This is the second challenge for #BroodyBFFs. To see what I did for the first challenge, click HERE. This challenge is to talk about our favorite literary trope. I have many, but my favorite is probably Enemies to Lovers.
I love seeing characters with such tension as rivals, turn that tension sexual. The line between hate and love is so often blurred in worlds both real and fictional, which makes this trope so fascinating to me. I think that tropes that, while oft silly, are still seen in the real world, are the best ones.
That being said, here is a list of my top ten books featuring enemies to lovers couples.
#10. Rhysand and Feyre, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas:
Starting this list off with a bang, my tenth favorite use of enemies to lovers is in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas, specifically A Court of Mist And Fury, the second book in the trilogy. Feyre starts out hating Rhysand, being told by her lover at the time, Tamlin, that he was bad news. As the book progressed, however, she realized how horrible Tamlin was, and came to see Rhys in a different light. This is a fascinating look at the trope, but it doesn’t rank any higher on my list because this use of it takes a back seat to the main way it is used in this book, progressing backwards, from lovers to enemies between Feyre and Tamlin.
#9. Hannah and Nik, Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (second book in the Illuminae Files):
This relationship can be troubling at times, but in its essence, it shows off the key components of an enemies to lovers relationship. The two start out as complete antagonists: a preppy rich girl and her drug dealer. But when their base is attacked, the two have to band together, and slowly fall in love over the course of the novel. It may sometimes be a bit off putting to some, but however you feel about it, this book definitely fits the enemies to lovers trope like a key in a lock.
#8. Elle and Damien, Geekerella by Ashley Poston:
Next, we have a neat subversion of the classic use of the trope, in which the characters are both enemies and lovers at the same time. Through their mysterious personal conversations, they fall in love, but in real life, with his acting career and her hateful blogging of it, they are enemies. It is only through both learning that their enemy and lover are one in the same, that the enemies to lovers trope is fully resolved.
#7. Nina and Matthias, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo:
While this book does start with the two hating each other, moving towards love, this is actually the second time that this couple has followed the hate to love trope. Before the events of the novel, the two had been sworn enemies who fell in love (in circumstances along the line of Romeo And Juliet), but by the time our story begins, they have begun to hate each other once again. Thus, we are able to see not one but two arcs of this trope within this one couple’s dynamic alone.
#6. Alosa and Riden, The Daughter of The Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller:
Alosa and Riden are a classic example of enemies to lovers. Alosa purposefully gets herself taken prisoner onto Riden’s brother’s ship, and then starts an antagonistic slow burn romance with Riden. Not much to discuss, but a fun romp for lovers of enemies to lovers.
#5. Cass and Drew, The Taming of The Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm:
First off WHY ISN’T THIS BOOK MORE POPULAR? It is adorable and I love it so please read it please. Cass and Drew are adorable and their romance is too. In a book very loosely based on The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare, with characters similar to Katherine and Petruchio, the romance in this is bound to be adorable (or sexist, luckily this is adorable). Cass meets Drew when he rams into her fender from behind, and we are off to the races from there. With sword-fighting and the splits, this tale of enemies to lovers is hilarious and fun and PLEASE JUST READ IT!
#4. Iseult and Aeduan, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard:
I love these two, and there is a DEFINITE case of enemies to lovers here. Aeduan starts out hunting Iseult and her best friend, Safi, for the king of the land. During a heated battle, they end up sparing each other’s lives, and the rest is carried into the next novel (who else can’t wait for Threadwitch??!!).
#3. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
If you know me at all, you knew this was coming. Jane Austen is my favorite author, and I had to include these two (my precious, Edwardian, cinnamon roll babies). Lizzie and Darcy were some of the first characters to ever be put into a hate to love scenario. We have Jane Austen to thank for the popularity of the trope. These characters are so adorable together, with their slow progression from enemies at the dance to lovers at Pemberley. A solid use of the trope, and a must read if you are a fan of the trope.
#2. Simon and Baz, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell:
Simon and Baz hold a special place in my heart. In a book that is a veritable Harry Potter AU, Simon and Baz are Harry and Draco and I love them. Their continuous antagonistic relationship is what keeps me going in life. They support each other, and egg each other on, while maintaining that they do it because they hate each other. It’s amazing. I want more of this trope from Rainbow Rowell.
#1. Dennaleia and Mare, Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst:
These girls are so amazing. Starting off with Denna being engaged to Mare’s brother (man, this list has more brothers than maybe it should), this book would normally just have Denna falling in love with a guard or something. But it doesn’t. Instead, Mare is assigned to teach her how to ride horses, and their relationship blooms from there. It is slow burn, but very intense, and I loved every second of it. Very highly recommend if you like this trope at all.
Ok, so that’s that. Please make haste to your local bookstore (or amazon) and buy these books. While you’re at it, go pre-order Broody’s book on Amazon HERE.
Comment down below and let me know what your favorite trope is, and your recommendation for a book with that trope.
Happy reading!
The YA Wizard 