At last!! Here it is, my Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Book List… yay!!
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I did an Enemies-to-Lovers Book List with contemporary romances two months ago, but this blog needed a specific one for fantasy romances.
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As always, I handpicked the titles I thought would fit the enemies-to-lovers criteria best.
Let’s go to the List!
Table of Contents
The Enemies-to-lovers meter: Is this book a true enemies to lovers romance?
Tired of beginning a book labeled as enemies to lovers only to find out on page 30 that they are already together?
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FEAR NO MORE!!
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With this “Enemies to Lovers Meter” I created, you can decide if you want to pick the book based on how strong the trope is.
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The meter goes from 1 to 10, with 1 being fake enemies to lovers and 10 being perfection (they stay as enemies AT LEAST for the entire book if it is a series or for the majority of the book if it is a standalone).
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Enemies to lovers meter:Ā
1-4: Fake enemies to lovers: There is some animosity between the FMC and MMC, but there are no high stakes, and they quickly begin to act together as lovers or friends.
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5-7: Traditional enemies to lovers: The story sets them up as enemies, there is tension, and often some forbidden romance element, but the rivalry part isn’t very believable or it dissolves without much explanation.
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8-9: Good enemies to lovers: The trope goes for at least more than one book if it is a series and maintains the tension throughout the entire story if it’s a standalone. High stakes, tension, and real conflict. You can’t easily visualize how they will become lovers.
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10: The perfect enemies to lovers example: Mortal enemies. One of them (or both) hates the other to death. One of them (or both) HATE TO LOVE the other and is conflicted about it.
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The enemies part always stays there; often, when they become lovers, they get to be enemies again.
Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her fatherās too kind-hearted to collect his debts. They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village. Her success creates rumours she can turn silver into gold, which attract the fairy king of winter himself. He sets her an impossible challenge ā and if she fails, sheāll die. Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. And in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord.
Irinaās father schemes to wed her to the tsar ā he will pay any price to achieve this goal. However, the dashing tsar is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of mortals and winter alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and Irina embark on a quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power and love.
Why you should read it
Ā “I wouldn’t hold myself that cheap, to marry a man who’d love me less than everything else he had, even if what he had was a winter kingdom.ā
Spinning Silver is considered by many as good or better than Uprooted, the popular fantasy romance standalone by the same author. (Although some readers differ and like Uprooted more.)
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Spinning Silver is a true enemies to lovers fantasy book, with the MMC constantly trying to kill Miryem if she doesn’t uphold her part of the deal (which is totally unfair for her, but hey… the guy is a King…)
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Spinning Silver is perfect for readers who love fairytale fantasy romance stories (heheh that would be me) with wicked characters.
Enemies to lovers meter
Thereās always a price for defying destiny.
Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the court as Seer with her cleverly phrasedāand not always trueādivinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not-charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip her of her title once heās crowned.
After the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrusās love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse about the princeās future bride. Her wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they canāt protect her against fateānor the doomed attraction growing between her and the princeā¦.
Why you should read it
āSometimes I want to kiss him and sometimes I want to ruin him, but most of the time, I want those actions to be one and the same.ā
Have I recommended this book COUNTLESS TIMES in this blog? YES.
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Will I continue doing it? YES.
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Violet Made of Thorns is an EPIC enemies-to-lovers fantasy book where the protagonists, Cyrus and Violet, really dislike each other. A ‘hate-to-love’ relationship where both of them are constantly trying to surpass the other… but at the same time… they canāt stay away.
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If you loved The Cruel Prince, you will LOVE Violet Made of Thorns. Cyrus is so similar to Cardan… one of my favorite comfort reads. And a perfect read if you love Fantasy romances with Princes and royalty.
Enemies to lovers meter
Damen is a warrior hero to his people and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.
Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master, Prince Laurent, epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.
For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else.
