Member Reviews
I wasn't a huge fan of this, really sorry. It was just a little too introspective and a little too obvious - I'd guessed the twist fairly early on.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A fun filled family holiday in Greece? What's not to love?
I devoured this book. Honestly, it was just so easy to read. It was a little cringy, but I'm not really complaining because I had so much fun reading it.
What to expect:
✨️Banter
✨️Sneaking around
✨️Mental health representation
✨️Family fun
✨️Brothers best friend
With this book being so lighthearted and fun, there were still a lot of heavy topics mentioned. There was a big topic of mental health throughout and how each family member was dealing with it. Obviously centring around the two MCs but within the rest of the family as well.
The enemies to lovers aspect didn't really show through too much. It was more animosity towards each other than full hate. And they really weren't communicating very well at all. But Flo had a lot of personal growth throughout this book, and I'm so glad she got there in the end.
This book would be perfect for your summer holiday read, in the garden with a wine to transport you to Greece or whilst beside the pool on your own family holiday.
4.25 ⭐️
3.25 🌟
I like LJW and her writing and I liked this. It's a straightforward what you see is what you get beach read that I would probably have enjoyed more if I was also sunning myself on a Greek island.
That said, I felt like this story didn't flow as well as it could have (ironic given the fmc is called Flo 🙃) and I felt like it wasn't a real enemies to lovers more of a frustrated annoyance with a fairly quick transition to lovers.
What I did appreciate was the discussion about mental health and navigating relationships after recovering from a breakdown which felt incredibly relatable.
All in all I liked the setting and most of the plot whilst the characters I could take or leave.
With thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC
This book transported me to Greece a place I have never visited but feel I would love to now.
A good romantic read with good humour throughout which kept me turning the pages. A fun easy read for the summer.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
If you're looking for some light-hearted romantic distraction with a stunning backdrop of Greece & wholesome family banter & drama this is a perfectly good book to grab. I was hoping for some more "enemies" drama which really didn't materialise, I never felt any animosity towards the protagonist so this didn't quite happen for me, and all along I had an inkling what the actual truth of the story was so maybe that gave things a different perspective for me. I'd just have liked a bit more ooomph to the enemies to lovers trope here but from a "holiday reads" perspective it's good.
I was genuinely excited to read this book, as the title and cover really stood out for me. However, after reading it just didn't fully hit the spot for me. There was just some elements to the plots and characters that were lacking.
The enemies part of the story didn't really come through as strong as I personally like. It felt more like some tension rather than full enemies hatred. The characters were likeable but they lacked depth which made it hard to be invested in the book. I love a book based in summer and this definitely was one! It's light and enjoyable and I can see alot of people finding it comforting.
A fun and easy summer read, as a Greek who read this durong my holiday in Greece, I can atest that the writing definitely made me feel 'at home.' However, I didn't feel like the book offered anything new in terms of the genre/trope and I was hoping the enemies bit would actually be a bit more intense. Flo's mental health issies were delivered with respect and the description of the family dynamics and relationships were definitely my favourite part. Some fun supporting characters, but overall not sure if this one will make a lasting impression. It did make for a great summer read by the sea though!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy, all opinions are my own
Enemies to Lovers whisks you away to sunny Greece, where the setting is so vivid you can almost smell the sea air. 🌊 The story is about Flo and Jamie, who are supposed to be “enemies,” but the title doesn’t quite match their fun, playful relationship.
The best part of the book is the close-knit family vibes, with lots of funny sibling moments that add a lot of warmth. ❤️ Flo’s mental health journey is handled really well and feels very real. On the downside, the character Hope doesn’t add much to the story, and I would have loved more focus on Flo and Jamie instead.
Overall, this book is a fun, light read, perfect for a beach vacation. ☀️ It’s filled with humor and a sweet romance between Flo and her brother’s best friend, ending with a happy-ever-after. If you like lighthearted love stories with a great setting, this is a great pick!
Flo goes away on a family holiday to Greece not realising that Jamie, her Brothers best friend and the man who she thought she could have been in a relationship with had he not left a note saying they shouldn’t take things any further, will also be there.
The story started slowly but blossomed into a great story of misunderstanding, family relationships, mental health (which I felt was handled really well and with sensitivity) and how things aren’t always as they seem.
There was a mix of characters, which all were integral to the story and gave the story the warmth and humour against the backdrop of warm sunshine on golden beaches.
I would definitely recommend this book and would certainly have been 5 stars had the beginning not been a little slow for me to get into, but is worth continuing with.
Thank you to Randomhouse UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for the chance to review this book however all opinions are completely my own.
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Flo is an incredibly gracious character. I was able to resonate with her character throughout the book and couldn’t put it down! The plot was written wonderfully, and the ending was so lovely. I loved the found-family concept and it was so cute to read about this close-knit family, sharing all their flaws and concerns. Jamie was also a great character - a great love interest. I think I have read/watched many enemies to lovers stories recently and this is a good one!
I think it wasn’t quite 5 stars for me due to the miscommunication which is always slightly frustrating to read but necessary to the plot!
Overall, a super cute holiday romance!!
An easy, fun read that has all the tropes you need to keep you sated this summer; brother’s best friend, forced proximity, second chance and you guessed it, enemies to lovers.
Set on an idyllic Greek island that transports you on the perfect mental summer holiday, there are mishaps, shenanigans and tensions that bubble over into lust and love.
I particularly liked the mental health representation in this book and the difficulties people face getting through them, especially showing navigating relationships again when people have seen you at your lowest.
The characters were likeable and you’re always rooting for a happy ever after for them. Jamie and Flo when they’re together…delicious! I love the tension, and the pass agg going on, these are defo characters that would play out well on the screen.
