the mc is so petty, i had way too much fun reading it. i really recommend it

I NEED THE NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW !!

I wanted to love this one so much more than I did.

I think what makes fanfic writers so amazing is their ability to expand on a world we're already intimately familiar with and they don't have to focus on the world building, and in the case of fantasy books, if we're reading fanfiction, we know the magic system.

I think where fanfic writers publishing their own versions of their fanfiction struggle, is having to establish all of this themselves. There was next to no world-building in this book. The magic system was barely explained and what was explained just served to confuse me even more than I already was. It all just felt very lightly touched on.

The actual plot was very stretched out. We got much of the same for most of the book - the two main characters meeting up, exchanging scathing words, trying something with no result, exchanging more scathing words and then storming off. I lost count of how many times this happened. You could have swapped out the scenes with each other and not noticed a difference. The plot developed too late and by then, I'd lost all of my ability to connect with it and the characters.

I do think this definitely has potential. The world building needs some serious developing, as does the magic system and the pacing.

Very funny and enjoyable! I really liked the characters banter, their humour and ability to bounce off each other was delightfully funny to read.

I also enjoyed the world building, while it's not the focus of the book I like the idea of an alternative world where William the Conqueror lost at Hastings and it was believable and interesting.

However NOTHING is concluded at all by the end of the book, which leaves it feeling as though it's half the story. I don't want to have to wait and buy a second book to get one whole story, so I had to mark it down from a four star for that.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Oh my bloody GOODNESS THIS BOOK !!!!!❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

I can confidently say that ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For My Enemy’ has been one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far - the banter ?! Brigitte’s writing style?! It truly is the epitome of a slowburn-witty-enemies-to-(somewhat 👀 )lovers. Absolute chefs kiss.

I 👏🏻 COULD 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 PUT 👏🏻 IT 👏🏻 DOWN 👏🏻 like genuine laugh-out-loud moments and I NEED TO DEBRIEF WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE HONESTLY THIS BOOK HAS ME IN ALL THE FEEEEEEELS AND GIDDINESS AND JUST 🤯 !!!

Themes covered in this book;
🥼 Smart, badass, self-assured FMC Aurienne who is a Haelen (Order of healer-scholars)
⚔️ Witty, literally-an-assassin, self-assured MMC Osric, who is a Fyren (Order of Assassins and also may happen to be Good Looking)
🥼 Different Orders
⚔️ SLOW BURNNNNN DONE BEAUTIFULLY (we are talking high interaction AND slow burn - 10/10 execution - take the assassin puns as you will 😉 )
🥼 Laugh-out-loud-and-maybe-even-some-snorting moments
⚔️ Enemies-to-lovers but like we are talking proper enemies 👀🫶🏻

I am anticipating the release of book 2 as though my life depends on it. THANK YOU so much to the team at Hachette Australia & New Zealand and Little Brown Book UK for access to an ARC of this absolute GEM and Brigitte - wowee I cannot WAIT for the book community to experience ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy’ - I know they will fall in love just as obsessively as I have 🥹🥹🥹

Being from different Orders (Aurienne-Haelan and Osric-Fyren) will lead them to disagree many times throughout this adventure. Aurienne and Osric, who by a strange agreement must work together, gradually grow closer, even with their awkwardly funny and witty banter occasionally. This is a really slow-burn romance from start to end between these enemies to lovers. However, I did have a hard time with the world-building and magic system like I wish it was better explained. There were chapters that were overworded with info or made-up words, and it wasn't until I read the glossary that some things fit but in the same way, I hope they will be better developed in the sequel (I'm not sure if there will be one but with that ending, it seems so). Moreover, it was difficult to connect with the characters, I sense that they were explored only on a surface-level. Overall, it was a good book that I wish I had enjoyed and connected with more

4 ⭐️

Laughed out loud, giggled and kicked my feet. This was SUCH a fun read and the humour had me absolutely cackling!

The slowest of slow burns (for a duology), hilarious banter, and delicious tension is what you get with TIUTFFYE and I absolutely ate it up!

Osric had already suspected that he didn’t like Fairhrim. That was now confirmed.
His patience with the negotiation ran out.
‘Kidnap it is,’ said Osric. He rose, poured the onions onto the floor, and flapped the empty sack at Fairhrim. ‘Get in.’

I think it’s important to note this is primarily a romcom, so if you’re in the mood for a super unserious book with jokes about dicks, pubes and murder delivered in a fantastical package, this absolutely delivers.

