My Favorite Romance Tropes (And Two I Avoid If Possible)

Jan 31
If you love romance novels packed with tension, angst, and sizzling chemistry, this post is for you! I’m diving into my absolute favorite tropes—from enemies to lovers and mafia romance to dark and bully romances—and sharing book recommendations that bring these tropes to life. But not every trope is a winner for me—there are a couple I avoid at all costs. Read on to discover the tropes I can’t get enough of, the ones I steer clear of, and why they make or break a great love story!

My Favorite Romance Tropes:

As a romance reader and writer, nothing excites me more than diving into a book with the perfect trope—the kind that guarantees tension, passion, and a story I won’t be able to put down. Some tropes never fail to deliver the angst and chemistry I crave, while others… well, let’s just say I’ll gladly skip them.

Here’s a deep dive into my absolute favorite romance tropes and two I avoid like the plague.

1. Enemies to Lovers - The Ultimate Tension Builder

If there’s one trope I will never get tired of, it’s enemies to lovers. There’s just something so addictive about two people who start off absolutely hating each other, only to fall so deeply in love that they can’t breathe without each other.
  • The sharp, cutting banter.
  • The undeniable tension in every interaction.
  • That one moment when all the hatred turns into something much deeper.
Enemies to lovers romances feel earned—the characters don’t just fall into love; they fight for it. They push each other, challenge each other, and when they finally give in… it’s explosive.

Favorite Enemies to Lovers Reads:

  • "Devious Lies" by Parker S. Huntington – This story is packed with betrayal, family secrets, and undeniable tension between the main characters, making it a compelling enemies to lovers romance.
  • "Vicious" by L.J. Shen – A ruthless hero and a strong-willed heroine clash in this dark, gripping romance where hate and love intertwine dangerously.

                                                                         

2. Age Gap - Forbidden and Tempting

Age gap romances bring a deliciously forbidden element that makes everything more intense. Whether it’s a powerful, older hero trying to resist the much-younger heroine, or a woman finding love with someone society deems “too young” for her, the age difference adds a layer of power dynamics, wisdom, and longing that keeps me hooked.
  • The slow-burn temptation of knowing they shouldn’t but wanting to anyway.
  • The protectiveness of the older love interest.
  • The contrast between experience and youthful passion.

Favorite Age Gap Reads:

  • "Entice" by Ava Harrison – A gripping romance featuring an older, experienced hero and a younger woman trying to resist an undeniable attraction that could cost them everything.
  • "Sovereign" by Raya Morris Edwards – This novel takes power and privilege to a new level, exploring the intoxicating and forbidden relationship between a young woman and a man who holds immense influence over her future.

                                                                         

3. Mafia Romance - Dangerous, Possessive, and Obsessive

Nothing screams intensity like a mafia romance. The men are powerful, dangerous, and would kill for the woman they love—literally. The stakes are always high, and the tension between dominance and vulnerability makes for an irresistible dynamic.
  • The morally gray hero who will burn the world for his woman.
  • The heroine who fights against (or submits to) his control.
  • The thrilling mix of crime, power, and passion.

Favorite Mafia Reads:

  • "The Italian" by T.L. Swan – A seductive and thrilling romance featuring a dangerous yet irresistibly charming mafia boss and the woman he’s determined to claim.
  • "365 Days" by Blanka Lipińska – A steamy, dark mafia romance where a ruthless crime lord gives his captive a year to fall in love with him, blending obsession and desire in equal measure.

                                                                         

4. Dark Romance - The Love That Shouldn't Exist                   (But Does Anyway)

Dark romance pushes boundaries and dives deep into power struggles, trauma, and relationships that exist in the gray areas of morality. It’s not about a fairytale—it’s about love that survives despite the worst possible circumstances.
  • The antihero who is both cruel and deeply devoted.
  • Psychological mind games and manipulation (when done well).
  • The heroine who either fights back or falls completely.

Favorite Dark Romance Reads:

  • "Haunting Adeline" by H.D. Carlton – A captivating stalker romance where the heroine is both drawn to and terrified of the man watching her every move.
  • "Once You're Mine" by Morgan Bridges – A chilling and obsessive romance filled with intensity, psychological twists, and a hero who won’t stop until he gets what he wants.

                                                                         

5. Bully Romance - The Best Kind of Love-Hate Relationship

With similarities to the enemies to lovers trope, bully romance cranks up the angst with characters who don’t just dislike each other—they actively make each other’s lives hell. But beneath the cruelty, there’s always an undeniable pull that neither of them can ignore.
  • The moment when the bully realizes he’s in love with his “victim”.
  • The raw, emotional pain that makes the love story so much more powerful.
  • The redemption arc that makes the hero work for his happy ending.

Favorite Bully Romance Reads:

  • "I Dare You" by Shantel Tessier – A dark and twisted story set in an elite academy, full of brutal mind games, secrets, and betrayal.  **Side Note: This series (Dare Series) has my favorite playlists so far. Every time I listen to them, I can clearly visualize Cole and Austin, and the love/hate they have for each other!**
  • "Brutal Ambition" by Sam Mariano – A gripping bully romance with high-stakes drama and a hero who will go to extreme lengths to claim what’s his.

                                                                         

Tropes I Avoid

1. The Spinster Trope - Outdated and Unnecessary

If there’s one trope that doesn’t do it for me, it’s the spinster trope—the idea that a woman over a certain age is “past her prime” and must find love or be doomed to a lonely, unfulfilled life. No, thank you.
  • The outdated idea that a woman’s value is tied to marriage.
  • The desperation that sometimes comes with these stories.
  • The notion that not finding love is some kind of failure.

                                                                         

2. Unrequited Love - Too Much Heartbreak for Me

While some readers love the angst of unrequited love, I just can’t handle it. There’s something about one character longing for someone who doesn’t feel the same way (or worse, actively rejects them) that is just painful to read. I want to reach into the pages and shake the character who doesn't reciprocate the feelings!
  • The hero/heroine pining while the other person barely notices them.
  • The years of heartbreak and waiting for someone to change their mind.
  • The imbalance—one person is giving everything, while the other takes them for granted.

                                                                         

Romance tropes are what make love stories so irresistible—they build tension, heighten stakes, and give us the emotional rollercoasters we crave. Whether it’s the angst of enemies to lovers, the forbidden thrill of an age gap, or the dangerous devotion of a mafia kingpin, I’ll always gravitate toward stories that keep me breathless.

But the spinster trope and unrequited love? You can keep those.

What are your favorite and least favorite romance tropes?