Enemies to Lovers Trope: 10 Swoon-Worthy Books

Last updated on March 17th, 2024 at 05:59 am

The enemies-to-lovers trope in romance books is one of my favorites. It’s a thrilling thing to watch (or read about) two people who initially can’t stand each other shed off that hate and helplessly fall into love.

What is the trope enemy to lovers?

The enemies-to-lovers trope is a narrative device where characters start off antagonistic or hostile towards each other but gradually develop romantic feelings. Conflict and tension between them eventually evolve into a romantic relationship, often leading to emotional depth and character growth.

10 Enemies to Lovers Books

If the enemies-to-lovers trope is a favorite of yours, too, and you’re looking for more titles that might have somehow escaped your romance radar, then check out this second round of 10 hate-that-turned-to-love relationships that I’ve read and loved.

If you haven’t done so already, see as well the first list of enemies-to-lovers books I’ve shared—they’re some of the best, too.

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So here are 10 more books that fantastically cover the enemies-to-lovers trope.

1. The Simple Wild

26-year-old Calla Fletcher goes back to Alaska after several years to spend time with her estranged, terminally ill father. There she meets rugged bush pilot Jonah, who flies planes for her dad. City girl Calla is the opposite of burly Jonah. He thinks she’s too soft and doesn’t approve of her. She thinks he is a big jerk. Their animosity toward each other is present from the get-go.

This book by K.A. Tucker doesn’t only have a moving romance between Calla and Jonah but also covers topics like reconnecting with forgotten loved ones and forgiving past mistakes. It is hilarious in parts, other times touching, sometimes sad. Everything comes together to create a lovely tale.

Alaska is mostly the setting of the story and it is depicted wonderfully in this book that we get to experience the place in its beautiful untouched glory. Get it here.

2. Vicious

Vicious is a nickname for Baron Spencer, Jr., who’s been… well, vicious (the aptest term, really) to Emilia/Millie LeBlanc in high school. He was the rich kid on the block, she was the daughter of his family’s hired help. He tormented Emilia at home and in school, but they both shared undeniable chemistry that still existed even years later when they met again as adults. Present circumstances force them into each other’s company.

While Vicious is cruel to Emilia in the early part of the book, the latter has a character that was strong and kind which makes her hold her own in the face of difficulties. To win her, Vicious does some groveling in the latter part of the story and manages to redeem himself in the end.

All in all, this book is a riveting enemies-to-lovers story that delivers the angst that this trope is expected to provide. Get it here.

3. Act Like It

Elaine Graham and Richard Troy are both famous London West End stage actors. Richard is talented but he is arrogant and obnoxious, so not many like him. Elaine or Lainie is considered London stage’s sweetheart. To repair Richard’s fledging public reputation, the two were made to pretend to be in a relationship. This couple who don’t like each other to begin with had to bring their acting abilities off the stage with fake cuddles and kisses. Soon lines get blurred and real feelings start surfacing.

This book by Lucy Parker is a gem. It has good, unique writing that’s smart, witty, and hilarious. So smart and witty that I found myself captivated by said writing, and so hilarious I was laughing out loud in places. The characters are lovable, especially Lainie, and even Richard, who turned into such a sweet boyfriend in the end. The backdrop of the story which is the London stage is interesting and a good new setting to be immersed in.

All in all, it is a great read that’s uniquely different. Get it here.

4. Fallen Crest High

Samantha Strattan and Mason Kade were both in high school when they were forced to live together when Sam’s mother decided to move in with Mason’s dad. Mason, along with his brother Logan, is a famous star athlete and their town’s notorious bad boy. Forced into circumstances they didn’t like, Sam and Mason didn’t want to have anything to do with each other. Amidst everything going crazy in their new family, though, they fell for each other.

This book by Tijan is full of drama, soap opera type. Some scenarios are over the top and quite far-fetched. Yet the slow-burn romance of Sam and Mason is swoony, with Mason being such a superb boyfriend.

