Rockstar Trope is the Creative Alternative to Sports Romances.

Is Rockstar Romances really the Creative Alternative to Sports Romance? Think I am crazy? Give me a second and hear me out!

One of my favorite romance tropes to read is Rockstar Romances, although I’m aware that it may not be for everyone. Some people have criticized this genre, citing that the rockstar lifestyle is often portrayed as centered around drugs and sex, with cheating being a common occurrence. However, I haven’t found this to be true in the rockstar romances that I’ve read.

There are several reasons why someone might enjoy reading a rockstar romance:

1. Escapism: Rockstar romances can be a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life and indulge in a fantasy world where you can experience the thrill and excitement of being with a famous musician.
2. Emotional intensity: These stories often feature intense emotional connections between the main characters, with a lot of drama and conflict that can keep you hooked until the end.
3. Unique setting: The rockstar lifestyle and the music industry provide a unique backdrop for the romance to unfold, offering readers a glimpse into a world that they might not otherwise have access to.
4. Strong heroines: Many rockstar romances feature strong and independent heroines who are not afraid to go after what they want, which can be inspiring to readers.
5. Music: If you’re a music lover, rockstar romances can be a great way to explore the connection between love and music, and to discover new music through the characters in the story.

There are some similarities and differences between the Rockstar Romance and Sports Romance tropes:

Similarities:

• Both genres often feature highly successful and talented individuals who are passionate about their craft (whether it’s music or sports).
• The protagonists in both genres tend to be celebrities, with a large fan following.
• Both Rockstar and Sports Romances often involve the protagonists navigating the pressures and demands of their high-profile careers while trying to maintain a relationship with their love interest.
• Both genres often have a lot of drama and conflict, with intense emotional connections between the main characters.

Differences:

• The settings and contexts are different: Rockstar Romance is set in the music industry, while Sports Romance is set in the world of sports.
• The Rockstar Romance genre often involves more themes of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, while Sports Romance may focus more on themes of teamwork, competition, and physical challenges. (You can still find sex and drinking as part of the Sports Romance Sub Genre.)
• In Sports Romance, the protagonists often have a strong sense of discipline and work ethic, while in Rockstar Romance, the emphasis may be more on creativity and self-expression.
• The dynamic between the protagonists can be different in these genres, with Sports Romance sometimes featuring a more dominant, alpha male figure, while Rockstar Romance may have a more equal power dynamic between the two main character

Books Recs

I am going to recommend some rockstar romances based on popular sport romances. 

First up if you liked the crazy antics of the Pucked Series by Helena Hunting you should check out Lauren Rowe’s books, Rockstar, Smitten, and Swoon. These books have fantastic family dynamics and brotherly antics without some annoying characters. 

If you enjoyed Helena Hunting’s All In Series try L.M. Dalgleish’s Fractured Hearts Series.  This is a four-book series that is dealing with Rockstars who are on tour while trying to deal with past choices and emotions. They come up against very strong female MCs who force the heroes to meet their expectations. 

If you’re captivated by the emotional rollercoaster and team-building dynamics of Sawyer Bennett’s Pittsburgh Titans series, then you might want to explore AL Jackson’s Falling Stars series. These tales of rockstar romance are brimming with intense emotions, and each one has an underlying suspenseful element. The characters in these novels are grappling with past traumas as they navigate newfound fame, and AL Jackson’s poetic and engaging writing style draws readers in from the very beginning.

If you’re a fan of Kelly Jamieson’s Chicago Aces, Natasha Madison’s Only One series, or Samantha Whiskey’s Carolina Reapers series and crave a rockstar romance that delivers similar found-family dynamics and high-quality writing, you should check out Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series or Kristin Callihan’s VIP series. Alternatively, Emma Hart’s The Burke Brothers series may appeal to you with its themes of familial closeness and care, reminiscent of the sports romance novels you enjoyed.

You can find Trope Talk Episode all about Rockstars Romances here and full TBR here