It all started with Pride and Prejudice.
Although it’s been 211 years since the original enemies-to-lovers romance was first published, this trope, even in an ever changing romance genre, hasn’t lost momentum. On the page, on the screen, or even on BookTok, enemies-to-lovers still comes out on top with readers everywhere, myself included. So, why is that?
They say no two emotions are as closely linked as love and hate so while romance historically has helped to represent the many different desires of a predominantly female audience, enemies-to-lovers provides an opportunity to vicariously experience these familiar human emotions, to live an ultimate desire from the safety of the page.
There is a feminine allure to being considered an enemy. A rival usually means being considered an equal, a position that might be commonplace now but was lacking in some of swooning patriarchal romances of yesteryear. There is very little chance that the male protagonist is going to be so vexed that he can’t sleep at night by a woman he finds of no consequence.
Instead, the leads see a match in their opponent, someone they are drawn to both inside and outside of the plot that has thrust them together. They are a perfectly infuriating match for each other, either physically or intellectually, causing them to come to a draw consistently. They may have similar strengths that force the other to up their game or they may be opposites, growing a mutual respect that the reader knows will ultimately lead them to becoming an unstoppable team. They could fill in each other’s flaws and weaknesses… if they’d just give in to the tension.
Although they still continue to try to get the upper hand, in order to beat someone at whatever game the writer has thrown at them, they have to really get to know the other protagonist they’re stuck with. They have to know their strengths and Achilles’ heels, and sometimes looking, truly studying the person in front of them, proves just too irresistible.
It might not feel like it if you were the unknowing character but, as a reader, we can see the moment they start to respect the opinion, even if they don’t agree with it. They’re able to fight back at everything their opponent is saying because they’re listening so intently.
However, it may not be for a hit with everyone, with some readers finding the animosity can cross the line into toxic behaviour. To them I say – give it another try. Unlike some other divisive romance tropes, the scale for enemies-to-lovers is huge. A surprise pregnancy is a surprise pregnancy and one bed is one bed, whereas enemies come in all sizes, from witty rivalry to fully weaponised feud.
There is plenty out there that will have you gripped from the first page as rivalry turns into reluctant respect, possibly allyship, before sort-of friends, and, eventually, lovers. Finally.
Plus, they can do all that without even having to try and fix him. Being almost irredeemable isn’t a pre-requisite in enemies-to-lovers like in some other tropes. Instead he can be perfectly capable – maybe a little too capable – but just a little stubborn. Maybe a little too stubborn.
In paying attention to what we hate, sometimes it reveals the things we are actually inexplicably drawn to. Sometimes that just happens to be the same trope, time and time again.
Looking for your next enemies-to-lovers romance? Here are some of my most recent favourites:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the original and a classic for a reason.
- The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling, a magical witchy read full of great banter and cosy vibes.
- The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn, the original story of Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sheffield from Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Are you a romantic at heart or a complete trope newbie? This is just the first in a five part series of our deep dive into romance tropes. Next time we’ll be exploring exactly what is so attractive to readers about falling in love in a small town.
Words by Gemma-Louise Walsh
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