Friends to lovers trope books feature main characters that are close friends, and throughout the story begin to uncover romantic feelings for each other.
Interested in learning more? Read on to hear more about the friends to lovers trope from Cassie Miles, author of K-9 MISSING PERSON. This suspenseful read features two friends getting closer than ever before while uncovering a mystery.
Why we love friends to lovers romance books
Why is friends to lovers a fun trope?
CM: Beingfriends is a solid middle ground for a relationship, avoiding the inherent nastiness of enemies to lovers and hopping past the getting-to-know you phase.
In K-9 MISSING PERSON, can you name the moment when Mallory and Shane make the jump from friends to lovers?
They’re both thinking about it from first sight, but the shift comes when she’s in danger and he needs to protect her by being her 24/7 bodyguard. Whichmeansspendingthe night together. And nature takes its course.
When we asked Harlequin Ever After readers to share their favorite tropes, friends to lovers ultimately came out on top. Why do readers resonate with the friends to loverstrope?
Practically everyone has a memory of a special friend. If things had been different, would they have been together with that person? Think of the many stories about couples getting together at their twenty-year reunion and consummating the relationship that might have been.
Enjoy a new suspenseful friends to lovers book!
Read on for Cassie’s breakdown of Mallory and Shane’s backstory and their friends to lovers setup in K-9 MISSING PERSON!
Growing up, Mallory Greenfield never actually dated Shane Reilly, but she was aware of the famous competitive skier. He was a local hero until he suffered a devastating accident while extreme skiing off-piste.During his months of rehab, he connected with his therapy dog, named Elvis because of his shaking hips and sneering upper lip.
Together, he and Elvis trained. The dog qualified for Search and Rescue, using his incredible nose to search the mountains for missing persons. Shane became a private investigator.
When Mallory hires him to find her mother who has gone missing, they are little more than acquaintances. Their shared Aspen background gives them a bedrock foundation for friendship.
They have so much in common, from shopping at the same grocery to skiing the same trails. As friends, they are a perfect match. They mesh.
The former ski celebrity and the healthy Colorado blonde who runs an art gallery work together to deal with a blizzard and fight off an assault from a mysterious jewel thief who knew her mother long ago and thought Mom had absconded with a diamond worth several million dollars. Neither Mallory nor Shane wants to think of her mother as a thief, but facts are facts.
When it comes to Shane, Mallory needs to take things slowly. She’s been hurt in love before. Since she’d already over-emotional about her missing mom, she fears launching into a relationship with Shane. She wonders if it’s possible for friends to become lovers.
Shane is far less analytical. He figures that if Elvis likes her, Mallory must be okay. After all, as friends, they’re a good match. As lovers, they are perfect.
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More friends to lovers trope books
THE RANCHER’S REUNION by Lisa Childs
Veterinarian Cash Cassidy and single mom Becca Calder have been each other’s best friend through everything, including raising her young daughter, Hope. But Becca has been keeping a secret from Cash. Now he’s insisting on truth from everyone in his life, and Becca knows she’ll have to confess. Can Cash move past his old wounds and see that the loving family he desires has been there all along?
BREAKING THE BEST FRIEND RULE by Justine Lewis
BEST FRIENDS ARE OFF-LIMITS…RIGHT?
Charlotte’s best friend, Ben, has always been her rock. So when Ben needs Charlotte to attend his mother’s surprise Bali wedding, of course she accepts. Only, while in paradise, Charlotte starts to see Ben differently… Blame it on the jet lag or the sultry heat, they just can’t resist stolen sunset kisses! But with their friendship at stake, dare they break the rules and take things to the next level…?
SHADOW SURVIVORS by Julie Miller
Jessie Bennington’s past motivated her canine-focused business, where she heals those who are emotionally traumatized. When two young children show up at her ranch, predators on their trail, Jessie can only trust her longtime friend Garrett Caldwell.
The deputy goes into protector mode without a single hesitation. Garrett has buried his feelings for Jessie long enough. He isn’t about to let any danger come between them—or the innocent children—now.
SINGLE MOM’S ALASKAN ADVENTURE by Louisa Heaton
Determined to outrun a humiliating ordeal, single mom Dr. Charlie arrives in Alaska and is stunned to meet her boss—a blast from the past—delectable local doc, Eli. They clash at first, but Eli’s infectious enthusiasm soon brings Charlie out of her shell…and, even though he’s holding something back, their chemistry skyrockets! Charlie knows she has to stop running eventually, and a fresh start with Eli would certainly be a life-changing adventure…
HILL COUNTRY HERO by Kit Hawthorne
Paralegal and historical author Annalisa Cavazos is finally cutting ties with her lifelong crush, Javi Mendoza—being friends is just too painful. But when Javi finds an artifact at his classic car shop that leads to a discovery for Annalisa’s book, they’re thrown together on a search that just might rewrite Limestone Springs, Texas, history—and their feelings for each other.
PLAYING WITH DANGER by Deborah Fletcher Mello
When a young woman is found in a Louisiana swamp, police detective King Randolphfinds his investigation hindered by private investigator Lenore Martin. He’s loath to share this murder investigation with such a problematic person.
But despite mutual distrust, they forge a combative alliance. Soon, as more bodies drop, heat rises between the partners. And grave danger threatens from every corner of New Orleans.
Looking for more friends to lovers romance books?
Take a trip back in time to explore previous friends to lovers romances from some of your favorite Harlequin authors! Click here for romance reads from Yahrah St. John, Naima Simone and more!
