To explain a little about what this post will be about, every Trope Tuesday post starts with the same introduction. In every romance book you read there are tropes or archetypes you find inside its pages. You can also see them in shows, movies, plays, etc. Every type of entertainment and media. Romantic tropes are everywhere, and they are fabulous. I adore them and I always tend to find my favorite ones in romance books so I can enjoy them even more. Trope Tuesday is a weekly column where I share books that I know people will enjoy with a specific central trope.
What is a trope? Urban Dictionary explains it best: “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. 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. So really? I’m just helping you find that new favorite book of yours. If ever you want a post on a trope I haven’t done yet, do drop me a tweet at @thebookvoyagers and let me know!
For the enemies to lovers trope fans, I have for you today the childhood enemies trope. I would call it a subtrope of enemies to lovers where you get that but also they have been enemies since kids! (Maybe even birth). Our protagonists have known each other since forever, be it because of their families or through school. But one way or the other, they don’t start on the right terms. If one of them hears the other one’s name, their whole day is ruined. If they meet each other because of friends, they can’t help but bicker endlessly. It’s clear for everyone that they will never have a good relationship. But as we know, in romance, a situation will arise where both of them will realize that “hey they aren’t that bad” and BOOM! the falling in love part will start.
Sweethand by NG Peltier
Sweethand delivers a delicious and steamy romance between childhood enemies who just found out they are the best man and maid of honor of an upcoming wedding! If I could do the heart emoji in real life, I would do it for this book.
Cherisse and Kieran can’t be in the same room without arguing. But now they have to leave their differences aside because they have wedding duties! Easier said than done, Cherisse and Kieran’s love story is a rollercoaster of emotions, but the ride is incredible. NG Peltier shows a beautiful romance where two souls just needed a little bit of alone time to realize that they’re meant to be.
A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman (Sept. 28)
A recent read of mine, A Reckless Match gave me what I was craving: A fun, fast-paced, swoony romance where two childhood enemies decide to pair up to bring down a group of dangerous people.
Maddie and Gryff have been enemies since birth. Their families have had a feud for years! After years separated, a reunion is bound to happen at their yearly “pledge of goodwill” meeting but it seems Gryff won’t be coming. This means that the patch of land separating their estates might finally have an owner! But her hopes crumble quickly when Gryff actually shows up to the meeting. Their attraction is as intense as ever, but they cannot have a conversation where it doesn’t lead to arguing. Will they both be able to peel off their guarded exteriors in order for the other to see their real selves?
Wreckless by Katie Golding
Wreckless should be on everyone’s TBR. It follows two motorcycle racers who have been rivals since they were 15 years old. Both of them are going after their own goals, arguing after every single race, and trying so hard to not kiss each other passionately. Because getting together is not in the plans.
Lorelai and Massimo are rivals. Their dreams and passions are all about motorcycle racing. That doesn’t mean Massimo cannot tease Lorelai profoundly every chance he gets. He always asks her to marry him. Each time she says no, thinking Massimo is only doing it to irritate her. But what she doesn’t know is that Massimo has been harboring a love for Lorelai for years. After a deadly wreck, Massimo is ready to make her see that what he feels is real.
Prom Queen Perfect by Clarisse David
Gossip Girl meets Emma in this amazing and charming YA romance. Prom Queen Perfect has become one of my most reread books. It gives you a serotonin boost each time you finish reading it!
Alex dela Cruz is our queen bee of the school. She has popularity, beauty and money. When she is called selfish by her childhood enemy, she decides to show him how wrong he is. Alex resembles Blair Waldorf in a way that she thinks she’s doing something good but does it in the wrong way. But we love to see characters like that grow and own up to their mistakes and Alex does that.
1 thought on “Trope Rec Tuesday: Childhood Enemies Reunite”
Childhood enemies where they’ve been enemies as children, but then grow up and meet again realizing their feelings have shifted but still arguing to mask their affection.
IMAGINE THE CLIMAX! THE FINAL REALIZATION!
It’s genius!