The characters confront their flaws, make necessary sacrifices, and choose each other. This results in either a "Happily Ever After" (HEA) or a "Happily For Now" (HFN). Popular Tropes and Why They Work
: High-quality, modern formatting for classic romance novels. Modern Short Stories
The "romance" has shifted from epic adventures to intimate character studies over centuries.
This is arguably the most popular trope in modern fiction. It provides built-in tension and a satisfying "thaw" as characters realize their preconceptions were wrong.