Story Prompts: 10 Unconventional Romance Settings

Just like a candlelit dinner or sunset on the beach, the setting in a romance can make or break the end results. A book’s location often defines the tone, mood, and even swoony-ness of the narrative. Many editors say the setting is the third most important character in a romance so it’s no wonder there are tried and true reoccurring places. Small towns seduce workaholic city people. Picturesque vacation islands sweep Main Characters (MCs) off their feet. Lonesome cliff sides and remote cabins provide that Je ne sais quoi.

Still, we can also say love can bloom anywhere. Romance as a genre is expanding year by year and diversifying in content and subject and while a “Happily Ever After” is certain, offering something fresh can put a fun spin on the familiar. Here are 10 unconventional settings for falling in love!

A meme for your meme-ing pleasure.

Note: Many versions of stories may already exist. These are intended to spark your own imagination and highlight less common approaches to the genre as a whole.

1. A junkyard: Picture this, a mechanic and an artist stand across from each other with piles of junk in between them. This could be a metaphor. Mechanic love interests are a staple of the romance genre along with eccentric artists — and perhaps these two are looking for some spare parts? A junkyard may not provide the most floral atmosphere, but…