Trope

Clean Enemies to Lovers Romance Books

You know the moment. Two people who can't stand each other start arguing a little too loud and standing a little too close. Enemies to lovers is the trope clean romance writers do better than anyone. When chemistry can't live in the bedroom, it has to live in the way they argue. That's the whole appeal.

These are all no spice, and most never get near the line. What you get instead is slow burn done right. The tension carries the whole book. The picks cover a lot of ground: work rivals who didn't see each other coming, second chance exes who never quite let each other go, the new neighbor she swore she'd hate on sight, and her best friend's prickly older brother who's been waiting on her since she was 18.

If you love enemies to lovers but want to skip the explicit scenes, every book here delivers. Clean writers know how to make a single look earn its keep.

Cover of Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson

Dropping the Ball

Melanie Jacobson

Enemies to LoversNew YearsSecond ChanceModern DayChristmasRomanceOhio

Cover of One Small Secret by Esther Hatch

One Small Secret

#4 in Gift-Wrapped Romance

Enemies to LoversChristmasChildhood FriendsRomanceSingle ParentModern Day

Cover of Holiday Tides by Laura Langa

Holiday Tides

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DayRomanceBeach

Cover of Love and Other Two-Player Games by Roxanne LoMarc

Dec 1

Love and Other Two-Player Games

Millionaire / BillionaireCityEnemies to LoversCaliforniaForced ProximityWorkplaceModern DayRomance

Cover of Love at Teamsgiving by Ellie Hall

Love at Teamsgiving

#6 in Nebraska Knights

Enemies to LoversRomanceSecond ChanceThanksgivingModern DayHockeyFallSports

Cover of The Love Audit by Annah Conwell

The Love Audit

#1 in Sweet Peach

Enemies to LoversRomanceGrumpy SunshineGeorgiaModern DayCity

Cover of Reckless by Lauren Roberts

Reckless

#2 in Powerless Trilogy

Enemies to LoversFantasyYoung Adult

Cover of Secrets in Ice by Kennedy Plumb

Secrets in Ice

Enemies to LoversSuspenseYoung AdultModern DayRomanceRetellingMystery

Cover of Fumble All the Way by Deb Goodman

Fumble All the Way

#4 in The Peppermint Playbook

Enemies to LoversMountainsModern DayChristmasRomanceColoradoSportsFootball

Cover of Found in Embers by AJ Blanch

Found in Embers

#1 in Astrid Stone

Enemies to LoversRomanceYoung AdultModern DayFantasyKansas

Cover of Her Goal by Ellie Hall

Her Goal

#3 in Love in Hockey Town

Best Friend's BrotherHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceModern DaySmall TownSports

Cover of Sunshine & Cinnamon by Lindsay Rochester

Sunshine & Cinnamon

Lindsay Rochester

#1 in Laurel Falls

Enemies to LoversMountainsModern DaySmall TownRomanceMaine

Cover of Love Never Happens on a Road Trip by Francesca Spencer

Love Never Happens on a Road Trip

Francesca Spencer

#4 in Love Never Happens

Enemies to LoversRoad TripForced ProximityWorkplaceMassachusettsModern DayRomanceVirginia

Cover of Not a Fan by Shelbey Kendall

Not a Fan

Shelbey Kendall

Enemies to LoversRomanceGrumpy SunshineForced ProximityModern Day

Cover of All that Glitters by Annah Conwell

All that Glitters

#2 in RomCom University

Enemies to LoversRomanceChildhood FriendsCollegeFriends to LoversHockeyModern DaySports

Cover of Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

Sep 29

Trust Fall

Enemies to LoversNew YorkYoung AdultModern DayRomanceFall

Cover of The Holiduel by Hailey Gardiner

The Holiduel

Hailey Gardiner

Enemies to LoversChristmasSecond ChanceModern DayTennesseeRomance

Cover of The Retreat by Hailey Gardiner

The Retreat

Hailey Gardiner

#1 in Falling for Franklin

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayTennessee

Cover of Beauty and the Bad Boy by Sarah Sutton

Beauty and the Bad Boy

#1 in Beauties and Boys

Enemies to LoversForbiddenChildhood FriendsSecond ChanceConnecticutYoung AdultModern DaySmall Town

