Romance plot conventions

[oyceter]

Because I am having a very interesting conversation with Justine right now...

What are the romance tropes and conventions that drive you nuts? Why?

And which ones almost always work for you? Why?

And which ones are the ones in-between? I.e. if done well, they totally work, and if done poorly, they prompt chucking the book at a wall.

Bonus question: does Doomed Love work for you? What counts as Doomed (or, should I say, DOOMED)? What about love triangles/quadrangles/geometric shapes?

(Note: these aren't limited to romance novels, but to any narrative that involves romance-with-a-small-r.)

Also, please put spoilers in spoiler text! <span style="color:#333333;background:#333333">Spoilers go here</span>

Comments

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

What about long separations because the hero is kidnapped by pirates and sold into a Barbary bandit-lord's harem?

Or is that entirely too silly?

[oracne.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's the hero, I guess that's okay. So long as he doesn't escape TOO soon.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

He's actually not escaping. His husband is coming to his rescue. Rope-fu through the window and all. Of course, Adlai is clutching the rope and looking absolutely petrified as he swings in and starts the rescue-duel.

(It's a complicated revenge swashbuckler.)