7 Uncommon but Beloved Romance Tropes You Should Absolutely Use in Your Novel

If you’ve been hanging out in the romance novel corner of the internet, you’ve probably seen the same tropes popping up again and again - enemies to lovers, fake dating, oh my god they were roommates?
And hey, we love those tropes, there's a reason we keep seeing it again and again! But what about the romance tropes no one talks about… yet still make us squeal like readers possessed?

These underused-but-adored tropes might not be the stars of BookTok, but they’re fan favourites for a reason. And if you're looking to spice up your manuscript or find that unique hook, you’re in the right place. they may not dominate bestseller lists - but they definitely dominate our hearts.

Whether you're outlining your next novel or just looking for some trope-spiration, these underrated gems might just be exactly what your story needs. So grab your beverage of choice (I've got a hot tea raring to go) and let’s dive into the lesser-known romance tropes that deserve a starring role in your next novel.

☕ Let’s Talk Tropes (and the Books That Made Us Swoon)

Romance tropes are like comfort food - everyone has a favourite guilty pleasure. Some readers are enemies-to-lovers loyalists (I see you ACOTAR), while others will suffer for days for a good slow burn love (Still looking at you ACOTAR... but also The Cruel Prince).

But sometimes? The lesser-known tropes are where the magic happens. You know the ones. The tropes that sneak up on you mid-book and suddenly you're up at 3am giggling and kicking your legs because there's only one bed!

Honestly, sometimes the weird topes are the ones that hit the hardest. Maybe it’s because they feel a little more unpredictable… or maybe we just like a bit of emotional whiplash.

Confession time: I fell in love with multiple romance tropes through absolutely devouring Bleach fanfiction. I don't read as many romance books as I should because of the absolute masterpieces of Fanfiction to comb through n AO3. GrimmIchi and UraIchi were my go-to's and they were my discoveries of the weird and wonderful tropes that come with gruff vulnerable men with supernatural powers... Fanfiction is a goldmine for trope experimentation.

🥪 1. Sharing One Brain Cell (a.k.a. Mutual Chaos)

This isn’t your boring, everyday, classic opposites attract. This is both characters being chaotic gremlins in completely different ways, and somehow it just works. Think two disasters in a trench coat, making choices that would horrify their future therapist. This is perfect for when your story thrives on humour and a plot that spirals beautifully out of control - especially if they enable each other.

Why we love it:

• The banter is electric.
• Shenanigans galore.
• Readers root for them because they need each other’s nonsense to survive.

See it in action: The Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (though not romance-focused), with Nina and Matthias.

🧡 2. The “I Didn’t Realize I Loved You Until Someone Else Did”

This one punches you right in the angst.

Character A is cruising along in total romantic oblivion… until Character B gets attention from someone else. Suddenly, jealousy hits like a freight train. Best used when you want your romance to simmer... then boil

Why we love it:

• Internal tension = chef’s kiss.
• It flips the “slow burn” into high gear.
• We scream when the character finally catches up with their own feelings.

See it in action: The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Shout out to all Bridgerton fans), with Anthony and Kate.

💔 3. The Soft Rejection (That Wasn’t Actually a Rejection)

One of them confesses. The other says something vague or misunderstood. Hearts are broken… until we realize it was all a miscommunication rooted in fear, timing, or trauma. This is great for when your characters need a third act crisis but not a full breakup.

Why we love it:

• SO. MUCH. ANGST.
• Gives characters space to grow before the big romantic payoff.
• Readers yell at the book in the best way.

See it in action: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne with Lucy and Joshua.

✨ 4. “We’ve Been Reincarnated but Only One of Us Remembers”

This trope hits hard with longing, fate, and emotional angst.

It’s the idea that two lovers are caught in a loop—born again and again—but only one remembers their past love story. You get built-in stakes, yearning, and that bittersweet vibe we all secretly crave.

Why it works:

• Automatic emotional depth
• Built-in mystery and worldbuilding
• Perfect for fantasy, sci-fi, or even literary fiction

See it in action: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven with Arden and Evelyn (although Evelyn can remember bits and pieces, Arden holds the cards.)

🌙 5. “Monster Boy x Human Girl”

Let’s be honest - vampire novels were done to death with the Twilight era. But vampires aren't the only monsters.

This one’s all about contrast and connection. Whether your monster is literally monstrous (vampire, werewolf, weird fish thingy - looking at you shape of water), or metaphorically so (emotionally closed off, morally grey, secretly immortal), pairing them with a soft-hearted or determined human leads to deeply satisfying emotional arcs.

Why it works:

• It’s Beauty and the Beast with emotional teeth
• Explores themes of acceptance, vulnerability, and “what makes someone human”
• There’s always delicious tension between danger and tenderness

Popular examples: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Bella and Edward were the OBVIOUS choice here. (Also Project:Screech when it gets written 👀)

🗡️ 6. “I Love You, But I’m the Villain”

We’ve all seen the hero fall for the villain. But what if the villain falls first?

They know they’re not good enough. They try to change. They fail. They protect the love interest from afar. They’re doomed and they know it. And yet, love persists. (I’m not crying, you are.)

Why it works:

• Morally grey characters? Check.
• Inner turmoil and romantic tension? Double check.
• Reader tears? Oh, absolutely.

See also: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Again, yes, but this one is on my TBR!) with Alina and The Darkling.

💞 7. Grumpy Meets Sunshine

Okay so this one is starting to be popular again but I need more I don't see these on the shelves enough!

• Character A is awkward and bubbly; Character B is stoic, logical, and eternally unimpressed.
• The contrasting personalities make for sweet, hilarious tension.
• Emotional breakthroughs and the slow melting of the grump’s icy exterior. (They're usually a softie underneath..)

See also: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer with Evie and The Villain. (I know, it's not very romance, but I think she was aiming for more of it.)

💌 Final Thoughts: Write the Trope You Love

At the end of the day, romance tropes exist for a reason - they work! They give us structure, tension, swoony payoffs, and emotional release. And while the big-name tropes like enemies to lovers and fake dating will always have a place, there’s nothing like diving into something you don't get to read very often. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel - but you can definitely throw some glitter on the spokes.

Whether it’s the soft ache of a soft rejection, the chaotic delight of a sharing-one-brain-cell duo, or the bittersweet longing in I didn't realize I loved you until someone else did, these tropes resonate because they tap into something deeply human (and deeply shippable). And let’s be real—some of the most iconic fanfiction pairings gave these tropes their time to shine long before traditional publishing caught on.

So if you’re working on a romance novel and you’re wondering which tropes to play with, go with what you enjoy most. Are there any tropes in novels or fanfictions that you gravitate to? If there's more than one, mash them together and create something exciting and unpredictable.

Romance readers aren’t tired of tropes—they’re tired of tropes that don’t feel fresh. So give us the monster boy with a gooey heart, the awkward mutual crushes, the denial that drags on until one of them blurts it out at the worst possible moment. Trust me: we’ll eat it up.

And if you’ve got a favourite underused romance trope—or an OTP that lives rent-free in your head (GrimIchi and UraIchi stans, I see you)—drop it in the comments or tag me on social! I’d love to gush with you.

See you next week!

✍️ Hop to it and keep writing! 🐸 - Krystal