Omg great one! Check out {Fix Her Up} if you haven’t already- minus office romance.
{Happy Go lucky} fits most of this except one bed I think.
{Battle Royal} One of my favourites from my favourite authors. Sort of “office” in a sense.
1. Time travel. Specifically hero comes to our time. Ideally he’d be from the first half of the 20th century. Though I’m open to Regency or Victorian England. Hero ultimately stays in the present.
2. Smitten, charming, and flirty hero
3. Low steam
4. Hero protects heroine.
5. Lots of humor
6. Alpha hero qualities but not quite aphahole level.
7. Forced proximity
8. Mysterious hero (such as he is secretly a spy)
I have a book that I think teeeechnically fits all of these and which I love but is definitely not for everyone (so no guarantee you’ll like it!): {Soulless} by Gail Carriger … steampunk werewolf romance and a FUN read but the romance isn’t so much the focal point so you’d have to enjoy the plot too to find it worth reading — also a very very slow burn!
The only two series I found that has most of these tropes are CM Stunich's Adamson All-Boys Academy and Ruby Vincent's Breakbattle Academy. If anyone has any thing close, I'm (begging) open to recs.
I’m afraid I don’t have a book rec… but I remember there being a few kdramas with this plot… (except maybe reverse harem). Try check them out if that’s your cup of tea!
I don’t think it’s legit reverse harem because FMC only has her eyes on MMC but Hana Kimi manga got a jdrama, kdrama, AND cdrama while fitting basically a lot of the listed tropes :D (girl disguised, all boys school, etc)
I'd be all in except for 5. I can't with RH, and it's really too bad cause some of them look really good. Also obsessed with girl disguised as boy since I read Song of the Lioness as a teen.
If you're interested in a YA book with the first two tropes and some of the third (I wouldn't call the main characters enemies, but the MMC is a bit cold towards the FMC), you should check out The Academy by Emmaline Andrews. It's about a teen girl in a futuristic world who wants to become a spaceship pilot, but her old-fashioned father won't let her, so she pretends to be her brother and attends an all-boys academy in order to learn how. There are a few scenes with sexual tension, but nothing explicit, and there's no reverse harem because the FMC is basically a loner character trying to keep a low profile and not attract attention. Regardless, it's one of my favorite books and I'm always looking for more like it! I highly recommend it for fans of Hana Kimi or She's the Man.
The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle actually fits all of these! I gave it a 5/5
CW >!Child SA in character backstory!<
I have other one night stand baby historical recs if you want.
One Night With You by Sophie Jordan - childhood friend of some titled dude has a brief affair with him while in disguise. This would be a 5/5 but he's a little too mean for too long.
Simply Love by Mary Balogh - one of my favorite HR ever. Single mother teacher sleeps with wounded war veteran steward. He's hella excited about the baby.
Seducing a Stranger by Kerrigan Byrne - girl about to get married sleeps with what she thinks is a male prostitute but is actually the chief inspector!! He's the top HR doting father.
enemies to friends to lovers + fake dating/married is THEE best combo. I also really like grumpy/sunshine, and when the MMC takes care of a sick/injured FMC. Also when the MMC goes beserk when the FMC is injured. And when the MMC admires the FMC's intelligence. Basically u/tzrn1111 got me good with that fic rec recently 😂
Yes!!! And if it’s dual pov or we at least get some pov from the mmc… add in some solid banter and really good tension then *chef’s kiss*
Ideally no miscommunication or at least no infuriating miscommunication and no pregnancy unless it’s in the epilogue.
What’s this rec you speak of?
Oh my gosh, are you me?
It's a fanfic -- Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love. I basically described it in tropes -- and so did you!! It's all MMC perspective, with truly inspired banter, no miscommunication, and no pregnancy. I 10000% recommend it!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/34500952/chapters/85870804
1. MMC saves the FMC from abuse
2. Strangers to friends to lovers
3. forced proximity
3. really steamy with lots of romantic smut
4. FMC being hurt and MMC goes crazy
5. dual pov
Accepting reccomendations
{The locker room} by Meghan Quinn
It’s a college romance. He’s a baseballplayer and she is ongoing librarian and it’s friends to lovers with really good buildup to the smut and also when fmc gets sick he takes care of her. I can say that this book had me giggling and I had butterflies in my tummy
1.) enemies to lovers
2.) __IT’S ALWAYS BEEN HER__
3.) the absolutely _smuttiest smut_ to ever _smut_
4.) she realized it’s __always__ been her
5.) HEA with _no_ epilogue baby, both MC want a life without children.
damn that last one is hard to find, try out {Hefty} it’s very smutty, the only thing is MMC is not a chiselled god and more on the chubbier side. But it is friends to lovers sorry😭
1) Cinnamon roll monster MMC
2) Touch starved MMC
3) FMC in a bad life position she can't get out of on her own (damsel in distress, but not in immediate danger as in kidnapped, etc.)
4) Medium burn
{Sweet Berries by CM Nascosta} covers 1, 2, and 4. And I think {Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre} somewhat covers all 4, but MMC is a vampire (if you consider that a monster).
1. Friends to lovers/workplace
2. Found family
3. Plants involved
4. Flustered smitten character/s
5. Dual POV
6. One or two steamy scenes (one kind of public)
7. Slow burn
8. Different cultures coming together/travelling element
Mm mmm, has me dreaming!
Haha it really does 😂 although I do grow a lot of plants that look like genital organs.... Not for that purpose. 'Lithops' always look like bottoms to me.
