Today we have another installment in our recurring Favorite Books feature… Enemies to Lovers!
Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. I love it because it takes the typical friends to lovers and amps it up. These guys not only have the hurdle of turning a friendship to romance, they need to get past hating one another before they can even think about falling in love. I think it takes a lot of creativity and skill to make a reader believe that two characters who are enemies can make that kind of transition to love. Plus, all that pent up angry sex and intensity makes for a really exciting story.
Here is a list of our Joyfully Jay Favorite Enemies to Lovers Books.
So what do you think? Do you like this trope? Any favorites of your own? If you have some to add, I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
P.S. To see all the books we have reviewed that feature enemies to lovers, click here. Also, Goodreads has a list of their Best Gay Enemies/Rivals/Opposites Become Lovers you can also check out if you like this theme.
- Aunt Belle’s Time Travel & Collectibles by Marshall Thornton
- Bad Company by K.A. Mitchell
- Band Sinister by K.J. Charles
- The Beast Without by Christian Baines
- Beta Test by Annabeth Albert
- Blind Space by Marie Sexton
- The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
- Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox
- By the Rules by Elisabeth Staab
- Caged by Bey Deckard
- Calling the Show by J.A. Rock
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
- Catch a Ghost by S.E. Jakes
- The Centurian’s Choice by Sandra Schwab
- Conspiracy Theory by Elle Keaton
- Dance with Me by Heidi Cullinan
- Everything I Know by Josh Lanyon
- Fairy Compacts Trilogy by Katey Hawthorne
- Forever in One Second by Finn Marlowe
- Found at Sea by Jaclyn Osborn
- Heat by Chris Quinton and R.J. Scott
- Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
- Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
- Hexbreaker by Jordan L. Hawk
- Hexslayer by Jordan L. Hawk
- Hidden in Darkness by Alice Winters
- The High King’s Golden Tongue by Megan Derr
- Hostile Ground by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt
- In Your Eyes by Cardeno C
- Jurassic Heart by Anna Martin
- Kick at the Darkness by Keira Andrews
- Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
- King Slayer by Layla Reyne
- Let It Go by Mercy Celeste
- Lost and Found by Liv Rancourt
- Lovesick Gods by Amanda Meuwissen
- The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles
- A Matter of Disagreement by E.E. Ottoman
- My Cowboy Homecoming by Z.A. Mayfield
- Off Campus by Amy Jo Cousins
- The Only Gold by Tamara Allen
- Power Play by Avon Gale
- The Protector by Cooper West
- The Queen and the Homo Jock King by T.J. Klune
- The Red King by Rosemary O’Malley
- Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- Restless Spirits by Jordan L. Hawk
- The Road to Silver Plume by Tamara Allen
- Shades of Gray by Brooke McKinley
- Shadows & Light by Cari Z
- Sidelined by Mercy Celeste
- Silk & Steel series by Ariana Nash
- Sinner Born by Avril Ashton
- Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan
- The Soulstealers by Jacqueline Rohrbach
- The Summer House by R.J. Scott
- Temporary Insanity by H.L. Day
- An Unnatural Vice by K.J. Charles
- Unwrapping Hank by Eli Easton
- The Voyages of Trueblood Cay by Suanne Laqueur
- Wedding Favors by Anne Tenino
- Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
- With Pride by Megan Derr
- Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville
[Last Updated: 1/1/20]
I *loved* MJ O’Shea’s book, “Coming Home.” Enemies-to-Lovers is a trope I enjoy, for the very specific reason that it’s automatic, built-in conflict from the word “Go.” Conflict is the driving force of drama, and I adore high dudgeon done well! I was surprised to find a few titles on your list that I haven’t read – surprised & excited. Thanks for this list!!
So glad you enjoyed the list Tucker and hope you find some good things to add to your TBR pile!
That list is epic! Love it!
Don’t forget the ‘Special Forces” series by Marquesate. It’s darkly engrossing and I love the MCs Dan and Vadim!
Oh great suggestion! I haven’t read this series but I have heard good things.
Thanks for recommending Special Forces, which is co-written 🙂 (I co-wrote this as vashtan)
Lots of good choices here! Thanks for the list.
Thanks or sharing this list, it will be fun to check out the books.
I didn’t realize how much I was into this trope until I saw how many of these I had read and enjoyed. Â Several more are on my contest entry wish list!
The first Cut & Run by Abigail Roux
Oh yes, that is a great choice!