10 Books to Read If You Love The Spanish Love Deception: Steamy Enemies-to-Lovers and Fake Relationship Romcoms
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas has captured hearts worldwide as a standout contemporary romance novel. Its widespread acclaim comes from a perfect blend of humor, tension, and slow-burning passion. At its core, the story follows Catalina Martín, who fabricates a fake boyfriend to bring to her sister’s wedding in Spain. When her co-worker Aaron Blackford, a tall and irritating man she can’t stand, offers to step in, the stage is set for an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance in a fake relationship setting. This unique combination of workplace rivalry, simmering chemistry, and family-driven stakes creates an intensely captivating story.
Fans of The Spanish Love Deception often seek books similar to the Spanish Love Deception to relive the thrill of witty banter, slow burn romantic comedies, and heartfelt passion. Whether you are searching for steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception or the best workplace romance books with fake relationship romance novels, this list offers exactly that. Here, you will discover a collection of enemies to lovers romance books that evoke the same magic, perfect for readers who can’t get enough of Catalina and Aaron’s story—or are avid books for fans of Elena Armas in general.
What Are These Book Recommendations Based On?
This list of 10 books to read if you love The Spanish Love Deception is carefully curated to reflect the key elements responsible for the novel’s immense popularity. Understanding these core features helps explain why these recommendations resonate so strongly with fans.
- Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Books: At the heart of these stories is the enemies-to-lovers trope: a relationship that begins with tension, conflict, or outright antagonism. Over time, that hostility evolves into affection and love, creating a satisfying emotional arc filled with friction and undeniable chemistry.
- Slow Burn Romantic Comedies: Unlike instant attraction stories, slow burn romantic comedies emphasize building tension and deepening chemistry gradually. This pacing allows readers to savor the characters’ evolving feelings and the heartfelt moments that emerge between laughs and awkward encounters.
- Fake Relationship Romance Novels: Fake relationship plots feature characters who pretend to be romantically involved for reasons external to true love—whether to fool family, gain a promotion, or avoid social trouble. These setups spark humorous misunderstandings and tender moments that reveal genuine emotions below the surface.
- Steamy Romcom Books Like Spanish Love Deception: Steamy romcoms mix fiery romance scenes with comedic elements, delivering both passion and laughs. These books embrace explicit chemistry while keeping the tone light, fun, and emotionally satisfying.
- Best Workplace Romance Books: Love stories set in professional environments add another dimension, incorporating office politics, power dynamics, and the risk of mixing business with pleasure. Workplace romance settings heighten the stakes and enrich the narrative by grounding it in relatable scenarios many readers find intriguing.
Many of the books on this list also appeal as books for fans of Elena Armas due to their witty banter and heartfelt storytelling, capturing the same spirit that makes The Spanish Love Deception so beloved.
10 Books Similar to The Spanish Love Deception You’ll Want to Read Next
1. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (2016)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: Enemies-to-lovers, Workplace romance, Slow burn, Steamy romance
One-Sentence Review: Lucy and Joshua’s office rivalry escalates into a fiery and slow-building romance filled with witty banter and sizzling chemistry.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Sharp office banter and subtle power struggles
- Gradual, tension-filled romantic development
- Humorous and steamy encounters that ignite the story
The playful enemies-to-lovers dynamic combined with a workplace setting makes this one of the best workplace romance books that perfectly suits fans of Catalina and Aaron’s story. It’s a benchmark for steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception.
2. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (2021)
Genre: Romance, Romantic Comedy
Themes: Fake relationship, Academia setting, Slow burn, Opposites attract
One-Sentence Review: A fake dating scheme between a Ph.D. student and a brooding professor slowly blossoms into a heartfelt, geeky romance filled with laughs and heat.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Slowly intensifying romance set in academia
- Adorable “pretend” dating hijinks
- Moments of steamy passion paired with intellectual humor
Hazelwood’s blend of humor, awkwardness, and emotional depth mirrors the slow burn romantic comedies that fans of The Spanish Love Deception crave, making it a top pick among fake relationship romance novels.
3. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (2019)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Themes: Enemies-to-lovers, Fake relationship, Vacation romance, Humor
One-Sentence Review: Forced to pose as newlyweds on a honeymoon, Olive and Ethan’s mutual dislike gives way to tropical passion and comedic misadventures.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Hilarious misunderstandings and forced proximity
- Fake marriage antics loaded with charm
- A vacation setting that adds warmth and sexual tension
The sharp wit, reluctant partnership, and steamy moments make this a must-read in the category of steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception, and it closely aligns with the fake relationship romance novels you love.