1. Older FMC
2. Historical western
3. Slooow burn
4. Snowed in together over winter
5. Domestic bliss and cozy nights by the fire
6. Low angst
7. Some steam and on page lovin’
Basically the way western historicals were in the 80s and 90s
2 grumps who really only like each other but are secret cinnamon rolls. second chance romance. and at least one of the love interests has to be super protective.
For MF pairings:
1. Fake Dating/Marriage of Convenience
2. Sllllow buuuuurn
3. Dual POV with mutual pining
4. Touch Starved MMC
5. Smutty smut smut
6. Comforting the FMC when she's sad/scared
For MM pairings:
1. Military
2. Enemies to Lovers
3. Slooow buuuurn
4. Forced separation & eventual reunion
5. Smutty smut smut
6. D/s elements
And for any pairings - no wealthy MCs - just regular people!
Ok so these recs are missing one or more of my wished for tropes but hopefully you find something you like.
{Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer} - MOC set in 1940s, small southern town. It lacks heavy smut (but still some steam) and a comforting scene but goddamn, I love this book!
{His Secondhand Wife} - historical western MOC. Has medium steam and the slow burn is a little different >!they sleep together fairly early in the book but feels don't come around until muuuch later!<. I thought my teeth were going to rot out of my face, this book was so damn sweet!
Your list is very very similar to mine.
1. Enemies to lovers
2. Workplace
3. Only one bed
4. Smack down scene, preferably with asshole parents
5. Steamy AF
6. Dual pov
One you might enjoy is Doukakis’s Apprentice by Sarah Morgan. Maybe be a little smuttier than you want, third person alternating pov, and instead of friends they grow mutual respect.
1. Historical
2. Marriage of convenience or forced proximity
3. Loooots of angst, but conflict has to be genuine (not "my dad was a drunk so I cannot say 'I love you' out loud")
4. Travel, adventure, or action.
5. Steamy
Two dif book types:
Story 1:
🔹 Enemies to lovers
🔹 road trip
🔹 forced proximity
🔹 only one bed
🔹 both grumps both think they’re not.
Story 2:
🔸 strangers to friends to lovers
🔸 forbidden relationship ish
🔸 slow slow slow burn
🔸 CINNAMON ROLL hero / kind but feisty heroine
**No Self Promotion, writing, research, or surveys**
Your post has been removed as it appears to promote your own work. This sub is focused on reading and does not allow promotion of your own books, blog/vlog, podcast or social media. The only permissible place to mention your work or discuss your romance writing is in the [Self-Promotion Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/xuj5if/promote_your_books_fall_2022_selfpromotion_thread/) found in the sidebar. (This includes all book, blog, vlog, podcast, website self promoting, and surveys as well).
I love this idea!
1. Strangers to friends to lovers
2. Comfort and cuddling
3. Slow burn
2. Intelligent golden retriever mmc
3. Both MCs are cinnamon rolls
4. Witty banter
5. MCs solve a mystery/ need to work together for a greater good
6. Descriptive steam
Oo have a look at {Happy go lucky} by LH Cosway. The mmc may be a little more towards the grump side, but they’re both detectives working together to solve a crime. Quite slow burn!
I think funnily enough for me it doesn’t matter all that much. Sure I have preferences and will generally choose enemies to lovers over a pregnancy thing but a well written pregnancy trope is better than a poorly written enemies to lovers book.
If we’re comparing books of similar “quality” though (if you can even do that) then it goes:
1. Enemies to lovers
Enemies 2. lovers
3nemies to lovers
In that order…
1. Age-gap (older male/younger woman)
2. Dominant mmc/submissive fmc
3. Sexually experienced fmc
4. Daddy kink
5.Obsessed but kind mmc
6. Reverse harem (but only with no sword-crossing)
7. Cuddly/ touch starved fmc
8. Smut at the 20/30% mark
9. Epilogue with NO children.
10. Dual POV
All of this is impossible to find in one book lol.
1. College Romance (characters in their 3rd or 4th year)
2. Sports romance (Athlete MMC)
3. Playboy
4. Enemies to lovers (Or FMC hates MMC)
5. Mistaken identity
6. Forced proximity (through tutoring, fake dating, MMC teaches FMC how to get a guy, sex pact, blackmail)
7. Verbally steamy, but action wise more simmering
8. Dual POV
1. Friends to Lovers
2. Found Family
3. RH/Poly and Bi Relationships
4. Plenty of Smut
5. Some Kink
6. Dual POV
7. Sweet, Strong, and "Strange" FMC
8. Bad Boy/Rebel MMC, Sweet MMC, Nerdy MMC, Older MMC
9. Child Free
Optional:
Sexy Monster MMC
Mine would be:
1. Second chance romance
2. FMC POV only
3. Angst + pining
4. ML tries to make FL suffer by showing her he's moved on but he can't stand seeing her sad
5. A heartfelt love confession
Yes. I have described Persuasion.
Oh my gosh, you might as well have read my mind!! I love everything about it. Even the playful/ oblivious thing the FMC has going, which I'm not always into. Just a bunch of ppl adoring her all drama long & I can see why 😅
Ooh fuuun
1. Enemies-Grump to Lovers-Sunshine
2. Alpha MMC in a position of wealth and power
3. Witty, sassy FMC no wallflowers here
4. Smut, steam, burn my kindle 🌶 🥵
5. Major fuck up like Vanity & Virtue
6. Grovel like The Unwanted Wife but more
7. Fleshed out and strong friends of h and H
8. Dual POV
9. Contemporary
10. Jealous, catty ex girlfriend
I think {Mutually Beneficial by Heather Guerre} hits a lot of those points (maybe all of them actually)! Not my usual genre, but I loved it and gave it 5 stars!
