I don’t know about you, but I love tropes and cliches. There’s something so comforting about knowing you’re going to read something that’s slightly familiar, but with an original spin on it. Every author approaches tropes differently, and I love seeing how they incorporate them into their writing. Despite having the same core fundamentals, no two authors write tropes the same way, which is why I love seeing them in the books I read! I thought it would be fun to talk about five of my favourites, so let’s get into it!
- Grumpy/Sunshine
There’s something about this trope that makes me so insanely happy, and I fall for it everytime. It’s a trope typically seen in romance novels, and I think it’s just so much fun. Having Character A hate the world and Character B love everything about the world, and then they fall in love? Ugh, chefs kiss. Like I said above, I fall for it every time. I think what I like most about it is that it just shows that despite being a little bit different, love can blossom between two people. It usually comes hand-in-hand with some fluffy moments (which I’m also a sucker for), so this is why grumpy/sunshine is one of my favourite tropes. In fact, if you have any recommendations for me, let me know down below.
- Enemies-to-Lovers
Oh, I’m sure nobody is surprised to see this one on this list, but I have all the time in the world for enemies-to-overs. Especially in a fantasy setting – I absolutely adore it. What makes this trope so good and so satisfying to read is that it usually comes hand in hand with banter, and I think books are all the better for having some banter in there. If you pair enemies to lovers with slow burn, you have the perfect combination. I love that, a lot of the time, books with this trope include endless amounts of yearning, and moments of realisation that they loved each other all along. Well-written enemies-to-lovers are honestly some of the most satisfying books to read, and I am itching to do some digging to find some new ones to pick up.
- The Chosen One
I think this one might divide opinions, but I love books with a chosen one trope. This trope is typically seen in fantasy, but I think the chosen one trope has such a large potential to be brilliant and nine times out of ten it is. In fact, I can’t remember the last ‘chosen one’ book to disappoint me. I especially love this trope if it’s used in a multi-book series. I love seeing the chosen one grow into themselves and their responsibilities, as the books (and potential series) continue. There’s nothing better than seeing some obvious and clear character growth, and feeling satisfied at the end of the book. I know the chosen one trope is overdone, but it’s just so good that I’ll allow myself to continue reading it. There’s so many interesting takes on the chosen one trope being released these days that it’s hard not to become obsessed with the concept. I love it, and I can’t wait to read another one.
- Found Family
This one has a very special place in my heart. Found family is just so special, and when done right, can be the highlight of any book no matter the genre or the plot. A band of unlikely characters coming together and becoming family to one another as a book goes on? Sign me up! What I love the most about found family is that it’s a comment on how you can choose who you love, and that family comes in many forms. I have so many friends I consider my family, so reading books about the same concept makes me so extremely happy. I would be lost without my chosen family, and I’m so lucky to have found them. If this trope is expanded through a multi-book series I love it even more. Seeing the found families grow, go through challenges and become better people together makes me feel incredibly close to them, with some books even making me feel like I’m a part of it. I just love it so much, and I am itching to reread The Raven Cycle just from typing this.
- Fake Dating
Fake dating is another romance trope that I just eat up, and I will never not be obsessed with it. Having two people pretend to date for whatever reason, only for them to actually fall in love by the end of it? Genius. Fake dating novels are usually full of fluff, angst and other swoon-worthy moments that just make it so satisfying to read. A lot of the romance books I read have fake dating in it, because it’s just so entertaining. Despite thinking it’s always going to be the same, it never is, and every author tackles fake dating in a different way. To top it off, fake dating is usually accompanied by a strong declaration of love when the time comes, and I just love those moments too. Fake dating just makes my heart so happy, and I will never not pick up a book with it in.
And there we have it — some of my favourite tropes I love to read. Be sure to let me know what yours are down below, and I will see you all next week.
I also love a good grumpy/sunshine and fake dating trope! Always interesting to hear the tropes that other readers love. Thanks for sharing!
i never knew how much i loved the grumpy/sunshine trope until a couple months ago and it’s absolutely adorable! the enemies to lovers is a classic for fantasy and i just finished little thieves by margaret owens which did it super well! i think other than those two, my other current favorite would have to be found family – there’s just something that’s so magical and heartwarming about this trope every time!