Why Readers Love “Get It Out of Our Systems” Romance Books (plus book recs!)

Romance book logic looks a little something like this: If we just sleep together this one time, we’ll get it out of our systems and then everything can go back to normal.

(Dear reader, it does not go back to normal.)

The “let’s do it once to get it out of our systems” trope highlights how attraction isn’t something we can control, despite all of our best efforts. Two characters convince themselves that they can resolve all their messy feelings with one simple reckless decision, and it might seem quite logical in the moment. But what was supposed to solve all their problems only makes their worlds collide.

As much as they fight it, the feelings they have for each other are more than just heat-of-the-moment passions…and we get to read as they figure out that they had could never been a “just one night” romance. I love witnessing characters realize their deeper emotions for the other person, especially when they are deep in denial. So let’s talk about the best let’s get it out of our systems romance books that will have you giggling and kicking your feet.

If you love romance book recs, you’ll probably feel at home with my newsletter where I share regular indie romance recommendations!

Why this Trope in Romance Novels Works So Well

It’s really enjoyable to watch two characters internally struggle with their feelings for one another, but I find it really interesting when two characters bring those desires out into the open. They confess that there’s something there, and they propose sleeping together to get those cravings out of the way. It forces them to have that vulnerable moment and put those secret feelings out in the open.

I'm also a huge fan of emotionally constipated characters. When characters deny their feelings, it creates this really interesting push and pull on the page. As readers, we know that they’re trying to deny themselves something, but at the same time they’re trying to indulge.

When done correctly, this trope can give you a lot of angst and pining, especially after that initial intimacy. We get to witness them go from making a deal that they'll sleep together just once and to falling deeply for each other. 

Common Romance Variations of the “Just Once To Get It Out of Our Systems” Trope

1. Friends to lovers…but make it extra messy 

It wasn’t until I wrote a friends to lovers romance that I realized just how beloved this trope is. There’s something about having a connection with someone that starts out purely platonic. The emotional intimacy is built in before the physical intimacy becomes a part of the relationship. So when two characters who have been friends for a while decide to do it once to get it out of their systems, they navigate their relationship changing in a big way. Obviously, they may insist beforehand that it won’t change their friendship, but we readers know better.

In the friends to lovers situation of this trope, it builds up a lot of internal conflict. One or both of the characters may have a did we just ruin the friendship? moment. And, of course, this can also be fun when one or both of these characters have secretly been harboring feelings for the other.

2. Enemies or rivals who decide to give in just this once

Enemies to lovers books are super popular, and it’s definitely a trope I enjoy. You’re almost guaranteed lots of fun banter as the two characters go from despising each other to having a soft spot for each other, to something more.

When two characters dislike each other so much yet find themselves attracted to each other, just doing it once seems like a potential solution to all of their problems. (Cue the hate sex!) It also gives us so much juicy conflict, because the characters may not yet understand why they are attracted to this other person—they just know that they can’t stop thinking about them.

3. Second chance romance books where they can’t resist the temptation any longer

When two exes are back in each other’s orbits, there will be some lingering tension. What better way to get rid of said tension than to sleep together?

Steamy second chance romance books let us have that it’s not over, it was never really over confession. There will be no denying that these two characters obviously still harbor some feelings for each other. At first, they might even convince themselves that it’s purely physical or that they’re just looking for closure, but we know that what they’re feeling runs deeper. Seeing them do their relationship right the second time around conveys a message of hope—that we can all make mistakes but still get the good things in life that we want.

4. Workplace romance or forbidden romance

Maybe it’s concerns over the HR department, perhaps it’s a nanny and single dad situation, or maybe it’s a taboo age gap…when a relationship feels forbidden, it adds a layer of thrill. The internal conflict of knowing that they really shouldn’t be doing this amps up a lot of the tension, and there’s the lingering question of how they’ll make this work in the long-run.

5. One night stand trope

One night stand romance books are probably the most similar to the “let’s do it once and get it out of our systems” books. The characters sleep together once and go about their lives, assuming they’ll never see the other person again…until that person walks right back into their lives for other reasons. They then have to figure out how to be tooootally normal around each other, despite knowing what it’s like being in bed together.

What to Expect from Get It Out Of Our Systems Romance Books

Romance tropes are blueprints for readers, just as tropes are for any book genre. They provide built-in tension and conflict, anticipation for the reader, and, depending on how authors use them, they can also create some pleasant surprises.

With a fling-to-feelings romance book, there are some things that you can expect…

• Mutual denial. People don’t always say what they’re feeling. And when something as intimate as sex is involved, they will often lie to themselves, to the other person involved, and even to other people that what happened doesn't mean anything. We know what they’re telling themselves, but we also have two eyes and can sense the attraction. As the book progresses, we get to see that it is much more meaningful than just physical attraction.

• There are rules. When it comes to an arrangement like this, the two characters have to set up ground rules. This always creates a really fun scene (or maybe even more than one scene) where they discuss everything in detail. This is honestly a really mature and healthy way to approach intercourse, and the total juxtaposition of the heat-of-the-moment urges they’re feeling deep down. The fact that these characters can have this discussion shows us that they have mutual respect for each other and are both consenting adults to this somewhat zany arrangement.

