beta
I think I finally get why the "friends to lovers" trope doesn’t click with me. Sure, it’s popular and lots of people love it, and I’ve even come across a few good examples that I enjoyed. But overall, it just doesn’t excite me.
The main reason is that it feels too easy. The characters already know each other, already have a bond, so the story skips the fun of building a relationship from scratch. Most of the drama comes from them being scared to mess up the friendship, which is a bit overused.
On the flip side, I find it way more interesting when two strangers or people who only know each other casually, like coworkers or neighbors, end up falling in love. That kind of relationship has to be built piece by piece, and the challenge makes it feel more rewarding.
I notice the same thing in love triangle stories. Usually, one love interest is someone the main character already knows, while the other is new. Readers often lean toward the “safe” choice, the one with the history, just because it feels familiar. But for me, that’s exactly what makes the “newcomer romance” more exciting. It feels less predictable.