The BEST and WORST Romance Tropes

[@paigeridings5882]

I hate anything w emphasis on the woman’s sexuality/sexual history. The virginity trope, the “it’s been a while” trope, the “I’ve only been with one other person” trope, it’s all just so weird and off putting for me

[@valeriarossini543]

oh absolutely, it usually comes across as really creepy

[@Eris_Norregard]

I hate the "clueless virgin" trope with passion. The only case when I think the "virginity" can be appealing is when its a M/M or F/F story and the character is not actually virgin, it's simply their first time with a guy/girl. In general, a lot of these tropes read a lot differently when it's about a same sex couple.

[@ZielonaPastela]

I'm not that into "Fake dating" but giiirl... I SO AGREE WITH YOU. Student-teacher romance is also my most hated trope! I just don't get it, it makes me feel icky all over.

[@avekatumba4794]

Enemies to lovers & long time friends to lovers are my favourite. I like them them when they are gay.

[@it.iz.izz.objero]

My favorite trope is definitely childhood friends to enemies to lovers with mutual pining 😤🤚

[@jennybe4766]

Yesss most of my ships in books and tv shows have this trope

[@luarrow4065]

The "clueless heroine" trope always makes me kinda angry - primarily because, as a 12/13 year-old I read some books with this kind of plot. Some years later I ended up in a "clueless heroine"-thing myself and thought: well, that's just how it's supposed to be I guess. Looking back on it I definitely didn't know what things such as consent really meant - I had a vague idea but when it came to insisting on my needs and no-gos, I often felt as if I did the wrong thing, because he had more experience and "knew what's right". So thank you for putting this trope in the "worst" category!

[@ViMichealsluvsEandI]

duuuuude tysm for acknowledging that context matters for enemies to lovers!!! it's so frustrating to see ppl argue that a relationship is morally wrong and evil bc "they wanted to kill each other" with no regard for how the genre or setting affect the use of the trope!!! like yeah wanting to murder somebody else in a contemporary novel about like college students would be whack, but in a high fantasy setting the standards for murderous intent and declaring somebody your "enemy" are going to be different??? idk i just don't hear ppl acknowledge the value of context for that trope, so thank u 💛💛

[@ChloeFrizzle]

You made a really good distinction too between the Pride & Prejudice type (just bickering) and the Romeo & Juliet type (literal murderous factions). They're both enemies to lovers, but the context and what is in the way of the relationship is way different.

[@ellie5560]

‘these two people genuinely wanting to kill each other’ oh my Helnik heart🥰

[@starxmon]

this is a fun video, mine on the other hand are:- romance tropes i love - cold guy with sweet girl (or vice versa) but it depends on execution - enemies to lovers (but not the constant bickering kind) - mutual pining - two characters with interesting personalities finding each other (not sure if this has a name) - two characters finding each other when they are at their low points - strangers to friends to lovers romance tropes i dislike - love triangles - childhood friends to lovers when they are older (hate how alot of the development happens off page due to this) - any sort of cheating - adult minor relationships - student teacher - one sided romance where the other party is hardly interested - when the author constantly spoon feeds you that the couple are meant to be and will get together (lol not sure if this has a name) - insta love - two people bicker ALOT but later fall in love (kinda tired of this tbh)

[@laurenlovesliterature]

enemies to lovers

[@Eris_Norregard]

Thank yooooouuu finally someone who shares my feelings that the marriage/pregnancy epilogues are lame asf. And yeah, the obsession with virginity is weird. If they really have to make the girl a virgin, at least make her knowlegable about sex and having active desires even before she meets the love interest. I wrote that in a different comment already, but the one case where I think it works is when it's a gay couple and the "virginity" means "first time with someone of my own sex". Or at least switch it up a bit and make the guy a virgin. :D

[@manoela2452]

lmao the fact that nearly all the bad tropes are present in twilight is such a call out

[@emilyaguilar4389]

omg can you pleaseeeee do a list of recommendations for the list of favorite tropes??? PLEAASEEEE

[@hamnaaamer9339]

Yess please do that as soon as possible

[@hindoxita2767]

Mistaken identity literally SCREMS ladybug and catnoir!! 🥺❤️❤️

[@julibaro575]

Enemies to lovers, forced proximity and mistaken identity are some of my favorite tropes too! 💜

[@dejasaur]

“I’d like to see a book where the two people co-parent and have other relationships outside of that” Salvaged by Jay Crownover low features this 👀. I really dislike surprise pregnancy too and more often than not I’ll just DNF once that trope is introduced bc ughhhh

[@k.5425]

Ikr! Really hate when pregnancy /kid comes in

[@Emma-sj6wp]

It's not "abduction to lovers" IT👏IS👏 STOCKHOLM👏SYNDROME and it's creepy.

