u/NoDanceNoRevolution

My fellow navy man: I continue my quest for you from the mincemeat sub -- due to some text tomfoolery on my side, in the fervor of the monthly draw win, I purchased the two tickets to your left for a friend and I, thinking our third friend could not convene on that day -- and then moments later received word that she could! In the intervening time, you scooped up your seat, so I bought 109 on your other side for my straggling friend. (I feel like I just did the phone ballet).

I wanted to inquire if you would be up to shuffling into a configuration of your choosing that would allow the three of us to sit together after all?

On the off-chance that this message finds you beforehand, I wanted to give you a heads up that we'll probably ask you on the day! Of course it is no trouble if not. I'm sure one of my friends will be just fine sitting on your other side -- especially since, as I've warned them, they should prepare to be ashamed to be seen with me in my full Mincemeat regalia. See you at the show, agent!

Greetings Romantasy Readers!  I’m seeking your wisdom to identify the books that you think are the best version / set the tone / laid the foundation for the big, famous tropes of the genre (who’s the definitive shadow daddy?  Best fated mates?  Enemies to lovers?  Forbidden love?  Forced proximity?). Hoping you all can point me to what are considered the best or definitive versions of those archetypes — and hoping you'll forgive the very expansive question!

The backstory is that I’m a very new reader of the genre, and I’ve got to admit, I’m already seeing the patterns, the repetitive storytelling structures, etc., and I worry that I’m going to get bored fast.  So, rather than read at random as a novice and burn out on some probably not-so-great books, I’d really love instead to read *THE* book(s) that die-hard romantasy readers regard as setting the standard for the tropes of today. I welcome recs for any well-executed example of a trope that you love of course, but I'd particularly like to know, from people who have read much more in this arena than I have, which books/series are widely-regarded as the trend-setters for what have become the big trends.

Of course, I know everything is a matter of taste, and I gather there are verrrry different schools of thought about even some of the best-known books — but I can tell this is a genre with a really passionate fandom, and if you can share any core reads that you feel set the standard, I'd really appreciate it...that’s what I’d love to start with ❤️  TIA!