Despite the fact, as those who have been around here long enough know, that the enemies to lovers trope is my absolute favorite romance trope, I have absolutely been dragging my feet on writing a list of my favorite YA enemies to lovers recommendations for two reasons.
The first reason is that, in general whether YA or not, there is a wide range of what people consider an “enemies to lovers” romance that is super subjective and never agreed upon as a whole which always seems to cause a stir whenever the topic (or a recommendation for the trope) is brought up.
You’ve got the true we’ve-tried-to-kill-one-another-at-every-turn enemies to lovers (or even bully romances which are not my thing) to more of a “from hate to love” vibe to “I cannot stand you but also am attracted to you” to more of a rivals than enemies vibe. With so much more even in between all of those.
For this YA enemies to lovers list I’m going to house them all under the same umbrella personally but I know some people really draw a hard line on what constitutes a true enemies to lovers book.
Especially when it comes to teen enemies to lovers books because so often they are a much more mild and loose version of the word ~enemies~.
The second reason is I love the trope so much, and house a lot under the umbrella, that is RIDICULOUSLY hard to narrow this list down especially because I love the enemies to lovers trope in both fantasy and contemporary settings.
So, I’m going to attempt this list of my favorite young adult enemies to lovers books and try to make sure I can convey what type of enemies it is so you’ll know if it’s enemy-ish enough for your preferences.
But just know that I house a lot under that umbrella because I think most people are just looking for that good pent up tension, or maybe the banter or that softening on each other moment when they request it while others specifically want that Spike and Buffy vibe.
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Best Young Adult Enemies To Lovers Romances
I’ve split the list into fantasy YA enemies to lovers book and contemporary romance YA enemies to lovers for ease of browsing in case you are more of a realistic romance lover or fantasy romance lover.
YA Fantasy Enemies To Lovers Romances
I find that YA fantasy enemies to lovers are more where I find more intense enemy to lovers stories with all the battling and political warring and more villains when it comes to teen books.
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
A fantastic dark YA fantasy book with a delicious, chemistry-filled enemies to lovers romance. A witch, who left her coven and is now on the run after 2 years of not being detected, but after an unfortunate situation arises she is thrown in a sham marriage of convenience to none other than a witch hunter for the Church (who has no idea that he’s marrying a witch in disguise)!
SO SO GOOD. And I’m excited because this year the author has a spinoff vampire fantasy romance with promise of a good enemies to lovers romance, too.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Before I read this book in 2017, I wasn’t sure that I was super into pirate fantasy type books but it ushered in a deep love for them. This one is an absolutely fun, pirate-y romp at sea and the romance between the daughter of an infamous pirate King, purposely captured by her enemies to undertake a spy mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map, and the first mate who is tasked with looking after her.
The way this one is done is so well because I normally shy away from anything that resembles a captor-prisoner situation but this one navigates that potential ick for me well for many reasons but especially because was on a recon mission rather than being truly a prisoner.
One of my favorite way to get through my never-ending list of books to read:
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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
God-tier pick for me and probably one of the most true YA enemies to lovers romances in every sense of the trope. If you like YA dark fantasy books and faeries, you need this (if you haven’t already read this uber popular smash hit).
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The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae
If you don’t like any even slight spoilers just pick this one up and know it’s going to fill your YA fantasy enemies to lovers loving-heart right up like The Cruel Prince.
Such an underrated YA fantasy series with a great slow-burn enemies-to-lovers plot that is TRULY enemies trying to kill one another — perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince! There is a love triangle so, again, very slow burn and throughout the series it will keep you guessing on if they are going to kiss or kill one another first.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Looking for a standalone enemies to lovers book instead of a series? While I personally wouldn’t say they are like true enemies in the strongest of sense, the banter and tension was top tier as Elizabeth has to work with a sorcerer named Nathaniel, who she immediately sees as an enemy because she’s been taught that all sorcerers are evil, to clear her name and uncover a saboteur and a possible conspiracy.
It’s definitely more on her end but the slow burn softening to one another is so good as they see beyond their initial (learned) preconceived notions about one another.
This book is just fantastic in general though — come for the lure of hate-to-love banter and stay for the worldbuilding (Magical libraries and monsters!) and the best demon side character.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
One of my favorite YA fantasy series and I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers story between Kestral and Arin (despite thinking I would not based on the power dynamic). I don’t want to say too much but just know it’s slow burn, complicated and forbidden as these two, from enemy groups, get to know one another. Perfect if you also enjoy YA fantasies with lots of political maneuvering and drama.
