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The best rivals-to-lovers books to read now
Work, school, and sports rivalries lead to some of the most satisfying romances.
Published on June 20, 2023
Tweet Cute: A Novel
Emma LordA fantastic, cheesy romance for this digital day and age. High-achieving Pepper Evans runs the Twitter account for her family’s fast-food chain. She ends up in a feud with a local deli, whose Twitter is run by classmate and nemesis Jack Campbell. On a separate, anonymous app, though, they’re falling in love with each other. How can they balance the fire of public animosity with private desire?
Today Tonight Tomorrow
Rachel Lynn SolomonCan bitter rivals become friends? Or even something more? Rowan and Neil are about to find out in this intimate rivals-to-lovers romance. After years of competing for top billing in high school academics, the two are forced to team up in a class-wide game that takes them all over Seattle. The reluctant allies find that they have more in common than they think in this exciting, romantic romp.
The Hating Game: A Novel
Sally ThorneRival co-workers Lucy and Joshua hold frequent in-office competitions, determined to outdo each other (or get the other fired). But, with a big promotion on the line, their relationship takes an unexpected turn.
If You Could See the Sun
Ann LiangAn inferiority complex leads to literal invisibility for Alice Sun, the only scholarship student at an elite Beijing boarding school. When Alice’s future at the school is in jeopardy, she enlists the help of her academic rival to start a side hustle peddling secrets she uncovers using her newfound invisibility powers. Genres are bent, morals are tested, and futures are shaped in this unique debut.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler: A Novel
Casey McQuistonSet in small-town Alabama, McQuiston’s (“One Last Stop,” “Red, White, & Royal Blue”) first YA novel is a lively high school mystery. Chloe Green desperately wants to be valedictorian, but faces stiff competition from Shara Wheeler. But after popular, pretty Shara kisses Chloe, Shara suddenly disappears. Chloe and other classmates who were kissed by Shara follow mysterious notes left by the missing girl, determined to find Shara before graduation.
Icebreaker: A Novel
Hannah GraceGrace’s latest may be set on the ice, but the chemistry between her protagonists is fire. A scheduling error at U.C. Maple Hills thrusts Anastasia, a figure skater and Olympic hopeful, and Nate, the captain of the hockey team, into the same rink, competing for enough ice time to make their dreams come true. “Icebreaker” is funny and steamy with well-developed, ambitious characters.
Henna Wars, The
Adiba JaigirdarIt seems like Nishat and Flávia have already captured each other’s hearts, but then a school entrepreneurial competition where they’re running rival henna tattoo businesses gets in the way. Nishat, who’s Bangladeshi Irish, and Flávia, who’s mixed race (Black Brazilian and white Irish), navigate thorny issues like homophobia, racism, and cultural appropriation during their fraught flirtations.
A Pho Love Story
Loan LeAn #OwnVoices story about Linh Mai and Bảo Nguyễn, two Vietnamese American kids whose families own rival phở restaurants. Linh and Bảo finally have a real conversation, which starts one of the year’s cutest star-crossed romances. “A Phở Love Story” will warm your heart (and definitely make you want a bowl of phở!).
Not Here to Be Liked
Michelle Quach“To All the Boys I've Loved Before” meets “Moxie” in this adorable rivals-to-lovers story. Eliza Quan is poised to become the next editor-in-chief of her school newspaper. The last thing she expects is tall, athletic, handsome Len swooping in at the last second to win the election. Eliza pours her frustrations and anger into an essay that was meant to be private but goes viral, accidentally sparking a feminist movement at school.
Salt and Sugar
Rebecca CarvalhoThough their family-run bakeries (the titular Salt and Sugar) have been rivals for generations, teens Lari Ramires and Pedro Molina must work together when a big box store threatens their livelihoods. Along the way, collaboration may just morph into courtship. Set in Olinda, Brazil, Carvalho’s debut is a sweet rom-com to be savored.
Made in Korea
Sarah SukK-everything is in vogue right now (K-pop, K-drama), and “Made in Korea” is both capitalizing on the trend and expanding on it. It follows two entrepreneurial teens with competing K-beauty businesses who make a big wager: Whoever outsells the other for the school year gets both company’s profits. Hopes and dreams (and hearts) are on the line in this charming contemporary YA.
The Spanish Love Deception: A Novel
Elena ArmasArmas’ “The Spanish Love Deception” serves up a STEM heroine in a fake relationship with a side of “The Hating Game.” After a maintenance disaster leaves her apartment uninhabitable, aspiring novelist Rosie Graham crashes at her friend Lina’s place. But she’s not alone: Lina’s cute cousin Lucas is also couch surfing, and he offers to help Rosie overcome writer’s block by wining and dining her around New York City — for inspirational purposes, of course.
Shipped
Angie HockmanMarketing manager Henley is up against gorgeous-but-irritating Graeme for a promotion. But when their competition involves a cruise to the Galápagos Islands together, hate starts looking a lot like love. The uproarious snags along the way will keep you laughing from start to finish.
My Mechanical Romance
Alexene Farol FollmuthTwo teen engineers with opposing temperaments and desires have to figure out how to effectively build robots together. In addition to engineering, they’re getting lessons in chemistry, as they’re undeniably (and unwillingly) attracted to each other. There’s nothing robotic about the storytelling in this charmer from the author of “The Atlas Six.”
Battle Royal: A Novel
Lucy ParkerBakers Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere create very different confections — hers are flamboyant, while his are elegant — which sours their feelings for each other. Despite running rival bakeries and having a contentious working relationship on a “Great British Bake Off”-esque reality show, there’s nothing sugar and flour can’t fix. This is a healthy helping of sweet.
#ThePickup: An Enemies to Lovers Story
Kelly PapyrusTwo YouTube stars with completely opposite talents compete for the same sponsorship — until one of them becomes the unwitting star of the other’s videos. Finding love online takes a new twist when it’s being broadcast to millions of followers.
All He Wants
Eve KincaidIn this second chance romance set during the winter holidays, Ivy and Parker, a divorced couple who are both employed as chefs, work at rival restaurants. But with Ivy back in town, Parker is determined to win back her heart.