Because ranking tropes is fun! Using Kate Cavanaugh’s list of awful tropes, I’ve decided to rank the most godawful romance tropes! I tweaked it a little for the kind of books I read/rom coms I watch- but kept it basically the same. Let’s see if you swoon over my list 😉
Awful person transformed by true love– this is just Beauty and the Beast. I’ve no problem with this- provided the person is redeemable.
Surprise baby– I’m sorry I don’t mind this! It can be super cheesy- however I’m okay with it in general (unless the couple are awful, there’s abuse or the relationship should’ve ended for some reason). As long as it doesn’t have a name like Renesmee!
Chase scene (in airport)– I mean, this is great. I’ve no issue with it! GIVE ME ALL THE CHEESE! Yes, it’s getting a little tired, but I can live with it… most of the time.
Everyone must end in a couple– this doesn’t generally bother me, though I agree it can feel unearned. Also, it can be annoying cos it’s unrealistic. I also never understand why everyone has to pair up at the end of YA, because, *newsflash*, I’m going to assume some of those people will break up and some people will find their someone later. On second thoughts, this one does irk me a little.
Strong independent woman that don’t need no man… but inevitably ends up with someone. Sometimes I want a buffy scenario, okay?!
Instalove– I can’t buy into it and it’s lazy writing, but there’s so so much worse here.
Paranormal age gaps– magic doesn’t make a pervert less of a pervert.
Calling off the wedding at the altar– usually it’s the mc doing this at the beginning and it shows them up to be an *awful* character. They humiliate someone in front of all their family and friends and it’s just icky. But guess what? If this happens at the start of a movie, I’m quitting straight away. I can’t root for someone who could do this. And if it’s done to the main character, then it’s too awful and depressing and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. (The only time this is okay is when some villain is forcing someone to get married and it gets stopped… but that’s what was meant by the trope).
On-off relationships– the worst thing is, this trope only comes about when the story had something good going for it. Then the wisecrack writer decides to ruin it. Rather than showing off a healthy couple, it devolves into a kind of nightmarish limbo of will-they-won’t-they-oh-they-will-oh-they-won’t-now. It’s just… exhausting. And it nearly always makes you fall out of love with the characters and their romance. I hate this and would be happy to never come across it again.
Miscommunication– I used to not mind this, now I hate it because it just makes the whole story seem redundant. Usually it’s two adults, who have easily resolved issues, but won’t communicate with each other about it. And just, WHY CAN’T THESE TWO HUMANS TALK TO EACH OTHER AND SAVE US ALL THE DRAMA? GAH!!
The other man/woman is terrible– Kate C said the problem was with the person being awful makes you question the love interest’s taste. However, for me, the main issue is this nearly always leads to a cheating dynamic. Like, it’s okay to emotionally cheat or get really close to cheating, just as long as you think the other man/woman is a jerk. And that doesn’t fly with me. It’s also really annoying to be told the other person is rubbish- but sometimes I just don’t buy it! I often come away thinking that the mc is terrible and making excuses about the other person to justify their actions.
Love triangles– the only reason this isn’t as high on the list is because there are other things that are worse.
Stalking is cute– NOPE. It’s not. Don’t do it. Even in fiction.
Weird power dynamics (professor and student, psychologist and client) eww- I just can’t decide which of these two examples is worse.
Cheating– I mean, so many of the ones that came before this were high up the list BECAUSE they lead to cheating/are a form of cheating. So obviously, this has got to top the list. Lying, manipulating and being a crap person ruin romance. End of story.
That was surprisingly cathartic! Do you agree with me on any of these? What do you think is the worst romance trope? Let me know in the comments!
Emma– what could I actually say about Emma that hasn’t already been said? There’s a reason why this has been dubbed the perfect novel: the character growth, the plot structure, the romance, the friendship and the lessons that are so subtly woven into the story. I could go on, but the reason why this hits a personal note for me is that this was the book that made me appreciate Austen’s humour (though it was not the first Austen I read) and it’s because of this that I came to love all her work. I also happen to think Mr Knightley is the most appealing of all Austen’s love interests- sorry Mr Darcy fans 😉
Little Women– oh gosh, this book gives me the warm fuzzies whenever I think about it. There’s so much to love about it- the romance, the heartbreaking ups and downs of the story, the characters- however one of the biggest elements which always strikes me with this story *has to be* the family dynamic- the March sisters really capture that feeling of sisterhood.
I Capture the Castle– speaking of families and relationships, this one is slightly more dysfunction. Still, this quirky coming of age story is set in a crumbling castle and will always have a place in my heart (and inspires me to one day live in my own derelict castle… even though I hate the cold… whatever it’s a nice dream 😉 )
Rebecca– so, spoiler alert, next week I’ll be doing more gothic-y themed books and this book could certainly compete there. However one of the best things about this book is the romance- no not the romance between the unnamed protagonist and her new husband- but the ongoing romance with his dearly departed wife. I don’t want to spoil anything for people who haven’t read it, but this book illustrates what it feels like to be a third wheel… even though the third person in the relationship is in fact already dead.
Wuthering Heights – speaking of more gothic-type books, this certainly has that feel some of the time. Yet it also is one of the most intense romances I’ve ever read. Now, I will admit that there are some faults on a structural level- however the heart of this book is one of the most sublime, passionate affairs I’ve ever read. And yes, Heathcliff and Cathy are horrible people- that’s half the point- their sole redeeming quality is there love for each other (well, it’s also their doom, so there’s that)
Jane Eyre– we can’t speak of one Bronte sister without mentioning another, and this book is wonderful in a different way. Of course, the main characters are flawed, but they’re not totally unlikeable; there are elements of destructive love, but it’s not the end of the world (mostly); and I can safely say the structure is tidier. And, above all, the romance still captures my imagination (that and the mad woman in the attic)
Tess of the D’Urbervilles– however if you’re looking for something slightly more on the tragic side- look no further. It’s such a sob-worthy story, from beginning to end. Poor Tess can’t catch a break. This is the book that made me fall in love with Hardy’s bleak, fatalistic outlook and visualistic world. Yes, I admit it, I’m somewhat pessimistic and this appeals to my dark side.
Romeo and Juliet– speaking of star crossed lovers- where would we be without the ultimate ill-fated duo? (still referring to Tristan and Isolde no doubt, but I digress) I have two reasons for adoring this play: 1) the language and 2) the play with genre (yes I’m a dork)- it’s a fairly straightforward ploy of tricking the viewer into thinking it’s a comedy and then *BAM* Mercutio gets it and we’re into tragic territory. Simple, yet genius.
Persuasion– a slightly more romantic Austen, I read this one last in my Austen journey, and it’s always competing in my mind with Emma for the position of favourite Austen (incidentally most Austen books could have ended up on this list). Unrequited or long lost love really gets to me, so I found myself crying when they kept being frustrated in their romance (yes, I know it’s not a sad book, only the heightened romantic feel gets to me, cos I’m a sap)
Midsummer Night’s Dream– this was my first ever Shakespeare play and can always put me in a good mood. Lighthearted and fun, there’s a spirit of mischief in the air. One of my absolute favourite things about it though, is how Helena’s story in particular captures that feeling of being in love with someone who doesn’t love you back. It’s still just as poignant as ever.
Importance of Being Earnest– and let’s round this off with the play that is the most fun of all! Why do I love it? Because this is Wilde at his wittiest and honestly this can still make me laugh, no matter how many times I hear the jokes (I also highly recommend the 1952 movie version)
the orang-utan librarian 