Why am I sharing all of this?

I have used many tropes without even realizing it, and didn’t know I could market them that way! Tropes can be used to surprise readers if the usual expectation is subverted, or to bore them if a story consists of nothing but tropes. A list of my novels and their tropes can be found at the end of the list of tropes (trope abbrev. in brackets).

Gender Rules for Tropes? There Are No Rules!

The great thing about romance, is that it “allows for non-human, humanoid, supernatural, and other fantastical characters, so it a great opportunity to explore issues of identity, sexuality and gender. When looking at the list, keep in mind that the tropes can be applied to either genders and – as the constructs of identity become more progressive and inclusive – to transgender and androgynous characters.” (Source: Anthony Ehlers, Writers Write)

Here are dozens of traits, tropes, and abbreviations to mix and match into unique romance stories. You may recognize some or many!

Traits, Tropes, and Abbreviations

Abbreviations can be confusing! I also have a page on this site with Queer and Kink terms explained. Here are a few to start off with, that you might see in a book’s subtitle or blurb.

BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color as main characters. This includes Asian, and any non-white/European backgrounds represented.

MC – Main Character. See also, Motorcycle Club when a trope. Multi-cultural is less common in romance.

FMC – Female or feminine main character.

MMC – Male or masculine main character.

XMC – Non-binary main character.

F/F – A female-female romantic pairing.

M/F – A male-female romantic pairing.

M/M – A male-male romantic pairing.

M/X or F/X – A male/non-binary pairing. Mx is sometimes used for a male-assigned genderfluid character.

MMM+, MFX+ or FMM+  – More than three love interests together. See Multiples section below.

Heat Level

Heat level of sexual relations on page in romance is important. Authors assign a heat level so that readers know what to expect from a book when they are choosing to buy. This is a mix of many interpretations, mainly my own!

Wholesome (0) – no on page hanky-panky, formerly called Clean.

Sweet (1)  – low, off page for anything beyond hand holding and kisses.

Sensual (2) – medium heat, some on page sexy times. Bridge between Sweet & Steamy, rarely used.

Steamy (3) – medium-high heat, sex on page. Commonly used in writing romance. See also, Spicy.

Erotic (4) – High heat, more sex than plot in the best way. Also called a one-handed read. *wink*

Spicy (2.5-4)  – Term used for romance books with on page sex. Used for Spicy books & Spicy authors.

Traits & Descriptions

Afraid to commit: One or both of our lovers is afraid to commit to a relationship.

All grown up: One of our lovers returns to the other, discovering that a once-off-limits juvenile is now mature enough for a relationship. Sometimes taboo if older one was previously in position of authority (teacher, boss)

Alpha: Character that is driven, assertive, and in control of the world, except maybe where their lover is concerned. In Shifter or ABO (see further down in Supernatural) an Alpha has different physical characteristics, often in charge.

Alphahole – An alpha hero who has crossed the line into toxic masculinity.

Age gap (May/December): Lovers have a substantial age gap, usually 12 or more years. See also, Cougar, Daddy.

BBW: “Big Beautiful Woman”—a femme character is plus-size and body-positive.

Beta – A love interest secure in their own personality without the need to dominate their partner. In shifter stories (see further down in Supernatural) a Beta sometimes has different physical characteristics and assists alpha or cannot get pregnant (ABO in Supernatural).

Cinnamon Roll: A hero who is straight up sweet and possibly too good for this world. See also, Sunshine.

Cougar: A classic age gap relationship, but the older lover is a woman. See also, Age Gap.

Fish out of water: One of our lovers doesn’t fit in a social or professional environment, but that doesn’t keep them from proving themselves and winning the heart of the one they love.

Grumpy: Opposite to Sunshine (below). A grumpy, pessimistic character who is jaded and reluctant to love.

Morally Gray: Character that engages in criminal or taboo activities. Crime, kidnapping, murder, etc.

Playboy: One of our lovers has a reputation for playing the field, seeking out sexual relationships without any emotional attachment—until they meet their one true love.

Omega: Character can be quiet or assertive, but not seen as a leader. In Shifter or ABO (see further down in Supernatural) an Omega has different physical characteristics (smaller), often the submissive/bottom, can get pregnant (ABO).

Rake: Typically in a historical setting, one of our lovers has a reputation for socially unacceptable behavior (e.g., gambling, seducing lovers, etc.)—until they meet their one true love.

Scars/Disfigurement: One of our lovers lives with physical or psychological scars from the past and overcomes the pain of those scars with the help of the other lover.

