My Favorite Romance Micro-tropes

Here's a quick list of my favorite micro-tropes, a.k.a. those little moments in romance novels that add some extra umpf (in no particular order).

1. There's only one bed, oh no! (Oh yes!)

   Let's just get this one out of the way. This is Old Faithful at this point. She had to be on the list.

   
   

2. "Where's My Wife?!"

   This one hits different. I have a theory people love this because we've been hammered over the head with the "'ol ball and chain" in modern media. It's just nice to see a man still ride or die for his wife.

   
   

3. The Quiet One Loses It

   I blame my husband for this. That's all I'll say on the matter.

   
   
   
   

4. Come sit on my lap while I stitch you up.

   Bonus points if they're enemies. Feels self-explanatory.

5. I don't care about the rest of you...

   I mean this one literally. Like, "the rest of you could die for all I care, but I'll help keep you alive because I don't want my love to be sad." Don't ask for my reasoning. Maybe it's just nice to feel special.

5. A Nervous Tick

   Which only seems to manifest around the love interest. It's so ordinary that it feels so real every time. Especially when the love interest hasn't caught on yet, and they find out later. The ah-ha moment is adorable.

   
   

6. Derogatory Nickname -> Pet Name

   This is as much bully romance as I can handle. Bonus points if they get mad when someone tries to steal their nickname/pet name. I eat that -ish up. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

   
   
   
   

7. Open Denial

   I'm sure this has a better name, but to me, this is when one (or both parties) are not hiding their feelings but denying them for whatever reason. A la Ra and Onia in The Fall of Souls. Talk about yearning!

   
   

8. No Nicknames

   Everyone calls her Bella, but he only calls her Isabella. Like, why so serious? And why do I like it?

   
   

9. We're Not Fighting Because I Said So...

   When we're headed toward a miscommunication or a "we can't" moment and one of them just says f*ck it. Or when one refuses to engage in a petty argument/miscommunication. Like, thank god one of you has sense.

   
   
   
   

   Have fun, be safe, feel good!

   
   

   R. A.