Just Friends? Read these Friends-to-Lovers Romance Novels

“And you say he’s just a friend? And you say he’s just a friend?

Oh baby youuuuuuuuu.”

-scratches record-

Judging by the title and the opening lyrics, you know that this post will be about one of my favorite tropes in romance: friends-to-lovers. It’s a storyline that has been done many times over and because it is quite successful, we’ll continue to see our fair share of these.

Now while it has been done many times, it is not always done well. The ones I have listed below, however, have nailed this trope.

Here are my favorite friends-to-lovers romance novels, along with the publisher’s’ description.

Tempt Me At Midnight by Maureen Smith

Lexi Austin is living a fantasy. At the stroke of midnight, in the most romantic country in the world, a masked stranger sweeps her into his arms. But when the man turns out to be Quentin Reddick, Lexi’s best friend since college, the celebrity chef knows she’s in trouble. He may be the most irresistible man on the planet, but the powerhouse attorney is also the world’s hardest partying bachelor.

The sensual woman he kissed on New Year’s Eve is a world away from the fast-talking tomboy Quentin always thought of as a kid sister. Back home in Atlanta, he plans to show Lexi that he’s a one-woman man. As desire reignites—even hotter than before—he’ll tempt her with his passion. Seduce her with his love. And together, they’ll ring in the new year—and every year—in each other’s arms….

Inevitable Conclusions by Christina C. Jones

Friends?
Lovers?
Both?
For Kora and Tariq, those lines have been blurred for a long time. Every time clarity seems to be within reach, something shifts, and in a single moment, focus is lost. Once again, they’re in limbo.
Between them, there is only one secret, with the power to permanently alter their relationship. For good or bad, neither of them knows – nor are they willing to take that risk.
Through the pain of past tragedies and the pressure of current dramas, they always find solace in each other’s arms. Inescapably connected by the interminable bond of friendship, Tariq and Kora navigate family, life, and love, searching for separate answers to a problem that has only has one, unavoidable solution.

Brave Hearts (Holliday Sisters Book 2) by Nicole Falls

Faced with the possibility of losing one of her closest friends, Valora Holliday finds herself
In the very unique position of offering a solution to his problem and a way for her friend to remain in her life.

Francisco Mora is blindsided with a clerical error that places life as he knows it in the balance. When Valora offers the perfect solution to get him out of this jam, he’s hesitant, thinking it’ll ruin their bond.

But, what’s a little marriage between friends, right?

In Due Time by B. Love

“You and these lies. I’ve never known you to be a liar until you started fighting your feelings for me. You’ll be mine in due time, Mackenzie. In due time.” – Rahim Frank

They met ten years earlier, and she was approached by someone else. Out of a need to keep her close, Rahim settled for friendship with Mackenzie even though he’s always wanted more. After a New Year’s Eve kiss takes things to a deeper level, Rahim is determined to claim Mackenzie… even if she’s his biggest obstacle to overcome.

Dreaming of You: A Grayson Novel (Grayson Novels Book 3) by Francis Ray

LURING A MAN INTO LOVE Successful Santa Fe hotelier, Faith McBride has loved Brandon Grayson since she was a wallflower in high school and he was her big brother’s best friend. Now hard-bodied Brandon is running a trendy restaurant a stone’s throw from Casa de Serenidad, her posh five-star hotel. When Faith looks at Brandon, she dreams of being his wife. So although it’s risky and risqué, she’s plotting a secret campaign to win his body, mind, and heart.

MAY LEAD TO PASSION…OR HEARTBREAK
With his mother determined to marry him off, Brandon Grayson is on the alert for single females being thrown his way. He’s even stopped dating, afraid of being trapped into a relationship. Surely nobody’s safer to be around than sweet, familiar Faith. But celibacy is driving him crazy. For the first time, he’s noticing Faith’s enticing lips and incredible curves. Suddenly it occurs to Brandon that an affair with the one woman he can trust would certainly be a no-strings-attached affair…

What are your favorite books with this favorite trope? Let me know in the comments below!

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Natalya

Natalya is an Account Manager by day and an editor and author's assistant to passionate creatives by night. When she is not adding to her enormous book collection or stationery supply, she is catching up on her favorite television shows.

Natalya is the author of All The Things I Never Said, a soul-stirring collection of short stories, prose and love letters for the soulful wanderers, the brokenhearted and the hopeless romantics.

You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.