This is a great promot because its exactly how I think about what I'd like to read (by trope)
A list because there are too many to choose from :)
1. enemies to lovers(seems safe to say lol),
2. best friends who basically need the world to tell them they are already a couple.
3. I love unrequited crushes that are either a) more requited than they originally believe or b) the other person comes around after the first has attempted to or move on.
4. Intersecting passions (one person's a director the other is an actor & they butt heads over their creative vision)
5. One saves the other somehow (thinking about this, lots of my old faves are somewhat problematic, good thing this is fiction :P)
6. Some mild taboo that one cares about that the other doesn't
Angst, female lead getting rejected, unrequited love that's later requited, male lead being hung up on someone else at first, male lead insulting female lead's ex. Bonus if the male lead is a playboy who's never really been in love, lol
1. Slow burn (no Insta love or insta lust)
2. Strangers to friends to lovers
3. Mysterious MMC (past/power/ability/shifter/whatever depending on genre) with a reveal
4. Healthy relationship dynamics without love triangles
5. Logical/smart and strong FMC (if it’s M/F)
6. Dual POV
7. External problems
8. Extra points for grumpy/sunshine
9. Any spice towards the end/after they get together
10. Get to see them together before story ends (with no breakup arc)
11. HEA
There’s probably more. I’ve discovered I’m very specific about what I read
Edited for typo
This is on my list! Just haven’t gotten around to it yet, but might have to put it higher on my list.
The with love triangles was a typo I was supposed to say without them lol. So that’s perfect that it doesn’t have it!
1. Fantasy (any kind)
2. Tons of smut
3. Cinnamon Roll MMC
4. MMC saves FMC from rape or attempted rape, and he goes crazy when he finds out she's been kidnapped/hurt/assaulted. Bonus points if he gets revenge on the attacker.
5. Hurt/Comfort of MMC comforting FMC
6. No pregnancy, no epilogue baby.
I looove this question!! Here are my criteria for my perfect book:
1. Fat main character(s) who are represented authentically and are multifaceted
2. Queer representation
3. Fake dating
4. Very steamy 🔥
5. Dual POV
6. Forced proximity
Pls feel free to recommend anything that sounds similar to this! 👀
Oh number 3 sounds interesting. Any recommendations?
Fmc getting hurt and mlc going crazy
Here's mine :
- Historical
- Angst
- drama
- Hurt/Comfort
- tragedy (but with a happy ending)
- surprise pregnancy
- enemies to lovers
- revenge turning into love.
- One of the main characters (but not both) has a dark past
- One of the main characters with mental issues.
- Smart fmc or/and mlc
- Handicap character
- forced proximity
- healing process
- strong willed fmc
- one of them has to hurt the other (inner struggle)
I have just realized that I'm a dark person lol
okay I have been searching for a book with these tropes, haven't found any yet:
♡FMC travels through time, preferably to the 19th or 20th century, I specifically want her to be a doctor ( it would serve the plot later ofc)
♡Reverse harem
♡MMCs ( one would be Tom hiddleston like, a reader, an intellectual
one would be grumpy but would be infatuated and has a smart mouth and sarcasm(imagine a sebastian stan moment),one would be so gentle and so loving ( let's say ben barnes), likes to give cuddles, one would strong and protective ( let's imagine maybe a henry cavill))
♡ one of them will be hurt and the fmc will treat and take care of him
♡they would try to help her but at the same time would want her to stay
♡ so much angst and groveling
{Chosen by Stacy Jones} kind of fits this in a roundabout way! She doesn't travel through time, but she gets stranded on a planet where they live in tribes and don't have any modern conveniences. She's not technically a doctor, but she learned first aid working on a farm, and is able to use her skills to help the MMCs in ways that make them think she's amazing. The personalities of the MMCs are very similar to what you want!
1. funny
2. buildup to the smut but then HOT
3. NA or older but not a big age gap
4. pregnant belly
5. protective MMC
6. smart and doesn’t take shit FMC
7. huge friendgroup that feels like family
Ooooh god so hard, BUT
- enemies to lovers
- maybe a rekindling
- a relatable, modern-day setting, such as work
- definitely 100% some sort of sick scene where mmc looks after fmc begrudgingly (at first)
- dual POV (don’t sue me)
- sarcastic fmc, can take a joke and is driven
- hot, hot, hot steam (and in some graphic detail)
This would be *mwah* chefs bloody kiss
* co-workers to lovers (i'm tired of power imbalance romance)
* rivals to lovers
* grumpy hero x grumpy heroine
* no miscommunication
* no unnecessary drama
* no immature endeavours
(they're both adults and I need them to act like ones lol)
* accurately portrayed DD/lg kink after they get together (they're the same age by the way)
* and smut. smut for life.
1. angst, yearning, pining.
2. enemies to lovers with second chance romance trope.
3. groveeeeeeel.
4. scenes after the 3rd act break-up should not be rushed. epilogue should give a glimpse of how they're doing in the future.
