Best Competition Romance Books

May the best person win -- but nobody planned on falling for the opponent. Competition romance books turn contests into chemistry, where every point scored raises the stakes on and off the field. Discover romances where rivalry fuels romance.

They're both going for the win -- a contest, a promotion, a championship. The competition is fierce, but so is the attraction they can't shake.

Powerless

Lauren Roberts

Enemies to Lovers Forbidden Love Competition

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Carissa Broadbent

Enemies to Lovers Forbidden Love Competition

Lightlark

Alex Aster

Competition Love Triangle Strangers to Lovers

Check & Mate

Ali Hazelwood

Rivals to Lovers Grumpy Sunshine Enemies to Lovers

The Atlas Six

Olivie Blake

Morally Gray Found Family Dark

Caraval

Stephanie Garber

Slow Burn Strangers to Lovers Fake Relationship

He's So Good: A San Francisco Love Story

Z.L. Arkadie

Boss Employee Enemies to Lovers Workplace Romance

Spin and Win: A Workplace Rivals-to-Lovers Story

KELAKKIYAR SIDDHAR

Boss Employee Taboo Workplace Romance

The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel

Christie Craig, Faye Hughes

Celebrity Ordinary Competition Diverse Rep

Writing the Great American Romance Novel

Catherine Lanigan

Neighbors to Lovers Competition Unrequited Love

Rivals to Lovers

Elise Wayland

Rivals to Lovers Fated Mates Competition

Rivalry at Play

Nadine Gonzalez

Rivals to Lovers Vacation Romance Competition

Take Me Home Tonight

Erika Kelly

Musician Friends to Lovers Rivals to Lovers

Book Nirvana Romance Complete Series Collection

Sadira Stone

Vacation Romance Second Chance Rivals to Lovers

Courted by her Cougar: A Fated Mates Big Cat Shifter Romance

Felicity Heaton

Werewolf / Shifter Rivals to Lovers Fated Mates

Reckless

Lauren Roberts

Enemies to Lovers Competition Forced Proximity

Reckless

Vi Carter

Enemies to Lovers Competition Forced Proximity

Hire and Desire: An Office Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

KELAKKIYAR SIDDHAR

Age Gap Rivals to Lovers Bodyguard Protector

Bowled by Beauty: A Cricket Rom-Com Novel

KELAKKIYAR SIDDHAR

Age Gap Rivals to Lovers Fated Mates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is competition romance?

They're both going for the win — a contest, a promotion, a championship. The competition is fierce, but so is the attraction they can't shake. Competition romance is one of the most searched-for tropes in the genre, loved for its unique emotional arc and satisfying payoffs.

Who are the best competition romance authors?

Ali Hazelwood, Sara Ney, and Rachel Reid write electrifying competition romances. When winning the game means losing your heart, every match raises the stakes.

What's the difference between competition and rivals to lovers romance?

Competition romance features characters in a structured contest -- a bake-off, a grant application, a tournament. Rivals-to-lovers is about an ongoing antagonistic relationship that may or may not involve formal competition. Competition provides the plot; rivals-to-lovers provides the dynamic. Competition ends; rivalry is a state of being.