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 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.
Let’s talk about characters. Characters are very much an important part of a story, and they are also very important in the enjoyment of said story. If you dislike a character, you really cannot do anything more to like the novel. Or well, that is my own opinion. But really characters shape the stories we so much love and appreciate and we continue to remember them after the story ends. One of my favorite characteristics of characters are their grumpiness.
Grumpy characters are a big hit in the romance community. We love them grumpy but mushy on the inside when they are with their love interests. Haven’t you read and loved that grumpy character who becomes their love interest’s number one fan but is an icy person on the outside or with other people? You get me, I see. Get ready to appreciate and love these next characters.
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
April is the month we all have been waiting for. Yes, people. Lucy Parker has another grumpy icy hero for us and you can read all about him on the 22nd.
The Austen Playbook is by far the best of Lucy’s novels. As of now. (I believe she will make me fall for her upcoming titles as well). Griff is that grumpy hero who loves sarcasm and is one of the harshest critics out there. He even criticized the heroine’s performance and let me tell you… it wasn’t a good piece. He really doesn’t want to work near her at all, but fate has other plans for him.
Deacon by Kit Rocha
The Gideon’s Riders series is one of the most amazing dystopian series out there. Kit Rocha built that! The complex world building and the inner political workings inside the novel really make this novel take the next step. A good world building can change everything and this series has it.
Deacon is the second novel in this series, but I would recommend to read them in order. Though each book can work as a standalone. It’s all a choice, but the story does take from the first book. Deacon is the name of the hero and he is the leader of the Riders. He is grumpy and has ghosts from his past, ghosts he doesn’t want Ana to find out or get near. But their attraction is undeniable and their relationship will inevitably grow closer.
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole
If you’re searching for a grey haired, grumpy, Scottish duke, I present to you Tav McKenzie. Alyssa Cole wrote a spectacular and layered hero who isn’t afraid to say it how it is. He definitely doesn’t want a spoiled American socialite on his grounds but oops, he has another thing coming for him. These two don’t start on the best terms but their relationship will hit you hard after you realize that these two are meant to be.
Coffee Boy by Austin Chant
Coffee Boy is that swoony short novella you will be rereading for years to come. An office romance that will get at your heartstrings and leave you on the floor. Austin Chant’s stories are some of the best out there and when you least expect it, they will throw a punch at you and make you remember them forever. This one is no different and you will fall madly for the grumpy older boss and the younger guy who has a big crush on him.
