Among all of the genres and types of books I read, the enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my very favorites.

It’s a popular romance subgenre where two characters who initially dislike each other are gradually drawn together by a series of events. The characters often start with a deep sense of animosity, whether it’s due to personal conflicts, misunderstandings or a history of rivalry — and you’d be surprised at how engaging and enthralling the plots are.

The tension and sparks fly as they butt heads, creating an engaging and sometimes heated dynamic. As the story progresses, the characters’ disdain for one another gives way to mutual respect, understanding and eventually, love. The slow build of this transition is what makes each enemies-to-lovers book an immersive one.

That said, I’ve read my fair share of enemies-to-lovers books below. Whether you’re a big fan of classics or fancy contemporary romance reads as seen on #BookTok, begin adding the following titles to your reading list.

Oh, and sign up for an Audible membership so you can listen to these titles on the go.

Goodreads rating: 3.81/5 stars

About the book: “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas follows Catalina, who is desperately in need of a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain to avoid the shame of being the only single one there. She enlists the help of her colleague, Aaron, a stoic and frustratingly handsome man, to pose as her boyfriend. As they pretend to be in love, their fake relationship unexpectedly turns into real feelings, forcing them to confront their emotions and the truth about their connection.

Goodreads rating: 4.12/5 stars

About the book: “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry centers on Nora Stephens, a successful literary agent with a no-nonsense attitude toward love and relationships. She heads to a small town for a work retreat, only to repeatedly cross paths with Charlie Lastra, a grumpy bookish editor who she’s had a tense history with. As they spend more time together, Nora starts to realize that love might be waiting for her in places she never expected, especially with someone she thought she had nothing in common with.

Goodreads rating: 4.29/5 stars

About the book: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen follows Elizabeth Bennet, a witty and independent young woman, as she navigates societal expectations, family dynamics and romantic entanglements. She initially clashes with the aloof and seemingly arrogant Mr. Darcy, but over time, she learns of his true character and the misunderstandings between them. As their feelings evolve, Elizabeth and Darcy must confront their pride and prejudices to find love and mutual respect. It’s a beloved classic for its prose and thought-out characters.

Goodreads rating: 3.68/5 stars

About the book: “The Ex Talk” by Rachel Lynn Solomon follows Shay Goldstein, a radio producer, and Dominic Yu, a charming but aloof coworker, who is forced to co-host a relationship advice show. To boost ratings, they pretend to be exes with a complicated history, despite having never dated. As they continue the charade, real feelings begin to develop, forcing them to navigate the blurry line between fiction and reality in their relationship.

Goodreads rating: 3.52/5 stars

About the book: “The Marriage Game” by Sara Desai follows Layla Patel, a career-driven woman who returns to her hometown after a professional setback, only to find her father has arranged a marriage for her without her consent. To avoid the pressure of traditional matchmaking, she agrees to a “roommate” situation with Sam Mehta, a charming and slightly arrogant man who is also navigating his own family drama. As Layla and Sam clash and navigate their living arrangement, sparks fly and they both begin to question their preconceived notions about love, family and what they truly want.

Goodreads rating: 3.65/5 stars

About the book: “How to Plot a Payback” by Melissa Ferguson follows Caroline, a small-town woman who returns home after a messy breakup and finds herself reluctantly teaming up with her ex’s cousin, Luke, for a high-stakes revenge plot. As they work together to execute the perfect payback, Caroline and Luke’s plan leads to unexpected chemistry and a growing bond between them. Amid all the scheming, Caroline discovers that sometimes the best plans are the ones that don’t go according to plan, especially when it comes to love.

Goodreads rating: 3.90/5 stars

About the book: “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren follows Olive Torres, who is forced to go on her sister’s nonrefundable honeymoon after a food poisoning incident leaves the entire wedding party sick. She ends up sharing the trip to Hawaii with Ethan, her estranged and annoyingly perfect brother-in-law, whom she’s always disliked. As they pretend to be a happily married couple to avoid suspicion, they unexpectedly grow closer, and Olive begins to question her feelings for Ethan.

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