Enemies to lovers is one of the romance genre tropes that readers love best, so there is no surprise it shows up in 10 of the historical romances sampled in the Historical Romance Sampler Season 1!
Those of us who love regency romance probably first encountered enemies to lovers in Pride and Prejudice, where Elizabeth feels that Darcy hates her and therefore reviles him for most of the book until she discovers how wrong she was. That is delicious because of the intense hurt underlying her pride and the wonderful relief we feel when she and Darcy find their way to each other.
Then there are Scottish historical romances that establish fierce life-and-death rivalries between families that only true love can cure.
Whatever the flavor, readers tend to love the enemies to lovers trope because it fosters a lot of banter between the protagonists, it usually features a strong female lead fighting for her point of view, and it often comes with a lot of spice or steam or on-page intimacy!
If enemies to lovers is your favorite trope, then check out this round-up of 10 books featured on Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler!
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VIBE: MORTAL ENEMIES
Highland Conquest
By Heather McCollum
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.67
The enemies: Cain and Ella belong to rival Highland clans, and he has taken her captive to negotiate a peace. His best hope? Giving her a kitten.
The enemies: Ailsa is about to escape from her captors when the Black Highlander “frees” her - and takes her in the wrong direction. Can they trust each other, or will they remain enemies?
The enemies: Riana is Scottish while Horatio is Roman. Her tribe holds him as a slave, but she can’t help developing feelings for him. Is there any hope for these two born enemies?
VIBE: WITTY BANTER AT CROSS PURPOSES
Isabel and the Rogue
By Liana De la Rosa
The enemies: Isabel and Sirius are both spies–with different allegiances. Will they join forces to fight the same enemy, or work against each other?
The enemies: Ranya is determined to avenge her father by retrieving the deed to his Egyptian cotton business. Owen is the heir to the man who did her father wrong. Is there any way for him to repay his father’s debt without bankrupting himself?
The enemies: Camelia won the deed to a beautiful cottage in a card game. Raaz says that deed was stolen from his family. If they both want the same house, is the only solution to fall in love?
VIBE: HEALING PAST WRONGS
How to Train Your Viscount
By Courtney McCaskill
The enemies: Years ago, Caro overheard Henry saying unkind things about her at a ball. Ever since, she has refused to speak to him. Now he is trying to make amends by following her around London!
The Questionable Acts of an American Gentleman
By Ramona Elmes
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.42
The enemies: Jack Kincaide comes to England with a specific goal: to avenge himself and his sister for being abandoned. Even if that means ruining his enemy’s fiance in the process.
The enemies: Charlotte Beckett wants to earn back her father’s love. Hugh Fletcher has been hired to find her father’s by-blows. Working against each other, is there any hope for love?
The enemies: Eliza and Nick once shared a passionate love, but a grave misunderstanding has now turned them against each other. Trapped at a house party, is there any hope for reconciliation?