10 Stuck Together Trope Books That Will Force You To Fall In Love

Illustration of a smiling woman and man standing near a green car, with "Stuck Together Trope" in bold white letters. Playful, romantic vibe.

Table of Contents

  1. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
  2. The Seraphim Cure by Ceren
  3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
  4. A Bargain with the Alpha by Ceren
  5. Beach Read by Emily Henry
  6. The Devil’s Touch by Raymond Collins
  7. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
  8. The Split Prince by Monsura
  9. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
  10. Where Death Meets Desire by Meiru
  • Why We Love Being Stuck

Is there anything more satisfying than the “stuck together” trope? You surely know the drill. First, take two characters who can’t stand each other. Then, force them into a situation where they cannot escape. For instance, a snowstorm might trap them in a remote cabin. Alternatively, a broken elevator captures them. Or, consider the absolute classic: the hotel has only one bed.

We love this trope because it forces characters to confront their feelings. Eventually, they find nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Consequently, the tension becomes absolutely delicious. If you are new to understanding how these story mechanics work, you should definitely read our guide on Romance Tropes 101: Discover the Stories You Can’t Resist.

However, if you are looking for your next specific obsession, we have compiled the ultimate list. Here are 10 books featuring the stuck together trope that will make you swoon.

The Best Stuck Together Trope Reads

1. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Bright yellow book cover of "The Unhoneymooners" by Christina Lauren features tropical leaves, a toucan, and colorful flowers, conveying a playful, exotic vibe.

Olive is always unlucky, unlike her twin sister Ami. But when food poisoning hits Ami’s entire wedding party, Olive remains the only one standing—along with Ethan, the best man and her sworn enemy. Therefore, they must take the non-refundable honeymoon trip to Maui together.

They agree to a temporary truce for the sake of a free vacation. However, pretending to be loving newlyweds in paradise is harder than it looks. As the days pass, Olive realizes that she doesn’t mind staying with Ethan as much as she thought. In fact, she might not want to leave.

2. The Seraphim Cure by Ceren

Two serious men with scars stand in a post-apocalyptic cityscape at sunset. One holds a glowing vial. “The Seraphim Cure” is written in bold letters.

In a sterile, walled city, Dr. Louis Hampston dreams of a cure for the Blight. But when he escapes into the apocalyptic wasteland, he crashes into reality—and Jax, a cynical rebel leader. Louis needs protection; meanwhile, Jax needs technology. Consequently, a desperate journey across a ruined world binds them together.

This story creates a high-stakes adventure where survival depends on partnership. As they face mutants and a corrupt warden, their proximity ignites a volatile romance. Furthermore, Louis’s idealism clashes with Jax’s grit, creating sparks you won’t want to miss.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Illustrated book cover of "The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne. It shows a woman in a yellow dress and a man adjusting his yellow tie on a teal background. The tone is playful and romantic.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. They sit across from each other every day, engaging in a silent, ruthless battle of wills. However, the office becomes a war zone when they compete for the same promotion.

Then, a chaotic elevator ride changes everything. Suddenly, the lines between love and hate blur. A small metal box traps them, forcing them to see past the games. If you love this kind of workplace tension, you need to check out our list of Enemies to Lovers Books: Top 15+ Spicy Hate-to-Love Romances.

4. A Bargain with the Alpha by Ceren

Dark, gothic fantasy book cover. A couple stands under a full moon, shrouded in mist. A wolf and castle in the background add mystery and tension.

Kiara yearns for belonging but her father forces her into an arranged marriage with Julian, a cold and mistrustful Alpha King. Julian’s pack and palace trap her, leaving no escape from the husband who wants nothing to do with her.

However, fate has other plans. As external threats loom, they must work together to protect their people. Eventually, this forced intimacy begins to chip away at Julian’s icy walls. If you crave a slow-burn romance where a fierce heroine melts a frozen heart, this story is your perfect match.

5. Beach Read by Emily Henry

Cover of "Beach Read" by Emily Henry. Shows a man and woman lying on beach towels, reading. Bright, summery colors convey a relaxed, lighthearted tone.

