Here’s my last post on tropes in romance novels and in my books. Since we’re down to the bits and ends, this collection of tropes is a bit of a mixed bag.

Protector – one of the protagonists volunteers or is assigned to protect the other, and romantic entanglements ensue. This also manifests in historicals as Guardian/Ward, in which the legally assigned protector of the heroine of minor age develops romantic feelings for her.

Holiday – the book is set during the holidays, often at Christmas but other holidays are possible, too.

Homecoming – also called Reunion, one of the characters returns to his/her hometown. The other protagonist might have been there all along (Friends to Lovers or Second Chance at Love) or could also have arrived recently.

Kidnapping – another one that is popular in historicals. One protagonist (often the hero) abducts the other and romantic entanglements ensue.

May/December – the hero is older than the heroine by more than a few years. When the heroine is older (as in Love Potion #9, An Elegy for Melusine and Wyvern’s Mate) the trope is called Cougar.

On the Rocks – the hero and heroine are in a relationship that is falling apart, but over the course of the book, they make it work again.

Secret baby – the hero and heroine have conceived a child, but he either doesn’t know about it or doesn’t realize the child is his. This trope is often combined with Second Chance at Love. (Spoiler alert on these two books!)

Time Travel – the hero and heroine are from different times.

Phew! That’s it for my list of tropes in my books. If you think I missed any or forgot to put a book in a specific category, please comment here and let me know.

What is your favorite trope of all?