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.
In a best friend to lovers story, it usually starts with a solid friendship foundation. They understand each other so well. Then, there could be a change in their dynamic. Maybe a trip they take together where they see a new side of each other. Or perhaps one of them has a personal growth spurt and the other starts to admire them in a new way. As time passes, the feelings shift from purely platonic to romantic. It's a slow and beautiful transformation that is often based on mutual respect, understanding and a shared history.
Common factors? Well, shared interests play a big role. If two best friends both love hiking and they go on hikes often, it can bring them closer in a different way. Trust is also crucial. When friends trust each other completely, it can be a foundation for love. And often, there's a moment of realization, like when they see the other person interacting with a child or doing something really kind, and that makes them look at the friendship differently and turn it into love.
Sure. There were two friends, Tom and Lily. They knew each other since childhood. One day, when they went on a trip together, they got lost in the mountains. They had to rely on each other for survival. During that time, they discovered new feelings for each other. After they were rescued, they started dating and became lovers.
'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.