Book Recs: Enemies to Lovers

We all know how good a trope enemies (or rivals) to lovers can be when it’s done right. It has that perfect intensity and tension, and the point where they realise that actually they don’t hate each other any more and you get pining? Absolutely brilliant. So, of course, I had to do a rec list (and also, this was what was voted for on Twitter). There’s actually a lot of overlap between this list and some other ones, mostly because when a book has one of my favourite tropes it tends to hit a few more at the same time. And also. Because it’s a favourite trope, if the book is good it normally rockets onto my favourites shelf.

So, without further ado, the list.

A lot of those titles are available on Scribd, so if you want to check out that service but don’t have an account yet, use my invite code to get 2 months for free! (This also gives me one free month.)

And hey, there’s now a second part to this, with ten more books!

Whatever.: or how junior year became totally f$@ked

S. J. Goslee
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, gay li

Why Should I Read It?

The way this book just gets a bisexual awakening, while being really funny and occasionally heartbreaking, is truly amazing. Mike has such a great voice, and his relationship with Wallace is one of my favourites. And ignore what the blurb says about Mike being gay. He’s bi and the book thankfully makes sure you know that.

Joyride

Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly
Goodreads
Rep: wlw mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Slowburn enemies to lovers (detouring via friends), while having adventures in space? Joyride has got you covered. Plus Marcus To’s art is always a reason in itself to read a comic.

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston
Goodreads
Rep: bi Mexican-American mc, gay li (lgbt author)

Why Should I Read It?

Okay, true, this is a pre-release rec. But. Trust me. You’re going to want to read this. It’s such a good and soft rivals to friends to friends with benefits to lovers story, and every time I think about it I want to reread. Although I’m still not convinced them being rivals isn’t just all in Alex’s head.

Holly and Oak

R. Cooper
Goodreads
Rep: gay mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Can you believe R. Cooper is such a good author as to be able to develop a rivals to lovers storyline in such a satisfying way in so short a time? Me neither, but she does.

Running with Lions

Julian Winters
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, gay British-Pakistani li (lgbt author)

Why Should I Read It?

Enemies to lovers is good, but when it comes with the baggage of being best friends when they were younger? That gives some unique and satisfying angst to get through before the friends point can even start, let alone the lovers.

Compass Rose

Anna Burke
Goodreads
Rep: lesbian mcs (ownvoices)

Why Should I Read It?

Okay, take out the hate to love aspect, and this still sounds like it’s an amazing book (it is, trust me). Add in hate to love romance? And you got yourself a winner. Even if I am still just a tiny bit bitter the ship I was rooting for wasn’t endgame.

Peter Darling

Austin Chant
Goodreads
Rep: gay trans mc (ownvoices), gay li

Why Should I Read It?

I bet you never thought about Peter Pan/Captain Hook as a ship until you read this synopsis (aged up somewhat of course). But then you read it and you’re like this just makes sense. I don’t know how Austin Chant did it but. It made sense.

The Fever King

Victoria Lee
Goodreads
Rep: bi Jewish mc, gay li (lgbt author)

Why Should I Read It?

Another pre-release rec, sure, but this one is actually out pretty soon (less than a month!) so it doesn’t really count. Anyway, the romance is so satisfyingly slowburn and intense you just have to read this.

Stag’s Run

Zaya Feli
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, gay li

Why Should I Read It?

One thing I’ve been asked a lot about this one is how similar it is to Captive Prince. It’s not similar. Stop. No comparisons allowed. It’s great in its own right and such a quick read (and also I love Anik and Ren with my whole heart).

Hold Me

Courtney Milan
Goodreads
Rep: Mexican-American trans mc, Thai-Chinese bi mc (lgbt author)

Why Should I Read It?

Enemies to lovers, Courtney Milan style. Which means an excruciating slowburn and so much tension you don’t know what to do with yourself. And then the conclusion? Exquisitely satisfying.

Okay, well, that’s all I have for now. Sorry again about the overlap, but I have kind of high standards for enemies to lovers and 90% of books don’t bother with a slowburn, just go straight into hate sex, so like. These are the best of them that I’ve read so far. Have you read any of the ones on here? Are there ones you’d rec that aren’t on here? Let me know!