If you’re like me and live for the drama of two characters going from “I’d rather die” to “I’d die for you,” welcome. I rounded up 25 enemies-to-lovers book suggestions that seriously messed with my heart, in the best way. Dive in and prepare for some intense feelings. So, ready?

1. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

If you love morally questionable fae, brutal court politics, and a slow descent into messy feelings, then this one is for you. Jude and Cardan hate each other, until they really, really don’t — and trust me, the tension is absolutely wild!

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas

It starts off like a “Beauty and the Beast” retelling, but by book two, Feyre and Rhysand deliver peak enemies-to-lovers drama. Among the slow-burn romance books, it stands out for its strong, suspenseful drama.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Lucy and Josh’s daily battles at work are pure chaos; playful teasing, small tricks, and enough sexual tension to light the office on fire. This perfectly defines the enemy-to-lovers books genre. If you love slow-burns that make you scream “just kiss already!” at the pages, this one’s a must-read.

4. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Poppy’s supposed to follow the rules. Hawke’s supposed to protect her. Neither of them is supposed to fall into a dangerous, messy, deliciously forbidden relationship, but when has fantasy ever made it that easy?

5. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Picture Romeo and Juliet, but if they broke up, hated each other’s guts, and had to survive a bloody supernatural war in 1920s Shanghai. Brutal, beautiful, and full of tension you can feel under your skin, isn’t that interesting?

6. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive’s worst enemy just became her fake honeymoon date. Cue tropical disasters, fake smiles that turn too real, and chemistry they absolutely do not want to talk about. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers book that makes you grin the whole way through.

7. King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

Isolde marries a bloodthirsty vampire king with full intentions of killing him. Spoiler: Got you! I won’t give one. Instead, I can say that things get pretty violent, steamy, and way more emotionally complicated than planned. If you like your romance with a bite (literally), you are welcome.

8. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

A witch and a witch hunter walk into a forced marriage, and somehow don’t burn the whole world down. Yet, this one’s got magic, fear, teasing, and the kind of tension that makes you want to scream into a pillow, in the best way.

9. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina has a wedding to attend, a fake date to find, and zero patience for her annoyingly perfect coworker, Aaron. So obviously, he is the only one who volunteers. The slow burn here? TORTURE. But in an amazing way. If you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers books where the characters go from “ugh” to “please never leave,” this one hits hard.

10. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Violet’s just trying to survive dragon school, and Xaden — brooding, deadly, and definitely not a fan- is not making it easier. But hatred can only hide that much heat for so long. This one is full of danger, betrayal, and a romance that feels like falling off a cliff. Sounds thrilling, right?

11. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Darcy insulted her at their first meeting. Lizzy roasted him every chance she got. And somehow, they still end up being the blueprint for literally every enemies-to-lovers couple since. Slow burn, petty drama, and iconic lines that still slap two centuries later.

12. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Alex and Henry were supposed to hate each other for the cameras, but somewhere between fake smiles and late-night texts, they fell stupidly, madly in love. Politics, secrets, and some super romantic moments make this one hard to stop reading. It is the kind of heartfelt journey that makes slow burn romance books so satisfying.

13. Beach Read by Emily Henry

January writes happy endings. Gus writes about misery. When they end up neighbours for the summer (and lowkey rivals), they dare each other to swap genres, and accidentally fall into something real along the way. Sharp, funny, and a little bit heartbreaking.

14. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Kaz would burn the world to protect Inej, but he is too broken to touch her. Their slow, aching bond grows out of survival, scars, and impossible trust, making them one of the most painfully beautiful slow-burns you will ever read.

15. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

Naomi and Nicholas are engaged and would rather die than admit they still love each other. Cue wild pranks, little troublemaking and the sudden realisation that maybe, just maybe, their twisted games are the best part of their relationship.

16. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive panics, kisses the grumpiest professor she can find and somehow fakes her way into the most confusing (and adorable) relationship of her life. If you love awkward beginnings, slow-burn tension, and characters too stubborn to admit they are obsessed, then trust me, this one is a must.

17. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

Lara’s mission? Marry Aren and gain his trust. Then destroy everything he loves. But falling for him? Yeah, that was not part of the plan. This fantasy romance is pure enemies-to-lovers gold, full of betrayal, tension, and stolen glances that will wreck you.

18. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Anthony Bridgerton thinks he is marrying the perfect woman, until her sister Kate decides she absolutely will not let that happen. Tension rises, insults are fired, and somehow, between the bickering, they fall hopelessly (and hilariously) in love. A classic Regency slow burn that still hits.

19. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Vanessa finally quits her soul-sucking job as assistant to grumpy football legend Aiden, only for him to show up asking for one more favour: marry him. For reasons. (Citizenship reasons.) It is a slow burn packed with awkwardness, stubborn loyalty, and the kind of emotional payoff you feel in your bones.

20. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

Shahrzad plans to marry the monster who killed her best friend, just so she can kill him, too. But falling in love with the boy behind the monster? Yeah, she did not plan for that. Lush, dangerous, and heartbreakingly beautiful, this story is enemies-to-lovers at its absolute peak.

21. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Shane and Ilya are bitter hockey rivals on the ice and something a lot messier (and hotter) off it. Years of secret hookups, slow-burn longing, and stubborn denial make this sports romance feel like a punch to the heart.

22. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Lira rips out hearts, literally. Prince Elian hunts monsters like her for sport. So naturally, when their paths cross, they can’t help but want to destroy each other and maybe fall a little in love along the way. Think Little Mermaid, but with teeth. Sounds interesting, right?

23. The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Alessandra has murder on her mind, she is going to seduce the Shadow King, marry him, and stab him for the crown. Easy, right? Until he turns out to be just as cunning and charmingly dark as she is. Dangerous flirtation, power plays, and so much tension. If this is your vibe, then this one is for you.

24. Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren

Evie and Carter hit it off — until their offices merge and suddenly they are competing for the same job. Cue damage, sexual tension and a whole lot of forbidden flirting. It is fun, fast, and sharp in all the right places.

25. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Khai is convinced he can’t love. Esme’s just trying to make a better life. What starts as a setup turns into something very loving, full of clumsy moments, language barriers, and slowly cracked hearts. Not a classic enemies-to-lovers book, but the emotional walls make it feel just as hard-earned.

I swear, nothing beats that slow shift from ‘I hate you’ to ‘I would burn the world for you’. Did any favourites from your shelf make the list? Or do you have a best enemies-to-lovers book you are dying to scream about?

Let’s trade favourites!