Cover of Mistletoe Fall Out by Larissa Hommes

Mistletoe Fall Out

#2 in Mistletoe Meadows

Enemies to LoversChristmasChildhood FriendsRomanceModern DaySmall Town

Cover of Love in Bloom by Jenny Proctor

Love in Bloom

#4 in Some Kind of Love

Enemies to LoversRomanceSouth CarolinaModern DayBeachCity

Cover of Christmas Games and Candy Canes by C.P. Cabaniss

Christmas Games and Candy Canes

#1 in Glenwood Harts

Enemies to LoversChristmasChildhood FriendsRomanceModern DaySmall Town

Cover of Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Powerless

#1 in Powerless Trilogy

Enemies to LoversFantasyYoung Adult

Cover of Single All the Way by Kate Watson

Single All the Way

Millionaire / BillionaireEnemies to LoversNeighborsModern DayFake DatingChristmasRomanceAge Gap

Cover of Perfectly Complicated Christmas Romance by Grace Worthington

Perfectly Complicated Christmas Romance

Grace Worthington

#4 in Perfect Crush Hockey Romance

Enemies to LoversChristmasGrumpy SunshineRomanceSingle ParentModern DayHockeySports

Cover of Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Sense and Suitability

Enemies to LoversRomanceSecond ChanceChristianRegency

Cover of Mad About Yule by Genny Carrick

Mad About Yule

#1 in Love in Sunshine

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DaySmall TownRomance

Cover of Falling for Your Fake Fiancé by Emma St. Clair

Falling for Your Fake Fiancé

#3 in Love Clichés

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayFake Dating

Cover of Christmas in The Upside Downside by Anayia Cook

Christmas in The Upside Downside

#1 in The Upside Downside

Enemies to LoversChristmasSuspenseRomanceEnglandFuture

Cover of A Fine Line by Juliana Smith

A Fine Line

#5 in Wells Family

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayFake Dating

Cover of Love Between Innings by Laura Langa

Love Between Innings

#1 in Waves Baseball

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximityFake DatingModern DayBaseballVirginiaSports

Cover of Misfortune and Mr. Right by Savannah Scott

Misfortune and Mr. Right

#4 in Only Magic in the Building

Enemies to LoversNeighborsMagical RealismModern DayMassachusettsSmall TownRomance

Cover of Lauren Murphy Hates Mistletoe by Jordan Millsaps

Lauren Murphy Hates Mistletoe

Jordan Millsaps

#3 in Marriage on My Mind

Brother's Best FriendEnemies to LoversChristmasModern DayRomance

Cover of Planes, Reins, and Automobiles by Kate Watson

Planes, Reins, and Automobiles

#2 in Catching Feelings

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRoad TripSecret IdentityModern DayNew YorkRomanceColoradoBaseball

Cover of Molasses and Mr. Christmas by Lindsey Jesionowski

Molasses and Mr. Christmas

Lindsey Jesionowski

#6 in Christmas Kisses & Cookie Crumbs

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DayWorkplaceRomance

Cover of Of Love & Beer by Amanda Darcy

Of Love & Beer

Enemies to LoversCaliforniaModern DaySmall TownWorkplaceRomanceRetelling

Cover of Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen

Breaking the Ice

#1 in Love on Thin Ice

Millionaire / BillionaireHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximitySmall TownModern DayWashingtonSports

Cover of Mr Fake Husband Grump by Francesca Spencer

Mr Fake Husband Grump

Francesca Spencer

#1 in Mr Grumps

Enemies to LoversRomanceSingle ParentModern DayFake DatingSmall TownWorkplaceAge GapFlorida

