Many requests for this list and oh boy do we have recommendations!!!
Nothing better than that slow burn. That… true-to-life angst and pining, OR surprise realization, that you have fallen deeply in love with the love of your life. And he just happens to be your very best friend.
Tracie: I just finished βBad at Love: A Standalone Friends-to-Lovers Romanceβ by Karina Halle and would love to know if you have a list of other books or recommendations of books where they start as βjust friendsβ first??
Lydia:Β I keep searching for THE one. The book that not only draws you in with great writing but also contains a slow burn romance. I think thatβs why I prefer βfriends to loversβ books. I love that moment when the hero finally realizes heβs in love and he knows heβs screwed (haha). The anticipation makes it so much sweeter. Out with the insta-love, in with the slow burn!
Jan:Β …friends-to-lovers. Oh that awkward but so sweet moment when they know each so well and finally both decide they will go THEREβ¦β¦..Β Anyone got any other recs in this genre?
Leslie M: Oooh Jan, me too! Friends to lovers is awesome.
R.: …one of the reasons I love friends to lovers, the chemistry goes deeper than the current MCβs actions.
Anne:Β I love friends to lovers storiesΒ
Maryse: My ultimate favorite??? Well… LOL! There are a quite a few. But I will go with two right off the bat, and add more as they come to me.
Undecided (Burnham College Book 1)Β <— HOLY. MOLY!!!! She was so into HIS best friend (and his roommate) and yet… there he was for her. Every time she was let down. This is one of my ultimate romance stories. Just enough angst to make me feel it hard, and yet so SO delightful. P.S. Here’s myΒ Book Review
My ULTIMATE favorite of all-time?Β Beautiful Disaster: A NovelΒ by Jamie McGuire. NOW THAT is the ultimate friends-to-lovers I have EVER experienced. She knew to stay away from him and his bad-boy player-ness… and so they settled in to that sweet friendship. She didn’t Β get all done up for him, they studied together, they even slept in the same bed together with absolutely NOTHING going on. Not even a kiss. They were the best of friends, and ALWAYS together… until… π OH. EM. GEE. There is no resisting this. P.S. Here’s myΒ Book Review
MichelleS: Truly, Madly, WhiskeyΒ β friends to lovers! Love that
Charity:Β I just finished Until HarryΒ by L.A. Casey, love it!!! Unrequited love and friends to lovers is always good and it was released today too.
D.G.:Β Just finished reading Until HarryΒ by L.A. Caseyβ¦and I LOVED it! Definite 4.5 stars for meβ¦some parts were a little watery, emotional but sooo worth the ride. I normally donβt read a lot of second chance romance but yeah, this one I really, REALLY loved! Lots of alpha males in this oneβ¦overprotective uncle, father, brothersβ¦and best friend. Sometimes a girl just needs protectingβ¦even if she doesnβt want it. ****a DG recommended gotta read****
Leslie M: Maryse β some friends to lovers books:
Frigid (Frigid Series Book 1)Β by J. Armentrout
Yvette: My favorite book would have to be Frigid by J.Lynn. I stayed up all night to read it as soon as I saw it had been delivered to my Kindle. Itβs soooo good!
Julie O: Be sure and read Frigid, enjoyed it.
- Blurred Lines (Love Unexpectedly)Β by Lauren Layne
Lisa:Β Blurred Lines, friends to lovers perfection. I had it on my favorites listβ¦just floved it. …Ben and Parker stuck with me. …Laurenβs character development puts her books above others. I found myself really emotionally investedβ¦..5 stars for me.
Cheryl:Β Blurred Lines is a standalone- Lighthearted, friends to lovers romance, with some angst, but not drawn out.
marina:Β Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne (but itβs best friends who live together and he brings a girls over)
Lauren:Β I was JUST about to recommend Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne when I saw it on the list. I started it this morning & finished it just now in the carpool line. So freakin good!!!!
Jean: …Blurred Lines (Lauren Layne)!!! I read it in one sitting on Saturdayβ¦.could not put it downβ¦best friends to lovers and so damn great! All my friends are reading it now because I was adamant!!!! You guys, it was sooooo good!!!
The PactΒ by Karina Halle <— YES!!! Absolutely this one. (P.S. here’s myΒ Book Review)
Jacqueline: Iβve got all of my reader friends to buy The Pact by Karina Halle. Some have moved on to her other books, some have only stuck with the contemporary stuff. Either way, her books are awesome.Leslie M: I just finished The Pact by Karina Halle which is a friends to lovers story I enjoyed.
