Romance Novel Tropes

by Madelle Morgan

In my teens I devoured Harlequin category romances, so I knew exactly what I wanted to write about for this month's topic: Favorite Romantic Clichés. 

In the Muskoka series of contemporary romance novellas I'm writing, I will incorporate several of the familiar tropes listed below. 

Although, honestly, none of my books will have titles like The Bad Boy Billionaire's Secret Bride so as not to be confused with category romance!


Types of Hero

Protector (Military, Cop, Secret Agent, Firefighter, Bodyguard, etc.)
Sheikh
Billionaire/Tycoon/Developer
Royalty (King, Prince, Earl, Lord, Count, etc.)
Medical doctor/Surgeon
Cowboy
Boy Next Door
Bad Boy

Who Are You Again?

Amnesia
Mistaken Identity
One Night Stand
Reunited Lovers

With Friends Like These...

Friends to Lovers
Enemies to Lovers

Marriage

Marriage of Convenience
Bride

Babies
Baby on Doorstep
Secret Baby
Accidental Pregnancy

Literary Tales of Love
Beauty and the Beast (damaged Hero)

Cinderella (Heroine is transformed)

Upstairs/Downstairs (Heroine falls for Hero in higher social class or vice-versa; e.g. Wuthering Heights)


Have I left out any of your favorite tropes?

Which are your favorites?

www.madellemorgan.com