10 Best Childhood Friends To Lovers Books

This is that one trope that gets the most divided opinion – while some wish to leave best friends alone (let them stay besties forever!), others feel that childhood friends to lovers books are the kind of love stories that are the most surreal and exciting. Because both the people in the equation have too much to lose if they take that leap.

You might belong to either of those categories, and we are not here to judge. If you love these (like me!), here are the ten best books to relieve your itch for a perfect childhood friend to lovers romance.

P.S. The books are arranged alphabetically, so go through them.

#1 Appealed by Emma Chase

About the Book

Title: Appealed

Author: Emma Chase

Genre: Contemporary, Adult, Humor

Publisher: Gallery Books

Type: Standalone

Pages: 288

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5

Kennedy had never forgotten Brent Mason’s betrayal when he humiliated her in high school to join the popular crowd, making days of school a living hell. Now she’s no longer an outcast. Kennedy is a thriving, self-assured DC prosecutor with a long winning streak behind her. And Brent Mason is her opposing attorney in her next case; she finally has a way to get back at him. But things are getting complicated between the two, both in the courtroom and off it. Their inconvenient attraction messes both their heads until every argument and objection during the case procedure feels like foreplay. Will Kennedy forgive Brent, and will the two former friends finally be able to move past their fall-out and extend a hand for something more?

Kennedy and Brent are so badass, so sexy together. A real power couple! I adored their relationship development, and you know how awesome the childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers books could get. The potential! Luckily, Emma Chase took full advantage of this trope to create some of her best characters with one of the best-written friends-to-lovers romances ever. The third book in the Legal Briefs series, Appealed, is a must-read.

To buy/gift Appealed, click on the below link :

#2 Best Fake Fiance by Roxie Noir

About the Book

Best Fake Fiancé: A Single Dad Romance (Loveless Brothers Book 2) by [Roxie Noir]; childhood friends to lovers books — *Best Fake Fiance by Roxie Noir*

Title: Best Fake Fiance

Author: Roxie Noir

Genre: Contemporary, Adult

Publisher: Independently-published

Type: Standalone

Pages: 420

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5

Daniel Loveless is a single father. So when the custody battle reigns its head, Daniel, in a panic, blurts out that he’s engaged to his childhood best friend, Charlotte ‘Charlie’ McManus. Charlie agrees, so how hard could it be to navigate a fake engagement? As it turns out, very. Since neither of their feelings has been entirely so artificial for a long, long time, the second book in the Loveless Brothers series, Best Fake Fiance, follows two best friends in their journey to discover each other and redefine their relationship. At the same time, they are struggling to protect each other’s world, making it a fine specimen of childhood friends to lovers’ books.

The brightest thing in this novel is Daniel’s adorable little daughter – the seven-year-old Rusty, who can light up the world with her smile. If nothing, read it for her! Just kidding, I’m not, the story is genuinely engaging, and Daniel and Charlotte’s bond was so sweet. I would have liked more bonding between Rusty and Charlotte, but I still wanted whatever I got. Give this book (and the whole series) a try!

To buy/gift Best Fake Fiance, click on the below link :

#3 Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

About the Book

Title: Chasing Lucky

Author: Jenn Bennett

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Type: Standalone

Pages: 406

Goodreads rating: 3.8/5

Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin is back in her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore with her single mother, but she knows it’s not forever. However, she isn’t looking forward to settling there, not when she has spent half her life moving from one city and found a place to live. But then she runs into Lucky Karras, the town’s bad boy and her former childhood best friend. One who wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But when a pool party takes a disastrous turn, landing Josie in big-time trouble, Lucky turns up to be an unlikely knight in shining armor. As Josie spends more time with Lucky to find out why he covered for her, she starts to see how much they both have changed over time and that just maybe Lucky is more than what he shows.

It was an excellent, breezy read that felt like a Wattpad romance. Chasing Lucky was cliche to the T, and I completely ate that up. After all, everyone needs fluff in their life (and since we don’t have it in reality, we might as well enjoy it in fiction). Both Josie and Lucky had their flaws, but the two completed each other in a way that made them perfect for each other. Read it! If childhood friends to lovers books interests you.

