More importantly, forced romances steal oxygen from more interesting dynamics. A story about two rivals, a mentor and student, or even a genuine friendship is suddenly hijacked by a romantic subplot that no one asked for. The message sent is: Any deep connection between a man and a woman must eventually become romantic. That’s not just lazy writing. It’reductive.

: Situations like being "roommates by necessity" or trapped together, compelling characters to interact and develop feelings.

As long as readers dream of love that overcomes impossible odds, we will continue to lock our characters in the same room, force them into the same wedding, and strand them on the same island. We just have to remember to leave the door unlocked.