At a glance
Contemporary romance tropes are romantic conventions used in stories with modern settings. Contemporary describes the setting; friends to lovers, fake dating, and second chances describe what happens within it. Those same patterns can also appear in historical or speculative stories.
In reader conversations — invented example
“They broke up before graduation. Now they're coordinating the same community fundraiser, and neither can hand the job to someone else.”
That premise could combine second-chance romance with forced proximity. The contemporary setting supplies the circumstances rather than a separate relationship formula.
Browse by the situation
- The friendship has started feeling different: Friends to Lovers.
- An ex is back in the picture: Second-Chance Romance.
- Other people need to believe they're together: Fake Dating.
- A wedding begins with a practical agreement: Marriage of Convenience.
- Two people are pursuing the same opportunity: Rivals to Lovers.
- Circumstances keep putting them together: Forced Proximity.
Sources consulted
- Harlequin, “Guide to Contemporary Romance”; Romance Writers of America, “About the Romance Genre.” Situations and example are editorial.