I am so excited for book two!!

I was about to read “Mortifying” when I heard the news the author was picked up by a traditional publisher (and I thought it would be a reworking), so I held off just in case.

Then I was gifted the e-ARC of TIUTFFYE, but Dramione-coded loving fans will not be disappointed by this one. It’s a fab unique story that stands on its own in a different kind of world with enough references to appreciate other literary worlds.

The writing and banter are a fresh break from other heavier fantasies out there right now. And the characters are just fun (without spoiling it, I love the deofols and what Osric keeps at his house). I’ve been in a reading slump lately, so the story felt cozy, familiar, but low stakes. It was a quick, paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

The biggest disappointment? Finding out it’s a duology and having to wait forever for the next one!

The Pspsps dedication page made up for it though.

Thanks so much to Little Brown Book Group via NetGalley for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️ Wow! I read DMATMOOFIL last year and loved it so was super excited when I heard Brigitte was publishing her work and this did not disappoint!! My main thing from this book is the delicious banter between Aurienne and Osric, they are both so sarcastic and quick witted I was literally laughing out loud throughout the entire book! I loved the magic system of this world, it was super interesting to read about. It certainly was a slow burn but I love that and it hit the spot with little sprinkles off slow realisation that they both are falling for one another. I did not know that this was a series situation and I would be left on a little bit of a cliffhanger so I am both devastated and excited! Devastated because I need book 2 now and excited because I will be able to read about Aurienne and Osric again!!! Absolutely incredible, I cannot wait for this release because I need my trophy book!!

Thank you so much to Little Brown Book (Orbit) & Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

⭐️⭐️✨️ - 2.5

I had really high hopes for this book after seeing huge hype around it on social media, but I'm gutted to say that I didn't enjoy it...

I didn't click either of the main characters - we didn't know much about their backstory, other than ones a healer & the other is an assassin with dodgy morals, if any.

I love a slow burn enemies to lovers story, but this was flat & lacked a spark for me.

The banter & dry humour were one of the highlights, but even that became a bit repetitive by the end.

The world building also felt a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, I hate an information dump, but it just needed a lil something to bring it to life.

I'll definitely pick it up again in future - maybe I'm just not in the right headspace for it just now?

I hate leaving negative reviews but this was a struggle to get through..

I absolutely loved this book. I adore how much Fairhrim and Osric loathe one another. It's very Dramione coded, but, oddly, at the same time completely original.

Every word that comes out their mouths is dripping in distain. They're both arrogant, vain and self-proclaimed geniuses in their own fields and even though their moral compasses are pointing in completely opposite directions, there's no denying the irresistible pull towards each other.

I could listen to them argue and insult each other endlessly. The dialogue is cutting, fast-paced and absolutely hilarious.

It did end really abruptly. I felt a little cheated considering the delicious slowburn that had bubbling from their very first meeting was finally overflowing. I honestly thought there was something wrong with my copy! My disappointment that it was over really is a testament to how much I was enjoying it. I need more!

The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy was a fun & lighthearted read that follows two pov characters. Aurienne, a healer, and Osric, an assassin. The two are in polar opposite orders who are forbidden from helping one another. However, injuries that have occurred before the story begins lead Osric to try and force Aurienne into healing him. Things don't go quite his way and he ends up assisting in the cure for a Pox. In return, Aurienne assists in trying to cure the incurable for him. This leads to her trying to investigate how mythical means may help.

The book is absolutely jam packed with humour and the banter between the two characters will have you laughing. It's very much a slow burn enemies to lovers relationship between the two that will lead into the next book. Speaking of, it does end somewhat abruptly not so much a cliffhanger but you'll be desperate for more. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to continue their story!

Thanks to Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group for this arc.

This book is ✨ divine ✨ I don’t think I could love it more if I tried. I will leave a disclaimer that it is very different to most books - the writing style is narrated, and I think jumps into the story like a fanfiction, but the difference here is that we’re building a whole new world with no existing characters or backstory. Apart from that, the book itself is so much fun and I genuinely loved it, partly because of how different it was.

First of all, there is agonisingly slow burn to this story. I was screaming by the end of it for the pair to get it on. Brigitte does an amazing job of writing the character’s emotions, and how they hate each other but perhaps they’re not the worst human being in the world but also that thought is utterly preposterous and how could they possibly think that. You get the point. It goes around and around in circles and I hated it but it made it so much better and I squealed in delight towards the end of the book.

