One great 'best friend to lovers' romance novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's about two coworkers who start off as rivals but were actually friends in a way before realizing their deeper feelings. Another is 'When Harry Met Sally'. It's a classic that shows the evolution from friendship to love over time.
The familiarity. In best friend to lovers romance novels, the characters already know each other well. They share inside jokes, memories, and a level of comfort that is really appealing. It's like they have a head start in the relationship.
One challenge is the fear of ruining the friendship. If the romantic feelings aren't reciprocated, it can be really awkward and might damage the friendship that was so precious. Another is dealing with the new dynamic. As friends, they might have been very laid - back with each other, but as lovers, there are new expectations. Also, friends might have a different view of each other's flaws. But when in a romantic relationship, those flaws can become more prominent and might cause some friction.
'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters is a classic. It's a complex and rich story that involves a relationship between two women that evolves from a more practical arrangement to deep love. It's set in Victorian England which adds an interesting historical backdrop to the love story.
The 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy by Leigh Bardugo has elements of enemies to lovers. Alina and the Darkling have a complex relationship. At first, Alina sees the Darkling as a powerful and somewhat menacing figure. But there's also an attraction between them. The Grishaverse setting, with its magic and different factions, makes their relationship journey even more interesting.
A good one is 'Devil in Winter' by Lisa Kleypas. Sebastian, Viscount St. Vincent, and Evie are sort of enemies in the beginning. Evie is in a difficult situation and Sebastian offers a rather self - serving solution which she initially resents. But as they are forced to be in each other's company, they grow closer and their relationship turns into a loving one. These novels are great because they show the development from animosity to love in a historical context, with all the social rules and expectations adding to the drama.
One great 'enemies to lovers' romance novel is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. The initial animosity between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is palpable, with misunderstandings fueling their dislike. But as the story unfolds, they come to see each other's true natures and fall in love. Another is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. The two main characters are office rivals who constantly bicker and compete. However, beneath the surface, there's an underlying attraction that eventually blossoms into love.
For romance lovers, 'The Lycan's Soulmate' on Wattpad is a great choice. It has a beautiful love story between a lycan and a human girl. The chemistry between the two main characters is palpable.
Another excellent novel in this genre is 'You Deserve Each Other' by Sarah Hogle. The couple in this book are on the verge of calling off their engagement. They seem to be enemies at this point, constantly arguing. But through a series of events, they re - evaluate their relationship and realize they are meant to be together. It's full of funny moments and heartwarming scenes.
One characteristic is the slow - burn aspect. Since they start as friends, the transition to lovers often takes time, with small moments of realization and growing attraction. For example, in 'Love and Other Words', there are years of shared memories that gradually shift into romantic feelings. Another characteristic is the deep emotional connection. Because they were friends first, they already have a strong bond based on trust, understanding, and shared experiences, like in 'The Hating Game' where the characters know each other so well before love blooms. And often, there's a sense of familiarity and comfort that adds to the charm of the relationship.