I didn't hugely enjoy this one, I really have loved Williams' writing in the past but this one fell a bit flat.

I didn't feel much chemistry between our MMC and FMC, Flo and Jamie, despite their history. That's another thing - I found the title slightly misleading, as it was more brother's best friend trope, and I didn't feel much 'enemy' energy between the two.

This all being said, it was definitely still a light-hearted read.

Absolutely loved reading this book! Flo and Jamie's relationship was beautifully written and totally get why Jamie was the way he was!!!

A typical rom com which was such a nice and easy read. Great to switch off and relax with, visualising the sun still out.
A really great story and I enjoyed very much.

Thank you to the author, publishers and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A great read and one which makes you long for the sun but with added drama of family and relationships. The story unfolds and shows that we all have hidden sides which we dont' want the world to see. And also shows you shouldn't interfere with other people as it always comes back to bite you!

Florence and Jamie, two rivals-turned-roommates, find themselves thrown together on a family holiday, forced to navigate their complicated feelings and history. However, what at first appears to be a recipe for disaster soon turns into a slow-burn romance neither of them expected.

I enjoyed delving more into Flo’s history with her mental health, having experienced a nervous breakdown a few years previously, and felt that it added a real depth to her character. Jamie also had his own battles to contend with, having lost both of his parents at a relatively young age. It was interesting to see how both characters were shaped by their past, but as they developed during the book, chose not to let it define them.

I found this to be a little slow in places, but overall it was an easygoing, feel-good read that was ideal summer reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

this gave major emhen vibes and didnt dissapoint, loved reading this on the beach with the sun hitting my skin. all round good time!

First book I’ve read by @laurajaneauthor and won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this fast paced, funny, heartfelt, emotional and charming book.
It’s brilliantly written, well developed characters that you just get to love and a captivating storyline with an unexpected twist.
Flo and Jamie, the two main characters have good chemistry between them. Loved the banter. I liked the setting of Greece for the family holiday and the dynamics between each family member. Some good laugh out loud moments. Just brilliant.
A fun, easy romantic summer read. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery #RandomHouseUK #Cornerstone for an arc of #EnemiesToLovers in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 15 August 2024.

This book does everything it says on the tin!

A little predictable but a great read a real love story that made me laugh and cry.

A brilliant beach read

Enemies to lovers turned out to be one of my favorite beach reads of the summer! The scenery, nostalgia, and love story were just perfect. It definitely helped that the plot revolved around one of my all-time favourite romance tropes. Flo is a bit lost but on her way to finding herself, while Jamie is the solid rock who embraces risks and lives life to the fullest. Flo’s family isn’t just a background element; they’re integral to the story, and their strong bond made the narrative even more enjoyable. I found myself almost jealous of the Greenbergs' family vacation!

3.5/5.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Perfect summer, winter, spring and autumn read.

Love a love story. Williams is able to bring characters to life like no other.

Made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

'I spend a lot of time reading, because things feel safe in books. I don’t feel very brave.’

So, when we talk enemies to lovers, we expect a simmering chemistry underneath all that ‘fighting’ bravado right?! Well, we certainly felt it in Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams. Flo and Jamie have that delicious push-pull connection we love so much. Added to the fact that no matter how hard Flo tries to keep a distance it’s just never going to happen, what with Jamie being a constant in her family setting.

Flo comes across as strong and in control, despite her mental health issues in the past and, in the same breath Jamie comes across as a bit of a free-spirited player. ‘Looks’ can be deceiving though, and people tend to put up a front to hide the bits of themselves they don’t want anyone to see. Whilst this story is described as a romcom it is so much more than that with some triggering subjects under the mental health umbrella. Laura Jane Williams wrote a beautiful book that has emotional family drama, fun banter, and swoon with the generous helping of a picturesque setting in the sun! We rooted for Flo and Jamie from start to finish and really enjoyed their journey!

’My mind is at peace. My body is exhausted. And down to my very bones, I know this is my happy place. I’m in love.’

I really enjoyed this book, whilst it follows the formula we all know and love, and quite literally as it says on the tin, it still keeps you pulled along and invested in the outcome. The main characters are both interesting and feel real, and the wider family just make the book for me, there's more to this than just hot romantic love. But also boy is there some hot romantic love too, but it's the tension build which I think is quite masterful, you've got to work for your spice with this. The setting made me feel like I was sat in the sun despite it being a gloomy day in September and I absolutely zoomed through this, a fun well written read with just the right amount of spice

Another great book by Laura.
A lovely read and a good romantic family story with some real issues focusing on death, mental health and the family dynamics.
The characters are well thought out and I was interested in them and how they played out. Although the main love story felt inevitable I was delighted that they came together for a happy ending.

So, when we talk enemies to lovers, we expect a simmering chemistry underneath all that ‘fighting’ bravado right?! Well, we certainly felt it in Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams. Flo and Jamie have that delicious push-pull connection we love so much. Added to the fact that no matter how hard Flo tries to keep a distance it’s just never going to happen, what with Jamie being a constant in her family setting.

Flo comes across as strong and in control, despite her mental health issues in the past and in the same breath Jamie comes across as a bit of a free-spirited player. ‘Looks’ can be deceiving though, and people tend to put up a front to hide the bits of themselves they don’t want anyone to see. Whilst this story is described as a romcom it is so much more than that with some triggering subjects under the mental health umbrella. Laura Jane Williams wrote a beautiful book that has emotional family drama, fun banter, and swoon with the generous helping of a picturesque setting in the sun! We rooted for Flo and Jamie from start to finish and really enjoyed their journey!