Seasoned lovers/Silver fox: One or both of our lovers is older than the conventional age for romance (undefined, but typically forty or older.)

Sunshine: Opposite to Grumpy, a happy, optimistic character that believes in love.

Tortured: One of our lovers has a dramatic, often secret past that causes them to live in emotional agony, cut off from the common joy of a loving relationship.

Ugly duckling: One of our lovers is not conventionally beautiful, but in the course of falling in love either becomes conventionally beautiful or discovers that conventions are immaterial.

Virgin: One of our lovers has never consummated a sexual relationship.

Wallflower: One of our lovers is shy or introverted, avoiding traditional social interactions.

Work and Play:

Romance builds around the job or entertainment of the lovers.

Athlete (pro, college, competitive)

Billionaire/Millionaire

Bodyguard/wealthy client

Boss/Supervisor

Child-care worker (nanny/manny)

Coach or Trainer

Competition (Business, sports, for a prize)

Cowboy (including rancher)

First responder (including emt, police, firefighter, etc.)

Lawyer/Barrister/Judge

Maid/Butler (Service within a house/family)

Mafia/Mob/Organized Crime

Military/Para-military

Motorcycle club (MC)

Officer (police, military)

Politician/Social Leader

Priest/Religious leader

Relationship coach/Therapist

Rock star/Musician

Royalty (Prince, sheikh, princess, etc) 

Sex worker/Cam-Boy or girl/Prostitute

Teacher or Professor/Student

Plot Devices

Forced Proximity

Kidnapped: A criminal or morally gray character kidnaps a victim, both parties realize they have romantic feelings for each other. Or, two people kidnapped bond and fall in love.

Only one bed: Our lovers discover that they must share a bed (or a car, a train compartment, etc.)

Road trip: Our lovers are on a road trip (or boat trip, plane trip, etc.), out of their element, encountering new experiences as their relationship grows.

Roommates: Our lovers begin their story as roommates, either willingly or unwillingly. Also, Friends to Lovers.

Trapped: Our lovers are stranded together, with the forced proximity kindling their relationship. They might be stranded on a desert island, in an airport after a flight cancellation, in a motel on a road trip, etc. See also, Only one bed.

Family & Friends

Best friend’s spouse/lover: One of our lovers falls in love with their best friend’s current or former spouse/lover.

Best friend’s sibling (BFS): Usually, the Main Character is the younger sister or brother of the MC’s best friend (but other combinations are possible!) The sibling has always been taboo, but true passion upsets the status quo.

Consanguinity: The lovers are cousins, step-siblings, or other relatives close enough to know each other but distant enough to flame a romance (see also pseudo-inc*st).

Family feud: Within a family or between to families e.g. Romeo and Juliet.

Found Family: A group of characters find themselves united in a family-bond based on shared experiences, mutual understanding, and on-page connection. This can be across a series, friends to lovers, or both.

Friends to lovers: Our lovers have been friends for some time, but only now discover they want something more from their relationship.

Guardian/ward: A guardian and their ward realize they have romantic feelings for each other.

Orphan: One of our lovers is an orphan, either literally (both of their parents died when they were young) or figuratively (they were in the foster care system or otherwise deprived of ordinary familial love.)

Pseudo-inc*st: Our lovers have a family relationship that would be considered inc*st except for a technicality (typically the lovers are step-parents, step-siblings, or former/current in-laws.)

Resistant children: One or both of our lovers have children who actively resist the lovers’ new relationship.

Sibling’s current spouse/lover: One of our lovers falls in love with their sibling’s current spouse/lover.

Sibling’s former spouse/lover: One of our lovers falls in love with their sibling’s former spouse/lover.

Single Parent: The story focuses on a single parent who is facing life raising a child alone. After a break-up, divorce, or death. The widower father is a popular, sympathetic character. (See Secret Baby, or Caretaker/Nanny)

Step-parents: One of our lovers is the step-parent of the other.

Step-siblings: Our lovers are step-siblings of each other.

Widow(er): The spouse of one of our lovers has died. The widow(er) might have been happily married, or they might have been unfulfilled in their marriage. Widow is feminine, Widower is masculine.

Enemies (to Lovers)

Beauty and the Beast: one main character is physically marred and not nice. “Beauty” is also not interested.

Bully: One lover cruelly attacks the other, but ultimately becomes “tamed” as a result of true love.

Business rivals: Our lovers are rivals in the boardroom before they come to know each other in the bedroom.

