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11 Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Books Recommendation
Not every enemies-to-lovers romance deserves the praise it gets. The trope might be popular, but finding books that execute it perfectly is difficult.
That’s the real challenge. If you’re searching for romance books with genuine tension, compelling character development, and that delicious slow-burn payoff, look no further. I’ve combed through hundreds of titles to bring you 15 enemies-to-lovers books that aren’t just hyped, they’re actually worth your precious reading time.
Now, let’s explore the books that execute this beloved trope to perfection.
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Most Eligible Billionaire by Annika Martin
Most Eligible Billionaire transforms the classic billionaire romance formula with a fresh, humorous twist that sets it apart from similar titles.
Vicky, an Etsy shop owner, suddenly becomes the spokesperson for Smuckers, a dog who just inherited a billion-dollar company. Now, she’s stuck in a battle of wits (and undeniable attraction) with Henry Locke, the gorgeous but infuriating son of the late CEO.
What makes this book special is the genuine animosity between the protagonists. Henry believes Vicky is a con artist who manipulated his mother, while Vicky sees Henry as an entitled rich boy.
- Corporate settings with power dynamics
- Humor mixed with sexual tension
- Strong-willed female protagonists who don’t back down
- Billionaire romance with substance beyond wealth
Topics & Genre: Enemies-to-lovers, romantic comedy.
Game Changers Book Series by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry stands as one of the most compelling sports romances in recent years, following professional hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov through nearly a decade of fierce competition both on and off the ice.
What begins as an athletic rivalry evolves into a complex relationship conducted in secret, away from the media spotlight.
Reid brilliantly captures the intensity of professional sports while developing a relationship that feels both forbidden and inevitable.
The chemistry between Shane and Ilya crackles from their first meeting, but what elevates this book is how their relationship develops over years.
- Sports romance enthusiasts who appreciate accurate athletic details
- Complex, long-developing relationships
- Rivals who respect each other’s talents despite their animosity
Topics & Genre: LGBTQ+ romance, sports romance.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
The Bridge Kingdom masterfully mix fantasy, political intrigue, and enemies-to-lovers romance.
Lara has been trained since childhood to infiltrate and destroy the Bridge Kingdom, marrying its ruler as part of her mission. When she finally meets King Aren, she discovers the kingdom isn’t the evil empire she was raised to believe.
Jensen creates a tense dynamic where Lara must choose between her lifelong mission and her growing feelings for a man she was meant to betray.
The worldbuilding is exceptional, with the strategic importance of the bridge creating natural political tensions that drive the plot.
- Slow burn fantasy romance
- Strong political intrigue
- Competent female protagonists with agency
- Well-developed fantasy worlds
Topics & Genre: Fantasy, romance, enemies-to-lovers.
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Perfect Chemistry tackles class differences and cultural stereotypes through the relationship between Brittany Ellis, the seemingly perfect rich girl, and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes, a gang member from the wrong side of town.
When they’re forced to be chemistry partners, their initial contempt gives way to a deeper understanding.
- Multicultural representation in romance
- High school settings with depth beyond typical teen drama
- Characters who break free from societal expectations
Topics & Genre: Teen romance.
The Broken Kingdoms Book Series by L.J. Andrews
The Broken Kingdoms combines high fantasy with slow-burn romance in a richly detailed world where ancient magic threatens the fragile peace.
The female protagonist, a healer with forbidden abilities, finds herself forced to work alongside a warrior prince she blames for her family’s suffering.
The fantasy elements are integrated seamlessly into the developing relationship, with magical abilities creating both barriers and connections between the protagonists.
- Complex magical systems and worldbuilding
- Slow-burn romance that develops through shared danger
- Fantasy romance + political dimension
Topics & Genre: Young adult fantasy, romance.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Uprooted stands out for its unique take on fairy tale elements and Eastern European folklore. The atmospheric writing and immersive worldbuilding make Uprooted a standout, with the enemies-to-lovers romance feeling like an organic part of a richly developed fantasy universe.
Agnieszka lives in a village that must sacrifice a girl every ten years to the powerful, cold wizard known as the Dragon.
When she’s unexpectedly chosen, she discovers her own magical talents, and clashes immediately with her reluctant teacher.
- Fantasy with a folklore foundation
- Mentorship dynamics
- Strong-willed, unconventional heroines
- Romance that develops alongside personal growth
Topics & Genre: Fantasy.
Master of Crows by Grace Draven
Master of Crows features one of fantasy romance’s most compelling pairings: a powerful, isolated sorcerer and the servant woman sent to spy on him.
Martise, ostensibly there to help Silhara research a way to defeat a god who wants to possess him, is actually gathering information for the mage priests who control her.
Morally complex characters whose animosity comes from legitimate conflicts of interest rather than misunderstandings.
- Gothic atmospheres and isolated settings
- Morally ambiguous, powerful heroes
- Sensual tension that builds over time
Topics & Genre: Dark fantasy romance, gothic.
Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase
Set in 1820s Paris and London, it follows Leila Beaumont, a renowned painter who despises her depraved husband, and Comte d’Esmond, the secret agent investigating her husband’s murde, for which Leila is the prime suspect.
Chase creates genuine conflict, d’Esmond was indirectly responsible for the events that ruined Leila’s marriage years earlier.
Their antagonism has deep roots, making their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying.
- Intelligent, accomplished heroines in historical settings
- Mysteries integrated with romance plots
- European historical settings beyond Regency England
- Mature characters with complex pasts
Topics & Genre: Historical romance, adventure.
By a Thread by Lucy Score
By a Thread centers on Dominic, a ruthless CEO, and Ally, a former employee who quit after their disastrous first encounter.
When circumstances force them to work together again, their professional antagonism gradually transforms into reluctant attraction.
Unlike many workplace romances that rely solely on power dynamics, both protagonists are strong-willed and capable.
- Workplace romance with genuine professional conflicts
- Steamy scenes with emotional significance
Topics & Genre: Contemporary romance, workplace romance.
Untouchable by Sam Mariano
Untouchable is perhaps the most controversial entry on this list, featuring a dark romance between a bullied girl and her tormentor.
This book explores power dynamics and redemption in ways that push boundaries and won’t be comfortable for all readers.
Mariano doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, creating a relationship that begins with genuine cruelty before evolving into something more complex.
This isn’t a traditional romance with a misunderstood hero.
This dark romance will interest:
- Morally gray characters and situations
- Romances that explore psychological complexity
- Redemption arcs that don’t offer easy answers
Topics & Genre: Contemporary romance, taboo.
Strictly Business by Carrie Elks
Strictly Business puts a fresh spin on the office romance by featuring a female CEO and her male employee, reversing traditional power dynamics.
When the protagonist takes over her father’s company, she faces resistance from a talented employee who believes he should have gotten her position.
The workplace conflicts feel genuine rather than manufactured, stemming from different management philosophies and ambitions.
- Female characters in positions of power
- Workplace dynamics and corporate settings
- Role-reversal romances that challenge gender expectations
Topics & Genre: Contemporary romance, romantic comedy.
What Makes These Enemies-to-Lovers Books Stand Out?
What separates these 15 books from countless other enemies-to-lovers romances is their commitment to developing genuine conflict and meaningful resolution. In each case, the protagonists’ animosity stems from legitimate differences rather than simple misunderstandings that could be resolved with a single conversation.
These books all deliver unique experiences, whether through humor, intense emotion, or thrilling plots. The characters are complex, the stories are engaging, and the romance is unforgettable.
Which of these books will you read first?
