Best Friends to Lovers Books (2026): 5 Romances

For a reader who loves the slow shift from friends to more, the best friends to lovers books here cover hockey, college, wedding-season and military setups. The list compares five friends-to-lovers romances by trope, series, length and date.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Make Me Yours by Sucevic	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Talk to Me by Caplin	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Friends to Lovers by Blakely	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Player by Cleveland	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	BFF'ed by Aster	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Make Me Yours by Sucevic

Jennifer Sucevic·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 friends-to-lovers pro hockey romance, book 1 of the Chicago Railers series, standalone.

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Pros

• Off-limits tension, close proximity
• Book 1 of 6, Chicago Railers
• Standalone

Cons

• Mature themes stated
• No print length stated
• Hockey setting will not suit all readers

2

Talk to Me by Caplin

Julie Caplin·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 slow-burn friends-to-lovers rom-com, love triangle, second chance.

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Pros

• Slow burn, love triangle
• Second chance, witty rom-com
• Published March 24, 2026

Cons

• Mature themes stated
• First published as Jules Wake
• No print length stated

3

Friends to Lovers by Blakely

Sally Blakely·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 childhood friends-to-lovers story around a summer of weddings, dual narrative.

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Pros

• Wedding-season setup
• 352 pages stated
• Sprayed edges edition

Cons

• Mature themes stated
• No series stated
• Standalone not stated

4

Player by Cleveland

Eddie Cleveland·9.7/10 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 best friends-to-lovers college hockey romance, book 1 of Westbury Warriors.

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Pros

• College hockey, slow burn
• Book 1 of 6, Westbury Warriors
• College setting, tutoring setup

Cons

• Mature themes stated
• Older edition, March 5, 2020
• No print length stated

5

BFF'ed by Aster

Kate Aster·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 friends-to-lovers romance, military hero, off-limits best friend.

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Pros

• Off-limits best friend
• SEAL hero
• 198 pages stated

Cons

• Mature themes stated
• Older edition, June 23, 2017
• No series stated

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More picks to compare

• From Best Friend to Fiancé by HunterFake-fiancé wedding romance for readers who like best friends pretending to be engaged.Check on Amazon
• Give Me a Chance by StoneFriends-with-benefits roommates romance for readers who like slow-burn tension.Check on Amazon
• Things We Never Lost by WildeClosed-door childhood friends romance with rescue pets and second chances.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 given. None of these listings states 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 friends to lovers books

Series or standalone

Make Me Yours opens a series as book 1 of 6 in the Chicago Railers series, and Player opens one as book 1 of 6 in the Westbury Warriors series. Make Me Yours can be read as a standalone; the other listings state no series position.

Tropes and heat level

All five picks are adult friends-to-lovers romances with different setups: pro hockey, college hockey, a wedding season, a military romance and a witty rom-com. Each listing states mature themes, so check the description before buying for a younger reader. See also paranormal romance series and MC romance books.

Format and edition

Friends to Lovers states 352 pages and BFF’ed states 198 pages, while the other listings state a file size with no print length. Talk to Me was first published under another name, so check the author name when matching an edition; publication dates run from 2017 to 2026.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: Make Me Yours and Player are each book 1 of 6 in their series.
• Check the edition: Talk to Me was first published as Jules Wake.
• Check the content: each listing states mature themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I start the Chicago Railers series?

Start with Make Me Yours, book 1 of 6 in the Chicago Railers series.

Are these books part of a series?

Make Me Yours and Player are each book 1 of 6; the other listings state no series position.

Which books state a page count?

Friends to Lovers states 352 pages and BFF’ed states 198 pages; the others state no print length.

Still deciding? Our top pickMake Me Yours by Sucevic

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