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!
I’m a sucker for the roommates trope. It’s that forced proximity aspect, you see. Two people who might not have anything in common but living together in the same place. When they meet and share a closed space together, things start to happen. These relationships start as friendships most of the time and they start to form bonds and see in each other someone who can be there for them. You forgot your phone? I’ll be there in five minutes to give it to you. You need to trust these people in one way or another! Obviously, if you want a relationship with them, you have to trust them lol. But I think it is always more than that.
Also, let’s not forget the domestic dynamic they might adopt. They’re living together so now they act like a married couple! I love seeing this dynamic develop and you see it so quickly or guess that it will happen somehow. When these little things start to matter (making coffee for them and leaving it there for when they wake up, know what they love to eat when you go get groceries, etc.) it will make the relationship evolve. If you love couples who are practically living together, check out these books.
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
This is the book that made me go “huh, have I done a TT for roommates trope?” and found out that I haven’t yet! I’m fixing that today because it’s a god-tier trope and I know many love it as much as I do. The Roommate has to be on your list if you’re talking about this trope tho. Coming out 09/15, this romance puts together in the room one socialite and a famous porn star.
Clara thought she would be rooming with her best friend and long-time crush but he tells her as soon as she arrives in LA that he’s going on a band tour. Also he rented his room to someone else. You’ve guessed it! Josh Darling, our golden retriever, sunshine boy, is her new roommate. The one who gets her baked goods and gives her “friendly” showers when she needs them the most. This book is GOLD.
Room for Three? by Katrina Jackson
Are you looking for a quick read? I am also thinking of you! Sometimes I get intimidated by big books and just want to read something small and quick. I tend to gravitate towards those books so obviously I’m going to talk about those with you all. Room for Three? has a F/F/M polyamorous trio who find each other via renting their spare bedroom. In the middle of a housing crisis, Precious is only searching for a place to sleep. What she finds in her new living situation might be love! Models Mike and Cali are facing a relationship crisis but when Precious enters their lives, these three realize that the attraction they feel towards each other might not be one-sided.
Making Up by Lucy Parker
If you haven’t read any Lucy Parker book, what are you waiting for!? Grumpy characters, hate to love, celebrities — she really writes the best couples. Making Up gives us the enemies-to-lovers epicness with a side of roommates. Makeup artist Leo falling for circus artist Trix. But at first… well, they aren’t on the best terms. Add to that they have to become roommates! Imagine living together with someone you haven’t liked since high school. Yup, they have history! I told you this was a trope fest.
(There is also a pet hedgehog).
House Rules by Ruby Lang
For the exes, second chance fans, House Rules is that book you need in your life. I love when the couple already has history together! Because of that, they already know how the other ticks, how they work, what they love. Sometimes, because of how much time has passed since they were last together, they might be different and like other things, and it’s really nice to relearn themselves as well.
In Ruby Lang’s title, ex-spouses Simon and Lana find themselves living… as roommates? The rents in the city are huge, so Lana proposes they become platonic roommates. With rules and boundaries. Though when they start to interact and live together again, their attraction and chemistry resurfaces. The chemistry was never the problem! But are they ready to face their inner selves and work toward a future they so much want?
Being Hospitable by Meka James
I’m obsessed with Meka James. She also writes the neighbors trope very well (if you want to try her other books!). In a way, that trope is also a sort-of forced proximity. But in Being Hospitable, friends-to-roommates Kiki and Charley get very close when they start sharing more than living space. Charley wants Kiki to see her as more than her brother’s little sister, while Kiki is fighting temptation for Charley!
