13
The Flatshare
by Beth O'Leary
Roommates who share a bed (at different times) and communicate via notes, becoming friends before meeting properly.
14
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me Classic slow burn!
by Mariana Zapata
Marriage of convenience where a deep, supportive friendship slowly, meticulously builds into love.
15
From Lukov with Love
by Mariana Zapata
Ice skating partners who initially clash but build respect, trust, and then a deep friendship before romance.
16
Kulti
by Mariana Zapata
Famous soccer player coaches his childhood idol's daughter; a slow-burn friendship and mentorship turns romantic.
17
Normal People
by Sally Rooney
A complex, on-again/off-again relationship rooted in a deep, if sometimes fraught, friendship and understanding.
18
One Last Stop
by Casey McQuiston
Strangers on a subway become friends as they try to solve a time-travel mystery, with love blossoming.
19
Act Your Age, Eve Brown
by Talia Hibbert
Grumpy B&B owner hires a chaotic sunshine woman; their working relationship and forced proximity leads to friendship and then love.
20
The Simple Wild
by K.A. Tucker
City girl meets grumpy bush pilot in Alaska; antagonism slowly gives way to understanding, friendship, and then love.
21
Archer's Voice
by Mia Sheridan
A woman escaping her past meets a reclusive, silent man; she befriends him and helps him find his voice.
22
Love Lettering
by Kate Clayborn
A calligrapher and her client connect after she hides a message in his wedding invites; their subsequent meetings lead to friendship and romance.
23
My Oxford Year
by Julia Whelan
American student and her seemingly aloof young professor develop a deep friendship before romantic feelings complicate things.
24
Things We Never Got Over
by Lucy Score
Grumpy barber and a runaway bride; forced proximity leads to a supportive friendship as they navigate chaos.
25
When Gracie Met the Grump
by Mariana Zapata
Neighbors who initially have an odd dynamic, but a slow, genuine friendship builds (he's a reclusive giant, she's sunshine).
26
Bet Me A classic!
by Jennifer Crusie
A bet leads to them spending time together, and against their initial judgments, a genuine friendship and attraction develops.