Marriage of convenience is one of my all time favorite romance tropes. It takes fake dating and ups the stakes a thousand-fold, with a dose of forced proximity for good measure. I’m ready to scream with delight when the two main characters have to kiss for Important Plot Reasons, to feel along with them as they fall for each other, and to squeal and press my hand to my heart when a supporting character inevitably informs them that they’ve fallen in love with their husband/wife. I love a character-driven slow burn and when done well, a marriage of convenience plot delivers on that in spectacular fashion. The moments when they’re slowly getting to know each other, the flashes of vulnerability, the ‘just kiss already’ energy building on each and every page…it’s delicious.
After reading quite a few marriage of convenience romances, I’ve realized a few things about what makes the trope work best for me. Ideally, I want the marriage itself to happen relatively early on in the book but the consummation to happen much later, after there’s been a suitable amount of yearning and unresolved sexual tension. For me, the build-up is one of the best parts. Don’t skimp on it!
Here are three books that deliver on all the big feelings and slow burn goodness, two historical and one sci-fi. I usually find that a marriage of convenience works a lot better in historical settings than in a modern setting, mainly because it’s a lot easier to set up this dynamic in a society with different relationship expectations than our modern one, although I did enjoy The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur earlier this year. I also have to briefly mention my beloved Mimi Matthews, just in case my gushing about her in this newsletter hasn’t sold you yet. The Belle of Belgrave Square was one of my favorite romance reads of the year and features a wonderfully done marriage of convenience between a shy heiress and an army captain with a mysterious past.
Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh
Alexander Westcott is a new earl with an estate that’s suffered years of neglect and a determination to do right by the people who live there. Wren Heyden is a recluse who believes that her large fortune is the only thing that makes her marriageable. What follows is a practical proposal, a tentative courtship, and an elegant, deeply powerful love story that shines with emotion beneath its subtle prose. I actually found myself with a lump in my throat at the book’s end the first time I read it. It’s witty and warm, finely crafted and delicately wrought, and full of characters that I’m deeply attached to. I love Wren’s courage in reaching for the kind of life she longs for and Alex’s fundamentally honorable nature. As a historical romance reader, I naturally have a soft spot for a rogue ripe to be reformed but there’s also something so appealing about a hero who’s trying to do his best by everyone from the very first page. If you’re looking for a historical romance that feels period-appropriate or a narrative voice that feels influenced by Austen, you might really enjoy Mary Balogh’s writing. This is the third in Balogh’s Westcott series but can easily be read as a stand-alone and if you’re intrigued by any of the supporting characters, there’s nine more books to enjoy. (Open door, moderate steam.)
Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Prince Kiem, a minor royal best known for being a perpetual disappointment, is enlisted to marry Count Jainan, the representative of the Empire’s newest vassal planet and his cousin’s widower, in order to seal an interplanetary treaty. This book revolves around the two questions that I most like to see in my sci-fi: can the protagonists save their planet and when will they finally kiss? I love this book’s perfectly calibrated mix of intergalactic politics, sweeping adventure, and the most devastating slow-burn to ever make my inner book gremlin throw metaphorical popcorn at the screen and shriek ‘just admit you’re in love already, you idiots!’. (Affectionately, of course. I adored charming Kiem and quietly steady Jainan.) This is also a really beautiful story about healing, rebuilding, and the promise of the future. Maxwell has a delightfully dry sense of humor, a talent for world-building without infodumping, and a keen eye for character. Even if you’re not typically a sci-fi reader, give this one a try. (Closed door.)
A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe
A quiet British heiress brought to 1890’s New York to restore her family’s fortunes by marrying a wealthy man turns to her neighbor, a reclusive Deaf inventor, for help when presented with an odious suitor. Christina and Oliver agree to a strictly platonic marriage to be ended after one year but life, and love, have other plans. This is another big feelings book and perfect when you want a read that’ll completely sweep you up. Seeing Christina and Oliver find their way to a caring, passionate marriage and go from being friends to lovers is so, so swoony. Even the smallest gestures between them are freighted with meaning and the mutual pining is shiver-inducingly good. Joanna Shupe excels at high-drama, steamy reads with compelling central couples and for me, this was the perfect introduction to her work. (Open door, high steam.)
Currently reading: We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian, an exquisitely tender queer romance between two men working at a newspaper in 1950’s New York. It’s so soft and I love it.
What’s bringing me joy lately:
Past Lives, the quietly gorgeous first film from playwright Celine Song. I watched this in a full movie theater and hearing everyone collectively react to the film was an added bonus.
This adorable Etsy shop I found, which does watercolors of iconic San Francisco storefronts. I couldn’t resist buying one of my favorite donut store from childhood.
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). I’ve been listening all week and it takes me right back to high school in the best way.
You've now got me interested in reading a historical romance featuring a marriage of convenience! I also saw Past Lives in the theatres and am still thinking about it weeks later, what a beautiful movie <3
I recently read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata and it's marriage of convenience. Super slow burn. Like not much of anything until 98%. LOL