The 17 Best wlw Enemies to Lovers Books You Need to Read

Recently updated on July 15th, 2024 at 08:57 am

Looking for wlw enemies to lovers books? Here are 17 must-read wlw enemies to lovers books

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I am obsessed with the enemies to lovers trope. Two people going from hating to loving each other makes a gripping story.  But what if you’re searching for a sapphic version?

You’re in luck. There are tons of incredible wlw enemies to lovers books.

But which ones are actually worth reading? These are the best wlw enemies to lovers books. From slow burn romance to fake dating.

What are the best wlw enemies to lovers books?

These are the best wlw enemies to lovers books that I really recommend.

The following list includes books that you NEED to read 🙂

1. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

A Dark and Hollow Star is a compelling urban fantasy, with fae, queer main characters and a wlw romance.

A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans.  Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.

Arlo and Nausicaä have a perfect grumpy/sunshine romance. Nausicaä is a grumpy and sarcastic lesbian. And the chemistry is excellent

I recommend the audiobook. The full cast of narrators are engrossing. And the voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are spot on! Highly recommend checking it out.

Representation: mlm romance, wlw romance, non-binary, gender fluid characters

2. Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

This is an adorable romance and ideal for fans of the fake dating trope.

Hani is bisexual but is having trouble getting her friends to believe her. Ishu wants to be Head Girl.  They decide to fake date so that Hani’s friends believe she is bisexual. And to help Ishu in her Head girl campaign.

The grumpy and sunshine romance is well executed and had me laughing out loud. It led to many funny moments and both characters learn from each other

The discussions on bisexuality in this books are excellent. We need need more bisexual representation in books. While reading about biphobia is challenging, this was offset with cute romance.

Representation: lesbian, bisexual, Bengali, Muslim

 3. The Henna Wars by  Adiba Jaigirdar

The Henna Wars is an incredible YA Contemporary with a Muslim, lesbian main character

We follow Nishat as she comes out to her parents as a lesbian. They’re happy for her to be whoever she wants to be. As long as she isn’t herself – because Muslim girls aren’t lesbians.

Her life becomes harder when she is reacquainted with a childhood friend – Flavia. Especially when in a school competition they both decide to start their own henna business.

Fan of the academic rivals trope? You’ll love this romance. It features an adorable sapphic romance. But this book is more than just a romance.

It navigates homophobia, bullying, racism and cultural appropriation. But it still manages to remain a cute, funny and romantic debut novel.

Representation: lesbian, bisexual, Bengali, Muslim

4. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

Her Royal highness features an incredible enemies-to-lovers romance. Perfect for Red, White and Royal Blue fans.

We follow a heartbroken Millie as she discovers her kinda girlfriend kissing someone else. After getting into a super elusive boarding school, she moves to Scotland. And this is where she meets Princess Flora.

Room-mates, royalty and enemies to lovers. This book has many elements I absolutely love. And the two main characters sell this book.

This is a sweet, lighthearted and irresistibly charming romance.  You can easily binge-read it in one sitting.

Representation: lesbian, bisexual, wlw romance

5. We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

One of the best wlw enemies to lovers romances I’ve read!

We follow Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. A Primera and a Segunda. The Primera is intelligent, calm and analytical. The Segunda is the mother figure.

Dani started life outside of the wall. And she must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital.

The premise of this book is intriguing. But the romance is what makes book. Two badass women who are married to a Straight man but fall in love with each other.

Representation: Latine, Queer characters, wlw romance

6. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

Crier’s War is an epic urban fantasy novel with an incredible slow burn enemies to lovers romance. The two main characters are true enemies on opposing sides.

A War has ravaged the kingdom of Rabu. The Automae took over their owner’s estates and bent the human race to their will.

This is one of the absolute best wlw ya fantasy books. YA Fantasy is one of my favourite book genres. And there are some incredible ya fantasy books with wlw characters. You can find out my top ya wlw fantasy books here. Or if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books then you can read my article on LGBTQ YA Fantasy books

Representation: Lesbian protagonist, bisexual protagonist, wlw romance

7. The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska

Romance, witches and a curse. The Dark Tide is an underrated fantasy romance with beautiful worldbuilding.

We follow Lina, she lives on a small island where the dark tide could cause it to sink. Every year the Witch Queen sacrifices a boy on the full moon. And so keeps the island city from sinking.

Lina is convinced her brother is going to be taken. She asks Thomas Lin to help. But instead, Thomas is taken.

Lina offers herself instead of Thomas. But the queen is nothing like Eva expected.

This is such an angsty slow burn romance with dynamic chemistry. The setup makes it tragically romantic.

Representation: wlw romance

8. These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

This is a looser interpretation of enemies to lovers. This ya fantasy is about witches in modern-day Salem.

We follow Hannah, a witch living in Salem. A dark blood ritual interrupts her end of school bonfire. And she investigates with her ex-girlfriend Veronica.

She also meets Morgan. But trying to date in the middle of a supernatural crisis is not easy and will test Hannah’s limits.

This is a magical duology and the urban Salem setting gives it Autumnal, cozy vibes. The mystery is intriguing and the pace kept me hooked.

If you’re after Sapphic enemies to lovers books, you’ll love this fantasy romance.

