They hate each other. They love each other. They love to hate each other.
It’s an addictive cycle readers can’t seem to tear their eyes away from, but what happens when that hate is only one-sided? When the lines get smudged, and now it’s more of a Dislike-to-Lovers with an Insta-Love that feels too easy?
Suddenly, the prized trope feels like it’s lost its impact. It became hard to find stories that give us ENEMIES in one of the most transformative romance tropes. So, I did my research to find seven of the best Enemies-to-Lovers romantasy books for adults that will have you craving that wonderful rush all over again.
Will the MCs in these books overcome their differences and see past their corrupting upbringings to be with the one person who makes them feel complete, or will they be forced to remain on opposite sides of a war until only one of them is left standing? The answer may seem obvious, but I guess you’ll have to read on to find out!
If You're Looking For Romantasy Books In Which Actual Enemies Turn Into Lovers, Check These Out…
The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
CW (may contain spoilers):
Domestic Abuse, Physical Assault, Torture, Suicidal Thoughts, Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“Stay with me. Make me suffer for it. I’d rather be tortured by your presence than agonized by your absence.”
Who knew lips could be such a deadly weapon? Harlow Carrenwell did. For her, anyone that she kisses will die instantly. Used as an assassin for her family, Harlow has been working in the shadows on her parents' order, but she doesn’t let them hold her back from using her magical powers to her advantage.
Taking up the task to lure troublesome men and giving them a taste of their own medicine, she quite likes the little double life she created for herself. That is, until her kiss doesn’t work, and it just so happens to be with her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood.
Rival families at war, an arranged marriage used for spying, and a man immune to her powers, there’s only one thing that’s going to help Harlow survive her new circumstances… Make Henry fall in love with her.
This book may be on the longer side, but it’s exactly what a story of this depth needs to truly shine on its own. Shelia Masterson balances love and devastation so well, you won’t know if you’re going to laugh or cry when you turn to the next page.
Some of my favorite books are the ones that emotionally ruin me and have me staring at a wall for hours; that’s why this one has been pushed to the top of my TBR list. Bring on the secrets, the betrayals, and most importantly, two very specific words. “My wife.” (Yeah… nothing beats an arranged marriage trope. They’re my favorite!)
I can’t wait to follow along as Harlow and Henry wrestle between their sworn duties to their families and the irresistible desire to fall for each other in this dark romantasy.
The Magicless Mage by B.L. Lewis
CW (may contain spoilers):
Sexual Assault (does not occur between MC’s), Physical Assault, Mention of Breeding, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“She’d offered him a taste of her softer side, and ever since, he’d been wondering what he’d done to deserve it.”
Winter Leroux has her life figured out: work the night shift at Caldwell Archives, protect the ancient texts from thieving vampires, and live the rest of her life with her newly engaged fiancé.
But when she accidentally unlocks a sentient spell, she’s catapulted back 700 years into the past with no idea how to get back home. The only person she can think of to count on is the Witch Queen.
Sounds simple enough, until she runs into Wesley Sterling, a werewolf alpha who bites first and asks questions later. Now that he has her, he may never let her go, and Winter will do everything in her power to make it back home.
This up-and-coming indie author is taking you back in time with vampires, witches, and werewolves, oh my! This fun and fast-paced retelling of The Wizard of Oz was refreshing to read. Winter is such a strong female main character, and with Westly being an angry, overprotective alpha, their constant tension and banter had me completely hooked.
As someone who doesn’t normally read books relating to the Omegaverse, nothing could have prepared me for how much I truly fell head over heels for this story, these characters, this world! B.L. Lewis is absolutely an author you need to add to your TBR list.
A witch far from home and an alpha dreading the return to her own time, this underrated series is perfect for those who love sizzling, slow burn romances with a dual POV.
On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn
CW (may contain spoilers):
Sexual Assault (does not occur between MC’s), Physical Assault, Mention of Breeding, Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
”It’s not protection, little dragon. It’s a claim.” His gray eyes darkened as they flicked down to my exposed neck, an unspoken reminder hanging between us. “You’re mine. No one touches what belongs to me.”
Medra Pendragon is dead. At least, she remembers dying, until she wakes up in a place she’s never been before, on a hill of corpses. After being identified as the last dragon rider in the realm, she’s taken to Bloodwing Academy, a school with intense combat classes, deadly competitions, and bloodthirsty Highbloods who would do anything to sink their teeth into her. The only problem? There are no dragons. Not a single one.