• Someone catches feelings first. This is just bound to happen. The two characters are not necessarily going to be on the same wavelength, or one may just be in greater denial. At some point, one of the characters is going to have an oh no moment and realize that this has turned into something more meaningful for them. Which then begs the question… are the only one feeling this way? is this a feeling they can get rid of, or should they confront the other person?  can they make this feeling go away? It’s always compelling to see how characters react once they realize that they actually care about the other person.

• Jealousy. Since their arrangement was just one time, it means that they are fully able to date and see other people…right? I'm not a huge fan of super-jealous, overprotective male main characters, but I do love seeing a little bit of jealousy when one of the characters gets romantic interest from a tertiary character. Jealousy can really show someone what they actually want, so while the character may not realize this in the moment, it lets us know as the reader that they are feeling something real for the love interest.

• Okay, maybe a second time. The just this once trope is really fun, and that first time the two characters get together is a huge turning point. But something that I like even more is when the characters realize that they don’t want it to be just once. This is juicy, because it opens up a more vulnerable space for these characters to exist in. They both have to agree to break the rules that they had initially set up, and it’s yet another shift in their relationship.

Just This Once to Get It Out of Our System
Romance Book Recs

In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine

When Daisy’s childhood best friend, Max, comes back to town and proposes a project that could save her hotel and his career, she can’t say no. But that means confronting long-ignored feelings on both their parts until they truly can’t take it anymore. Tensions run high, so they strike a “just this once” deal to get all the curiosity and what ifs out of their head. But after one incredible night together, it just makes Daisy want more of what she can’t have, and it makes Max yearn for the woman he’s always secretly desired. This one is a spicy romance book on KU with some vibrator play, “good girl” moments, and a pickup truck scene!

Business Casual by B.K. Borison

Nova isn’t looking for love, but she is certainly intrigued by the straight-laced investment banker who’s determined to help her fledgling business no matter what. So, rather than continue working together and ignoring an obvious attraction to Charlie, they strike a deal: one night, no strings attached. I love how Charlie has mega golden retriever vibes, and these two characters compliment each other so well with some opposites attract vibes. This book is perfect if you want some of the small-town drama mixed into your romance.

Risk it All by Izabela Kamila

Eliza is a bit of a free spirit—she’s not interested in romance, and she’s content to work as a bartender by night, yoga instructor by day. Leo is at a low point and starting over in the small town, moving in next door and working at the bar…only one small problem: he’s Eliza’s ex’s older brother. Throw in an almost-kiss three years ago, and you’ve got a lot of delicious tension between these two. They try to convince themselves it’s only physical and that they can both move on after the summer’s end, but the more time they spend together, the more obvious it is that their connection is worth risking everything for.

Cuffed by K. Bromberg

If you’ve always loved a man in uniform, this one’s for you. Grant and Emmy knew each other as kids, and now that Emmy is back in town twenty years later, she has a lot of conflicting feelings about him. Sure, she can recognize he’s attractive, but he also pushes her buttons…and he knows too many of her secrets for her to get involved seriously. So they strike the deal: just once to get it out of their systems. Emmy figures one night can’t hurt to let her indulge in her desires, but Grant knows all too well that he won’t let Emmy go this time without fighting for her.

The Velvet Fix by Rachel Kaye

What’s a girl who hates attachment to do when she finds herself getting attached? Jill and Ben have some complicated history (this book has the brother’s best friend and “it was always you” trope), and their journey to an HEA is rooted in reality while still giving us some super spicy moments. When they agree to give into their feelings, Jill makes sure they set very clear boundaries—no kissing, no cuddling, and no spending the night. Seeing her defenses come down and how these two are just perfect for each other will have you swooning until the end.

The Score by Elle Kennedy

Allie’s feeling a bit heartbroken after her recent breakup—and not to mention she’s stressed with her graduation looming—and while she knows that a rebound won’t solve all of her problems, it won’t not solve them, either. Dean is a ladies’ man, through and through, and he’s used to getting what he wants. So when Allie insists their arrangement is just for one night, that only makes him want her more. But as he pursues her, it begs the question…is this just about sleeping together, or is their connection about something more? Elle Kennedy does such a good job capturing the angst and drama of the college years while keeping the characters grounded and lovable.

Part Time Cowboy by Maisey Yates

The bad girl is back in town. Sadie can’t avoid the glares from the buttoned-up (and super hot) deputy sheriff, Eli, who must still see her as the teenager breaking all the rules. But Sadie is determined to have a fresh start and make her commitment to her small Oregon town last in the form of a B and B. Eli’s initial concern has him keeping his eyes on Sadie…but that also means it’s tough to keep his hands off of her. This is an opposites attract romance book that has both characters questioning why they’re so attracted to the other person and giving in to those deep desires.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Author duo Christina Lauren always deliver on romance books that are laugh-out-loud funny, heartfelt, and packed with a fun combo of tropes. Millie and Reid have a found-family type friend group, they have a one-night stand to get it out of their systems, and there’s a fun dash of mistaken identity, one of the most underrated romance tropes, imho. Millie is a classic afraid-of-intimacy heroine, which I always love, and seeing her walls come down so she can open her heart to what she really wants is a rewarding journey to read!