My only blah with this book is the miscommunication which is a big part of this book. It just makes me want to shake some sense into the characters and when it goes on too long…ahhh the frustration! That being said, it didn’t put me off and I loved the resolution at the end.
The family dynamics and banter in this were great and really showed off the complexities of familial support but also its importance and impact during times you need it most.
This is definitely one to chuck in your holiday bag to read poolside/beachside with a cocktail or two!
Thank you so much to @centurybooksuk for the proof copy and letting me be a part of the blog tour!
And congrats @laurajaneauthor for creating another cracking read!
I was genuinely excited to read this book, as the title really piqued my interest. However, I have to say it didn't quite hit the mark for me, and I feel there was some untapped potential.
The "enemies" aspect of the story didn't really come through as I expected. Instead, what I felt while reading was more of an underlying tension between the characters rather than outright animosity. While the book is certainly an easy read, it has its shortcomings. I did enjoy the family dynamics and the summery atmosphere, but the title seems misleading given that the main characters don't really come across as enemies.
Some of the characters were likable, but I struggled to form a strong connection with them. I never reached that point where I truly cared about their fates or felt invested in their journeys.
That being said, the book does succeed in its primary goal of entertaining the reader. It's a light, enjoyable read that would be perfect for those seeking a comforting story with elements of romance, humor, and personal growth.
In essence, while it may not have been my cup of tea, I can see how it could appeal to readers looking for a breezy summer read with a dash of tension and family warmth.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This latest release by Laura Jane Williams is set during a two-week family holiday in Greece. This novel offers a delightful blend of romantic tropes, all set against beautiful beaches and summer sunshine.
While the beginning of the book may have been slow, the story picks up momentum as it progresses. One of the most captivating aspects of this book is the portrayal of family dynamics and interactions, which are heartwarming and incredibly humorous. Additionally, the book sensitively addresses the topic of Flo's mental breakdown, offering an insightful and thoughtful exploration of this challenging issue.
This is a three-star read because it fails to offer anything new. However, it does offer escapism, making it an ideal beach read!
This one was just ok for me. It was well written and had likeable main characters but the storyline wasn’t particularly rememberable. I still like this author and look forward to reading more of her books .
This was a perfect beach read. A book about the love hate relationship of Flo and Jamie. There was nothing not to like:
It was fun, relatable and you were rooting for the happy ending.
It was a little predictable but it didn’t matter one bit.
Thanks for the opportunity to review.
*review contains spoilers!*
Aside from a few more risqué moments, I feel like the book could be a Young Adults book.
The note under the door felt very childish from the outset.
The way that Flo (at her big age) couldn’t quite bring herself to speak to Jamie when he turns up at the villa… they’re supposed to be adults!
Although I’ve only rated it 3 stars, I read it in a day and it was an easy read. Would I recommend it? Probably only as a quick read or perhaps a holiday read.
In this book you will be whisked away on a holiday to Greece with Flo, her family, and her brother's best friend Jamie.
Flo doesn't like Jamie one bit Especially after what he done to her last Christmas so when she sees him with her brother she is frustrated and angry but has to deal with it coz he's like a second son to her family.
Flo has been through a lot recently and was struggling with her mental health and now with Jamie in the picture she has a lot of thinking to do and decisions to make.
Here's my opinion: I started this book thinking it was funny and lighthearted read but alas it was a disappoinment actually I couldn't engage with the main characters or like them , it was really hard to get through it and didn't give me any excitement.
However as I always say, what I didn't like might be someone else's favorite therefore, give it a chance and check it out when it's released.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of#EnemiesToLovers in exchange for my honest review.
Xoxo💋
Flo Greenberg is highly strung, an over-achiever and is desperate for a relaxing Greek holiday with her family. Jamie Kramer is her brother's best friend, a pain in the arse and is somehow on Flo’s relaxing Greek holiday too. With two surprise weeks of sharing meals, boat trips and sun-loungers, Flo must endure the company of this irksomely chiselled Lothario, but after events from last year, she’s determined not to let him get the better of her. In fact, spending time with the enemy will be the perfect cure for Flo's all-consuming anger towards Jamie, right? (Spoiler alert: wrong…!)
After loving ‘LoveStruck’ last year from this author, I was really excited for this new title, I am very glad to say I wasn’t left disappointed. This is a wonderfully cosy room-com read and Flo is a really delightful character. She knows she’s not perfect and she’s not trying to be, the family dynamic beautifully supporting her ups and downs, from the caring parents and the over-protective siblings, there are some serious family goals here!
Yes some elements are predictable but in a bad way, not at all! I read this book with a smile on my face the whole way through, loving the comical repertoire with Flo’s siblings and the undeniable connection between Flo and Jamie. A delve into the importance of mental health is also very carefully covered, getting the message out there that it’s ok not to be ok, proving nothing in life can be 100% perfect all of the time.
A wonderful beach read that you will lap up this summer, whether by the pool or in the garden, or pretty much anywhere!
I've read all of Laura Jane Williams's books. She is an auto-read author of mine, and I was lucky enough to have an arc of this book to take on holiday.
It is a fabulous blend of a great story, wonderful flawed characters, a great side cast, and just the right amount of spice! ("Though it can be a bit embarrassing to be reading a scene of that nature when by the side of the pool, with families surrounding you!
Flo is a woman who has been through the wringer, suffering a breakdown a few years previously. Her family still treat her like a fragile piece of china, wrapping her up in cotton wool. Well, alternating between that and her brother's version of sibling-style care...
She's on a family holiday and reeling from a rejection from someone she never thought would mean something to her: her brother's best friend, Jamie.
Then, there he is, on her family holiday, to cause all manner of feelings.
I won't go into it too much, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC.
A really enjoyable read. It has you swooning and giggling. A most read for any lover of romance novels.