Tropes Here, Tropes There, Tropes Everywhere!
Ahh, I love a good trope! And so do Vertical Dramas…as a matter of fact, most Vertical Dramas classify their stories by the type of trope they are! Here is my current Trope List that I am continuing to work on and add to as I watch my way through them. There are two types of tropes the overarching plot devices (Hidden Billionaire, Enemies to Lovers, etc) and then the micro-tropes (not recognizing her because she’s wearing a wig/mask/sunglasses, the “Towel Drop”, the “hide me in the shower”). I am here for all of them, because I love them!
I created the list and added to it and then started referencing it, because I literally wanted to be able to say “Oh, there’s trope #17” when I’m writing so I can’t rearrange them at this point. So, in no order other than my own particular order (as they popped into my brain) here is my Overarching Trope List. Also, usually means usually as in NOT ALWAYS, so don’t “Not all men” me about the tropes. There is obviously nuance to some of these and some stories can fit into more than one category…if it bothers you then make your own list :)
Enemies to Lovers: Both characters hate one another often due to misunderstanding. They bait and challenge one another until they finally flirt themselves into a relationship. Ex. The Hockey Captain That Hates Me, I Accidentally Sexted My Enemy, Taming My Bullies
Fake Girlfriend/Boyfriend leads to love: One character suggests a fake relationship to either get revenge or get someone (family pressure about their love interests/prospects) off their back. Ex. Pucked in the Friend Zone, Act Like You Love Me, The Thief Lover, Revenge Puck
Contract Marriage/Flash Marriage with a Hidden Billionaire: FMC marries into a flash marriage/contract marriage with a billionaire MMC posing as an average guy to "test" his new spouse and make sure she isn't a gold digger. Ex. Marrying a Prisoner, From Rags to Riches: Pet Shop Cinderella, Hold Me Tight Mr. Firefighter, In Love with the Single Farmer
Contract/Flash Marriage for money: FMC marries MMC for money (usually to cover medical bills) that she promises to repay. Ex. Desire Under Our Uniforms, Hotter Than Revenge, Secret Surrogate to the Mafia King, Boss in the Light-Husband in the Dark
Secret/Long-lost Heir: Usually the FMC marries as an orphan and SURPRISE, she's actually the daughter of a wealthy family. Often the family will be known to the MMC (ally or rival) as well as being the adoptive family of the FV. Ex. I Have 5 Kick-Ass Brothers
Mistaken Identity: FMC hides her identity to be an “average person. The FV is mistaken as the FMC. Sometimes the MMC swaps identities too. OR the FMC is mistaken as the lover/mistress of the MMC who is actually her son or brother. The FV gets abusive and attacks/abuses the FMC. Ex. Secret Strangers in Love,Mistaken as the Mistress
Abusing a Secretly Powerful Person: Usually the FMC gives up her family money, power and identity to marry an "average" guy because she doesn't want to overshadow her spouse and suffers abuse at his hands by him and his family. Ex. Dumping My Hollywood Superstar Husband, After Divorce My Ex-Wife Became a Billionaire
Abusing a Secretly Powerful Person but...Usually the FMC gives up her family money, power and identity to marry an "average" guy because she doesn't want to overshadow her spouse and suffers abuse at his hands by him and his family...but they get back together Ex. The Double Life of a Billionaire Heiress, Meet My Brothers
She Saved my Life: The MMC has a wife/fiancée/girlfriend that loves him but he has feelings for the woman (or raises her above his SO) that saved his life, often a family friend/childhood sweetheart. Often it is revealed that it was the wife/fiancée/girlfriend that actually saved the MMCs life. Ex. Divorced Tears from the Alpha But I Shine Alone, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
The Stand-In: The FMC has been doing all the work/love/care and then the long-lost love returns from being away. Often she sets up the FMC to take the blame for hurting her and the MMC takes her side against the FMC Ex. My Billionaire Ex Wants Me Back
When we Were Kids, We Promised to love each other: As children the FMC and MMC trauma bonded and promised to love one another but are separated by fate and time. The MMC is often searching for the FMC. Ex. Caged by His Twisted Love
Reborn 2nd chance with the one that TRULY loved me: FMC is killed by MV and FV together, often a cheating spouse or boyfriend and best friend or sister figure (step-sister, etc.). Just before death FMC views the reaction of a MMC that is sad or seeks revenge for her death. When she's reborn she choose to end the relationship with the MV and starts one with the MMC, often having to convince him that she is genuine. - -Often the FMC is wealthy but people are unaware of the wealth or attribute it to the MV. Ex. Reborn to Love Mr. Right, The Reborn Wife’s Redemption
Reborn 2nd chance with ANYONE else: FMC is killed by own sister (step-sister, cousin, etc.) because after marriage her life was perceived to be better. However, often the spouse is abusive. Reborn at the time of choosing a new spouse and FMC chooses differently and it's better for the FMC but still awful for the FV. Often both FMC and FV are both fully aware of the rebirth. Ex. Married the Don You Threw Away