Cinderella: rags to riches, where the enemy is not love interest, but their place in society. See also, Class warfare.

Class warfare: One lover comes from money and social status, the other lacks both, and sparks fly once they meet.

Enemies to lovers (E2L): Our lovers are enemies until they realize the depth of their romance.

Forbidden love/Star-crossed lovers: Some outside force (cultural, familial, social, etc.) is determined to keep our lovers apart but they’re willing to fight for the relationship they desire.

Opposites attract: Our lovers seem to be opposites in everything they think matters (vegetarian/carnivore, Democrat/Republican, city/country, etc.), but they discover that love unites them in ways beyond those differences.

Revenge: One of our lovers is determined to get revenge for a real or imagined wrong in the past, which might have been committed by the other lover or by their relative or close friend.

Kinks

For a longer list of kinks, sexualities, and genders: http://rafrickauthor.blog/queer-kink-terms/

ABDL: Adult Baby Diapered Little. This is role-play that accompanies Daddy/little below.

BDSM – Bondage and Discipline (BD), Dominance and Submission (DS), Sadism and Masochism (SM).

Daddy/little: Daddies take care of their partner, with or without role-play. The little can be a boy, girl, non-binary person, or “pet”. The Daddy is often a masculine, male-presenting, Dominant person, but can be any gender or role in kink. This is not similar to inc*st or pseudo inc*st, and is purely a Kink dynamic. DD/lb or DD/lg is common.

Dubcon/Non-con – Non-consensual or dubious consent for sexual activities between the MC’s. Here is a resource list on writing consent in romance.

Edging: Act of stretching out time to reach an orgasm, for one or both characters. Usually seen in Steamy/Spicy romance, and more commonly used on those with penises.

Impact: kink play that involves hitting a person with implements such as hands, floggers, a crop, etc. Not meant to cause injury or to be compared to violence.

Taboo: Anything sexual or intimate that goes against societal norms. See all of this section and Family above.

Marriage

Arranged marriage: Family expectations, cultural traditions, or religious beliefs bring our lovers together or try to keep them apart.

Bridal party: One of our lovers is the best man, maid of honor, or other participant in a bridal party, 

Jilted bride/groom: One of our lovers is left at the altar, but discovers true love in a new relationship.

Marriage of convenience: Our lovers are determined to marry but they feel no love for each other; rather, there is some business or social reason that compels their relationship.

Matchmaker: A matchmaker unites two lovers. This story can either be about how the two lovers make their relationship work, or it can be about how the matchmaker falls in love with one of the matched lovers.

Runaway bride/groom: One of our lovers gets cold feet on the eve of their wedding, but discovers they can truly love another.

Singles pact: Our lovers vow to seek each other out if they remain single by a specific date.

Vegas marriage: Our lovers, typically drunk, get married on the spur of the moment while vacationing in Las Vegas or another quickie wedding location; they may or may not remember their marriage in the morning.

Weddings: Invited to a family or friend’s wedding, the main character will either a) run into an ex-lover or enemy from their past b) meet a new love interest or c) be thrown together with another character from the wedding party, like the best man.

Multiples

Cyrano –  A lover woos another character for a friend, gradually falling in love with the person their friend wants.

Love triangle –  One lover must choose between two potential partners. Some consider it only a true triangle if the two partners are also involved (romantic, family, close friends). Traditionally, one person is left out in the end.

MMF/FFM/MMX – A three person relationship in which the same sex characters share sexy times with each other.

MFM/FMF – A three person relationship in which the same sex characters share sexy times with the opposite sex character, but not with each other. Can also me M/X/M or F/X/F.

M/M/M – A male-male-male romantic pairing. Sometimes MMM+ or FMM+ for more than three. See Polyamory.

Polyamory (Poly) –  Many-loves. Story involves three or more lovers, whether all together or separately.

Reverse harem (RH) –  A reverse on the one man, multiple women “Harem” trope. Seen as a racist term for polyandry, where multiple male love interests focusing on one female love interest. Originating in manga/anime, the term “Harem” has gone along with the MF romance genre’s problematic treatment of the Middle East. See this post from Grace Li on Middle East Representation in Romance Fiction. Authors are moving from this term to Poly.

Relationship Phases:

These phases might be included in the main characters’ romantic journey. They help readers know what is coming.

Baby makes three: Often appears in the epilogue, when our lovers’ Happy Ever After is “validated” by one main character becoming pregnant, an adoption being finalized, or some other means of completing the family with a child.

