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!
Who isn’t a fan of the Great British Bake Off, Top Chef, Masterchef, or any foodie competition related show? Because if not, this list won’t be of your interest. But… BUT!!! If you’re like me and love watching these shows, love the emotions behind the food and the journey the contestants have throughout the competition, this list is perfect for you. If you have ever wanted a competitive romance to form between two people, these romances will give you will give you just that. They all have competitions that have to do with food somehow, like baking, wine tasting, food making, etc.
The Bad in Each Other by Tasha L. Harrison
Sous chef Birdie is willing to do anything to leave behind her reputation of being difficult to work with. Even enter her town’s yearly foodie competition. If she wins, she will start anew and get that recognition she deserves. Though she didn’t expect Saxon Turner, world-renowned chef and the bane of her existence, to be one of the judges. Harrison’s second book in her A Small Town Romance series comes out on March 23rd.
Taste of Heaven by Penny Watson
A cooking competition takes this single mom and widower from Vermont all the way to Scotland, side-by-side with a grumpy Scottish chef who she is set to beat in the competition.
Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera
I remember when Adriana tweeted me about her wanting to write a foodie competition romance. And then!!! She DID. SHE DID THAT. Mangos and Mistletoe will be the holiday romance of your dreams but also can be read any time of the year because it’s timely. It’s a beautiful story about a woman who left her country to win a baking competition and to achieve her dream of becoming a pastry chef. She also wants to prove to everyone, her family, her former boss, that she is capable of making it. If she can keep her eyes on the prize and not on her teammate’s lips.
He’s Going Down by Kelly Siskind
Do you love wine? Who wouldn’t love to be a judge in a wine contest to be honest? I think that would be so fun and you would have the time of your life. The contest is just the backdrop to this romance story that will enchant you since the start! A one-night stand she can’t remember? And then finding out she’s competing with that same man she just had sex with? Uh, oh.
Romancing the Chef by Robyn Amos
Up-and-coming restaurateur is all ready to compete in this all-star TV cooking contest. She is definitely not ready for her competition: Ace Brown, her friend from culinary school who is also one big celebrity chef right now. Will his seduction skills work this time around or is Veronica going to turn him down just like back in school?
