Let's Talk About Tropes

Tropes make me happy and I could use a lot of happy right now, so that's the topic of discussion today!

I've had lots and lots of plot bunnies running 'round my brain lately.  But the thing is, they sort of fall into a set number of tropes.  And, funnily enough, it just so happens they are the tropes that I like to read the best...imagine that!  So, I thought I'd talk about a few of my very favorites... you know, the ones I'll buy and read just based on the trope even if the story is bad?  Yeah, those ones.

Friends to lovers--Love it.  Yeah.  We two people are friends first and then it develops into love, that just flips my switch.  Especially when it's a slow gradual build up and then it's like bam!  Not only are they in love but they've been in love and didn't realize it.  Makes me grin.

Reunited Lovers--okay, I admit it. I'm a real sucker for this one.  Lovers that are apart for whatever reason and then their paths cross again years later and the fire is rekindled and it's better than it ever was.  My very favorite incarnation of this trope is when one of the MC's did something seemingly horrible and it caused all sorts of resentment and anger and pain and then when the lovers reunite, and the truth comes out, and then there's forgiveness and love that so strong...happy sigh.

Fated Mates--This is my favorite version of love at first sight.  I'm a fan of the paranormal, this is not a secret, and I love the idea of there being one person out there that's perfect for you.  This leap, for me, is easy to make and I can suspend belief entirely to jump on the fated mate bandwagon.  Here we have two MCs that are destined to be together.  I like it when there's a little struggle and conflict before the happily ever after. (Though I will say that when the two MCs meet and then five and half seconds later they are proclaiming their undying love for each other irks me.  Can we at least get to know each other first?!)

The Virgin Hero--Need I say more?  One MC has little to no experience, the other gets to show exactly how amazing love can be.  Swoon worthy.  Plus, when they get to the end and are in forever and ever kind of love and that little virgin no more hero will only have been with one person, the person they love, for his/her entire life?  There's something so wholly romantic about that.

The Broken Hero--Okay, this one hits every last one of my hot buttons.  I'm a complete and total gooey mess for the broken man (for me, it doesn't work quiet as well with a broken heroine...if that makes me sexist, so be it).  Whether its mental or physical, I don't care.  He's got scars and he needs to be healed.  And love is what's going to do it!

So yeah, there's my top five.  I like it when they mix and match a bit, too.  I've written stories in each of those tropes.  I've written ones that combine two of those tropes.  You think I could combine all five?  Virgin friends who become lovers and realize they are fated mates but circumstance force them apart until years later when one of them is broken which is the perfect opportunity for them to reunite...Set it during holiday time and you've got my favorite book ever.

How about you?  Any favorite tropes?  Any that really annoy you and you steer clear of if you can help it?