IN HONOR of Valentine’s Day, we’re paying tribute to our beloved romantic novels through the timeless (and irresistible) framework of romance tropes. From slow-burns to enemies-to-lovers tension, this guide spotlights some of the most loved romance tropes and the books guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.
Enemies or Rivals to Lovers
The crown jewel of romance tropes, this theme features intense animosity between the two main characters who end up falling hard for each other.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Released in 2019, Red, White, and Royal Blue became a runaway hit, selling more than 100,000 copies in the first few months alone. The draw? The enticing romance between sworn enemies, America’s first son and the Prince of Wales. After an embarrassing public altercation, Alex and Henry are forced to go on a press tour and pretend to be friends. This paves the way for a rollicking, fun, romantic, thrilling, and sweet story that has stolen our hearts. Can’t get enough? There’s a movie adaptation—and word has it a sequel is in the works. (we’re not screaming, you are!)
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Fall head over heels for this breezy and downright adorable young adult romance novel by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Rowan and Neil, two high school overachievers, have been bitter rivals throughout high school. On their last day as seniors, they’re forced to team up for a senior class game called Howl, competing until they’re the last players left—and free to destroy each other. But as Rowan spends more time with Neil, her hate begins to turn into something more. Could the boy she despises turn out to be the boy of her dreams?
Better at Weddings Than You by Mina Esguerra
Better at Weddings Than You is one of Mina Esguerra’s spicier novels. It follows Daphne, a successful wedding planner who is hired as an emergency replacement for her friend Greg’s upcoming wedding. Greg fears that his fiancée, Helen, is falling for Aaron—the man they initially hired. Instead of being fired, however, Aaron, an amateur wedding planner, is asked to work alongside Daphne.
This isn’t an outright enemies-to-lovers trope, but the chemistry sizzles as the two initially hostile strangers are forced to team up to plan a grand wedding—only to find romance brewing in the process.
The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
What happens when the co-stars of a screen adaptation of a Jane Austen movie despise each other so much that it leads to an accident on set? Well, they get electrocuted and go back in time to Jane Austen’s era, of course! Tess and Hugh adlib their way through the Regency period in this wickedly funny and delightfully cheeky time travel romp.
Fake Relationship/Marriage of Convenience
As an evergreen romance trope, the fake relationship has been around for ages, dating back to William Shakespeare, and continues to thrive in contemporary fiction. Why does it endure? Because watching characters pretend not to fall in love is endlessly fun and keeps us turning the pages. We’ve also added marriage of convenience here, which is essentially fake dating with the stakes (and feelings) cranked up.
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
Better Than The Movies is a sweet and light-hearted story about a hopeless romantic teen girl and her scheme with her obnoxious neighbor to get noticed by her crush. By roping in her annoying yet charming neighbor, Wes, Liz hopes to catch Michael’s eye. But as their plan unfolds, she is shocked to find herself developing feelings for Wes.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
With sparkling back-and-forth banter and a sizzling chemistry between the two MCs, Just for the Summer is a perfect read for fake relationship lovers. Both Justin and Emma have a curse: every person they date finds their soulmate right after they break up. Both fed up with their situations, they agree to date to cancel each other’s curses.
Meant to be in Manila by Mica De Leon
This charming rom-com combines electric on-page chemistry with delicious descriptions of food and a lovely tour of historic Manila. Lonely and heartbroken after being ghosted by their respective lovers, Sophia and Raphael meet by chance on a flight bound for Manila. By some miracle of the rom-com gods, they make a deal to help each other find closure as they navigate the vibrant streets of Manila.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman, has always been a bargaining chip – first traded away to keep the peace between Humans and Vampyres, and now called upon once more. After years of living among humans in anonymity, she’s forced back into the supernatural world to prevent war between Vampyres and Werewolves by marrying the most notorious Wolf of them all: Lowe. Filled with sharp humor and gothic vibes, sprinkled with twists and just the right amount of spice, this paranormal romance packs plenty of bite.
Forbidden Love
What could be more bittersweet than a couple who are madly in love but cannot be together? Taking its cue from Romeo and Juliet, these stories center on star-crossed lovers and their intense yearning for each other. Will love beat all odds?
