I just finished 'Portrait of a Scotsman' by Evie Dunmore and it kinda fits? It's a marriage of convenience/blackmail situation with a grumpy Scottish hero and a rebellious art historian heroine. The wit is more in her internal monologue and her attempts to outmaneuver him rather than lighthearted banter. It's grittier and more atmospheric, but the intellectual connection is fierce.
Has the author Emily Sullivan written anything for this? I feel like I've seen 'The Rebel and the Rake' mentioned, but I haven't picked it up yet. Is the banter good, or is it more serious?
I appreciate when the heroine is the one proposing the deal from a position of strategic strength, not desperation. 'The Prince of Broadway' by Joanna Shupe has this vibe (again, Gilded Age). She's a society heiress, he's a casino owner, and she approaches him with a business proposition that becomes personal. The wit is in their game of one-upmanship across a social divide.
I feel like the peak of witty marriage-of-convenience is when both characters are equally matched in intelligence but completely mismatched in temperament. 'A Scot in the Dark' by Sarah MacLean has this—a famously grumpy Scottish duke and a sunny, ruined actress forced into marriage. Their arguments are epic, and her relentless optimism is the perfect foil for his brooding. The wit is in the clash of worldviews.
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“If your offer is still on the table, let’s get married.” The words felt hard enough, and I watched as Zane Della-Ross eased into a smirk.
Of course, he would smirk, I was asking him to marry me.
Sloane Reed walks away from her wedding after finding out that her betrothed partner of fourteen years has been nothing but a cheat.
But with her father’s last testimony suddenly having a loophole by the breakage of her engagement, Sloane must marry before the clock hits 12 midnight before her 25th birthday.
With four days and no other option left, she does anything a desperate heiress would do, she gets into a contract marriage.
Not with a random stranger but with the one man she’s avoided for the last ten years of her life. With the eldest son of the Della-Ross family.
Zane Della-Ross.
It’s just a contract, a means to secure her wealth.
But what Sloane never knows is that Zanek Della-Ross never needed a reason to want her.
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When power dynamics and desire collide, will Zane and Sloane be able to stick to what this is? A contract?
Left at the altar, her world torn apart. A stranger steps in and rewrites her start. A contract, a secret, a love unforeseen, was she just a choice… or always his queen?
Sienna Carter is a small-town girl just trying to survive in the big city. Working long shifts at a diner, she never imagined that one reckless night would change her life forever. When she wakes up after a one-night stand with a mysterious stranger, she assumes she’ll never see him again. But fate has other plans.
Damien Lancaster is the rebellious heir to one of the most powerful families in high society. Tired of his father’s control, he’s been living under the radar, pretending to be just another regular guy. But when a heated argument with his father pushes him too far, he makes a rash decision—to marry Sienna, the woman who unknowingly captured his attention.
What starts as a petty act of defiance soon spirals into something neither of them expected. Thrust into a world of wealth, deception, and ruthless power plays, Sienna struggles to find her place. Damien fights his growing feelings for the wife he never planned to keep. And his family? They’ll do anything to tear her down.
But when tragedy strikes and Sienna proves her worth by saving Damien’s younger sister, the tides begin to turn. What started as a marriage of convenience slowly becomes something real. And as secrets unravel and betrayals surface, Damien must decide—will he fight for the woman who changed his life, or will he let his family’s twisted legacy destroy their chance at happiness?
A story of love, defiance, and redemption, Married to the Heir is a gripping romance filled with passion, power struggles, and a heroine who refuses to back down
Royalty has never been a choice for Princess Amelia Anastasia Ferdinand. On the night of her twentieth birthday, she learns that the future she dreamed of has already been decided. Bound by an ancient royal agreement, she is forced to marry Prince Andrew Harrison Brown of Dustrich, a cold and distant heir who wants nothing to do with a bride chosen for him.
