Best Enemies to Lovers Books (2026): 7 Picks Compared

For romance readers who love rivals turned partners, the best enemies to lovers books below compare premise, length, series position and edition. Every pick is an enemies-to-lovers romance, from office and billionaire settings to mafia and gaming worlds.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Taming Mr. Walker by Lucas	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Empire State Enemies by Lucas	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Twisted Temptation by Dee	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Two Can Play by Hazelwood	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Enemies to Lovers by Vale	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Taming Mr. Walker by Lucas

Rosa Lucas·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A sarcastic assistant clashes with her brother's best friend, the brooding CEO who bought her company.

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Pros

• Standalone office romance
• 431 pages stated, a full-length read
• Book 1 of 3, room to continue the series

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• Mature romantic themes stated
• Office setting may not suit every reader

2

Empire State Enemies by Lucas

Rosa Lucas·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A good girl crosses paths again with the billionaire playboy she once betrayed.

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Pros

• Standalone, told from both points of view
• Banter and a happy ending stated
• Published April 4, 2024

Cons

• No page count stated in the listing
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Mature romantic themes stated

3

Twisted Temptation by Dee

Penny Dee·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A woman named as payment for her father's debt marries the mafia king who came to collect.

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Pros

• Standalone mafia romance, Book 1 of 2
• Arranged marriage and forced proximity stated
• Published October 15, 2026

Cons

• No page count stated in the listing
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Mature themes stated, including mafia violence

4

Two Can Play by Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A game designer must co-lead a project with her archnemesis at a remote mountain lodge.

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Pros

• Novella in a gaming setting
• 208 pages, plus a bonus chapter
• Published February 10, 2026

Cons

• A novella, shorter than a full-length novel
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Mature romantic themes stated

5

Enemies to Lovers by Vale

Lani Lynn Vale·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A woman left alone before her baby's birth turns to the man her father sends.

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Pros

• Book 3 of 8 for series followers
• Protector hero premise stated
• Published July 8, 2025

Cons

• Book 3 of 8, a mid-series starting point
• No page count stated in the listing
• Mature themes stated, including pregnancy and abandonment

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More picks to compare

• Keep Me Close by SucevicFor readers who want fake dating and hockey romance with off-limits tension.Check on Amazon
• Not Home Alone by LoringFor readers who want a festive forced-proximity romance at Christmas.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the picks lists a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best enemies to lovers books

Match the series position to the reader

Taming Mr. Walker is Book 1 of 3 and Twisted Temptation is Book 1 of 2. Empire State Enemies is stated as standalone. The Vale pick is Book 3 of 8.

Match the length to the reader

Taming Mr. Walker states 431 pages, while Two Can Play states 208 pages plus a bonus chapter. Two listings state no page count.

Check the edition date before buying

Edition dates here run from December 12, 2021 to October 15, 2026. For more romance tropes, see the paranormal romance series list and the motorcycle club romance list.

Before you buy

• Check the edition date on the listing: dates here run from December 12, 2021 to October 15, 2026.
• For a series, buy Book 1 before later books.
• Read the description for mature themes before buying for a younger reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should a reader start with when new to these series?

Start with Book 1: Taming Mr. Walker is Book 1 of 3 and Twisted Temptation is Book 1 of 2. The Vale pick is Book 3 of 8.

Are these books standalone?

Taming Mr. Walker, Empire State Enemies and Twisted Temptation are stated as standalone. Two Can Play is a novella, and Enemies to Lovers by Vale is Book 3 of 8.

Do any of these books state a reading age?

None of the picks states a reading age or grade level.

Still deciding? Our top pickTaming Mr. Walker by Lucas

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