I am a sucker for a trope-y romantic comedy. I know that some people feel very strongly one way or another about romance book tropes, but I think they serve a purpose: to help us read what we like!
If you’re looking for a new romantic comedy book to read, Stuck On The Slopes hits shelves on May 13, 2025 with Conquest Publishing. Available wherever books are sold, here are the tropes you can expect to see if you want to add it to your TBR.
Romance Tropes in Stuck On The Slopes
Grumpy x Sunshine
One of my favorite relationship dynamics to read and write about, Rachel and Juniper fit the grumpy/sunshine trope to a T. Rachel takes on the role of sunshine, very cheery and hiding her anxieties behind a corporate-approved mask. Juniper, on the other hand, is very grumpy due to his past – but his service dog definitely softens up those rough edges.
Hate-to-Love
I like to consider hate-to-love “enemies to lovers’ contemporary cousin.” Calling Rachel and Juniper enemies at the start feels wrong – after all, they have a common goal, so it’s important that they both succeed. There’s no weird rivalry, either. But they definitely do not get along at the start, and have to overcome some negative first impressions. The tension and the banter is there if you’re into that.
Workplace Romance
Okay, so Stuck On The Slopes is a workplace romance but not in the traditional sense. No corporate offices to be seen after the first chapter. The workplace in question is the ski lodge. And while Juniper may technically be Rachel’s employer, he isn’t exactly your typical boss. This is addressed in the book, but it’s all the fun of the workplace/boss x employee trope without any of the potentially weird power dynamics.
Forced Proximity
Forced proximity is always so fun to write. Given the nature of Rachel and Juniper’s work, they’re spending a lot of time together whether they like it or not.
Snowed In
Just when the proximity couldn’t feel any closer, Rachel and Juniper find themselves snowed in to a cabin together. It’s a pretty pivotal moment in the book, so I’ll save the details for the sake of not spoiling!
Only One Bed
Only one bed is my FAVORITE romance trope. Can I always tell it’s coming thanks to my Spidey-senses? Yes, of course. Do I eat it up every time anyway? Abso-freaking-lutely I do.
Call me predictable, but I try to slip this in whenever I can to a WIP. It’s just so fun to write, and I love seeing how the characters react to it. So naturally, when Rachel and Juniper find themselves snowed in, of course it’s in a cabin that only has one bed. Of course.
Small Town Charm
Inspired by the villages of Vail and Breckenridge in Colorado, Rachel and Juniper’s home base is a pretty small area.
If you like the small town vibes of Book Lovers, then you’ll enjoy the moments where Rachel and Juniper get out of the resort. The majority of the story takes place within the ski resort itself, but there are a few moments in the nearby village.
Other Features in Stuck On The Slopes
Not necessarily tropes, you can also expect the following in this romantic comedy:
- Chronic pain representation – Juniper, the male main character, has a disability after being permanently injured in a snowboarding accident.
- Jewish representation – Rachel, the female main character, is Jewish.
- Service dog wingman – Juniper’s service dog, Sasquatch, is the Best Boy and ultimate Rachel/Juniper shipper.
Where to Read Stuck On The Slopes
Stuck On The Slopes is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and from your favorite indie bookstore via Bookshop.org!
