Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

It seems like a very simple premise. Almost basic, really. Two characters despise each other at the beginning (the more disgusted they are with each other, the better!), then as the action moves forward in a given book or series, those two characters end up in an epic romantic relationship. Sometimes it is a “forced proximity” situation, sometimes its an awkward meeting at some inconvenient spot or a nonsensical misunderstanding. A swapped bag, a delivery mix-up, a fender bender. No matter where they start out, the main characters will most certainly find each other by the end. We want to help you find those stories!

Is She Really Going Out with Him?—Sophie Cousens

Columnist Anna Appleby does not have a love life. She does have two kids, a pet, and no desire at all for any post-divorce online dating. There’s really no time right now anyway, because her job is in danger and “unemployed” is just not an option. In a last-ditch effort to save her job, Anna pitches a completely bonkers story: she’ll go on seven dates, IN REAL LIFE, with men chosen by her children. The editor, of course, loves it.

Anna does give it her best shot, powering through seriously awkward encounters and asking out waiters, service people, government employees, and even her embarrassing celeb crush. She sufferers through rock climbing dates, fishing dates, and more, all in an attempt to capture a unique, emotional story. It just isn’t happening.

Her kids might be playing matchmaker, but a romantic connection just so happens to appear when—and where—Anna least expects it. Is she brave enough to take another chance on the real thing?

What people are saying:

“Another bright and gratifying love story from Cousens. . . . She tackles the enemies-to-lovers trope with characteristic humor and thoughtfulness, while injecting it with complex characters and realistic situations.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Memorable scenes, lovable characters and a bit of magic meld in this time-hopping saga.” —Woman’s World

“[Cousens] delivers another refreshing novel that takes readers on an unexpected journey…Through a series of chaotic, charming, and surprising rendezvous, Anna begins to find herself again. . . . Complete with a cast of well-developed and memorable characters, Cousens expertly weaves together themes of self-discovery, romance, motherhood, and friendship, resulting in a rich story that is engrossing to the end with high appeal to women’s lit readers.” —Booklist (starred)

PS: I Hate You—Lauren Connolly

Maddie doesn’t mind being the one chosen by her late brother to honor his dying wish. Josh has asked her to spread his ashes in eight different spots, places that were on his travel bucket list that he never got to visit. But at the reading of Josh’s will, Maddie discovers that he has also assigned her a partner to help her with this emotionally taxing task.

Dominic was Josh’s life-long best friend, so it kind of makes sense. But he’s also the man who broke a much younger Maddie’s heart, so why in the world did Josh ever think this pairing would work for her?

Dom insists on following the guidelines that Josh laid down. That leaves Maddie very little room to argue, because she can’t exactly ask Josh what in the world he was thinking. She grits her teeth, and she and Dom set off on a series of farewell trips across thousands of miles. As they drive, fly, and walk, they reminisce about Josh and also give their past relationship the postmortem it didn’t get at the time.

Circumstances and a blizzard and possibly some from-beyond-the-grave matchmaking from her brother lead to the pair sharing a bed—and maybe a future. But with grief so close to the emotional surface, other negative feelings arise, too. Will Maddie be able to trust Dom on the basis of her dead brother’s judgement?

What people are saying:

“This touching and humorous enemies-to-lovers contemporary from Connolly argues for the power of love to comfort and heal even in life’s bleakest moments….The balance of irreverent humor and heartfelt slow-burn chemistry make this a sweet and memorable story of found family. Readers are sure to be moved.”—Publishers Weekly

“P.S: I Hate You made me laugh, cry, smile, and everything in between. Through gut-wrenching loss, Lauren Connolly crafted a heartwarming story of healing and finding love when you least expect it—but when you need it most. This book had me hooked from page one, and now I’ll be hooked on Lauren’s books for life!”—Jo Segura, USA Today bestselling author

“A poignant exploration of the ways love and loss intertwine, PS: I Hate You has everything I look for in a great read. It’s as emotional as it is laugh-out-loud funny, with a sizzling second chance romance at the heart of the story. I devoured this in one sitting, totally wrapped up in Maddie and Dom’s shared history and their winding path back to one another.” —Bridget Morrissey, author of That Summer Feeling

Single Player—Tara Tai

If Ready Player One and any Rainbow Rowell book had a baby…this book would be that baby. It feels so fresh and timely, and the LGBTQIA+ romance is sooooo swooooony!

Cat Li likes video games and romance. It is kind of a unique Venn diagram to live in, but she has a dream job writing the romantic storylines for the next big game so she knows that it will all be worth it. Her new boss is kind of putting a damper on her joy, though. Andi Zhang (they/them) is arrogant, a serious hater of Cat’s plotlines, and also impossibly hot. Of course.

As Compass Hollow’s narrative director, Andi is psyched to create a brand-new game that they know will change the world. It is all action, there is no romance at all. Zero. Until, that is, the man funding the gamedev INSISTS that some lovey dovey stuff be added to make the game “more appealing to female gamers.” Ugh.

