However, when done poorly, forced paired relationships and romantic storylines can feel contrived, unrealistic, and even manipulative. One of the primary concerns is that these tropes can lead to a lack of agency and autonomy for one or both of the characters.
A "patched" relationship refers to a story where the bond is fundamentally broken or flawed—whether due to past betrayal, toxic dynamics, or inherent incompatibility—and the characters must actively work to "repair" it. MEGATHREAD REDUX: FORCED PROXIMITY : r/RomanceBooks