January is a romance writer who no longer believes in love. In contrast, Augustus is a literary fiction author stuck in a rut. They appear as polar opposites, yet they have one thing in common: they are living next door to each other for the summer.

To break their writer’s block, they strike a deal to swap genres. Therefore, January will write the next Great American Novel, and Augustus will write a happy ending. Spending the summer challenging each other forces them to confront their pasts. Ultimately, it is a beautiful, emotional take on staying in the same small town.

6. The Devil’s Touch by Raymond Collins

Two figures stand in a rainy, neon-lit city. The man has horns and red eyes, exuding a mysterious aura. The woman, in a dark coat, looks determined. The title "The Devil's Touch" glows below.

Detective Sophia Jones doesn’t believe in demons—until she hunts one down. Subsequently, her investigation leads her to Lucian Draegor, a CEO who is secretly the Demon King. A dangerous case targets them both, forcing them to form an unofficial partnership.

Sophia is determined to expose him. However, Lucian is determined to protect her. As they dig deeper, they realize their connection isn’t a coincidence; it is destiny. A web of crime and magic traps them, so they must rely on each other to survive. Thus, this mystery thriller adds a supernatural twist to the forced proximity trope.

7. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Book cover of "The Spanish Love Deception" by Elena Armas features a stylish couple on a coral background with travel elements like a plane and luggage.

Catalina Martin needs a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain. She lied regarding a boyfriend, and now she is desperate. Then, Aaron Blackford, her annoying colleague, surprisingly offers to help.

She wants to refuse, but she is out of options. Therefore, they fly to Spain together. While stuck with him for days, Catalina discovers that the man she thought was a robot is actually charming. Moreover, the fake dating setup forces them into intimate situations where real feelings quickly surface.

8. The Split Prince by Monsura

A young woman stands between two contrasting men: one in white, golden armor with a serene expression, and the other in dark, spiked armor, looking intense. The background is a dramatic blend of light cathedral architecture on the left and fiery darkness on the right. Text reads, "The Split Prince."

Prophecy destined Prince Harry to unite two warring kingdoms. But a curse splits his soul into two bodies: Auren, the angel, and Riven, the demon. Unfortunately, Lady Amelia, his betrothed, is the only one who can sense the truth.

Now, she finds herself stuck between two versions of the same man. As the kingdoms teeter on collapse, Amelia must navigate this impossible triangle. Being bound to a fractured soul forces her to question what love really means. Truly, it is a unique, magical spin on forced proximity.

9. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

A pink book cover shows "Red, White & Royal Blue" in bold letters. Two men stand back-to-back; one is casually dressed, the other in a royal uniform. Playful tone.

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the First Son of the United States. Meanwhile, Prince Henry is a British royal. They have always been rivals. But after a public altercation, international relations demand they fake a friendship.

While stuck together for photo ops and interviews, they realize they misunderstood each other. Consequently, what starts as damage control turns into a secret romance. Their forced friendship allows them to see the real person behind the public persona. Overall, it is funny, heartwarming, and totally addictive.

10. Where Death Meets Desire by Meiru

A gothic couple in a misty, dark urban setting, looking intensely at each other. The scene evokes mystery and passion. Text reads, "Where Death Meets Desire."

Scarlet Lewis just wants to survive her gritty urban life. However, a near-fatal accident leaves her with the terrifying ability to see ghosts. Then, she meets Tyler Robinson, a spectral king who rules a silent territory in the city. Consequently, she strikes a dangerous bargain for sanctuary.

She becomes his eyes in the living world. As they work to break his curse, their forced partnership blurs the lines between fear and desire. Ultimately, this urban fantasy romance delivers a haunting take on being bound to someone you cannot touch.

Why We Love Being Stuck

The “stuck together” trope is a staple of romance for a reason. Specifically, it strips away distractions. Also, it forces characters to stop running and start feeling. Whether the setting is a magical realm, a small office, or a fake honeymoon, we love watching barriers come down.

For more titles that capture this exact feeling, be sure to read our post on 6 Swoon-Worthy Novels That Master the Forced Proximity Trope.

Ready to dive into these worlds? Then find the MistNovel titles and start your next adventure today.

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