Childhood Friends to Lovers Romance Books You’ll Want to Reread

You know those people who feel like they’ve always been part of your life? The ones who saw you at your worst middle school haircut, who knew your favorite cereal before you could spell it? Childhood friends to lovers romance books tap into that kind of bond—the quiet, layered kind that grows up right alongside you.

These aren’t just romances. They’re stories about memory, loyalty, and all the unsaid things that finally rise to the surface when the timing is right. If that sounds like your kind of story, you’re in the right place.

If you are looking for more friends to lovers stories across different vibes, you can find them all in my full Friends to Lovers Romance Guide. And for more Kindle Unlimited reads, head to the Kindle Unlimited hub.

This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Why Childhood Friends to Lovers Hits Harder

This trope leans into emotional familiarity. These characters already know how to be there for each other. What makes it hit is the tension between what they’ve always had and what they could have if one of them is brave enough to say something first.

Best Childhood Friends to Lovers Romance Books

The C*ck Down the Block by Amy Award

When a curvy librarian needs a fake date to face down her high school bullies, her longtime best friend (and secret admirer) is all in. But playing boyfriend for the weekend turns into something much messier—and hotter.

Grab The C*ck Down the Block on Amazon

The One for You by Roni Loren

Kincaid and Ash were inseparable once, until tragedy pulled them apart. Years later, they’re back in the same town, both haunted by the past and unsure how to reconnect. This is a second-chance story built on grief, guilt, and a friendship that never really faded.

Grab The One for You on Amazon

Ginger’s Heart by Katy Regnery

Loosely inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, this one follows a girl torn between two childhood best friends—one wild, one steady. It’s emotional, slow burn, and steeped in southern gothic family drama.

Grab Ginger’s Heart on Amazon

The Romantic Pact by Meghan Quinn

After three years of silence—and one unforgettable kiss—Crew finds himself road-tripping across Germany with the girl he swore he’d never fall for. Childhood pacts are hard to keep when feelings refuse to stay buried, especially when they’re sharing hotel rooms along the way.

Grab The Romantic Pact on Amazon

When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa

Javi and Mari made a pact back in college to approve each other’s partners—but now Mari is engaged to someone Javi never vetted. After years of secret pining, he has six weeks to convince his best friend that the guy she’s about to marry isn’t the one… because Javi is.

Grab When Javi Dumped Mari on Amazon

FAQ About Childhood Friends to Lovers Romances

What makes childhood friends to lovers different from second-chance romance?

Childhood friends to lovers often feature relationships that never turned romantic the first time around. Second-chance usually involves a past romance. These stories are about finally seeing what’s always been there.

Are these books usually sweet or spicy?

They can be both. The common thread is emotional intimacy. Some lean cozy and soft, while others turn up the heat once things shift.

Where can I find more recs like this?

Browse the full Friends to Lovers Romance Guide for lists sorted by vibe, setting, and spice level.

When the One You’ve Always Known Becomes the One

That shift—from best friend to maybe something more—always hits. These books get that feeling right. I’ll be adding more to this list as new favorites drop, so check back when you need your next dose of long-time-coming romance.

Read More

• Friends to Lovers Romance Guide
• All our friends to lovers book lists
• Check out our friends to lovers book reviews on the archive
• Kindle Unlimited hub

Pin It for Later