“Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.”
Few tropes capture the deliciousness of romantic tension quite like enemies-to-lovers. In the world of fantasy books, this trope shines even brighter, weaving romance into tales of magic, epic battles and foolhardy quests. There’s something so irresistible about witnessing two characters who clash at every turn slowly unpick their differences and fall for one another during a high-stakes adventure. Whether it’s a prince and a rebel, a sorceress and a knight, or rival heirs to a powerful throne, enemies-to-lovers fantasy books offer readers unforgettable journeys brimming with passion, betrayal and redemption. From slow-burning romantasy to magical enemies with undeniable chemistry, if you’re a fan of romantic fantasy books join us at What We Reading for these reads to promise to whisk you into enchanting worlds where love and conflict collide.
A Court Of Thorns And Roses (A Court Of Thorns And Roses #1) – Sarah J. Maas
Kicking off our list of the best enemies-to-lovers fantasy books is Sarah J. Maas’ bestselling series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. Feyre Archeron, a fiercely independent huntress, lives in poverty on the edge of the human world. When she kills a wolf in the woods, she unwittingly violates the ancient treaty between humans and faeries. She is taken to the realm of Prythian by Tamlin, a High Fae lord, as punishment. Initially hostile toward her captor, Feyre discovers that Prythian is plagued by a dark curse that threatens its survival.
As Feyre and Tamlin grow closer, their relationship shifts from distrust to passion, embodying the enemies-to-lovers trope. However, their budding romance is tested by the mysterious evil ruling the faerie lands. To save Tamlin and his people, Feyre must overcome deadly challenges and unearth secrets hidden within the magical world.
Daughter Of Smoke & Bone (Daughter Of Smoke & Bone #1) – Laini Taylor
Karou, a blue-haired art student in Prague, currently lives a double life. By day, she sketches fantastical creatures. Only her drawings are more than mere daydreams – they are memories. Raised by Brimstone, a chimaera who trades in teeth and wishes, Karou is sandwiched between two worlds: the mortal realm and the magical world of Eretz.
Her life takes a dangerous turn when black handprints begin appearing on doorways around the globe, left by Seraphim – angelic beings in conflict with the chimaera. Amongst them is Akiva, a beautiful but deadly warrior. When their paths converge, Karou and Akiva’s initial hostility gradually transforms into a heart-wrenching romance. Yet their forbidden love is soon tested by ancient secrets and the bitter conflict between their worlds. Laini Taylor’s enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel blends lush romantic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, making it a must-read for anyone who adores epic battles of good and evil as well as magical romance books.
We Hunt The Flame (Sands Of Arawiya #1) – Hafsah Faizal
In the land of Arawiya, a world inspired by ancient Arabia, Zafira is a gifted huntress who disguises herself as a man to feed her starving village. Meanwhile, Nasir, a deadly assassin and the Prince of Death carries out brutal orders in the name of his father, the sultan. Both are sent on a perilous mission to retrieve a fabled artefact, said to restore life to their crumbling world.
When their paths intertwine, Zafira and Nasir are pitted against one another, but their shared goals force them into a tenuous alliance. As tensions rise and secrets come to light, their dynamics shift from rivalry to a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Along the way, they face dangerous magic, mysterious enemies and inner demons. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal delivers an unforgettable romantic fantasy filled with lush worldbuilding, intense character dynamics and high-stakes adventure.
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The Prison Healer (The Prison Healer #1) – Lynette Noni
Lynette Noni’s The Prison Healer follows Kiva Meridan, an adept healer trapped in the notorious Zalindov prison. For a decade, Kiva has endured brutal conditions by tending to the sick and injured. When the rebel queen is captured and brought to the prison on the brink of death, Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive. But when the queen is sentenced to a deadly Trial by Ordeal – a series of magical tasks – Kiva volunteers to take her place, determined to survive.
As Kiva faces impossible challenges, she forms an unlikely alliance with Jaren, a charming and mysterious prisoner whose loyalty no one can be sure of. What starts out as animosity between them evolves into a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, filled with secrets and distrust. With lives at stake and rebellion brewing, Kiva must navigate betrayal, forbidden magic and her own forbidden past.
From Blood And Ash (Blood And Ash #1) – Jennifer L. Armentrout
In From Blood and Ash, Poppy is the Maiden – a figure of purity destined to ascend and bring salvation to her kingdom. Forbidden from speaking to others or experiencing life beyond her gilded cage, she is secretly yearning for freedom. Everything changes when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard with a dangerous allure, is tasked with protecting her.
What begins as distrust and defiance between Poppy and Hawke ignites into a passionate, slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance tale. As secrets about the kingdom unravel and Poppy discovers hidden truths about herself, she’s pulled into a dangerous web of betrayal, forbidden love and rebellion. Jennifer Armentrout’s romantic fantasy blends sizzling chemistry, gripping twists and high-stakes adventure in a richly imagined world.
These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1) – Lexi Ryan
Lexi Ryan’s These Hollow Vows follows Brielle, a thief in a magical kingdom where fae and humans live with uneasy peace. When Brielle steals a powerful artefact, she finds herself ensnared in a dangerous web of lies and deception. To save her sister, she strikes a deal with Finn, a brooding fae prince with a hidden agenda of his own.
As Brielle struggles with the hazardous world of fae politics, she’s drawn to both Finn and Jaxon, a mysterious and charming fae lord. Tensions run high as her loyalties to both are increasingly strained. But, what begins as a rivalry soon evolves into a slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance. With danger at every turn and secrets threatening to upend everything, Brielle must choose who she can trust – and who has betrayed her.
The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) – Danielle L. Jensen
Lara is a trained warrior and master of deception, raised to be the ultimate weapon against Ithicana, the kingdom controlling the world’s most vital bridge. Sent as a bride to its king, Aren, Lara is tasked with infiltrating Ithicana and betraying its secrets back to her homeland.
But, as she lives amongst her enemies, Lara begins to see the harsh realities of daily life within Ithicana and the true weight of her mission. Her growing respect for Aren and his people ignites a slow-burning romance full of tension, betrayal and trust that is put to the test at every turn. As her loyalties begin to waver, Lara must decide between duty and the love she never expected to find. Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy books, Danielle Jensen’s The Bridge Kingdom is a gripping enemies-to-lovers tale that is sure to have readers hooked.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
