God Tier: The Marriage of Convenience

Ah the marriage of convenience.

Where somebody (or two somebodies) desperately needs to be married. Rest assured these are some of the greatest romance novels, rich with tension, pining, longing and sweet romantic love that grows between the two main characters. 

And, of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that in reality, this is one of the most insanely out-there-tropes, and if some person just straight up propositioned me, I would most ASSUREDLY give them a throat punch, but somehow this completely works for me in Romancelandia. Go figure.

I am such a ding dong for the marriage of convenience trope. You get a load of page time between the leads, and really get to see them grow to long for and love each other. And inevitably there this is moment where one of the characters has to recount what they love about their partner, and they are so genuine and serious in sharing their feelings it begins to change everything. Leaving the other character to begin to question what is real or not and my god, chef’s f*cking kiss. 

I’m here to share some of my favourite MoC reads, nine to be exact! 

Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata (Free on KU)

Ah this book holds such a special place in my heart. And yes it is a ‘Zapata’, which as I might have mentioned can be hit or miss for folks.

Aiden Graves is a grumpy, introverted, vegan single minded football star who needs a green card to stay in the US and keep playing professional football. Vanessa, his overworked under appreciated assistant might just be the perfect option for him. 

Told from a single POV (Vanessa) you get to spend a lot of time with these two crazy kids as they kinda just live together, learn how to be “married” and see their friendship and then deep love bloom. I have no idea why I love this one so much, nothing “wild” happens and there is low spice and a SLOOOOOW BURN between the two of them. 

But something about Mr. Graves and the way he loves Vanessa gets me every time I’ve read it. Plus there is a cute dog. 

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

This was my first foray into medieval historical romance and it was kind of everything I was hoping for. A marriage to secure an alliance between lifelong enemy highland clans? Well sign me up and swath me in plaid. 

Our heroine, Evangeline is a deaf woman, who everyone thinks is cognitively disabled, and is treated pretty poorly. Our hero, Graeme is honour bound to secure peace for his people and protects Evangeline right from the get go. He is the only one that takes the time to understand, speak and really see her and wow my flipping heart was invested from the get go.

I loved watching the trust, respect and love grow between our main characters along with the respect of Graeme’s clan. Swoon.

Radiance by Grace Draven

Oh gosh where to begin with this ADORABLE freaking book. This was one of my first fantasy romance novels I ever read in 2021, and I had no idea what to expect. What I didn’t expect was a super sweet friends to lovers story between Brishen and Ildiko. 

Often times these MoC pairings are based on the two main characters being enemies or starting from a place of mutual dislike. But seeing Brishen support Ildiko, and help her feel at home and prepared for his home, family, culture (and food), really was just such an act of radical kindness. My heart was a big old pile of goo. 

We also love a heroine that exacts a little bit of vengeance against the bad guys, especially in service of saving her man. 

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

I love Tessa Dare.There I said it. Tessa writes some of the funniest, sweet, compelling regency romances I’ve read (so far). A Week to be Wicked, is among my favourite books of all time, so it’s really no surprise she would populate this list. 

Incoming nerd tidbit: the “marriage of convenience” is very popular among historical romances, and (from what I understand) was a real thing between couples of that time in history. 

This draws some parallels to beauty and the beast, including the meddling house staff dying to see their master finally in love. Tessa writes her heroines in such a delightful way, complex, strong, independent and always pushing back against convention of the times. Her hero’s are some of my fave tortured, grumpy, or big himbo ding dongs to fall victim to ‘love’. 

You’ll love Ash and Emma, especially how they come to meet each other. Also Tessa’s historical romances have some of the best spice out there. 🥵

The Sweetest Oblivion By Danielle Lori (Free on KU)

We can thank the lovely humans over on r/romancebooks for this recommendation. This was another 2021 first, a mafia romance! 

I didn’t have the slightest idea of what a mafia romance entailed but I went into it expecting some potential darker themes, and maybe cheating? What I did find is a deeply compelling power dynamic between a young woman and a man not used to being in a partnership or any give-or-take dynamic. 

Okay these two with their tension-filled-hate-sex all over this book is truly unhinged and, you know what I 👏 was 👏 here 👏 for 👏 it. This was a debut adult romance novel for Danielle and the first in a slightly interconnected series (Made Series). If you want something darker, full of tension with a legit plot and great spice, this one will not disappoint.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Kleypas, a long time romance novelist can easily be found on many a book recommendation list out there. Including even referenced in other self aware contemporary romance novels. And there is god reason for it. 

Renowned rake and confirmed douchebag Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent needs a large dowry, stat. Luckily for him, wallflower Evie is here with a wild offer: marry me and you can have everything I have. Oh lord watching this man just angrily grapple with his feelings and the sheer  confusion of falling in love with his wife was a TRUE delight. 

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

This one was another popular r/romancebooks recommendation that I definitely slept on this year. But I am so glad I picked it up, including marveling at the fact it was written 1995, 95 y’all. 

This is the first Loretta Chase book I’ve read and yet another historical romance, with a bluestocking and a scoundrel of a hero, also named Sebastian. Our heroine, Jessica just wants to rescue her idiot of a brother and get him out from under Sebastian’s terrible influence. Watching these two verbally spar was so deeply enjoyable. 

You’ll love Jessica for taking absolutely no shit from this rich, entitled ass of a man who she ends up falling so deeply in love with. It’s good, trust me.

Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn (Free on KU)

Ah my gal M-Quinns and her delightful rom-coms. She gets me. She makes me laugh. She makes my heart squeeze. She writes some great spicy scenes. She’s really one of my faves, and an instant download + read on my kindle. 

I found this one really hilarious and sweet, right from their first meeting to a specific Pictionary moment where I had to put the book down because I was actually cackling. Rath and Charlee go on quite the adventure together both in business and in their fake relationship. This is the third book in the Bromance Series, with Bram and Rourke’s books being 1 and 2 respectively.

I think what I love about a rom-com is that you can just take it for what it is: something a little silly, sweet, and a lot funny. Suspend your disbelief for an enjoyable romp with a rich business guy and a woman who loves color-coordinated post-it notes. 

Axel by Samantha Whiskey

We’re starting and ending this list with a MoC sport romance. This one couples a hot Swedish hockey player (Axel) with a PR babe (Langley). Axel has been longing after Langley for a while and sees a perfect opportunity that would benefit them both. Marry him for six-months and I will accept the contract the pro hockey team is offering. 

(A true transactional HR nightmare right? We’re in Romancelandia, its fine.)

Axel is such a solid book-boyfriend, that has done nothing but selflessly care for the people in his life. Watching his on page pining and love for Langley is really just something else let me tell you, including his little endearment for her. 

There are cute cats in this one, too. Not an euphemism 😉

There you have it folks, my god tier trope recommendations to get you started. Something missing on this list? Slide into my DMs and let me know!