Thanks to TikTok, there has been a shift in the way we categorize a lot of romances. While the genre has evolved over the years, different tropes within the genre have definitely grown and evolved in their own way. One of those tropes is "Why Choose."
However, you might be wondering exactly what a Why Choose Romance is. And perhaps even what some examples of this trope are.
First, Why Choose is exactly what it sounds like when it comes to a romance book. It is essentially a story with polyamory, as our leading man or woman doesn't have to choose one romantic partner and instead gets to love them all. In the past, this trope has been referred to as Reverse Harem when it comes to one woman and multiple men. And while menage has also been used for this type of romance, as the genre has evolved, both menage and Reverse Harem have seemingly been abandoned.
It does make sense that Reverse Harem has been ditched as a descriptor as there are some negative connotations associated with the name. And while menage is still used, in a lot of Why Choose cases, the name doesn't quite fit. That is because there are plenty of romances with more than three people involved in the relationship.
Why Choose can fall under any number of genres under the romance umbrella, although we quite often see it under the umbrella of fantasy or paranormal romances. There are quite a few authors that seem to primarily write Why Choose romances, and as a fan myself, this is a great thing.
So what are some suggestions or examples for Why Choose Romances?
What are some examples of the Why Choose Romance books?
Elle Thorpe's Saint View books, including the Saint View Prison trilogy, the Saint View Psychos trilogy and Saint View High, are contemporary romance Why Choose books (these also fall under the dark romance category). These are books we have recommended in the past and will continue to recommend for fans of dark romances.
The Merry Gentry Series and the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series by Laurell K. Hamilton would both qualify as Why Choose. That being said, there are plenty who would argue that these books are not romances (and since you often find them in the fantasy and science fiction sections of the bookstore that makes sense). However, there is no denying that these are absolutely books featuring a Why Choose storyline.
- The Allendale Four by Angel Lawson (This is the complete series)
- Broken Bonds by J. Bree (First book in a six-book series.)
- Colters' Woman by Maya Banks (First book in a series.)
- Three Second Chances for Christmas by Rebel Bloom
- Ten Hammers by Liz Archer
- Tink and the Lost Boys by Montana Ash and T.J. Spade
- Planet Glecerus by Olivia Black (First book in a gay romance series featuring both couples and poly groups.)
- Den of Vipers by KA Knight
- Ensnared by Rebecca Quinn (First book in a series.)
- Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me by Jaclyn Osborn (A four book gay romance series.)
- Sweetheart Part One and Two by Marie MacKay
- No Pucking Way by C.R. Jane and May Dawson
There are hundreds if not thousands of books that fall under the category of Why Choose, which means that it is impossible to really give a full scope of the books that would be part of this trope. That being said, these examples above are all books that I have read myself and can confirm are in fact multiple-partner romances.
So did you know what Why Choose was? Are you a fan of these romances?