The Rec League: Rivals to Lovers

This Rec League is from Christy!

I’ve been in a reading slump of several “enemies to lovers” and I have DNF’ed the past 4 books in a row.

I have found this trope can be weighed down by too much bickering, immaturity (especially in a professional context!), conflict that could be resolved with a conversation, or a main character lying or omitting the truth. I find all of these to be tedious, and I jump ship.

I think about books that I have loved in this category such as Heated Rivalry, or The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. The conflict between the characters is more nuanced, and they have to navigate the complex context of their situation to come together and address the conditions that have pitted them against each other.

I’m wondering if people have recommendations for this trope that they would recommend? I’m looking for zero bickering!

Sarah: Rivals to lovers without petty bickering. This is kind of a tall order because a lot of attempts at this trope rely on bickering, which can get tiresome.

I keep coming up with examples and then think, No, no, they were really unprofessional at work. Rachel Lynn Solomon writes this trope well. Today Tonight Tomorrow has two high school rivals teaming up for a senior night scavenger hunt of sorts

The Ex Talk as well.

Amanda, there’s a Christina Lauren that is tickling my brain but I can’t remember which. Maybe Unhoneymooners?

Amanda: I wouldn’t say they are rivals in that one.

Dating You Hating You has a workplace rivalry though! Two Hollywood talent agencies merge and the hero and heroine are rival agents.

Sarah: That’s the one I was thinking about.

What books would you recommend? Drop them in the comments!