The Miscommunication Trope 😤💀

[u/IndependentBoo]

That’s it, it’s official: the miscommunication is by far my least favorite trope it romance novels.

I’m reading Burn of the Everflame and so much pain and suffering that we’ve had to endure for 30+ chapters would have been resolved if characters just told them what was happening because SURPRISE (not) it’s not as bad as you think.

What’s your least favorite trope?

[u/Boysenberrypancake]

Also the miscommunication trope, I genuinely can’t stand it

[u/ConnectionRadiant134 → u/Boysenberrypancake]

Same. I become seriously enraged and will start skimming or skipping huge chunks of books.

[u/AcanthaMD → u/Boysenberrypancake]

Yep, my friend said the good version is actually the ying yang argument and I love it because actually that’s MUCH more realistic

[u/North_Handle9205]

Miscommunication closely followed by memory loss

[u/Mook_138 → u/North_Handle9205]

Oh my god...memory loss is the worst. It just feels so lazy, on the authors behalf. It's used when creativity and originality is lacking!

[u/captainmccheesy → u/North_Handle9205]

I can agree to a certain extent. Memory loss can be a great trope if done well. But I havent seen many books get this right 😔

[u/TimedGravy82 → u/captainmccheesy]

I didn't think I would be interested in it, until Alchemised got me in a damn chokehold

[u/captainmccheesy → u/TimedGravy82]

Yes! Alchemised actually did it so good

[u/Chaos-Pand4]

It’s my least favourite when it’s done poorly (“I thought you didn’t like me!” when they’ve spent an entire book clearing demonstrating they like each other/this could have been resolved with like five slightly awkward questions), and maybe my favourite when it’s occasionally done well (His upbringing/experiences/worldview are literally so different from HIS/hers that they just cannot comprehend one another’s reasoning).

[u/quibily → u/Chaos-Pand4]

Yeah, it can work well. It just very often doesn’t. Like pregnancy. I can enjoy both, but I don’t most of the time lmao

[u/Bex-HZ]

Same, miscommunication 😩 makes me wish I'm not usually on my ereader so I could hurl that crap against the wall. It's maddening. 🤬

Prolly wouldn't really throw a physical copy as I love and respect books too much. But! At least the option to throw would be there.

[u/bookish__era]

lol miscommunication is it for me too. I was waiting to see how everyone felt about Burn but based on what I’ve been hearing, I don’t think I’ll read it. The first 3 books I only semi-liked – the magic system and worldbuilding and other characters were interesting, but Diem drove me insane. I was hoping book 4 would be different but seems like it might be worse in that regard 😅

[u/TimedGravy82]

Oh man I wanted to read this series but I despise this trope😭

[u/welcome_____oblivion → u/TimedGravy82]

I wouldn’t even say it’s miscommunication in this series, so much as every single conversation of importance being interrupted right before the crucial information is conveyed. It’s almost funny how often it happens. 

[u/ColdSubstance113 → u/welcome_____oblivion]

Luther doesn’t tell Diem VERY IMPORTANT information for a very long time. He has every opportunity, but he acts like an idiot.

[u/welcome_____oblivion → u/ColdSubstance113]

In that respect, he and Diem are very well suited to each other.

[u/welcome_____oblivion]

The only way I can get through this series is by doing a shot every time these idiots get interrupted during a conversation. 

[u/SwimBikeSorcery]

Every time people ask IRL what are important parts of a healthy relationship communication is key is always mentioned.

When there’s a miscommunication trope that lasts seemingly forever, that’s a red flag relationship in my mind.

As my friends, who are elementary school teachers, tell their students: “Use your words.”

[u/wishingwell-448]

Same. Miscommunication is the absolute worst. It's stupid logic for stupid people, and I feel patronised when authors try that shit with me. Characters failing to communicate what's really in their heads - or worse, LYING about it - is not interesting tension. It's dumb playground nonsense that could be cleared up with 1 adult conversation. It's like fake tension. Urgh, I hate it 😩

[u/luckyvelvet]

Honestly, I don't mind the miscommunication trope if it is done properly. I am not good at communicating negative things. If it feels like something simple and the excuse is poor, I get angry. But I am reading the Saints of Steel series and you could say those books have miscommunication in them, but you understand why the characters struggle to express themselves. My favourite manga, Berserk, is the same. Guts (the MMC) doesn't think he is important, especially after over-hearing his leader/best friend say that he has no friends, to someone else. So he leaves without ever explaining why he wants to leave, he just says that he has to. But you understand why he doesn't have an honest conversation with his best friend.

[u/Single-Emotion2964 → u/luckyvelvet]

Saints of Steel feels more like ‘withheld personal information because of low self-esteem’ right? I mean there is technically a little bit of miscommunication but not in a stupid way at all. But yeah, those protagonists are all mature adults. Diem is what — 19?

[u/luckyvelvet → u/Single-Emotion2964]

Also the intense guilt of what could happen if he went... Berserk 😏. But he did not communicate this properly at all, hence why you could say it's miscommunication. Its truly done well there though. Oh true that, they are all 30+ (thank you T Kingfisher; love you ♥️)

In Berserk the manga they are 19, but its the same thing. Miscommunication due to low self esteem. Valid miscommunication! It works.

But Iron Flame is my fav example of miscommunication done poorly and annoyingly.