Fallen Crest High is the first book in a series. Get it here.

5. Hollywood Dirt

Summer Jenkins is a small-town girl from Quincy, Georgia. Cole Masten is a famous A-list Hollywood actor and a three-time Academy Award winner. After reading a book about Quincy, Cole eventually packs up in this southern small town and starts filming a movie inspired by the book. He then meets Summer whom he managed to offend on the first meet. Thus began their antagonistic back and forth amidst an electric attraction.

Author Alessandra Torre managed not only to write a sizzling slow-burn romance between Summer and Cole but also paints a vivid picture of a hot summer in charming small-town Georgia. You’ll find yourself transported to expansive farmlands, rugged dirt roads, and interesting small-town life. Get it here.

Related Reads: Slow Burn Romance Books So Good You Can’t Put Down

6. Selfie

Braeden and Ivy, both college students, can’t stand each other. They’re constantly seeing each other, though, since their respective best friends date each other. Braeden is a no-commitment guy, while Ivy’s had enough of guys like him. To complicate matters, they found themselves sharing a night of passion during spring break. No matter how much they try to fight it, there’s an attraction beneath all the hate.

Selfie by Cambria Hebert is the fourth book in a series called Hashtag. You also might want to check the other books in the series since they feature one of my favorite book couples, Rimmel and Romeo. Get it here.

7. Pretty Reckless

Mean girl meets bad boy in this drama-filled book by L.J. Shen. Daria Followhill is the classic mean girl you see and read in teen stories: beautiful, cheerleading captain, rich, and spoiled. Penn Scully is the poor boy from the other side of the tracks. They met each other years ago, but that meeting didn’t turn out well. They started hating each other while sharing a devastating secret. Years later, Darias’s father brought Penn home and the two (Daria and Penn) were forced to live together amidst the hate.

This is an angst-filled romance with main characters you’d love to hate in the beginning. There’s more to the bitch and bad boy image, though; both have scars that help shape who they are at present. There’s character development that ultimately redeemed them in the end and made possible the creation of a raw and sweet romance. Get it here.

8. Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams by Kirsten Ashley is as much an inspiring tale of a woman looking for a second chance in life as it is a beautiful love story between two people who’ve been burned by love in the past.

Lauren Grahame is recently divorced and trying to reinvent herself. She basically lives in her car, driving from one place to another. She ends up in this small Colorado town where she lands a job as a waitress. There she meets part owner/bartender Tatum Jackson who doesn’t want her for the job (Lauren was hired by the other owner). That started their dislike for each other.

This book is one of my favorites from Ms. Ashley. It also has a little mystery going on the side. Get it here.

9. Filthy Gods

Filthy Gods by R. Scarlett is a short novel about two competing students from Yale University. Juliette and Nathaniel are nemeses in their class. Both are brilliant and driven. Unlike other Yale students, though, Juliette is poor and works odd jobs to make ends meet. She kept those a secret from everyone in school. Nathaniel, on the other hand, is privileged and rich. The latter accidentally discovers Juliette’s secret and offers a price for keeping it. It’s a price that would change their lives.

This is an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s steamy, sexy, and with a sizzling romantic tension between the two main characters. Recommended! Get it here.

10. When It’s Real

When It’s Real by the dynamic duo known as Erin Watt is a feel-good, light, fluffy, and sexy enemies-to-lovers romance.

It’s the story of Oakley Ford, a famous singer, and Vaughn Bennett, an orphan who helps support her family of four. To revamp Oakley’s bad boy image, good girl Vaughn was hired to pretend to be his girlfriend. Oakley was offensive to Vaughn the first time they met, which started their bickering with each other. As they spent time together, though, things changed and soon lines were blurred and eventually crossed.

This is one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers books, along with the famous series this duo author wrote, The Royals, a feature of which you can read here. Don’t miss both. Get it here.

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We hope you find your next favorite enemies-to-lovers trope read from this list. Happy reading!

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