In some romance novels, the first touch is accidental but intense. Say they bump into each other in a crowded street. Their bodies collide, and there's an immediate connection. They might look into each other's eyes, and in that moment, they feel a deep, unspoken understanding that this could be the start of something special.
It serves as a catalyst. It immediately creates a sense of chemistry between the characters. For instance, it can make the readers excited to see where this new connection will lead.
Common elements often include a strong emotional connection between the main characters. For example, in many romance novels, there is instant attraction or a slow - burning love that develops over time. Also, beautiful descriptions of the characters' physical appearances are quite common, like 'her sparkling blue eyes' or 'his chiseled jawline'. Settings also play a big role, such as a charming small town or a grand, luxurious cityscape that adds to the overall romantic mood.
One common theme is acceptance. These novels often deal with the characters coming to terms with their own sexuality and finding acceptance from others, like family and friends.
One common trope is the 'realization moment'. It's when one of the friends suddenly sees the other in a new, romantic light. Maybe it's during a special event like a wedding or a trip. Another is the 'jealousy factor'. When one friend starts dating someone else, the other realizes their true feelings because of the jealousy they feel. And then there's the 'near - miss kiss'. They get close to kissing but are interrupted, which builds up the sexual tension.
One common theme is the power of forgiveness. Since they start as enemies, they have to forgive past wrongs to move forward in their relationship. Another is self - discovery. Through their interactions with their 'enemy - turned - lover', the characters often learn more about themselves. For example, they might realize they were too judgmental before.
One common theme is the deep - rooted familiarity. Since they've known each other for a long time, they have a shared history, like inside jokes and memories. Another is the growth and change. They often grow up and see each other in new lights. For example, a once - scrawny childhood friend might become very attractive as they get older. Also, there's usually some sort of conflict that comes from their long - standing relationship, like family expectations getting in the way of their new - found romantic feelings.
A prevalent theme is the breaking down of barriers. These could be social, cultural or just personal barriers. In 'Wuthering Heights', Heathcliff and Catherine face social class differences and family feuds as barriers. Another theme is the idea of transformation. The characters usually transform from being bitter enemies to loving partners. In 'You've Got Mail', Kathleen and Joe transform from rivals to lovers as they get to know each other better.
Growth is also a big theme. The characters grow both individually and as a couple. They move from a state of dislike to love, which means changing their attitudes and behaviors. In 'A Court of Thorns and Roses', the main characters' growth is intertwined with the development of their relationship as they go from enemies to lovers.
One common theme is overcoming differences. In these novels, the two female characters often come from different backgrounds, like different social classes or having different beliefs. They have to learn to accept and understand each other. Another theme is self - discovery. Through their relationship, they discover new things about themselves. For example, they might realize they are more open - minded than they thought.
One common theme is the slow - burn. Since they start as friends, the transition to lovers doesn't happen overnight. There's often a lot of hesitation and 'will they or won't they' moments. Another theme is the discovery of new aspects of the friend. When the relationship shifts, they start to see each other in a different light, like noticing physical or emotional qualities they overlooked before. And there's also the theme of the fear of ruining the friendship. They worry that if the romantic relationship doesn't work out, they'll lose the precious friendship they had.