5 Ways Enemies Fall in Love
What’s the difference between hate and love?
Answer: a few hundred pages.
Enemies to Lovers is one of the most popular tropes in the romance genre. There are readers out there who cannot get enough of shouting matches melting into some of the sexiest scenes to ever grace an eReader.
But there are nuances within the trope itself which we will explore in this article.
Because there is more than just one way to hate someone.
And then to fuck them.
1. Our Families Told Us We Need to Hate Each Other
You know the deal. At some point in history, someone set someone else’s life on fire, and a war began. The grudge is so strong it lasts through generations. Maybe so long that the descendants don’t remember what the first stone thrown even was.
All they know is the Hatfields hate the McCoys.
That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s the way it’ll always be.
Problem is, those feuding families never counted on their grandchildren being super hot and forced into close proximity where said hotness can be recognized.
When this unplanned affection arises, the lovers must answer some important questions:
- Should I betray my family?
- Can I find a way to call a truce?
- Do I love this person enough to run away from my home?
And most importantly…
- Do I only want to rip their clothes off because being bad turns me on?
This version of the Enemies to Lovers trope often crosses over nicely with the Forbidden Love trope. Both crowd favorites.
Reading recommendation: Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
2. Stop Trying to Love on Me When We’re Obviously Enemies
Maybe we should re-title this sub-section as “Enemy to Lovers” because there is only one person in the relationship insisting on the duel. This character has overly committed themselves to a battle, and they refuse to look back.
Their thought process: Full steam ahead! We are enemies for life, so just deal with it! I will never stop despising your ridiculously attractive face!
But do you know how hard it is to hate on someone when they think the sun shines from your ass and that the world would stop turning if you’re not on it?
Hard. Colossally difficult.
Give up now, you fool.
I foresee a plethora of frustrated foot stomping and shouts of, “Why aren’t you mad?! I just beat you!”
Eventually the relentless support and acceptance takes all the fight out of the war-driven character. They’re last struggle against giving in usually comes down to them knowing they’ll have to do a lot of apologizing for what an asshole they’ve been this whole time.
This sub-section of the trope pairs beautifully with the One is Grumpy, and One is Sunshine trope. A true master will make the sunshine character the one insistent upon battling, and the normally grumpy character the one secretly cheering them on the entire time.
Reading recommendation: Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert
3. I Love You So Much That My Only Defense is To Make You My Enemy
The section of Enemies to Lovers reserved for hot dummies.
The protagonist convinces themselves the relationship would never work, and so to remove the temptation, they go scorched earth on any kind of healthy association.
You sad, broken-hearted jerk.
Some characters even believe the infatuation will be temporary.
Ha! Like they would ever be so lucky.
One of the best moments in these stories is when the unknowing party learns the truth and realizes that all the random acts of kindness they experienced over the years were actually their greatest enemy trying to love them in secret.
Because of course they never fully convinced themselves to despise the love of their life.
Once more, pages and pages of sincere groveling are required for a satisfying ending. But who doesn’t enjoy when love brings someone to their knees?
This corner of the Enemies to Lovers world butts up perfectly with my absolute favorite trope of all time: Long-Term Secret Pining.
Reading recommendation: Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan
4. You Screwed Me Over Asshole, Now It’s Time for Revenge
Here we go! Now the story has a legitimate reason for one or both parties to hate the other. They’re smarting over a wrong done to them personally, and they won’t be able to move on until revenge is served.
But the thing about revenge: they need to be in the presence of their nemesis in order to deal the blow.
Also, to savor that sweet smug superiority when they bring their enemy to their knees.
But when our character is around their adversary for long enough, they can’t help but get to know them better. To see that the betrayer isn’t the oozing pus monster they’ve built them up to be in their head.
And suddenly the protagonist is asking themselves:
- Did my rival have understandable motivations for their actions?
- Am I better off after what they did?
- Did they even technically screw me over?
And the big one:
- Do I want them enough to forgive them?
The answer is yes. Eventually.
And damn, is that makeup passion on the page. Enough to set the entire book on fire.
Reading recommendation: Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
5. We Both Know We’re Enemies, But We’ll Pretend to Be Friends for the Moment
Our characters know they’re enemies, but the rest of the world isn’t in on the secret war. There are plenty of reasons our dueling couple might have to play nice.
- Getting a promotion or business deal.
- Saving face in the public eye.
- Someone they care about asks them to be on good behavior.
- Setting a good example for young eyes.
- Working on an assignment together.
Pick any, and the pair are forced to put on a show that gets all too real.
As they try hard to fake their friendship, even while seething under the surface, the experience of watching the rivals blur their own lines makes me evil chuckle every time.
Their thought process tends to follow the same path…
This friendship is so fake. When I smile at you, it’s fake. When I laugh at your jokes, it’s fake. When I compliment the skills I never knew you had, it’s fake. When I fantasize about you late at night, it’s fake. When I pull you into a closet and kiss the hell out of you, it’s fake…
Oh no.
Reading recommendation: Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Which sub-section of the Enemies to Lovers trope do you think would win in a duel?
Did I miss one?
Do you have a favorite E2L romance everyone should read?
Let me know!
And if you’re new to the Enemies to Lovers trope, I recommend enjoying a sampling of short stories in an anthology.
For example: The Enemies to Lovers Anthology, Vol. 1
(Psst! My story is in here, and it’s a #2!)
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