The best enemies to lovers romcoms to spice up your reading time

The strapline alone was enough to make me want to know more, I mean, come on! "Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman sit across from each other every day...and they hate each other."

This tale of competing colleagues in the cutthroat publishing industry is wild and funny, with palpable sexual tension throughout. I personally love a male lead who is kind of scary and unreachable (…or is he?) and Joshua brings that perfect mix of brooding alpha males with hidden seams of sweetness. Lucy is sassy and sharp–a romantic heroine to aspire to. What really works for this book is the use of ambition competing against love. Which one will win?

With a first kiss scene that is seared in my memory, this is a funny, aspirational, and very sweet read.

Tessa Bailey is the queen of spice, and this book is the perfect introduction if you fancy an enemies-to-lovers romance that brings plenty of heat.

Piper Bellinger is a spoiled social media sensation and when her wild-child ways land her in trouble, her concerned stepfather cuts her off financially and sends her to Westport, the town her late father was from. Together with her sister Hannah, Piper must learn how to live life out of the spotlight and find true, meaningful happiness.

This brings not just the enemies-to-lovers trope, but everyone’s favourite convention of small-town romance aka the fish-out-of-water trope. An apt trope at that as Piper meets the very gruff and hunky Brendan, seasoned fisherman who is so far removed from Piper’s normal type. The sex scenes positively burst off the page (with excellent filthy chat) but I loved Piper’s journey down memory lane as she connects with the father she barely knew and learns a lot about what really makes her happy.

A spicy read with unexpected heart. The real treat is it has a sequel that follows sister Hannah’s equally saucy adventures with Brendan’s best friend. 

This is the OG of enemies-to-lovers romances and as a Brit, I’d be remiss to overlook it.

Set at the turn of the 19th Century, this follows the fortunes of the Bennet family, notably Elizabeth Bennet, as she navigates the tricky world of marriage along with her four sisters. Her mother is particularly hysterical about marrying all her daughters off in good time, much to the bemusement of Mr. Bennet, who mostly stays out of the whole affair.

Enter Fitzwilliam Darcy, rich landowner and, in the words of Cher Horowitz, ‘snob-and-a-half.’ He clashes with the independent and free-spirited Elizabeth over the social norms they wrestle with but eventually, despite himself, he realises that his "feelings will not be repressed" and this leads to the swooniest of declarations: ‘you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.’ Not only is it a sharply observed social commentary, but it is also at times laugh out loud.

Why do you think there have been so many adaptations of it? There may not be any spicy scenes to speak of, but honestly, lingering looks and heartfelt declarations have all the romance this reader needs.

Again, another killer strapline that lured me in straight away: "What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?"

As a Brit who often watches the shenanigans of the Royal Family in total disbelief, I was very curious to see how this story played out. And it is so very sweet and funny, an insight into a life of wealth and power beyond your wildest dreams. Forced to stage a friendship for the sake of international relations, Alex and Prince Henry soon catch feelings and must navigate their fledgling relationship under the most intense spotlight. Their chemistry is insane and the fact they have to sneak around is hot.

Will love win or will the pressures of international politics bring this love story to a premature end? A juicy, twisty read that is an absolute must for anyone interested in an inclusive romantic experience.

Okay, not exactly a classic enemies-to-lovers novel, but super-hot and super-grumpy scientist Adam Carlsen is the nemesis of every grad student, in other words, he’s not really anyone’s friend. And when Olive Smith manages to find herself fake dating said Scientist, life gets that little bit more complicated. She’s young and idealistic, he’s an arrogant ass. What could go wrong? 

I love that this is set in Academia. Hazelwood writes movingly and convincingly about a world I know very little about, adding plenty of humor. I also adored that Olive isn’t your typical romantic heroine, that she not only has a tragic backstory but has a somewhat atypical sexual identity. Sex for her is not a major motivator, but when she and Adam finally connect… oh boy. So very hot.

I loved that Olive was open about her experiences, but also that Adam was always respectful as well as delightfully obscene. A sweet and funny read that proved a perfect distraction.