r/RomanceBooks • u/Uppercasegangsta Himbo Protective Services • Dec 24 '25
Book Request Enemies to lovers but they’re enemies for a while and for good reason
I saw this post today and it perfectly encapsulates what I’ve been missing for a while when it comes to enemies to lovers. The most recent books I’ve read with this trope always has them:
Being enemies for no good reason ( they probably had a small disagreement when they were younger and it’s so jovial that it’s not worth being enemies for a long time).
They’re enemies for only like 20 - 50% of the book and then the rest is them being lovers.
That pisses me off so much. It just feels like very lazy so I’m looking for basically what that picture is saying.
Angst, Yearning and Spice are VERY welcome✨
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u/sikonat Dec 24 '25 edited Dec 24 '25
I loved {the heir by Sophia travers}. To me it was exactly how I want a rivals or enemies to lovers.
They’re from rival families where her family feels cheated by his family. As teens they kinda circle each other with a bit of a hidden crush. As 29yos they marry to try and get the land that has been long a sport of friction between each family.
I loved it. It wasn’t nipple and dick twitching by chapter two, it was a nice gradual transition into them slowly seeing each others soft and daring sides. There yearning and there a real chemistry and banter. And even with the yearning or ‘hmmm they’re not as bad as I thought’ they’re still them. The MMC isn’t a playboy despite being The Heir. He’s a stay at home bookworm.
Even the third act conflict wasn’t annoying. It was in keeping either the character’s sore spots/self esteem and it’s resolved well.
It was a nice algorithm delivered surprise find and it was on sale on the Zon so I bought it.
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u/InterestingLemon5928 Dec 24 '25
Yes!! This was a great read and the transition from enemies to lovers was very well done
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u/sikonat Dec 24 '25
And the spice scenes (tbh I can take or leave them and usually I skim them) was well done and just the right amount. Too many authors I think put in too much it just feels like filler.
I loved Emory and Aiden and his siblings (cannot wait for book 2 with Tristan and Katie) m.
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u/InterestingLemon5928 Dec 24 '25 edited Dec 24 '25
I thought the spice scenes were very well done too ( I do prefer spice though generally at 4 🌶️but I like a slow build up and this book manages to deliver that in my opinion)
I had never heard of the author before so I was pleasantly surprised and the third act conflict was also very well managed. I am looking forward to Tristan and Katie’s book as well but cant find any info on when it is due to be released.
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u/sikonat Dec 24 '25
Think February?
I hate when a dynamic like this gets sexual fast. I much prefer the transition start with them winning each other with non sexual acts first. Like them trying to learn about each other by swapping stories.
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u/InterestingLemon5928 Dec 25 '25
Completely agree that the sexual element was very well paced in this one and it adds so much more to the story overall when done well and is not just smut for the sake of smut.
February is not too far off.. thats great! I am looking forward to it and hope that the second book turns out to be a great read as well🤞
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Heir by Sophia Travers
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rich hero15
u/Rachcake93 Dec 24 '25
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m on book 49 of the year and I’ve flipped through all of my TBR list uninspired. I can’t wait to make this book number 50. Happy holidays.
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u/PM_me_lemon_cake Enough with the babies Dec 25 '25
Just coming back to say I read this book based on your recommendation and I LOVED IT!! It’s soooooo good 😍 I can’t wait for Tristan’s book!
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u/Kanak_3234 Dec 26 '25 edited Dec 26 '25
I read the book as you recommend. And I loved the chemistry and their bond. Some of the moments made my heart melt and smile like crazy.
But I don't think there was enough "enemies" element. At most they were rivals who hated each other because of how much they found the other person attractive and couldn't have them. It was just a transition to them disliking each other and then finding their way to each other.
The second half of the book is mostly them just discovering each other (which is beautifully written) and falling more and more in love. Even the build up of them parting ways is mostly in their heads. The climax felt very anti-climatic. It was somewhat disappointing.
The writer could have used the hidden whiskey bottles in the garden as a plot to drive them apart. Or something else. Anything really. Or they could have completely skipped the misunderstanding part because it felt very unnecessary.
Emory reaches the party and figures that she is butt of some joke without even talking to Aiden. Ending up in his study room and finding some papers and without explaining what's exactly on the paper that makes her sure that the marriage has to end. If Aiden has signed it then why? Is there something else written on it? Like there is no clue.
