Workplace romance is an exciting and trending trope that carries lots of potential for steamy scenarios and sexy relationships, as well as sweet and tender moments. This trope usually works in forced proximity situations in which the main characters spend a big portion of their time together due to their job. In the same line, workplace romance works great when mixed with a big range of tropes, like rivals or enemies to lovers and opposites attract.
Part of what makes this trope versatile is that the hero and heroine can be part of different workplace relationships: coworkers, boss/employee, professional rivals, client/professional, professor/student… And, although relationships are usually set in an office, there is also flexibility in the romance setting and you can always mix and match with trends popular right now, like romances set in the publishing world, sport romances, etc.
Here are some tips to help you build your next workplace romance:
Motivation
What are the hero and heroine’s professional aspirations? Ask yourself if they will have to work together to achieve a common goal, or if their career aspirations conflict with their romance. This will decide if they keep their relationship secret, or very public.
Character Building
We can all agree that, although most people spend a big portion of their time in the workplace, there is a whole personal side that is hardly ever shown in the office. Characters usually develop a professional façade—the grumpy, stubborn boss vs the sunshine employee, etc.—And this can set the grounds for attraction, but the challenge resides on building their characters outside their façade, in order for them to fall in love. How do the characters get to know their real selves? This is where that slow burn romance aspect comes in play. Do they get to know each other (and fall in love) during intense work hours? Outside of the office? While planning a strategy to achieve their professional goals?
Find the right balance
The classic workplace romance features a CEO/subordinate dynamic and, although this setting can become the ground for very sexy storylines, it’s important to keep a balance in the control, maintaining always a mutual respect between the hero and heroine. Exploring outside this typical dynamic can turn this trope into a fresh romance. Think about the forbidden aspect of the relationship, office rules against dating, the sneaking around situations, and the slow burn secret romances that can be born from this trope.
Happily-ever-after ending
The couple’s façade will fall, their very public or secret romance will get in the way of their motivation, but will the hero and heroine choose love? A classic Harlequin romance will feature a happily-ever-after ending in which the main couple end up together and one or both of them achieve that higher role, promotion, or professional aspiration they were working so hard for.
Here are some Harlequin romances that feature a workplace relationship:
You Had Me at Happy Hour
by Timothy Janovsky
Afterglow
This LGBTQIA+ romance is a great example of a workplace romance set outside an office. Here, a grumpy sommelier and a flirty mixologist work together in a restaurant. But what starts as a professional rivalry can easily turn into undeniable attraction.
Rebel Doctor’s Boston Reunion
by Amy Ruttan
Medical Romance
Two doctors motivated by their career must work together in this exciting workplace romance set in a hospital that cleverly intertwines with another fun trope, second chance romance.
Boss with Benefits
by Lucy King
Harlequin Presents
This romance presents a classic office attraction between a CEO and a professional colleague, set in an incredibly sexy scenario. And while the desire and passion build up between the hero and heroine, they both need to maintain a façade to keep their jobs.
Looking for inspiration for your next fun, sexy or slow burn romance? Don’t hesitate to give the workplace trope a chance. Want to read more about romance tropes? Check out more trope spotlights in our archive.
