This week’s book recommendation post features my absolute favorite trope: enemies to lovers. I’ll share some of my favorite books that feature this trope, and I’ll continue to add to it as I find new favorites. Each book will feature links to Bookshop and Amazon if you’d like to purchase–these are affiliate links, but there is no extra cost for you. Just a little bonus income to keep the lights on for this website.
(And to start with, here’s the full list on Bookshop!)
Pride and Prejudice: The classic example of enemies to lovers, and probably the reason most of us who love this trope love it. Whether you have an opinion about which on-screen adaptation was better or you reread a dogeared copy every year, there’s a very good chance this story is special to you.
Beach Read: Another classic, as far as I’m concerned, at least. It might be the fact that it’s set in a made-up town on Lake Michigan or the chemistry between the two leads, but this is the book that made me fall in love with contemporary romance.
Unlikely Match: This story features workplace enemies becoming lovers, yes, but so much more than that, too. It’s the first transplant romance I’ve ever read, where one character receives a partial liver transplant, and it’s informed by the author’s own experience receiving such a transplant. Really enjoyed this one.
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors: This book has such a special place in my heart. I stumbled on it in a small bookstore in northern Michigan on a spontaneous trip with my brother, and it opened up a world of possibilities for me. Fun fact: while reading this book, I jotted down the first notes to brainstorm/outline what my own Pride and Prejudice retelling might look like. This whole series (The Rajes) is so wonderful.
Book Lovers: Emily Henry deserves to be on this list twice, because even though Beach Read is my absolute favorite book of hers, Book Lovers (and Charlie Lastra’s eyebrows) must be mentioned. I love how this book flips the “falling in love in a small town” trope on its head.
Undercover Bromance: Another series that I adore. The premise of the series, that there is a group of men reading romance novels and learning from them, creates so much opportunity for depth of understanding. Each book features the current romance novels the guys are working through, and this one is a romantic suspense novel, which made for such a fun read.
The Unhoneymooners: The maid of honor and best man take the bride and groom’s place on their honeymoon…but they hate each other.
The Spanish Love Deception: I have so much respect for Elena Armas. She wrote a whole book in her second language and apparently tapped into a LOT of people’s fantasies because this book went mega viral. I absolutely love seeing her succeed.
Red, White & Royal Blue: Enemies to lovers, but make the stakes international politics. The president’s son and a literal prince…such a fairytale romance, so much heart, a stellar supporting cast. Looking forward to watching this one on-screen soon.
The Plus One: This book is more specifically childhood enemies to lovers, which I didn’t realize was actually a thing. Two beautiful characters on some hard journeys through trauma, loving and supporting each other once they decide to stop pretending they hate each other.
The Kiss Curse: I love these witchy books from Erin Sterling (two out so far, eagerly awaiting the third). The atmosphere is the best, from the witchy equivalent of Stars’ Hollow to an ever-rainy village in Wales. Such fun reads.
Pride, Prejudice, & Turkish Delight: Sneaking my own book onto the list, but at least I left it at the bottom, right?
