Free tools
Outline fast → blurb fast → draft Chapter 1
Use these free templates, then generate a clean opening chapter.
Last updated: February 2026
Contemporary Romance Marriage of convenience Plot Ideas (10 Story Starters)
Use these ideas to build a tight outline fast, then draft Chapter 1 and test reader response.
10 Marriage of convenience plot ideas
- 1. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'contemporary romance books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 2. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'friends to lovers romance', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 3. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'fake dating romance', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 4. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'office romance books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 5. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'small town romance', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 6. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'billionaire romance kindle', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 7. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'second chance romance', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 8. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'romantic comedy books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 9. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'contemporary romance books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 10. A contemporary romance setup built around 'Marriage of convenience': the story opens with 'friends to lovers romance', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
Fast workflow
- Pick 1 idea and write a 5-beat outline.
- Draft Chapter 1, then run a quick continuity pass.
- If the opening works, expand to a full book; if not, iterate.