'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters is a classic. It's a complex and rich story that involves a relationship between two women that evolves from a more practical arrangement to deep love. It's set in Victorian England which adds an interesting historical backdrop to the love story.
One characteristic is the slow - burn aspect. Since they start as friends, the transition to lovers often takes time, with small moments of realization and growing attraction. For example, in 'Love and Other Words', there are years of shared memories that gradually shift into romantic feelings. Another characteristic is the deep emotional connection. Because they were friends first, they already have a strong bond based on trust, understanding, and shared experiences, like in 'The Hating Game' where the characters know each other so well before love blooms. And often, there's a sense of familiarity and comfort that adds to the charm of the relationship.
These novels are appealing because they often have a sense of comfort. Since the characters are friends first, there's a level of trust. In 'Love and Other Words', the main characters' long - standing friendship made the transition to love feel more believable and it was easy to root for them. Also, the anticipation of that shift from friendship to love is exciting for readers.
One popular 'best friends to lovers' romance novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It tells the story of two coworkers who start as rivals but are actually best friends in a way, and then their relationship turns into love. Another is 'Friend Zone' by Abby Jimenez, which beautifully portrays the journey from friendship to love.
One great 'best friends turned lovers' romance novel is 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang. It has a unique take on the trope. Stella, a woman on the autism spectrum, hires Michael, her friend, to be her sex tutor, and their relationship evolves from there into something more. It's a sweet and steamy read.
You might enjoy 'Love's Hidden Path.' In this story, the protagonists' friendship undergoes a transformation as they navigate life's challenges and discover love in each other.
One common theme is the element of surprise. Often, the characters themselves are shocked when they start to feel romantic feelings for their friend. For example, in many novels, they might be in denial at first, thinking it's just a passing phase.
They're appealing because of the built - in history. The characters already know each other deeply, which adds a layer of authenticity. For example, in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty', Belly has known the boys her whole life, so when feelings change, it's not just a surface - level attraction.
One popular one is 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han. It beautifully portrays the transition from childhood friendship to a deeper romantic relationship set against the backdrop of beach summers.
'Ash' by Malinda Lo. This novel reimagines the Cinderella story in a lesbian context. The main character's relationship with another girl starts as a friendship and slowly blossoms into love. It has elements of fantasy and magic which make it really captivating.