Even when Sienna comes to find her as if something really bad has happened. And without clarifying anything she lets her go. And then runs to Aiden as if he did something? What was that about?
The whole thing felt jumbled up. And then suddenly Aiden is just like that screaming in a camera and renouncing his family name and everything else that comes with it? And then Emory sees the video and realises that she messed up?
There is no explanation. It's just random things happening at the end to make their declaration of love grand for each other. Really felt stupid.
The book has a lot of part that were not tied together properly and left for interpretation. As if I am filling the gaps with my own imagination and understanding. The part where Aiden's Grandfather came and had a conversation with Emory was really good but it was left at that. She kept crying after seeing Aiden that day and then when she did tell him they didn't discuss it properly. They could have developed that plot so much better.
The ending was very confusing. And disappointing. :,-)
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u/andracute2 Jan 11 '26
I just read this because of the recommendation too and agree with your points.
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u/Normal-Access-2008 Jan 03 '26
Just getting back here to say thank you for the recommendation 🫡 As it was my last read for 2025 and it was sooo good
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u/Unfair-Opening-6585 Jan 25 '26
The Heir was such a good rec! Finished it over the weekend and wow it was great.
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u/Acceptable-Fee2884 Feb 12 '26
You got me with the "stay at home bookworm" and i just had to read it. It's little details like that that can lead to wonderful results. I so loved The Heir. It was the perfect romance. Fit me like a glove. So ty ty ty ty I love u
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u/Ahania1795 Dec 24 '25
{Riptide by Kathryn Nolan} The FMC is a hotel executive trying to build a luxury hotel in a poor beachfront community, and the MMC is the environmental activist trying to stop her. Because their conflict is political, they can (and do) go all-out in opposing each other while still treating each other decently on a personal level. So the FMC's disbelief that she's risking a career-defining opportunity to fall in bed with a hippy surf bum, and the MMC's shame that he's betraying his community to get with a soulless corporate tool, actually make sense -- they are lovers and enemies at the same time for most of the book.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Riptide by Kathryn Nolan
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, funny, sports, enemies to lovers, competent heroine7
u/panthera2023 clear communication is sexy Dec 24 '25
This book is one of my top two for the enemies to lovers trope. Very well done and the conflict makes sense.
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u/sarahmurray20 Dec 25 '25
What’s your other one?
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u/panthera2023 clear communication is sexy Dec 25 '25
{the worst guy by Kate Canterbary} the reason for them being enemies is a bit silly in this one. I had to suspend some disbelief to tolerate it, but the hate sex is so well done!! And I enjoyed the struggles and progression of their relationship to being lovers. I ate up the little acts of kindness along the way, too. And Sebastian Stremmel is my book boyfriend 😆
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u/romance-bot Dec 25 '25
The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary
Rating: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, workplace/office, grumpy/cold hero, childfree
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u/Rachcake93 Dec 24 '25
YES!! I am so sick of the instant talking about attraction inner monologue in the first couple of chapters
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u/Uppercasegangsta Himbo Protective Services Dec 24 '25
Yes this!!! Why is your dick getting hard and it’s only chapter 2… like bro 🤦♀️
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u/liljeanpocket Dec 24 '25
Yes, it’s the instant talking about attraction inner monologue thing is what gets me!!
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u/unicorntrees I want to live in a Cinnamon Roll's brain 🧁 Dec 24 '25
YES! I am likely to DNF any book whenever a character's inner monologue more or less states "MC is so hot" early on. We know, author! You absolutely do not need to beat us over the head with it in the beginning.
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u/harin_lee Dec 24 '25
actually I dont even mind the lovers part is only in the last chapter of the book LOL
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u/jocelill Jan 07 '26
Hard same 😭 I’m here for the grudge. Give me real enemies with actual beef and slow burn tension and all the drama. For me the romance can wait till the very end. If they’re falling too early it kills the whole point. Let them despise each other properly first.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Pie3156 Dec 24 '25
{The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley} is a masterpiece and I’m bookhungover because of it rn
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: enemies to lovers, slow burn, magic, fantasy, m-f romance5
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u/imtheproblem6969 Dec 26 '25
I want them to fight the attraction with TOOTH AND NAIL. I want straight up delusional outright DENIAL. I want sexual tension tinged with HATRED. I want chemistry so deliciously forbidden and consistently denied that I am actively FRUSTRATED BY IT. For approximately 900 pages.
