Maybe they’re camping out for the night, and one shares that they’re scared of the dark, so the other builds a bigger fire. Maybe one saves the other’s life, and the other repays the favor later on. It can also be more overt, but subtle can be fun.Īs the story continues and the characters are wary of each other, start putting them in situations where they can build trust. Maybe one notices the other has very shiny hair. Maybe one character has dimples, and the other notices. You also want to highlight any physical attraction early. In science-fiction and fantasy, which is most of what I edit, the characters have to go on some quest together. Often, these ‘enemies’ realize they need to work together toward something.

Then, highlight the reason they come together. If it’s a mercenary hired to find a fugitive, let’s see that in action.

Define what makes them butt heads, and you can even show readers on the page. Start with why the characters are enemies. Regardless, when you’re writing an enemies to lovers arc, there will be certain points in the narrative that build this relationship up. I’ve seen this play out over one book or four. How long your trope gets drawn out depends on your goals, your plot, and how you structure the relationship. This collaboration serves as a catalyst for their relationship to move out of the ‘enemies’ stage and onto something more. However they butt heads at the beginning of the story, they eventually need to work together toward some common goal. Maybe they’re rivals in a competition and both want the grand prize. Perhaps they’re soldiers from warring countries. The type of ‘enemies’ they are can vary from actual enemies to simple competitors. These ‘enemies’ have to overcome their differences or misconceptions about each other, and in the process, they fall in love. The enemies to lovers trope is when two characters start off as enemies and, over the course of a book or series, end up in a romantic relationship. How can you bring your pair together and make readers ship them? What is Enemies to Lovers? Storycrafting Writing the Enemies to Lovers TropeĮnemies to lovers is a popular trope, especially in sci-fi and fantasy novels.

Best enemies to lovers books