake date each other in hopes of achieving a goal or a reaction from someone else.
My Favorite Fake Dating Romance:
Blind Side
by Kandi Steiner
I love the fake dating romance trope so much and one of my favorites in it is Blind Side because both main characters decide to fake date each other in hopes of stoking jealousy in the two people they actually want.
Clay, the star football player wants to make his ex jealous while Gianna just wants to get Shawn’s attention but the two fall hot and heavy for each other instead.
Be sure to check out these must-read books with the fake dating romance trope as well:
12. Forced Proximity Romance Trope:
The forced proximity romance trope includes a storyline where the two main characters fall in love with one another because they are forced together in each other’s space for one reason or another.
My Favorite Forced Proximity Romance:
Act Your Age, Eve Brown
by Talia Hibbert
Act Your Age, Eve Brown is a cute, steamy, and sweet book that uses the forced proximity romance trope because Eve moves into the Inn that Jacob owns because she accidentally hit him with her car so she’s taking over the chef job much to his chagrin.
Even though these two are complete opposites, living in close quarters causes them to learn more about each other and ultimately fall in love. It’s fabulous and one of my all-time favorites.
More of my favorites in the forced proximity romance trope include:
13. Office Romance Trope:
The office romance trope involves a romance that develops in the office setting.
My Favorite Office Romance Book:
The Spanish Love Deception
by Elena Armas
The Spanish Love Deception is a popular book in the office romance trope and definitely one of my favorites too. Catalina Martin does NOT want to show up single at her sister’s wedding with her ex in attendance and his new fiancé.
So she has no choice but to take up her infuriating co-worker’s offer to travel to Spain and be her fake boyfriend. Despite their constant bickering in the office, these two colleagues end up falling for one another.
More books to add to your TBR list in the office romance trope include:
14. Small Town Romance Trope:
The small town romance book trope involves a storyline set in a small town where often other secondary characters in the town play a role in the main characters love story.
My Favorite Small Town Romance Book:
That Swoony Feeling
by Meghan Quinn
All of Meghan Quinn’s books in the Getting Lucky series utilize the small town romance trope but That Swoony Feeling is my absolute favorite because Brig Knightly is the absolute cutest (yet clueless) hero.
He is desperate to find love and luckily he thinks he has when he connects with the pen pal assigned to him by his small town. Only he’s been hanging out with Ruth Barber, his new work neighbor, and he’s getting that swoony feeling for both women.
Check out these amazing books with the small town romance trope too:
15. Single Parent Romance Trope:
The single parent romance trope is another popular romance trope where the single mother or single father finally finds their happily ever after.
My Favorite Single Parent Romance Book:
Fortuity
by Jewel E. Ann
Fortuity is a favorite in the single parent romance trope because it is a love story that brings a single mother and single father together.
Both Gracelyn and Nathaniel have had their hearts broken multiple times to the point where Gracelyn has put herself on a self-imposed man ban and Nathaniel has been relationship-less for the last 10 years! But these two are thrown together by fate and given a new chance at a happily ever after.
Don’t miss these must-read books in the single parent romance trope:
Related Book Lists:
- Ultimate Guide to Romance Genre Category and Tropes
- 100 Romance Tropes List
- Best Romance Novels of All Time
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