One common theme is identity. When a girl disguises as a boy, she has to constantly grapple with who she really is and who she is pretending to be. For example, in 'The Song of the Lioness', Alanna has to hide her femininity while also coming to terms with her own strength as a female knight.
The theme of secrecy also runs through these novels. The girl has to keep her true identity a secret, which adds a layer of tension and drama to the romance. The fear of being discovered can create a lot of emotional turmoil, and when the truth finally comes out, it can either strengthen or shatter the relationship. This is seen in many such novels where the moment of revelation of the girl's true identity is a crucial turning point in the romantic storyline.
There is 'His Fair Assassin' series as well. In this series, the female assassins often have to disguise themselves as boys for various missions. The books are full of action, intrigue and a bit of romance. The disguises play an important part in the story, as the girls have to navigate in a male - dominated world while keeping their true identities secret.
One popular 'girl disguised as boy' romance novel is 'Mulan: A Novel'. It is based on the well - known Mulan story. Mulan disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army, and during her journey, she forms deep relationships and there are elements of romance. Another is 'The Two Princesses of Bamarre'. The main character has to disguise as a boy at some points and there is a romantic sub - plot.
One key element is the motivation. For example, it could be for a performance like in a play or a movie. Another is the appearance change. This includes things like wearing girl's clothes, having a wig, and makeup. Also, the reactions of others are important. Whether it's the shock of friends, family, or strangers when they see the boy disguised as a girl.
In some cases, it could be for the pursuit of justice. A boy might disguise as a girl to infiltrate a place or a group where only girls are allowed, in order to expose some wrongdoings or secrets that are hidden within that female - only environment. For example, in a story where there is a conspiracy in a girls' school, a boy could disguise as a girl to investigate.
Love is a common motive. A boy might disguise as a girl to get closer to the person he loves, like in some romantic comedies. He may think it's the only way to be around that person without causing suspicion.
Well, consider a boy named Ben. Ben loved to play pranks. One time, he decided to disguise himself as a girl to fool his family. He found some of his mother's old clothes. He put on a floral dress and a pair of high - heeled shoes which were a bit too big for him. He painted his nails and put on some lipstick. When he walked out in front of his family, they were stunned. His sister was the first to realize it was him and they all had a good laugh about it.
Another is the struggle to maintain the disguise. This can involve things like trying to imitate male behavior, speech patterns, and physical mannerisms. In some fanfictions, the character has to constantly be on guard against accidental reveals, like when changing clothes or during physical activities that could expose their true identity.
One example is 'Twelfth Night' by Shakespeare. In this play, Viola disguises herself as a boy named Cesario. It creates a lot of comical and romantic situations as she gets involved in the affairs of the Duke and Countess. The play explores themes of identity, love, and gender roles through this interesting disguise plot.