Michelle F:Β Loving the Pact so far. Iβm almost 50% and Iβm completely sucked in. Linden is f*** hot and funny too. And Stephβs character feels like someone you want to kick back and hang out with. I always love the friends to lovers genre and I like that these two characters are a little older (not NA) because their actions and reactions feel real and believable.
This book feels very different from Karina Halleβs usual gritty and edgy voice but Iβm loving it! Reaffirming exactly why she is one of my favorites.Β
RoomHateΒ & Gentleman NineΒ by Penelope Ward (P.S. Here’s myΒ Book ReviewΒ of Roomhate)
Lisa: Roomhate had a touch of bully about it at the beginning.
Anne: Finished RoomHate and really liked it! It was sweet and a little angsty.
Ashley:Β I also just read Gentleman Nine and loved that one.
Friend-ZonedΒ by Belle Aurora
Sabrina: Friend-Zoned series by Belle Aurora. This series is awesome. Very much like the Rock Chick series. Its very funny
Michele: I loved Friend-zoned as well. Would recommend it.
- Flat-Out Love (Flat-Out Love Series Book 1)Β by Jessica Park <— Maryse: ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY!!!! One of my all time favorites that totally caught me by surprise. Witty, funny, and deep. LOVED IT!! P.S. Here’s myΒ Book Review
Lisa: Flat-Out Love is a must read, very sweet and funny.
Jess: I adore Flat-Out Love!! I just finished rereading it last night because I just canβt seem to get it out of my head.
Nicole:Β Flat-out Love had me doing a serious ugly cry!
- Borrowed & Blue: Something Borrowed, Something BlueΒ by Emily Griffin
Addicted to You (Addicted Series Book 1)Β by Becca & Krista Ritchie
Drea: Maryse, you absolutely must continue the Addicted to You series!! The first one was good, but the following books were incredible. Honestly, the supporting characters books are the best. All of the characters are brilliant and full of depth! Rose/Connor and Daisy/Ryke are amazing!
Kim: I think you should read the addicted series. It has addiction, angst, first loves, hot dominate males, soul deep love, funny lines and wonderful secondary characters which have their own books.
Jackie:Β I read Addicted To You this week and immediately bought the next in the series. Itβs still very angsty, the dynamics between the characters really make your heart twist.
HimΒ by Sarina Bowen (m/m)
Kathy P: I just read Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. M/M Hockey romance that was so good so if you havenβt read that one yet I would highly recommend it. Feel in love with both male characters!
Teri: You guys! Him is such a fabulously romantic friends to lovers M/M novel. Love, love, love it. Canβt wait for the sequel. WooHoo!
- Collide (Blackcreek Book 1)Β by Riley Hart (m/m)
DOnYa:Β LOVED Next to You: Friends with Benefits!!!! Model hot Rugby player with an accentβ¦loads of witty banterβ¦awesome friends to lovers read!
Cheryl:Β Just finished Never Stop FallingΒ and I loved it. Needed Manny and some wine at times. A friends to lovers angst-filled ride. Amazing, debut novel.Β
R:Β The h in Never Stop Falling is flawed and screwed up due to something that knocks her off kilter when she’s 18. I wanted to strangle her too, but I “got” her. And Nickβ¦le sigh. …That was the first book that turned me into a bona fide stalker!
Jan: Beautiful Player (The Beautiful Series Book 5)Β β Christina Lauren. Hanna and Willβs story. OMG. Friends to lovers, sweet geeky heroine tames the bad boy player..
Melinda: Ahhhhhh Will Sumner. Just finished Beautiful Player and it was awesome. Massive massive book hangover. So good. 10 stars But i’ve had to wrestle Jan and Grey for him. Heβs so so popular. …my book boyfriend is Will from Beautiful Player so heβs taken.
Jan: My fav book husband is Will Sumner from Beautiful Player. So sorry, heβs taken
Grey:Β One Iβd buy for a friendβ¦ Beautiful Player. (Book 4 of the Beautiful Bastard Series) The combo writing team of Christina Lauren hit another grand slam out of the park with the novel dedicated to master player Will Sumner. When mostly innocent and awkward Hanna Bergstrom, (little sister to one of his best friends growing up) asks him to teach her how to be more like himβ¦ my heart ached right along with theirs as I read some of this book peeking out from between my fingers and my stomach clenched from gigglingβ¦or angst, Iβm not sure which!
Nay:Β My favorite was Beautiful Player. Iβm so glad I finally listened to Grey and Jan to find out what all the Will fuss was about!
