Different genres have different tropes that just hook you in no matter how many times they’re used. In romance, there’s the enemies/friends to lovers, destined to be together, love triangles, and of course, the meet cute.
The meet cute is simple: two people get together under humorous, romantic, cute, or unusual circumstances which leads to them starting a relationship. If you’ve read or watched any romance story made in this century, chances are you already know about this trope.
Best Meet Cute Books
Whether it’s a hilarious accident, love-at-first-sight, or steamy moments, here are popular romantic books that exhibit the meet cute trope in all its glory.
1. Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi
Pablo Rind isn’t having much luck in life. He’s a college dropout (and still paying loans), works a graveyard shift in a deli, and is drowning in credit card debt. Then he meets Leanna Smart, a literal superstar, at 5 am in the dead of winter.
They bond over a shared love of strange but delicious food combinations. Both become one another’s anchors as they explore who they are, what they want to be, and how the world sees them. But, like all things romantic, things get quickly complicated.
2. Roomies by Christina Lauren
Holland Bakker has spent months making excuses to go to the subway near her apartment and listen to the music of her street musician crush, Calvin Mcloughlin. She’s never actually talked to him, but gets the opportunity to do so when he saves her from a drunkard.
To pay him back, she gets him an audition with her uncle, Broadway’s hottest musical director. It all goes well, except for one thing: Calvin’s actually illegally in the country, his student visa having expired years ago.
Her solution: impulsively marry the Irishman. As the two navigate their new relationship and Calvin’s rising stardom, will they realize they’re no longer pretending?
3. The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Hadley Sullivan is experiencing the worst day of her life. She’s stuck in an airport and late for her father’s wedding to a woman she’s never met. Life sucks until she meets the perfect guy in the airport’s waiting area and he’s on the same flight too!
One thing leads to another, and there’s a sudden kiss. Inevitably, they must separate. What are the chances of getting back together after sharing such a meaningful flight?
4. Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
Evie Summers has one big problem: her film agency’s biggest client, Ezra Chester, is refusing to write the rom-com he owes producers. At least, until he sees it’s actually possible to meet a man in real life just like how it happens in the movies.
Evie will do anything to save her job, even if it means re-enacting iconic rom-com scenes in public. And maybe, just maybe, she might find a meet-cute of her very own.
5. Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese
Ryder Bergman and Willa Sutter share one class together. Wrong first impressions and misunderstanding turn it into a warzone, with both sides unwilling to give even one inch of reprieve. Thanks to their matchmaking professor though, now they’re paired up for a school project.
6. Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
On her first day of school, Kailyn Flowers ends up sprawled on top of Daxton Hughes, a former actor she absolutely crushed on as a teenager. Worse, she instantly turns into a fangirl, which may or may not involve her professing her undying love within five minutes of the accident.
The happy little accident leads to them being friends, but Kailyn never saw the betrayal coming. Now, eight years later, Dax needs help and she’s not heartless enough to refuse.
7. Dirty by Kylie Scott
When Vaughan Hewson returns to his childhood home, the last thing he expected to see is a runaway bride in his shower, along with all the baggage of a broken heart.
Lydia Green’s facing the greatest crisis of her life. Not only did she learn her husband-to-be is a cheater, but it was also with his best man. So she runs away and crashes into Vaughan Hewson’s life. Who knows? Maybe her tragedy has opened up a path to something much, much better.
8. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert
Lou works tirelessly to make her struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, a success. Al keeps himself employed by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants under a pseudonym.
When an anonymous tip sends Al to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived during the chef’s worst day of her life. One savage review later and the two find themselves exploring the best Milwaukee can offer and walking the path of love.
But when the truth comes to light, can Lou find it in herself to forgive?
9. My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Since she was 13, Ella Durran has always wanted to study at Oxford. Now at 24, she’s finally made it to England on a scholarship. Everything’s going perfectly—until a smart-mouthed local ruins her shirt and her day.
When she discovers that her English literature course will be taught by that same local, she begins to think that Oxford may not be what she thought it was. But a surprising connection between them starts a casual fling, and maybe something more.
10. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Life sucks for Jess. Her husband’s left, her teenage stepson is being bullied, and she can’t afford to pay for her daughter’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Until a knight in shining armor comes to offer his aid.
Only, the knight is Geeky Ed, the unpleasant millionaire whose house Jess happens to clean. And it might just be the first good deed he’s done in ages.
Meet Cute Moments
The meet cute is one of the romance genre’s most prevalent tropes. You’ll find it in most rom-coms, soap operas, novels, and sitcoms with varying degrees of use.
It’s a good way to establish two characters’ connection through an unusual but humorous situation. It gives the audience a strong mental image to associate with, giving the characters’ connection more meaningful.
Check out some of romance’s other popular tropes here.
What’s your favorite meet cute book? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 10 of the Best Romance Book Series to Start Bingeing Now
- 10 Regency Romance Books to Read After Bridgerton
- 10 Light-Hearted Romance Books Like The Love Hypothesis
- 12 Romance Podcasts For When You Need a Pick-Me-Up
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
