The writing style can be quite basic. They might not use very complex language or literary devices. Take some of the pulp fiction novels, where the prose is straightforward and lacks the finesse of more high - brow literature.
Many trashy novels tend to focus on popular trends rather than deep, timeless themes. So, if vampire romances are in vogue, there will be a flood of such novels that are more about cashing in on the trend rather than exploring something truly profound.
Another characteristic is that they rely a lot on common romance tropes. Things like the love at first sight, the long - lost love that is reunited, or the forbidden love. They don't really explore complex emotions or relationships in a deep way. Instead, they focus more on the surface - level attraction and the drama that comes with it. For instance, a novel might have a poor girl falling in love with a rich and powerful man, and all the social differences and family objections that come along with such a relationship.
Typically, they might have over - the - top characters. In a trashy alternian romance novel, the characters could be extremely flamboyant or have outlandish personalities. For example, the male lead might be a super - powerful alien with a really strange sense of humor.
One characteristic is the use of clichés. In trashy fantasy novels, you'll often find the same old tropes like the chosen one, the evil dark lord, and the magical object that can solve all problems. The world - building can be shallow too. Instead of a rich, detailed fantasy world, it might be just a few basic locations with not much depth to their cultures or histories. Another thing is that the dialogue can be cheesy and unconvincing.
They often have simple and straightforward plots. For instance, a common characteristic could be a predictable love story where boy meets girl, there are some misunderstandings, and then they end up together.
Good non - trashy romance novels often have well - developed characters. The characters should have depth, with their own personalities, goals, and flaws. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth is intelligent and headstrong, and Mr. Darcy is proud yet kind - hearted beneath his exterior. Another characteristic is a believable plot. It should not rely on over - the - top or clichéd situations all the time. In 'Outlander', the historical backdrop and the way the love story unfolds within it makes it very believable. Also, good romance novels usually have some form of emotional depth. The love between the characters should feel real and not just a physical attraction. In 'The Notebook', the love that Noah and Allie have is based on years of memories and a deep emotional bond.
Well, trashy regency romance novels typically have a set formula. There's often a grand ball or social event where the main characters meet. The hero is usually a wealthy duke or lord with a bit of a rakish side. The heroines are often feisty but also in need of the hero's protection in some way. The settings are usually grand mansions or beautiful countryside estates, but the descriptions can be a bit clichéd at times.
Best selling trashy novels usually have flashy covers. These covers are designed to catch the eye immediately. The characters in such novels are often one - dimensional. They are either the good - looking hero/heroine or the villain with no real complexity. And the pacing is usually fast, with lots of action or drama crammed into a short space. It's all about keeping the reader entertained in a rather superficial way.
One characteristic is often overly simplistic characters. For example, the hero is always the dashing and perfect gentleman, and the heroine is the most beautiful and naive girl. Another is the use of cliché plotlines like the forbidden love between a noble and a commoner. Also, they might have inaccurate historical details just to fit the romantic narrative.
Common characteristics involve a focus on physical appearance. The cover art usually shows a very attractive couple in a somewhat cheesy pose. The settings are often very stereotypical, like a big, glamorous city or a beautiful but remote island. And there's a tendency towards insta - love. The main characters fall in love almost immediately, without really getting to know each other on a deeper level, which makes the relationships seem less believable.
A trashy novel often has a simple and predictable plot. For example, it might follow the same old love triangle pattern where two guys are after the same girl. The characters are usually one - dimensional, like the hero is always super - handsome and brave without any real flaws. Also, the writing style can be quite cheesy, with lots of over - the - top descriptions that don't add much depth.