trope
Fake Marriage
A fake marriage story has characters entering a marriage contract for convenience, security, or a specific goal, not love. The tension comes from them having to pretend to be a couple while real feelings develop.
Why readers love it
Readers enjoy the forced proximity and the delicious irony of two people who insist they are not in love while everyone around them sees the truth. It is a reliable setup for slow-burn tension and a guaranteed happy ending when the pretense falls away.
Also called
Marriage of convenience
Arranged marriage
Contract marriage
Marriage in name only
Fake engaged
Want the full breakdown?
Fake marriage stories explained: why two people marry for practical reasons, fail to keep feelings out, and why the trope works. Read the full guide.
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