Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books
Forced-proximity romance books are one of my favorite romance tropes. The stories are fun and predictable with people who do not want to be together. I knew I needed to make a list of my favorite forced-proximity romance books so you can read the best ones.
Forced proximity trope books put characters in situations where they are forced to spend time together in very close situations. Often this is due to external circumstances such as being stranded together or sharing living spaces. You can see this in books where people are forced to share the same bed! Often these are also enemies to lovers romances as well and I have a list of those too.
The proximity creates emotional intimacy that can lead to the development of romantic feelings.
At Beyond the Bookends, we love, forced proximity romances because it feels like good karma when the two protagonists finally get together. Who doesn’t crave a story where the universe seems to intervene on behalf of love?
The Best Forced Proximity Romances
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Contemporary Forced Proximity Books
Lockdown on London Lane – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Spicy Forced Proximity Romance
Act Your Age Eve Brown – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Historical Forced Proximity Romance
The Devil and the Heiress – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
YA Forced Proximity Romance
Ten Things I Hate About Pinky – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
*Forced Proximity Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Contemporary Forced Proximity Books
Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles
Author: Beth Reekles
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
More info: USA Today’s February Rom-Com to Read
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This story is so adorable! It’s Love Actually, Quarantine edition. It’s not a scary pandemic read AT ALL. Instead, it’s an interwoven tale of various couples stuck together for a week-long lockdown.
There is a group of bachelorettes, a new couple who have only shown their good sides to each other, an established couple struggling, a man separated from his girlfriend, and my personal favorite – a one-night stand turned week-long visit.
Trigger Warnings
Pandemic
Why Kirsten loves it
Charming and hysterical, this contemporary fiction book lifted my spirits and had me laughing out loud which is amazing for a quarantine fiction.
Find this book in: isolation novels / forced proximity trope
The Roughest Draft
Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegmind Broka
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Katrina and Nathan are cowriting literary darlings that have not spoken since the release of their last book, three years ago. It also happens to be their greatest success.
Now, they have one more book in their contract and they are forced to come together and write it. Stuck together in a small house and writing a romance with someone you never wanted to see again…that can be stressful enough without feelings getting involved.
Why Jackie like it
This is an adorable romance about writers. What could be better for a book lover?
Find this book in: Celebrity Romance / Forced Proximity Trope / Poolside Reads / Romance Books About Books
Float Plan
Author: Trish Doller
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: Good Morning America Must-Readd
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Anna is heartbroken after the loss of her fiance and decides that she is going to embark on the sailing trip she was supposed to take with him- solo. After a disastrous night, she realizes that she cannot do it on her own and hires a professional sailer to help her. Keane is struggling with his life path as well. Together on the boat these two learn that they can move forward without forgetting their past.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This forced proximity romance follows the romance script with perfect predictability which means that it is perfect if you are looking for a romance. Even though there are some heavier elements, I didn’t feel that the book ventured too much from the typical romance path. I enjoyed it.
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Best Boat Books and Sailing Novels
The Name Curse
Author: Brooke Burroughs
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Bernie is nothing like her great aunt Bernice. Bernice was adventurous and spontaneous while Bernie has not taken a vacation in years.
When her friends and family convince her to go on a hike to Alaska, Bernie can’t find an excuse not to go. When she meets Matthew on the trailhead and discovers that the two will be required to share a tent, he is annoyed and she questions her choices.
Why Jackie loves it
This forced proximity romance was such a fun read. Bernie and Matthew are funny and sweet and I loved every minute.
Find this book in: Books About Camp / Forced Proximity Trope Romance
Spicy Forced Proximity Romance Books
Act your Age Eve Brown
Author: Talia Hibbert
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: The Brown Sisters #3
Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is the third book in the Brown Sisters trilogy and I adored this forced proximity romance. Eve Brown is a mess. She switches jobs and careers on a whim and can’t seem to do anything right. When her parents cut her off and tell her to find a job, she finds herself at a bed and breakfast interviewing for a chef position.
After Eve accidentally hits the owner of the B&B with her car, she begins the job helping Jacob, the reluctant owner. This hilarious and steamy romance was a perfect one-sitting read. These two have a lot standing in their way before they can reach their happily ever after.
Why Jackie loves it
While this book is a romance at its finest, it is also so much more. As Eve comes to learn more about herself, the reader gets to take the emotional journey with her.