Why you should read it
In the mood for some M/M enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance? Then Captive Prince is just what you’re looking for:
āLaurentās fair skin and blue eyes were a combination that was rare in Patras, rarer in Akielos, and a particular weakness of Damenās..ā
A prince who is stripped of all his titles and sold to another kingdom as a sex slave. There, he will meet Prince Laurent, who is not only morally grey but also has some very questionable sexual tastes.
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Captive Prince is not for the faint of heart. There are heavy scenes with non-consensual sex and slavery.
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However, the characters and the relationship between Damen and Laurent are just SO GOOD and well-developed that it is really worth the read.
A true enemies-to-lovers story !
Enemies to lovers meter
In her forest-veiled pagan village, Ćvike is the only woman without power,Ā When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the kingās blood sacrifice, Ćvike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered.
But when monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive en route,Ā they have no choice but to rely on each other. Except heās no ordinary Woodsmanāheās the disgraced prince, GĆ”spĆ”r BĆ”rĆ”ny.Ā GĆ”spĆ”r fears that his cruelly zealous brother plans to seize the throne and instigate a violent reign that would damn the pagans and the Yehuli alike.
Why you should read it
” What would you have me do?’ he asks. ‘You have already ruined me.”
Although this book had mixed reviews, I KNOW it will hit the mark for a lot of readers.
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If you love fairy tales, enemies-to-lovers, and a cinnamon roll love interest (mixed with forbidden romance), pick this book ASAP.
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Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik. The Wolf and the Woodsman mixes Jewish folklore (Yehuli, the fantasy Jewish) and Christianity (Patrifaith in the book), all entwined in a beautiful albeit dark whimsical story.
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Be aware this is not YA; the cruelty of some scenes and the themes that it touches clearly belong to an NA book, even adult.
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The romance part, with the hate-to-love always present, seals the deal. Totally recommend!!
Enemies to lovers meter
Harry Potter is dead. In the aftermath of the war, in order to strengthen the might of the magical world, Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Hermione Granger has an Order secret, lost but hidden in her mind, so she is sent as an enslaved surrogate to the High Reeve until her mind can be cracked.
Why you should read it
āIf you die, I will kill every last one of them.ā
Manacled is one of those books where you have to take a ‘leap of faith’ and trust every single person in the community who says READ IT.
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Because… how can EVERYONE be wrong?
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I began hearing about this fanfic in 2022, but it was really at the beginning of 2023 when everyone and their mom was reading it.
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I’m not a big Harry Potter fan myself, but the hype was just so HUGE that I succumbed to it.
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Manacled is a Dramione (Hermione-Draco) fanfic, and in this world, Voldemort won against the Order of the Phoenix (basically the same concept as the likes of Mistborn… what happens if the villain won?).
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Hermione has been captured by Dolores Umbridge, and after they release her, she is sent to serve as a surrogate to a powerful wizard (wizards are desperately in need of repopulation after the war). And voila… you can guess who this wizard is… Yes, Draco Malfoy.
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Similar to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ this story is DARK and with heavy scenes.
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A true enemies-to-lovers fantasy book with none other than Draco and Hermione that I assure you, will leave your heart broken into little pieces.
Enemies to lovers meter
A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families, and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields. But now a troublemaker has arrived, and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy – the magic that lies in all metals.
Why you should read it
āElend Venture,’ she said, standing up. ‘There is something I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time.’ She paused, blinking away her tears. ‘You read too much. Especially in the presence of ladies.”
Brandon Sanderson wrote this book with the premise, ‘What happens if instead of the good guys, the bad guys win?’ So, in this world, we have a Tyrant ruling the world, and a group of people trying to pull an impossible heist to take the power.
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With a heavy ‘Oceans Eleven’ vibe, The Final Empire adds an intricate magic system to the mix with a somewhat steampunk vibe (it gave me Final Fantasy VII vibes).
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But hey, Alessa, where is the enemies-to-lovers in all this???