The Three-Night Stand by Roxie Noir

Javier and Madeline have a one-night stand, never expecting to see the other person again (even if they can’t quite forget that night…). But two years later, they discover that their parents are getting married, and things get interesting. They most definitely shouldn’t sleep with each other again…right? Or again after that, just to get it out of their systems…RIGHT? These two are in major denial about their feelings, but it’s understandable why, considering their about to be step-siblings. These two characters are put in a pretty difficult, awkward situation, made even harder because of their sizzling chemistry.

Stealing You by Mollie Goins

Beck is romantic at heart, and while he might yearn for the type of love his friends have found, he’s more than satisfied with his life, his dream job, and his amazing friends. He’s also seen early-onset Alzheimer’s affect his mother’s health, so he knows that no future is guaranteed. He’d rather keep his heart guarded than risk losing it all later down the road. But then he meets Jensen, a woman who brings a real spark into his life, and when she needs a place to stay, he offers. Their arrangement is temporary, Beck doesn’t want love, and Jensen doesn’t want a relationship…but they both decide they can have some fun in the meantime. This is a sports romance with all the feels and some black cat x golden retriever vibes.

Reckless by Elsie Silver

Winter never imagined that she’d get into bed with Theo, notorious ladies’ man, especially after swearing off men entirely. But he’s a persistent man, and she eventually gives in, spending one of the hottest nights of her life with him. But she goes back into defensive mode and tells him that he has to forget it ever happened. She’s not looking for anything complicated, and her feelings for him are…well, they’re complicated. If you’re looking for a one-night stand romance Goodreads readers love, then you’ll love this one from Elsie Silver.

The Rule Breaker by Stephanie Alves

Isabella is only looking for a rebound to get her ex out of her mind so that she can move on with her life. That rebound just so happens to be Ryan, the hockey team captain and, more importantly, her brother’s best friend. She won’t be able to avoid him, especially now that she’s doing an internship with her dad, AKA the coach (!). They promised each other they wouldn’t cross any more lines…but those lines start to get blurry with late-night talks and flirting. Ryan knows he shouldn’t get closer and closer to her, but she’s too much for him to resist. I love the new adult, college drama in this one!

Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto

Riley’s perfect life changes in an instant after a car accident leaves him with an amputated right leg. He’s dreamed of playing hockey for the NHL, but now he has to figure out who he is when he’s not on the ice. Lexi is an athletic trainer assigned to his rehab journey, and she doesn’t just help him feel better physically—she’s sunshine personified and is determined to cheer him up. They fall into a friends with benefits arrangement that is just for one night, but it becomes something much more meaningful for the two of them. This spicy romance book is my favorite kind of romance—one where the characters have their own demons, must battle them, and come out stronger together.

Taste by Melanie Harlow

When Ellie gets stranded in a blizzard with Gianni, she’s less than thrilled. He may be devastatingly handsome, but he’s also cocky as hell and a whole lot of trouble. Their forced proximity means that one thing leads to another and then…Ellie ends up pregnant. I’ve been pleasantly surprised in the past by the surprise pregnancy trope, and this steamy romance book on KU does it right. Gianni steps up and wants to be there for Ellie, but Ellie has serious reservations and definitely doesn’t want to get in the way of his dreams…or to feel like he’s settling. Seeing them battle their fears and find their HEA is so heartwarming!

Our Ride to Forever by Julie Olivia

Theo and Orson go the classic one-night-stand to friends to lovers route. Theo is a free spirit—a gal who lives in the moment. So when she finds out that Orson is against relationships, she sees it as a nice chance to let off some steam. Their fling then turns into a marriage of convenience when Orson needs the great health insurance that Theo has, and of course it will all work out because neither of them really wants a relationship for real. They then move in together, and…well, let’s just say it gets complicated. This is a tropey romance with two absolutely endearing MCs, and it’s the perfect balance of a romcom with spice.

A Deal with the Devil by Elizabeth O’Roark

Tali is out of a long-term relationship and taking on the financial burdens of her family while feeling quite unmoored in her career. By chance, she lands a lucrative assistant position working for a grumpy plastic surgeon, Hayes. While she doesn’t like the guy, she likes the income. But as she gets to know Hayes, she finds that his bad attitude and destructive behavior is not so much because he’s a jerk, and more because he, too, has had his heart broken. This romance book with banter is *chef’s kiss* but it also has a lot of emotion, making that HEA well-deserved.

If you love this trope, you'll also love…

Honestly, the let’s get it out of our systems trope is so much fun to read. And since tropes can be very similar, if you enjoy this romance trope, then you should definitely check out some of these other tropes:

• A one night stand to something more

• Estranged friends to lovers (check out my roundup of estranged friends to lovers books)

• Friends with Benefits romance books

• Sex lessons