Popular Book Tropes & What to Read If You Love Them

If you've ever found yourself swooning over an "enemies to lovers" romance or cheering for a reluctant hero on a quest, you've been delightfully swept up by book tropes. These storytelling devices are the secret ingredient behind some of fiction's most beloved moments.

In this post we'll guide you through what tropes in books really are, why authors use them to shape unforgettable stories, and a few recommendations for some popular tropes. Whether you're a writer looking to spice up your fiction writing or a reader curious about your favourite plot twists, you're in the right place. 

 

Browse Books With Popular Book Tropes

  

What Are Tropes in Books?

Tropes in books are like the secret ingredients in your favourite comfort meal; they're familiar, satisfying, and instantly recognisable. Whether it's the chosen one who saves the day, the enemies to lovers romance that keeps us swooning, or the found family that tugs at our heartstrings, tropes help readers connect with stories from the very first page.

 

Why Do Authors Use Tropes?

They're not just clichés (though they can be if overused), they're storytelling tools that tap into universal emotions and expectations. Authors use them to build worlds quickly, evoke feelings efficiently, and deliver the kind of narrative payoff that keeps us turning pages late into the night. 

  - Instant Recognition: Tropes allow readers to quickly grasp the story's setup without lengthy explanation.

  - Emotional Connection: Tropes tap into universal experiences — love, loss, ambition, redemption — making stories more relatable and resonant with readers.

  - Genre Expectations: Tropes can often help with defining genres. For example, a lost heir is most likely to appear in a fantasy book than a thriller or romance.

  - Reader Satisfaction: Many readers actively seek out specific tropes they enjoy. It's often a comfort — they're predictable in the best way.

 

A photo of popular books with popular topes on a bookshelf.

 

Popular Book Tropes 

 

Romance Tropes

 

Enemies to Lovers

Often found in fantasy – or romantasy – books, the enemies to lovers trope in fiction is where two characters who hate each other, or are each others’ nemesis, end up falling in love. It often occurs when they’re on opposing sides of a battle, war, or feud.

From verbal sparring to stolen kisses, this trope turns fiery feuds into sizzling romance. Expect tension, banter, and a love that defies first impressions.

Enemies to Lovers Book Examples:
  - The Cruel Prince, Holly Black
  - A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas
  - Powerless, Lauren Roberts

Find more recommendations for fiery romance stories with our guide on best enemies to lovers books.

 

Rivals to Lovers

Similar to enemies to lovers with less high-stakes, this trope is all about tension — emotional, intellectual, sometimes even physical. Two characters start off on opposite sides: competing for the same goal, clashing over values, or just plain getting under each other’s skin. But beneath the bickering lies chemistry, and as the story unfolds, sparks fly in a different direction.

Rivals to Lovers Book Examples:
  - Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross
  - Beg, Borrow, or Steal, Sarah Adams 
  - Beach Read, Emily Henry

 

Friends to Lovers

Friends to lovers is a trope that is just that: where friends become more than just friends. This heartwarming trope explores the slow-burn magic of falling for someone who’s always been there.

Friends to Lovers Book Examples:
  - Wild Love, Elsie Silver
  - Powerless, Elsie Silver
  - The Deal, Elle Kennedy
  - Yours Truly, Abby Jimenez
  - The Play, Elle Kennedy
  - You and Me on Vaction, Emily Henry

Discover the best friends to lovers books filled with warmth and chemistry.

 

Second Chance Romance

Love gets a do-over in this emotional trope, where exes reunite and rediscover what made them fall in love the first time.

Second Chance Romance Book Examples:
  - Happy Place, Emily Henry
  - King of Greed, Ana Huang
  - The Rule Book, Sarah Adams
  - You and Me on Vacation, Emily Henry
  - Wild and Wrangled, Lyla Sage
  - Yours Truly, Abby Jimenez

 

Fake Dating

Pretend to be a couple, catch real feelings — classic! This trope is full of awkward moments, unexpected chemistry, and delightful chaos.

