friends-to-lovers

Noun

 * 1)  A trope in romance fiction (particularly fan fiction) involving the development of a friendship into romantic love.
 * °N, °W
 * 1) * 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.
 * 1) * 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.
 * 1) * 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!