To explain a little about what this post will be about, I’m taking the intro I did for the last one: In every romance book you read there are tropes or archetypes. You can also see them in shows, movies, plays, etc. Romantic tropes are everywhere, and they are fabulous. I adore them. I adore some of them and I always tend to find my favorite ones in romance books so I can enjoy them more. I decided to do a sort of Trope Tuesday piece where I will be talking about many tropes and recommend you all some of my favorites that fit.
What is a trope? Urban Dictionary explains it best I think: “Despite the erroneous definitions already published here, trope on the interwebs really refers to an often overused plot device. It can also be described as another variation on the same theme. TV shows, movies, comics, games, anime’, & books are full of tropes & many rabid fan-sites now name & track said tropes with a self-explanatory title for each one.” We can name a few: accidental pregnancy, best friends to lovers, sibling’s best friend, marriage of convenience, and so many more for sure. Your favorite couples? They probably got a trope too! It’s always so nice to realize or find out your favorite romance trope and keep searching for books with the same theme.
Why dream about a billionaire hero when you can dream about heroines who are CEOs? Not saying billionaire heroes aren’t great (they totally are!) but think about it: a female CEO ready to make you fall madly in love with her. Romance has every single trope or archetype you wish for, but today we’re going to scream about female CEOs in romance novels.
Sometimes they are stereotyped as being the “bitch” because they can handle any situation with a firm grip and ice-y determination. And that’s bull, to be honest. I would say to that so many words that probably I shouldn’t say right now. But what I do want to say is that I look up to every women who have their stuff together and are thriving and growing and glowing until forever. Go, you!
This is why I want to see more CEOs, company president’s heroines in romance fiction. You don’t know how much heroes are out there who are CEOs and most of the time the heroine always ends up being the secretary or assistant or someone working for them. Like sure, that can happen, but to continue to write this same scenario it just tells me we need something more. Also the power imbalance is never really mentioned or the heroine doesn’t think about it, which let me tell you, many think about it.
So this is sort of my way to share a light to these stories I’m mentioning next. I really wanted to give you all some more recommendations but I don’t really know more. If you do know more, let me know because I’m so very interested you don’t even know!
A Gentleman in the Street by Alisha Rai
I, of course, have to mention Alisha’s A Gentleman in the Street. Akira is the greatest thing and you should all read her story. I have a feeling if you end up reading this book, you will all become obsessed with Akira, billionaire bisexual businesswoman. She probably can have everything she wants, except she wants the aloof author Jacob. He has been in her dreams 24/7 and she wants him for real now. What she doesn’t know is that he craves her too but because of the responsibility of taking care of his siblings, he can’t enjoy his desires.
How She Likes It by Carla de Guzman
This is the book that brought me to write this list to be honest. How She Likes It is the most recent novel by Carla de Guzman and if you know me well enough you know I’m such a fan of Carla. And this novel is really the greatest by her… yet! (I totally know she’s going to write more and exceed all my expectations with newer books). This book really turns everything 360. Why? The heroine is a CEO-in-training and the hero? He’s her assistant. I can’t for the life of me remember a book that has this trope and if I’m mistaken and there is something out there, please tell me!
One Bed for Christmas by Jackie Lau
I know, I know. I know this doesn’t come out until December! But I had to mention it. As soon as I saw Jackie mentioning she was sort of thinking of doing a holiday romance I was already on board and half in love with the characters even if I didn’t even know them yet. This story has a heroine who is a CEO and it’s friends to lovers as well. It also features unrequited love and a snowbound scene! (I love snowbound scenes. Should do a trope Tuesday with this trope?)
This story will be sent to Jackie’s newsletter subscribers so you better sign up! You can also find it in retailers a little bit later in December, but hello, getting it earlier? Sign up!!!!
Make Me Stay by Rebecca Brooks
One is a former Olympic skier and the other is a businesswoman, a billionaire heir (!!!), ready to make her father’s legacy into the most profitable ski resort in the country. When they meet he doesn’t know she’s trying to destroy everything he cares about. Sparks fly!!! He hasn’t felt this type of attraction in such a long time.
It’s really a perfect read for winter and winter romances.