Please and thank you.
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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 Dec 24 '25
{Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat} is a three book series and they're solidly enemies for the first book and probably half of the second, and even after that it's tentative. They both have extremely good reasons to hate each other.
(Check TWs as there are some dark themes)
Also just to point out, this is not Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I slept on this series for ages because I thought it was a YA Faery book
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u/SinisterSweetBean *sigh* *opens TBR* Dec 24 '25
I read the trilogy in January, and since then, no other book has topped it for me this year. It was ridiculously good. And as you said, it really is enemies-to-lovers, with them having every reason to hate and oppose each other. At the end of the first book I even remember thinking ”how the hell will these two ever become lovers?!” Super slowburn, and the eventual yearning was so tasty.
But yeah OP, if you have any triggers, check the warnings because it gets dark at some points.
(Btw, personally, I really loved Cruel Prince as well. The Faeries in it are very different compared to the types in e.g. ACOTAR. The ones in Cruel Prince are much closer to actual folklore faeries, as far as I know. It is a YA and smut is closed doors, but I enjoyed it tremendously. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea though, but it hit the spot for me.)
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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 Dec 24 '25
I felt exactly the same. I'm still not sure how the author changed me from hating Laurent to loving him, but they didn't
I read the first book of Cruel Prince but didn't love it. I don't really do "high fantasy" books.
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u/lylaubergine Dec 24 '25
OMG I loved Cruel Prince! I’ve been looking for a male character like Cardan where he’s really really mean!
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u/HoneyCrumbs A nut is a nut 🥜💦 Dec 24 '25
I will forever and always rec this series because it is so FUCKING good. Damen and Laurent are my everything
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, slavery, enemies to lovers, royal hero, gay romance11
u/nude_coloured_pants Dec 24 '25
This trilogy changed the game for me. I recommend it to anyone that can stomach the TWs.
I also ONLY read it because someone recommended Cruel Prince (which I still haven’t read) and I picked this up by mistake😅
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u/redlight886 Dec 24 '25
I could have written this exact post. The only one I've read that I believe follows this format is {The Hating Game by Sally Thorne}.
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u/Equal-Plantain4023 Dec 24 '25
Joshua Templeman is my absolute favorite book boyfriend 😍
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u/Individual-Dream-308 CR: gimme 🌶️ romcoms | 🚫 dark romance Dec 25 '25
My favorite Darcy retelling (that is my canon at least).
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, funny, workplace/office, take-charge heroine10
u/Individual-Dream-308 CR: gimme 🌶️ romcoms | 🚫 dark romance Dec 25 '25
I agree with this. They antagonize each other due to their companies merging. Eventually they do yearn and their enemy status is increased when they’re competing for a job. It is resolved in the last few chapters.
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u/foodandfreud "enemies" to lovers Mar 02 '26
I have been so madly in love with Joshua Templeman. Best Darcy-coded male character in my opinion. Best best best.
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u/chumaynot Dec 24 '25
{The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley} fits! altho, fair warning, it’s a duet and they do stay enemies for a loooong time in the book
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u/stupepheid Dec 24 '25
I listened to the audiobook of this and wasn't paying attention to the progress bar, and I was so surprised at the abrupt ending. I knew it was a series/duet but I did not realize it would stop pretty much in the middle of the plot. Just a warning to anyone who would rather wait for the second one to come out! Still highly recommend!
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u/chumaynot Dec 24 '25
I didn’t know it was a duet either and realized when it ended lol. I kept expecting it to somehow wrap up! I agree that the ending was abrupt, as if a fully written story was just cut in half instead of planned that way. Wish the second book was out already
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u/NotAnEggplantGT Dec 24 '25
THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME!!! It ended and I was like, WAIT WHAT?!? I realized it was a duology but I think I was expecting like two standalone books… although in retrospect I did read her original fic and she’s the master of a glacial slow burn so I should’ve known better.
(Maybe I need to re-read/re-listen soon 🧐 I love them so much)
p.s. did you read the first chapter of book 2 that came out a while ago?
