friends-to-lovers

English

Alternative forms

• friends to lovers

Noun

friends-to-lovers (uncountable)

1. (often attributive) A trope in romance fiction (particularly fan fiction) involving the development of a friendship into romantic love.

   Coordinate terms: enemies-to-lovers, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers

   • 2016, Jules Bennett, From Friend to Fake Fiancé, page 2:

     When I started the Mafia Moguls series, I knew I wanted a friends-to-lovers trope—one of my absolute favorite storylines.

   • 2021 Jessica Khorana, "The Top Ten RomComs To Watch On Valentine's Day", The Innis Herald (University of Toronto), 5 February 2021, page 11:

     Between the classic friends-to-lovers trope, incredible dialogue, and undeniable chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, this is one film that you MUST watch.

   • 2022, Sarah Adams, praise blurb in Allison Ashley, Would You Rather, page 2:

     A sparkling, warm romance that reminds us why the friends-to-lovers trope is superior!

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:friends-to-lovers.