Reliving Kilig Moments With These Love Trope TBR
Often lauded as the crown jewel of all romance tropes, the Enemies to Lovers trope is a playful dynamic of stark contrast between two opposite people—from hating each other to the eventual, satisfying fall to each other.
Words by Marc Nathaniel Servo
Photo Courtesy of Fully Booked
February 26, 2026
Love does not begin and end with February. Love, more than a celebration, is a symbol of our humanity and our frailty that comes from sharing our wholeness to another—written to reality by beloved romantic novels that follow a timeless (and irresistible) framework of romance tropes.
So in this month of love, experience kilig through these books that will surely sweep you off your feet. From that bone-reaching slow burn love story to enemies-to-lovers tension, this guide showcases some of the most loved romance tropes and books guaranteed to make you feel in love all over again.
Love me, Hate me
Often lauded as the crown jewel of all romance tropes, the Enemies to Lovers trope is a playful dynamic of stark contrast between two opposite people—from hating each other to the eventual, satisfying fall to each other.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
After an embarrassing public altercation, Alex, America’s first son, and Henry, the Prince of Wales, are forced to go on a press tour and pretend to be friends. This tour paved the way for a rollicking, fun, romantic, thrilling, and sweet story that completely stole our hearts.
Released in 2019, the queer novel is a certified runaway hit, selling more than 100,000 copies within the first few months. It has since had a movie adaptation in 2023, and word has it that a sequel is in the works.
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This breezy and adorable young adult novel by Rachel Lynn Solomon will certainly give you butterflies, as two high school achievers, Rowan and Neil bitterly face off against each other—only to fall in love deeply.
On their last day as seniors, Rowan and Neil are forced to team up for a senior class game Howl, competing until they’re the last players left so they could freely destroy each other. However, as they spend more time with each other, Rowan realizes that her hate is blooming further into something she never thought possible—love.
Better at Weddings Than You by Mina Esguerra
Daphne, a successful wedding planner, is hired as an emergency replacement for her friend Greg’s upcoming wedding as the latter felt afraid that his fiancée is falling for Aaron, their current wedding planner.
Instead of being fired, Aaron is asked to work with Daphne, forcing the two strangers to work together only to find romance brewing in the process. Among Mina Esguerra’s spicier novels, Better at Weddings Than You is not an outright enemies-to-lovers trope, but the tension exists between two strangers pushed together in making a grand wedding.
The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Imagine two hostile co-stars of a Jane Austen adaptation despise each other so much that they get electrocuted on set and sent back in time to Jane Austen’s era. In this comedic romance novel by Madeline Bell, Tess and Hugh adlib their way through the Regency Period in witty and delightfully cheeky travel through time.
From Fake to Real
Watching characters pretend not to fall in love with each other is fun and is a definite page-turner. The tense denial and friction between characters is a beloved notion for readers which allowed the trope to last ages, even dating back to William Shakespeare.
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
A sweet and light-hearted novel of a hopeless romantic teen girl, Liz, schemes with her obnoxious neighbor, Wes, to catch Michael’s attention. As their plan unfolds, Liz finds herself slowly falling for Wes.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Just for the Summer is a cute tale between two MCs who agreed to date to cancel each other’s curses. Both Justin and Emma find that every person they date finds their soulmate right after their breakup. Fed up with the situation, they agree to date each other to cancel their curse, leading to an amusing chemistry between the two.
Meant to be in Manila by Mica De Leon
Lonely and heartbroken after being ghosted by their lovers, Sophia and Raphael meet by chance on a flight bound for Manila. Set in the backdrop of picturesque Manila, along with vivid descriptions of local culture and cuisine, the two made a deal to help each other find closure.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
This paranormal romance by Ali Hazelwood is marked by sharp humor and goth vibes, spicy enough to get the page turning in a love between a vampir and a werewolf.
Meet Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampire councilman, and often the bargaining chip to maintain peace between them and humans. After years of living among humans in anonymity, she’s forced back to the supernatural world to prevent the war between Vampires and Werewolves by marrying the most notorious wolf of them all: Lowe.
The Forbidden Apple
Shakespearean at best, the star-crossed lovers trope fight against all odds to keep their intense yearning for each other.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
As star players of their rival NHL teams, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are locked into a fierce, media-fueled rivalry both in competition and public. But behind closed doors, their relationship is as heated—one that began as a casual, secret affair that deepened over the years.
Now a popular television series, Heated Rivalry did break the ice with its success, elevating queer sports romance into the mainstream.
The Idea Of You by Robinne Lee
Heavy on the emotional aspect of its two leads, The Idea of You is a celebrity-age-gap romance between the 39-year-old art gallery owner Solene and 20-year-old Hayes, a member of a popular boy band. When the public gets wind of this hidden relationship, their lives are turned upside down, especially Solene, who is vilified for being older.
Twisted Games by Ana Huang
If you’re looking for spiciness, Twisted Games literally takes the heat up a notch in this clear-cut forbidden romance novel. A love story between a strong-willed princess and her broody bodyguard, this is the second book of Ana Huang’s Twisted series that will surely put you on the edge of your seat.
Forced Proximity
When the romance gods decide to bring two people together, sparks are sure to fly off, whether they like it or not.
First Time Caller by BK Borison
Aiden Valentine, a jaded radio host of a beloved romance radio show has fallen out of love with love—not until a call from a young girl seeking dating advice for her mother goes viral, catapulting both his show and single mom Lucie Stone into the spotlight.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Sharing a complicated past, bestselling author and TV show creator Helen, and screenwriter Grant are forced to work together—and maybe write a new ending for themselves. How to End a Love Story is Yulin Kuang’s electrifying debut, partly based on her background as a screenwriter and director. This novel is praised for its beautiful depiction of grief and glimpse behind the Hollywood glamour.
You, Out of Nowhere by Jay E. Tria
In You, Out of Nowhere, 31-year-old Kris gave up on dating after too many failed attempts, and not even a meet-cute with nerdy 24-year-old Ringo on a train could change that. But Ringo has other plans. After finding themselves on the same flight to Seoul, Ringo made the effort to convince the older woman for a new risk.
Sexy, raunchy, and full of playful tension, this age-difference trope delivers the thrill of exploring Seoul in all its beauty while also letting new love bloom.
Once more, with feelings
They say that love lost and found between old flames burns more intensely, and so our hearts yearn to know: can love find another shot in life?
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
In Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell, nostalgia and tangled emotions are suddenly brought into the fray as she tells the tale of two high school sweethearts that everyone thought would end up together, but don’t. Several years later, Shiloh and Cary find themselves situated at a friend’s wedding as old feelings resurface. If you can’t get enough of Rowell, stay tuned for her upcoming book, Cherry Baby, set to hit the shelves by April.
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, Gail Baines finds herself left out of her daughter’s bridal spa day. With the looming possibility of retiring and the arrival of her ex-husband—cat in tow—she found herself in a crossroads with more than she bargained for.
This is Anne Tyler at her best, transforming Baines’ seemingly ordinary story with exquisite and humorous writing that is sure to warm your hearts and teach us that life can be joyful, sad, and quietly magical.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
A swoony, smart second-chance romance for that one that got away, Elissa Sussman tells the story of a restless young journalist who got to interview her celebrity crush—Hollywood heartthrob Gabe Parke—which ends in a whirlwind that neither of them could ever forget, even if they want to. Ten years forward, the duo reunites for a second interview, forcing themselves to reckon what really happened—and what it holds for their future.
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