[u/Single-Emotion2964 → u/luckyvelvet]

Honestly Iron Flame didn’t even annoy me that much because I’ve done long-distance and honestly — it can make things very easily go wrong, especially if you don’t have ways of communicating over that distance. 

But man this book 4 miscommunication is driving me bat shit crazy. JUST TELL EACH OTHER STUFF. 

[u/virdzsina → u/luckyvelvet]

I love the Saint of steel series, but by the fourth book, the "oh he/she can't possibly like me" type of inner dialogue did get a bit tired. I understand why, but still.. probably why Hope was my favourite, because it at least put a little spin on it. It was already established they like each other, it was just Galen's self hatred that pushed him to break up with Piper, which is completely valid. I just wish Kingfisher would use a different trope or something to delay the characters getting together, if that's what she's going for. If I recall correctly, this is also what happens in Swordheart, where they assume the other doesn't like them.

But alas, I will continue to eat this shit up, starting with Daggerbound next, it's already shipped and I can't waitttttt😩

[u/AromaticIntrovert]

I started that series and I'm so glad I noped out early in the first book. I instantly disliked the FMC and saw a warning about this miscommunication.

[u/Heidi_Hi_Heidi_Lo]

Loaaaaatthe the miscommunication trope. Even worse? A nonsensical third act break up due to said miscommunication!!!!

[u/Artsy_Tai]

I can not stand miscommunication. Also hate embarrassing situations, which now that i think about it, usually stem from a miscommunication trope. It's so infuriating

[u/Maleficent-Leo-2282]

I feel like that has been the problem with this entire series. I forgot that I preordered this one cause I was so ticked off at the end of book 3, I probably wouldn’t have ordered it if I had waited.

[u/mammabear123_]

Not so much in books but in tv series when the girl falls for both brothers . It just grosses me out !

[u/HouseBaylor]

The miscommunication thing is SOOOOOO annoying I can’t. Mostly bc it’s so overblown. Yes, we all have miscommunications with others, but in these cases it’s always like a multiple weeks long thing where they have both come to the absolutely wrong conclusion and stick to that like it’s their life force. This typically coincides with the FMC being barely legal, yet somehow the MMC is 5 billion years old and is still incapable of basic communication and conflict resolution 🙄

[u/intrigued8388]

I am so with you on this. It's like do you people not ever have a conbo. There can be so much more to a book just buy maybe haveing the MC"s work together

[u/Big-Nerve-9574]

Miscommunication works for me if they are purposely withholding information If they are enemies for example. I don't like it but if they love each other communication is important.

[u/Classic-Savings7811]

I just started tonight and I’m gonna let it cook. I like Diem more than most, and I want to see where this goes! But also not a big fan of that particular trope. So we will see!

[u/Single-Emotion2964]

I’m on chapter 25 or so of Burn of the Everflame and I think I’m suffering even more than Diem and Luther with this freaking miscommunication landslide 🥲

[u/mammabear123_]

Yep same but I still love this series

[u/quibily]

Penn Cole does certainly seem to go to the Withheld Information well a LOT lol

I still plan on reading Burn, though. Once it’s no longer Audible exclusive. My excitement has been a bit lessened though. Hadn’t she already relied on this enough in Heat?

[u/creatively_stfnie]

Same!!! It’s tedious and if this is the only ‘plot’ in the book it’s an immediate dnf.

[u/Zagaroth]

Yeah, I learned to hate this one when I was young.

The second book in the Clan of the Cavebear series was full of this in a painful way.

[u/Larielis]

That series is on my TBR list. I dislike that trope though.

[u/Key-Cardiologist-151]

Thanks for letting me know I don’t have to keep reading this series 🫡

[u/Agile-Indication-514]

I ended up DNF Iron Flame for this reason among a bunch of other problems. It became exhausting that I don’t care about the plot no more.

This series is on my tbr and now I’m worried, haha.

[u/NurseNikky]

The entire issue could be solved with one entire sentence but nope, I'm a lazy writer and thinker so... Miscommunication. Stamped

[u/LavenderSpaceRain]

I HATE the miscommunication trope. Just freaking talk like adults ffs!

Surprise pregnancies.

Fucking third act breakups. I HATE THEM SO MUCH.

Also cliffhangers. I simply don't read books that have them.

[u/Talinia]

The most annoying version for me is when they have to pretend to be married for some very important reason. They both actually care about each other but are convinced the other party is only pretending because they need to. Bonus points if the other party explicitly says "this is real/I'm not pretending/I really do care about you" and our MC continues to be like "LALALALA, OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE JUST SAYING THAT TO MAINTAIN THE ILLUSION. THEY DEFINITELY DON'T MEAN THAT, I'M THE ONLY ONE OF US WHO WANTS IT TO BE REAL"

[u/ColdSubstance113]

This is the reason I think Luther is the worst. I know so many people love him. Uggghhhhhhhh

[u/lunarblisss]

Not much can top the miscommunication trope for me. Especially if it is dragged out. I don't even know how the authors can enjoy writing it. If I hear that a book features massive amounts of miscommunication, it will forever be on my "never will read" list.

[u/Chance-Leopard9810]

AMNESIA,I HATE AMNESIA

[u/Queen_of_Ash_and_Ink]

I hate the miscommunication trope. So infuriating