9 Friends to Lovers Romances for all the feels
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a hate-to-lovers type of gal, but I recently read two that might just make me a convert. There’s something so warm and cozy about a good friends to lovers that that hits so well especially as we head into the fall season.
Don’t be fooled, though. They can be oh so steamy. This trope pairs particularly well with the popular Shawn and Camila song, you know the one with this steamy lyric: “But friends don’t know the way you taste . . .” (Ahem, Señorita).
The books that started me down this rabbit hole were Friend me by Michelle McCraw and Red Velvet by Carla Luna. I’ll give my thoughts on each below, but I also asked the authors for their favorite friends-to-lovers I shouldn’t miss (and neither should you).
Here’s the lineup:
9. Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay
Recommended by McCraw, here’s what she had to say about it: “This book has a doctor heroine just like yours [ahem, shameless plug: Remission by yours truly]). And it has HAMMOCK SEX!”
What?! Hammock Sex?!?!? This title just climbed to the top of my TBR.
Also, I have SO MANY hammocks.
8. 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Recommended by McCraw: “Sexy sweet forbidden romance with her twin brother’s friend and they fight over who gets the guy. Adorable!”
7. Experimental Marine Biology by Susannah Nix
Recommended by McCraw, here’s what she had to say about it: “Nerdy heroine like mine!”
6. A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
Recommended by McCraw: “Childhood best friends who had a failed hookup and then he disappeared for REASONS. Now he’s back and they have to work together. Total squee and I loved the meddling family.”
5. Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Another McCraw Rec. Here’s what she had to say about it: “I read this a while ago, but it’s an adorable premise of two opposites who are friends. They set each other up on blind dates but OOPS keep ending up in bed together.”
Now for Carla Luna’s recommendations:
4. Acting Up by Adele Buck
Here’s what Luna had to say: “This is a fun, friends-to-lovers holiday romance with a fun Groundhog Day twist.”
3. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Recommended by Luna: “A friends-to-lovers indie-pubbed romance between a director and a stage manager, set in the theatrical world, with lots of backstage shenanigans.”
And these here are my recs:
2. Red Velvet by Carla Luna
Red Velvet was my second ever friends to lovers, and I can’t tell you how much I loved it. Not only were the fall vibes spectacular, but Luna is a master at writing relatable characters. Reading about a heroine who learns to accept herself and her body in order to fall in love hit home. Hard.
1. Friend Me by Michelle McCraw
What I love about Michelle’s work is she writes almost exclusively women in stem. When I tell you I laughed so hard at the nerdy references . . . If you want smart, accomplished, and sexy characters, stop here.
What are your favorite friends to lovers recommendations? Let me know in the comments.
[Notice of non-affiliation]
Neither Ofelia Martinez nor Reading Cactus Press are affiliated or sponsored by any of the links included in this entry.
