Friendships can be really complex, and sometimes the line between ally and enemy blurs, this intriguing dynamic has inspired countless books that delve into the theme of frenemies.
Whether it is the tension between loyalty and rivalry or the twisty power plays, these relationships make for some captivating stories.
Here is a list of 15 frenemy books that explore the world where trust is tested and betrayal lingers around the corner.
15 Frenemy Books
1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
In this gripping tale of suburban secrets, three women forge a friendship that is both supportive and fraught with underlying tensions. Madeline, Celeste, and Jane each harbor personal struggles that complicate their bond.
As their lives intertwine, rivalries and mistrust emerge, especially when a shocking murder investigation upends their community.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Nick and Amy’s toxic marriage sits at the heart of this suspenseful tale, where love and rivalry strike, while not that traditional friends, their relationship teeters on a dangerous edge as secrets unravel. Amy’s manipulative brilliance and Nick’s flaws make them both compelling and antagonistic.
This dark narrative shows how intimate bonds can also become battlegrounds.
3. Mean Girls by Micol Ostow
Based on the iconic movie, this novel delves into the complicated relationships within the Plastics, a high school clique ruled by Queen Bee Regina George. Frenemies abound as backstabbing and manipulation dominate their interactions.
This story shows how rivalry can coexist with camaraderie in the volatile world of teenage friendships.
4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Set on a private island, this nail-biting novel follows Cadence Sinclair and her group of cousins and friends, known as “the Liars.” Their relationships are just filled with love, envy, and many secrets.
Cadence struggles to piece together fragmented memories of a summer tragedy and uncovering betrayals that redefine their bonds.
5. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
In this powerful tale of female friendship, Elena and Lila grow up in a poor neighborhood in Naples, their bond is deep but is also filled with competition, jealousy, and moments of betrayal.
As they navigate life’s challenges, their relationship evolves in unpredictable ways, showcasing the intensity and the complexity of a lifelong frenemy dynamic.
6. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Victor and Eli are college friends who become obsessed with understanding superpowers. However, their experiments lead to tragedy, turning them into bitter enemies. Despite their animosity, their lives remain intertwined as they battle each other in a morally gray world.
This is a gripping story as it explores the fine line between friendship and enmity in the pursuit of power.
7. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The unnamed narrator’s relationship with her new husband, Maxim, is overshadowed by the lingering presence of his late wife, Rebecca and as the narrator attempts to adjust to her new life, she faces subtle hostility from Rebecca’s loyal housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers.
This Gothic novel explores how envy and manipulation can poison relationships.
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8. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Andrea Sachs lands a coveted job as an assistant to the demanding Miranda Priestly at a top fashion magazine. While, Andrea initially admires Miranda’s power and influence, their relationship is marked by exploitation and subtle battles of will.
This novel captures the tension between ambition and personal values in a mentor-protégé frenemy dynamic.
9. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Mare Barrow, a commoner with extraordinary abilities, finds herself caught in the royal court’s political intrigue, her complicated relationships with Prince Cal and his brother, Maven, blur the lines between allies and enemies.
This thrilling fantasy explores themes of betrayal and the power, that makes every interaction a potential danger.
10. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are close friends haunted by their shared secrets and the mysterious disappearance of their leader, Alison.
While, they support each other, their bond is tested by betrayals and manipulations, this series dives into the complexities of loyalty and mistrust, creating a suspenseful narrative of frenemies navigating a web of lies.
11. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Set at an elite boarding school, the friendship between Gene and Phineas is both supportive and competitive. Gene’s envy of Phineas’ charm and athleticism leads to a tragic accident that shatters their bond.
This poignant novel explores the darker side of friendship, where jealousy and guilt coexist with love and loyalty.
12. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
This is a multi-generational tale that weaves together the lives of four Chinese-American women and their daughters. The relationships are marked by love and misunderstanding, as the daughters struggle to balance their independence with their mothers’ expectations.
This novel greatly portrays the emotional push and pull of familial frenemies.
13. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette Ferrars is imprisoned for her deadly touch. But, her interactions with Warner, the ruthless leader of the Reestablishment, redefine her world. Warner’s mix of cruelty and vulnerability creates a complex connection with Juliette.
This dystopian and gloomy romance explores themes of power, betrayal, and redemption in a turbulent relationship.
14. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
When a couple’s baby goes missing, they turn to their neighbors for help and what begins as a supportive relationship soon unravels into suspicion and deceit.
The tension between the two couples grows as secrets emerge, making this thriller a gripping study of betrayal among the supposed allies.
15. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Amir and Hassan share a bond that transcends their class differences but, yet betrayal and guilt taint their friendship. Amir’s actions have lasting repercussions, creating a complex dynamic of regret and redemption.
This emotionally charged novel explores the cost of betrayal and also the possibility of forgiveness in frenemy relationships.
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Conclusion
Frenemy relationships often mirror the complexity of real-life connections, blending love, rivalry and betrayal. These all books offer a captivating lens into the emotional intricacies of such bonds, from subtle manipulations to profound transformations.
Now explore these tales to uncover the fragile yet fascinating dynamics of friends who can sometimes feel like foes.
