Road Trip Romance Novels
8 recommendations with "only one bed"
I’m often asked, “what’s your favorite/least favorite romance trope?” The answer varies based on what I’m reading now, the season, my mood, or (to be honest) who is asking the question. These days, I’m a little bit sick of enemies to lovers books, favoring more friends to lovers and second chance romance—and I admit to giggling with utter delight every time the “only one bed” trope pops up.
If, like me, you want a guaranteed “only one bed” moment in your romance novel, look for a road trip plot. It’s perfectly inevitable: two characters embark on a journey across the country in a car, a carriage, or a train, and at some point they will need a place to rest. They stop at an inn, a motel, an Air BnB, and OH, what a shame. There is only one bed. Sometimes the characters respectfully find separate places on the floor or the couch, sometimes the characters share the bed while practically bursting into flames over the sexual tension, and sometimes the one bed serves as a steamy destination. No matter how the trope shakes out, I adore it.
Today I’m sharing a list of two contemporary and six historical romance novels featuring road trips and shared rooms. I would love for you to add your recommendations in the comments!
Road Trip Romance
Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace. When Jolene Baxter agrees to help her sister and brother-in-law moves across the country, she doesn’t expect Jason Akana to join them. He’s a type A list-maker, and she’s running away from her messy life. As the two encounter speed bumps and car problems, their agitation turns to attraction. Grace’s books are flirty, cute, and quick reads.
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce. Noelle Shepard is an unemployed photographer in the throes of grief. With nothing to lose, Noelle decides to travel a route her grandma was going to take on her honeymoon before that engagement fell apart. In a series of serendipitous events, her academic arch-nemesis Theo and his grandfather Paul join her on a journey through stunning National Parks. Along the way, Noelle and Theo fall for each other, but they also walk through grief and sort out complicated feelings about their futures. Perfect for fans of Beach Read by Emily Henry.