Medra couldn’t imagine what the council of High Blood leaders could possibly want with her, but before she can think of a way to escape, she’s forced into an arranged marriage with Blake Drakharrow. Cold, cunning, and wickedly handsome, he intends to get Medra to bow at his feet, but he’s not ready for the force that is about to be awakened. None of them are.
Journey through this dark fantasy romance to uncover the secrets Bloodwing Academy may be hiding right under everyone’s fangs. I was shocked I hadn’t heard about this story sooner, but after its rerelease through traditional publishing, it blew up on BookTok, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. As soon as I got to read it, I was pulled into an addicting story with dark academia, forced proximity, and one of my favorite found family tropes.
There are only a few books that can make me care about every single character mentioned on the page, and this is one of them. This series gets better with every book, and we’re getting closer to the finish line. So this is me, nonchalant, totally ready to read the next book 🙂 (I’m not ready).
**Ready to take on the world of vampires and shifters in Bloodwing Academy? Go for it! That’s what I did, since this can be read on its own, but I would recommend reading the prequel series, Blood of a Fae, which follows Morgan Pendragon, Medra’s aunt, first, as it adds depth to Medra’s story. Whichever path you decide to take, pick your poison, and choose your house, because the third book has just been released!
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
CW (may contain spoilers):
Mentions of Sexual Assault, Graphic Violence, Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“I’ll be grateful for every second that I can say that I belong to you, Saeris Fane. Eighty years or eighteen hours. It doesn’t matter to me. It’ll still be the highest honor of my life.”
Clever and stealthy, Searis Fane has kept her greatest secret close to her heart. Stealing from the Undying Queen has made her comfortable, so it’s no surprise when she accidentally opens a gateway between realms after coming face-to-face with Death.
Transported to a world filled with ice and snow, Searis quickly discovers that the Fae she believed were myths are actually very real, and Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate is the worst kind.
Accidentally bound to the Fae warrior (who is just as dangerous and intimidating as he is handsome), Searis believes he may be the only one who can help her get home. But every deal comes at a price, and all she can do is hope she can make it out without having to pay.
I couldn’t write this article without including at least one “shadow daddy”, could I? Enter, Kingfisher. If you love a morally gray MMC with a bad attitude and a lot of tattoos, then he might just be the perfect candidate for your next book boyfriend.
It’s no surprise that this book was nominated for Readers’ Favorite Romantasy on Goodreads in 2024 with its fascinating plot, unique magic system, and noteworthy dialogue. Quicksilver is the perfect combination of forced proximity, found family, and fated mates tropes that readers can’t stop talking about.
The obsession of the Fae & Alchemy series hasn’t slowed down, and with the final book publishing in the fall of this year, it’s finally time to get started on this buzzing enemies-to-lovers Booktok sensation! Quicksilver is often recommended for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, so if you’re ready to handle the heat, then dive headfirst into the frozen Mountains of Yvelia.
Fun fact: This book is currently being passed around in my traveling book club! Each of us chose one book we wanted to (re)read and sent it to another person in our group to tab or annotate. Once the book is sent around to everyone, we’ll reclaim our original book with everyone’s thoughts and comments as we read! I can’t wait to see what my friends think about this story and (indirectly) chat along with them during Saeris’ daring adventure.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Book #1 in The Nightborn Duet
Book #1 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series
Published: August 2022
Spice Level: Mild (🌶️🌶️)*
*This only applies to this book specifically. As the series continues, the scenes get hotter🔥. Please do your own research for the other books before reading.
CW (may contain spoilers):
Sexual Violence, Physical Assault, Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death, Emotional and Physical Abuse (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“Never trust. Never yield. Always guard your heart.”
She might be an adopted human to the Nightborn vampire king in a world full of blood thirsty vampires, but the last thing Oraya wants to be perceived as is weak, and she has a plan to show them all why they’re fools for underestimating her.
After entering the Kejari, a tournament-style competition hosted by the goddess of death, Oraya is determined to show her strength against ruthless warriors from three different vampire houses.
When survival proves more difficult than she thought, she’s forced to team up with Raihn Ashraj. Even as one of her greatest competitors and an enemy to the crown, Oraya can’t help but feel drawn to him. Will she prove her worth and reach the end of the tournament, or will uncovered secrets, great betrayals, and the blossoming attraction to Raihn ruin everything?
After being a 2022 Swoon Award Nominee for Fantasy Romance on Goodreads, The Serpent and the Wings of Night is still one of the most talked about enemies-to-lovers books on Booktok and Bookstagram to this day.
