There are several excellent friends for lovers romance books that reign superior. Countless Tropes Have Shaped Today's Romance Books to the point where marketing teams are starting to use tropes as selling points. Sports romances — or, more specifically, hockey romance books — have gained traction because of their trope marketing tactics. Some of the best romance movies exist because of the way the tropes are executed, while some movies have become well-known because of popular romance movie tropes. Regardless of the tropes, it's clear that they significantly changed the romance genre forever.
Friends to lovers is a popular trope, but it's often hit or miss. There are some stellar friends-to-lovers movie couples, and other movie couples have great on-screen chemistry because the actors are good friends in real life. Friendship is the foundation for running any great relationship, especially in romances. Friends to lovers is one of the best romance tropes when the narrative executes the relationship well because of the foundation of friendship, loyalty, trust, and history, followed by excellent longings and confessions of love. Despite all the great novels with this trope, the 10 Friends to Lovers books are better than any other.
10
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Hazel Camille Bradford and Josh Im (standalone novel)
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is one of Christina Lauren's most popular books, and for good reason. The novel revolves around the decade-long friendship between Hazel Camille Bradford and Josh Im. Although they have been great friends since college, they have never seen each other any other way because of their drastically different personalities. After Josh's latest girlfriend cheats on him, Josh and Hazel decide to go on blind dates – which only results in them seeing each other in a different light for the first time.
The romance isn't particularly deep, but it hits all the right spots for a perfect romance between friends and lovers – yearning, agonizing over the development of feelings and an electrifying chemistry that sustains the narrative.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating It's a sweet and happy romance which illustrates the best of friends to lovers, slow burn and opposites attract. The romance isn't particularly deep, but it hits all the right spots for a perfect romance between friends and lovers – yearning, agonizing over the development of feelings and an electrifying chemistry that sustains the narrative.
9
Addicted Series by Krista and Becca Ritchie
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale (five episodes of the 10-book Addicted series)
THE Addicted Krista and Becca Ritchie's series follows the daughters of a billionaire CEO as they navigate life, love and obstacles. The first novel portrays Lily Calloway and Loren Hale, two childhood best friends who pretend to date in front of their families to hide their secrets – Lily is a sex addict and Loren has alcoholism. Their romance isn't just about two best friends falling in love, but about two flawed humans facing and overcoming their biggest demons while battling addiction. Lily and Loren's relationship is an emotionally complex story that portrays the best parts of friends to lovers.
Addicted Series by Krista and Becca Ritchie |
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Book |
Publication date |
Protagonists |
Term |
Romantic Tropes |
Addicted to you |
June 13, 2013 |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale |
September 2011 to December 2011 |
Fake dating, (childhood) friends to lovers |
Ricochet |
August 1, 2013 |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale |
December 2011 to March 2012 |
(Childhood) Friends to Lovers |
Addicted for now |
November 29, 2013 |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale |
March 2012 to July 2012 |
(Childhood) Friends to Lovers |
Kiss the sky |
January 22, 2014 |
Connor Cobalt and Rose Calloway |
January 2013 to June 2013 |
Rivals to Lovers, Alpha Hero, Virgo Heroine |
Hothouse flower |
March 27, 2014 |
Daisy Calloway and Ryke Meadows |
September 2014 to December 2014 |
Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Travel |
Flourish |
July 17, 2014 |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale |
August 2012 to January 2015 |
(Childhood) Friends to Lovers |
After all, addicted |
October 30, 2014 |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale |
February 2015 to October 2015 |
(Childhood) Friends to Lovers, Surprise Pregnancy |
Fuel the fire |
April 2, 2015 |
Connor Cobalt and Rose Calloway |
October 2015 to July 2016 |
Rivals to lovers, alpha hero |
Long way down |
November 20, 2015 |
Daisy Calloway and Ryke Meadows |
August 2016 to May 2018 |
Age Gap, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy vs. Sunshine, Pregnancy |
Some kind of perfect |
May 20, 2016 |
All six characters |
June 2018 to May 2028 |
All of the above |
Lily Calloway and Loren Hale have seen each other through the worst of times, but they still portray unconditional love. Some of Krista and Becca Ritchie's other couples also have the friends-to-lovers trope, like Daisy and Ryke or Willow and Garrison, but it's hard to gauge the epic love story that started it all. Furthermore, Lily and Loren's romance is the model for friends and loverswhile Daisy and Ryke adapt better to their age gap and forbidden romance, while Willow and Garrison's main trope is good girl meets bad boy.
