8 Enemies To Lovers Books To Read In 2025

There’s something undeniably captivating about the enemies to lovers trope. The fiery tension and emotional transformation from hostility to passion create a reading experience that’s both thrilling and deeply satisfying. Whether set in fantasy worlds, royal courts, or modern offices, these romances showcase how thin the line between love and hate can be. Below is a list of 8 enemies to lovers books to read in 2025.

1. "The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game is a masterclass in slow-burn office romance. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman work in close quarters at a publishing house and loathe each other with comical intensity. Their rivalry is filled with biting sarcasm, unspoken glances, and secret longing. But everything changes when a promotion forces them into closer proximity, revealing vulnerability behind their sharp exteriors. Sally Thorne blends witty banter and heartfelt moments seamlessly, making readers root for the couple as their hate turns into desire. This story is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, a true benchmark for the enemies to lovers trope in modern romance.

2. "Dance of Thieves" by Mary E. Pearson

In Dance of Thieves, romantic tension meets political intrigue in a gripping tale of two enemies caught in a web of secrets and stolen power. Kazi, a legendary former street thief turned royal enforcer, is sent to investigate the new ruler of an outlaw kingdom—Jase Ballenger. When the two are captured and chained together, they're forced to cooperate to survive, despite deep mistrust and opposing loyalties. The story unfolds through dual perspectives, allowing readers to see both sides of the conflict. As they navigate danger and deception, Kazi and Jase's slow-burning attraction evolves into a richly layered, emotional romance.

3. "The Spanish Love Deception" by Elena Armas

Catalina Martín needs a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain, and her last resort is the one man she can’t stand: Aaron Blackford. He's cold, insufferably perfect, and infuriatingly handsome. But as they pretend to be in love, old grudges begin to melt into real connection. The forced proximity and sparkling dialogue make every interaction electric. Elena Armas masterfully balances humor, vulnerability, and romance, creating a love story that blossoms from resentment and rivalry into genuine affection and heartfelt devotion.

4. "The Bridge Kingdom" by Danielle L. Jensen

The Bridge Kingdom is a sweeping fantasy romance that blends political strategy with passionate tension. Lara has been trained as a spy and raised to believe her future husband—King Aren of the Bridge Kingdom—is her enemy. Sent to seduce and destroy him from within, Lara finds herself questioning everything when Aren turns out to be far from the villain she expected. Danielle L. Jensen crafts a gripping narrative where trust is dangerous and love could cost everything. The enemies to lovers arc is bold and thrilling.

5. "Bring Me Their Hearts" by Sara Wolf

In this YA fantasy romance filled with sass and swordplay, Zera is a Heartless—an immortal girl bound to a witch, cursed to obey. When she’s ordered to steal the heart of Crown Prince Lucien, Zera disguises herself as a noblewoman and infiltrates the palace. What follows is a game of verbal sparring, political intrigue, and unexpected vulnerability. Lucien is clever, brooding, and suspicious, but their interactions crackle with chemistry. As Zera starts to feel emotions she thought lost, her mission becomes increasingly complicated. Sara Wolf crafts a fierce, emotional journey that explores identity, freedom, and love born from enmity and deception.

6. "You Deserve Each Other" by Sarah Hogle

You Deserve Each Other flips the traditional romance narrative by starting with an engaged couple who can’t stand each other anymore—and slowly fall back in love. Naomi and Nicholas are weeks away from their wedding, but passive-aggressive warfare and silent resentment have taken over their relationship. When Naomi discovers Nicholas may be just as unhappy and scheming to break the engagement, the real battle begins. Through clever one-upmanship, pranks, and sharp wit, their love reignites in the most unexpected way. Sarah Hogle delivers a heartwarming and hilarious look at how rediscovering someone can be even more powerful than first falling in love.

7. "The Shadows Between Us" by Tricia Levenseller

Tricia Levenseller flips the script in The Shadows Between Us, a romantic fantasy where both leads are unapologetically ambitious and morally gray. Alessandra plans to woo the Shadow King, marry him, and to take his throne. But her ruthless plan hits a snag when real feelings begin to surface. The Shadow King is mysterious, powerful, and dangerous—but not immune to Alessandra’s charm. Their banter is laced with challenge and seduction, creating a sharp and intoxicating dynamic. This standalone novel is a wickedly fun enemies to lovers story full of scheming, seduction, and unexpected emotional depth.

8. "The Unhoneymooners" by Christina Lauren

The Unhoneymooners offers a sunny and hilarious take on enemies to lovers. When Olive and Ethan are the only two wedding guests they’re offered a free honeymoon meant for the bride and groom. The catch? They hate each other. What starts as a fake-couple farce quickly becomes a series of unexpected bonding moments, revealing the misunderstandings that fueled their feud. Christina Lauren brings sharp humor, heartfelt emotion, and genuine chemistry to this romantic comedy. With tropical misadventures and growing affection, The Unhoneymooners turns antagonism into affection in the most delightful way.

Conclusion

The "enemies to lovers" trope endures because it plays with some of our most basic human emotions: hate, jealousy, pride—and turns them on their head to reveal love, vulnerability, and intimacy. These stories are rich with character development, intense emotional stakes, and satisfying arcs. Whether set in contemporary offices, ancient kingdoms, or magical realms, these romances capture the thrilling transformation of adversaries into soulmates.