Cover of All That Really Matters (A McKenzie Family Romance) by Nicole Deese

All That Really Matters (A McKenzie Family Romance)

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayChristianIdaho

Cover of Pucks and Pranks by Tiffany Noelle Chacon

Pucks and Pranks

Tiffany Noelle Chacon

#1 in Sports in the Sunshine State

Enemies to LoversRomanceOpposites AttractHockeyForced ProximityFloridaSecond ChanceModern DaySecret IdentitySports

Cover of Play Me Once by Carina Taylor

Play Me Once

#2 in All's Fair

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayWorkplace

Cover of Christmas Baggage by Deborah M. Hathaway

Christmas Baggage

Deborah M. Hathaway

#1 in Christmas Escape

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRomanceModern DayEnglandEurope

Cover of Vacations Like This by Carina Taylor

Vacations Like This

#4 in A Love Like This

Enemies to LoversRomanceFriends to LoversForced ProximityModern Day

Cover of Falling for Your Enemy by Emma St. Clair

Falling for Your Enemy

#5 in Love Clichés

Enemies to LoversRoad TripGrumpy SunshineRomanceModern Day

Cover of Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

Her Part to Play

Jenny Erlingsson

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximitySmall TownModern DayValentine'sWorkplaceCelebrityChristianAlabama

Cover of Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey

Holiday Hostilities

#2 in Cyclones Christmas

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRomanceModern DayGeorgiaCityHockeySports

Cover of How to Kiss Your Enemy by Jenny Proctor

How to Kiss Your Enemy

#3 in How to Kiss a Hawthorne

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern Day

Cover of The Enemy by Sarah Adams

The Enemy

#2 in It Happened in Charleston

Enemies to LoversRomanceSecond ChanceModern DaySouth Carolina

Cover of The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Bennett Jacobson

The Fall Back Plan

Melanie Bennett Jacobson

#2 in Sweater Weather

Enemies to LoversRomanceNorth CarolinaSingle ParentModern DaySmall TownFall

Cover of A Summer of Stars by Liana Cincotti

A Summer of Stars

Enemies to LoversNew YorkModern DayFake DatingRomanceCelebritySportsEuropeTennis

Cover of Yellows Hibiscus by Tope Omotosho

Yellows Hibiscus

#2 in Flower Series

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayChristianNigeria

Cover of Much Ado About a Latte by Kathleen Fuller

Much Ado About a Latte

Kathleen Fuller

#2 in A Maple Falls Romance

Enemies to LoversRomanceChildhood FriendsArkansasFriends to LoversChristianModern Day

Cover of How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

How to Love Your Neighbor

Sophie Sullivan

#1 in The Jansen Brothers

Enemies to LoversNeighborsRenovationsModern DayCaliforniaRomance

Cover of Shipped by Angie Hockman

Shipped

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayWorkplaceBeach

Cover of Merry Ex-mas by Courtney Walsh

Merry Ex-mas

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximitySmall TownSecond ChanceModern DayRomanceIllinois

Cover of Lost With My Enemy by Lily Love

Lost With My Enemy

#10 in It Happened Up North

Enemies to LoversRoad TripOpposites AttractRomanceForced ProximityCanadaModern Day

Cover of Atlas Falls by Midnight by Anayia Cook

Atlas Falls by Midnight

#2 in The Upside Downside

Enemies to LoversSuspenseRomanceEnglandFuture

Cover of Blossoms & Breezes by Lindsay Rochester

Blossoms & Breezes

Lindsay Rochester

#4 in Laurel Falls

Enemies to LoversMountainsModern DaySmall TownRomanceMedicalMaine

Cover of Fake Dating for the Summer by Francesca Spencer

Fake Dating for the Summer

Francesca Spencer

#4 in Midlife Meet Cute Beach Reads

Enemies to LoversCaliforniaModern DayFake DatingSmall TownRomanceFootballBeach

Cover of How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson

How to Plot a Payback

Melissa Ferguson

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern Day

Cover of Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp

Penalties and Proposals

#7 in Love on Thin Ice

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximitySmall TownSecond ChanceModern DayWashingtonHockeySports