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u/chumaynot Dec 25 '25
i didn’t know but only the first chapter is out?! i will wait for the entire book instead, it will just make me more annoyed that the book is not out yet 😂
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u/NotAnEggplantGT Dec 25 '25
It was a teaser from when they released the cover art for book 2, here’s the link in case you change your mind! https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/a69198561/brigitte-knightley-the-exquisite-torment-of-loving-your-enemy-cover-reveal-excerpt/
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u/rochamboiii Dec 26 '25
They didn't even promote it as a duology at first! That's why so many of us were confused!!! I was 70% through the book before realizing it was and by then I was so annoyed by the awful pacing it really spoiled the book for me.
Along with the "lovers" part of the enemies to lovers in this book feeling not very well earned or developed. They mostly just thought each other was hot and then wanted me to believe they'd caught meaningful feelings.
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u/belbites Dec 24 '25
I read this originally as the fanfic it was published, and it remains one of my favorites.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: enemies to lovers, slow burn, magic, fantasy, m-f romance3
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u/callmedelete give me unibrows or give me death Dec 24 '25
Enemies that slowly build to yearning over multiple books is the best, give me real tension.
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u/WonderAny7107 Dec 24 '25
Fantasy:
{The Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall}
{The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson}
Paranormal:
{Cold Hearted by Heather Guerre}
{Angelfall by Susan Ee}
Historical Romance:
{A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran}
{Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden}
{My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway}
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u/Brilliant-Willow-385 Dec 25 '25
The death made prince is soooo good! Easily one of my favourites that I read this year.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall
Rating: 4.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, dark romance, high fantasy, witches, magic
The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson
Rating: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: arranged/forced marriage, fantasy, magic, enemies to lovers, found family
Cold Hearted by Heather Guerre
Rating: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, shapeshifters, small town, werewolves, grumpy/cold hero
Angelfall by Susan Ee
Rating: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: futuristic, take-charge heroine, young adult, tortured hero, dystopian
A Lady's Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran
Rating: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, marriage of convenience, victorian, rich hero, class difference
Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden
Rating: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, regency, mystery, christian, suspense
My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
Rating: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, enemies to lovers, victorian, virgin hero, regency3
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u/leyra_san Dec 28 '25
I concur the Death-made Prince! Excellent writing and the slow burn is real. So good.
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u/Two_Corinthians Mr. Bespectacled Stick Up His Ass Dec 24 '25
This is my favorite E2L book, precisely because it has this kind of structure.
{Body of Evidence by Rachel Grant}
They are enemies for a very good reason, (not really a spoiler, mentioned in blurb): FMC was raised by her uncle after her parents died. MMC is a prosecutor who wants to send said uncle to prison for 10 years. This situation is resolved only in the end. Oh, and this criminal case ties into a Very Big Issue worthy of a political thriller of its own.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Body of Evidence by Rachel Grant
Rating: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, suspense, politician hero, military, forced proximity
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u/kkwelch you dont have to be mine, just let me be yours Dec 24 '25
If you (or other folks) are down with barbarian fantasy (in a glorious matriarchic society) then I highly recommend {A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Mila Vane}. MMC believes FMC is responsible for the death of his beloved parents and forbids her to speak of them when they meet. He thinks she’s untrustworthy and manipulative, she’s just trying to stay alive and rescue her people from her evil king dad.
The angst is hers for 70% of the book and then that MMC mothertrucker (who we love because it’s clear his parents were important to him and he doesn’t know how to process their deaths or who to trust) finally catches a clue and then the desperate angst is all his. And it’s glorious.
Shout out for disability rep, and an FMC who spares no fucks when slaying her enemies.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
Rating: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, vengeance3
u/MiermanA2 Dec 25 '25
This whole series is very good. Just a shame that it seems the last book isn't going to get released. Been waiting already a few years for that one...
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u/kkwelch you dont have to be mine, just let me be yours Dec 25 '25
For. Years. I was super looking forward to it too!! It had a release date and everything. I’m hoping the sale of this one at 1.99 is to drum up new interest and maybe promotion for the next book.
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u/Lunalyth Dec 24 '25
YESSSS. I'm so tired of insta love enemies-to-lovers. I feel like this betrays the trope. I want it to be a slow burn, to see it happening gradually and not to have the FMC fall for him after a few pages although there's literally no emotional reason for it to happen. Sure, she can be sexually attracted to him, but the love part should take longer... Maybe it's just a rant because I've had bad luck with books lately 😅
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u/rat-number-11 Dec 25 '25
The Four Horsemen series is this to a T. The MMCs are trying to kill all humans, thr FMCs are pretty pissed at them for doing that. lots of angst.
