One great 'best friends turned lovers' novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's a really fun read with two coworkers who start as rivals but were actually friends in a way before, and then their relationship evolves into love. Another is 'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell. The main character has a best friend, and their relationship gradually shifts towards a more romantic one. It also deals with themes of growing up and finding your place in the world.
One great 'best friends turned lovers' romance novel is 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang. It has a unique take on the trope. Stella, a woman on the autism spectrum, hires Michael, her friend, to be her sex tutor, and their relationship evolves from there into something more. It's a sweet and steamy read.
One such story is Harry and Sally from the movie 'When Harry Met Sally'. They were friends for years, constantly bickering but also sharing a deep connection. Eventually, they realized their feelings had changed into love. Another is Chandler and Monica from 'Friends'. They had been friends in the group for a long time before their relationship evolved into a romantic one.
Well, shared experiences are a big thing. In a lot of these stories, like the one of Ted and Robin in the early days of 'How I Met Your Mother', they had been through so much together as friends. They had adventures, sad times, and happy times. This creates a bond that can turn into love. Another common part is the comfort level. Because they were friends, they were comfortable around each other, which is different from a typical new relationship. And often, there's a moment of realization, like when they see the other in a new light, that changes the relationship from friendship to love.
A wonderful 'friends turned lovers' romance novel is 'Roomies' by Christina Lauren. It's about a girl who needs to get married quickly for visa reasons and her friend who offers to marry her. As they go through the process, their friendship transforms into love. 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang also has some elements of this. The main character hires a male escort, who becomes her friend first and then they fall in love. Additionally, 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen can be considered in this category. Elizabeth and Darcy start off as not really liking each other but they have a sort of underlying connection due to their social circles, and over time their relationship changes from a rather antagonistic one to a loving one which started from a form of friendship.
'The Flatshare' by Beth O'Leary. Tiffy and Leon share a flat but have very different schedules. They start as friendly flatmates and slowly fall for each other. It has a really cute and unique concept that readers find appealing. It shows how proximity and getting to know someone on a friendly level first can lead to love.
It often involves a slow - burn. They don't just jump into love. In many novels like 'Well Met' by Jen DeLuca, the characters gradually realize their feelings over time. This slow realization of love while already having a friendship base makes for a very satisfying read. It's like watching a flower bloom slowly, and the anticipation builds up the tension in the story.
One common element is the sudden realization of deeper feelings. For example, in many stories, there's a moment like a special event or a quiet time when one realizes they love their friend in a more than - friendly way. Another element is the strong foundation of trust already built from the friendship. This allows the new relationship to start on a solid base.
A common theme is the gradual evolution of feelings. It's not sudden love at first sight. They start as friends, and over time, little things add up. Maybe it's the way one friend always listens to the other, or the way they support each other through tough times. This gradual build - up of affection eventually turns into love. Another theme is the fear of ruining the friendship. In many of these stories, the characters are initially hesitant to admit their feelings because they don't want to lose the precious friendship they already have.
One example is Harry and Sally. They were friends for years, constantly bickering but also sharing deep conversations. As time passed, they realized their feelings had changed from just friendship to love. Another is Ross and Rachel from 'Friends'. They started as friends, had their ups and downs, but finally got together. And then there's Lily and Marshall from the same show. They were friends since college and their friendship smoothly transitioned into a romantic relationship.