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Well, The Final Empire has one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers dynamics with a cute cinnamon roll love interest. It takes some time for him to appear, but I will argue with anyone who says that he is not vital to the story.
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Commonly, this will surely be categorized as a fantasy story with a romance subplot, but hey, for me, the romance part was, like I said, vital to the story and a beautiful and well-done enemies-to-lovers.
Enemies to lovers meter
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Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means.Ā
Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath,Ā intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.
Why you should read it
āCharming man, shame she would have to assassinate him one day soon.ā
You all know by now I have a soft spot for cozy fantasy romances, and I just couldn’t leave this Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Book List without one of them!! Hehe.
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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is a regency romance with fairy tale vibes and excellent banter.
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We have a very grumpy heroine and an assassin trying to kill her… you can imagine the dynamics!!
Only one bed, female pirates, and Victorian vibes… what more can a girl ask for??
Enemies to lovers meter
Athena Edgeworth was raised by ruthless mercenaries, and she knows how to get what she wants. When ex-assassin Kon tries to seduce Athena and steal a magical manuscript for his boss, he sets in motion a rivalry that will push them both to their limits.
As they compete for the most powerful mystical relics around the world, Athena and Kon become addicted to the thrill of the chase and to each other. But when their obsession with the magical relics leads them into a trap, they must put their rivalry aside and work together to survive.
Why you should read it
āYou need to learn to control your woman.” Kon smiled. “No, I don’t. She’s magnificent.ā
Continuing with the assassin-thief trope, here we have a standalone (dark) fantasy romance with a dynamic similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith movie with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
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Athena and Kon are enemies; she despises him with all her heart and tries to kill him several timesāwithout success, I must say, hehe.
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Darkest Night is another excellent book if you want enemies-to-lovers dynamics with exquisite banter, and this one is on the spicier side! A Kindle Unlimited hidden gem indeed!!
Enemies to lovers meter
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situationāmarriage.
Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.
Why you should read it
āIf this woman is to be my wife,ā he said, swallowing hard, āyou will not touch her again.ā
I’m seeing a pattern in this Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Book List… a whole lot of the love interests featured here fall into the cinnamon roll category and reverse grumpy sunshine. xDD
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Well… I can’t help it, hehe. I just love powerful and grumpy heroines and MMCs that are crazy in love with them.
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And Serpent & Dove fills this to a T.
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A witch hiding from her captors, a Chasseur (witch hunter) who is forced to marry the very thing he must hunt and kill… Oh, Reid Diggory… you are GOALS.
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Serpent & Dove is a 3-book series, but BELIEVE ME, you can read this book as a standalone and enjoy Lou and Reid’s relationship nonetheless. (The story deviates a lot in books 2 and 3.)
Perfect enemies to lovers!!
Enemies to lovers meter
King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. Iām called his precious. His favored. Iām the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart.Ā
Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.
Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged, and I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.
Why you should read it
I’ll be the villain for you. Not to you”Ā
This series is… special. I included it in my Villain Gets the Girl’ Book List because the enemy happens to be the main villain in the series as well.
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The Plated Prisoner series is one of the slowest slow-burn fantasy romances you will find out there.
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Our heroine, Auren, serves as an unreliable narrator, much like Feyre in ACOTAR. We experience the story through her unique perspective, and the plot twists in this series become even more spectacular due to this narrative choice.
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The first book isn’t something really out of the ordinary, but HAVE FAITH and continue because books 2 and 3 are just chef’s kiss AND you won’t see the plot twists coming!!
Enemies to lovers meter
They were never meant to be together. As a generalās daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they canāt help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other.
Why you should read it
āYouāre back,ā she said.
āIām leaving again.ā
āTo steal more grain from a captured country estate?ā
His smile was perfectly mischievous. āRebels must eat.ā
āAnd I suppose you use my horse in these battles and thefts of yours.ā
āHeās happy to support a good cause.ā
I was tempted to add what I considered one of the best quotes in a YA fantasy romance I’ve read in years… but it just gave too much away and could surely be considered a spoiler.
