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Rivals to lovers romance books

Not quite enemies, just two people who would rather die than lose to each other. The banter is the foreplay. 13 books so far, including Beach Read, Book Lovers and Butcher & Blackbird.

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  1. Beach Read

    Emily Henry

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    Two blocked writers, side-by-side lake houses and a genre-swap bet. Grief, banter and a slow-burn payoff.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Grumpy x sunshine
    • Forced proximity

  2. Book Lovers

    Emily Henry

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    The cutthroat literary agent is not the heroine who gets the small-town hottie. Except this time she is.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Workplace romance
    • Grumpy hero

  3. Butcher & Blackbird

    Brynne Weaver · Book 1 of 3 in The Ruinous Love Trilogy

    Spice 5/5 · Scorching

    Two serial killers, a yearly kill competition and the funniest dark romance on the shelf.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Touch her and die
    • Found family

  4. The Hating Game

    Sally Thorne

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    Two executive assistants who hate each other compete for the same promotion. The office enemies-to-lovers blueprint.

    • Enemies to lovers
    • Workplace romance
    • Rivals to lovers

  5. A Touch of Darkness

    Scarlett St. Clair · Book 1 in Hades x Persephone Saga

    Spice 4/5 · Spicy

    Persephone is a journalist, Hades runs a nightclub, and they make a very bad bargain. Modern Greek myth with plenty of spice.

    • Retelling
    • Forbidden love
    • Rivals to lovers

  6. Divine Rivals

    Rebecca Ross · Book 1 of 2 in Letters of Enchantment

    Spice 1/5 · Sweet

    Rival journalists who are, unknowingly, falling for each other through magic letters. Swoony, sad, closed door.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Secret identity
    • Cinnamon roll hero

  7. From Lukov with Love

    Mariana Zapata

    Spice 2/5 · Simmer

    Two figure skaters who have insulted each other for years become pairs partners. Banter is the love language.

    • Enemies to lovers
    • Rivals to lovers
    • Athlete

  8. Great Big Beautiful Life

    Emily Henry

    Spice 2/5 · Simmer

    Two rival writers compete to tell an heiress's life story on a sleepy island. More slow burn than spice.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Workplace romance
    • Forced proximity

  9. Love on the Brain

    Ali Hazelwood

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A neuroscientist at NASA has to co-lead a project with her grad-school nemesis. He is suspiciously helpful.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Workplace romance
    • He falls first

  10. Love, Theoretically

    Ali Hazelwood

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A theoretical physicist with a side gig as a fake girlfriend runs into the man who ruined her mentor.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Fake dating
    • Workplace romance

Often paired with rivals to lovers

Rivals to lovers books: FAQ

What are the best rivals to lovers books?

Reader favourites include Beach Read by Emily Henry; Book Lovers by Emily Henry; Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver; The Hating Game by Sally Thorne; A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair. Use the spice filter above to narrow it to your heat level.

What are the spiciest rivals to lovers books?

For explicit rivals to lovers romance, try Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver; A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair. These are rated 4 or 5 out of 5 on our spice scale.

Are there low-spice or clean rivals to lovers books?

Yes: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross; From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata; Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry are rated 1 or 2 out of 5, closed door or kisses only.

Are there standalone rivals to lovers books?

If you do not want to commit to a series, try Beach Read by Emily Henry; Book Lovers by Emily Henry; The Hating Game by Sally Thorne; From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata.