Lucy and Joshua despise each other. Every day, at their publishing office, they navigate endless playful tricks and snarky exchanges. Suddenly, a coveted promotion shifts the game. Lucy and Joshua must cooperate despite their natural animosity.
Their forced closeness blurs boundaries, and the sparks become impossible to ignore. Sally Thorne crafts a smart, funny, yet emotionally rich romance.
Readers who enjoy marriages of convenience will appreciate the forced proximity that pushes these two enemies into undeniable chemistry, where pretend feelings soon turn surprisingly real.
When Olive falsely claims she’s dating equally brilliant Professor Adam Carlsen, her quiet grad school life changes drastically. Though their public relationship began as an innocent arrangement to please Olive’s friend, it soon becomes complicated.
Ali Hazelwood portrays the slow-building trust and intimacy between two science-focused individuals within a believable academic setting.
The real charm lies in how effortlessly the fake dating scenario transforms into something genuine, satisfying readers who appreciate how a marriage-of-convenience trope can evolve into authentic romance.
Stella Lane is mathematical, logical, and facing pressure to find romance. Uncomfortable with intimacy, she hires escort Michael Phan for professional tutoring, creating clear boundaries and a clear end-date.
The transactional nature of their arrangement echoes the marriage-of-convenience trope: two strangers together strictly by agreement. Yet, as they spend time together, the boundaries blur and emotions develop naturally.
Helen Hoang depicts deeper truths beneath a seemingly superficial contract, delivering an earnest and heartfelt romance about two people finding love unexpectedly.
In “A Suitable Boy,” Vikram Seth explores traditional Indian society during the 1950s. The story centers around Lata, whose mother is eager to arrange her marriage to an appropriate candidate.
Mismatched priorities and family expectations place marriage as practical obligation rather than romantic choice. Seth skillfully portrays the complexities of arranged relationships.
Readers intrigued by marriage of convenience themes will appreciate this narrative, focused on balancing societal pressure, personal choice, and love in a richly layered and evocative portrayal.
Set in medieval Scotland and England, Julie Garwood’s “The Bride” engages readers with a strong-willed heroine, Jamie, who must marry Alec Kincaid, a powerful Scottish laird, to secure alliances. The arrangement seems pragmatic at first, a strategy for peace rather than passion.
Yet Jamie’s independence and Alec’s protective nature ignite unexpected attraction as both contend with cultural differences and emerging true affection.
This historical romance offers vivid settings, compelling dialogue, and nuanced growth, perfectly illustrating how marriage-of-convenience scenarios blossom into genuine romance.
Evie Jenner desperately proposes marriage to notorious rake Sebastian St. Vincent, believing their mutually beneficial arrangement will offer freedom and fortune to each.
What begins as strict convenience soon shifts, illuminating vulnerability behind Sebastian’s seductive façade and sparking genuine affection. Lisa Kleypas expertly reveals hidden depth within apparently superficial arrangements.
Set in glamorous Regency-era England, “Devil in Winter” provides beloved elements readers seek in marriage-of-convenience stories—unlikely partners gradually discovering a fulfilling emotional connection beneath calculated arrangements.
“Radiance” uniquely combines fantasy elements within a marriage-of-convenience framework. A strategic alliance forces Brishen, a Kai prince, and human noblewoman Ildiko together in marriage.
Initially reluctant, they slowly discover mutual respect and companionship despite stark differences in appearance and culture. Grace Draven opens readers to profound emotional intimacy resulting from friendship and communication rather than instant attraction.
This inventive fantasy effectively highlights the gentle evolution of a forced marriage, proving love can emerge organically even within political contexts and cross-cultural divides.
Catalina urgently needs a fake boyfriend to attend a family wedding in Spain. Aaron, her annoying colleague, surprisingly volunteers. What begins as an arrangement born from necessity quickly shifts into something authentic.
Elena Armas portrays confusion and delight when pretense becomes real attraction, enhanced through beautiful Spanish settings and warm familial dynamics.
Fans of convenient-arrangement-to-real-romance narratives will connect with Catalina’s emotional turmoil and eventual discovery of Aaron’s sincerity, bringing depth and authenticity to a familiar trope.
Jack Hawthorne proposes to Rose, offering marriage to secure her inheritance and business ambitions. The arrangement starts strictly professional and distant, focused fully on practicality and mutual benefit.
Yet Jack, characterized by quiet reserve, gradually reveals deeper feelings beneath his seemingly cold exterior.
Ella Maise beautifully captures subtle emotional transformations, making “Marriage for One” ideal for those who enjoy patiently developed romance within intentional arrangements, ultimately highlighting love’s organic growth behind deliberate transactional beginnings.
To avoid society pressures, Madeline invents a Scottish fiancé, complete with letters describing their imaginary romance. Years later, those fictional letters unexpectedly summon the very real Captain Logan MacKenzie.
Suddenly, Madeline’s fabricated engagement becomes a binding arrangement with genuine stakes.
Filled with humor and charm, Tessa Dare crafts a witty twist on the marriage-of-convenience trope, highlighting how faked relationships sometimes unexpectedly become heartfelt, genuine connections when circumstances force characters together in amusing yet emotionally resonant ways.
Theresa faces a chilling marriage with Sandro, a husband who resents their forced union arranged by families and financial interests. Their initially contentious and cold dynamic dramatically illustrates the harsher realities behind marriages of convenience.
Natasha Anders compellingly portrays emotional vulnerability as Sandro and Theresa attempt to bridge mutual resentment, gradually uncovering softer feelings beneath hurtful misunderstandings.
Readers drawn to realistic portrayals of convenience marriages will appreciate this deeply emotional narrative, highlighting how love can develop even after rough beginnings.
“Arranged” explores a modern take on arranged marriage, depicting Noura and Calder, who enter marriage strictly as business partners aiming for mutual gain.
Initial emotional detachment makes their gradual intimacy more powerful, as hidden truths slowly emerge, complicating their carefully arranged partnership.
Lilley portrays authentic vulnerability and believable emotional conflict, fully embracing contemporary themes and settings.
Readers intrigued by the pragmatism and complexity inherent in modern marriages of convenience will find plenty to appreciate in this realistic exploration.
Set vividly in the American frontier, “Silver Lining” follows Low Down, a gritty yet compassionate woman offered a conditional marriage by a man she rescues. They commit to a temporary arrangement to share resources, land, and surviving difficult times.
Maggie Osborne captures gripping emotional authenticity alongside rugged frontier settings, vividly illustrating genuine romance emerging slowly from harsh, pragmatic beginnings.
This western romance highlights marriages created initially by necessity, portraying honest, gradual relationship growth and credible personal transformations.
In WWII-era Georgia, Elly, a pregnant widow, advertises for a husband. Will Parker, ex-convict, answers her call, creating a quiet, convenience-based arrangement between two loners.
Initially bound by need and circumstance, their marriage provides security and companionship without sentimental attachment. Out of these everyday routines, LaVyrle Spencer crafts a heartfelt connection that quietly and believably evolves into genuine love.
“Morning Glory” perfectly demonstrates marriage-of-convenience themes—the beauty of ordinary relationships forming beneath practical and emotional hardships, creating bonds deeper than first imagined.
Though not explicitly about marriage of convenience, “Jane Eyre” explores thwarted and complicated marriage intentions. Jane, governess at Thornfield Hall, faces the painful reveal of Mr. Rochester’s hidden past and existing complicated marital status.
This emotionally complex, gothic romance examines marriage not as fulfilled arrangement, but as emotional turmoil born from secrets and obligation.
Charlotte Brontë highlights marriage as central to society and status, examining how love clashes with concealments, secrecy, and societal rules, portraying marriage obligations and romantic choices in sharply tense contrast.