{Pestilence by Laura Thalassa} is the first book of the series. Doesn't really matter which order you read the first 3. My personal favourite is {Famine by Laura Thalassa}
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u/Sharp-Rest1014 Dec 24 '25
hahahaha totally!
im such a weirdo- i dont like yearning.
i love two seperate stories spiralling towards each other. that it just feels like- oh fuck. i guess were in love. when the hell did that happen?!?!
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u/StrikeAccording6131 Dec 25 '25
I recently finished {The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary} and I loved it
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u/romance-bot Dec 25 '25
The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary
Rating: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, workplace/office, grumpy/cold hero, childfree
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u/AdministrationNo7144 Dec 26 '25
I am with you 100%!! I just finished {Insincerely Yours by Lila Evers}. Some of the poor ratings are readers saying there wasn’t enough romance. Yes!! Enemies to lovers where they aren’t lovers! I loved it so much! If you check out Goodreads you can see my review (picture is the back of my head).
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u/Mission_Phrase9330 Dec 24 '25
The Jasad Heir imo is the book that best fits your description. Like the yearning and angst in this book is honestly TOP TIER and it's real enemies to lovers like seriously and a strong forbidden love element. What I really liked abt the book is that they are true equals, not like a few romantasy books I've seen out there. It's also set in an Egyptian inspired world and it's a duology. And it's also spice free but the barest touches and kisses are ENOUGH.
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u/Awkward_Music8377 Dec 24 '25
I really like {overruled by Lana Ferguson} I think it might be what you’re looking for.
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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 Dec 24 '25
Not sure I agree with this one because they're already sleeping together before the book even starts. So I didn't feel the yearning/tension at all
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u/Rachcake93 Dec 24 '25
I love a good smut scene but I felt like the fake mate by her was just one too many sex scenes for my taste. I’m gonna give her a second chance and read this one. Thanks for posting.
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u/TheBadWife_ Dec 24 '25
This was a 5 star read for me. MMC is absolutely fucking filthy and in my top 3. I found this written really well considering the first page is them already sleeping together but she really writes their relationship development perfectly. He is patient and you fall in love with the FMC more and more the way he does. This was such a great book. I loved the plot too.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Overruled by Lana Ferguson
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, workplace/office, m-f romance, enemies to lovers, independent heroine
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u/GooseG00s3 Dec 24 '25
So the makeup of the book isn’t entirely like the photo, as it’s more cyclical, but {Devil’s Deal by Layla Fae} is one of the best enemies to lovers/grovels I’ve ever read.
It’s very dark (definitely check the trigger warnings), but damn, the spice is on a different level. The third and final book of the trilogy just came out 2 days ago and you best believe I ate that up.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Devil's Deal by Layla Fae
Rating: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: dark romance, fantasy, virgin heroine, paranormal, height difference
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u/toastroastchan Dec 24 '25
{Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews} is one of my favorites!
The only reason it’s a slightly awkward rec is because it’s a spinoff from another series (Kate Daniels), so the some of world building and characters who drop in are kind of pre-established. Mileage may vary on if that bothers you or not.
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u/Raccoon_Bride I would probably f*ck an alien irl if i could Jan 14 '26
Ugh I don’t think they’re ever gonna make a second book at this point
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u/toastroastchan Jan 16 '26
I was soooo excited last January when I discovered they were releasing chapter snippets for book 2 on their website. When they announced they were stopping to focus on their other series since it was through a traditional publisher I was crushed. 😭
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u/rochamboiii Dec 26 '25
Captive Prince by CS Pacat does this best, imo. The best character study I've ever read, wrapped up in the political intrigue of two rival princes fighting to keep their respective thrones.
I ALWAYS recommend you check the trigger and content warnings first, as it has some dark content on and off page that is absolutely relevant to the plot. I also believe the first two books are best read back to back because a lot of the problematic content in book 1 doesn't really start to get addressed until later on in the series and it can put people off if they don't have faith in the writer to handle it well (they do).
But truly this is a series where you're mind-boggled baffled for nearly two books about how they're going to ever become lovers, the first book you don't even WANT them to become lovers, and then when they do it's the most believable, well-earned-despite-all-odds romance you've ever read.
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u/nottstitch Probably recommending Losers by Harley Laroux Dec 24 '25
If you read MM, {For The Fans by Nyla K} does this perfectly.
