If you’re anything like us at Spellbound Shelf, there’s nothing better than a good enemies-to-lovers fantasy. The tension, the banter, those moments when you’re yelling at the book for the characters to just admit their feelings already.. to me, it feels like pure magic. Fantasy books with this trope make my heart race.
The following recommendations are in no particular order, each one is worth the read! (I will admit, Throne of Glass has my heart)
Here are twelve picks I can’t stop thinking about. Fair warning, your TBR is about to grow.
1. Never Keep by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Book 6 in The Harlequin Crew Series
Step into the world of Rogue Rowe, a girl haunted by her past and surrounded by four dangerous boys—Fox, Chase, Maverick, and JJ. The Harlequin Crew is a maze of secrets, betrayal, and stolen moments, and Rogue’s relationship with these boys is the very definition of messy, raw, and addictive. The enemies-to-lovers tension here is unreal: they hurt each other, save each other, and sometimes you’ll want to throw the book across the room (in the best way). If you love angsty romance, complicated found family, and moments that’ll make your heart ache, Never Keep is a must. It’s a fever dream of love and hate, and you’ll never want to leave.
2. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Book 1 in The Folk of the Air Series
Jude Duarte is a mortal girl in the deadly world of the fae, where power is everything and danger is everywhere. Enter Cardan Greenbriar, he's cruel, beautiful, and so easy to hate…until suddenly he isn’t. Their enemies-to-lovers journey is legendary: the banter is so sharp you’ll feel it, and every page is thick with tension and longing. If you want to scream at your book, root for a heroine who refuses to back down, and swoon over a villain you’ll end up loving, this is your next obsession. Jude and Cardan’s chemistry? Off the charts.
3. Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood
Book 1 in The Flame and Thorns Series
Selena Hale and Draven Ryat do NOT get along.. she’s a fae rebel, he’s a broody dragon shifter commander, and they’re forced to work together to survive the brutal Atonement Trials. The hate-to-love vibes are spicy, the bickering is hilarious, and the emotional payoff is everything. Watching them go from enemies to reluctant allies to something so much deeper is a whole experience. If you crave forced proximity, delicious slow burn, and that satisfying moment when their walls finally come crashing down, you need this book on your shelf.
4. The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Book 1 in The Crowns of Nyaxia Series
Oraya has spent her life surviving as a human in a world ruled by vampires, raised by the terrifying Vampire King himself. When she’s thrown into a deadly tournament, her only hope might just be Raihn. She's a ruthless, gorgeous vampire with secrets of his own. The enemies-to-lovers tension here is dark and electric, and the stakes will have you sweating. Every alliance is a gamble, every glance a promise. If you love high-stakes romance and a heroine who refuses to break, get ready for a book hangover.
5. Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Book 2 coming soon!
Saeris Fane is a thief with sharp edges, forced into partnership with the last man she ever wanted to trust. There’s danger around every corner, but the real peril is the chemistry neither can deny. This story is all about those complicated and messy feelings.. the kind where anger turns into attraction, and trust is as rare as a calm moment. It’s the kind of book that’ll have you sighing, gasping, and re-reading your favorite lines. If you love morally gray characters and slow-burn tension, Quicksilver is for you.
6. Broken Bonds by J. Bree
Book 1 in The Bonds That Tie Series
Oli Fallows is on the run, desperate to stay away from the group she’s bonded to, a group of powerful men who once hurt her. When she’s forced back into their orbit, the air crackles with everything unsaid: betrayal, regret, and that impossible chemistry that just won’t die. The enemies-to-lovers angst is SO real here. Watching Oli and her guys try (and fail) to resist each other will tug at every one of your heartstrings. If you love intense, emotional slow burns with complicated relationships, clear your schedule.
7. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Book 1 in The Powerless Trilogy
Paedyn Gray has no powers in a world obsessed with strength, and Kai Azer is the enforcer who should be her enemy. But nothing in this story is black and white. Their every interaction is loaded with defiance, attraction, and secrets. There’s danger, there’s longing, and there’s that perfect enemies-to-lovers push and pull that keeps you glued to the page. If you crave forbidden romance and underdog heroines, Powerless delivers.
8. The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Book 1 in The Hurricane Wars Series
Talasyn Alunsina Ivralis is a Lightweaver fighting for survival. Prince Alaric is the cold, calculating enemy general she should fear. Their worlds are at war, but every time they meet, sparks fly literally.. and emotionally. There’s anger, yearning, and so much tension you’ll need to fan yourself. If you love the pain and sweetness of two souls fighting fate, this book will destroy you in the best possible way.
9. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Book 3 in the Throne of Glass Series
Celaena Sardothien is broken, angry, and far from home, and she meets Prince Rowan Whitethorn—a Fae warrior as cold as he is powerful. Their initial battles (verbal and magical) are EPIC, and watching them go from mutual dislike to healing together is one of the most beautiful slow-burn journeys in fantasy. The emotional growth, the found family feels, the pain, and of course the reluctant friendship that turns into unshakeable loyalty. If you want a book that gives you ALL the feels, Heir of Fire is essential.
P.S. If you’re a Throne of Glass fan, check out our Throne of Glass merch to bring a little magic to your shelf!
10. Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Book 1 in the Zodiac Academy Series
Tory and Darcy Vega find out they’re the lost princesses of a magical realm. Enter to the Zodiac Academy, where betrayal, danger, and magic rule. The enemies-to-lovers tension in this series is wild: think rival houses, deadly challenges, and love interests you’re not sure if you want to hug or throttle. If you love complicated relationships, jaw-dropping twists, and the slowest burn ever, Zodiac Academy is bookish crack.
11. The Crown of Oaths and Curses by J. Bree
Book 1 in The Mortal Fates Series
A fae queen and a cursed king, both scarred by their pasts, are forced into an alliance neither wants. There’s so much angst, longing, and tension here, you’ll be turning pages just to see who cracks first. Watching their hatred slowly turn into respect and something a little more tender, is literal romance magic. For lovers of enemies-to-lovers with a fairytale twist and all the emotional intensity, this one’s a must.
12. The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
Book 1 in The Ephteria Chronicles
Dianna is mortal, Azrael is immortal, and their worlds collide in a sweeping tale of grudges, fate, and impossible love. Centuries-old pain meets new hope, and the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers journey is so full of yearning, sacrifice, and vulnerability. If you’re looking for a book that makes your heart hurt and heal all at once, this is your next obsession.
There’s just something about watching two characters move from distrust to devotion. Maybe it’s the banter, maybe it’s the tension, or maybe it’s just seeing two people tear down their own walls. Whatever the reason, enemies-to-lovers fantasy books keep us hooked from the very first spark to the final page.
If you’ve read any of these, let me know your thoughts below. Got a favorite enemies to lovers fantasy that didn’t make the list? Drop your recommendations in the comments. I’m always looking for new stories to add to my Fable want-to-read list! Or find me on our socials, I love connecting with fellow book girlies.
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