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
You need this YA fantasy for many reasons — Viking warriors, warring clans and a (slow-burn) romance between two former enemies who must work together to unite against a dangerous threat to both clans. Plus it’s a standalone!
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
If you want true enemies to lovers (though with a love triangle for a bit), this is it between Juliette and Warner. The hate-to-love tension is STRONG. Still one of my all time favorite YA series! Go binge it now and enjoy the journey that is Juliette and Warner’s romance.
YA Contemporary Enemies to Lovers Romances
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlan
This sapphic romcom is so good — enemies to lovers AND fake dating between a girls basketball player and the captain of the cheer squad! Two high school nemeses are forced to carpool together after a fender bender and meddling moms step in but soon find some mutual benefit in hatching a fake dating scheme to get back at a toxic ex.
Just the literal perfect high school romcom! Reminds me why that genre was my absolute fave to watch in the 90’s and early 2000’s.
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
The ultimate academic rivals to lovers romance in this book about two teens who have spent their whole high school career trying to one-up the other in their pursuit for valedictorian and now that day is here to see who came out on top.
The day also brings the long-awaited Senior Game where they realize they must reluctantly work together to be the last ones standing when they learn they are being targeted first.
Over the course of 24 hours, the begin to see a whole new side to each other and their relationship than the one that played out throughout their high school career.
YA rivals to lovers set in one day? Two of my favorite things plus both characters are an absolute delight. One of my favorite books I read in 2021!
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P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
If your favorite type of YA enemies to lovers romances skew more along the lines of You’ve Got Mail — this adorable YA contemporary romance (from the queen of cute YA romances) needs to be up next on your list.
It’s cute, cheesy and fun to watch these enemies fall for each other without realizing it. Putting it on this list definitely spoils the whole mystery element but, hey, you are looking for the trope!
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
This one is so cute — perfect for fans of Morgan Matson, Kasie West and Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. The main character is forced to scheme with her next door and childhood frenemy in order to get the attention of her forever crush who happens to be friends with her nemesis. Cute, fluffy and filled with tropes I love.
P.S. Minus the childhood/neighbors aspect, it’s so close to how I ended up with Will — I liked a guy he was close with and would try to ask his advice/got closer to him even though I found him obnoxious and not-my-type and then somehow getting to know him turned into us dating all the while I was plotting with him to get the in with his friend. And now we have been married 10 years.
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Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Emma Lord’s contemporary YA are always quick, fun reads for me and her debut will always have the top spot for me and be among my favorite YA romcoms ever. Cute and lighthearted YA rivals to lovers with a You’ve Got Mail vibe.
This teen enemies-to-lovers romance is all about two teens who get into a viral Twitter war that absolutely blows up — via the company accounts for their family’s restaurants — all the while not realizing they know one another and have been communicating even more than they know off Twitter.
This is also one of my favorite YA audiobooks!
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Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Best friends turned enemies get stranded in wilderness together on a camping trip forcing the two to fight against nature with plenty of time to hash out the past in this delightful, adventure-filled YA romance (with some emotional bits). You can really feel the heartbreak from their fallout and the family feud that turns them into ex-best friends.
When You Get The Chance by Emma Lord
While Tweet Cute is my favorite Emma Lord, I absolutely loved the rivals to lovers in When You Get The Chance. Two rivals, after always butting heads in their drama club at school, end up competing for a huge internship that will have them traipsing all across New York City and at each other’s throats.
A theater-filled fun rivals to romance while also being a really heartfelt story about family and chasing your dreams.
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Not Here To Be Liked by Michelle Quach
Looking for a good YA academic rivals-to-lovers romance?
Eliza Quan is a shoo-in for the editor-in-chief position at her school newspaper — that is until ex-jock and handsome Len DiMartile decides he is going to run against her and wins support though he lacks any experience. Pissed off and angry about sexism/the patriarchy, she writes a scathing rant that gets leaked and starts a bit of a movement at her school. To cool things off the two are asked to work together, by the school, and the more time spent together just maybe she finds that he isn’t the enemy.
It’s messy but nuanced as it explores feminism/sexism and Eliza is tough to like (or even agree with) at times but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
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What are some of your favorite young adult enemies to lovers books? Do you prefer more real enemies or rivals or something in between?
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Kristina says
Alot of your contemporary picks are on my list already, the only one i’ve read has been today tonight tomorrow- and all of my yesses!! I duly need to reread this again 🥰