Representation: bisexual characters, wlw romance

9. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Girls of Paper and Fire is a stunning dark fantasy with beautiful Malaysian-inspired worldbuilding.

We follow Lei.  She sees the royal guards take her mother. Afterwards, Lei suffers with trauma. But then they return to take Lei.

She has to learn skills fitting of a King’s Consort.

This features dark themes, but they are handled sensitively and offset with adorable romance. I would recommend checking out the content warnings before you read this.

My only complaint is that I wish the romance had a bit more development.

Representation: wlw romance, Asian main and side characters

10. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

A fun superhero-themed novel featuring a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese protagonist, a trans character and an enemies to lovers romance.

We follow Jessica Tran, a bisexual high school student resigned to a life without superpowers. She decides to start an internship to improve her college applications. But she quickly discovers it’s for a supervillain with her crush Abby.

This is a lighthearted and fun read that gives arefreshing take on a superhero story. I love how the superheroes and supervillians storyline is woven into modern, everyday life.

It also manages to tackle a lot of issues while still staying fun. If you’re after books with transgender characters, the next book in the series follows Bells.

Representation: transgender character, bisexual main character, wlw romance

11. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This Is How You Lose the Time War is a popular fantasy novella. But, it won’t be for everyone.

I wasn’t a fan.

Problem is, not much happens in the first 30 pages. Consequently, it’s difficult to get into.

Likewise, the writers delight in confusing the reader.  

But this novella has enchanted thousands of readers. Cleverly written and full of beautiful prose. But you need to pay attention when you read this.

This is How You Lose the Time War is set in the midst of a war. An agent of the Commandant finds a letter that reads burn before reading.  

This letter sparks an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents.   But what first begins as a taunt, grows into something more. Something romantic.

Representation: wlw relationship

12. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The Mercies is set in a small Norwegian Coastal village in the 1600s. A storm kills off all the islands men.

Two women struggle to survive against both the natural forces. And the men who have been sent to rid the community of alleged witchcraft.

The detailed world-building in this book is incredible. And it makes it such a treat to read. You can see all the research that has gone into this book.

This is quite a dark and aemotional read.

If you’re looking for a more historically accurate take on witches then this is the book for you.

Representation: wlw romance

13. Written in the Stars by Alexandra Bellefleur

Searching for a spicy rom com? You’ll love Written in the Stars.

We follow Elle and Darcy. Elle is  a free-spirited social media astrologer. She agrees to a disastrous first date with uptight actuary Darcy.

 After the terrible blind date, Darcy is determined to stop her brother from setting her up again. So she lies and starts a fake relationship with Elle.

Written  in the Stars is a queer of Pride and Prejudice set in urban Seattle. A compelling and heartwarming read.

   You feel the chemistry though the pages. 

Representation: wlw romance

14. Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

An old castle, an eerie mystery and a witch. Bitterthorn is a fast-paced fantasy with an intriguing mystery.

Bitterthorn is set in Blumwald, a town overshadowed by an ancient curse. In a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a witch. Once a generation, she claims a companion. Never to be seen again.

We follow Mina, daughter of the Duke. Grieving and lonely, she has lost all hope for any future. When the Witch demands her next companion, Mina volunteers.

This compelling fantasy book has the most stunning, gothic worldbuilding. An old, crumbling castle, wild woods and a small town. The result is a haunting tale of two lost souls finding each other.

Representation: wlw romance

15. Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

Ciara Smyth writes hilarious romance books. This coming of age novel is full of heart and emotion. And I knew I’d love it from the first page.

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t fix…

 Her best (and only) friend is pulling away.

Her mother’s drinking problem is a constant concern.

But then Aideen stumbles on her nemesis, overachiever Meabh Kowalski, in a full-blown meltdown. Aideen volunteers to help. By pushing Meabh down the stairs.Problem? Solved.

But then another student learns about their little scheme. And they bring Aideen another “client” in need of her “help”.

Representation: Bisexual, Bangladeshi Bengali, Muslim, Irish main character, Queer, Indian Bengali, Irish main character, Indian side characters, Bangladeshi Bengali side character

16. She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlan

She drives me crazy is a queer enemies to lovers sports romance. Set in a high school, it also features the fake dating trope.

We follow Scottie Zajac. She loses spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up. And then she finds herself in a minor car collision with the worst possible person. 

Her nemesis Irene Abraham.

Irene Abraham is beautiful but mean. And then their nosey, do-gooder moms get involved. And the girls are forced to carpool together.

This book is a light-hearted read perfect for escapism.  If you’re looking for a feel-good ya romance, without heavy issues, then this is the book for you.

Representation: Lesbian main characters, Sapphic main romance, Indian-American love interest

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Never Ever Getting Back Together is a fun romance set on a reality TV show.

We follow Maya and Skye. Their now-famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show. One is bent on revenge and the other is open to rekindling romance. But they get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead.

I first picked this up because the title reminded me of Taylor Swift (hands up if you have the song stuck in your head now!) But once you start reading, this addictive romance is hard to put down.

The reality tv show is essentially The Bachelor. The idea of contestants ditching their slimy exes and falling in love with each other is captivating.

Representation: Sapphic romance, bisexual main characters

Those were my picks for wlw enemies to lovers books

There are so many incredible wlw enemies to lovers books to read. And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

What are your favourite Sapphic enemies to lovers books?

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