I should have known better than to read this so far in advance of publication date but I couldn’t help myself!! When is book 2 coming?! Absolutely loved this slow burn enemies to lovers book. It was funny. Like ACTUALLY laugh out loud funny. Arienne is a healer from the GOOD order and Osric is an assassin for hire with seemingly no moral compass from very much the BAD order. There was such development from both main characters, the situations they found themselves in flipped from the sublime to the ridiculous. The side characters-my goodness Xanthe-I loved her, want to be her when I’m 200 years old, Leofric-bonkers and definitely one to avoid but hilarious and Parson-basically the current keeper of our MMC, easily flipping between compassion and brutality. I’m so sad it’s over I can’t wait for the next part!!

This was DELIGHTFUL. I always say that it's incredibly difficult to write enemies to lovers in a convincing way because it requires the slowest of slow burns. But this book—it's perfectly done. And it's also VERY funny.

I’ve never read a Dramione fanfic in my life, and while I know this book is an original story, it definitely gives off strong Hermione/Draco vibes. Both characters are sassy, bossy, and very self-aware. It was great to follow Osric and Arienne’s journey as they get to know each other and soften a bit. Their banter is just fantastic—this author has a true talent for writing dialogue that is both funny and feels incredibly natural. I was kicking my feet all the time.

And about the slow burn—the tension it builds is so thick, you could probably cut it with a knife. Impeccable. But it also makes me crave book 2 ASAP.

The worldbuilding is very interesting and well done, which I think is important for books by authors transitioning from fanfic to traditional pub. The setting takes place in an alternate UK in the 19th century, where the 1066 Norman Conquest never succeeded. I believe the published book will include a map, but for now, you can find it on the author's Instagram, and it really helps visualize the world.

You do need a moment to fully grasp the magic system and its rules—it’s quite particular, as it includes a lot of 'body magic' elements. But once you do, you realize how it seamlessly incorporates a regular STEM romance dynamic into the fantasy realm. Plotwise, the book gets the job done. The story itself works well within the boundaries of this world and its rules. Yes, it’s all quite tropey, but still well done and not forced. When I read the premise I was like—how can a fantasy book be promoted as something for fans of Ali Hazelwood? Yeah, I get it now. 🙃

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. After reading numerous novels about soft heroines with troubled pasts, I was craving something different, and this one truly delivered. The sequel will be one of my most anticipated reads and I'll definitely grab it as soon as possible.

First and foremost I must thank NetGalley for approving my request literally five minutes after I pressed the button. I honestly did not expect you to approve it that fast, so a big smooch for you.

5/5 for everything
Probably too high of expectations going in but if I hate something, I will hate it.
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Alternative Title: The Ganglion and the Fusspot

I remember when I first read DMATMOBIL in 2023 when I was avoiding (ironically) my Ethics in research class prep because it sucked. While I can obviously see the writing of Brigitte and how it hasn't really changed since that fic was published, this book is soooo not that. Yes, there are parts of the story that have come from DMATMOBIL but Brigitte has obviously made it her own world and incorporated her own magic system into this world whilst still having some nice callbacks to her roots. (e.g. the pink, heart-shaped glasses on a skull)

I will admit that when I saw how close to the end I saw the book was and I started speaking to my Kindle as though Brigitte was trapped in there writing it for me, I wasn't disappointed, frustrated yes – slow burn do be slow burning – but I will definitely read this again (a lot probably, definitely). I really liked how well the chemistry was between all of the characters (platonic and otherwise). While I would've liked to be frustrated with a single POV and second-guess myself with the classic "does she...? no? yes?", I LOVED the dual POV and the second-guessing of myself at certain points and honestly I haven't felt that from a new book in ages.

To go back to Brigitte's writing style. Oh hell yes, she writes like she has rewatched Easy A (first film that I could think of that had the same speech style) a billion times with how the banter goes back and forth, honestly, I kept giggling way too loudly and the walls looked upon my chaotic nature with far more concern than inanimate objects should have.

I loved the adventure that they had to go on, the disgust they have for each other (almost as much as I have for them 😏) is palpable and is, for sure, a fine line that they are honestly leaping across like they are in the Olympics and aiming for a gold medal.

Additionally, I'm so excited to see where they go and what Brigitte is going to do to hurt me in the future with the brick wall she kissed and lovingly built before she drove over me with the cement mixer.

I'm so excited to see where she goes in the future, she is for sure an instant buy which WILL hurt my bank account.

And now I am going to consume other content to forget basically everything until the official Irresistible arrives through my postbox and wakes me from my slumber like I am Nosferatu.

This has no business being as good as it was for being a debut novel. Thank you God for Brigette Knightley. From the world building to the plot and characters, this was flawless. The writing style was so good and both Osric and Aurienne were so complex and real. The banter and the chemistry was on point; never in the book did any of their interactions feel like they were pushed or out of character. The way you can see how they slowly start to develop feelings and care and trust for each other through the things they go through and adventures they do together, it’s just everything to me and I can’t wait to see how all of this develops even more in book 2 (which we’ll be praying it comes out soon because if I have to wait a long time for it, I will simply die). This is literally the definition of the AO3 tag "idiots in love" except they're not in love because this is an excruciatingly slow slow burn, it will have you just longing for the characters to be in the same room. Trust me when I say if you love classic fan fiction tropes, you will ADORE this.

> Enemies-to-lovers
> High interaction slow burn
> Hypercompetent idiots
> He falls first and harder
> Slaughter as a love language

"Their star-crossed tācn pressed against each other’s. Their Orders were in their veins, as inescapable as their own blood.” Brigette you are insane, I can't handle this. As someone who read the fanfic back then, I can say that I went with a lot of expectations for this book, and this was all I wanted and more. It was such an original and fun novel and I can't wait to read all of the other books Brigette Knightley will put out in the future, because she just became one of my favourite authors.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!