Fated Mates: The Moon Goddess is in charge of this one. Sometimes the FMC and/or the MMC fight the bond. FV or MV try to break apart the couple. Ex. The Alpha's Virgin Captive, Alpha She’s not the One
Alpha Loves Weak Omega that becomes the strongest wolf ever: The Alpha resists the weak Omega for so long because she’s so weak. Sometimes the Alpha will reject the love match because he must have someone stronger by his side. Ex. Alpha Daddy Make Me Yours, True Luna
Age Gap: Ex. Fated to My Rival’s Alpha Father
With my Ex's Relative: The FMC is cheated on by her boyfriend and has a sexy, anonymous encounter with the MMC that ends up being the boyfriends Uncle or Father. The MMC also usually controls the family money/business. Ex. Pregnant by My Professor-Chased by His Son, Tempted by My Ex's Professor, The Surrogate Bride of My Ex's Uncle, Pregnant by My Ex's Dad, Dear Husband I Upgraded to a CEO
2nd Chance AKA Ended a relationship for their "own good": The FMC ends her relationship with the MMC because she doesn't want to "bring him down" or have him resent her in the future (debt, medical bills, pregnancy) - - Sometimes due to pressure from an overbearing MIL. MMC often re-enters FMC life to punish them for leaving them. Ex. Loving the Disguised Billionaire
Amnesia and the troubled marriage: FMC wakes with amnesia forgetting her spouse the MMC. Instead of telling anyone she has amnesia, the FMC tries to figure out her life and what went wrong. She discovers her husband the MMC was a highschool/college crush and there is a FV trying to destroy her marriage as her husband constantly defends the FV instead of the FMC. Ex. Memory Reset: Mr. Restraint Begged for Love, Woke Up Married to My Crush, I Forgot I Married Him
Misunderstanding Ex, Pucked in the Friend Zone, Dr. Kiss Me Stat
All Too Late: FMC is treated horribly by the MC (often killing her baby/child) so she FINALLY leaves and meets a MMC that cares for her. Ex. Too Late Alphas, Don’t Miss Me When I’m Gone
All Too Late Noble Edition: FMC is horribly abused by a spouse or family in favor of the FV who is pretending to be someone they're not and the MMC(s) completely turn their back on the FMC and she dies to protect/save the MMC(s)'s future Ex. Leaving My Alpha Husband in Ice Cold Regret, 30 Years Frozen Three Brothers Regret
Fake Amnesia Reveals Cheater: FMC pretends to have amnesia and her SO pretends that she is the girlfriend of his best friend/brother (MMC) who goes along with it because he's always actually loved the FMC. Ex. Love Reset Game, After His Affair I Slept with his BFF
Contract/Flash Marriage: These marriages are usually because one of the MCs NEEDS to get married, usually to gain control of the family business. Usually the FMC will get something out of it, like a job or opportunity to enter and stay in the marriage. Ex.Love Contract
ONS Oops Baby: The main couple get together and have a ONS (may involve being drugged) - Most Vertical Dramas FMC and MMC are separated by years before reuniting. Also, usually there is some sort of paternity secret or misunderstanding. Ex. Puck Me Baby One More Time, Ex-Convict Nanny and the Billionaire Single Dad
I Wanted his Uncle but Found a Random Billionaire Instead: FMC is devastated by end of relationship with MV and well meaning friend points out MV’s Uncle with the intention of becoming his aunt. Instead the FMC has Flash Marriage with the MMC who is NOT related to her ex. Ex. Love the Way you Lie
Lover & Employee to Ex: By day FMC works for MMC, at night she's in his bed. The fiancee returns and he dumps her. She also has a secret illness and a tragic backstory. Ex. The Devil Wears Desire
Friends to Lovers: Besties that make a go of it. Ex. I Flash Married My Best Friend?
Off-Limits Love:FMC is the little sister of the MMC’s best friend, or FMC and MMC are step-siblings. Ex. The Day My Stepbrother Knows my Dirty Secret
Boss & Employee: MMC is the boss of the FMC. They hooked up before they started working together, or only she recognizes him. Often they try to avoid hooking up again (usually her) until they fall for each other and say fuck the world. Ex. Boss Me Around If You Dare, The Boss Affair
We married, he left, he’s back…but doesn’t recognize her: Couple marries, usually because Grandma/Grandpa wanted him to marry family friend. He barely looked at her and he left for 2ish years. Now he’s back. They hook up but he doesn’t realize he banged his wife. She works for/with him while he tries to divorce his wife and romance his one night stand. Ex. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, My Ex-Husband Can’t Stop Spoiling Me!
We married, he left, he’s back…we’re married? Couple marries, usually because Grandma wanted him to marry family friend. They barely looked at eachother and he left for 2ish years. Now he’s back but John goes by Jack. She has the same name as the wife he can’t remember/never met. He tries to connect with her and assumes man at door is her new lover and starts divorce proceedings. Meanwhile they are working together (because he’s also her boss) and falling for one another. Just before divorce is finalized, they realize who the other is. Ex. I Wish It Were You, My Secret Husband Is My Boss