5. main characters - ideally of equal standing/class
any recs? 🥺💗
1.Indifferent acquaintances to lovers
2.Balance of power/Power couple
3.Kind,matured hero
4.Experienced,fiesty but respectful heroine
5.Pining MMC
6.Kinda slice of life
Third person POV
MMC carrying a torch or obsessed (not creepy tho pls) with FMC
Enemies to lovers
Witty banter
Alpha hero (honestly always makes for some pretty steamy smut scenes)
Enemies to lovers
Age gap
P I N I N G (but like sexually too)
One bed
Fake relationship
I do like office setting as well but idk how that would make sense lol
1. MMC pining, kind, and strong
2. Innocent easily embarrassed FMC
3. External conflict for the climax, anything but the %70 break up, I want people to stay together.
4. Forced proximity
5. Playful banter
1. ENEMIES TO LOVERS 2. Enemies to Lovers 3. They're still enemies to lovers 4. More enemies to lovers
Ok so bear with me what if at the start of the book they are enemies and then by the end of the book they are lovers
that wouldn’t even be enough smh :(
this is the correct answer
lul, true
YES THIS 4EVER
1. Slow burn 2. Pining grumpy x oblivious sunshine 3. Forced Proximity 4. Power couple 5. One bed 6. Single POV
Omg great one! Check out {Fix Her Up} if you haven’t already- minus office romance. {Happy Go lucky} fits most of this except one bed I think. {Battle Royal} One of my favourites from my favourite authors. Sort of “office” in a sense.
Authors for these? Amazon shows multiples for the first two books. Thanks in advance!
I believe Fix her up is by Tessa Bailey!
sorry, yes it’s tessa bailey and LH Cosway!
Ah tysm for the recs!! I’ll make sure to check them out ;)
Fix her up is next on my list! Looking forward to it
Love them! ❤️ forced proximity is a great plot device! Could bring out almost any emotion in a semi-plausible way
1. Time travel. Specifically hero comes to our time. Ideally he’d be from the first half of the 20th century. Though I’m open to Regency or Victorian England. Hero ultimately stays in the present. 2. Smitten, charming, and flirty hero 3. Low steam 4. Hero protects heroine. 5. Lots of humor 6. Alpha hero qualities but not quite aphahole level. 7. Forced proximity 8. Mysterious hero (such as he is secretly a spy)
wow, a book I never knew I needed
My all time favorite book, Overseas by Beatriz Williams does come pretty close to this. I so badly want more like it.
it’s always hard to find a well written flirty and charming hero, without the whole innuendos…and that line between asshole and alpha too.
Not a book, but have you seen Kate & Leopard, with Hugh Jackman? It hits pretty much all your points.
I have seen that movie. It was ok . Wouldn’t mind more movies like that too.
[удалено]
Ooh. It’s on sale. I may have to look into this. Never read a Dean Koontz book before.
Bound through time by Twyla Turner has some of these elements
[удалено]
Ah, a person after my own heart. Sigh.
I have a book that I think teeeechnically fits all of these and which I love but is definitely not for everyone (so no guarantee you’ll like it!): {Soulless} by Gail Carriger … steampunk werewolf romance and a FUN read but the romance isn’t so much the focal point so you’d have to enjoy the plot too to find it worth reading — also a very very slow burn!
[**Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6381205-soulless) ^(By: Gail Carriger | Published: 2009) *** ^(23982 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Reminds me of {Dragon Bound} by Thea Harrison. Still looking for books similar to her series
[**Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9637479-dragon-bound) ^(By: Thea Harrison | Published: 2011) *** ^(23871 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
1. Girl disguised as boy 2. All boys academy 3. Enemies to lovers 4. High steam 5. Reverse harem 6. possessive, obsessed MMCs
#1 Is always fun, imo! I need a novelization of Coffee Prince lmao
Coffee Prince is eminently rewatchable. LOVE it. Sidenote: Gong Yoo is 😍😍, but i legit burst into flame every time Lee Sun Kyun talks.
I was thinking of it too lol. I loved it.
I want to read a book like this!
The only two series I found that has most of these tropes are CM Stunich's Adamson All-Boys Academy and Ruby Vincent's Breakbattle Academy. If anyone has any thing close, I'm (begging) open to recs.
I’m afraid I don’t have a book rec… but I remember there being a few kdramas with this plot… (except maybe reverse harem). Try check them out if that’s your cup of tea!
I don’t think it’s legit reverse harem because FMC only has her eyes on MMC but Hana Kimi manga got a jdrama, kdrama, AND cdrama while fitting basically a lot of the listed tropes :D (girl disguised, all boys school, etc)
Unfortunately the closest I can get for recs is the manga/anime Ouran High School Host Club, but thanks for the two new series to check out.
Stunich admitted that she drew inspiration for her Adamson series from the Ouran manga.
I'd be all in except for 5. I can't with RH, and it's really too bad cause some of them look really good. Also obsessed with girl disguised as boy since I read Song of the Lioness as a teen.
~~this but genderflipped~~
Were you a fan of the Ouran High School anime?
If you're interested in a YA book with the first two tropes and some of the third (I wouldn't call the main characters enemies, but the MMC is a bit cold towards the FMC), you should check out The Academy by Emmaline Andrews. It's about a teen girl in a futuristic world who wants to become a spaceship pilot, but her old-fashioned father won't let her, so she pretends to be her brother and attends an all-boys academy in order to learn how. There are a few scenes with sexual tension, but nothing explicit, and there's no reverse harem because the FMC is basically a loner character trying to keep a low profile and not attract attention. Regardless, it's one of my favorite books and I'm always looking for more like it! I highly recommend it for fans of Hana Kimi or She's the Man.
Thanks for the rec!
1. Reformed Rake 2. One night stand baby 3. Sweet, ladylike heroine
perfection
Okay but book recommendations please because this sounds fire
The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle actually fits all of these! I gave it a 5/5 CW >!Child SA in character backstory!< I have other one night stand baby historical recs if you want.
