Last time, I gave you four of the best romance tropes, but today, we’re getting into the worst of the worst tropes. And beware, this could get controversial.
#1, love triangle.
Overdone and never done well, a love triangle isn’t even actually a triangle. It’s meant to indicate two people romantically liking the same person, with that person unable to decide which person they like. For instance, two guys who like the same girl. Because the guys usually don’t have romantic feelings for each other, it’s really a love V instead of a triangle. But beyond this failure of a name, this trope is exhausting and not exciting. Instead of smiling at cute moments between a couple before they admit their feelings, you’re yelling in anger at your book or TV because the love interest you don’t like just got in the way again. When I watch “The Hunger Games,” I have to hold myself back from angrily ranting every time Gale is on screen. All that man does is cause me stress and get in Peeta’s way. He’s a perfect example of how useless the love triangle really is.
#2, accidental pregnancy.
There is nothing worse than the couple you like only getting together because the woman gets pregnant. (Trust me, I know this from experience as a reader.) Suddenly, all their chemistry is non-existent, and instead of sweet moments between them, every aspect of their conversation and lives is overtaken by the worst villain: a baby. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love babies. I simply hate when they are used as plot devices to move forward a relationship that has become stagnant. This trope always has and always will make me give up reading a book. I just see no point in reading 300 pages about a couple having parenting issues instead of cute romantic moments.
#3, miscommunication.
The worst trope ever. This is usually paired with another trope because it’s not enough on its own, but I think even a little bit of miscommunication is too much. I can’t even begin to think about how many times I have had to put down books or pause TV shows because the characters are having issues and making incorrect assumptions because they cannot communicate with each other. I know that people have issues communicating in real life, but since when does fiction have to be completely realistic? I think it’s time we stop using miscommunication as a crutch and start writing actually good romance without idiotic issues that could easily be solved by a simple conversation.
#4, amnesia.
This trope is so creepy. Like, seriously, why are we romanticizing someone losing their memory in the first place? And then, often using it to make a couple happen? It’s crazy. I can think of nothing less romantic than someone with amnesia being told they’re in a relationship with someone, and then finding out it was all a lie once they regain their memory. And worse, most of the time, they stay with that person even after all the lies. You will never be able to convince me that a healthy relationship could come out of an amnesia romance. All I see happening is some serious Stockholm syndrome and codependency.
#5, enemies to lovers.
Just hear me out. Enemies to lovers is a beloved trope, but usually what people call enemies to lovers is really rivals to lovers. You already know I love rivals to lovers from the last list, but I absolutely cannot condone enemies to lovers. The majority of the time in this trope, the main characters aren’t really enemies, just rivals with some bad blood between them. They would never actually harm each other and treat each other as people, despite their dislike for each other. However, the small percentage of actual enemies-to-lovers tropes usually start with someone being bullied, and then their bully changes drastically and falls in love with them. I cannot stand this trope. That kind of romantic relationship is not okay, and never has been.
So, real enemies to lovers isn’t really possible, and shouldn’t be. Stick to rivals to lovers instead.
#6, age gap.
Last but not least, the mess that is an age gap romance. This can go many ways, from a business romance where a secretary is dating her boss, who’s 15 years older than her, to a fantasy romance where a newly 18-year-old girl gains magical powers and falls in love with a sorcerer who happens to be 3000 years old. No matter the circumstances, age gap romances are always uncomfortable and never good for the characters. Now, I understand that there are some age gaps that are less problematic (such as two normal humans who are less than five years apart and well above legal age), but for the most part, age gaps in books are used in drastic circumstances, and simply shouldn’t happen. If you want the male love interest to be 200 years old, then I’m gonna need the female love interest to be at least 90. Even that’s still too young.
So there you have it, the worst of the worst romance tropes. (In my opinion, at least.) I hope none of you are experiencing these tropes in real life, especially miscommunication. So make sure to communicate with your significant others, don’t fall in love if you have amnesia and I hope you all have a great week!
