Reading books is a universal requirement. While some confine reading to obligation, others choose to find pleasure in it. Every book lover gravitates towards a specific genre or a specific story element. I have been an avid reader since first grade when I picked up an “Amulet” book from the school’s library. Ever since I have had at least five books on my nightstand. Here are four of my favorite romance tropes.

Enemies to Lovers

Enemies to lovers is a highly favored choice among readers. Due to its amiability many authors use the trope. With the trope appearing in the popular Bridgerton book, “The Viscount Who Loved Me,” and the Tiktok must haves: “Icebreaker” and “Red, White & Royal Blue.” The journey of overcoming hatred and working through the angst to eventually fall in love is a storyline that many readers find magnetic. 

Fake Relationships

Laura Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky have easily become the most iconic fake relationship of our generation. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” earned its spot due to the mass popularity of its Netflix adaptations. The trope can also be found in “The Love Hypothesis” and “The Unhoneymooners.” Each book had me screaming at the pages, as if they could hear my complaints about the characters’ denial of their real feelings for each other.

Forbidden Love

The forbidden love trope’s risk factor adds to its appeal, making it exciting to read. This trope has been featured in “Tokyo Ever After,” “The Fine Print” and “A Pho Love Story.” In “Tokyo Ever After,” the evident attraction between the newly appointed princess and her bodyguard makes the story extremely captivating. I finished the 350-page book in just under five hours, which is quite impressive considering my short attention span.  

Slow Burn

Many of us are familiar with the slow burn romance trope, seen in the famous Jane Austen book “Pride and Prejudice” with stubborn Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The trope also appears in “Children of Blood and Bone” and “The Spanish Love Deception.” A quality slow burn can make you jump with joy when the main character admits their feelings, but it can also be frustrating when the characters don’t make their relationship official until much later in the book. The worst part is when the characters do make it official and the reader barely gets to bask in their relationship before the book is over.