This captivating series will be six books long, with four books released to date and book five, The Lion and the Deathless Dark, releasing in August of this year. Broadbent was creative in building this universe by writing three interconnected duologies that explore different characters on a deeper level. If you’re not someone who’s used to reading long series, you have the option to dive into a duology of your choice. If you become obsessed, prepare yourself for a longer journey exploring the action packed world of Obitraes and its characters. I promise these books and all of their plot twists will make you fall in love with reading romantasy all over again.
Gild by Raven Kennedy
Book #1 in The Plated Prisoner series
Published: October 2020
Spice Level: Mild (🌶️🌶️)*
*This only applies to this book specifically. As the series continues, the scenes get hotter🔥. Please do your own research for the other books before reading.
CW (may contain spoilers):
Sexual Violence, Physical Assult (including R*pe that does not occur between MC’s), Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, Death, Emotional Abuse (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“You can have all the gold in the world and yet lack everything of real worth.”
King Midas is a savior. After rescuing Auren from the slums and placing her on top of a pedestal, she feels forever indebted to him. Even if that means living in a gold castle, with gold furniture, gold clothes, and a gold cage. Gold touched herself; she’s the King's most prized possession, but her love for him is a prison of its own.
When the war on the kingdom is threatening everything the King has built to protect, Auren’s safety is in jeopardy. She’s forced to leave her cage for the first time, but she might end up wishing she never did.
Get wrapped up in this completed romantasy series, which is a dark retelling of King Midas filled with danger, romance, and a broken world with buried truths.
I have never come across a character as unique as Auren (seriously, she’s really cool!). Her fully gilded body and almost two dozen ribbons extruding from her back make her a treasure everyone wants, but no one can have. I loved her in this book so much, and I can't wait to see her take to the screen in the upcoming TV show adaptation from Mandalay Entertainment!
This twisted story is not for the weak and will have you rooting for Auren’s survival around every turn. As this book is an introduction to the series, there is a very low level of slow burn romance between the main love interest, but hold on tight for the rollercoaster you strap yourself into once you reach the cliffhanger ending. I promise, you won’t stop at book one.
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Book #1 in the Zodiac Academy series
Published: July 2019
Spice Level: Extra Mild (🌶️)*
*This only applies to this book specifically. As the series continues, the scenes get hotter🔥. Please do your own research for the other books before reading.
CW (may contain spoilers):
Sexual Assault and harassment, Physical Assault, Extreme Bullying, Blood and Gore, Death (Note: This list doesn't include all content warnings. Please do your own research before reading this book.)
“The most important thing I’d learned in life? You can’t trust people. And you especially can’t trust boys with wicked smiles and equally wicked intentions.”
Twin sisters, Tory and Darcy, are about to get their world turned upside down. After their foster parents toss them out to fend for themselves, the sisters will do anything to make money and find a way to survive. When it’s revealed that they’re actually long-lost children of the celestial King and Queen, they’re offered a one-way ticket into the Zodiac Academy. A new start at this school is exactly what they need, but they might not be prepared for what’s waiting for them behind closed doors.
On the sisters’ way to reclaim their inheritance after coming from poverty, they catch the attention of the four celestial heirs who run the school. They’re popular, dangerous, and, unfortunately, extremely attractive, with all the drive to make the twins’ lives a living… Well, you get the idea. There’s no one else but each other to rely on, so the sisters need to figure out how to defend themselves against dragon shifters, vampires, werewolves, and the urge to fall for their greatest enemies before feelings have the chance to complicate everything.
This is a great series to get into if you’re looking for enemies-to-lovers in an urban fantasy setting, with 1st-person dual POV’s. The natural elements of fire, water, earth, and air mixed with the magic of horoscopes will draw you so far into the world of Zodiac Academy that you’ll feel like a student yourself. Although it may seem like there are a lot of creatures of the fae, you won’t have to worry about getting lost in the extensive world-building.
Many readers agree that this story is easy to follow and so addictive that you might finish this book in one sitting. With other stories written in the same universe, there’s no shame in starting here, but if you like to follow the “nonexisting chronological rule of reading” as I do, @thtgrlreads has one of the best explanations of where to start!
After reviewing these tiles, it makes sense that the best enemies-to-lovers books take time. This trope is all about the slow, agonizing journey from hate to love. It can take multiple books (or longer ones) to build up the depths of these characters' relationships until they have a true understanding of each other. At the end of the day, isn’t that what makes this trope so intriguing? To be with the one person who sees every bit of darkness and falls in love with all of it? I believe these books bring justice to the overused cliché and remind us that love is never easy, but it can be worth it when you find the right person who accepts you entirely. Happy reading!
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