4. The Dating Plan by Sara Desai (2021)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: Fake relationship, Enemies-to-lovers, Indian-American culture, Workplace romance
One-Sentence Review: When a software engineer enlists her childhood nemesis to pose as her fiancé, expectations are upended and feelings begin to grow.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Cultural depth combined with relatable characters
- Slow-building romantic comedy with office sparks
- Clever fake relationship set-up driving the story forward
By blending workplace tension with a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance, this book stands out among the best workplace romance books and is perfect for readers who love books for fans of Elena Armas.
5. Twisted Hate by Ana Huang (2022)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Themes: Enemies-to-lovers, Steamy romance, Slow burn, Medical workplace
One-Sentence Review: A simmering grudge between a doctor and his sister’s best friend erupts into a passionate and forbidden romance full of intensity and emotion.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Tense confrontations that build emotional depth
- High-stakes, fiery romantic scenes
- Slow-burn storytelling with steamy payoffs
Twisted Hate’s combination of steamy, slow-building romance and workplace dynamics makes it a standout among enemies to lovers romance books, aligning closely with the intense tension and heat of The Spanish Love Deception.
6. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle (2020)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: Enemies-to-lovers, Engaged couple, Slow burn, Pranks
One-Sentence Review: A couple on the edge of breaking up engage in escalating pranks that rekindle their love through humor and emotional rediscovery.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Sharp, playful banter with biting humor
- Slow-burning emotional reconnection
- Relatable and authentic couple dynamics
This witty slow burn romantic comedy mirrors the humor and heartfelt feel of The Spanish Love Deception, offering a fresh take on enemies-to-lovers romance books with lots of laughs.
7. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (2020)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Themes: Enemies-to-lovers, Wedding setting, Fake friendship, Workplace romance
One-Sentence Review: After a dramatic breakup, Lina must collaborate with her ex’s irritating brother—their forced proximity sparking unexpected romantic tension.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Wedding chaos that drives the story
- Friction-filled office interaction
- A mix of humor and steamy romantic scenes
Its combination of wedding-day drama, enemies-to-lovers moments, and workplace flair makes this one of the best workplace and fake relationship romance novels for fans of Catalina and Aaron’s vibe.
8. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (2018)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Themes: Fake relationship, Slow burn, Steamy romance, Neurodiverse representation
One-Sentence Review: An economics genius hires an escort to teach her about dating, leading to a heartfelt, steamy romance full of growth and authenticity.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Tender, awkward courtship with emotional depth
- Intense, authentic steamy romance
- Unique character perspectives and representation
The slow-building emotional intimacy and deal-based romance echo The Spanish Love Deception’s appeal, making it a must-read among fake relationship romance novels and slow burn romantic comedies.
9. Act Like It by Lucy Parker (2015)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: Fake relationship, Enemies-to-lovers, Showbiz setting, Slow burn
One-Sentence Review: Two actors fabricate a public romance to survive the press, gradually breaking down their walls and igniting real feelings.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Sharp dialogue set against a theatrical backdrop
- Gradual transition from disdain to desire
- Delightfully funny and romantic moments
Parker’s witty storytelling and the electrifying fake relationship setup place this firmly among steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception, especially for those who enjoy enemies to lovers romance books.
10. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (2020)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Themes: Fake relationship, Opposites attract, British humor, Heartfelt romance
One-Sentence Review: Luc and Oliver’s fake dating agreement leads to unpredictable chaos and heartfelt connection in a charming blend of humor and emotion.
What You Can Expect From This Book:
- Whimsical British wit and humor
- Relatable, imperfect characters
- Sweet, slow-burning romance moments
Hall’s brilliant mixture of comedy and emotional depth offers a reading experience full of laughs and feels, fitting perfectly within the steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception and for fans seeking books for fans of Elena Armas.
Conclusion
These 10 books to read if you love The Spanish Love Deception collectively capture the book’s magic by delivering slow-burning, steamy enemies-to-lovers romance with fake relationship plotlines and plenty of humor. Each novel offers a unique twist on the tropes you adore, from workplace romances and fake dating schemes to beach vacations and academic settings, all unfolding with the witty banter, palpable tension, and heartfelt moments that define the slow burn romantic comedies genre.
If you are a fan of Elena Armas and The Spanish Love Deception, these selected titles provide exactly the kind of engaging, passionate stories you crave. Whether you want more steamy romcom books like Spanish Love Deception or carefully crafted enemies to lovers romance books, this list is your go-to guide. For more great book recommendations in the romance genre, check out 10 Books to Read If You Love The Love Hypothesis, which shares similar themes of fake relationships and slow burn romances.
Dive into these captivating reads and enjoy the perfect blend of passion, humor, and romance waiting to sweep you off your feet.
Begin your next love story journey today with these unforgettable novels that perfectly complement your love for The Spanish Love Deception.
