There’s something deliciously satisfying about watching two strong-willed characters go from sparring across the ballroom floor to stealing kisses behind the hedgerows. But not all enemies-to-lovers arcs are created equal. In some stories, the so-called enemies are just mildly annoyed. We’re here for the real thing—when insults fly before the sparks do, and characters must confront their pride, prejudice, or prejudice-in-a-cravat before love can bloom.
If you’re craving historical romances where the protagonists genuinely clash before falling hard for each other, this list is for you. Below are seven standout reads (including one of my own!) where love doesn’t come easy… and is all the more rewarding because of it.
7 Historical Romances with a Real Enemies-to-Lovers Arc That We Love
1. Brilliance and Betrayal by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe
📍Regency England | Espionage, intrigue, slow-burn passion
She’s a duchess with secrets. He’s an earl with a sharp tongue and a colder heart. When forced to work together to expose a traitor at the heart of the royal court, Duchess Charity Atholl and Lord Peregrine Fitzroy begin as bitter opponents. But every cutting remark hides a deeper wound—and the closer they get to the truth, the harder it is to deny their growing feelings.
Perfect for readers who love: slow-burn tension, cutting wit, high society scandal, and a heroine who gives as good as she gets.
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2. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
📍Post-Regency Paris & England | The blueprint for enemies-to-lovers
When clever, composed Jessica Trent sets her sights on rescuing her foolish brother from the notorious Marquess of Dain, she doesn’t expect to wind up dueling with the devil himself. Dain, jaded and brutish, is used to getting his way—until Jessica knocks him flat. Their love story is fire and steel, peppered with insults, longing, and some of the best banter in the genre.
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3. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
📍Regency London | The Bridgerton everyone’s actually obsessed with
Anthony Bridgerton intends to marry for duty, not love—and certainly not someone as vexing as Kate Sheffield. Kate is determined to protect her sister from this notorious rake, and their verbal fencing matches are legendary. With a classic enemies-to-lovers build-up, this book remains a fan-favorite for good reason.
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4. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
📍Spindle Cove | Witty and warm with big “grump meets sunshine” energy
Susanna runs a peaceful seaside haven for “unmarriageable” women. When battle-hardened Lieutenant Colonel Bramwell crashes into her sanctuary with plans to turn it into a military training ground, their ideologies—and tempers—clash spectacularly. A delightful mix of snark, steam, and swoon.
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5. An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
📍American Civil War | Rivals, spies, and impossible stakes
Ellen Burns is a former slave working undercover for the Union. Malcolm McCall is a Pinkerton agent posing as a Confederate officer. When their missions collide, their distrust is mutual—but their chemistry is undeniable. A bold, brilliant romance that proves love can cross even the deepest divides.
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6. To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
📍Regency romp | A wager, a rake, and one very determined widow
Lady Diana Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, can’t stop needling each other. So when he proposes a wager—and a bit of pleasure to settle the score—their bickering takes a turn for the delightfully dangerous. Lighthearted and charming, this is enemies-to-lovers with champagne fizz.
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7. To Defy a Highland Duke by Collette Cameron
📍Scottish Highlands | Fiery heroine meets glacial duke
Widowed Lady Marjorie intends to challenge every expectation—including the overbearing Highland duke who stands between her and her children’s futures. Their tempers flare as fiercely as their attraction, and what begins as battle soon turns to reluctant alliance… and then love.
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Which couples made your heart race?
There’s something irresistible about characters who fight each other and their feelings—until the only thing left to surrender is their heart. If you love historical enemies-to-lovers stories that go beyond banter and deliver real emotional payoff, be sure to check out the books above.