8
Dating Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington (book four in the Bridgerton series)
THE Bridgerton All of Julia Quinn's books contain different tropes, and Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's story portrays friends to lovers. However, BridgertonColin and Penelope is still one of the best friends-to-lovers romances. Dating Mr. Bridgerton illustrates how someone can develop romantic feelings for their best friend and see them in a different light for the first time. Colin and Penelope's book chemistry is magical; When they finally get together, it's as if the last remaining piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.
Of course, Bridgerton season three implemented a lot of changes to the book, so Colin and Penelope's relationship in Dating Mr. Bridgerton It has a much slower burn, but is even more satisfying. Colin Bridgerton also has his own independent arc in the book, illustrating the importance of both characters in the narrative and why
7
Hook, line and sinker by Tessa Bailey
Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton (Book Two of the Bellinger Sisters Duology)
Tessa Bailey is one of today's most popular romance authors—a title well-deserved for Bailey's swoon-worthy heroes, complex heroines, and compelling romances. Hook, line and sinker is a perfect example of Tessa Bailey's immense talent. The book revolves around the two protagonists, Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton, who unexpectedly become friends, something Fox rarely does with women. Fox decides to help Hannah get the person she has a crush on, but the more time they spend and live together, the more they fall in love with each other.
Hannah and Fox's friends-to-lovers romance is authentic. The progression of the relationship happens so naturally that when they finally get together it's rewarding. Hannah and Fox's dynamic also has a will-they-or-won't-they factor, raising the stakes and their chemistry. The moments of anguish make the narrative even more delicious. Furthermore, Hook, line and sinker was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Awards for romance and nominated for a Swoon Award for contemporary romance – both meaning that Tessa Bailey's novel is widely loved.
6
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
Justin De Vere and Viola Carroll (a standalone novel)
A lady for a duke is a standalone historical novel about a woman named Viola Carroll who returns to society years after faking her death to discover that her childhood best friend, Justin de Vere, is not the same person she once knew. Justin has been devastated since losing his best friend years before, and he has become a shadow of the person he once was. Viola decides to help Justin come to his senses. Along the way, they rediscover new and old feelings they both have for each other as they try to overcome personal obstacles.
A lady for a duke is a deeply moving novel about love and friendship lost in childhood.identity and self-acceptance and grief. Alexis Hall portrays these themes utilizing Viola and Justin's electrifying chemistry and deeply intertwined bond. The book's historical fiction setting complements this novel and enriches Viola and Justin's story.
5
One Night Only, by Lauren Layne
Riley McKenna and Sam Compton (book three, In Love, Sex and Stiletto)
Just one night is the third installment Love, sex and stilettosrevolving around employees working at a glossy magazine. This book features sex columnist Riley McKenna and her brother's best friend – also one of his closest friends – Sam Compton. Riley asks Sam for a personal favor, which he eventually agrees to in order to help Riley. However, this favor turns into more than one occasion and eventually Riley and Sam become friends with benefits. The tension that builds for Riley and Sam to get together is immaculate because of their shared history.
There are four books in Love, sex and stilettosbut there is a spinoff series, Oxfordcontaining five books.
Sam and Riley's brother have been best friends forever, while Riley and Sam have been good friends during this time. Although Riley had had romantic feelings for Sam for several years, spending more time together allowed her to see him in a whole new way. On the other hand, Sam sees Riley as forbidden, but as they grow closer, he sees Riley very differently because of their friendship. While all of the novels in this book series are incredibly well written, Riley and Sam are on a whole different level because of their story.