Thrown into a kingdom that is not her own, Amelia struggles to earn the acceptance of her new family while enduring a husband who keeps his heart firmly out of reach. Yet the deeper she settles into palace life, the more she realizes that her marriage is built on secrets no one is willing to reveal.
When another prince enters her life, offering the kindness and understanding she has longed for, Amelia finds herself torn between the life she wishes she had and the vows she never chose.
But some marriages are not born of politics alone. Some are forged by fate... and a centuries-old secret that could change not only two lives, but the future of two kingdoms.
As hidden truths begin to surface, Amelia must decide whether to follow her heart or embrace the destiny that has been waiting for her since birth.
On the day of my marriage with the marquis’ heir, the adopted daughter of the marquis threatened to kill herself.
William Taylor left me at the altar for her and escaped the wedding.
I became the butt of the joke of the entire city. When I saw the mocking gazes of the wedding guests, I immediately announced, “I’ll marry anyone who’s willing to marry me today!”
Three years later, William returned with his adoptive sister, Denise Gold.
I sat on the couch as I drank tea.
William stared at my pregnant belly and asked through clenched teeth. “Whose child are you having?”
I took a sip of the tea and smiled. “Of course I’m having a child of this family.”
Saphira Vale built her empire alone—until a ruthless rival threatened to destroy it.
Enter Caelum Drayke: billionaire, enemy, and her only way out. His solution? A marriage of convenience. Six months. No love. No strings.
But fake kisses ignite real sparks, and playing his perfect bride blurs every line. In his world of power and secrets, falling for him might be the most dangerous deal of all.
---
“Smile, Saphira,” Caelum murmured, his hand firm on my waist as cameras flashed.
“You’re insufferable,” I hissed through my perfect grin.
He leaned closer, lips brushing my ear. “You wanted protection. This is the cost.”
Then he kissed me soft, commanding, dangerous.
It was supposed to be for show. It didn’t feel that way.
Across the gala, Lucien’s smirk promised trouble: “Let the games begin.”
If you're on the lookout for recent novels that dive into the 'marriage of convenience' trope, I am thrilled to share a couple of gems with you! One that absolutely captured my heart is 'The Marriage Contract' by Katee Robert. It introduces you to this intense world where two characters, seemingly opposites, enter a contract that leads to undeniable chemistry! This book has a perfect mix of tension and witty banter, and I've found myself laughing out loud, followed by those oh-so-swoon-worthy moments that make you feel butterflies in your stomach.
Another delightful read is 'The Bride Test' by Helen Hoang. In this story, there's not just a marriage of convenience, but also cultural nuances that add depth to the plot. The characters are so beautifully crafted; you can't help but root for them. Trust me, this one kept me up late as I just had to know how they’d navigate their lives entwined in this unusual arrangement.
These novels not only highlight the romance but also delve into personal growth, making them incredibly relatable and engaging. The blend of emotional moments and humor in both stories is just perfect. If you enjoy heartwarming reads that make you feel all the feels, these should definitely be on your list!
I adore Regency romances with marriage plots—they’re like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. If you want something with sharp wit and delicious tension, 'Pride and Prejudice' is the gold standard. The way Elizabeth and Darcy dance around each other, full of misunderstandings and pride, makes their eventual union so satisfying. For a more unconventional take, 'Slightly Married' by Mary Balogh delivers a marriage of convenience that slowly burns into something deeper. The emotional layers in Balogh’s work are exquisite, and the characters feel painfully real.
If you’re craving drama with a side of scandal, 'The Duchess Deal' by Tessa Dare is a riot. The banter is sparkling, and the marriage plot is packed with humor and heart. The hero’s grumpy exterior hiding a soft center is chef’s kiss. For a quieter, more introspective read, 'The Arrangement' by Mary Balogh explores how two broken people find solace in each other. The slow build of trust is achingly beautiful. And if you like your romances with a dash of mystery, 'The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever' by Julia Quinn blends intrigue with a tender love story.