Fake Dating Book Examples:
  - Funny Story, Emily Henry
  - Spiral, Bal Khabra
  - The Temporary Roomie, Sarah Adams
  - The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood
  - The Deal, Elle Kennedy
  - The Dixon Rule, Elle Kennedy
  - Twisted Lies, Ana Huang
  - Terms and Conditions, Lauren Asher
  - The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams
  - Hopeless, Elsie Silver
  - Yours Truly, Abby Jimenez

 

Forced Proximity

Whether it’s snowed-in cabins or shared hotel rooms, this trope traps characters together until sparks fly and secrets spill.

Forced Proximity Book Examples:
  - Funny Story, Emily Henry
  - Happy Place, Emily Henry
  - You and Me on Vacation, Emily Henry
  - King of Wrath, Ana Huang
  - Twisted Games, Ana Huang
  - Twisted Lies, Ana Huang
  - Twisted Love, Ana Huang
  - Flawless, Elsie Silver
  - Heartless, Elsie Silver
  - Wild Side, Elsie Silver
  - The Right Move, Liz Tomforde
  - Bride, Ali Hazelwood
  - Love on the Brain, Ali Hazelwood
  - Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros
  - Icebreaker, Hannah Grace
  - Wildfire, Hannah Grace
  - Behind the Net, Stephanie Archer
  - A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas
  - Out on a Limb, Hannah Bonam-Young
  - Things We Never Got Over, Lucy Score


Sports Romance

Athletes in love? Game on. This trope mixes competition, adrenaline, and locker-room chemistry for a winning combo.

Sports Romance Book Examples:
  - Daydream, Hannah Grace
  - Briar U series, Elle Kennedy
  - Binding 13, Chloe Walsh
  - The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams
  - Icebreaker, Hannah Grace
  - The Striker, Ana Huang

If you love the combination of sports drama and all the ups and downs that love can bring, find more recommendations on our post of the best sports romance books.

 

Cowboy Romance

Saddle up for slow-burning love, rugged charm, and wide-open hearts. This trope brings boots, barns, and brooding cowboys.

Cowboy Romance Book Examples:
  - Chestnut Springs and Rose Hill series, Elsie Silver
  - Silver Pines Ranch series, Paisley Hope
  - Rebel Blue Ranch series, Lyla Sage

For more book inspiration, read our guide on some of the best cowboy romance series.

 

Small Town

Cosy vibes, quirky locals, and second chances abound. This trope charms with slower living and sweeter love stories. Think Hallmark films in a book.

Small Town Romance Book Examples:
  - Chestnut Springs and Rose Hill series, Elsie Silver
  - Rebel Blue Ranch series, Lyla Sage
  - Dream Harbor series, Laurie Gilmore
  - Book Lovers, Emily Henry
  - Practice Makes Perfect, Sarah Adams
  - Part of Your World, Abby Jimenez

 

Love Triangle

Two suitors, one heart, and a whole lot of drama. This trope keeps readers guessing who’ll win the final rose.

Love Triangle Book Examples:
  - The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins
  - Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi
  - Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
  - The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han
  - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
  - The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
  - Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding

 

Forbidden Love

Think Romeo and Juliet, but with modern stakes, this trope thrives on tension, secrecy, and love that breaks all the rules.

Forbidden Love Book Examples:

  - Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
  - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
  - Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros 
  - From Blood and Ash, Jennifer L. Armentrout
  - Twisted Games, Ana Huang
  - Twisted Love, Ana Huang
  - King of Pride, Ana Huang
  - The Risk, Elle Kennedy 
  - Twilight, Stephenie Meyer

 

Billionaire Romance

Luxury, power, and a touch of scandal — this trope pairs everyday heroines with impossibly rich love interests for high-stakes passion.