4
Daydreaming by Hannah Grace
Halle Jacobs and Henry Turner (Book Three in Maple Hills)
Daydream is the third installment of Hannah Grace Maple Hills series, and it's easily the best. The book revolves around Halle and Henry's unexpected and surprising friendship, which starts as an accident, turns into a private lesson, and ends with Halle and Henry falling in love. Their relationship shows why friends to lovers is such a satisfying trope. As they build friendship, trust and mutual loyalty also increase. Halle and Henry learn everything there is to know about each other, developing an understanding that neither of them has with anyone else.
Halle and Henry also take the time to get to know each other because they are genuinely invested. Their enriching friendship leads to a legendary and lasting romance that others in Maple Hills series doesn't do it justice (although definitely worth reading). It's hard to believe in any future books of Hannah Grace's work Maple Hills series will hit Daydream. The novel hits all the right notes while offering rewarding romance and complex characters.
3
Take a hint, Dani Brown By Talia Hibbert
Danika Brown and Zafir Ansari (Brown Sisters Book Two)
Give a tip, Daniel Brown is the second installment of Talia Hibbert's book The brown sistersrevolving around Danika, who is looking for a friends-with-benefits partner, and Zafir, who unexpectedly rescues Danika from a fire drill accident. Their chaotic encounter leads to an unlikely friendship and an eventual fake dating scenario, which Zafir needs to boost publicity for his sports charity. Danika and Zafir's relationship is unique because they are not just friends to lovers; they also engage in a fake relationship that significantly raises the stakes of their friendship and chemistry.
Give us a tip, Dani Brown is the quintessential friends-to-lovers romantic comedy. The book is sweet and funny, with stellar leads with sensual chemistry. The fake dating aspect enhances Danika and Zafir's romance rather than diminishing it. Danika and Zafir are also unique and diverse – Danika is a bisexual black student working on her PhD and despises commitment, while Zafir is a Pakistani-British Muslim ex-rugby player turned security guard who loves romance. Give us a tip, Dani Brown is an excellent friends-to-lovers romance and one of Talia Hibbert's best works.
2
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Margot Cooper and Olivia Grant (Book Three Written in the Stars)
Count your lucky stars is the last installment of Alexandria Bellefleur's book Written in the Stars trilogy, featuring lost love, childhood friendship and second chances. The story revolves around Margot Cooper and Olivia Grant – two former childhood best friends who become each other's first loves. and first heartbreak. They meet unexpectedly after 10 years, leading to a temporary roommate scenario. Count your lucky stars portrays two troubled souls who manage to find a second chance after a decade of silence.
Margot Cooper and Olivia Grant have suffered a lot over the last decade and it's not easy to be together after all this time when they still have obstacles to overcome. However, their friendship is stronger than anything thrown at them, even if they lose touch over the years. Margot and Olivia fall in love because of their friendshipand they get back together because of their shared history. Count your lucky stars is an excellent LGBTQ+ romance book and the perfect example of why friends to lovers is even better when applied to sapphic romance.
1
People We Met on Vacation by Emily Henry
Alex Nilsen and Poppy Wright (a standalone novel)
Of course, the best friends-to-lovers romance is Emily Henry's iconic romance. People we met on vacation. Alex Nilsen and Poppy Wright's romance is an epic love story that will turn pages forever. They become unlikely friends and maintain a decade-long friendship until something happens on their most recent vacation that causes them to cut off contact for two years. So, Poppy contacts Alex and offers him one last vacation in an effort to rediscover her love of travel and life.
Emily Henry writes complex romances with protagonists facing their internal conflicts before coming together. His books are much bigger than the romance aspect, but Alex and Poppy are still one of the best parts of People we met on vacation. Alex and Poppy romance has become so popular that Netflix is adapting People we met on vacation. Their romance also introduces the opposites attract trope, which cultivates a more intriguing dynamic. Emily Henry's books only get better with each release, but People we met on vacation will continue to be one of the best because of Alex and Poppy.