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02. Forced Proximity...and Queso

January 29, 2026 · 21 min

Show notes

In this episode of The Romcom Formula, Claire navigates a job transition and recovers from an injury while Shannon insists she spend time at her house.

Shannon’s meddling hits Phase Two: she ropes her sister into watching her kids for a week while she and her husband Brian are away on work trips — conveniently putting Claire in daily contact with Tony, the hot handyman neighbor. Totally accidental. Totally.

As every romance audiobook narrator knows, there’s no better love catalyst than forced proximity… plus a little cheese dip and mild emotional chaos. Between revelations about Tony’s rockstar past, accidental run-ins, and existential debates about beverages, romantic sparks are inevitable.

By the end of the episode, Shannon’s got Brian in on the plan, Claire’s washing dishes with the neighbor, and the romcom formula is officially in motion.

Keywords: romantic comedy podcast, romcom audio drama, forced proximity trope, meddling sister, audiobook narrator, Hallmark movie vibes, meet cute, neighbors to lovers, single sister romance, audio fiction, family comedy, romance tropes, cozy comedy podcast, women-led audio drama.

CREDITS:

Creator and Director: Susan Cooper.

Co-Producers: Susan Cooper and Micah Caldwell.

Writers: Susan Cooper, Micah Caldwell, Razi Shadmehry, and Sahithi Solipuram.

Cast: Susan Cooper, Micah Caldwell, Matt Fogarty, Francisco Almenara, Cadden McArthur, Matilda Cooper, Oliver Clearfield, and Diana Jurand.

Editor: Doug Lehmann.

Post Production: Rosebank Picture & Sound.

Please like and subscribe, leave us a review, share with your favorite hopeless romantic, and follow @romcomformula on Instagram for bonus content!

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