I think romance novel tropes are tropes because of the inherent fantasy or wish fulfillment in them. Here are my guesses about the wish fulfillment in various tropes, but I'm hoping to hear other people's thoughts!
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Small Town Romance - the fantasy of a big emotional support network. (The secret sauce in Hallmark movies, though when I worked at Hallmark Channel I NEVER heard anyone say this.) Your BFF wants you to be happy. So does your mom. So do ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS!
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#CountdownToChristmas
Small Town Romance is also just a validation for people who live in small towns and rural areas that are often overlooked or derided ("backwater," "flyover country," etc.).
Grumpy / Sunshine, when the female character is the "Sunshine" - the fantasy of being your authentically quirky self and/or of embracing optimism and joy. The truth is, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype wasn't only a fantasy for men.
Royal Romance - economic freedom, and (even more important, maybe?) having one's worth recognized.
Fake Dating - instant partner, yes, but also just the transgressive and deeply pleasurable fantasy of fooling a lot of people (see also: spy stories, heist stories.)
Fake Dating - instant partner, yes, but also just the transgressive and deeply pleasurable fantasy of fooling a lot of people (see also: spy stories, heist stories.)
The Virgin Heroine - out of fashion, but this can fulfill a fantasy of having someone treat you with exquisite care, which may be very healing for some readers.
Captor/Captive - the morally murky plot serves as a metaphor for being swept away by passion.
Captor/Captive - the morally murky plot serves as a metaphor for being swept away by passion.
Enemies to Lovers - the fantasy of being so irresistible that even someone who should hate you CANNOT RESIST YOU.
Love Triangle - also a fantasy about being irresistible!
Love Triangle - also a fantasy about being irresistible!
Second Chance Romance - so many! The fantasy of correcting one's past mistakes. The reconnection with one's youth. The idea that, in all spheres of life, it's never too late.
I think that tropes can always feel fresh as long as the characters are fully fleshed out and as long as the scenes deliver on the fantasy/wish fulfillment. ❤️
What are some other ones, do you think?
What are some other ones, do you think?
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