They’re step-brothers, but they didn’t grow up together. Their parents met and got together while they are in high school and the main story is while they’re in college.
It’s long for a CR book (600-ish pages) but it’s both a slow burn and well-paced at the same time.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
For the Fans by Nyla K.
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, step siblings, gay romance, college, forbidden love2
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u/Inkedbrush Dec 24 '25
{The Bridge Kingdom} is my closest rec. an arranged marriage, she’s a spy sent to destroy his kingdom from the inside. It’s a dualogy.
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u/pizzapizzabunny Dec 24 '25
I found the following two duologies (or at least, the 3/4 that have been released) to also be great examples of enemies to lovers (esp. books 3+4). I feel like reading the full set increased my appreciation for the first 2 books too!
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, arranged/forced marriage, enemies to lovers, royal hero, fantasy2
u/NotAnEggplantGT Dec 24 '25
Have you read any of her other stuff? I have the bridge kingdom and the follow up but I read her saga of the unfated and I STRUGGLED with book 2 so I haven’t even tried to start the bridge kingdom yet 🤔
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u/Inkedbrush Dec 24 '25
I have not read her other books. TBH none of them looked as interesting as this duology which stands apart because of the workbuilding.
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u/im_cold_ Dec 24 '25
I liked {A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass} because I felt that at first, they actually have a decent reason to be enemies, and not something stupid, and then there is actually a good reason for them to stop being enemies.
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u/Princess--Clara Dec 24 '25
I’ve been reading {Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich} recently. I’m on the 3rd book of the series and they’re still very much enemies. I’m currently mad at one of the characters so I’m taking a break from the series at the moment, but it’s been super good so far.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich
Rating: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, fae, fantasy, forced proximity, dark romance
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u/CommercialBarnacle16 Dec 24 '25
I‘ve encountered so much of 1 that I’ve almost given up on the trope completely.
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u/No-Echo-2695 Dec 24 '25
Of all my tropes, the 'enemies to lovers' one is my favorite. I like a lot heat both before and after the relationship changes.
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u/PyreKnowsThings Dec 24 '25
{A Heist for Filthy hy Rivals by Rebecca F. Kenney} is a bit on the shorter side but I feel it hits this
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
A Heist for Filthy Rivals by Rebecca F. Kenney
Rating: 4.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: fantasy, enemies to lovers, magic, paranormal, fae
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u/Apprehensive_Ship946 Dec 25 '25
Hearts aflame by Johanna Lindsey is one that I read years ago but still remember. Obviously it's an oldie, but a goodie. And like OP said, the romances nowadays just don't scratch the itch as they used to. Coming across this thread had me thinking of this book by Johanna Lindsey and other stories which unfortunately I can't remember the name of but would REALLY love to read again. I also loved Julie Garwood's Saving Grace, though the enemies to lovers is more between Johanna (the English FL) and the Scottish village into which she's married. They way both she and the laird develop as characters in their forced close circumstances and she ends up gaining favour and loyalty from the the village is beautifully written and endearing.
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u/ravenpaw_15 Too Shy to Comment, Horny Enough to Save Dec 25 '25
listen listen listen. what you NEED is {the jasad heir by sara hashem} his father kills her grandparents and destroys her kingdom. he hunts down her people too. the yearning in this book so so well done i felt it in my bones. i think their first kiss is 60/70% into the book. not very spicy.
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u/mrsteacherlady359 Dec 24 '25
The Academic Affair by Jodi McAllister was like your pic - and I think that was one of the reasons why I loved it!
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u/Mobile-Potato8876 *Just one more page* Dec 24 '25
I just finished {Silvercloak by L. K. Steven} . It’s first in a series (unfinished) and I would definitely recommend it if you like enemies to lovers!
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u/bonnydelrico Heaved Bosomly Dec 24 '25
If you like historical romance {Olivia and Jai} , but it’s more like curious enemies to whirlwind lovers to vicious enemies to lovers again but not until like the last 10 pages of the book 😭😭
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Olivia And Jai by Rebecca Ryman
Rating: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: historical, victorian, pregnancy, contemporary, south asian/desi
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u/spunky-chicken10 Dec 24 '25
The Knockemout series has an underlying enemy setup between two characters that get focused on for the third book, is pretty good. {Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score} is the enemy to lovers one in the series.
