Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. This week’s prompt is Love Freebie.

Hello Readers! Last year for my Valentine Freebie I shared My Book Soundtrack – Love Song Edition, and I had so much fun with that, I decided to expand on it by focusing on books with some of my favorite tropes! I know readers can become quite divided when they discuss tropes—we all have those we love and those we hate—so you won’t hurt my feelings if you disagree with my picks. <3

Sooooo, I had no idea when I planned this post just how challenging it would be. Trying to match songs to the book AND the trope was….difficult. BUT, I’m very happy with the end result! I’m even throwing in two extras because I worked so hard on each one and couldn’t pick two to leave out. 😉 And, I’m including a Spotify playlist at the end of the post for your listening pleasure. <3

(Link to synopsis on Goodreads through the book title.)

1

Fake Relationships | The Kiss Quotient

What I loved about The Kiss Quotient is how Stella took control of her own life and put herself in the driver’s seat. I chose a song that that I think exemplifies that.

“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Golding

You’re the light, you’re the night
You’re the color of my blood
You’re the cure, you’re the pain
You’re the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much….

2

Enemies to Lovers | Get a Life, Chloe Brown

In this novel, Chloe and Red are both dealing with their own personal issues and it takes some time to open up to each other.

“Do You Really Wanna Know” by Sea Girls

Do you really wanna know
What I’d change about myself?
Do you really wanna know
Who’s been messing with my health?
We could get into my head
Or just spend the day in bed
Do you really wanna know
What I’d change about myself?

3

Second Chance Romance | Summer Hours

In Summer Hours, Becc has made some mistakes—especially where best friend Eric is concerned. She’s hoping for a second chance.

“Want You Back” by Haim

Some things are long forgotten
Some things were never said
We were on one endless road
But I had a wandering heart…

Just know that I want you, I’ll take the fall and the fault in us
I’ll give you all the love I never gave before I left you

4

Friends to Lovers | Call Down the Hawk

In Call Down the Hawk, we finally get a look at Ronan and Adam as a couple. And they still have all the angst they had in The Raven Cycle.

“everything i wanted” by Billie Eilish

I had a dream
I got everything I wanted
But when I wake up, I see
You with me

And you say, “As long as I’m here
No one can hurt you
Don’t wanna lie here
But you can learn to
If I could change
The way that you see yourself
You wouldn’t wonder why you hear
They don’t deserve you”

5

The Triangle | One True Loves

Probably the most divisive trope is The Triangle. Personally, I don’t mind a little healthy competition in my books. But one of the most bizarre triangles I’ve ever read is in One True Loves.

“Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order

Every time I think of you
I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue
It’s no problem of mine, but it’s a problem I find
Livin’ a life that I can’t leave behind

There’s no sense in telling me
The wisdom of the fool won’t set you free
But that’s the way that it goes and it’s what nobody knows
Well, every day my confusion grows….

6

Partners in Crime | Six of Crows Duology

I love that the stakes are so high for these criminals. It ramps up the tension and only adds to the romance.

“Love and War” by Fleurie

Broken pieces of the night
Sing like hollow lullabies
You and I, always in disguises

Lover, hunter, friend and enemy
You will always be every one of these
Lover, hunter, friend and enemy
You will always be every one of these
Nothing’s fair in love and war….

7

Opposites Attract | I’ve Got Your Number

I finally picked up this older Kinsella book last year and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I smiled every time opposites Poppy and Sam were together. Even when they were just texting.

“Love Her” by Jonas Brothers

Drive me crazy, make me mental
No other buttons she can push
One second she’s Miss Sentimental
Then she’s afraid she’s said too much

Opposites attract and we’re the livin’ proof of this
But I keep on comin’ back like a magnet….

8

Road Trip Romance | Love & Luck

One of my favorite tropes is a road trip romance. And the road trip through Ireland in Love & Luck is fun and romantic!

“When I’m With You” by Clarensau

There are days that I feel
That this world is so unkind
And others, I feel like all I do is waste my time

‘Cause when I’m with you,
All my troubles disappear
All my worries fade
And my mind magically clears
Let’s leave everything that we have behind

I wanna run away
Where no one knows my name
Where no one knows my name, but you….

9

Workplace Romance | Things You Save in a Fire

I love Katherine Center, and this was a five-star read for me. Cassie and Owen are so cute, and Owen is one of my favorite male leads ever. Falling in love on the job goes against everything Cassie believes in, but sometimes the heart wants what it wants.

“Sparks Fly” by Taylor Swift

…My mind forgets to remind me, you’re a bad idea
You touch me once and it’s really something
You find I’m even better than you, imagined I would be
I’m on my guard for the rest of the world
But with you I know it’s no good
And I could wait patiently
But I really wish you would

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
‘Cause I see, sparks fly, whenever you smile

10

Slow Burn Romance | The Simple Wild

The Simple Wild has one of the most satisfying slow burn romances I’ve read in a long time. The reward is definitely worth the wait.

“I Found” by Amber Run

I’ll use you as a warning sign
That if you talk enough sense then you’ll lose your mind
And I’ll use you as a focal point
So I don’t lose sight of what I want
And I’ve moved further than I thought I could
But I missed you more than I thought I would
And I’ll use you as a warning sign
That if you talk enough sense then you’ll lose your mind

And I found love where it wasn’t supposed to be
Right in front of me
Talk some sense to me….

11

Unrequited Love | Dear Emmie Blue

Dear Emmie Blue was one of my loveliest surprises last year. Emmie has been pining for Lucas for years, but sometimes what you want isn’t what’s best for you. (And can I just add, this is one of the most heart-wrenching songs ever!)

“1000 Times” by Sara Bareilles

Kiss me goodnight
Like a good friend might
I’ll do the same
But won’t mean it
‘Cause love is a cage
These words on a page
Carry the pain
They don’t free it
In another life I wouldn’t need to
Console myself as I resign to, release you

‘Cause I would die to make you mine
Bleed me dry each and every time
I don’t mind, no I don’t mind it
I would come back a thousand times….

12

Secret Identity | Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Simon is surrounded by secrets. It’s gonna take courage for him to step out of his comfort zone and speak his truth.

“Secret Heart” by Feist

Secret heart
What are you made of?
What are you so afraid of?
Could it be
Three simple words
Or the fear of being overheard
What’s wrong?

Let him in on your secret heart

Did I include any of your favorite tropes, books, or songs? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!