What Your Favorite Romance Trope Says About You

Let’s face it: There’s a formula when it comes to romance. Whether it’s a book or a movie, there are tropes that are staples of the genre. Maybe the couple start out as enemies or rivals before realizing they were meant for each other all along. Or maybe two people who have been trying to hide their feelings end up staying in a cabin with only one bed. Uh oh! If you’re a lover of all things romance, you probably have a favorite romance trope. If so, let’s see what your favorite says about you. I’ll also give you some book and movie recommendations if you’re looking for something in your favorite trope.

Friends to Lovers

Two people can totally be platonic friends without falling in love…but wouldn’t it be cool if they did? In friends to lovers, two people have a strong bond, but with time they both start developing feelings. They keep it to themselves until the love is just too much to bear. If you prefer friends to lovers, you hate when people fight. You just want everyone to be one big happy family, and that includes the fictional characters you read about. You’re a sweetheart, honestly.

Movie: Love, Rosie Book: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Enemies to Lovers

They couldn’t be more opposite, and they aren’t afraid to fight about it. They’re rivals. They hate each other. But what are these new feelings? She couldn’t possibly fall for him! He’s terrible! If you prefer enemies to lovers, you require a little spice in your life. Admit it to yourself that you’ll start fights in relationships just so you can have the amazing sex that comes afterward.

Movie: You’ve Got Mail Book: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Forced Proximity

They’re snowed-in. They have to work on the same project together at work. They’re accidentally handcuffed to one another. They might resist it at first, but they’re bound to fall for one another. If you prefer forced proximity, you believe that everything will work out if people just do what you want them to do. If you’re not careful, you’re likely to push people away. While being “forced” to do something works out in fiction, that’s almost never the case in real life.

Movie: Me Before You Book: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Fake Relationship

Some outside force is requiring them to pretend to be together. Maybe they need to be in a relationship to get a visa or convince an employer that they care about family. They’re just in it for the lie, but lines become blurred when the fake relationship starts to feel real. If you prefer fake relationships, you’re the type that gets on Tinder and then never messages any of your matches. You want romance to just fall in your lap with no effort of your own.

Movie: Leap Year Book: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Secret Relationship

The exact opposite of the fake relationship trope, the secret relationship is all about hiding away the romance. No one must know the couple is together because how would her family react? Or maybe one or both of them aren’t ready to come out yet. If you prefer a secret relationship, you get a thrill out of doing things you’re not supposed to. It’s probably gotten you in trouble in the past–and might have lost you some friends.

Movie: American Beauty Book: Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Love Triangle

She has two guys fighting for her and is having a difficult time choosing. If she waits too long, they might decide for her. Either way, this one’s full of drama and the inevitable fistfight. If you prefer a love triangle, you love when people fight over you. You’re not interested if your romantic relationships feel too “easy.” You’re also known for being incredibly indecisive, even if it’s just what restaurant to go to for dinner.

Movie: Sweet Home Alabama Book: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Forbidden Romance

They’re from two separate worlds. One’s from the wrong side of the tracks and the other lives in a mansion. She’s a commoner and he’s the prince. Whatever the case, they have an uphill battle when it comes to being together–and it’s going to be a struggle. If you prefer a forbidden romance, your real life is actually very tame. You’re bored of how “normal” your life is so you live vicariously through the drama.

Movie: Titanic Book: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Love at First Sight

No slow-growing love in this trope. Rather than friends to lovers where they figure out their feelings after years of knowing each other, love at first sight sparks the romance from the very beginning. If you prefer love at first sight, you’re a loveably impatient person. You also hate when people keep secrets from you. You want to know everything, and you want to know it now.

Movie: About Time Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Only One Bed

This trope can happen in a lot of the above tropes, and is a subset of Forced Proximity. When the sexual tension is at its absolute peak, the pair arrives at a destination to find there’s only one bed. They promise they aren’t interested in any funny business, but that’s a promise they really can’t keep. If you prefer the only one bed trope, you’ve never asked anyone out. You’d rather them do all the work since you’re afraid of being rejected. It’d take a huge intervention to ever get you to make the first move.

Movie: The Proposal Book: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne