We’re on the verge of a new year and the thing on every reader’s mind is, ‘What am I reading next year?’
We know we’re going to read. The question is, ‘What new twist can we add?’ I feel you, so how about a trope reading challenge?
What Are Tropes?
Table of Contents
As much as some readers may claim not to like them, we like to read certain things. Maybe you enjoy when an estranged couple gets a second chance to fall in love…
Or you have a thing for the grumpy man who bumps head with his upbeat neighbor…
Once these themes, elements, or plot devices are in a book, you’re sold!
Why A Trope Reading Challenge?
As they say, ‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ You know what you like, so why not read more of that thing this year?
How Does the Trope Challenge Work?
It’s simple. I’ll provide a list of tropes—one for each month. At the end of each month, I’ll give you a list of recommendations for the following month (these will be closed door and/or Christian romances).
You can read one book with the trope or as many as you’d like. If you don’t want my recommendations, download the free printable and read whatever you choose.
That’s it.
Easy, right? So, here’s the list of tropes.
The 12-Month Trope Reading Challenge
January “Enemies Forced to Work Together”
• Prompt: Let’s start the year with a little tension, and what’s more tense than two people who dislike each other being forced to work together?
Bonus points if one or both is secretly in love with the other.
Recommendations for Enemies Forced to Work Together.
February: “Fake Relationship”
• Prompt: Who doesn’t love a story with people pretending to be in a relationship…especially when the pretense quickly becomes real?
March: “Found Family”
• Prompt: Family and connections are what this trope is all about! Read a book where a group of unconnected people form a family.
April: “Second Chance”
• Prompt: Spring into the season of renewal with a second chance romance. Whether it’s an estranged couple reuniting or a character who finds love for the second time.
May: “One Bed”
• Prompt: The characters are stuck together and there’s only one bed. There’s already so much tension, but it’d be worst if they hate each other or are pretending to.
June: “Forbidden Romance”
• Prompt: The characters are drawn together, but they shouldn’t be. Maybe their families are passionate enemies or he’s her brother’s best friend.
July: “Soulmates”
• Prompt: These characters are meant to be together. Pick a book where two characters are soulmates.
August: “Single Parent Romance”
• Prompt: Dating can be challenging, and it’s especially hard when balancing your role as a single parent.
September: “Secret Identity”
• Prompt: One character has a secret, and it’s delicious! Will the characters fall in love? Or will the secret ruin their chance for a happy ending?
October: “Grumpy/Sunshine”
• Prompt: One character is a grump, the other is their complete opposite with a sunny disposition. When these two get together, snark—and sparks—fly!
Download the free printable
November: “Amnesia”
• Prompt: Let’s focus on rediscovery. A character has forgotten a chunk of the past, which may or may not involve a key relationship.
Pick a book where one or more characters suffer from amnesia or struggle with memory loss.
December: “Holiday Romance”
• Prompt: End the year on a festive note!
• Choose a book centered on the holiday season, filled with cozy vibes, romance, and maybe a mistletoe kiss or two.
Additional Tropes to Consider:
If you blast through this list and want more, here are some additional tropes to consider:
“Opposites Attract”
• Prompt: Read a book where two characters with unique personalities or backgrounds fall for each other.
“Small Town Romance”
• Prompt: Read a book set in a small, tight-knit community. Perhaps the protagonist returns home or finds love in a small-town setting.
“Rags to Riches”
Prompt: Read a book where a character rises from humble beginnings to success.
Which of these tropes will you overindulge in? Didn’t see your favorite trope? No worries! You can always sneak it in. Pop it in the comments to encourage more readers to join your trope adventure.
