Marriage of Convenience

Marriage of Convenience & Arranged Marriage Books

Welcome to our marriage of convenience collection—where practical arrangements lead to passionate love. These contract marriage books and arranged marriage books feature couples who marry for reasons other than love, only to discover that feelings have other plans.

What is Marriage of Convenience? Marriage of Convenience Meaning

Marriage of convenience meaning: A marriage entered into for practical reasons rather than love. The marriage of convenience trope in romance features characters who wed for money, inheritance, immigration, business deals, or protection—with the magic happening when convenience transforms into genuine connection.

Whether it's a contract marriage, arranged marriage, or fake marriage, the appeal is the same: watching two people navigate intimacy before feelings, forced proximity within legal bonds, and the moment they realize their practical arrangement feels very real.

Arranged Marriage vs Marriage of Convenience

While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference:

• Arranged marriage is typically set up by families or third parties
• Marriage of convenience is usually initiated by the characters themselves

Both lead to the same satisfying arc: strangers becoming spouses becoming lovers.

Types of Marriage of Convenience

Contract Marriage 📝

Business deals, legal arrangements, signed agreements. Both parties know it's temporary—until it isn't.

Inheritance Marriage 💰

Marry to receive an inheritance, save a business, or fulfill a will's requirements. Money brings them together; love keeps them.

Green Card Marriage 🛂

Immigration marriages where one partner needs citizenship. Fake relationship, real feelings, immigration interviews that get awkward.

Protection Marriage 🛡️

Marriage for safety—witness protection, escaping danger, or gaining powerful allies. Security becomes sanctuary.

Arranged Marriage 👑

Families arrange the match for political, business, or traditional reasons. Arranged marriage romance novels feature strangers becoming spouses becoming lovers, often with cultural richness and family dynamics.

Forced Marriage 💔

Higher stakes than arranged—forced marriage books feature marriages with no choice, often in dark romance settings. Mafia demands, royal obligations, or survival situations that transform into unexpected love.

Why Marriage of Convenience Works

✓ Forced proximity — Living together accelerates connection
✓ Clear stakes — Both have reasons to make it work
✓ Slow burn potential — Feelings develop despite resistance
✓ Fake dating elevated — All the tension, now they're married
✓ Domestic intimacy — Sharing space creates unexpected moments

The Marriage of Convenience Arc

1. The arrangement — Why they need to marry (not for love)
2. The wedding — Often awkward, always significant
3. Cohabitation — Learning to live together
4. Cracks forming — Real feelings emerging
5. The crisis — Something threatens the arrangement
6. Real commitment — Choosing each other for real

Frequently Asked Questions

What is marriage of convenience? Marriage of convenience meaning: A marriage entered into for practical benefits rather than love—such as money, citizenship, inheritance, or business advantages. In romance, these practical marriages inevitably develop into real feelings.

What's the difference between marriage of convenience and arranged marriage? Marriage of convenience is typically initiated by the characters themselves for practical reasons. Arranged marriage is set up by families or third parties for political, business, or traditional purposes. Both can lead to love!

Do marriage of convenience books have spice? Many do! The "we're married but not really" dynamic creates excellent tension. Contract marriage books and arranged marriage books often explore the married-but-strangers intimacy in detail.

Is there usually a fake dating element? Often, yes! The couple must convince others their marriage is real, adding layers of pretending-while-feeling. Immigration interviews, family dinners, and public appearances create tension.

What are forced marriage books? Forced marriage books feature higher-stakes scenarios where characters have no choice in the marriage—often in dark romance, mafia, or historical settings. Despite the lack of initial choice, love develops.