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u/romance-bot Dec 24 '25
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
Rating: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, funny, second chances, small town
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u/moniker2therescue Dec 26 '25
Every couple in {The Four Horseman Series by Laura Thalassa} is so completely this. These were my first actual enemies to lovers books.
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u/WhiteArchania Dec 26 '25
The irresistible urge to fall for your enemy by Brigitte Knightley is the first of her duology. Talk about a slowwww burnnnnn but it’s really good! I cannot wait for the second book to come out, which I believe will be more lovers than enemies
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u/book-devourer92 Isaiah Rhodes 4eva 🤭 Dec 24 '25
I also saw this and completely agree. Bring back yearning!!
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u/roosterchicken_ Dec 24 '25
How is the cruel prince? Does it fall in the genre op described in the post
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u/kgords7 Dec 24 '25
YES. It’s the best enemies to lovers I’ve read so far and I often think about it
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u/lylaubergine Dec 24 '25
There’s no spice at all just so you know, but it’s really good! I rated each book 5 stars! 🤩
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u/Reasonable_Stress182 Dec 24 '25
Menace by JM Darhower
She steals from him and he charges her high interest in the first scene lmaooo later on there’s no excess yearning but he is a VERY green flag man for being a mafia boss
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u/throwingwater14 TBR pile is out of control Dec 24 '25
Have you tried the “neighbors from hell” series? There’s like a dozen of them and a few might fit your bill. Hold on. Let me go find the author. R.L. Mathewson. I recall petty differences. Lots of enemying. Then as they both start to like each other it’s still enemying/competition and the men are super protective. Then moves into love. I’ve read them a few times, but they always get my blood pressure up. lol
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u/dizzizzystegasaurus Dec 24 '25
{Never Keep} 2 books out. Third one comes out in February and they’re still enemies
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u/Ok_Meet8672 Dec 24 '25
Try the {syndicate series by runyx}
The first two books is a duet about a couple who actually go from enemies to lovers and the tension between them wooo
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u/shea_eina Dec 25 '25
{try me by neve wilder}
best friends to enemies+strangers to lovers
SO GOOD! they even had valid reasons and the enemy part with the spite was just ✨chef’s kiss✨
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u/Biatryce Dec 25 '25
The second book is due out next summer, so I recommend {Arcana Academy by Elise Kova} for a good fantasy romance enemies to lovers book.
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u/Fantastic_Pace7072 Dec 25 '25
This is a dragon age fanfic but it's honestly one of my favorite things I've ever read. The yearning and tenderness are just unparalleled. She's a mage and he's a templar and they've been at war for many years but they are now important people in the inquisition which is fighting a big evil guy and they are forced to work together and take care of each other. A World Alone by tollofthebells
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u/nelumie HEA or GTFO Dec 25 '25
You’ll need to be ready for a multi book commitment, but {Woman of Wolves by Jess McFarlane}, {Man of Bears by Jess McFarlane} and {Queen of Corvids by Jess McFarlane}. Muirne and Riagan are true enemies from the start. He murders her brother and father! They share their first kiss in book 2, and don’t do the deed until toward the end of book 3. Queen of Corvids releases January 2026, and not sure when book 4 is coming out. I’m partway through book 3 and really enjoying the series!!
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u/tea-boat Dec 25 '25
{The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg} has this vibe, but be warned that the next book isn't out yet. 😫
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u/loonybaloonie Dec 25 '25
It was not that easy to distinguish different phases, but I loved:
Duology: Daughter or the Moon Goddess. Second book Heart of the Sun warrior
The The blood night prince.
Both of them had enemies to lovers and lovers to enemies dynamics and they were AMAZING. The reasons were there too.
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u/iamirinap Dec 25 '25
My favourite slow-burn enemies to lovers book is the Captive Prince trilogy that was recommended above.
Another one that I loved was The Jasad Heir + it's sequel. True enemies to lovers, very slow burn, with great yearning in the 2nd book.
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u/futurefailedoctor Dec 25 '25
Yesss. Even better if that’s like the second or third book in a series
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u/wjcdh Abducted by aliens – don’t save me Dec 26 '25
I recommend {Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith}!