[@Eris_Norregard]

I'd actually love to read this, not as romance novels, but as psychological thrillers, where it's done well and it's acknowledged to be an unhealthy, but sometimes necessary survival mechanism. And then the book ends with the victim escaping and healing and learning to distance themselves from the feelings they thought they had for their abductors.

[@Emma-sj6wp]

@@Eris_Norregard Right?! I think someone should do one like After and then flip the script at the end so the MC realizes how bad the actual relationship is and eventually leaves. Think, if done tactfully, it could be a great bases for a story.

[@watson483]

Wow I was not expecting to agree with absolutely everything you said.

[@sly-avengingfangirl2311]

OH MY GOSH I literally have THE SAME opinions:))) enemies to lovers is the absolute frickin' best thing in books ONLY if handled well YES I 100% AGREE

[@bookswithmina9716]

I totally loathe all the tropes you mentioned in the worst list🤢. but friends to lovers is one of my favourites ❤

[@srirupaniyogi6293]

When she was explaining the "Mistaken Identity" trope (which I LOVE, btw), my mind was screaming "MiRaCuLouS sImpLy tHe BeST" the whole time❤❤❤

[@sixofbooks3909]

YAS enemies to lovers is such a fun trope!

[@MultiEquations]

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book as well!

[@lizzieAC2109]

Your description of mistaken identity is the exact plot of ‘You’ve got mail’. Which I love btw

[@ladyicondraco]

Your discussion on Surprise Pregnancy, I felt that one!

[@alexia7189]

enemies to lover and unintentionally lovers are some of my favs (the random partener in something one i mean)

[@elsab373]

I would loveeee to see you play episode after hearing this. That app EATS UP these tropes especially the ones you said you love. I think it would be so interesting to hear your take on some of the stories on that type of “reading” platform. I personally love episode especially when I’m not in the mood to read a standard paperback book the video game/animation aspect of it makes it a little more fun while still basically reading.

[@k.5425]

Enemies to lovers book = the hating game by Sally Thorne. I've reread that book several times. Enemies to lovers, fake dating/ marriage are my favourite tropes

[@TheMcSkilletz]

i heard nothing but facts this entire video

[@TheRainbowToyChannel]

I’m OBSESSED w your channel! I love ur personality so much, u are just such a light :)

[@ErinPrimette]

5:31 Yeah, that trope's why I refuse to watch 365 Days.

[@ZielonaPastela]

365 Days is a dumpster fire anyways 😂. I only ever watch rant reviews of this thing.

[@Eris_Norregard]

I remember long time ago reading a F/F story where the romance happens between two victims. Basically the main character is a young woman who got abducted by a sex trafficking ring, and as she's trying to survive this nightmare her life turned into, she meets another girl who's been there longer time than her, and they fall in love. I remember it didn't romanticize the situation they were in, instead they spent the time trying to come up with a plan how to escape (which they eventually do). It paid a lot of attention to the psychology of characters and how the trauma they were both experiencing made them develop much more intense feelings than they would otherwise. I remember a scene where they actually have the "do you think we'd still be together if we met on the outside?" talk and they both agree that probably no. Yet when they escape, they stay together because the love they have for each other is real at this point. In other words, there's a way to make the "abduction romance" work. ... This kind of abduction romance overlaps with the "forced proximity" now that I think about it. Similar to some (mostly M/M) stories I read that were set in the army or in prison for example. It shares the whole "we are in a terrible situation, so let's find something positive about it" vibe.

