Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher Tor and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Have bought a range of more mature reads for the school library and this was a huge hit with staff and students alike. A good read that created plenty of opportunities for discussion -will definitely recommend

I love love love Olivie Blake! This story and the characters were fantastic. I could not put the book down and I loved the retelling element. I love that it’s a stand alone as it ended just how I wanted.

I am a sucker for any books with Romeo and Juliet vibes and when I saw that this book was witchy as well I was instantly sold.

I love Olivie Blake’s writing and character development, this book engaged me from start to finish and I will definitely be reading from Olivie Blake again.

2.5 stars

There are two magical families in New York who have been at war for over a decade.
The seven Antonova sisters are led by their mother, who is known as Baba Yaga.
The head of the Fedorovs is called Koschei the Deathless and he has three sons.
The enmity between the families is reignited, and loyalties are tested.
Which family will come out on top?

Having read a few of the author's other books and being disappointed, I was a little wary to pick up this one. However, the blurb intrigued me, and I thought I would give it a go.
There are several protagonists, and while Sasha was probably my favourite, I didn't feel that I connected with any of them. This made it hard to care about what happened to them.
I wasn't a big fan of the romance - it was way too instalovey for me, as I prefer a slow burn.
There wasn't much world-building, and I don't recall the magic system ever being explained.
I enjoyed the plot to begin with, but as it went on, I found myself losing interest and I ended up being glad when the novel finished. I wasn't invested in what happened, and I thought the novel could have been made shorter. It felt like a lot of things happened, but also at the same time that not much happened. Some of the events were a bit random to me, and I didn't understand the motivations of some of the things that happened.
I'm not a big fan of the writing style, and it will take a lot of persuasion for me to pick up another book by this author, as I think perhaps they're just not for me.
I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more.

Overall, this was a mixed read.

One for My Enemy by Olivia Blake is a dark and atmospheric novel that blends elements of fantasy, magic, and complex relationships. The story revolves around two warring factions, where the central characters—who are caught in the middle of their families’ conflicts—must navigate love, betrayal, and power. The world-building is vivid, and Blake does an impressive job of creating a tension-filled atmosphere throughout the book.

However, while the book certainly has its strengths, there were parts of the story that felt predictable or underdeveloped. The characters, though interesting, lacked a bit of depth, which made it hard for me to fully connect with their motivations. The pacing also slowed at times, and I found myself wishing for more emotional or plot-driven engagement.

Overall, One for My Enemy is an enjoyable read for those who love dark fantasy with a focus on conflict and power struggles. While it didn’t fully captivate me, I can see it appealing to fans of complex world-building and morally gray characters. It’s a solid read, but it didn’t quite reach the level of excitement and depth I had hoped for.

This is a mesmerizing tale that dives deep into the tangled lives of two couples: Masha Antonova and Dima Federov, and Sasha Antonova and Lev Federov. Against the backdrop of a fierce family feud, they face an impossible choice—walk a path of love, littered with thorns, betrayal, and devastating magic, or uphold their loyalty to family at the cost of their hearts.

Set in a spellbinding, magical Manhattan, the story captures the city’s dark allure, filled with betrayals, murder, love, and heartbreak. The Antonova sisters, driven by vengeance and ambition, set off a chain of events that unravel their lives and become the catalyst for the story’s gripping conflict.

The writing is pure magic—lyrical and atmospheric, it pulls you in like a siren’s call. Every sentence feels deliberate, painting a world that’s as haunting as it is beautiful. Combined with morally grey characters who defy traditional notions of heroism, this book is a feast for anyone who loves complexity and nuance in their protagonists.

This is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy:
Enemies-to-lovers romance
Morally grey, anti-heroic characters
A lush, modern fantasy setting
Fairytale retellings with a dark twist
Tense family rivalries
Angst-filled, high-stakes love stories
Fierce, resilient heroines

One for My Enemy expertly weaves together love and loyalty, revenge and redemption, in a realm where magic thrives but comes with a price. Will the lovers triumph, or will their families’ enmity tear them apart? Dive in to find out—you won’t regret it.

Russian folklore. Romeo and Juliet. Literally, I think that's all you need to know. I'm not even a fan of Romeo and Juliet, but mix anything with Russian folklore and I'm there for it. Ultimately, this feels inspired by R&J, rather than a straight retelling (from what I can recall from my school days) and I massively appreciated that too.

The book is written almost like a play, with scenes, or vignettes, of the characters. Initially, I found this off-putting, but I quickly got used to it and actually wound up loving it. The pace is cracking and the way it's written makes it extremely vivid- I could almost see it on-stage.

Romance, magic, feuds. Fantastic world-building and characterisation. It was impossible not to fall in love with this book. Highly recommend.

This was such a beautifully written novel. I have read a few of Blake’s novels and sometimes struggled with how they are written - they can often border on pretentiousness, but this perfectly balanced the Shakespearean feel with gritty plot points. I was captivated from the start and I really loved how we got to see every character’s own individuality. I thought we spent enough time with them to see their development and motivations. Every character was flawed and I absolutely loved it!