Jan:Β *hugs Grey and Nay for our mutual love of Beautiful Player and Will Sumner* Ladies, perhaps we can share Will?
marina:Β I loved Beautiful Player too. It was my favorite of the Beautiful Bastard Series. The dichotomy of the quirky, smart but inexperienced girl with the experienced, big brotherβs friendβ¦ Loved that one! I think I even reread itβ¦
Cheryl:Β Just finished reading French KissingΒ – cute, lighthearted, well-written, friends to lovers, fast read!!
Jean:Β Just wanted to give a shout out to Niki for recommending Forever Red (Bama Boys Book 1)!! I love it! It has everything I needβ¦. friends to lovers, drama, separation, hot country rock starβ¦. whatβs not to love?!?
Julie:Β Another good one is Forever Red by Carina Adams. I gave it 4.5 stars but it is a solid 5 in parts. Heβs a famous country singer and sheβs the girl that got away. And, letβs not forget Carnage! Childhood friends and he turns into a famous singer. The series is one I will never forget.
Deborah:Β Iβm in complete book hangover land after reading Forever red by Carina Adamsβ¦.just a Beautiful second chance love story!!!!! I donβt have a clue of what to read after this eitherβ¦β¦
Cheryl:Β Deborah, I LOVED Forever Red and Neil/Nate too!!!
Shirley:Β I just finished Forever Red and absolutely LOVED it!! I also have one heck of a book hangover!! Hands down one of the BEST books I have read this year 5++++++ stars!! LOVED NEIL/NATE! Oh, what to read next??
bev: Emi Lost & Found SeriesΒ I probably read it at the very worst time. I was still in the early stages of grieving. And I pick up this book and has friends to lovers and slow burnβ₯. I knew it was a first book so when almost done I grabbed the other two so I could stay in this world.
I started the second, hopefully, and pretty soon Iβm sobbing so so hard. Canβt see the book cause of the tears hard. Then I got angry when realized where it was goingβ¦.so angry. If not on my nook, one of my comforts, it would of gone flying and probably still be sitting where it would of landed.
Thatβs been a couple years now but still havenβt been able to open that book.
Kristen:Β Itβs not really a twisty-turny type book, but there is a huge shocker in the Emi Lost and Found series by Lori Otto! SO GOOD!Β β¦my first ugly cry in a long time!
Jean:Β Oh bev, someone just recommended the Emi lost and found series to me. Sounds like a tearjerker!
Amy:Β Emi Lost and Found series (I swear I had red, puffy eyes throughout most of book 2 from snot-crying)
Jen C:Β I readΒ Lingus back in early 2014 and LOVED it! Maryse, you need to read it! Absolutely hilarious from start to finish and nice slow build friends-to-lovers storyline.
Bella:Β Went ahead and read her other books- Under Locke and Lingus. The author is a genious!!!!! Love all her books, 5 star rating
Ashley recommends all of these:
Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street Book 3)Β by Samantha Young is one of my top favorite friends to lovers book!
Lori: I really enjoyed Before Jamaica Lane, best friends to secret lovers, very emotional, sweet and sexy.
Jacee: Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young. Somewhat unrequited love. She likes him, but heβs not willing to admit it. And their best friends so thatβs a plus. <3
Rebecca:Β I adored Before Jamaica Lane recent release, which was such a Smile On Your Face, Hot read
- The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1)Β by Elle Kennedy <— HECK YES!! One of my all time favorites and has the most PERFECT (and believable) friends-to-lovers theme. In fact, here’s my review! (myΒ Book Review)
Sharon: LOVED IT a lot. Solid 4.5 stars
Anne: …The Deal by Elle Kennedy! It has the same feel that beautiful disaster had to it!!! <3 SO IN LOVE!
- Sincerely, Carter: A Friends to Lovers RomanceΒ by Whitney G.
Tammy:Β Sincerely Carter by Whitney G. Love this friends to lovers book!!!
To Love Jason ThornΒ by Ella Maise
Tessa: Itβs all that I love a fun, light angst book. I was smiling HUGE throughout it.
Deborah: You all are gonna love βTo love Jason Thorneβ itβs such a fun bookβ¦.. great for after all this angst and heartache!!! Itβs one of those books that kept me grinning the whole way throughβ¦..just love those!!!!
Love, in EnglishΒ by Karina Halle <— I LOVED IT!!!!! (myΒ Book Review)
Leslie M: I finished Love, in English this weekend and of course it was awesome-sauce. Yup! Everything is big fat swoonfest when it comes to Love, in English.
Maryse: Ahhhhh yes Love, In English. OMG that bus scene and the Lana Del Rey song KILLED ME. LOVED IT SO HAAAAARD!!!