Cover of Drawn Together by Juliana Smith

Drawn Together

Enemies to LoversNew YorkFriends to LoversRomanceModern DayCityFall

Cover of Desire Or Defense by Leah Brunner

Desire Or Defense

#1 in D.C. Eagles Hockey

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayHockeySports

Cover of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals

#1 in Letters of Enchantment

Enemies to LoversFantasyYoung Adult

Cover of Lucy Loves Him Not by Rebecca Jo Jackson

Lucy Loves Him Not

Rebecca Jo Jackson

#2 in Sweet River Series

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DaySmall TownSummerTexas

Cover of The Bluff by Emma St. Clair

The Bluff

#2 in Love Stories in Sheet Cake

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DaySmall TownWorkplaceTexas

Cover of Love By Design by Cheyenne Pajardo

Love By Design

Cheyenne Pajardo

#2 in No Love Lost

Enemies to LoversCaliforniaForced ProximityWorkplaceRenovationsYoung AdultModern DayRomanceChristian

Cover of Resorting to Romance by Jennifer Shirk

Resorting to Romance

#1 in Sunny Banks

Enemies to LoversRomanceNorth CarolinaModern DaySmall TownBeach

Cover of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DayRomanceEnglandEurope

Cover of The Golden Goal by Annah Conwell

The Golden Goal

#1 in More Than a Game

Brother's Best FriendHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceModern DayAlabamaSports

Cover of I Knew He Was Trouble by Amanda Schimmoeller

I Knew He Was Trouble

Amanda Schimmoeller

#1 in Sweeter Than Fiction

Enemies to LoversNeighborsModern DayRomance

Cover of The Player and the Pop Star by Cait Elise

The Player and the Pop Star

#1 in The Vista City Kings

Enemies to LoversCaliforniaModern DayFake DatingRomanceCelebritySportsFootball

Cover of Mr Best Friend’s Brother Grump by Francesca Spencer

Mr Best Friend’s Brother Grump

Francesca Spencer

#2 in Mr Grumps

Best Friend's BrotherEnemies to LoversNew YorkOpposites AttractWorkplaceModern DayRomance

Cover of Call My Bluff by Erin Chesnut

Call My Bluff

#2 in Cypress Valley Sweethearts

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayFake DatingSmall TownTennesseeCollege

Cover of Melodies and Mistletoe by Kasey Stockton

Melodies and Mistletoe

#3 in Christmas in the City

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DayNew YorkRomance

Cover of A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

A Brewed Awakening

Enemies to LoversMountainsNorth CarolinaModern DaySmall TownRomanceChristian

Cover of Since We've No Place to Go by Kate Watson

Since We've No Place to Go

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRomanceModern DayBaseballSportsIllinois

Cover of The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson

The Cul-de-Sac War

Melissa Ferguson

Enemies to LoversMountainsModern DaySmall TownNeighborsRomanceVirginia

Cover of One Very Awkward Thanksgiving by Cassandra Joelle

Oct 6

One Very Awkward Thanksgiving

Cassandra Joelle

Enemies to LoversWyomingChildhood FriendsRomanceForced ProximityChristianSecond ChanceThanksgivingModern DayCowboyFall

Cover of The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy

The Roman Holiday Rule

Enemies to LoversRomanceMagical RealismModern DayItalyCity

Cover of Fearless by Lauren Roberts

Fearless

#3 in Powerless Trilogy

Enemies to LoversRomanceYoung AdultFantasy

Cover of Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel

Faking Christmas

#3 in Christmas Escape

Enemies to LoversChristmasModern DayFake DatingWorkplaceRomanceVermont

Cover of Ready to Be Loved By You by Enewerome

Ready to Be Loved By You

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximityWorkplaceModern DayChristianNigeria

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