Best Rivals to Lovers Romance Books

Competition brings out the best in them -- and the feelings they've been denying. Rivals-to-lovers romance books turn professional feuds, academic battles, and lifelong rivalries into the foundation for unexpected passion. Discover stories where winning the game means losing your heart.

They're competing for the same thing -- a job, a title, a win. The rivalry is fierce, but so is the chemistry they can't outrun.

Fourth Wing

Rebecca Yarros

Enemies to Lovers Forced Proximity Slow Burn

Things We Left Behind

Lucy Score

Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers Childhood Sweethearts

The Hating Game

Sally Thorne

Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers Workplace Romance

Love Redesigned

Lauren Asher

Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers Childhood Sweethearts

From Lukov with Love

Mariana Zapata

Slow Burn Enemies to Lovers Forced Proximity

Heated Rivalry

Rachel Reid

Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers Secret Relationship

Dear Enemy

Kristen Callihan

Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers Neighbors to Lovers

Check & Mate

Ali Hazelwood

Rivals to Lovers Grumpy Sunshine Enemies to Lovers

Rivals to Lovers

Elise Wayland

Rivals to Lovers Fated Mates Competition

Rivalry at Play

Nadine Gonzalez

Rivals to Lovers Vacation Romance Competition

Fireball

Lainey Davis

Rivals to Lovers Enemies to Lovers Second Chance

A Love Song for Liars

Piper Lawson

Musician Friends to Lovers Second Chance

Take Me Home Tonight

Erika Kelly

Musician Friends to Lovers Rivals to Lovers

Shadows

Terri Lane

MC / Biker Second Chance Forbidden Love

Ryder

Jayne Blue

MC / Biker Second Chance Rivals to Lovers

Steel Infidels MC Romance Complete Series

Dez Burke

MC / Biker Second Chance Forbidden Love

Stuck

Kelly Cusson

MC / Biker Forbidden Love Rivals to Lovers

Sex and the Single Cowpoke & Lovestruck

Liz Ireland, Susan Macland

Amnesia Rivals to Lovers One Night Stand to More

Rancher's Forgotten Rival

Maisey Yates

Amnesia Royalty Commoner Rivals to Lovers

Tempted by the Boss

Jules Bennett

Vacation Romance Rivals to Lovers Boss Employee

Holiday Fling

Christina Jones

Vacation Romance Fake Dating Rivals to Lovers

Holiday Fling

Kristina Knight, Laura Simcox, Ana Krista Johnson, Nora Snowdon, Casey Dawes, Liv Rancourt, J. Arlene Culiner, Susanne Matthews, Robyn Neeley, Jennifer DeCuir

Vacation Romance Fake Dating Rivals to Lovers

Book Nirvana Romance Complete Series Collection

Sadira Stone

Vacation Romance Second Chance Rivals to Lovers

South Beach Love

Caridad Pineiro

Beach / Coastal Friends to Lovers Rivals to Lovers

At Love's Bidding (Ozark Mountain Romance Book #2)

Regina Jennings

Mountain Rivals to Lovers Cowboy / Ranch

Arrivals and Departures

Otto Latva, Heta Lähdesmäki, Kirsi Sonck-Rautio, Harri Uusitalo

Grief Rivals to Lovers

Scorched by Darkness: An Enemies-to-Lovers Fated Mates Dark Elf / Shifter Paranormal Romance

Felicity Heaton

Fated Mates Enemies to Lovers Forbidden Love

Claimed by a Demon King: A Fated Mates Demon Paranormal Romance

Felicity Heaton

Fated Mates Forbidden Love Rivals to Lovers

Work with Me

Michelle McCraw

Workplace Romance Rivals to Lovers Boss Employee

The Preacher's Daughter

Liz Isaacson

Cowboy / Ranch Friends to Lovers Second Chance

Melancholy Wishes ( Western Romance )

Molly Maco

Cowboy / Ranch Friends to Lovers Second Chance

Second Chance Family

Liz Isaacson

Cowboy / Ranch Second Chance Rivals to Lovers

Rancher's Forgotten Rival (The Carsons of Lone Rock, Book 1) (Mills & Boon Desire)

Maisey Yates

Cowboy / Ranch Rivals to Lovers Western

No Getting Over a Cowboy

Delores Fossen

Cowboy / Ranch Rivals to Lovers Cowboy

Love in the End Zone: A Never Say Never Football Romance (Book 1)

Carina Rose

Football Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers

Romanced by the Rival: A Never Say Never Football Romance (Book 5)

Carina Rose

Football Fake Dating Rivals to Lovers

Wolves in Lust

Daniella Starre

Werewolf / Shifter Rivals to Lovers Strangers to Lovers

Wolves Betrayed

Daniella Starre

Werewolf / Shifter Rivals to Lovers Strangers to Lovers

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

Felicity Heaton

Werewolf / Shifter Rivals to Lovers Fated Mates

Curating a Billionaire

Jenna Payne

Love Triangle Second Chance Forbidden Love

Hot Daddy Package

Angel Devlin, Tracy Lorraine

Single Parent Enemies to Lovers Rivals to Lovers

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

The Kiss Thief

L. J. Shen

Arranged Marriage Rivals to Lovers Love Triangle

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rivals to lovers romance?

They're competing for the same thing — a job, a title, a win. The rivalry is fierce, but so is the chemistry they can't outrun. Rivals to Lovers 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 rivals to lovers romance authors?

Ali Hazelwood, Sally Thorne, and Elsie Silver own the rivals-to-lovers space. Academic feuds, workplace competitions, and reluctant respect fuel their best books.

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

Rivals to Lovers romance and enemies to lovers romance share some DNA but deliver different emotional experiences. Rivals to Lovers centers on they're competing for the same thing — a job, a title, a win. Enemies to Lovers romance, by contrast, start out hating each other — or at least pretending to. Both are beloved in the genre, and many readers enjoy pairing them together.