Find this book in: Enemies-to-Lovers Romance / Books Like the Kiss Quotient / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Forced Proximity Romance Books / Complete List of Romance Tropes / Office Romances
No Judgments
Author: Meg Cabot
Year:
Genre:
More info: Little Bridge Island 1 of 4
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range:
Plot
This is one of the novels about weather that uses a hurricane as a major plot focus. Bree has gotten over her ex, so she thinks riding out a hurricane will be no problem until she learns about all the pets separated from their owners on her little island. She knows that she has to save and rescue to animals. She needs help and Drew is the only choice- even if he is her boss’s nephew.
It was so easy to read with the perfect amount of love story and animal rescue.
Why Jackie loves it
The writing isn’t deep but has more to it than I thought it would when I picked it up. This book is the perfect “rom-com” and is a perfect example of a forced proximity trope.
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Novels about Weather, Hurricanes, and Blizzards
The Hating Game: A Novel
Author: Sally Thorne
Year: 2016
Genre: Romance
More info: Movie starring Lucy HAle and Austen Stowell
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This enemies-to-lovers office romance book was recently adapted and we hope it is as steamy as the book. After two publishing houses merge, executive assistants for the two owners are in fierce competition with each other for a promotion.
These office enemies quickly realize that the tension is an attraction as well. But, is the attraction real, or is it a ploy to get the promotion? The forced proximity trope is at its best in this steamy romance
Why Jackie loves it
This is a romance book that has a little bit of everything. I loved the competition netween the two and the fact that it takes place in a publishing house is even better!
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books /Complete List of Romance Tropes / Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books / Enemies to Lovers Books / Hot Office Romances
By the Book
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
More info: Meant to Be #2
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Isabelle was overjoyed when she landed her dream job in publishing as an editorial assistant. She is also the only Black employee. She has been waiting for a promotion for two years and decides she will earn that by going to the mansion of a celebrity with an overdue memoir. All she has to do is give him the right pep talk to encourage him to write the book.
This task is not as easy as it seems. Beau is standoffish, stubborn, and difficult. Soon Izzy finds herself living in his house and helping him with his book.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Parent
Why Jackie loves it
The forced proximity also helps her find something that she needs- the confidence to ask for what she wants. You’ll love this fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast!
Find this book in: Grumpy Sunshine / Jasmine Guillory Books/ Fairy Tale Retellings / Romance Books About Books
The Spanish Love Deception
Author: Elena Armas
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Catalina is a fiercely independent woman who ran away from her past but now she has to face it at her sister’s wedding where her former fiance is the best man.
She needs a fake boyfriend – and fast! Enter Aaron her annoying and grumpy co-worker who offers to help her with her ruse. As they put their differences aside to help each other out, their love begins to grow. This is the fake dating trope at its best.
Why Kirsten loves it
While I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance in this book, at over 500 pages this office romance novel was just a bit too long
Find this book in: Grumpy Sunshine / Enemies-to-Lovers / Office Romance / Forced Proximity Trope Romance
Historical Forced Proximity Romance Books
The Devil and the Heiress
Author: Harper St. George
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: BuzzFeed Best Romance 2021
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This time, Violet Crenshaw, looking to escape an arranged marriage to an odious man, looks to the Earl of Leigh to help her escape to Scotland. But the Earl has a different plan with the bubbly lady he wishes to call his own.
Why Kirsten loves it
The follow-up to Harper St. George’s Gilded Age romance series was another fun pick featuring the younger Crenshaw heiress. This time, the book is set in Scotland!
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Books Like Outlander / Books About Scotland
Romancing The Duke
Author: Tessa Dare
Year: 2014
Genre: Romance
More info: Castles Ever After 1 of 3
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range:18+
Plot
Tessa Dare’s stories are some of my favorite historical romances. She always finds ways to inject humor into her books. This particular book is the first in a series in which a man dies and leaves a castle to each of our heroines, who are known spinsters.
In this story, Izzy wants to be a writer so retreats to her castle to write her novels. Meanwhile, Ransom shows up at the castle he still believes is rightfully his. Hilarity and romance ensue.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved this grumpy sunshine romance novel based on Beauty and the Beast and it is another perfect pick for books like Bridgerton. The humor mixed with the romance is the perfect touch.
