Relatively fun read! Definitely had a good time and read easy like fanfiction. While that is often fun I realize that for someone that is not big on dramione it falls a little flat? I enjoyed reading it overall but I feel like actual fans of the fanfiction and the ship in the first place would enjoy it beter. It lacked the connection for me and the banter/enemies to lovers aspect felt a bit…forced because of that. Connection isn’t needed in fanfiction because you already know the whole backstory and how they end up together and I felt like this book was missing that a bit.

Overall a fun read though!!

Full disclosure- I enjoy fanfic in general and Dramione in particular so I was always going to be keen to read this one, and it didn’t disappoint!

I really loved the characterisations of the two main characters in this book. No grumpy/sunshine here, this is grumpy/grumpy and they are just such great foils for each other.

This book is really funny, with a decent plot that keeps the story moving and some lovely little magical features like the way stones used to travel - located at pubs round the country - and the deofals which are a sort of magical familiar slash messenger.

Overall I just had a great time from start to finish and I can’t wait for the next book!

It was my first Dramione read and I now get the hype more than ever. I loved this book!!
Enemies-to-lovers? Slow burn? A scholarly healer forced to work with a gentleman assassin? Sign me up!

Brigitte Knightley’s The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is the kind of romantasy that gripped me with its wit, tension, and irresistible chemistry.

Osric Mordaunt, an assassin in need of healing, turns to Aurienne Fairhrim—the last person who would ever want to help him. But when bribery meets necessity, an uneasy (and highly entertaining) partnership is born. Together, they must investigate a deadly pox while also battling an even more dangerous affliction: their growing attraction.

💫 Why you’ll love it:
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers perfection – Osric and Aurienne cannot stand each other, yet they have to work together. Their banter is top-tier, with sharp sarcasm and sizzling tension.
⏳ Slow burn at its finest – Patience is required, but the payoff is so worth it. Watching their perceptions of each other shift was just chef’s kiss.
😂 Funny & Sexy – The humor? On point with really funny situations. The tension was delicious.
🌍 Enchanting worldbuilding – A rich, immersive setting that pulls you in from page one. I loved the fact that they could travel from Pub to Pub, all with very funny names of course.
🕵️‍♀️ Mysterious intrigue – A deadly pox, secrets lurking in the shadows… the stakes are high, and I loved it even though it is in the background for most of the book and takes more center stage towards the end.

It's one of my favorite reads of 2025 and it's not even out that I need the next one right now!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing ARC!

Bookstagram post coming up Tuesday 18th March.

Loved it!!! This book was absolutely hilarious! I honestly don’t think I have ever laughed so much at a book before. The banter was sooo good! I couldn’t get enough of it! This is without a doubt one of my new favourites and a top read of the year!

The magic system is really unique and I loved the idea of the ‘Deofols’ (animal companions of sorts which are linked to the individual) who were equally as funny when passing messages between the two main characters.

The distain between Osric and Aurienne is REAL, this is a very slowww burn and written so well! I really enjoyed seeing them slowly become slightly more cooperative/tolerant of each other as the story went on 😂

I honestly can’t wait to add a physical copy of this book to my shelves. And the cover is stunning! 😍

I’m already excited for the next book in this duology!

Thank you so much @brigitteknightley, @littlebrownbookgroup_uk & @netgalley for the e-arc

4.5⭐️
🌶️🌶️

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is a slow burn enemies to lovers romance where Aurienne, a brilliant minded Haelan, is tasked with healing Osric, a member of her enemy order and top assassin to boot.

Omg this book!!!! The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and let me tell you, it lived up to the hype!!! The tension between Aurienne and Osric - chefs kiss. The slow burn - immaculate. The banter - witty. I was laughing out loud on a plane (did get some weird looks haha) at most of Osric’s sarcastic comments and Aurienne’s dry humour. The interactions between the two made the whole enemies to lovers trope so believable.

Bridgette understands what her readers want and boy does she deliver. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a slow burn enemies to lovers (and obviously for any Dramione fans too!!)

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

Not at all what I was expecting but a very good read!

It was a bit slow to start and I felt it takes some time to get used to the authors writing style, but once I got past that I really enjoyed it.

A huge slow burn!!! The whole book made me want to scream (in a good way)…when are they going to get it on!?!

It also had humorous points and I loved the tit for tat relationship that remained steady throughout.

