Best Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Books: The Ultimate Reading List
June 6, 2026
If BookTok has a favourite trope, it’s enemies-to-lovers — the slow, delicious turn from “I can’t stand you” to “I can’t live without you.” Done well, it’s the most satisfying arc in romance. Here are the best books and series across every flavour of the trope.
The romantasy heavyweights
A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas The romantasy phenomenon practically built on the trope. The Rhysand arc is the enemies-to-lovers blueprint for a generation. See the full Maasverse reading order →
The Empyrean (Fourth Wing) — Rebecca Yarros Rivals at a deadly war college, forced together, sparks flying. Enemies-to-lovers with dragons — what’s not to love? Browse Rebecca Yarros →
The contemporary rom-coms
Beach Read & Book Lovers — Emily Henry Henry is the queen of the smart, banter-heavy enemies-to-lovers contemporary. Book Lovers in particular is a masterclass. See Emily Henry’s books →
The Hating Game — Sally Thorne The modern rom-com that relaunched the office-rivals trope. If you want the purest, most charming version, start here.
For the spice seekers
The Love Hypothesis — Ali Hazelwood A fake-dating/enemies-adjacent STEM romance that became a runaway hit — grumpy professor, sunshine grad student, undeniable tension.
Icebreaker — Hannah Grace Sports romance with a frosty start that thaws beautifully. See our guide to hockey romance →.
Why the trope works
Enemies-to-lovers is really a trust story: two people whose walls are highest with each other, slowly learning that the person who challenges you most might also understand you best. The friction is the foreplay — and when the turn finally comes, it hits like nothing else in romance.
Where to start
For fantasy, ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. For contemporary, Book Lovers or The Hating Game. Pick your genre and let the sparks fly.