Romantic comedy, often referred to as rom com, is a media and literary genre that combines many facets of romances and comedies. Romantic comedies are typically light-hearted with dramatic moments exaggerated for comedic effect. They challenge ideas about what being the “perfect couple” entails and highlight the importance of overcoming obstacles to strengthen a relationship. Some examples of rom com books include the Bridget Jones’s Diary series (1996-2016) by Helen Fielding, The Kiss Quotient (2018) by Helen Hoang, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry (2022). A common trope in romantic comedies is the “enemies-to-lovers” trope; the films You’ve Got Mail (1998) and When Harry Met Sally (1989) are examples. The “fake relationship” trope, seen in books such as The Upside of Falling (2020) by Alex Light, is also common. Both tropes are central to the plot of Boyfriend Material.

In an enemies-to-lovers trope, two people strongly dislike each other or perceive an insurmountable obstacle to them getting along. This can manifest in a way that is professional (two colleagues vying for the same position) or personal (ethical or moral dilemmas prevent two people from being civil to each other). Usually, an extenuating circumstance forces these enemies to collaborate.