I was a bit confused with the magic system as it seems to give you all the information at the start but then only really touched on the main characters magic, maybe this will be developed in the next book I’m not sure but it definitely didn’t take from the story or ruin it at all and if you’re accustomed to reading fantasy it’s easy to follow along

I did NOT expect that ending and now I want to cry because I need more 😭 someone please tell me the next book is coming soon?

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy was a mixed experience for me.
I liked the writing style and the humour, for the most part. It was playful, silly, easy to read - something I see carrying over from the fanfiction space and, for romcoms, I think is perfect.

And I enjoyed the magic system - shadow jumping abilities always appeal to me and they were used for some really fun stuff in TIUTFFYE. Of course I'm weak for animal companions too so the Deofol familiars were a hit. Cinder and Ciele were absolutely the highlight of my reading experience!

But the story felt a bit hollow. I know this book is inspired by a fandom that I am not a part of, but it lacks a solid foundation of its own. The worldbuilding is rocky - we have advanced technology with modern lighting and sophisticated medical equipment, but we also have gas lamps and the scandal of flashing ones ankles. Then in some scenes there are men in crude leather armour fighting with shields and spears. Are we contemporary? Late Victorian? The Middle Ages? I loved the idea behind the waystone pubs, but the rest of the setting felt floaty and inconsistent.

I'm also concerned that there is a scene in this book that misses the mark in its handling of sexual consent. I understand that Osric is morally grey, but in a romcom that isn't advertised as taboo romance I expect there to be certain lines that won't be crossed by our male love interest. The next paragraph will very vaguely reference an event in the book - I may update this with more specific information after publication.

There is a scene in which Osric engages in a sexual activity with Aurienne in the room, she is neither aware of it happening nor is she in a position to give consent or to ask that he stop. It didn't sit well with me and it is not addressed in any way after it has happened.

It was unnecessary and left me feeling uncomfortable. There were also moments where the dirty humour got taken a bit too far for my personal tastes. In moderation it was amusing, but on the whole it was too much.

Brigette Knightley does clearly have a talent for the romcom style though, she has a fun narrative voice that will entertain most and I hope she can hone this in future projects! I am also happy to see the contemporary romance trend of female protagonists in STEM roles is continuing to carry over into the fantasy genre space. Praying for many more examples of this in 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
✦ Content warnings: sickness, gore, torture (mild), mistreatment of a corpse
✦ Representation: bisexual biromantic FMC, women in STEM
✦ Emotional damage: low
✦ Author: new-to-me
✦ Mood: snarky, nerdy, fanfic-inspired

This was an absolutely fantastic read. Hilariously funny, I couldn't get enough of the banter between Osric and Aurienne, and their slow burn romance that culminates in an absolutely beautiful realisation of feelings cliffhanger. Rounded our by a tiny mystery subplot, this was just all in all a fantastic book and I cannot wait to read the next one.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley was absolutely unputdownable! The banter? Top-tier. The chemistry? Off the charts. This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I can confidently say it’s one of my top reads this year.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Aurienne and Osric was perfection. Their sharp wit and constant back-and-forth had me laughing out loud, and the slow-burn tension made every interaction electric. It wasn’t just about the romance, though—the world-building and character development were so well done that I felt completely immersed in their journey.

The way their relationship evolved felt so natural, never rushed, and so satisfying. If you love books with amazing banter, a slow-burn that keeps you on edge, and characters you can’t help but fall for, this is a must-read. I honestly loved it and already want to read it again! All the stars!!!

I absolutely devoured this book! A true enemies to lovers entwined with an interesting plot. This book checked off everything; loathing, banter, longing - I need the next book immediately! My favourite read of the year thus far, easy 5 stars!

I am so glad I got a chance to read this book.

I love the world that has been created, an alternative Britain if the Norman conquest hadn’t been successful, where magic and technology go hand in hand. The characters are really well rounded out and the the imagery fantastic. The plot is great, all the trademarks of a rom com, but with high level stakes for the main characters ensuring that the relationship develops from enemies to lovers in a satisfying way. There were sections that made me giggle out loud in a way a book hasn’t made me do in a while, that didn’t feel gratuitous and really fleshed out the characters in my mind.

I understand that this is meant to be in two parts but the ending, however, left me a bit unsatisfied. It hasn’t deterred me from wanting more though.