Forced to work directly with Cat to develop a romantic arc for the characters, Andi eventually sees that there is more to her than heart-shaped clouds in her eyes. And she has the cutest smile.

But if Andi gives in even a little bit, their heart will be vulnerable again, so they stay prickly in order to keep Cat at arms’ length.

But when Cat discovers a shady plot to sink Andi’s career, the two will have to work out their differences before it is GAME OVER on Andi’s dream game!

What people are saying:

“A celebration of games and gaming culture.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A must-read for fans of queer romance . . . Tai’s storytelling is both fun and thought-provoking, making this debut a standout in contemporary romance fiction.”—Library Journal, starred review

Enemies to Lovers—Laura Jane Williams

The title of this one really says it all!

After what she has termed The Embarrassing Meltdown Incident, Flo is MORE than ready for her family’s annual summer vacation. It’s Greece this year!

For some reason, Jamie, Flo’s brother’s best friend, is going, too. It’s kind of weird, but Jamie lost his family at a very young age, so he has been an “adopted” member of HER family for years. He hates Flo. And she hates him right back.

Except not really. Flo actually has a very embarrassing crush on the broad, sun-kissed, gorgeous Jamie. And after… The Christmas Incident, those feelings are stronger than ever. Flo is going to have to fix this sitch with exposure therapy and vows to spend every minute she can with him in order to just get over him.

Can she let him go without letting on to anyone else that she is crushing like crazy? This book is SUCH a fun read, and with a swimming pool on the cover, it gives off tons of warm summer vibes.

What people are saying:

“Williams creates appealing protagonists and a colorful supporting cast. . . . Add in a scenic Greek setting, and this charming tale will please any rom-com fan looking for an armchair getaway.” —Publishers Weekly

“[Enemies to Lovers] was a delightful read that reminds me why I love a good rom com so much. The vacation vibes, the tension, the banter . . . it’s all there. Very much recommend this one to readers who love a good swoony love story that’ll give them a few laughs along the way.” —Your Book Friend

“[A] breezy beach read.” —Kirkus Reviews

When in Rome: Beg, Borrow, or Steal—Sarah Adams

This is the third book in this series, so I just want to let you know: that’s Rome, KENTUCKY, so no romantic gelato or Coliseum visits in this one!

Emily Walker has a legendary nemesis. His name is Jack Bennet, and she was delighted when he moved away. But the end of a relationship has brought him back to his hometown, so he is once again her neighbor. They are also colleagues, both second-grade teachers, and neighbors.

She also has a secret life as a romance writer, and she will do anything to keep her colleagues from discovering her secret. So, when she accidently sends an email to the school principal that

reveals her literary ambitions, Emily knows that she has got to delete that email before it can be read.

All Jack wants to do is work on home renovations and work on the next volume in the best-selling series he writes under a pen name. Instead, he is recruited into Emily’s scheme, because as much as she really hates to admit it, Jack is just the man to help her. Will this very unlikely match-up put an end to their rivalry? Or are they both headed for a very steamy plot twist in the story of their relationship?

What people are saying:

“Feuding second-grade teachers learn they make a great team in this cute rivals-to-lovers romance, the third in Adams’s When in Rome series. This charms.”—Publishers Weekly

“Sarah Adams writes books with heart and soul.” – Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker

All Signs Point to Malibu—Jennifer Snow

Hailey Harris is a very successful life coach. She uses her ability to see into the future to nudge her clients in the right direction, but she has no personal life of her own. Being real with anyone, a friend or a romantic partner, would mean being vulnerable about herself. Hailey isn’t ready to ask people to believe that she can see the future.

There was one person she might have shared with eventually. Her ex, Liam, would probably have been a safe man to confide in. They’ve remained close, but he’s newly engaged, and of course his new lady is beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, and rich as hell. Hailey has a vision predicting a not-great ending for them, and she is determined to keep Liam and his fiancée from making the biggest mistake of their lives.

Hailey finds herself in the odd position of trying to STOP the wedding while being involved in the PLANNING of Liam’s engagement party. And the fact that her nemesis, Warren Mitchell, has just shown up, and the fact that he is suspicious of Hailey’s motives, is not helping at all. Hailey is the only one who knows what’s coming, and that is a lonely place to be. And when she discovers the real cause of Liam’s upcoming heartbreak, Hailey’s plan falls completely apart. What now?

What people are saying:

“Funny, heartfelt and at times bittersweet, All Signs Point to Malibu is a joyful read.” —Melissa Baron, author of Twice in a Lifetime

“Never too late to join the growing ranks of Jennifer Snow fans.”—Fresh Fiction

Let us know! Are you a fan of the popular enemies-to-lovers romance trope? Is there someone in your life at this very moment that you feel strongly about, but in a negative way? Can you see yourself warming up to them big time if the circumstances were right? You just never know what the universe has in store, keep it in mind the next time you are involved in an awkward social situation! Enemies to lovers can definitely start as a meet cute, you know.