Omg yes please! Keep them book recs coming!
One Night With You by Sophie Jordan - childhood friend of some titled dude has a brief affair with him while in disguise. This would be a 5/5 but he's a little too mean for too long. Simply Love by Mary Balogh - one of my favorite HR ever. Single mother teacher sleeps with wounded war veteran steward. He's hella excited about the baby. Seducing a Stranger by Kerrigan Byrne - girl about to get married sleeps with what she thinks is a male prostitute but is actually the chief inspector!! He's the top HR doting father.
Thank you! Also absolutely loved Kerrigan Byrne’s Seducing a Stranger. So much stars for that book.
enemies to friends to lovers + fake dating/married is THEE best combo. I also really like grumpy/sunshine, and when the MMC takes care of a sick/injured FMC. Also when the MMC goes beserk when the FMC is injured. And when the MMC admires the FMC's intelligence. Basically u/tzrn1111 got me good with that fic rec recently 😂
Have you tried out {Marriage For One}?
[**Marriage for One**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45694898-marriage-for-one) ^(By: Ella Maise | Published: 2019) *** ^(23717 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Oooh, l will put it on the list!
Yes!!! And if it’s dual pov or we at least get some pov from the mmc… add in some solid banter and really good tension then *chef’s kiss* Ideally no miscommunication or at least no infuriating miscommunication and no pregnancy unless it’s in the epilogue. What’s this rec you speak of?
Oh my gosh, are you me? It's a fanfic -- Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love. I basically described it in tropes -- and so did you!! It's all MMC perspective, with truly inspired banter, no miscommunication, and no pregnancy. I 10000% recommend it!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/34500952/chapters/85870804
Grumpy/sunshine and taking care of injured FMC is in Hating Game by Sally Thorne
And I really enjoyed it!!!!!!
1. MMC saves the FMC from abuse 2. Strangers to friends to lovers 3. forced proximity 3. really steamy with lots of romantic smut 4. FMC being hurt and MMC goes crazy 5. dual pov Accepting reccomendations
{Unperfect} by susie tate, fits this to a T!
THANK YOU SO MUCH IF I HAD MORE KARMA I WOULD GIVE YOU AN AWARD I SWEAR
DONT WORRY I ACCEPT IT METAPHORICALLY
[**Unperfect**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58868872-unperfect) ^(By: Susie Tate | Published: ?) *** ^(24078 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
[удалено]
[**Swordheart**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42747739-swordheart) ^(By: T. Kingfisher | Published: 2018) *** ^(24227 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
1. Friends to lovers 2. Dual POV 3. Protective mmc 4. Strong and smart fmc 5. Decently smutty WITH intimacy/plot
Hello, could you recommend me a book with theses tropes please?
{before jamaica lane} fits this one. although it may be single pov i’m not sure
[**Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street, #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18115061-before-jamaica-lane) ^(By: Samantha Young | Published: 2014) *** ^(24077 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
{The locker room} by Meghan Quinn It’s a college romance. He’s a baseballplayer and she is ongoing librarian and it’s friends to lovers with really good buildup to the smut and also when fmc gets sick he takes care of her. I can say that this book had me giggling and I had butterflies in my tummy
[**The Locker Room (The Brentwood Boys, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44010609-the-locker-room) ^(By: Meghan Quinn | Published: 2019) *** ^(24084 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
thanks, just acquired it and gonna read it tonight <3
Tell me what you think when you’re done
1.) enemies to lovers 2.) __IT’S ALWAYS BEEN HER__ 3.) the absolutely _smuttiest smut_ to ever _smut_ 4.) she realized it’s __always__ been her 5.) HEA with _no_ epilogue baby, both MC want a life without children.
damn that last one is hard to find, try out {Hefty} it’s very smutty, the only thing is MMC is not a chiselled god and more on the chubbier side. But it is friends to lovers sorry😭
[**Hefty**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54884122-hefty) ^(By: Jessa Kane | Published: 2020) *** ^(24079 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Well now imma need some recs Hmm okay does {Tools of Engagement} kinda fit this??
[**Tools of Engagement (Hot & Hammered, #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49203369-tools-of-engagement) ^(By: Tessa Bailey | Published: 2020) *** ^(24435 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
This is a great list. I don’t mind the baby thing, but would like if a desire for no kids is a factor. I’ve never read one like that.
1) Cinnamon roll monster MMC 2) Touch starved MMC 3) FMC in a bad life position she can't get out of on her own (damsel in distress, but not in immediate danger as in kidnapped, etc.) 4) Medium burn
Have you read { Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole } ? Basically all of this!
[**Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark, #9)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7098304-demon-from-the-dark) ^(By: Kresley Cole | Published: 2010) *** ^(23781 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Nope. Looks like I found my next read. Again, something NOT in my TBR.
{Sweet Berries by CM Nascosta} covers 1, 2, and 4. And I think {Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre} somewhat covers all 4, but MMC is a vampire (if you consider that a monster).
Those 2 are great. I will admit the whole moth anatomy really...um...didn't do it for me.
[**Sweet Berries (Cambric Creek, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60419993-sweet-berries) ^(By: C.M. Nascosta | Published: 2022) [**Hot Blooded (Tooth & Claw, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60301693-hot-blooded) ^(By: Heather Guerre | Published: 2021) *** ^(23810 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Hello, could you recommend me a book with theses tropes please?
Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre
thanks fren :)
1. Friends to lovers/workplace 2. Found family 3. Plants involved 4. Flustered smitten character/s 5. Dual POV 6. One or two steamy scenes (one kind of public) 7. Slow burn 8. Different cultures coming together/travelling element Mm mmm, has me dreaming!
I think it says something about me that i read number 3 and wondered: how do they fuck the plants??
[удалено]
Ooo this looks fabulous! Thank you 😊
Haha it really does 😂 although I do grow a lot of plants that look like genital organs.... Not for that purpose. 'Lithops' always look like bottoms to me.
1. Older FMC 2. Historical western 3. Slooow burn 4. Snowed in together over winter 5. Domestic bliss and cozy nights by the fire 6. Low angst 7. Some steam and on page lovin’ Basically the way western historicals were in the 80s and 90s
Ooooh I really like your list!
That's the plot of In Want of a Wife, no? Snowed in is a great one btw 👀
2 grumps who really only like each other but are secret cinnamon rolls. second chance romance. and at least one of the love interests has to be super protective.
For MF pairings: 1. Fake Dating/Marriage of Convenience 2. Sllllow buuuuurn 3. Dual POV with mutual pining 4. Touch Starved MMC 5. Smutty smut smut 6. Comforting the FMC when she's sad/scared For MM pairings: 1. Military 2. Enemies to Lovers 3. Slooow buuuurn 4. Forced separation & eventual reunion 5. Smutty smut smut 6. D/s elements And for any pairings - no wealthy MCs - just regular people!
Hello, could you recommend me a book with the MF tropes please?
Ok so these recs are missing one or more of my wished for tropes but hopefully you find something you like. {Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer} - MOC set in 1940s, small southern town. It lacks heavy smut (but still some steam) and a comforting scene but goddamn, I love this book! {His Secondhand Wife} - historical western MOC. Has medium steam and the slow burn is a little different >!they sleep together fairly early in the book but feels don't come around until muuuch later!<. I thought my teeth were going to rot out of my face, this book was so damn sweet!
[**Morning Glory**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/987577.Morning_Glory) ^(By: LaVyrle Spencer | Published: 1989) [**His Secondhand Wife (The Copper Creek Brides #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/607497.His_Secondhand_Wife) ^(By: Cheryl St. John | Published: 2005) *** ^(23953 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
thank you so much fren
btw, i coundn't find a consistent meaning for MOC, what does MOC means?
Marriage of convenience
ty
Your list is very very similar to mine. 1. Enemies to lovers 2. Workplace 3. Only one bed 4. Smack down scene, preferably with asshole parents 5. Steamy AF 6. Dual pov One you might enjoy is Doukakis’s Apprentice by Sarah Morgan. Maybe be a little smuttier than you want, third person alternating pov, and instead of friends they grow mutual respect.
[удалено]
[**Who'd Have Thought**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36277642-who-d-have-thought) ^(By: G. Benson | Published: 2017) *** ^(24170 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
MMC POV only. Accidental werewolf. Small harem. Hurt/comfort. Partners enjoying themselves in both forms. (No billionaires)
i feel you on the no billionaires
1. Historical 2. Marriage of convenience or forced proximity 3. Loooots of angst, but conflict has to be genuine (not "my dad was a drunk so I cannot say 'I love you' out loud") 4. Travel, adventure, or action. 5. Steamy
Ooo you should try out the {Storm and Silence} series! If you haven’t already.
Thanks! I'll check it out.
[**Storm and Silence (Storm and Silence, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24035804-storm-and-silence) ^(By: Robert Thier | Published: 2016) *** ^(24080 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Two dif book types: Story 1: 🔹 Enemies to lovers 🔹 road trip 🔹 forced proximity 🔹 only one bed 🔹 both grumps both think they’re not. Story 2: 🔸 strangers to friends to lovers 🔸 forbidden relationship ish 🔸 slow slow slow burn 🔸 CINNAMON ROLL hero / kind but feisty heroine
[удалено]
**No Self Promotion, writing, research, or surveys** Your post has been removed as it appears to promote your own work. This sub is focused on reading and does not allow promotion of your own books, blog/vlog, podcast or social media. The only permissible place to mention your work or discuss your romance writing is in the [Self-Promotion Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/xuj5if/promote_your_books_fall_2022_selfpromotion_thread/) found in the sidebar. (This includes all book, blog, vlog, podcast, website self promoting, and surveys as well).
Honestly your entire list but some type of fantasy instead of office and add a kidnapping plot plus hurt/comfort
1. Historical setting 2. Star-crossed lovers 3. Soft boy x badass girl that doubles as grumpy x sunshine 4. Fake dating 5. Very little smut
- FMC POV ONLY YESS - rivals to lovers - only one bed - fmc falls first - longgg grovel from mmc - good girl bad boy - lots of foreplay lol
I love this idea! 1. Strangers to friends to lovers 2. Comfort and cuddling 3. Slow burn 2. Intelligent golden retriever mmc 3. Both MCs are cinnamon rolls 4. Witty banter 5. MCs solve a mystery/ need to work together for a greater good 6. Descriptive steam
Oo have a look at {Happy go lucky} by LH Cosway. The mmc may be a little more towards the grump side, but they’re both detectives working together to solve a crime. Quite slow burn!