Amy:Β Holy freaking moly, I absolutely LOVED that one. SO much emotion and turmoil and swooniness, and I donβt think I had even one single complaint. And the coverβ¦ohhhh the beautiful cover. Everything about it was justβ¦ *dreamy sigh*
- Noah (Forbidden Desires Book 1)Β by Justine Elvira
- One Wrong ChoiceΒ by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine
Amour Amour: A Standalone Sports RomanceΒ by Krista and Becca Ritchie
D.G.: Amour Amour is soo good! Itβs my fav βcircusβ read. Still looking for my next βcircusβ read that matches itβ¦.so wish Krista Becca Ritchie would make this into a series.
Anne:Β DG I love Amour Amour too! I need to find another romance around the circus.
Ashley: I just finished listening to Amour Amour by Becca and Krista Ritchie for the third time
The Year We Fell Down: A Hockey Romance (The Ivy Years Book 1)Β by Sarina Bowen
Jean: you should definitely read The Year We Fell Down!!!! I loved it and I think you will too! …Slow build up, great characters, and I donβt think Iβve ever read a book about a girl in a wheelchair. What a great book! Highly recommend it!
Cheryl: I thought The Year We Fell Down was a sweet story too. Great book! I specifically read it because the heroine was in a wheelchair, because my daughter is special needs too and I wanted to read a positive story about the heroine having a βnormalβ life in college despite her βdisability.β Heartwarming!! π
My Best Friend’s Ex (The Binghamton Series Book 2)Β by Meghan Quinn
Ashley: I read My Best Friendβs Ex and I loved it! It was hilarious and sweet. It was more of a slow burn book and the sexual tension in it was great! The banter between the leads was so funny. Thereβs also a rant in the book that had me laughing so hard that I think my next door neighbors may have heard me.
Amy: My Best Friendβs Exβ¦now THAT is a new storyline, at least to me. Click!
- Maybe SomedayΒ by Colleen Hoover <— YES!!!! (myΒ Book Review)
Ashley: Maybe Someday is one of my go-to reads! Iβve read/listened to it at least 6 times.
Jennifer M: I finished Maybe Someday last night and I have to say, I loved it. It was so powerful and full of emotions. There were parts where my jaw literally hit the floor. I swooned so much and I couldnβt tell you how many times I laughed, tears rolling down my face hysterical, My husband kept looking over me and asking if I was ok. Lol.
I donβt want to reveal any spoilers, so ladies if youβre looking for a heartbreak, hilarious and with an amazing ending, please read this one
- Love in LingerieΒ by Alessandra Torre <— (myΒ Book Review)
- As Long As You Love MeΒ by Ann Aguirre
The Smallest PartΒ by Amy Harmon
Jen: I finished the Smallest Part already and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! You get to see Moses again! Amy Harmon has an amazing way of sucking in so bad you get no sleep because you have to know what happened and go to work like a zombie the next day. Today Iβm a zombie. I loved the book! Totally worth it
Lisa: I am loving The Smallest Part so far. It is a touch of paranormal I guess youβd say (although I donβt really think of it that way), a harkening to The Law of Moses (which I havenβt read), and itβs just so perfectly Amy Harmon all the way!!!
- The Hot Shot (Game On Book 4)Β by Kristen Callihan
Jean: The Hot Shot which had just the right amount of sweetness and angst.
Ashley: I finished The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan last night and I loved it as well! It was a fun read!
Teri: I just finished The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan and it is FANTASTIC! Whoop whoop
- Lucas – A Preston Brothers Novel (Book 1): A More Than Series Spin-offΒ by Jay McLean
- Punk 57Β by Penelope Douglas
Dana:Β Punk 57 was one of my top reads but Iβve come to the conclusion that Penelope Douglas could write menus or phone books and make them best-sellers.
A Love Letter to WhiskeyΒ by Kandi Steiner <— (Note from Maryse: and here’sΒ Book Review)
Jean: Iβm at 80% and ready to have my heart ripped outβ¦.Grey, youβll need to share Manny and the Godivaβ¦.. think I might need something stronger then Moscatoβ¦.. Iβm thinking whiskey! Lol!
Nay: I LOVED A Love Letter to Whiskey! The kind of angst Iβm crazy about!
Now I need to add some of these to my GR shelf! Thanks for doing this, Maryse!