[@claudiawright2382]

Love this and I 100% agree. Enemies to lovers is the best when it’s written competently. Another annoying trait of the “clueless” heroine trope is that they have no clue (or pretend to not notice) other people’s feelings for them. Like they are in love with a guy, who likes them back and who makes it known with anything but words, and the “heroine” just doesn’t get it and thinks she’s the only one. Worse when it’s a guy she doesn’t love, and strings this dude “unknowingly” along by being touchy feely and wanting him to do things for her because “friendship”. I think the most boring trope, that makes me loose interest immediately is “love at first sight”. It’s boring when there is no tension or build up to anything. The best thing about romance is reading about how it happens. How do those people fall in love. What use is it to read about characters who fall in love for no reason at the first meeting? Another annoying trope is “I’m defined by my love for you”, meaning that a character’s only trait is being in love. It’s the only thing they think about. They have no aspirations or troubles other than getting together with their love interest and treat other people like commodities.

[@kanellita]

your curls look especially cute! 💫

[@lolablake9196]

My personal least favourite (not talking about problematic tropes) is the misunderstanding trope of course some do it worse than others but it just grinds my gears. The worst book I’ve read with this was one where the characters met again after time apart through another character and I found it made sense for them to talk but they didn’t really and then ( I dnfd it) but I did manage to see that they confront each other about the issue way later than they should have. but as I said my main issue there was that I feel like if it was real they would have talked while I’ve read some where they weren’t as bad as I could understand better why they weren’t talkingz

[@rachelscattergood3979]

i love roommates/forced proximity and sharing a bed

[@riannasimons4923]

Another 10/10 video Daria, love the new channel header/video opener and closer too!

[@bynamenature8422]

A favourite trope: a well executed love triangle Least favourite trope: the vast majority of love triangles

[@itsjustjulia8293]

Totally agree 100% in all of these!!

[@lavi4148]

I know this is out of context but the sheer amount of work you must put in these videos is commendable! You’re honestly such a good creator and I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel, as your content’s quality, radiant personality and insightful comments all make you such an amazing and worth-praising artist. Keep the great work up!

[@nereagarcia1704]

Agreed on a 100% percent in everything . You said it all. Same girl, same.

[@profelderflower]

For me the worst trope of all time (except maybe the assault-to-romance one...) is the love triangle. I hate it with the fire of a thousand suns. It was terrible when the Hunger Games did it, it was terrible when Twilight did it, don't even get me started on the Hobbit... I think the main reason why is that the third person in the love triangle hardly ever has a real chance e.g. Bella never actually liked Jacob romantically, Gale was always just Katniss's friend, Legolas never had a chance with Tauriel. The only time I ever came close to enjoying a love triangle storyline was probably To All the Boys I've Loved Before because Lara Jean actually liked both Noah Centino and not-Noah-Centino and they actually liked her. Poldark is another example where it kind of works (though it is somewhat dated now): Ross and Elizabeth do have a romantic past that was cut short before it had a chance to grow and so that unknown, potential life hangs over his marriage to Demelza no matter how much he loves her. It's also not the focus of the story, it's more of a secondary theme so it's not constantly being shoved in your face.

[@catherinelozano1214]

I think you might like "To love your enemy", it's a comic and you can find it on Webtoon. It has the "enemies to lovers" and "fake dating", it's awesome, I love it so much. The only "bad thing" is that is not finished, yet, but the author updates every Monday and Thursday. I hope you see this and give it a try.

[@namratapatra7200]

I am just for it to end, so that I binge read it😭

[@SallyB_23]

YAAAAAASSS my Enemies-to-Lovers Queeeeen!!!!

[@anneliesehope3189]

This!!! I absolutely adore all of the tropes you mentioned that are your favorites, they're just so amazing (if done right, that is). Almost all the tropes you said you disliked I was just nodding right long with you, so many of those are not only disgusting but harmful to so many people today. Loved the video!

[@SallyB_23]

Reylo was my Enemies-to-Lovers initiation☺🦋♥

[@adinickole2566]

This was a great list! ^^

[@secretfeelings3434]

I love all you fav tropes except mistaken identity

[@growupanushka]

BEST FRIENDS TO LOVERS I'M HERE FOR THEM

[@hamnahsaqib2147]

Completely agree with ur picks!!

