Enemies-to-Lovers

A new addition to the TropeTrove, plus our latest TropeTote™!

There's a thin line between love and hate. Both forces involve such passion. It's this fiery push and pull that makes enemies-to-lovers romance so thrilling. So we're extremely excited to add this particular trope to the TropeTrove™. And with it, our newest TropeTote™!

Just dropped! TropeTote™ #6

Our exclusive TropeTote™ collection welcomes its latest limited-edition illustration done by Matea Langston, founder and owner of August Alchemy. "I’m still that 11-year-old who spent every lunch in the library reading," says Matea. "Growing up an only child with an overactive imagination, fictional worlds were my favorite escape." In 2020, she found her way back to these worlds with her business designing products like candles, jewelry, and wearables inspired by her favorite fictional worlds like A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Cruel Prince.

Of her TropeTote™ design, Matea says, "It’s been an honor to make pieces that bring people closer to their favorite characters, and this piece for ThriftBooks might just be the biggest one yet. So, for every person who prefers their love stories sprinkled with daggers instead of kisses—I made this for you."

Check out more from the artist at augustalchemy.com! Now, let’s talk about enemies-to-lovers romances!

Enemies-to-lovers across time

Along with being one of the most captivating tropes of romance, enemies-to-lovers is also one of the first, appearing in age-old stories like the Greek myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, whose families were sworn enemies. Another notable example can be found in The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient text believed to be the oldest written story, dating back to about 2100 BCE. The enemies-to-lovers trope was also favored by Shakespeare, appearing in several of his plays, including Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and Romeo and Juliet.

Many of us hold up Pride and Prejudice as the seminal enemies-to-lovers romance novel. Without a doubt, Darcy and Lizzy have inspired countless sparring literary couples that followed. Here's a timeline of enemies-to-lovers romance novels from then to now.    

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me." From this careless utterance, Mr. Darcy makes an enemy of Elizabeth Bennet. But upon further acquaintance of the delightful lady, he certainly changes his tune. "You have bewitched me body and soul and I love, I love, I love you."

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

When governess Jane first meets Mr. Rochester, her new employer, she finds his manner surly and arrogant, even as she helps him after he is thrown from his horse. Though it doesn't take long for her to begin to realize she is falling in love with him. But of course, it's complicated. 

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)

When Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to the industrial North of England, she is repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings and clashes with the local mill owner, John Thornton. But their fierce opposition masks a deeper attraction.

A Room With a View By E. M. Forster (1908)

When Lucy Honeychurch first meets the free-spirited George Emerson, she finds his behavior odd and unsettling. When he impulsively kisses her on a hillside in Italy, it scandalizes her straight-laced chaperone, cousin Charlotte. But that kiss lays the groundwork for Lucy to take ownership of her life and love.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936)

Although he regards her as spoiled and selfish, Rhett Butler can't help but be drawn to Scarlett O'Hara, even as she remains infatuated with the unavailable Ashley Wilkes. Although they find their way to love, it is eventually undone by Scarlett's stubborn ambivalence and Rhett's injured pride. 

Sylvester, or the Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer (1957)

Sylvester, Duke of Salford, has exacting requirements for a bride. Then he meets Phoebe Marlow, a young lady with literary aspirations, and suddenly life becomes very complicated. She meets none of his criteria, and even worse, she has written a scandalous novel—and he's the main character.

This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart (1964)

Lucy Waring, a struggling young actress, is delighted to be on holiday on the sun-drenched island of Corfu. Even the suspicious actions of the handsome, arrogant son of a famous actor cannot dampen her enthusiasm. But when a corpse washes ashore, intrigue ensues.

The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1972)

Considered to be the first "bodice-ripper", this groundbreaking bestseller opened the door to open-door sex. After Heather Simmons kills a man to defend herself, she is abducted by Sea Captain Brandon Birmingham. To Heather's surprise, she finds refuge (and pleasure) in the arms of her dangerous captor. 

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught (1989)

Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Scottish beauty Jennifer Merrick does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Boldly she challenges his will . . . until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger.

Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (1996)

As a dedicated member of Michigan's Underground Railroad, Hester Wyatt doesn't hesitate to take in the injured man, one of her fellow conductors. The man known as the "Black Daniel" is a vital member of their network. But Hester finds him so rude and arrogant, she begins to question her vow to hide him.

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (2000)

London's most elusive bachelor, Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield. She's driving Anthony mad with her schemes to stop the betrothal. And at the same time, she's also haunting his dreams.

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux (2008)

When FBI Special Agent Ty Grady is paired up with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it's hate at first sight. But they'll need to figure out how to work together if they want to survive the serial murderer who has them in his sights. This is one of the earlier examples of the genre to feature a gay couple.

Now that we've reviewed the distinguished history of this trope, here are some of our favorite subtropes to consider, along with a few recommended titles for each.

The Romeo and Juliet of it all

These stories feature star-crossed lovers who fall for the last person they should. They're born enemies. It could never work. It's forbidden. And yet, they can't stay away from one another.

• Peter Darling by Austin Chant—Ten years after growing up and leaving Neverland, Peter has returned to find that everything has changed. Especially his feelings for his old rival, Captain Hook.
• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang—Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show. Can they write themselves a new ending?
• Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks—This steamy historical novel features an arranged marriage between rival clans. A remarkable woman's secret gift teaches a gruff Scottish warrior how to listen with his heart.

Rivals to lovers

Whether in the workplace, on the court, or in society, these couples keep each other on their toes. They push each other to be stronger, smarter, and kinder. They may be bickering, but all they really want to do is kiss.

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry—When a cutthroat NYC literary agent takes a rare vacation to a sleepy North Carolina town, the last person she wants to run into is the brooding editor she's bumped heads with back in the city.
• Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid—Pro hockey star Shane Hollander won't let anything jeopardize his game. That includes Ilya Rozanov, the sexy rival he loves to hate.
• A Rogue of One's Own by Evie Dunmore—A lady must have money and an army of her own if she is to win a revolution. But first, she must pit her wits against the wiles of an irresistible rogue bent on wrecking her plans.

Friends to enemies to lovers

Once they were as thick as thieves. But then something happened and now they hate each other. Only maybe they also love each other? It's all a bit confusing.

• Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan—As kids Ezra and Kimba were inseparable. As teens, they shared a first kiss. But something happened and their lives were torn apart. Can they find a way back to one another?
• Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean—Grace Condry has spent a lifetime running from her past. Ewan, Duke of Marwick has spent a decade searching for her.
• Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert—A pair of ex-best friends turned high school rivals must work together to survive the great outdoors in this cozy YA romance.

A shared purpose

They may despise each other, but there's a job to be done. And they'll need to rely on each other to get it done.

• The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory—Maddie and Theo have two things in common: 1. Alexa is their best friend and 2. They hate each other. Now, with Alexa getting married, they have to figure out how to come together to support her.
• The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren—When her charmed sister gets food poisoning at her wedding, Olive finds herself in Maui, posing as newlyweds with best man Ethan, aka her sworn enemy.
• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun—Friends-turned-enemies Logan and Rosemary find themselves drawn together on an unlikely road trip: driving their beloved former English teacher across the country.

As always, we love to hear from you, so let us know if you have any tropes or titles to add to this list.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon