I read this recent article in Book Riot with amusement. Honestly, I found it a bit simplistic and, well, a bit silly. First of all the idea that a swath of fiction, or all fiction, can be reduced to a set number of plots seems restrictive. Secondly, the titles here–Let’s Work Together, Let’s Fight, etc…–are so non-descriptive that they verge on useless.
That said, it did get me thinking. If I had to list common plots in romance, what might some of them be? And yes, of course I thought of the usual suspects: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, Forced Proximity, Second Chance Romance, etc… but I wanted to come up with some less formulaic ones.
Here are a few:
I’ve never had sex in my life and I’ve decided it’s time.
I’m supposed to be with this guy/girl but, damn, his/her sibling/best friend is hot as hell.
We were caught in the library late at night and were forced to marry. It turns out sex is a real plus for the wedded.
I am suddenly in charge of a giant corporation/estate/set of children and I need some help ASAP.
There are only two people in the world who can save the world/solve the crime/defeat these cretins/fix this community and, despite the fact that we hate each other, we must be a team.
It was only supposed to be that ONE time….
What about you? What plots do you see in romance? And, if you’ve got examples, share ’em!