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Fairy Tale Retellings for Adults / Best Historical Romance Novels / Books Like Bridgerton / Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books
The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore
Author:
Year:
Genre:
More info: League of Extraordinary Women Book 4 of 4
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range:
Plot
I love Evie Dunmore and cannot wait for this this is the fourth book in “A League of Extraordinary Women” series. Catriona Campbell is a suffragist who is content working at Oxford and is determined to write a book. When Elias Khoury arrives at Oxford to help classify old artifacts, Cat quickly realizes that he is not honest with his reasons for being at Oxford. He is determined to take the stolen artifacts back to his homeland where they belong.
Now, these two must travel together in this forced proximity romance that quickly becomes something resembling a game of chess.
Why Jackie loves it
This romance is a funny and light-hearted historical romance that will leave you smiling.
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance
YA Forced Proximity Romance Books
10 Things I Hate About Pinky
Author: Sandhya Menon
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Romance
More info: When Dimple Met Rishi #3
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Samir and Pinky are complete opposites. Pinky is a wild child who is tired of her family thinking the worst of her. Samir is the type of guy that all parents love. When his internship at a law firm falls through and Pinky lies to her family and tells them she has a new boyfriend, a scheme is hatched.
Samir comes to stay with Pinky’s family for the summer at their Cape Cod house and Samir does not have to go home to his over-protective mother. Of course, with the forced proximity, they both start to develop real feelings in their fake relationship.
Why Jackie likes it
This fake dating book was a fun read that didn’t quite have the same chemistry as Dimple and Rishi. It may be that I related less because Samir and Pinky are high school students.
Find this book in: Books with Colors in the Title / Forced Proximity Trope Books / Fake Dating Books / Fun Books for Teens
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Year: 2020
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: #1 Bestselling series
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book has a cult-like following for a reason. The first book in the series is a loose fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the world of Prythian. Magical creatures, humans, and fae are all prominent in the book.
When Feyre kills a wolf in the words, a creature arrives at her house to drag her to a magical land that she has only heard about in stories told to terrify children. Now, she must remain a captor of Tamlin, a fae, as retribution.
This is a fast-paced, addicting, fantasy romance series with a love triangle that develops by the end of the novel. Book two is jaw-dropping! This series is on its way to becoming a classic that you will want to binge in one week.
While this book is technically the first book in a YA fantasy series, the later books become very steamy. The first book is appropriate for YA but Jackie and I agree that the later books in the series are strictly for 18 and up. We are so excited this is going to be one of the Hulu book adaptations.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling and love a good fantasy romance. Put them together in a book written by Sarah J. Maas and you get a fantastic story.
Why Jackie loves it
The first book is just a warm-up for the rest of the series. Initially, you think you know where this story is headed, but I promise that it will take so many twists and turns, that you will not want to put this book (and the rest of the series) down.
Find this book in: Popular Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Sarah J Maas Books in Order / Fairy Tale Retellings / Best Books by Jewish Writers / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / ACOTAR Books in order
Expert Tip
What is a forced proximity romance and how should I choose which one to read?
A forced proximity romance places characters in situations where they are forced to spend time together in very close situations due to external circumstances such as being stranded or sharing living spaces. Often this can be seen as sharing the same bed! The proximity creates emotional intimacy that can lead to the development of romantic feelings.
If you are trying to choose from this list you can:
- Look at the other romance tropes in the story
- Read Kirsten and my descriptions of the books to see what appeals to you
- Are you a “Jackie” or a “Kirsten”? Look to see who read the book or, choose one we both read and loved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Forced Proximity Trope Romances?
The forced proximity romance trope places characters in situations where they are forced to spend time together in very close situations due to external circumstances such as being stranded or sharing living spaces. Often this can be seen as sharing the same bed! The proximity creates emotional intimacy that can lead to the development of romantic feelings.
Why Do We Love Forced Proximity Romance Books
We love, forced proximity romances because it feels like good karma when the two protagonists finally get together. Who doesn’t crave a story where the universe seems to intervene on behalf of love?
Related Content
Epilogue
What is your favorite forced proximity romance trope book? There are so many fantastic books on this list. I would love any recommendations that you have- feel free to send them my way!
The Complete List of Romance Tropes: Our 12 Favorites
Looking for more romances categorized by trope? Here are all my favorites.
Ultimate List of Romances
If you love all things romance, then this is the list for you! This is carefully divided by sub-genres like second-chance romance books, romcoms, and more.
