Ashlee Mallory | From Ugly Duckling to Swan…an evolving trope

It seems that every romance reader has their own personal favorite tropes that they’re drawn to when they select a romance to read. You know, those little hooks like secret baby, enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend stories that they just can’t get enough of? One of my longest standing favorite tropes is the Ugly Duckling to Swan/Makeover trope. You know, when the girl, for whatever reason, is never really “seen” by the man of her dreams until some miraculous makeover?

Fortunately, my idea of a swoony-worthy ugly duckling retelling has changed from when I was thirteen to now. Back then, it seemed the idea was that WE had to be the ones to change, like poor Sandy did for Danny in Grease. Today I’m glad that we can recognize that if our heroine ended up with a guy who only saw her AFTER the big makeover, she’d be stuck with a superficial twit who never really loved her for her inner beauty and character.

When I set out to write this ugly duckling story, I wanted the woman to be funny and spirited and already attractive in her own personal way—but lacking the confidence to see herself in the role of beauty to anyone. Benny Sorensen, I knew, would fit that bill, and the only man for her would be playboy and ad man Henry Ellison, her own personal Henry Higgins if you will.

Can I just say how much I loved and adored writing about Benny and had so much fun experiencing her coming into her own, despite her own misgivings and insecurities? She was so witty and charming and funny that Henry Ellison was bound to fall in love with her, and—I don’t think I’m giving any spoilers when I say—he does fall for her. Hard.

Here’s a quick peek at one such tutelage session:

“Get him talking about something he likes. Check. Nod and smile, look as if I’m hanging on his every word. Check. Giggle and laugh at everything he says because my brain is too soft and empty to have anything more to do than engage him. Check.”

He smiled at the annoyance in Benny’s voice. The disgruntled look on her face. “Oh, and don’t forget to lean forward as much as you can, preferably in a low-neckline top with a lacy bra underneath.”

“Should I baby talk, too? Maybe ask him if I can massage his feet?”

“If you think it might help.” Her brows drew together in vexation again, and he chuckled. “Okay, I’m not saying you have to do all this. But—I’m not proud to admit this—all men, even the best of us, are still little boys underneath. We want to be assured that a woman likes us. Finds us irresistible. But it’s a fine line. You want to be interested but not an easy conquest.”

“I’ve lost half my brain cells just listening to all of this.” She set her plate down.

“Just give it a try. Also, lick your lips a lot. You have great lips. You want to draw his attention to them. Make him want to kiss you.”

“All those years in medical school, and now I’m resigned to licking my lips to elicit his interest. Great.”

“You’re forgetting the bigger picture. These are just little tricks, small steps you can take to initially capture his interest. His attention. Once Luke’s looking at you with more than clinical interest and more actual bona fide sexual interest, then it’s up to you to keep his attention. Engage him in any debate or whatever burning medical question you two might want. Just be sure that when it’s all over he still wants to slip his tongue down your throat.”

She wadded up her napkin and threw it at him. “You’re disgusting.”

He grinned. “But I know what I’m talking about.”

For fun, I came up with a list of some of the most memorable makeover movies that I grew up with and loved.