TTT - Romance Tropes/Types 💖

Jane February 10, 2026

    

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. Here is the topic of the week:

💖 Favorite Things in Romance Books 💖

To start off, I'm gonna mention 5 of my favorite things about/in romance books and then I'm gonna list 5 romance novels I would recommend in a heartbeat. So let's dive right in!

1. Enemies to lovers

Now this one is obvious because I always talk about it but there's just something so exciting about this trope! Will they murder each other or fall in love? How long will it take? Which event will turn them to the other side? So many options here.

2. Retellings

There are some stories universally loved by all so it's no wonder retellings have been very popular. My favorites are Beauty and the Beast and Twelve Dancing Princesses retellings. I love it when authors find a unique way to twist something so familiar and create a completely new work of art.

3. Romantasy

While I do love reading contemporary romances (especially during summer), romance fantasy just hits different. I think having a rich backstory gives a lot more drama and excitement instead of just having two people slowly getting to know each other.

4. No third-act breakup

We all know they are unnecessary and the couple will get back together, so why introduce some random drama (usually by not communicating properly) just so you can get a few more pages out of it?? Literally no one is surprised and no one cares...

5. Slow burn

Insta-love has become my greatest enemy in recent years, and I absolutely hate it when characters "instantly" click and have major feelings for each other. It's much more satisfying when two people slowly get to know each other and have a reason to develop romantic feelings.

Anndd here are some of the best relationships in books I read:

    

💬 Did you have any bookish discoveries in 2025? 💬   

Jane

Posted by Jane

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4 Comments

  1. LydiaFebruary 10, 2026 at 5:42 PM

    I dislike third-act breakups as well.

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  2. DanyelleFebruary 10, 2026 at 6:59 PM

    Good ones! Have a good week. Here is my TTT. https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/top-ten-tuesday-18-love-valentines-freebie/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!February 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM

    One trope I HATE in romance (or any genre) is miscommunication. Just talk to each other already!
    Here's my TTT: https://readbakecreate.com/favorite-romances-read-in-2025/

    ReplyDelete
  4. LaurieFebruary 11, 2026 at 1:45 AM

    I don't like the third-act break up either, but somehow it gives the story a bit more tension which makes it okay.

    Personally a book having no fake dating trope is a huge bonus for me, so done with that one.

    My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2026/02/10/top-ten-tuesday-love-is-on-the-tbr/

    ReplyDelete

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