Enemies to Lovers Books That Will Ruin Your Life (In the Best Way)
There are many romance tropes in the world, but only one feels like emotional arson every single time: enemies to lovers.
It’s the tension.
It’s the banter.
It’s the “I hate everyone except you” energy.
It’s the moment they look at each other and realize, oh no… I actually care.
These are the enemies-to-lovers books that BookTok refuses to shut up about—because they deliver chaos, chemistry, and enough slow burn to incinerate your vibe check.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
If you want enemies to lovers with actual knives, this is the blueprint. Jude and Cardan spend the entire series trying to outsmart, outmaneuver, and low-key out-flirt each other while pretending they’re not obsessed. Fae politics, betrayal, and the most toxic pining you’ll ever enjoy.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Office rivals who would rather swallow thumbtacks than admit they’re attracted to each other. It’s banter-heavy, surprisingly tender, and basically the enemies-to-lovers rom-com that started a whole era of “I hate you… until I don’t.”
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Enemies, rivals, and military-school drama turned feral chemistry. Violet and Xaden start on opposite sides of a war—literally—and spend the entire book trying not to trust or want each other. Spoiler: they fail. Spectacularly.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Academic rivals who pretend they’re not rivals but definitely are. Adam is grumpy, Olive is chaotic, and their “fake dating” arrangement has way too many “accidentally intimate” moments for two people who swear they’re not into each other.
From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love enemies to lovers stories? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Slow burn at Olympic levels. Jasmine and Ivan hate each other with the passion of a thousand suns. Then they get paired as skating partners and suddenly all that irritation turns into something suspiciously like longing.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Two sworn enemies end up on a free honeymoon pretending to be a couple. It’s sun, fake dating, and “I can’t stand you but I also want to kiss you on this beach right now.” The banter is elite.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Romeo and Juliet retold with ruthless gangs, monster attacks, and political enemies who should not even be in the same room. The tension is razor sharp and the longing is borderline painful.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
If you want enemies to lovers with a redemption arc that launched a thousand edits, this is it. Juliette and Warner go from “I would kill you if I could” to “I trust you with my entire soul” in a way that feels criminally addictive.
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love enemies to lovers stories? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Grumpy billionaire and sunshine employee who cannot stand each other at first. Their bickering is practically foreplay, and watching them break down each other’s defenses is wildly satisfying.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Not a traditional romance, but the enemies-to-something-more dynamic is chef’s kiss. Arthurian magic, trauma, secrets, and a tension-filled partnership that BookTok still hasn’t recovered from.
4B: No Way Out by Shortbread
Obsessive stalker and the girl who never saw him coming. His silent watching becomes her undoing, and every step he takes toward her feels like a dare she’s terrified to take—and too curious to resist.
Why We Love Enemies to Lovers
Because it’s messy.
Because it’s personal.
Because nothing hits like the moment one character realizes their enemy’s eyes are actually kind of pretty and that they’d die for them now, apparently.
Enemies to lovers gives us the payoff of emotional growth, vulnerability, and absolute chaos wrapped in one trope. And honestly? We will never get tired of it.
