Romantic tropes I dislike

There are romantic tropes I really like. There are also fiction tropes I dislike. And in today’s Venn diagram, I’ll be writing about romantic tropes I dislike.

This is, obviously, personal. It’s not based on anything other than my opinions and taste, and I’ll also refrain from referring to specific authors or books because that’s not the point of this. Also, some of these things come from TV shows or movies because reasons.

First of all, and I know that Amy Schumer broached the topic in one of her specials, are surprise proposals. As in, someone is completely taken aback. As in, there have been no conversations between the couple about a future together. As in, you need to make sure you have the same goals before you decide to spend the rest of your life with someone.

Which brings me to point number two: getting married without having the baby talk first. If characters marry young and then they change their minds, it’s one thing. But marrying someone without having a clear conversation over: 1) kids or no kids; 2) if yes, how many; 3) what will each parent do; 4) timeline expectations; 5) how they’ll be raised (e.g. education, religion, nutrition, device use, etc.)…

Okay, this one strikes a nerve from a TV show side because it’s usually used as an obstacle that the couple has to overcome. And I don’t like it, especially when it feels like the characters involved would’ve definitely broached the topic beforehand.

Stalking. No. Just no.

Damaging property. I read an enemies-to-lovers novel where they were competing at an office (no, not the one you’re thinking of), and to win an account, one of the characters damaged her rival’s computer (which was company property). I’m sorry, am I meant to cheer for that? Show me a character winning because they earned it, not because they commit what’s arguably a crime at their place of employment.

Yes, I know that I take it too seriously, but this is therapeutic, so let me rant.

At professional environments, the final big gesture—in front of colleagues, boss, clients—are such a turnoff. Seriously. How is putting someone’s job on the line romantic? And there’s no way they can reject anyone if put on the spot, is there?

Another trope I’ve come across that immediately makes me return the book to the shelf is the widow falling for her late husband’s brother. I know that it happens in real life, but still. Or dating your sibling’s ex. Why? I get that the dating pool is getting harder to swim in, but it’s something that just doesn’t do it for me.

And neither does mistaking love for lust. Sure, characters may be confused, but an author shouldn’t be. If the only reasons a character claims they fell in love for are physical or related to such intimacy, there needs to be some interaction where a depth to the relationship is shown. Otherwise, I end up with the feeling that, after the honeymoon phase, they’ll have nothing to talk about. (Watch Rosaline and stick to the end credits.)

There are also forced misunderstandings that can be solved with a simple conversation or explanation on my list.

Just, you know, characters acting like normal people. Sure, there are grand gestures and arguments and not everyone is good at sorting through their feelings, but like I said, these are my opinions, so there you go.

Do you have any romantic tropes that’ll make you return a book to the shelf or will make you groan?

Moira Daly

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