Band of brothers/Girl squad: A structure to facilitate romance series, where the heroes and/or heroines are united on a team (e.g., a sports team, military unit, etc.) to achieve a common goal.

Blind date: Our lovers do not know each other before they are brought together by friends, a dating app, etc.

Break up to save lover: One lover sees no way to save the other but to break up, sacrificing the relationship for the other’s true happiness (which can actually only be achieved after reconciliation.)

Love at first sight/Instalove/Instalust: Upon meeting, our lovers immediately know that they are meant to be together forever (either romantically or physically).

Meet-cute: The unlikely circumstances under which MC’s initially meet (mistaken identity, spilling coffee, etc.).

Opposites attract: good/bad, or law abiding/criminal. See also, Grumpy & Sunshine.

Redemption: One of our lovers has committed wrongs in the past (either against the other lover, or against someone or something else) for which they must atone.

Return to hometown: One of our lovers returns to their hometown, either willingly or unwillingly, for a short time or with the intention to stay permanently. Main trope of Hallmark movies.

Reunion: Our lovers knew each other in the past and generally had some romantic relationship back then (at least a one-night stand, possibly a long-term relationship.) See also, Shared pasts.

Second Chance: Our lovers had a relationship in the past that didn’t work out, but now they’re thrown together with a new common goal.

Shared Pasts: The two main characters have a history together that must now be resolved in the present. The shared past could be dark and dramatic, or it could have been a wonderful period for the lovers.

Slow Burn – A relationship which takes a while to get going. If a couple hasn’t kissed by the halfway mark but are burning up the sheets at the end, the story is probably a slow burn. The opposite of Insta-love or Insta-lust.

Spicy – Romance with sex on the page. Contrast with Sweet. See also Heat Level.

Sweet Romance – A feel-good romance without sex, probably not even closed-door sex.

Secrets

Someone close to the MC tells a secret or insidious lie that causes them to betray or leave without explanation. Or an antagonist feeds the hero misinformation that tears apart the budding relationship with the person they love.

Amnesia: Due to an accident, a blow on the head, a drug interaction, or for some other reason, our lover doesn’t know how they got where they are, but now they need to fit into a new family, workplace, etc.

Blackmail: One lover knows a secret about the other, and they seek a big payday.

Disguise: One or both lovers pretend to be something they aren’t—an expert in the workplace, a member of a family, etc.—but they fall in love while in disguise and are forced to continue the ruse.

Fake relationship: Our lovers pretend to have a relationship (often engagement, but sometimes friendship or marriage), frequently including elaborate rules and limitations for that relationship.

Masquerade: one main character or both pretend to be someone else. See also, Mistaken Identity.

Mistaken identity: One of our lovers is assumed to be someone they are not, and they are forced to continue the ruse.

Outed: One or more characters wasn’t out as gay, bi, or dating. Their secret gets out and is a main plot point. Can also be a trigger if they have internal or external shame around it.

Secret admirer: One of our lovers is a secret admirer of the other.

Secret baby: The Main Character is or was pregnant with the hero’s baby, but he does not know the child is his.

Secret heir/Wealth: A MC hides their identity as being an heir, royalty, or well-off financially.

Transgender: The MC identifies as a different gender than assigned at birth, and falls in love with someone who is unaware of their former identity. Can be problematic and should be listed as a content warning.

Trauma: A main character who has been abused, sexually assaulted, or traumatized in the past, finds healing through a romantic relationship.

Twins: MC has an “evil” twin, they pretend to be their twin, etc.

Settings

Settings are often made up by the author, though sometimes set in real countries and cities. These are broader settings that help readers know the tone of your story, and this list is not exhaustive.

Holidays: Our lovers work out their romance against the backdrop of one or more major holidays. Most common is December.

Medical: Our lovers live and/or work in a medical setting or a world heavily influenced by the practice of medicine (may include veterinary medicine.)

Office romance: Our lovers work together, either as co-workers or as employer/employee.

Reality TV show: Our lovers participate in a reality TV show, either as contestants, hosts, or other interested parties.

School/Academy: Our lovers live and/or work in an academic setting (high school, boarding school, college, etc.)

Small Town: Our lovers live and/or work in a small town, typically with a supporting cast of amusing secondary characters.

Workplace Romances: The hero and heroines are co-workers or colleagues in the same company and find that they can’t suppress their chemistry. The professional suddenly becomes very personal. (See Boss & Secretary, Forced Proximity, Frenemies)

Supernatural/Paranormal

Fairytale: A traditional fairytale (See “Beauty and the Beast” or “Cinderella”), retold in an alternate cultural or historical setting.

Fated mates: Our lovers are fated to be together, often through a magical or chemical bond.

Love potion/magic spell: Our lovers are brought together through magic.

Omegaverse/ABO: Alternate reality wherein couples of the same sex can make babies together. Involves those who are born or develop into Alphas (have a penis and can get others pregnant, Betas (have a penis if male, can get pregnant if female), and Omegas (Can get pregnant with anyone, those assigned male at birth have penises).

Time travel: One of our lovers travels backward or forward through time to reach the other or save their society.

Vampire: The hero is a vampire who lives of the blood of humans or animals. Often becomes romantically involved with human, another vampire, or paranormal character. Often ageless and immortal through magical means.

Werewolf/Shifter: By birth or by bite. Often the character is under a curse and will need a lover’s help or special boon to overcome the affliction. Shifters can be any animal, and born to it or change by paranormal means.

Unexpected Love

Accidental pregnancy: A main character’s pregnancy may be the result of a one-night stand, a longer-term fling, or a long-term relationship.

Fling: Our lovers intend their relationship to last for a short time (such as a vacation or a work project), but their relationship grows beyond those limitations. See also, One-night stand.

Gay/straight for you: Our hero or heroine has been strictly heterosexual or homosexual, but find themself falling for a person of the same (or opposite) gender. Also: Bisexual Awakening

Instant family: One of our lovers discovers a family they never knew they had; the other lover might be part of this family or endangered by this family

Last to know: Our lovers are the last to realize that their relationship constitutes true love.

Mail-order bride/groom: One lover requests a spouse through print or electronic services.

Never date/marry: One or both of our lovers has vowed never to date or marry, but when they meet their true love, their vow is tested.

On the rocks: Our lovers are united as the action of the story begins, but their relationship is going through hard times.

One-night stand: Our lovers intend their relationship to last for a single sexual encounter, but their relationship grows beyond that limitation.

Sudden baby: One of our lovers discovers or inherits a child they never planned on nurturing.

Unrequited love: One of our lovers has long wished for a romantic relationship with the other.

(Wo)Man in peril: One of our lovers is in physical peril from some outside person or organization; the other lover rescues them.

Virgin auction: Our Main Character’s only asset is their virginity, which is purchased by the hero, or they are rescued from it by the hero.

My Romance Novels and Their Tropes

A Beauty for Kinkmas, A Naughty or Nice Season Three Novel (MM, Scared, Coach, BDSM, Daddy/boy)

A Little Christmas: Sawyer, (MM, Daddy/boy, Age play, Holiday, orphan, man in peril, secret heir)

Fluff Me: A Bears-4-U Novel, (MM, Daddy/Boy, Edging, Brat, fake dating, transgender MC)

For Real: X Club Book 1 (M/Mx, BDSM, Non-binary MC, Sex-worker, bodyguard, blackmail)

For Keeps: X Club Book 2 (M/M/X, BDSM, Transgender MC’s, polyamory, roommates/friends to lovers)

For Them: X Club Book 3 (M/M/X BDSM, Non-binary MC, polyamory, MC in peril, blackmail)

For Life: X Club Book 4 (M/X, BDSM, Officer, Daddy/enby boy, primal/kitten play, forced proximity)

For You: An X Club Novella (M/Mx, BDSM, Kidnapping, Bodyguard, Outed, Secret pining)

For Love: An X Club Bonus Short, (MMX & MX, BDSM, Polyamory, Wedding, Found Family)

Captured, (MM, BDSM, Kidnapping, dubcon, man in peril, virgin auction, trauma)

If all else fails, try pointing at this bingo card with your eyes closed!

Author: R.A. Frick

Posted on: November 18, 2022, Updated December 12, 2022

Author Note: Please comment and tell me if you disagree with any of the descriptions. Utilizing my decade plus of teaching literature, extensive research, and my own years of writing and publishing, I changed every single thing above to be more inclusive and representative of multiple points of view. I am happy to update it again!

Sources:

Ehlers, Anthony. Writers Write: 101 Romance Tropes For Writers. February 11, 2021. writerswrite.co.za

Klasky, Mindy. Romance Tropes. Mindyklasky.com (© 2019-2022)

Loshbaugh, Bonnie. Romancelandia Glossary: A Guide to Romance Abbreviations and Terms. April 29, 2019. romancemfa.com/romancelandia-glossary-a-guide-to-romance-abbreviations-and-terms/

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