I LOVE hate-to-love, enemies-to-lovers, whatever you prefer to call the trope. For me, it comes second only to friends-to-more as my favorite! There’s something about the fury, the chemistry, the potential for so much emotional entanglement.
It’s funny, since I’m not a huge fan of drama. Those books where a misconception and/or refusal to talk makes you want to throttle them both… yeah, not my favorite. Maybe it’s because I don’t mind a little confrontation. I’m a firm believer in airing your grievances (with love and grace and tempering that tongue) and not leaving things unsaid for too long because then they fester. But I LOVE me some infuriated characters who get annoyed easily or drive each other nuts—especially if one of the characters gets a kick out of poking the bear. Maybe I’m a little twisted… LOL!
It can be a tough trope, though. In fact, we talked about it in detail on an episode of the StoryChats @InspyRomance Podcast a while back. It’s worth a listen if you love or hate this trope!
After writing two more emotionally intense stories in my Sinclair Sisters trilogy, I knew Cindy’s story was going to be a lot more fun and less dramatic for my newest book, Not Another Christmas. Which is HILARIOUSLY ironic, considering she is by far the most dramatic of the three sisters. I knew right away that she lived apart from her Christmas-obsessed family, and that in her past she was enemies with her love interest. That was about it for the longest time.
Cindy Lou Sinclair, so named by her fanatical parents for that adorable little Who, has grown into a highly organized, independent young woman who’s worked her way up to hotel concierge and has her sights set on being top dog at the Coconut Springs Hotel in sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her plans are thwarted by the arrival of the hotel owner’s nephew, who just happens to be an all too familiar (and dang it, handsome) face. The boy-next-door; her teenage nemesis, constant competitor, and irritating prankster.
Now that Nick Hoover has gained some experience to go with his degree, he’s ready to return to the place he grew up and reconnect with his Florida family after his workaholic father moved him across the country from them fifteen years ago. The last person he expects to see in Florida is the New Mexico girl he loved to infuriate most, but he’s not complaining.
Tension, irritation, and attraction unfold, and soon they fall into familiar old patterns (read: PRANK WARS) until her fury evolves into friendship, which gives way to feelings. It was such a BLAST writing their pranks, both in their history and in the present. I did a TON of research and had so many laughs reading blogs, anecdotes, and my own family’s devious ideas. Pranks have never come naturally to me, so being able step into Nick and Cindy’s shoes for a bit was a hoot.
What do you think about books with the enemies-to-more or hate-to-love trope? How about pranks? Tell me WHY or WHY NOT below in the comments!
I’ve collected quite a list of reader-recommended titles featuring pranks, so if, like me, you find these books to be a perfect escape for an afternoon of laughs, here you are:
(Disclaimer: I have not read all of the titles in this list, but the authors are known for writing clean books.)
- The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson (CCR)
- Pranktically in Love on Nantucket by Taryn Daniels (sweet and clean)
- That Fine Line by Cindy Steel (clean rom-com and ADORABLE)
- The Valentine Proposal by Beth Pugh (inspirational)
- Love in Bloom by Jenny Proctor (clean rom-com)
- Kiss and Tell by Melanie Jacobson (clean rom-com)
- A Side of Love by Krista Phillips (love this CCR series too!)
- The Random Acts of Cupid by Amanda Tru (CCR)
I would LOVE more recommendations on CONTEMPORARY titles with pranksters and jokesters, especially if you can find Christian and/or inspirational titles! I’ll even go for enemies-to-more or hate-to-love. Anyone who comments with their remarks on the tropes, what you think about Cindy and Nick’s book, and/or title recommendations will be entered into a giveaway for a FREE EBOOK of Destination Christmas, out now on Amazon (which you could buy instead for 99¢ or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited)! Void where prohibited.
*I may receive a tiny commission from purchases made via provided links.
Until next month, my friends!
Marti says
I usually really like books that feature an enemies to lovers story line, not always, but usually. I’m a little on the fence about pranks… If its just meant to be fun, I’m totally fine with that. But it really bothers me when characters (or people irl) bully others, and then say “just kidding!” Your book sounds really great! (I’m also from New Mexico! Lol)
kim hansen says
I enjoy when a character does a prank. Don’t have a favorite troupe as I enjoy them all.
Ausjenny says
Don’t enter me I just bought the book. On Pranks I mentioned on FB my thoughts. On enemy to more it can depend. Why are they enemies. Is it just cos they are competing for the same job ect. Or was it something more. For me a misunderstanding or competing is find (Penny Zeller had a great historical on the trope from miscommunication).
If the enemy is from something more like the hero was the school bully and the heroine was his victim even years later it will take a lot for me to buy the story. There will need to be a lot of soul searching and the hero asking for forgiveness and showing he has changed and I would still have stuggles. I say this as I was a victim of bullying and it took about 36 years to say to him I forgive you of course he had no idea but I told him it probably meant nothing to him but it does for me and I am doing this for me. (He had no idea). But even today although forgiving him took away his power over me I still feel uneasy when I see him. In saying this I would struggle with a book where a bully who caused emotional pain on the heroine (or visa versa) was able to say sorry and they become more. (if he was just in the group that was involved that I could believe as I have no issue with the others as I know they were being bullied too).
