Smash or Pass Saturday - Trope Edition

1. Enemies to Lovers – 💥 SMASH

There is nothing more delicious than sizzling banter, death glares that slowly melt into longing stares, and that one iconic “Who did this to you?” moment. Gah! This trope owns me. I am its willing victim. What could make this trope any better, you might ask? The male character falls first, and she's having none of it. Enemies-to-lovers where he grovels - 💥smash me twice

📚 Fav: "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros

2. Love Triangle – ❌ PASS

I think it's the indecision that does it for me, and oftentimes, the second love interest is poorly developed; they're just there to cause drama. Now, if there's a great plot to go along with the love triangle, then I'd give the book a chance, but I am yet to find a book with this trope that I enjoyed enough to recommend it.

📚 Mild Exception: "It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover.

3. Fake Dating – 💥SMASH

Do I love watching two people pretend to be in love until they accidentally fall for real? Absolutely. It’s messy, it’s romantic, it’s probably the most-read trope for me. Sometimes you need an easy read, and to know how the book will end is comforting. Don't get me wrong, I love a book with a good plot twist or a 'gasp' moment. But sometimes, when it's been a mentally draining day, an easy read is needed.

📚 Fav: "The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood

4. Grumpy x Sunshine – 💥 SMASH

This dynamic makes me giggle and kick my feet every time. Watching a grumpy man slowly fall for the human embodiment of joy? Give me all the books! The moment where he is soft and caring with his love interest, but ruthless and harsh with everyone else. Swoon.

📚 Fav: "Twisted Love" by Ana Huang

5. Secret Baby – 🤔 UNSURE

This one’s a gamble. Done well, it can be super emotional. Done poorly, it feels manipulative. I need high stakes, major grovelling, and NO miscommunication nonsense. I often find that there's a silly reason she keeps the pregnancy a secret, and that just doesn't do it for me. 

📚 Tolerable: "The First Play" Series by Katy Archer, "Know the Score" by Kylie Kent.

6. One Bed Trope – 💥 SMASH

Is it cliché? Yes. Do I care? Not even a little. It’s the tension, the awkward conversations, the accidental cuddling at 2 AM… chef’s kiss.

📚 Fav: "Icebreaker" by Hannah Grace

7. Billionaire Romance – 💸 Smash... 

I’m not into billionaires unless they secretly rescue puppies, bake at midnight, and worship the ground she walks on. My favourite part is when he hands her his 'black Amex card' to buy whatever she wants.

📚 Faves: "Twisted Love" by Ana Huang, "The Fine Print" by Lauren Asher

8. Forced Proximity – 💥 SMASH

Yes, lock them in a cabin during a snowstorm. Yes, make them share an office with only one desk. I support all forms of this chaos.

📚 Faves: "Credence" by Penelope Douglas (warning: not for the faint-hearted)

9. Amnesia / Memory Loss – 🧠 Pass

I just can’t. It feels like a soap opera plot twist from 2003, and unless it’s masterfully written, it usually pulls me out of the story instead of pulling me in. This trope would need an amazing plot to keep me interested.

📚 Maybe: "Say You Swear" by Meagan Brandy, "No Pucking Way" by C.R. Jane

10. Forbidden Love – 🔥 SMASH

Yes to the danger. Yes to the angst. Yes to the whispered “we shouldn’t be doing this.” When written with depth and emotion? It’s irresistible.

📚 Faves: "Twisted Games" by Ana Huang, "Credence" by Penelope Douglas (warning: not for the faint-hearted)