If you are looking for a slow burn, enemies to lovers, high stakes adventure, this is your story. I can’t wait for the next part!

Before getting into the content of this book, a warning: it isn't a complete story. It's an alleged duology that is clearly actually one story cut in two - there are no resolved arcs in this book, it simply stops. Because of this, the pacing is very odd and there's no complete structure.

That said, it is also quite fun. The world-building is done with a light touch but makes for a satisfying setting, in a magical Britain (although the story focuses on England) which did not fall to the Norman Conquest. Magic users are mostly members of different orders, some focusing on doing good and others on killing for money. The titular enemies are a healer and an assassin, forced to work together when the assassin is struck with a seemingly incurable affliction. In return for healing he becomes involved in investigating the spread of a mysterious disease, being forced to spend more and more time with the healer as the intrigue ramps up. As the title makes clear, sexual tension starts to become a factor as they are compelled to get to know each other.

It turns out that this author is a well-known fanfiction author. Fanfic tropes - like everyone being bi/pansexual and continual snarky banter - are present, and although this is apparently not a reworking of an existing piece it does make sense that Knightley wrote a high profile Draco/Hermione story. However, this novel should appeal to a wider romantasy audience that isn't immersed in fandom. Some incongruously modern language does creep in but in a AU story with a vague timeline it's hard to be too strict.

I enjoyed it while i was reading it and would have given it a cheerful four stars if it had any kind of resolution. Unfortunately the non-finish and consequent structural failures lose a star for me. I came away from the book feeling somewhat cheated.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read any of the author's fanfics, but I do like Dramione, so I thought I would enjoy the dynamic in The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy.

Sadly, it really didn't work for me. I generally don't enjoy exaggerated and unrealistic humour, and this was no exception.

It reminded me of Throne in the Dark by A K Caggiano, and I have a feeling that Assistant to the Villain is similar, so I would definitely recommend this for readers who enjoyed those.

I terms of the story, not a lot happened to advance the plot (at least, not a lot for 400+ pages) - I would say that the blurb pretty much sums it all up.

I love a good enemies to lovers dynamic, but sadly I didn't find Osric redeemable at all, so I can't see what would make Aurienne stop disliking him, never mind love him.

Overall, while it really wasn't for me, I can definitely see how it would appeal to other readers.

.Enemies to lovers
.Forced proximity
.Hate to love
.He falls first
.Slow burn
.Outrageous banter
.Dual POV

I still can’t believe this author hasn’t been published before. She has a very distinctive voice, with rich vocabulary, sharp wit, outrageous in the best way, and somehow still manages to have depth. I have no doubt she’s going to be a hit when this book hits the shelves.

A quick preface: I’m a huge Dramione reader, and I read the original fanfic this book is based on. It wasn’t my favorite at the time. Not because it wasn’t good, but because I either like my Dramiones really dark or extremely cozy and sweet. No middle ground for me. That said, this book does its own thing, and I love how it carves out a unique world.

The setting is a mix of old and new. Rooted in historical England with names inspired by Old English, but also featuring electricity and modern medicine. It’s immersive but easy to get into, with no steep learning curve, and the story kicks off right away.

Now, the main characters. They are obnoxiously conceited, stubborn as mules, but somehow still incredibly endearing. Their inner monologues carry the book, though I could’ve done with fewer dick jokes. They started feeling a bit much after a while.

Aurienne is as rigid as they come, absolutely refuses to budge, and could use a bit more softness. Which, thankfully, starts to show towards the end and will see more of in the best book. (Oh yeah, this is the first in a series. I didn’t know that going in, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.)

Osric is amazing. Pure chaotic energy, a morally gray killing machine with a soft spot for animals. Basically my ideal kind of hero. He and Aurienne truly hate each other, and they feel like actual enemies, which makes for a great dynamic in a romantasy.

But if you’re picking this up expecting lots of romance, you might be disappointed. There are a few romantic moments (barely any), but that’s not the book’s main focus.

The pacing could have been a bit tighter, it dragged in places, and the ending felt abrupt. But overall, I had a great time reading it. I know people are going to love this one.