To buy/gift Chasing Lucky, click on the below link :

#4 Lucas by Jay McLean

About the Book

Lucas - A Preston Brothers Novel (Book 1): A More Than Series Spin-off by [Jay McLean, Tricia Harden]; childhood friends to lovers books — *Lucas by Jay McLean*

Title: Lucas

Author: Jay McLean

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult

Publisher: Independently-published

Type: Standalone

Pages: 354

Goodreads rating: 4.2/ 5

Since his childhood, Lucas Preston has always had one constant thing in his life- Lois “Laney” Sanders. Lucas has always found the most solitude by Laney’s side despite his supportive family. She has been with him through thick and thin, which is such an essential trait in the childhood friends to lovers books. Lucas’s best friend, his confidant. And under no circumstances could he afford to lose her. Even if he wishes to cross the line, he knows he won’t ever do it. But his one mistake changes everything. Their equation changed before he knew it, and Lucas could feel his best friend slipping through his fingers. But is all hope gone? Or can he still manage to save his relationship, even if all he would be left with is a shattered reminiscent of friendship?

I love everything about this book. Lucas, his brothers, his father, their past, and Laney’s bond with the Prestons. Lucas was flawed and made stupid, stupid choices, but despite it all, I wished for him to get his happy ending because my boy deserved it. The trauma, the grief, the family bond, and some darker themes of abandonment and abuse were showcased so sensitively and emotionally through these characters. If you haven’t yet read this book, you are seriously missing out. The angst, though? Chef’s kiss.

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

To buy/gift Lucas, click on the below link :

#5 From Rags by Suzanne Wright

About the Book

Title: From Rags

Author: Suzanne Wright

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Humor

Publisher: Self-published

Type: Standalone

Pages: 292

Goodreads rating: 3.9/5

Jaxxon Carter and Connor McKenzie were inseparable in foster care. Her first crush, first love, first kiss, Jaxxon believed Connor would keep his promise to meet her once she leaves the foster; Yet, years later, she still hasn’t seen the formula one driver (besides in newspapers, T.V, or magazines) and has stopped caring for it. Then an opportunity presents itself to Jaxxon to enter the entertainment industry, leading her to face the boy she struggled to forget, and she realizes that she was wrong. She still cares too much. But is not ready to give her heart to him again, not when he has the power to hurt her again. Not when she knew he would break her, this time for good.

The childhood friends-turned-strangers-turned-lovers trope! Jaxxon was hilarious, sassy, and strong, and despite all the flaws I found in the book (especially with Jaxxon’s modeling career), this is one of my all-time favorite romances. Plus, these two are seriously hot (and Connor is seriously kinky).

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

To buy/gift From Rags, click on the below link :

#6 Marriage On Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne

About the Book

Marriage On Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne; childhood friends to lovers books — *Marriage On Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne*

Title: Marriage On Madison Avenue

Author: Lauren Layne

Genre: Contemporary, Adult

Publisher: Gallery Books

Type: Standalone

Pages: 285

Goodreads rating: 3.8/5

Audrey Tate and Clarke West have been best-friend since forever, an adorable specialty in the childhood friends to lovers books. So when Clarke asks Audrey’s help to dodge his match-making mother, she agrees to be his fake fiance. But the more the two pretend to be lovers, the more the situation seems to spiral out of control. Their play doesn’t seem harmless before, and their feelings don’t feel like they are pretending anymore. As the wedding date comes closer, the two realize that they can never return to how they were before. Are these feelings enough to jeopardize their friendship for years? Can they suppress their feelings for each other? Do they even want to?

It’s the third book in Central Park Pact Series (it’s fantastic, check it out!); though you can read it as a standalone, I would recommend starting from the start. Audrey and Clarke were adorable and compatible because the tension between these two friends has been palpable since the first book, and the pay-off was terrific. Their relationship development felt natural (especially after seeing them dancing around the attraction for two books; seriously, read the series!).

To buy/gift Marriage On Madison Avenue, click on the below link :

#7 Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen

About the Book

Moonlighter (The Company Book 1) by [Sarina Bowen] — *Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen*

Title: Moonlighter

Author: Sarina Bowen

Genre: Sports, Contemporary, Adult

Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC

Type: Standalone

Pages: 370

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5

Eric Bayer is at the peak of his hockey career, and though he wants nothing to do with his family business, his brother just won’t leave him alone. Bayers own a super elusive security company, and they have a task for Eric – Alex Engles, Eric’s childhood friend, needs protection. So, of course, he takes the very next flight to Hawaii. Alex, the CEO and tech billionaire, is no longer the same girl he knew in childhood, and the most significant change? Eric can’t stop obsessing over her now. As the threat over Alex grows, so does Eric’s role. Now he is playing both her bodyguard and her fake boyfriend. But their flirting doesn’t seem artificial, but would it be enough for the two to risk their whole future over? The risks taken for love are always an exceptional prospect in the childhood friends to lovers books.

The build-up, the slow (but hot) burn, and the plot twist? Too good. No matter what anyone says, the fake lover trope is superior to everything. Moonlighter was an easy, chill read that didn’t have me constantly crying or screaming. Instead, it left me feeling all warm and cozy. I wish we had more scenes of these two as mere friends before delving further into their romance, but we can’t always have everything.

