6 Nerdtastic Romances Set at Fan Conventions

Content Warnings: Homophobia, Child Abuse, Ableism, Emotional Abuse by a Parent

Setting: Gaming Tournament

At their local game shop, Conrad is known for being sociable and charming. The perfect on-screen rival to guarded and driven Alden. Their YouTube channel has given their team the chance to attend a gaming tournament that could change their lives, but when the team slowly drops out of the cross country drive, Conrad is left with Alden, and everyone fears they may not make it in one piece. An adorably tender road trip pulls together an unlikely pair in this enemies-to-lovers romance.

Content Warnings: Racism, Sexism, Emotional Abuse, Unwanted Sexual Encounters, Parental Death, Ableism

Setting: Literary Convention

When fantasy author Rae receives an invitation to an awards ceremony where her ex-husband and his new wife will be in attendance, she aims to avoid disaster at all costs. After years of living in her ex-husband’s shadow, Rae has finally made a name for herself with her literary career. Rae is unwilling to go alone and her close friend Zach is down to be her fake boyfriend for the event. After years of pretending to be allosexual, Zach is done with putting on a show for others but finds he is comfortable doing so for Rae. But, will they be able to fool others without breaking their friendship in the process?

Content Warnings: Dysmorphia, Parental Illness

Setting: Renaissance Faire

Years after leaving a dream fashion job in the city to take care of her sick mother, Stacy realizes she wants more than a life in a small town. Sure, summers as a barmaid at the local Renaissance Faire make her year, but even she struggles to see a path forward. So, when her casual fling Dex, a traveling Faire performer, decides to send a shockingly tender email, Stacy pins her hope on the summer ahead. All year, she awaits the day she can finally meet the man with whom she has an online relationship. But, when he rolls back into town, Stacy shockingly discovers she has been falling in love with someone she hardly knows.

Content Warnings: Ableism, Emotional Abuse by a Parent

Setting: Meet and Greet

Thanks to his successful accessibility YouTube channel, Dovid has been able to live in Seattle with his twin sister making fun content about Dovid’s life as a blind person. He is used to sharing the things he likes with his audience. So, when he comes across Sam’s Let’s Play Channel and his buttery Irish accent, he naturally makes a video extolling his virtues. Overnight, thousands of new subscribers flood Sam’s small channel. Sam learns to deal with the pressure of a larger channel by DMing Dovid, who is more than happy to help. This online romance with an asexual MC is worth your time.

Content Warnings: Fat-shaming, Dysmorphia, Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Ableism, Emotional Abuse by a Parent

Setting: A Generic Comic Book Convention

With a new job on the horizon, April decides she is done separating her professional passion for geology and her recreational obsession with the Gods of the Gates fandom. But, posting a photo of her plus-size cosplay on her main Twitter account accidentally lands her a real date with Marcus, the male show lead. On their horrible first date, Marcus soon realizes April writes fan fiction alongside him and they have been fandom friends for years. He faces a true dilemma. If Marcus reveals his fan fiction persona, his acting career will be over, but if he doesn’t come clean, he might lose his chance at love.

Content Warnings: Ableism, Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Explicit Depiction of Mental Illness

Setting: A Generic Comic Book Convention

What else is a lead actor to do when he must attend a convention but is done with fans pawing at him other than get a fake girlfriend? Jake comes across Hailey, a bookworm who couldn’t care less about his fame, and feels like he’s hit the jackpot. They decide to help each other out. Jake needs a date and Hailey needs to save her family’s bookstore. But, when fake dating leads to real feelings they may just find themselves in a relationship meant to last.