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
As star players for rival NHL teams, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are locked into a fierce, media-fueled rivalry that thrives on competition and public perception. Behind closed doors, though, their relationship tells a different story—one that starts as a casual, secret affair and slowly deepens over the years. Now a TV series, Heated Rivalry has “broken the ice” with its viral success, off-the-charts book sales, and its elevation of queer sports romance into the mainstream.
The Idea Of You by Robinne Lee
The Idea of You is a celebrity-age-gap romance between 39-year-old Solene, an art gallery owner, and 20-year-old Hayes, a member of a popular boy band. Solene embarks on a whirlwind secret love affair with Hayes. But when the public gets wind of their relationship, their lives are turned upside down, especially Solene, who is vilified for being much older.
Straddling the line between genre-bending contemporary fiction and romance, the novel ultimately places its emotional core on the love between its two leads. The Idea of You was adapted into a 2024 film, starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine.
Twisted Games by Ana Huang
If you’re looking for a clear-cut forbidden romance with the heat turned waaay up, then Twisted Games does the trick. It’s a crackling love story between a strong-willed princess and her broody bodyguard. Twisted Games is Book 2 of Ana Huang’s Twisted series, an addictive, passionate, and edge-of-your-seat read.
Forced Proximity
When circumstances bring two people together, sparks are inevitable—whether they like it or not.
First Time Caller by BK Borison
This cozy Sleepless in Seattle-inspired romance features a forced proximity trope on air! Aiden Valentine, a jaded radio host of a beloved romance radio show, has fallen out of love with love – until a call from a young girl seeking dating advice for her mom goes viral, catapulting both the show and single mom Lucie Stone into the spotlight. Bursting with humor and warmth, this book will thaw even the hardest of hearts, according to People.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
How to End a Love Story revolves around the undeniable chemistry between Helen, a bestselling author and TV show creator, and Grant, a screenwriter. Sharing a complicated past, they’re forced to work together – and maybe write a new ending for themselves. This was an electrifying debut from Yulin Kuang, who herself works behind the scenes as screenwriter and director. Her debut novel had been praised for beautifully probing grief and for giving readers a glimpse behind the curtain of Hollywood glamour.
You, Out of Nowhere by Jay E. Tria
After too many failed dates, 31-year-old Kris is swearing off dating for good. Not even a nerdy and gorgeous stranger she met on the train will make her change her mind. At 24, Ringo knows what he wants, and after their meet-cute on the train, he knows he wants Kris. So when they find themselves on the same flight to Seoul, it’s Ringo’s chance to turn up the heat and convince Kris to take a risk. Sexy, raunchy, and full of playful tension, this older-woman/younger-man romance also delivers the thrill of exploring a new city—and maybe a new love.
Second Chance Romance
Surveys say second-chance is the most underrated romance trope of all. But love lost and found between old flames pierces the heart more intensely. As readers, we yearn to know: Can they give love another shot? And this time, can they get it right?
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell has a gift for stirring up nostalgia and untangling emotions you didn’t even realize you were carrying. In Slow Dance, she turns that lens on two high school sweethearts everyone thought would end up together, but don’t. Now, several years later, Shiloh and Cary find themselves at a friend’s wedding, where old feelings unexpectedly resurface. And if you can’t get enough of Rowell, stay tuned as her newest book, Cherry Baby, also a second-chance romance, hits the shelves this April.
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
In Three Days in June, the celebrated author is at her best, transforming the seemingly ordinary into surprisingly fascinating. We follow Gail Baines on the eve of her daughter’s wedding, an event meant to unfold without a hitch. So why does Gail feel oddly hurt about being left out of the bridal spa day (whatever that is)? Add the looming possibility of losing her job at sixty-one and the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband—cat in tow—and the weekend quickly becomes more than she bargained for. Heartwarming, exquisitely written, and full of humor, this 200-page novella teaches us that life can be joyful and sad – yet quietly magical.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman is a swoony, smart second-chance romance about timing, ambition, and the one that got away. When a restless young journalist interviews her celebrity crush—Hollywood heartthrob Gabe Parker—the assignment sparks a whirlwind weekend that neither of them can forget. Ten years later, they reunite for a second interview, forcing both to reckon with what really happened—and what still might be.
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