Regency Romance Tropes

There are two different types of tropes: Character tropes and Plot or Story Tropes. Below is list of both taken from a variety of sources (as well as my own reading). But if you’re looking for a few more excellent lists, please visit The Risky Regencies blog post on tropes and Mindy Klasky’s post.

Character Tropes:

The Dandy (well-dressed ne’er do well who either gets reformed or secretly cares)

Rakes (womanizer, gambler either gets reformed or secretly cares, like the Dandy)

Athlete/Member of Four-in-Hand Club

Spy

Dukes (either a snob or someone who rejects his position)

Governess

Bluestocking/intellectual

Soldier

Thief/highwayman/con artist (could be male or female)

Commoner

Demi-monde/light skirts

Spinsters

Snarky old lady

Widows/Widowers

Inventors

Artists/Musicians/Writers

Heroes who have a profession

Naval/Sea faring

Childhood Friend

Story Tropes:

Someone is beset by Scandal

Beauty & the Beast

Estranged Lovers reunited

Friends to Lovers

Enemies to Lovers

Marriage of Convenience

Compromised

Mistaken Identity

Rags to Riches

Wounded Hero/Caretaker Heroine

House Party

Masquerades

Road Trip/Runaways

Amnesia

Wagers/bets

Hidden treasure

Murder(s)

Wills (tricky provisions and/or inheritances that play a major role in the plot)

Romance with someone of another class (usually lower)

Smuggling

Politics/Parliament

Handicapped (could be hero or heroine or secondary character whose handicap is an issue)

Social Issues (including slavery, abuse of children, etc.)

Farming/Raising Horses/Animals?

Christmas (and perhaps other  holidays)

India/Other foreign travel?

Children (stories where a child or children play a significant role in bringing the hero and heroine together)