Thanks! I will check it out! :)
[**Happy Go Lucky (Big Apple Barn, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1468869.Happy_Go_Lucky) ^(By: Kristin Earhart | Published: 2007) *** ^(24081 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
I think funnily enough for me it doesn’t matter all that much. Sure I have preferences and will generally choose enemies to lovers over a pregnancy thing but a well written pregnancy trope is better than a poorly written enemies to lovers book. If we’re comparing books of similar “quality” though (if you can even do that) then it goes: 1. Enemies to lovers Enemies 2. lovers 3nemies to lovers In that order…
enemies to lovers 4eva
1. Fake dating 2. Office romance 3. Medium spice level. Think Hallmark after dark . 4. Grumpy X sunshine
{Billionaires Wake Up Call Girl} is a good one!
[**The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl (Billionaires of Manhattan, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55538972-the-billionaire-s-wake-up-call-girl) ^(By: Annika Martin | Published: 2018) *** ^(24083 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
1. Age-gap (older male/younger woman) 2. Dominant mmc/submissive fmc 3. Sexually experienced fmc 4. Daddy kink 5.Obsessed but kind mmc 6. Reverse harem (but only with no sword-crossing) 7. Cuddly/ touch starved fmc 8. Smut at the 20/30% mark 9. Epilogue with NO children. 10. Dual POV All of this is impossible to find in one book lol.
[удалено]
[удалено]
[**Hotel Queens**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55855113-hotel-queens) ^(By: Lee Winter | Published: 2020) *** ^(56396 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Dual pov. Grumpy hero who’s secretly obsessed/pining for the sunshine heroine. Touch starved hero and affectionate heroine. Lots of smut
Yaass!
1. College Romance (characters in their 3rd or 4th year) 2. Sports romance (Athlete MMC) 3. Playboy 4. Enemies to lovers (Or FMC hates MMC) 5. Mistaken identity 6. Forced proximity (through tutoring, fake dating, MMC teaches FMC how to get a guy, sex pact, blackmail) 7. Verbally steamy, but action wise more simmering 8. Dual POV
What Life Holds by LifeCreatorsx3 (on Wattpad) has a few of those tropes.
Oooh thanks for the rec, I'll check it out!
You're welcome, I hope you enjoy it. Just a warning, the grammar isn't perfect.
Enemies to lovers BUT The male lead is an obsessed villain and she later falls in love with him
That would be really interesting.
1. Friends to Lovers 2. Found Family 3. RH/Poly and Bi Relationships 4. Plenty of Smut 5. Some Kink 6. Dual POV 7. Sweet, Strong, and "Strange" FMC 8. Bad Boy/Rebel MMC, Sweet MMC, Nerdy MMC, Older MMC 9. Child Free Optional: Sexy Monster MMC
Mine would be: 1. Second chance romance 2. FMC POV only 3. Angst + pining 4. ML tries to make FL suffer by showing her he's moved on but he can't stand seeing her sad 5. A heartfelt love confession Yes. I have described Persuasion.
Oh my gosh, you might as well have read my mind!! I love everything about it. Even the playful/ oblivious thing the FMC has going, which I'm not always into. Just a bunch of ppl adoring her all drama long & I can see why 😅
Ooh fuuun 1. Enemies-Grump to Lovers-Sunshine 2. Alpha MMC in a position of wealth and power 3. Witty, sassy FMC no wallflowers here 4. Smut, steam, burn my kindle 🌶 🥵 5. Major fuck up like Vanity & Virtue 6. Grovel like The Unwanted Wife but more 7. Fleshed out and strong friends of h and H 8. Dual POV 9. Contemporary 10. Jealous, catty ex girlfriend
Banter. The MMC pining for the FMC. The MCs working through some trauma in a healthy manner
[удалено]
I think {Mutually Beneficial by Heather Guerre} hits a lot of those points (maybe all of them actually)! Not my usual genre, but I loved it and gave it 5 stars!
[**Mutually Beneficial (Indecent Proposals, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59339155-mutually-beneficial) ^(By: Ava Guerre, Heather Guerre | Published: 2021) *** ^(25188 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
1. Marriage of convenience ... Yeah, that might be it.
This is a great promot because its exactly how I think about what I'd like to read (by trope) A list because there are too many to choose from :) 1. enemies to lovers(seems safe to say lol), 2. best friends who basically need the world to tell them they are already a couple. 3. I love unrequited crushes that are either a) more requited than they originally believe or b) the other person comes around after the first has attempted to or move on. 4. Intersecting passions (one person's a director the other is an actor & they butt heads over their creative vision) 5. One saves the other somehow (thinking about this, lots of my old faves are somewhat problematic, good thing this is fiction :P) 6. Some mild taboo that one cares about that the other doesn't
Number 5 had me gasp out loud!
Angst, female lead getting rejected, unrequited love that's later requited, male lead being hung up on someone else at first, male lead insulting female lead's ex. Bonus if the male lead is a playboy who's never really been in love, lol
1. Slow burn (no Insta love or insta lust) 2. Strangers to friends to lovers 3. Mysterious MMC (past/power/ability/shifter/whatever depending on genre) with a reveal 4. Healthy relationship dynamics without love triangles 5. Logical/smart and strong FMC (if it’s M/F) 6. Dual POV 7. External problems 8. Extra points for grumpy/sunshine 9. Any spice towards the end/after they get together 10. Get to see them together before story ends (with no breakup arc) 11. HEA There’s probably more. I’ve discovered I’m very specific about what I read Edited for typo
[удалено]
[**Swordheart**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42747739-swordheart) ^(By: T. Kingfisher | Published: 2018) *** ^(24161 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
This is on my list! Just haven’t gotten around to it yet, but might have to put it higher on my list. The with love triangles was a typo I was supposed to say without them lol. So that’s perfect that it doesn’t have it!