RuthieH says
This sounds a really fun read!
I’m a bit on-the-fence about enemies to lovers – when it’s done well, it’s great, but I have read this trope where either there’s a really serious reason for the couple to be enemies (and then it’s hard to buy that they would forget it and fall in love) or there isn’t a good enough reason for the dislike in the first place so the characters can seem a bit petty and unkind keeping it going.
The pranks sound really fun (as long as, like someone has already said, they’re not dangerous or unkind) – I don’t think I’ve read any books with that sort of thing, I will have to check out some of your list, thank you!
Jaycee Weaver says
Oh, absolutely!! Pranks MUST be done without damage to person or property without humiliation (a dash of embarrassment is one thing, humiliation is not okay). Where in NM?!
Jaycee Weaver says
That makes sense! It’s hard to pick a trope when you love to read.
Jaycee Weaver says
I completely agree. Innocent pranks for attention or playful teasing are one thing, bullying is another. Intentional harm is never okay.
Jaycee Weaver says
Excellent points here! I completely agree.
Yvonne Cruz says
The premise of enemies to more is always entertaining.
Jaycee Weaver says
Right?! I love it when it’s done well (with chemistry and sparks and FUN)!
Sarah says
I love enemies to lovers. It’s definitely the supercharged emotions and then there’s a wide range of reasons why the can’t be together (unlike friends to more which tends to be “I can’t tell her I love her because I don’t want to ruin the friendship)
Trudy says
I do like this trope, and I must say, Jo Grafford has some great books in this trope! Mandi Blake’s newest book in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge has this trope, too!! So much fun to read these!
Lori Smanski says
welcome today. Yah I am not one for loud angry confrontations. I will talk and help find a solution, this I am good with. My husband is the same way. We taught this approach to our two children. And they are better at it than we are. LOL I am not a fan of pranks, so dont tend to read those books. I do enjoy books that are strangers to other and friends to more. I have only started to read contemporary (rom com) for the last two years now. So I have so much more to delve into here
Jaycee Weaver says
100% yes!!
Jaycee Weaver says
Ooh, yay! I’ll have to add Mandi’s book to my kindle. I love the Heroes of Freedom Ridge books. 😊
Jaycee Weaver says
Welcome to the wide world of contemporary! Lol! We love it around here, clearly. 😉
Jan Olmstead says
I always enjoy the Hate to Love trope. I haven’t thought much about pranks in books, but I’m sure I’ve read them. I’ll be looking out for them now. Sounds fun.
Lincoln says
Hi, Jaycee! I tend to find the Enemies-to-Lovers trope a little dicey. If the original relationship was one of hatred, the change is a hard sell and needs to be carefully handled. I often find myself, when the shift to “more” happens, saying “Where did that come from?” If the author can find the pivot point, the common ground, and then give the transition its due, then I really enjoy it.
IRL, I don’t like pranks. I usually see them as a violation of trust. “I let you close to me and this is what you do with it?” It’s probably indicative of me having a pretty thin skin.
In stories, though, I’m fine with it, given the limits that have already been shared above. I just finished Ellie Hall’s “To Love or Not To Love the Billionaire” which had a number of pranks between the two MCs. It was fun and in some cases funny. Some of them went a little too far, I thought. I guess that is what makes the difference. If both players understand and agree to the game they are playing (including the idea of escalation and each trying to “win”), then fine. I just wouldn’t be one of them, myself.
I have the first two as stand-alones and Destination Christmas just came in so I’m looking forward to bringing my Sinclair Sisters reading up-to-date.
Thanks for a fun post, Jaycee!
Marti says
Exactly! NM so hard to find! Lol
Jaycee Weaver says
Lol! Yay! 😆
Jaycee Weaver says
I totally get what you are saying, Lincoln! There are many scenes I enjoy reading as a viewer, but I wouldn’t want to deal with firsthand.
And part of the chemistry I think HAS to be mutual agreement/understanding between the parties, otherwise it just comes off as bullying. You’re so right.
Jaycee Weaver says
Also, how’s that “giraffe” you were walking last year?
Lincoln says
It’s matured to a fine young adult, thanks :). If you want to take it for a walk, just let me know. I’m on your newsletter email list.
bn100 says
fun tropes; haven’t read these
Debra Pruss says
Hi Jaycee. Your book sounds fabulous. I enjoy friends to more, but I can enjoy the enemies to more too. I love to read the pranks as long as there is no one hurt. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Lilly says
I might like the trope of enemies a lot more if it’s done well but it doesn’t help that as a teenager I read secular books with him “uff I hate you and I want to hurt you but at the same time I feel so much lust for your body” it didn’t convince me, I need to get more into the world of contemporary Christian romance to find good examples!
Jaycee Weaver says
Great! Thanks for stopping by!
Jaycee Weaver says
I agree on the harmless pranks only! Thanks for reading!
Jaycee Weaver says
You definitely do! Lol! 😜
Natalya Lakhno says
I enjoy books with the enemies-to-more or hate-to-love trope. Especially the banter between the characters – it’s so much fun…usually :)
Just finished reading A Honey of Christmas by Jessica R Patch – such a wonderful story that makes me laugh out loud.