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If you’re someone, much like me, who feels inspired to pick up a book solely for a single quote, here’s the quote tucked under a spoiler tag in case you’re curious.
āBut Arin saw Kestrel as she had been last night before the ball. How her hair had been a spill of low light over his palms. He had threaded desire into the braids, had wanted her to sense it even as he dreaded that she would. He had met her eyes in the mirror and didnāt know, couldnāt tell, her feelings. He only knew the fire of his own.ā
Back to the book… what could possibly be MORE enemies-to-lovers than a slave-captor relationship? Add to this that the slave and his people were the former owners of the lands occupied by the captor girl…
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This is a sublime series with beautiful writing and exceptional enemies-to-lovers dynamics.
This series needs to be reprinted and hyped again. It’s THAT good. (If you don’t believe me, read the quote behind the spoiler tag.)
Enemies to lovers meter
Han Chae-Ah and Park Yoon Soo may be perfect angels at church, but Chae-Ah is really a foul-mouthed ex-convict, and Yoon Soo isā¦ a vampire? When Yoon Soo blackmails Chae-Ah with a murder she didnāt commit, she begins searching for ways to escape the situation until the perfect opportunity presents itself. With Yoon Sooās life now at her mercy, the two begin a life-or-death game of cat and mouse, only to find themselves falling deeper and deeper into each otherās traps…
Why you should read it
She hates him, he can’t stay away from her. He is a sadistic vampire who uses her as a tool, and she wants revenge for all the horrible things he made her do.
Oh boy… I can’t stop recommending this webtoon enough.
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Maybe the best enemies-to-lovers story I’ve EVER read… It doesn’t matter it isn’t a book; it should be read and cherished. And it’s COMPLETE, yay!!
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Park Yoon Soo (the vampire) is your conflicted sadistic vampire, but Han Chae-Ah deserves a chapter apart. She is the human being extorted by Park Yoon Soo. She is not your typical badass heroine. She is fierce but has flaws, she is smart, doesn’t give a f*** about anyone, and is afraid of Park Yoon Soo… but tries to get her life back anyway.
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Just perfection.
Enemies to lovers meter
Popular Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Books
I didn’t want to end this Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Book List without mentioning some popular series. If you are new to the genre or came back to reading after a few years, THESE are the go-to titles you should definitely read first.
Shatter Me Series by Tahere Mafi
Set in a dystopian future, a girl is confined in isolation because she kills everyone with her touch... except two persons. One is her childhood friend, and the other is the sadistic and sociopathic Commander of Sector 45.
Enemies to lovers meter
A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J Maas
It starts as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but you have to get to book 2, and that's where the real fun begins. Is it worth the hype? YES. Read it before TikTok or Instagram spoil it for you.
Enemies to lovers meter
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Spicy enemies-to-lovers. If you love the bodyguards trope, you will surely enjoy this series. Unexpected plot twists, banter, and found family. A must-read.
Enemies to lovers meter
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The best enemies-to-lovers fantasy book ever written, seconded by Shatter Me.
Enemies to lovers meter
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The IT series of 2023. I didn't find it very 'enemies-to-lovers,' but book 2 definitely made me rethink this... so yes, worth the read if you're looking for a good enemies-to-lovers because book 3 will surely elevate the trope to the stars Enemies to lovers meter: ( first book ) 5/10 Enemies to lovers meter: ( second book ) 8/10
Enemies to lovers meter
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
One of my favorite series. They are real enemies but work together. He is wicked and cruel to her. 'Hate to love,' morally grey, one bed... all the tropes and one of the best cliffhangers in fantasy romances (in book 2). Totally worth the read.
Enemies to lovers meter
My Top picks: True Enemies to lovers Fantasy Romances
Not taking into account the most popular ones mentioned above (because those are a must-read, hehe), these are the two Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy Books I would definitely pick first
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