My only issue would be that it felt slightly repetitive in nature. I’m not sure whether that was because it was a retelling, but certain plot points within the story seemed to be re-used. Saying this, I was still mesmerised by the atmospheric and witchy goings-on - I would highly recommend it.

TW: death, violence, suicide, drug use, sexual harassment

A modern day, Magical, witchy vibe version of Romeo and Juliet that is a quick read and very character-heavy, which I think is a theme for Olivie books. One for My Enemy was certainly not my favourite retelling of R&J but it was still readable. Maybe one day i will give this book another go and update my review in the future

I do think I enjoy Olivie Blake's books more as audio than physical; for some reason, i struggle to read them physically but that is a me issue.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc,

A modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling with rival witch families? Sign me up!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Olivie's writing style is so beautiful and through her careful wording you can really understand the emotions of each of the characters. There was a little less focus on the setting and world building than I am used to but I did not miss it as the characters really drive this story.

If you enjoyed her Atlas Six series I highly recommend giving this a try!

Ooh, a Romeo and Juliet retelling with witches in modern day New York, a Slavic folklore twist and more than one tragic romance unfolding.
Like a lot of people, I got into Olivie Blake via her The Atlas Six. This book is rather different but very good and certainly intriguing. I was grateful for the dramatis personae because some names can refer to the same person.

One for my enemy is a fantastical Romeo and Juliet re-telling with a magical twist. Centred around two rival witch families, we see how actions from the past have shaped the Antonova daughters and Federov sons resulting in a heart-wrenching story of loves, heartbreak and family bonds.

Be prepared for the cast list - because oh boy is there a host of characters, and not only that they all seem to have at least one or two nicknames. At first I hated this and found it hugely confusing, however once you get further into the story you can see how these names develop to help show us the deepening of relationships.

Olivie Blake's writing is beautiful, almost lyrical, the words spoken by our male love interests (no spoilers here!) were so emotional I felt them so deeply, it was truly amazing.

I would say, there is a lot going on - I almost wished this was a duology to give the characters the space they needed to really shine.

If you're looking for a beautifully written book, star-crossed lovers with a magical twist, then you will really enjoy this.

In One for My Enemy we join 2 rival witch families - the Antonova sisters and the Fedorov brothers.
The parents in the families are ruthless but the brothers and sisters are struggling to keep their parents happy but also experience life, love and friendships for themselves - even if that means fighting against the rivalry between families.

I admit I was hoping for a more fantastical element where this was quite relationship building focused. However I love Olivie Blake's writing, I really liked some of the characters and the magic involved.

This is my second Olivie Blake read, I didn't like the first, but liked this one slightly better.

This is about two witch families that are rivals. One family as all girls the other all boys and it seems a few of them are romantically involved with each other.

This is sort of loosely based on Romeo and Juliet with the rival families and the forbidden love etc. But even though they are witches, I didn't find the book very witchy, if that makes sense? It didn't go into their magic abilities very much. And there was just too much mis-communication between everyone that I found irritating.

An ok read, but not one I will remember for long
3/5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, although I thought we had reached the end of the story 100 pages in! I couldn't see where the story would go from there. Somehow the author has managed to keep the story going and for it to be entertaining. I did feel that the author didn't explain some of the plot too well (like how two characters can come back from the dead - how did that happen?!?!). My curious mind would like to know how in the future please

One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake is a mesmerizing urban fantasy set in modern-day New York City. It follows the intense rivalry between two powerful witch families, the Antonovas and the Fedorovs. The Antonova sisters, led by the formidable Baba Yaga, and the Fedorov brothers, under the command of Koschei the Deathless, have been locked in a tense stalemate for years. The story takes a dramatic turn as love and betrayal begin to unravel the delicate balance.

What makes this book stand out is Blake’s ability to blend Shakespearean elements with a contemporary urban setting, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and fresh. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own complexities and motivations. The romance between Mayra Antonova and Dimitri Fedorov, and the budding relationship between Sasha Antonova and Lev Fedorov, add layers of emotional depth to the story, making it a tale of forbidden love and inevitable tragedy

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The writing is rich and evocative, with scenes that seem to leap off the page. Blake’s descriptions are particularly noteworthy, adding a cinematic quality to the book that makes it easy to visualize the unfolding drama. The dialogue is sharp and witty, enhancing the interactions between characters and keeping the narrative engaging.

Overall, One For My Enemy is a beautifully crafted story of ambition, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family legacies. It’s perfect for fans of Blake’s previous works and those who enjoy a mix of magic, romance, and intricate family dynamics in their reads. This book is a high-stakes, emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impression.

I went to finally go read this one as I finally found myself in the right mood for it but I stupidly didn't update it to my kindle so I messed up badly.

Will buy a copy and update once I've read.

So sorry!!

A modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Two warring families and the love between them to try and settle the differences. We flip between the characters in the family with the twists and turns throughout. I enjoyed this book very much and grew attached to certain characters and what could have been if things turned out differently between the families.

if you loved the atlas six then you’d no doubt enjoy this! it’s a romantic and compelling urban fantasy novel set in modern-day manhattan, full of complex characters and themes of love, family secrets and relationships.