I love good banter and sarcasm-filled enemies to lovers, but most books in this genre are those where MMC falls first or its mutual frienemies to lovers. I am looking for books where FMC does the pining and courting. If the books involve a solid redemption/angst arc then it's the cherry on top (justice for all my charming MMC's who are always the ones chasing). It is fine if its a slow burn as long as its not EXTREMELY SLOW…. or at least the payoff should be really worth it.
I like strong personalities in main characters, both FMC and MM, so please no whiny/two-dimensional pushover FMC's. Like, I want her to do the chasing but also I don't want her taking crap from him for no reason.
A really good (cliche is fine too) MMC falls first book is okay too tho.
I have read Cruel Prince and it was amazing but again its the same 'Carden is always the one chasing' plot. I want a similar reverse dynamic.
And I'm on the fence about ACOTAR, everyone is always suggesting this one for enemies to lovers. But from all the mixed reviews I've heard the one that puts me off the most is that FMC (and I've heard maybe MMC too) is a hypocrite, and makes common sense-less decisions like doing exactly what told not to do. I like the trope where the main characters are jackasses but only good to each other… but not if they are supposed to be good, upright, beacon-of-hope kind and then they act like they are on a high horse (which is what I gathered about this FMC). It's all from whatever I've heard about the book so if it's not true, please mention.
Another one I've read is the fourth wing. Loved that one too. But it is kind of mutual frenemies to lovers. They were never enemies.
Please suggest!
by Busy-Argument-5871