Book Review: Enemies to Lovers

I recently finished Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams, and it was everything I hoped for and more! From the very first page, I was drawn into the dynamic between Flo Greenberg and Jamie Kramer. Flo, the quintessential over-achiever, is looking for a peaceful getaway in Greece, but her plans are hilariously derailed by the presence of her brother’s best friend, Jamie.

The tension between them was palpable and relatable. Their history is filled with unresolved conflict and undeniable chemistry, making every interaction crackle with energy. I found myself laughing out loud at their banter, while also rooting for them to work through their issues. The setting of sunny Greece only added to the charm, with vivid descriptions that transported me right there with them.

As Flo and Jamie navigate unexpected moments of closeness, I appreciated how Williams captured the complexity of their feelings. It’s not just about the romantic tension; it’s about personal growth and overcoming past grievances. The emotional depth really surprised me, adding layers to what could have been a straightforward enemies-to-lovers story.

The plot twists kept me engaged, and the humor was perfectly timed. Williams has a knack for blending laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt scenes, making this a truly enjoyable read. I found myself completely immersed in the story, forgetting everything else around me.

If you’re looking for a fun, romantic escape with relatable characters and plenty of witty dialogue, I highly recommend Enemies to Lovers. It’s a delightful journey that reminded me why I love romance novels. This book is bound to bring a smile to your face!

This is the perfect beach read and one you can probably get through in one sitting!

The characters are well portrayed and I felt like I was nearly on this family trip with Flo, her siblings, parents and friends. The banter between the family made you smile and reminded me a lot of my own. But it's not all fun and laughs, I like that Williams addressed some big topics in this book, like mental health, being overwhelmed, feeling lost and more. These are things that so many of us experience every day and seeing that representation on what initially comes across as a happy-go-lucky, everything is perfect book is refreshing.

I liked the chemistry between Flo and Jamie and even though the overall plot is fairly predictable, I thought Williams built it up well and kept the reader interested.

So all in all, a great book to the add to the list if you're looking for something that gives you a laugh and something to think about.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for a review.

I am so mad at myself for not picking this book up the second I got it through to my Kindle! This is one of the best romance books I have read all year. I literally read this entire 400 page book in one day, I was so obsessed with it!

Jamie is Flo's brother's best friend, and last Christmas they almost had a thing, but out of nowhere Jamie bails on her, leaving Flo with a lot of hurt feelings and confusion. They have managed to avoid each other ever since, until Jamie turns up on Flo's family holiday, and they are forced to spend two weeks together.

I really loved this book's exploration of mental health, and how it explored this from both the more obvious angle of Flo after she had her breakdown, but also from all of the side characters, especially Jamie, and the idea that everyone has things that they don't outwardly share and you never know what is going on behind closed doors. It was really beautiful reading about these characters learning to trust each other and opening up about their experiences.

I really loved the beautiful sibling relationship that existed between Flo and Alex. Their love and support for each other was very quiet but meaningful. Even the little nose scrunches they did to each other to symbolise that they loved one another had my heart melting. I loved that the author showed different types of love, and that not every love has to be loud, but can just be someone being there for you without even having to say something.

I love all the tropes that were in this. The brother's best friend, the second chance romance, the jealousy trope, the only one room, all of it was just incredible. It had me smiling so much, or had my jaw dropping at certain scenes from lines that were so funny or so filled with angst.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for anything else that Laura Jane Williams writes, because this was the perfect romance book in my eyes. It was super fun but with a beautiful romance at its core, and with some heavier topics explored too.

TW: death of parents, attempted sexual assault, mental health breakdown

⭐ Rating: 3/5

📖 Synopsis:
Flo Greenberg is an overachiever in need of a break. She escapes to a picturesque Greek island for a relaxing family holiday, only to find Jamie Kramer—her brother’s best friend and her personal irritant—joining them. With two weeks of shared activities and simmering tension, Flo must confront her feelings toward Jamie. Is he really the enemy she believes him to be?

🌊 What I Loved:

• Stunning Setting: The vivid descriptions transported me to an idyllic Greek town. I could almost feel the sand and smell the saltwater. 🏖️
• Family Dynamics: The Greenberg family’s close-knit relationships added warmth and humor. Their sibling banter and games brought smiles throughout the book.
• Mental Health Representation: Flo’s journey through her mental health struggles was handled with sensitivity and authenticity, resonating deeply.

🤔 What Didn’t Work for Me:

• Title Mismatch: The “enemies” aspect was underdeveloped. The tension between Flo and Jamie didn’t reach the fiery animosity typical of the trope.
• Side Characters: The inclusion of Hope felt unnecessary and didn’t add depth to the story. More focus on Flo and Jamie’s relationship would have been welcome.
• Character Likeability: While Jamie was charming, Flo came across as somewhat self-absorbed at times.

💭 Final Thoughts:
“Enemies to Lovers” is an easy, lighthearted read—perfect for a summer getaway. While it didn’t fully deliver on the expected trope, the beautiful setting and heartfelt family moments make it an enjoyable beach read. If you love a brother’s best friend romance with a happy ending, give this one a try!

A story about Flo finding out the truth about others, past what they show her.

It's great if you love summer romances with heavy family themes, and has a good depiction of mental health struggles. Mostly of the aftermath which so rarely gets highlighted.

Recommended for people interested in these tropes: family bonding, miscommunication, spicy but not explicit scenes, text messaging, and a heavy dose of gossip.

Thanks to the publisher for the early access to the eBook!

Perfect for the summer! I really enjoyed the banter between the two main characters! I wish it was double POV but it was still very cute!