Ah, tropes. The peanut butter to my romance writer jelly, the scented bomb to my bubble bath, the plot spice that keeps readers coming back for more. Sure, they’re everywhere, but it’s not about what you use; it’s how you use it.

Here are my go-to tropes and the little twists I like to throw into the mix that keep them from reading like a stale scone left out way past brunch on a Sunday.

1. “Touch Her and You Die”

Classic Flavor: The broody love interest goes feral the second someone threatens their sweetheart. Pure swoon material.

A Twist:
The protective partner is hot, because of course they are, but what if it’s not just about fists and fury? What if instead of going full Hulk, they use their intellect and sharp wit to utterly annihilate the threat? Or. Be cheeky and flip it. Surprise everyone and have the sunshine-y character be the one to totally lose it. Bonus points if the love interest is more turned on than scared.

2. “You’re Not My Type”

Classic Flavor: Sparks fly between two people who think they’re too different to work. Spoiler: They absolutely work.

A Twist:
Find deeper meaning to the standoff. Maybe it’s tied to insecurity. Maybe one thinks the other embodies everything they’ve sworn off. Layers, is what I’m getting at. Lean into them. Misunderstandings, mutual grudging admiration, and at least one moment where they realize they’re totally lying to themselves. (Cue screaming into a pillow)

3. Hurt/Comfort

Classic Flavor: Someone gets physically hurt and their love interest patches them up, both literally and figuratively.

A Twist:
Flip the expected roles. The tough-as-nails character is the one who’s suddenly weaker, and the seemingly delicate one is the rock who holds everything together. Or. Add a moment of reluctant vulnerability—like a character trying to brush off the comfort but secretly melting inside because they’ve never had someone care for them like this before. Give me all the tender forehead kisses and soft, reassuring words that say more than a monologue ever could.

4. “Don’t Ever Scare Me Like That Again”

Classic Flavor: A near-death experience (or serious danger) leads to a passionate outburst of concern. Drama ensues.

A Twist:
A touch of humor never fails to elevate this firm favorite. Have the love interest act as though they’re the ones who nearly lost their life. Follow it up with the quiet, raw emotion of someone who almost lost the person they love, and you’ve got the perfect combo of feels. Bonus points if this moment turns into a heated confession.

5. Secret Yearning

Classic Flavor: One character is absolutely smitten, but they’re keeping it under wraps for reasons.

A Twist:
Like I said before: Layers. Go deeper into why the yearning has to be a secret and, say it with me now, lean into it. Are they protecting the other person? Afraid of rejection? Or maybe they’re just terrible at expressing emotions and resort to awkwardly helpful acts of service. Add a slow unraveling—stolen glances, lingering touches, and one emotionally devastating moment where the secret spills out all at once. Bonus points if it happens during a high-stakes moment.

Final Thoughts

People might think tropes are overused, but here’s the truth: they’re classics for a reason. The trick is to treat them like a well-aged wine—enhance their flavors, pair them with something unexpected, and serve with confidence. It’ll hit the spot every. single. time.