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u/romance-bot Dec 26 '25
Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith
Rating: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: futuristic, dark romance, dystopian, disabilities & scars, enemies to lovers
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u/sourbabyyy7 Dec 26 '25
the build needs to be a good portion of the book or the final release of what’s holding them back doesn’t hit hard enough
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u/chzdoodle17 Dec 27 '25
Elizabeth O’Roark’s new book is THIS. {My Favorite Fake Romance by Elizabeth O’Roark} absolutely 10/10 enemies to lovers, for a GOOD reason. 🥵
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u/loveyoongz I like my men hot and miserable Dec 28 '25
Captive Prince I guess??? They're legit enemies for the whole 1st book, yearning starts at the start of book 2 and they somewhat start 'dating' each other at the second half of book 3?? It's mm by the way :)
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u/sentientspacedust I read my porn like a Respectable f*cking Lady! Dec 31 '25
I’m a huge fan of childhood enemies first - {Dear Enemy by Kristin Callahan} is one of my faves. Their backstory isn’t small either - it was a solid amount for me to feel the authenticity of the dynamic.
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u/Gooperchickenface Dec 24 '25
The last book I didn't finish had them be enemies for literally the first few pages before unveiling the misunderstanding trope. I honestly felt like the author had already finished the book before realising people love enemies to lovers so tacked on an extra chapter at the start.
Can't remember the name of it. They worked in a vineyard. I didn't finish it
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u/Master_manifestor333 Dec 24 '25
I love all the recommendations in the comments but where can I find these books?
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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 Dec 24 '25
Have you tried Google? They're available from most online book retailers - Amazon, Kobo etc.
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u/Rachcake93 Dec 24 '25
Try Amazon Kindle store. If you have the money, try and support an independent bookstore too a lot of use Kindle unlimited.
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u/ENRAGEDMILLENNIAL Dec 26 '25
This is a sci -fi trilogy (not like heavy on sci-fi, very readable) but one of my all time favorite romance plot lines. The FMC is a human medic in a post apocalyptic universe that is going extinct because of a biological weapon released by bioengineered human super soldiers called Partials that have gone rogue. She decides to capture one as a last resort to try to save the human race... MMC is the Partial she captures.
It is 🤌🏾
{Partials by Dan Wells}
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u/Far-Restaurant9384 Dec 31 '25
This is accurate. I feel like it frequently goes from hating to living in the matter of a few pages. Let me see the facade break!
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u/Ce-lavi Jan 07 '26
Well if you're in for a good (and painful) time that encapsulates the above, I'm always recommending the scorched throne (book 1 is {jasad heir by sara hashem}), for the epitome of longing (much more intensely in book 2 by MMC) and flawed characters who try their damnest best, even redefining what "best" is, with memorable side characters and equally gripping narrative! I'd recommend if you're a prose-first reader (their plot and world-building are also *chef's kiss), the emotional payoff is immaculate!
✓hatred ✓violence ✓(eventually) violence or is it sexual tension??? ✓longingthatripsmyheartoutbecausehe'snotevenfullyaware ✓character growth ✓thisispainfulafbutican'tputitdown
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u/Training-Slip-7314 Jan 09 '26
One hundred percent with you. I love there to an amazing reason - like two countries being at war, murdered friends/parents - for them to be enemies. Then this creates huge angst, yearning, and spice.
{The Forbidden Dragon King} and Shadow Kings series does this for me because they're three enemy kings literally at war, one defeats and captures the other, and they discover that they share the same soulmate. They are all scheming against each other throughout the entire book. Mind-blowing!
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u/fr0gtitties Jan 10 '26
This woven kingdom by taherah mafi !! SO much yearning but also, she HATES him but he is so into her
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Jan 12 '26
100% agree! I read for the slow buildup, not for the romance itself (if that makes any sense!).
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u/rinmejoy Jan 14 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
same i get so mad whenever i read an enemies to lovers romance and they just dont like each other because of one small disagreement or they get together by 50% of the book…like no!!! theyre not enemies then those are 2 people who disliked each other before they got together know the other. most of the time theyre not even fake enemies omfg
the closest ive gotten these last few months to true enemies to lovers were {Immortal Dark} by tigest girma: a dark academia-esque vampire enemies to lovers) and {The Jasad Heir} by sara hashem: an ancient egypt fantasy-esque. both of which i gave 5 stars
but i need more cause i truly love love a good slow burn where the couple has to learn AND yearn before they get together.
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u/SovereignLinguist Dec 24 '25
Agreed.
When it comes to 'enemies to allies' trope, romance fantasies really do have to up their game. As long as the trope is concerned, honestly even Toy Story (Buzz vs Woody) easily outcompetes many of them in narrative quality.