Romance Books Where They Hated Each Other for Years

They’ve hated each other forever—yet they always end up back in each other’s orbit.

You know the romance dynamic I’m talking about: it’s not “we met yesterday and argued once.” This is the long-term, history-heavy kind of enemies-to-lovers where the tension has been building for years—old grudges, sharp banter, messy emotional baggage, and that inconvenient truth that they can’t quite quit each other.

If enemies-to-lovers is your comfort trope, you can browse all my Enemies To Lovers romance picks .

If you gravitate toward tension that builds slowly over time, you might also enjoy my Slow Burn Romance recommendations .

Below are book picks that deliver that exact “we’ve been at this forever” energy—organized by emotional flavor so you can jump straight to your favorite kind of chaos (the romantic kind, obviously).

Reader Note: Long-term enemies romances can lean into sharp words, old wounds, and intense chemistry. If you prefer softer conflict, try the “banter-first” picks. If you’re sensitive to harsher dynamics, consider checking content notes or reviews before diving in.

The “Enemies With History” Trope Map

• Years of built-up tension (not a quick misunderstanding)
• Inside jokes + old scars that only make sense to them
• Pulling away… then coming back because the story isn’t finished
• Payoff that feels earned—because history always leaves a mark

Enemies Since Childhood: Rivalries That Turn Romantic

These are the couples who’ve been sparring since they were kids. Their arguments are basically muscle memory… and so is the chemistry.

Truce — R.L. Mathewson

Lifelong rivals who know exactly how to push each other’s buttons—and do it like it’s a sport. The best part is the “we’re absolutely not doing this” denial, even as the tension keeps escalating. If you want the purest version of this trope, start here.

Perfect for: prank energy, relentless banter, and “this has been building for YEARS.”

Checkmate — R.L. Mathewson

Another childhood rivalry grown into adult irritation—now with proximity and forced teamwork turning every interaction into a dare. It leans more comedic than cruel, with a constant “fine, I’ll admit you’re attractive for five seconds… but I’m not happy about it” vibe.

Perfect for: humor-forward enemies, workplace/forced proximity sparks.

Enemies with Benefits — Roxie Noir

Childhood rivals turned adults who can’t resist poking at each other… or circling back when the timing is inconvenient. Expect quick banter, sharp chemistry, and that familiar “we’ve always been like this” tension.

Perfect for: rivals-to-lovers, adult rekindling, banter that feels lived-in.

“You Ruined Everything”: Enemies With a Shared Disaster

This is the category for readers who want real emotional weight. The conflict isn’t just annoyance—it’s a story they’ve been carrying around for years.

When a Marquess Loves a Woman — Vivienne Lorret

Separation, blame, and a past event that changed everything. This one brings the “we can’t go back, but we can’t move on” energy that long-term enemies romances do so well—especially when pride and pain are both in the room.

Perfect for: second-chance feelings, high emotion, historical tension.

Dear Enemy — Kristen Callihan

The kind of enemies dynamic where the past isn’t a footnote—it’s the whole foundation. When they reconnect, the tension feels charged because there’s history behind every sentence. This is “we’re not done here” in book form.

Perfect for: emotional baggage, layered banter, slow-burn tension with payoff.

Hate as Heat: The Chemistry is Loud (and They Know It)

These picks lean spicy and intense. The antagonism doesn’t just fade—it transforms into “fine, we’ll stop fighting… for five minutes.”

Twisted Hate — Ana Huang

Years of mutual antagonism and a connection that refuses to stay buried. The tension here runs hot, and the relationship is fueled by that “I can’t stand you… except I can’t stop thinking about you” spiral.

Perfect for: high heat, intense push-pull, long-term friction that snaps into flame.

Banter-First Enemies: The Fire is Real, but the Vibes are Softer

If you love enemies-to-lovers but want it to feel a little gentler (still sharp, still delicious), start here.

Better Hate Than Never — Chloe Liese

A modern reimagining with a strong emotional arc—where the “hate” often masks hurt and pride. The tension has history, but there’s also heart, growth, and that satisfying shift from defensive to devoted.

Perfect for: banter + tenderness, emotional growth, a warmer payoff.

The Simple Wild — K.A. Tucker

Not the classic “we’ve hated each other since childhood” setup, but it absolutely nails the “we clash, we pull apart, we come back” rhythm. Their differences keep sparking conflict, and the connection keeps refusing to quit.

Perfect for: opposites energy, emotional back-and-forth, series momentum.

Historical Bonus: When the Grudges Wear Gloves and Titles

Never Met a Duke Like You — Amalie Howard

Childhood connection turned strained—and now the adult version of them is carrying years of unspoken tension. Historical romance does this trope beautifully because “polite society” can’t hide what’s happening underneath.

Perfect for: hidden attraction, old wounds, and deliciously restrained tension.

Cold-Hearted Rake — Lisa Kleypas

This one starts as instant conflict, but the emotional charge builds in that slow, inevitable way that makes the payoff feel earned. If you like your chemistry simmering under “we shouldn’t,” it hits the spot.

Perfect for: slow burn, tension under restraint, classic Kleypas atmosphere.

The Perfect Pairing: Slow-Cooked Flavor for Slow-Build Tension

Long-term enemies-to-lovers works for the same reason slow-cooked dishes do—time deepens everything. The longer it simmers, the richer it gets. Here are pairing ideas that match the vibe without making this post feel overly busy.

• Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth — Perfect for couples with deep history—comfort that builds richer the longer it simmers.
• Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs with Savory Mushroom Sauce — Hearty, layered, and deeply satisfying—like a promise that keeps getting stronger.
• Roasted Vegetable Soup and Mini Grilled Cheese — Cozy soup vibes for the tension that melts slowly into warmth.

Why “Enemies With History” Always Delivers

When the characters have a shared past, every glance and argument carries weight. The tension feels earned because it’s not manufactured—it’s built from years of patterns, assumptions, regret, pride, and that one lingering question: What if they’d been honest sooner?

And honestly? The best part is watching them stop rewriting the past and finally choose the future.

Join the Conversation!

Do you have a favorite romance where they’ve been enemies forever—but still keep coming back for more?

Tell me your best “long-term tension” pick in the comments. Bonus points if it made you mutter, “Just kiss already.”

Buy the Books

If you’re ready to dive into long-term enemies-to-lovers goodness, here are quick links:

• Truce — Amazon
• Checkmate — Amazon
• Enemies with Benefits — Amazon
• Dear Enemy — Amazon
• Twisted Hate — Amazon
• Better Hate Than Never — Amazon
• The Simple Wild — Amazon
• When a Marquess Loves a Woman — Amazon
• Never Met a Duke Like You — Amazon
• Cold-Hearted Rake — Amazon

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Want more romance favorites? Browse my posts by label: Romance , Second Chance Romance , and Seasonal Reads .