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!
Slow burns take time. There will probably be angst, pining moments, scenes where you will shout “JUST KISS ALREADY!” but everything has a purpose and that purpose is to make you ship this couple so hard you fall madly in love with them and their relationship. It might take years and years for this couple to finally be together but it will be worth it in the end. We like those stolen looks and the small touches when their hands meet but they don’t yet realize they love each other. We like the crushing on the other person for a long time until finally the other half of the ship listens to their heart. And you will see a little bit of everything in the next books I’m recommending to you.
A Summer For Scandal by Lydia San Andres
I talk a lot about San Andres’ other romance, The Infamous Miss Rodriguez, but A Summer for Scandal is just as amazing. My heart is owned by Lydia’s romances to be completely honest. She writes beautiful relationship, not only between the main couple but between the protagonists and other characters, like their friends and family. She writes inspiring scenarios and sweet scenes that you won’t be able to stop reading.
If you love the Lizzie Bennet + Mr. Darcy vibes, Emilia and Ruben definitely have it. Expect lots of banter and bickering between them! It’s so fun to see them come from dislike and sort-of enemies to love and hearts floating around them.
Waiting in the Wings by Tara Frejas
Tara Frejas writes a dazzling theatre world in Waiting in the Wings. She also writes the sweetest slow burn. So you see Erin and Ramon meet in college and become friends. He taught her how to dance!!!! Yet they separate but destiny has something for them because years later they reunite when Erin’s company hires Ramon to be their new choreographer. And let me tell you that when he finally sees Erin again, he’s the happiest person in the world.
This romance will mess you up. It’s the greatest thing to watch these two be together. You know pretty early on that Ramon has been in love with Erin for so long and Erin just !! needs!!! To realize!!! It.
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Ooof- another best friends to lovers. One of my favorite books ever, Christina Lauren made me cry my heart out and then later on, cry again but in happiness. What’s so amazing and beautiful about this novel is the journey of Josh and Hazel’s relationship. To see it all, from the very beginning to the end. Where they first started and all their hardships and joyful moments in between. Christina Lauren will make you go through maaaaany emotions that you won’t be able to contain inside your body.
P.S. There are cute pets. And lots of cute moments.
The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin
Slow burn romance between a thief and the man who is trying to catch her. This book speaks to my soul! And yes, it is just as great as it sounds. Plus hello, we kinda have an anti-heroine of sorts and we all know how much I love and adore anti-heroines in every single format possible. Think Batman and Catwoman. One wants to catch the other but when they learn about each other and what makes them tick, things get a bit complicated and feelings get in the mix. Jeannie Lin is one of my favorite authors and The Sword Dancer is a good book to start with.
After the Wedding by Courtney Milan
This delicious slow burn starts with the hero forced to marry the heroine at gunpoint when they are caught alone. This circumstance leads to the beginning of their story! Courtney Milan writes my favorite books. If she has a new one out, that’s an instant buy for me. I just know that each new story she puts out is going to change my life and leave me wanting for more. After the Wedding gives us Adrian Hunter and Camilla Worth, and these two . . . oh these two will give you so many emotions, especially Lady Camilla Worth.