[@Annikina]

Girl, you said it... I agree 100% on all categories - both yay and nay ones. I really wish I could say more, but you already did with such coherence I really have nothing to add. *slow clapping*

[@hurricaneofcats]

I totally agree with this! I have seen some decent versions of surprise pregnancy and the usually off-putting virginal heroine trope, but those are pretty rare. I'm okay with the pregnancy trope sometimes when it is handled in a way that it is clear both characters are in the relationship because they voluntarily want to be there, not because of a guilt trip. The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata pulls it off well. The obsession with virginal heroines is definitely problematic, but the best versions of it are when the heroine is portrayed as not entirely clueless or naive, it can be pulled off. Abduction romance, and student -teacher are a big NO.

[@julisaranita]

I notice I love all those tropes not only in novels but also in TV shows (specifically Kdramas) and movies too and it’s So Good 😭❤️

[@scrambledmeggss]

This video is just me agreeing with you the whole time i- also enemies to lovers + fake dating will never fail to make me sob, i love it so much 😭💖

[@scrambledmeggss]

FullofLit OMG YES its *chefs kiss* 😌

[@karinanieblas3677]

I haven’t comment in a while but I’m still here 💜 agreeing with you lol

[@MysteryFanGirl]

Your List is My list! Glad to know someone else thinks alike

[@thelazystitcher]

Totally agree with all of these!

[@palacsintakat]

Have you ever read Vampire Academy? The romance between Rose and Dmitri is the perfect romance to me. It's intense on the inside but slow-burning on the outside.It isn't the main plot of the book (which is Rose's relationship with her best friend Lissa). She literally travels the world to kill him when he's forced to become an evil vampire aka strigoi. It's the only romance that has kidnapping that I think works because she's his last attachment to humanity and he only takes her because he can't kill her and they've already been in love.... it's also a lovers to enemies to lovers hahahah. idk, you'd have to read it.

[@thatgirlsarah8820]

why is it that some tropes are so much better in wlw and mlm relationships💀

[@radhikadas7560]

I would not say enemy to lovers rather hate to love kind of like in boys over flowers, meteor garden which melts the heart... Still love them

[@azdajajeanne]

Have you read "Every Heart a Doorway" by Seanan McGuire? I'm partway through it now, and based on what you said at the end, I think there's at least that one aspect you'd REALLY like; although the main genre/focus is fantasy, not romance.

[@BeeWhistler]

And now I'm looking at all the stuff I've written in the last several years and analyzing whether I have any of the requested character types... I've certainly had a variety. Girl and guy who decide neither wants sex, guy who's actually upset that his girl is a virgin because of what that means he has to do, girl who knows about sex and talks guy into it even though she's a virgin (not because he doesn't want to but because she's got fragile health and doesn't want to waste the rest of her life being handled with care and he doesn't want to cause her harm), girl who's had sex before and learned she doesn't want a casual relationship next time, girl who's had a previous relationship and experience trying to find the courage to try again,

[@didilina1325]

Soo whats your Favorite enemies to lovers book besides PP?

[@emmyrose77]

i see your enemies to lovers & raise friends to enemies to lovers. so much goodness.

[@Vexmybeloved_]

Girl do you have any recs for these tropes? 😭

[@eliseduval1803]

I can like a teacher/student relationship only if it's in university where both of them are adults and like if their age are pretty close, I'm not saying I'm against age gap relationship everyone do whatever they want if it's legal and not morally wrong but if one of the character is in high school and have a relation with their teacher that's a big nope. I would like it espacially if the student and the teacher met before and then at the uni discovered that they're teacher and student. I hope my comment make sense english isn't my first language so I apologize if it's not cleae !

[@lolablake9196]

Yes right now I’m listening to an amazing audiobook where there is a marriage of convenience to get a character out of a situation and then later in a University setting the heroine gets the hero as her professor and here I don’t find it problematic because they are both adults. Edit: and I love how they already know each other and there’s this tension.

[@eliseduval1803]

@@lolablake9196 Could you tell me the name of the audiobook please 🙏

[@lolablake9196]

@@eliseduval1803 it’s a historical novel so I don’t know if that’s your cup of tea but it’s called the morning gift by Eva Ibbotson

[@AliceEims]

You pretty much nailed it. I agree with your list. The worst one for me is a mixture of several ones. The clueless heroine together with a white knight who is this guy who everyone think is so hot even though he is the coldest person alive. He does not participate in anything, he shrugs and rolls his eyes when his friends wants to do hijinks. He is super smart and super athletic EVEN THOUGH we never see him do anything. The clueless heroine falls in love with him and tries to make him notice her, and he doesn't like her at first but then for some reason that we never really see his hearts melts for her. He is still the same cold person, but one night she gets hurt and he is the one that notices that she is gone and runs around all over town and then finds her and carries her home. Oh, and also the clueless heroine has no willpower of her own, she is never in control and she never takes charge, she just stands there and blinks with her big doey eyes when men around her does anything they want, and also all the men wants to be together with her for some reason. That is such a weird romance trope, and if you watch Japanese drama you will see it in almost every drama since 2015. There used to be female characters that had more spunk, that took charge and were in control, but not anymore! I really dislike this one.

[@kittyminky333]

Can you share your favorite books for the best tropes? Please :*

[@cupcakefan8]

I'm having trouble getting into pride and prejudice, I dont much understand what's going on, and it seems mr Darcy started courting her very early for me, I'm only 50 pages in, do you have any tips to help me stick with it and get into pride and prejudice more?

[@rhyde0731]

I’m curious if you’re a fan of the PBS series, Sanditon? Sidney + Charlotte is definitely “enemies to lovers “.

[@IAmOmniscient]

We have such similar tastes when it comes to romance tropes! I absolutely detest pregnancies bringing people together because its unrealistic. There are tons and tons of couples who have children together and parent them successfully without having to be romantically involved. Student-teacher romances will never be fluffy or cute for me because I cant get over the power imbalance there. And OMG, can clueless virgins disappear from romance novels and romcoms forever please? Because inadvertently the clueless virgin is also "adorkable" and clumsy and falls over herself all the time despite being 30 years old. Its not believable and can we please depict women as capable and curious individuals instead of infantilizing us all the time. I refuse to accept that even the most inexperienced women wont have had conversations about sex with female friends or read all the steamy romances ever.

[@martha-louise]

👏👏👏

[@fttoma]

🧡🧡🧡💛💛💛

[@nicolecurrer]

I also believe teacher/student is the worst.

[@sakurahan91]

I ADORE reading pregnancy in books!!! I think it’s probably because I desperately want children, though. I also much prefer it when it’s 1st person! I’m also here for the abduction trope! What’s that Pennies book you mention? I also adore student/teacher relationships! It’s fiction so it’s okay. I work with kids too. I’m down for clueless heroines as well lol...it’s fiction! And there are plenty of books that have sexually practiced women in them! My LEAST favourite trope is love triangles because often absolutely no progress in made with the relationship. There’s just a whole bunch of pining, which I am NOT here for. I find it boring.

[@Arosukir6]

The "clueless" part sounds a bit like the "born sexy yesterday" trope. The latter usually involves a love interest who's either some sort of robot, alien, mythical being, or other inhuman creature. As a result, she's usually uncommonly beautiful, but completely without knowledge of the human world, especially with relationships and sex. Both of these come from the (imo *very* creepy) desire for an adult body with a child-like mind. Someone who the (usually male) lead can guide through their sexual awakening. Who has had no previous partners and never will afterward. Just the worst. 🤢🤢

[@Unstableo]

Not at all a trope but I absolutely despise the depiction of sex in all kinds of media, books, movies, hell, even like music or music videos because that's just not how sex works or plays out? Especially the first time (for both male and female, which I wish was also more explored, the male view on this and the first time for a guy. I think I never actually read or saw anything about that? Always just female). Like, sex is messy, can be fun or not, it's awkward or funny or uncomfortable - all sorts of things but most definitely NOT this picture-perfect slow motion moment of a butterfly explosion or whatever. It's so harmful to younger people who expect sex to be like that when in reality humans are neither characters in a book, nor actors in a movie. (Obviously, this doesn't apply to any single human being on earth)

[@Eris_Norregard]

I like when books include some scenes where the sex just goes badly exactly for the reason you said. It makes it much more realistic and therefor emore enjoyable, plus when they eventually do have a good sex, it feels earned.

[@Unstableo]

@@Eris_Norregard Right?! I feel like real sex can be shown in so many ways and it can make the reader root sooo much more for two characters if they discover their sexual compatibility together in different ways.

[@ErinPrimette]

2:09 And yet the loudest portion of the Reylo fandom handles the Enemies to Lovers trope so poorly.