To buy/gift Moonlighter, click on the below link :

#8 The Change-Up by Meghan Quinn

About the Book

The Change Up: A Roommates to Lovers Standalone by [Meghan Quinn]; childhood friends to lovers books — *The Change-Up by Meghan Quinn*

Title: The Change-Up

Author: Meghan Quinn

Genre: Contemporary, Sports

Publisher: Hot-Lanta Publishing, LLC

Type: Standalone

Pages: 416

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5

Maddox plays for Chicago, with the reputation of being a hot head and bad boy. But everything is different with Kinsley. She has been a part of every milestone of his life, and when she needs a place to stay, Maddox is the first to offer her his flat. Kinsley is his best friend, and he knows she is someone who would never hurt him. But can he say the same about himself? Especially when his feelings for her start to cross the spiritual phase? Neither of the two is sure they are strong enough to take the step, but all limits are o once they doff. A sweet, hot, and a little angsty, The Change-Up is the 5th book in The Brentwood Boys series.

The way Maddox is such a sweetheart to Kinsley was the cutest thing ever. Though not my favorite book in The Brentwood Boys series (which you all need to get on asap). The Change-Up was still charming enough to keep the attention and interest of the reader. Although both the characters were flawed, and some elements can get too much at times, it’s still worth reading once. For Maddoxx, the ultimate soft boy.

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

To buy/gift The Change-Up, click on the below link :

#9 The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

About the Book

The Cheat Sheet: It's the game-changing romantic list to help turn these friends into lovers! TikTok made me buy this rom-com hit! by [Sarah Adams] — *The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams*

Title: The Cheat Sheet

Author: Sarah Adams

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Dell

Type: Standalone

Pages: 306

Goodreads rating: 3.6/5

Bree has been forever in the friend zone with Nathan, her best friend. She has wrapped her feelings uptight and buried them beneath ten feet of concrete. All because she doesn’t want to lose their friendship. But everything changes when Bree spills all her beans to a reporter. It might not have been a big deal if Nathan had been anybody, except Nathan is a hot-shot football star. And by morning, this news is spread everywhere. They both get a very nice deal, but the catch is that they have to date till the Superbowl. So will fake dating turn into real dating? Will they get out of each other’s friend zone?

This book was a really excellent read. First, because of the so many hilarious and funny moments. And second, because of all the cute and adorable characters, I fell in love with. If you’re looking for a light and fluffy read to read, then this book is one you will definitely enjoy.

To buy/gift The Cheat Sheet, click on the below link :

#10 The Rest Of The Story by Sarah Dessen

About the Book

The Rest of the Story by [Sarah Dessen]; childhood friends to lovers books — *The Rest Of The Story by Sarah Dessen*

Title: The Rest Of The Story

Author: Sarah Dessen

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Type: Standalone

Pages: 440

Goodreads rating: 4/5

It’s been years since Emma’s mother died, and now only Emma and her father live together. So when she is unexpectedly sent to spend time with her mother’s family, whom she hasn’t seen since she was a kid, Emma isn’t sure how to adjust to her new unpredictable life. The more time she spends with them, the more she finds out about her parent’s past, and the more she finds herself divided between the two families. Then there’s Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little and held the key to her family’s history. He slowly helps her put the pieces together about her past. She knows she is falling under the spell of the magic of the lake and Rooh, but when it’s time for her to return home finally, will she be able to leave.

Ok, so the romance might not be the titular part of the novel, but it’s nevertheless sweet. The story is so deep, the characters well-written, and the gorgeous writing. Though the two lost contact years ago, when Rooh and Emma meet again, it’s like nothing ever happened. Their report is so comfortable, serene, and peaceful, like the overall vibe of the book. The book’s setting was super romantic Completely in love with this one.

To buy/gift The Rest Of The Story, click on the below link :

P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, you can read these books. Also, check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?

SO, to conclude, here is the list of the Best Childhood Friends To Lovers Romances.

1	Appealed by Emma Chase	Buy Now
2	Best Fake Fiance by Roxie Noir	Buy Now
3	Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett	Buy Now
4	Lucas by Jay McLean	Buy Now
5	From Rags by Suzanne Wright	BuyNow
6	Marriage On Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne	Buy Now
7	Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen	Buy Now
8	The Change-Up by Meghan Quinn	Buy Now
9	The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams	Buy Now
10	The Rest Of The Story by Sarah Dessen	Buy Now

Best Childhood Friends To Lovers Romances

We hope that this list of the Best Childhood Friends To Lovers Romances helped you pick your next read or gave you recommendations to put on your to-be-read list. We hope that you enjoy them all!

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