Book Tropes That The Internet Loves (and Which Ones I Do) – Written by Isha Popat

The internet has turned book lovers into trope analysts, with entire communities dedicated to celebrating (or roasting) the familiar storytelling patterns we encounter again and again. Some tropes inspire passionate fandoms, endless TikTok edits, and tumultuous Goodreads debates - but which ones actually deserve the hype?

Let's start with what the internet collectively adores: "Enemies-to-lovers" reigns supreme across BookTok and beyond, with readers living for that delicious tension when two characters who initially despise each other fall helplessly in love. Then there's "found family," where misfit characters create their own supportive clan, tugging at our collective heartstrings when chosen bonds prove stronger than blood.
The "morally gray protagonist" has dethroned the perfect hero, with readers now preferring complex characters who make questionable choices for compelling reasons. And who could forget "there was only one bed" - that moment when two characters (usually fighting their attraction) must share cramped sleeping quarters, sending fanfiction writers into a creative frenzy.

But my personal favorites? I'm absolutely weak for a well-executed "slow burn romance." There's something magical about watching characters circle each other for hundreds of pages, exchanging meaningful glances and almost-touches that build unbearable tension before they finally come together. The payoff feels earned in a way that instant attractions never quite manage.

I also adore "ordinary person discovers hidden magic/powers" stories, particularly when they explore how this discovery transforms their understanding of the world. This trope speaks to that universal desire we all harbor - that there's something special within us waiting to be uncovered, that the world contains more wonder than we've been led to believe.

What about you? Are you team enemies-to-lovers or do you prefer friends-to-lovers instead? Do you live for the chosen one narrative or would you rather follow an ensemble cast? The beauty of tropes is how they evolve while remaining comfortingly familiar - giving us the stories we didn't know we needed.

This blog post was written by Isha Popat.