Romance Microtopes I Love

Everyone has their favorite romance tropes, but sometimes, it’s the microtropes that can get me giggling and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl. They’re not going to be the main tropes to carry a book; intead, they’re specific, small, but strangely satisfying moments or setups. These delightful little beats add so much to a story—texture, tension, nuance—and the right ones can really make you swoon. Here are a few of my all-time favorite romance microtropes that make me giddy whenever they show up on the page.

He remembers her coffee order

Just showing up with her favorite form of caffeine, no matter how complicated the order—I mean!

They get caught in the rain

Maybe I watched The Notebook too many times, but this is so romantic. And soaking wet clothes often lead to Hey, we should probably take these off and let them dry. How awful. 😈

He gives her his jacket without her saying anything

Observant men ftw.

Grabbing their hand in a crowd

I love this because it’s so gentle yet so protective. I especially eat it up when it’s a shy character taking the lead. Swoons!

Flirting over text

Not sexting—flirting. Banter by cell phone. There’s something fun and exciting about it that is reminiscent of the early days of a relationship.

When they show up at the person’s door and say, “I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

This is always a turning point for the relationship between the two main characters. Whether they’re straight-up enemies or just not that close, it shows such vulnerability.

Weddings (not their own)

Weddings bring on so much stress and fun and drama, and I am here for it. It’s such a fun backdrop for a romance.

Forearms

I don’t think I need to elaborate here.

When he’s gentle with animals

A man with pets ❣️ A man who becomes BFFs with the love interest’s pet(s) ❣️ A man who takes care of a pet ❣️ Basically, if he can prove he’s soft and caring, even with something as fragile as a bird or a gerbil, I’m in.