Oh no! The hero and heroine are stuck together. Whatever shall we do? What could possibly happen? Surely they won’t give in to their desires and ::gasp:: fall in love? (Spoiler: Yup! They will 😉).
Here are twenty-five stories featuring the forced proximity trope. We’ve even organized it by the specific scenario for you. You’re welcome! Genres are noted along with heat level.
Forced Proximity – Arranged Marriage / Mates
1. Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Healer and daughter of a warrior king, Lara trades her freedom to save her people by becoming the Warprize (mate) to an enemy warlord.
2. Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? In order to uphold an ancient treaty, Fae princess Vi assumes the role of political hostage under Thiago, the dark lord of an enemy court.
3. Stolen Threadwitch Bride by Clare Sager
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Threadwitch Ariadne is taken from her village by the arrogant fae lord Lysander as payment to fulfill an ancient bargain.
Forced Proximity – Bodyguard / Protector
4. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Hawke must guard the Maiden Poppy to ensure her Ascension. Bonus trope(s): Soulmates
5. Blade and Rose by Miranda Honfleur
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Elemental mage Rielle is tasked with escorting an enemy knight across the kingdom. Bonus trope(s): One tent / one bed.
6. Winter’s Captive by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Warm
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? When Charlie escapes the castle to find her kidnapped fiancee, captain of the guard (and her childhood friend) Logan tracks her down to protect her from harm. Bonus trope(s): One bed, arranged marriage, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers.
Forced Proximity – Kidnapped / Captured
7. Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Fire witch and illusionist Gilene is taken prisoner by the Prime Gladiator Azarion when he sees through her powers — and wants her to help him reclaim his stolen birthright.
8. Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
Genre: Dystopian urban fantasy romance
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen destined to destroy all of humankind, takes Sara prisoner as punishment for trying to kill him.
9. The Elf Tangent by Lindsay Buroker
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Mild
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Princess Aldari is kidnapped by the handsome elven mercenary captain guarding her marriage caravan. Bonus trope(s): Arranged marriage.
10. The Sins of Falcons by Val Saintcrowe
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F (2 couples)
How are they stuck together? Vinel is captured by a brutal warrior monk on her wedding night. Her bodyguard and new husband set out to rescue her. This story features two couples. Bonus trope(s): Only one bed, snowed-in.
Forced Proximity – Healing / Under One’s Care
11. The Successor: Tales of Pern Coen by Hannah E. Carey
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Warm
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Healer Briallen refuses to return with the warrior Torin sent to bring her back to the castle (and back to the man who betrayed her). But when Torin is attacked by a sea monster, Briallen feels duty-bound to help him.
12. Vision of the Moon by Catharine Glen
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: Reverse harem
How are they stuck together? When former assassin Ema is critically injured by a death shadow, she is taken in by the man she saved: the commander of a rival clan. Bonus trope(s): Enemies-to-lovers.
Forced Proximity – Trapped Somewhere
13. The Shadow and the Sun by Monica Enderle Pierce
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Halina and Gethen are trapped in his remote citadel during an unnaturally fierce and early winter storm.
14. Hearts Lost by Meredith Hart
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Ithronel, forced to serve as a Royal Guard, is trapped in another realm with the captain of her enemy’s guard and must work together in order to survive.
15. Daughter of Sun, Bride of Ice by H. L. Burke
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Warm
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Princess Arynne and roguish soldier Kajik must survive together in a freezing wasteland. Bonus trope(s): Magical bond, bodyguard/protector.
Forced Proximity – Bound Together by Magic
16. Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
Genre: Romantic urban fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? Robin initiates a contract with a demon to save her life, freeing him from captivity and binding him to an amulet.
17. Dark Wizard by Jeffe Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? The captive Lady Veronica Elal (Nic) is doomed to become the familiar of the compelling and untutored wizard Lord Gabriel Phel.
18. The Power of Five by Alex Lidell
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: Reverse harem
How are they stuck together? Magic plays a cruel trick on four fae warriors searching for their fifth by bonding them to the orphaned mortal Lera. Bonus trope(s): Fated mates
19. Knightfall by Ann Denton
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: Reverse harem
How are they stuck together? After being dragged back to the castle, a spell is placed on Princess Bloss’s to remain within five feet of at least one of her four husbands at all times.
20. Magic Bound by Theresa Kay
Genre: Paranormal romance
Heat Level: Mild
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? A spell forces Selene and Tristan to stay in proximity to each other until they learn to get along. Bonus trope(s): Enemies-to-lovers.
21. Ivy & Bone by R. L. Perez
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? In this dark Hades and Persephone Earth retelling, witch Prue accidentally binds herself to Cyrus, ruler of the underworld.
22. Heart of Silk and Shadows by Lisette Marshall
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? A fae bargain forces human servant Allie and Agenor, Lord Protector of the Fae Isles, to remain near each other.
23. Bound to the Battle God by Ruby Dixon
Genre: Portal fantasy romance
Heat Level: Scorching
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? After Faith is transported to a medieval world, she becomes bonded to the Battle God Aron. If they physically stray too far away from each other, they experience pain.
24. Bound to the Elvin King by Lisa Kumar
Genre: Fantasy romance
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/F
How are they stuck together? A soulbond requires Maggie and the elven king Talion to remain within proximity of each other until the bond stabilizes.
25. Autumn Chaos by Olena Nikitin
Genre: Fantasy romance (dark)
Heat Level: Steamy
Pairing: M/M/F
How are they stuck together? Chaos mage Ina uses a forbidden spell to save two men, which binds their souls together.
What book from the list above are you most excited to read? Or, what is your favorite forced proximity subtrope? Share in the comments!
