8 Obsession-Worthy Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Books

Blur the line between love and hate in these passionate fantasy romances. 

enemies to lovers books featured photo

There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned enemies-to-lovers story. What’s hotter than two people who are torn apart by dislike for one another, only to realize that the bonds of love run far deeper than those of hate?

For some of us, there’s a clear answer to that question: throwing that dynamic into a romantic fantasy setting! It’s the perfect fit. Here are eight enemies-to-lovers fantasy novels to have you yearning for love.

Serpent and Dove

Serpent and Dove

By Shelby Mahurin

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine. After giving up her magic, she now lives off the grid, hiding from the hunters who want witches like her burned at the stake. Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has one goal in life: to hunt witches and show no mercy in annihilating them.

Crossing paths with Lou changes everything, and a stunt forces them into the most impossible of unions: marriage. The war between witches and the Church is growing, and together, Lou and Reid must decide what to do. As their feelings for one another grow, their lives are at risk and could change the entire dynamic between magic and humanity.

the shadows between us

The Shadows Between Us

By Tricia Levenseller

Alessandra has long been underestimated by those around her, but she knows that she's capable of dangerous things. Ruthless, ambitious, and eager to prove herself, she forms a plan to gain power that involves seducing the newly crowned Shadow King, marrying him, then killing him to claim the throne for herself. She's not the only one with her eyes on the crown. 

The King is used to attempts on his life, which proves frustrating for Alessandra since she needs him alive long enough to get him to the altar. But perhaps their union could be more powerful if they stay alive? After all, who better for a Shadow King than a truly villainous consort?

chinese books these violent delights

These Violent Delights

By Chloe Gong

It's 1926 in Shanghai, and a blood feud between two gangs dominates the city. Juliette Cai is a former flapper who has returned home to assume her role as the heir of the Scarlet Gang. Their rivals are the White Flowers, who they have battled for generations, and they have a new heir at the helm in the form of Roma Montagov. He was once Juliette's first love... and first betrayal. 

Now they're nemeses who must battle to the death. but something has emerged from the shadows that threatens to disrupt both gangs. People are dying and a madness has infected Shanghai. Juliette and Roma must set aside their hatred and work together to save their families. If they fail, there won't be anything left for them to rule.

famine laura thalassa

Famine

By Laura Thalassa

Famine is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, a figure of intense fear who devastates the very land he touches. Once, many years ago, he found Ana da Silva and spared her life. The second time they meet, he stabs her and leaves her to die alone. 

Soon, Ana wants revenge from the almighty Famine, and her threats captivate him. In spite of themselves, Ana and Famine are drawn to each other, but they can never be anything other than sworn enemies. Kindness cannot change that, nor can passion. And if they can't stop themselves, then a higher power will...

city of thorns

City of Thorns

By C. N. Crawford

This romantasy book follows Rowan, a college student with smothering debts who is struggling to deal with the death of her mother, who was murdered by a demon. She wants revenge. This leads her to the city of thorns, a place forbidden to most humans where demons live freely and study at a magical university. One night at a bar, Rowan runs into one of the most elite Demons, known as The Lord of Chaos, and things quickly go downhill from there. 

The king, known as Orion, kidnaps her, under the belief that Rowan is a demon from his past. Soon, they make a deal: Rowan can stay in the city to find her mother's killer if she helps Orion fulfill his own vengeful desires. All she has to do is resist his seductive spell.

the sea king, a fantasy romance book

The Sea King

By C.L. Wilson

Seafaring prince Dilys Merimydion has been invited to court the three magical princesses of Summerlea. By picking a new consort, he hopes this union will allow him to secure the power of the Sea Throne and tackle the growing pirate threat on the horizon. He knows the choice he's supposed to make, but he didn't foresee his own passions getting in the way. 

Gabriella Coruscate, the weathermage of Summer, wasn't the one anyone expected Prince Dilys to choose. Yet their attraction is undeniable. When pirates kidnap Summer and her sisters, Dilys is in a desperate quest to save the woman he loves. Only by combining his command of the seas with the unleashed fury of Summer's own mighty powers can they take on their enemies and let love rule the day.

master of crows

Master of Crows

By Grace Draven

Martise of Asher will do anything to win her freedom, even make a deal with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer's treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, struggles with the influence of a god called Corruption, seducing him with promises of power beyond his imagination if he'll help it gain control over the entire world. 

When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she's a spy, but this bondwoman could be his savior. Soon, he must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love. Martise needs to bring Silhara to justice, but what if it costs her more than freedom to do so?

To Kill a Kingdom Alexandra Christo

To Kill a Kingdom

By Alexandra Christo

Princess Lira is siren royalty, beloved and feared across the sea and adored by many princes. She loses everything after she is forced to kill one of her own and her mother, the Sea Queen, punishes her by turning her into the thing she loathes the most: a human. Stuck on land, Lira has until the Winter solstice to deliver the heart of Prince Elian to her mother. If she fails, she'll be a human forever. 

Prince Elian is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world, and a born siren hunter. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. It's his destiny to eliminate mankind's most dangerous enemy, but this strange woman by his side who has promised to help him in his endeavor is hiding a secret that could change everything.