Billionaire Romance Book Examples:

  - Kings of Sin series, Ana Huang
  - Dreamland Billionaires series, Lauren Asher
  - Lakefront Billionaires series, Lauren Asher
  - Wild Love, Elsie Silver 
  - Fifty Shades of Grey, E. L. James
  - The Worst Best Man, Lucy Score


Black Cat x Golden Retriever

Opposites attract when a grumpy, guarded character meets their sunshiney, golden-hearted counterpart. Cue the adorable chaos.

Black Cat x Golden Retriever Book Examples:

  - Collide, Bal Khabra
  - Reckless, Elsie Silver
  - The Fine Print, Lauren Asher
  - Not in Love, Ali Hazelwood


She Falls First, He Falls Harder

She’s smitten early, but when he catches up, he’s all in. This trope flips the emotional script for maximum swoon.

She Falls First, He Falls Harder Book Examples:

  - Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Julia Quinn
  - Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross
  - Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros
  - Problematic Summer Romance, Ali Hazelwood
  - Love and Other Words, Christina Lauren


Single Dad 

A rugged heartthrob with parenting skills? Yes please. This trope blends tenderness, responsibility, and irresistible charm.

Single Dad Book Examples:

  - Heartless, Elsie Silver
  - Wild Eyes, Elsie Silver
  - Wild Love, Elsie Silver
  - Love Unwritten, Lauren Asher
  - Lost and Lassoed, Lyla Sage


Fantasy & Adventure Tropes


Chosen One

One hero, one destiny. This trope crowns a seemingly ordinary character with extraordinary purpose — and a world to save.

Chosen One Book Examples:

  - Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling
  - The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
  - The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan
  - Shadow and Bone, Leigh Bardugo 
  - House of Flame and Shadow, Sarah J. Maas
  - The Cruel Prince, Holly Black
  - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
  - Divergent, Veronica Roth
  - The Maze Runner, James Dashner
  - The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, J.R.R. Tolkien

 

The Lost Heir

Surprise royalty alert! This trope reveals hidden lineage, secret powers, and a journey from obscurity to greatness.

The Lost Heir Examples:

  - Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas
  - A Song of Ice and Fire, George R. R. Martin
  - This Woven Kingdom, Tahereh Mafi
  - Legendborn, Tracy Deonn

 

Morally Grey Characters

Not quite hero, not quite villain — this trope explores complex characters who blur the lines and steal hearts anyway.

Morally Grey Characters Book Examples:

  - Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo
  - The Cruel Prince, Holly Black
  - The Poppy War, R. F. Kuang
  - Once Upon a Broken Heart, Stephanie Garber
  - Fourth Wing, RebeccaYarros
  - A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas
  - Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas
  - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
  - Twisted Love, Ana Huang
  - Butter, Asak Yuzuki
  - The Hurricane Wars, Thea Guanzon

 

Found Family

Blood isn’t always thicker than loyalty. This trope celebrates misfits who form deep bonds and become each other’s home.

Found Family Book Examples:
  - Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo
  - Throne of Glass series and A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas
  - Happy Place, Emily Henry
  - Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros
  - The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), Rick Riordan

 

Amatuer Sleuth

No badge, no training, just brains, curiosity, and a knack for stumbling into crime scenes. This trope features everyday characters solving mysteries with wit and instinct, often outsmarting the pros and charming readers along the way.

Amatuer Sleuth Book Examples:
  - The Thursday Murder Club, Richard Osman
  - The Bullet that Missed, Richard Osman
  - The Man Who Died Twice, Richard Osman
  - The Impossible Fortune, Richard Osman
  - We Solve Murders, Richard Osman
  - A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson


Tropefully Ever After!

Tropes may be familiar, but that’s exactly what makes them powerful. Whether you're writing your next novel or simply devouring your latest read, spotting these storytelling gems can deepen your appreciation for the craft. So go ahead, embrace the tropes, twist them, and devour them. After all, the best stories aren’t just told, they’re felt.

Looking for your next great read? Check out these top five book recommendations from Bookstagrammer Marty of @consistentlyreads — curated picks that are sure to keep you turning pages into the night.

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