Forced Proximity Book Review - No Spoilers
Introduction
Yesterday morning I tried to get Marcus ready for school while he insisted on showing me his latest rock “discovery.” He marched into the kitchen with bits of gravel in his pockets, demanding I judge each one. I lost count of how many he insisted were “rare” before we were late. That chaotic start reminds me how life often forces us into unexpected pairings—and that’s exactly what Forced Proximity does. On to the plot summary.
Plot Summary
Forced Proximity by Jaymin Eve and Tate James is Book 1 in the Bluebell House Duet. It is a dark college romance with strong emotional stakes. The heroine, Evelyn (sometimes Eve), is a transfer student recovering from a traumatic event. She enrolls at Meadowridge College hoping for a fresh start, but her panic attacks and past follow her. One night, a panic episode leads her to an impulsive moment in the library that changes everything. She is soon removed from her dorm and forced to move into a decrepit old house—Bluebell House—shared with five powerful, secretive men associated with the college. Over time, bonds form, tension simmers, and secrets surface. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many threads unresolved in preparation for Book 2. The author never makes Eve choose among the men yet in this installment; her relationships evolve in a messy, emotional way.
Why I Love This Book
I love how raw the emotional undercurrent is. Eve’s trauma feels real and messy—not sanitized. Her panic attacks aren’t a plot device; they are integral to her journey, and I felt her fear, her shame, and her moments of triumph. I love the tension among characters. The slow reveals, the whispered secrets, and the push-pull between intimacy and distance kept me turning pages late into the night.
I love how each of the men is drawn with flaws and shadows. They aren’t perfect, and their dynamics with Eve shift in surprising ways. I also love the found-family vibe emerging in Bluebell House. As they renovate the space and live under one roof, their interactions carry both friction and comfort. The juxtaposition of vulnerability and control in nearly every relationship thread made me ache for more.
I also appreciate that the book doesn’t shy away from darkness. It challenges the characters (and me as a reader). The stakes feel high. And yet there are moments of levity, sharp banter, and emotional release that balance heavier scenes. The mix struck me as both unsettling and thrilling in the best way.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy dark college romance, you may really connect with this. If you like forced proximity settings, tension-filled relationships, and multiple romantic threads without immediate resolution, this is for you. If you read reverse harem, slow burn, mystery, and emotional suspense, those elements are strong here.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains trauma, violence, panic attacks, stalking, gun violence, and non-consensual overtones. Some characters monitor others through cameras. Approach carefully if these themes are difficult for you.
Tagged As
reverse harem, college romance, forced proximity, dark romance, slow burn, found family, multiple POVs, mystery, contemporary, enemies to lovers, age gap, psychological tension, explicit open door, indecision, cliffhanger, new adult
Steam Level
This romance is on the spicier side. The steam includes open-door intimacy, emotional intensity, and high-stakes romantic tension. It’s more than mild, definitely for mature readers.