Jan:Β Another one is Nia Forresterβs Afterwards. I love that book. Although theyβre both attracted, Chris wants to keep things in the friend zone cos heβs worried about βafterwardsβ when they inevitably will split up and they have lots of mutual friends. Messy and awkward. But after a while, they just canβt deny it, and friends become lovers.Β
Heather: Love this new list! Hereβs a few of my favs
- So Good (An Alpha Dogs Novel)Β by Nicola Rendell
Searching for Moore Series by Julie Richman
Bonnie: My book fog was because of the Needing Moore series by Julie Richman. Could not put it down and recommended it to everyone I know that likes to read.
Michelle: Iβm so happy βSearching for Mooreβ by Julie Richman was recommended to you. Readers have loved this book, first in Julieβs βNeeding Mooreβ series. It follows college sweethearts, Schooner Moore and Mia Silver, as they are reunited, after 24 years.
ThoughtlessΒ Series
Traci: I would have to say Thoughtless is still my favorite. And Kellen Kyle is still my favorite book boyfriend
Leslie M: My all time fave β (duh!) is Thoughtlessβ¦..βcause (double duh) Kellan.
Jean:Β THAT BOOK GAVE ME SERIOUS STOMACH ISSUES (AND I LOVED IT)! Havenβt found a book that comes close to it yet!
- Happy Hour β Racing on the Edge Series by Shey Stahl
Bad Things by RK Lilley
Amy: One of my favorite series of ALL TIME!!! I swear I swooned like I was high right before my stomach ate itself and my heart crumbled then imploded. And the cherry on top was sobbing happy tears while my heart still had a residual ache at the end of book three. SOBBING. HAPPY. TEARS.Tessa:Β Tristan and Danika. No words needed for that one. Justβ¦ no words. I went to re-read it and my stomach knotted in a HELL NO way. I loved the story, but the journey to get to the end hurts.Leslie M: Tristan & Danika. The angst & swoony-ness reminded me of Thoughtless & Driven series (two of my faves).Nay: Tristanβs a rock star and itβs SUPER duper angsty. It just really guts you as everyone says. And the swoon factor you want is DEFINITELY there! hubba hubba!!
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Multi or Deeper, maybe?
Kulti.
Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young is one of my top favorite friends to lovers book! Also…
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.
To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise
Love, In English by Karina Halle
Noah by Justine Elvira
One Wrong Choice by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine
Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen
My Best Friendβs Ex by Meghan Quinn
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
Love In Lingerie by Alessandra Torre
As Long as You Love Me by Ann Aguirre
I just finished Co-Ed by Rachael Van Dyken and that was definitely a friends to lovers book. Also, Supernatural Prison series by Jaymin Eve. They start off as friends, and have been since they were babies.
Never Stop Falling! That was the first book that turned me into a bona fide stalker!
I second Kulti.
Sincerely Carter by Whitney G. Love this friends to lovers book!!!
I have some to add:
The Smallest Part by Amy Harmon
The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan
Lucas by Jay McLean
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner (my favorite!)
Now I need to add some of these to my GR shelf! Thanks for doing this, Maryse!
YAY!!!! I’ll be updating this page with all these new recs. VERY FUN!!! I love building lists. LOL! π
I like this trope. That awkward but so sweet moment when the friends realise it’s more than that. And what are they gonna do about it? That first kiss….. *sigh*
Ha ha. Autocorrect tried to change that first kiss to that first KID!!! Whoah! That would be quick work LOL.
I also second (third?) Kulti. Fantastic read.
Another one is Nia Forrester’s Afterwards. I love that book. Although they’re both attracted, Chris wants to keep things in the friend zone cos he’s worried about ‘afterwards’ when they inevitably will split up and they have lots of mutual friends. Messy and awkward. But after a while, they just can’t deny it, and friends become lovers. π
Love this new list! Hereβs a few of my favs
So Good by Nicola Rendell
Searching for Moore Series by Julie Richman
Thoughtless Series
Happy Hour – Racing on the Edge Series by Shey Stahl
Bad Things by RK Lilley
Hi – love your blog. Have you read the Jodi Taylor Time Travel series “The Chronicles of St. Mary’s “? It’s hysterical.
P.S. – Zadist is my favorite too.
I have not, Mary, but I will look it up right now!! π
*hug* to you and thank you for the recommendation and the sweet comment. I’m so glad you’ve joined us!!
Do you know any book where the guy best friend falls for another girl while the girl best friend realised how much she loved him but she can’t express it?
Read:
The moth and the Flame (AKA BEST BESTFRIENDS TO LOVERS BOOK EVER)
Punk 57
Addicted to you (including the Calloway sistersβ books)
Do you dare (from enemies to friends to lovers)
Beautiful Disaster
The deal