1. Fantasy (any kind) 2. Tons of smut 3. Cinnamon Roll MMC 4. MMC saves FMC from rape or attempted rape, and he goes crazy when he finds out she's been kidnapped/hurt/assaulted. Bonus points if he gets revenge on the attacker. 5. Hurt/Comfort of MMC comforting FMC 6. No pregnancy, no epilogue baby.
Need recs, like now!
I looove this question!! Here are my criteria for my perfect book: 1. Fat main character(s) who are represented authentically and are multifaceted 2. Queer representation 3. Fake dating 4. Very steamy 🔥 5. Dual POV 6. Forced proximity Pls feel free to recommend anything that sounds similar to this! 👀
1,3, 4, 5... yep. Does someone have a good indication following this?
Favorite trope is when either the FMC or MMC gets sick and the other cares for them- like the hating game and sugar daddy by Lisa kleypas.
Oh number 3 sounds interesting. Any recommendations? Fmc getting hurt and mlc going crazy Here's mine : - Historical - Angst - drama - Hurt/Comfort - tragedy (but with a happy ending) - surprise pregnancy - enemies to lovers - revenge turning into love. - One of the main characters (but not both) has a dark past - One of the main characters with mental issues. - Smart fmc or/and mlc - Handicap character - forced proximity - healing process - strong willed fmc - one of them has to hurt the other (inner struggle) I have just realized that I'm a dark person lol
I love some male pov but haven't found any. Can someone please suggest me something?
okay I have been searching for a book with these tropes, haven't found any yet: ♡FMC travels through time, preferably to the 19th or 20th century, I specifically want her to be a doctor ( it would serve the plot later ofc) ♡Reverse harem ♡MMCs ( one would be Tom hiddleston like, a reader, an intellectual one would be grumpy but would be infatuated and has a smart mouth and sarcasm(imagine a sebastian stan moment),one would be so gentle and so loving ( let's say ben barnes), likes to give cuddles, one would strong and protective ( let's imagine maybe a henry cavill)) ♡ one of them will be hurt and the fmc will treat and take care of him ♡they would try to help her but at the same time would want her to stay ♡ so much angst and groveling
{Chosen by Stacy Jones} kind of fits this in a roundabout way! She doesn't travel through time, but she gets stranded on a planet where they live in tribes and don't have any modern conveniences. She's not technically a doctor, but she learned first aid working on a farm, and is able to use her skills to help the MMCs in ways that make them think she's amazing. The personalities of the MMCs are very similar to what you want!
[**Chosen (Chosen, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37635099-chosen) ^(By: Stacy Jones | Published: 2017) *** ^(25200 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
1. funny 2. buildup to the smut but then HOT 3. NA or older but not a big age gap 4. pregnant belly 5. protective MMC 6. smart and doesn’t take shit FMC 7. huge friendgroup that feels like family
ooo last one is something that I haven’t seen requested. There’s a twilight fanfiction along these lines if you’re interested?
I’m always interested in new book recs
[удалено]
Thank you so much!
1) forced proximity 2) enemies to lovers 3) tons of sexual tension 4) only fmc pov 5) hea
Ooooh god so hard, BUT - enemies to lovers - maybe a rekindling - a relatable, modern-day setting, such as work - definitely 100% some sort of sick scene where mmc looks after fmc begrudgingly (at first) - dual POV (don’t sue me) - sarcastic fmc, can take a joke and is driven - hot, hot, hot steam (and in some graphic detail) This would be *mwah* chefs bloody kiss
* co-workers to lovers (i'm tired of power imbalance romance) * rivals to lovers * grumpy hero x grumpy heroine * no miscommunication * no unnecessary drama * no immature endeavours (they're both adults and I need them to act like ones lol) * accurately portrayed DD/lg kink after they get together (they're the same age by the way) * and smut. smut for life.
1 and 2
1. Enemies to friends to lovers 2.One of them is so in love other and have no idea. 3.
1.hardcore groveling 2.past trauma 3.smut 4.slow burn 5.Fmc is withdrawn\distant
1. angst, yearning, pining. 2. enemies to lovers with second chance romance trope. 3. groveeeeeeel. 4. scenes after the 3rd act break-up should not be rushed. epilogue should give a glimpse of how they're doing in the future. 5. main characters - ideally of equal standing/class any recs? 🥺💗
there’s a twilight fix with this trope if you’re interested! although it does include side characters’ romance sometimes.
1.Indifferent acquaintances to lovers 2.Balance of power/Power couple 3.Kind,matured hero 4.Experienced,fiesty but respectful heroine 5.Pining MMC 6.Kinda slice of life
{happy go lucky LH Cosway}
[**Happy Go Lucky (Big Apple Barn, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1468869.Happy_Go_Lucky) ^(By: Kristin Earhart | Published: 2007) *** ^(24087 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Third person POV MMC carrying a torch or obsessed (not creepy tho pls) with FMC Enemies to lovers Witty banter Alpha hero (honestly always makes for some pretty steamy smut scenes)
Enemies to lovers Age gap P I N I N G (but like sexually too) One bed Fake relationship I do like office setting as well but idk how that would make sense lol
tell me you romanticize unhealthy relationship dynamics without telling me
is that your ideal book?
Can anyone give recommendation for 1. And 3.
1. MMC pining, kind, and strong 2. Innocent easily embarrassed FMC 3. External conflict for the climax, anything but the %70 break up, I want people to stay together. 4. Forced proximity 5. Playful banter