I had seen lots of hype online for the release of this book and recognise the love for original fanfic by this author so I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately I think I have come to realise that cosy fantasies are not necessarily for me so I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I'm sure if you loved books like Emily Wilde then you will appreciate this book more that I did!
With that said I'm glad I read it and the plot and characters have intrigued me enough that I do want to pick up the sequel. I had for some reason thought this was a standalone so I was getting confused as I approached the end of the book and wasn't sure how it was going to wrap up! To me it felt as if the ending was therefore a bit sudden but I'm sure it will all play out in the next book.

Overall this is an entertaining and interesting book with fun characters which many readers will absolutely love. I do look forward to reading the next book and following these characters again.

DNF 4%

Immediately, I couldn’t tell this wouldn’t be for me, The first few pages left me confused, in a bad way. I have not a clue what Orsin looks like, or where we are, or when, and then suddenly we’re meeting the fmc? And already their conversations are so witty, but a dull witty? I couldn’t see any stakes, because I don’t know what’s so magic about Orsin, or any idea why he’s important. Most of what I read was dialogue after dialogue and exposition via dialogue instead of having the narrator speak or do anything. I couldn’t keep up honestly and thought i was missing punctuation- but everything happens through conversations.

Reading other reviews, there’s a lot of inappropriate sexual content going on that has no warnings- mmc masturbating over her while she’s asleep, fingering a corpse’s ass, and talk of scissors in foreplay. This is what I would expect from a dark romance, not a romantic comedy. I don’t believe I missed any trigger warnings at the start for this. I haven’t read much fanfic (1) and didn’t know the author was a fanfic writer, but it makes sense now and would have been nice to know a little context beforehand. I can get being unhinged characters, but I need something to attach to and ground me first.

Clever and very funny I enjoyed this enemies to not quite so antaganoistic with a heavy dose of lust fantasy as healer Aurienne is forced to try and secretly heal assassin Osric and finds herself pulled into a world of dastardly conspiracies, chaos and dark deeds, and concede that not only is life not quite as black and white and ordered as she would like but that she is having fun... It is laugh out loud amusing at times, but as other reviewers have said slow to start (so slow that if it hadn't been a Netgalley read I might not have persevered) and ends really abruptly. But overall a lot of fun. Recommended

Every single moment of this book was absolutely delightful to read. Brigette Knightley has given us a true enemies to lovers romantasy with the enemies aspect so integral that I was really questioning how the lovers part could develop but oh it did, so believably well. For those who have read Brigette’s other work you’ll know exactly the feeling reading this, for those who aren’t Dramione readers think the embedded societal rivalry of Romeo and Juliet but with a love story you leave feeling desperate for!

I really loved the dual pov’s in this story as the characters kept themselves so guarded that it allowed us to see both sides letting their walls down and appreciate the flaws and vulnerabilities of both Osric and Aurienne before there was any hint of it to the other character. Osric became my favourite villain I’ve ever read so quickly, he’s an absolute delight.

The love story also doesn’t distract from the rest of the plot, simply interweaves beautifully. All of their adventures each full moon and the mystery/detective work they get drawn into is completely enticing on its own - of course helped by the genius levels of banter and quick wit which Brigette is hailed for.

I found I quickly understood and became immersed in the fantasy world that this story is set in which is often not the case with romatasy stories so that was a lovely relief. The glossary at the start of the book to help understand some of the terminology and different orders was definitely really helpful with this.

Some highlights for me include The Fork (iconic), The Yogurt, “You can’t just ask people why they haven’t got nipples” (anyone else read it in the voice of Gretchen Weiners?) and the appearance of some pink heart shaped sunglasses.
I will be recommending this book to so many people when it is released later this year and am already desperate for the sequel to come out to see how the story continues from that ending!

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

💕🍴🐈‍⬛

Everything about this was superb - from the writing and banter, right down to the chapter titles. And the slow burn… no one does slow burn quite like fanfic writers!! This was true enemies to lovers - with characters that had legitimate reasons to hate each other. I’m dropping a star as I found the start to be a little bit slow, but other than that I loved it! Laugh out loud funny.

Thanks NetGalley and Little Brown UK for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, healer x murder romance.

To me this was verrrryyy slow, I didn't get into it until about 40%. It also ended very abruptly, just when we were getting to the action and something would happen.

I did really love the banter and laughed out loud several times to the one liners. While I found this a little slow and boring, I think the next book will have a very satisfying slow burn payoff, and some action that I'm very excited for.