This is a slow read to get into. The world building is great, but explanation of the magic system isn’t there. Not that much happens in the first half of the book, so we get a really good look at the characters and the buildup of the complication of the plot. I loved the plot and I think it was a fantastic story. Brigitte made such a great story out of what starts as a small issue in the book, and then turns out to be a giant conspiracy that becomes life or death.

I absolutely adore Aurienne - I’m a huge geek with a penchant for big words and witty humour, and she’s a girl after my own heart. The juxtaposition with Osric was so much fun, their desperate need for what the other could give them outweighing the absolute disgust at needing to work with one another. Their banter was hilarious, and I giggled out loud quite a few times when reading. There are so many crude jokes, big words and utterly ridiculous statements made, and it was a pleasure to read them. Aurienne’s deofol (messenger spirit animal thing) was the highlight of my reading experience and I must have a plush version or art print, because I adore it.

All in all, 5/5 and I’m so excited to have been able to ARC read for this book.

“Irresistible Bastard Meets Immovable Bitch”

When chapter 1 is named this you know you’re in for a fun time! This book had the most hilarious banter I have ever read.

Not only was the banter hilarious, I found myself highlight whole pages of funny notes, the names of things and places were so clever.

Aurienne, a healer & Osris, a shadow assassin are forced to work together, enemy orders… there is murder and healing and hate, so much hate!

True enemies to… not quite lovers, it’s the slowest slow burn and I was screaming for something, anything to happen between the two main characters.

This was FUN. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because it genuinely made me laugh out loud at times (a your mum joke in 2025?? I'm lowkey sold)

I'm the girlie living under a damn rock who didn't know this was a D/H fanfic until halfway, but I'm not mad, lmao. It was very nicely crafted into its own world and vibe and only a few things I felt carried a connection.

I felt it lagged a bit in terms of pacing because the banter took front stage, and whilst it IS very witty, sometimes it felt over-edited and therefore lacked a natural flow, especially in the dialogue.

Overall, this was a fun read and I LOVE how it was actually a slow-burn!!

I had seen this hyped up all over my socials! I've never read any Dramione fanfic but the cover for this one drew me right in! Plus the title and the premise of a slow burn enemies to lovers.

The wit and banter in this book is elite and downright hilarious. Many times a chuckle sailed past my lips involuntarily at some of the cracker lines.

However, I hate to admit it because I've seen such fabulous reviews, but I just couldn't connect to the characters. I didn't feel the chemistry between them. The insults and verbal sparring though were excellent!

I know so many will love this book and I think for me it's because I generally tend to prefer first person pov in romance, especially when it's dual character pov chapters.

Never have I laughed so hard over a bag of onions 🧅 but here we are …. 4.5 🌟 rounded up

If you are looking for the ultimate slow burn 🔥with witty banter that will have you cackling, this book is for you!

Healer Aurienne is blackmailed into helping heal Osric who is a deadly assassin. They are opposites in every sense of the matter, she heals, he kills, she has morals he is moral-less …. Or so they think!

‘Might we,’ asked Aurienne, ‘go anywhere without subtracting from the population?’ ‘Would you prefer,’ asked Osric, ‘that we add to it?’

A word of warning to help with expectations, at its core, this is a romantic comedy with low stakes set within a fantasy world. Don’t expect heavy world building or an explanation of the magic system. Go into this with the intension to kick your feet and giggle at the EXCELLENT banter!

>True enemies
>Forced proximity
>Witty banter
>Slow burn 🔥

‘One day it’ll be over and we can forget each other.’
‘You’re going to forget me?’
‘I hope so,’.
‘I’m heartbroken.’
‘You haven’t a heart, Besides, isn’t forgetting you preferable to continuing to hate you?’ 
‘I’d rather you hate me than not think of me at all.’ 🔥

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

If you like jokes about balls and banter x 1000, then this is for you. Unfortunately, it's not for me.

Enemies to lovers, cosy romantic comedy. Nothing too serious and an easy read if that is what you are looking for.

4.5 STARS

What an incredible talent Brigitte Knightley is. This book was an absolute delight and I will be thinking about it incessantly for the next year.

I don't think I have ever laughed as much at a book. The humour was very 'Princess Bride' and who doesn't adore that book/ movie?!

The characters were very well written, and depsite being almost entirely (and deliberately) ridiculous, I found them very believable. I feel that we got a lot more character development from Osric in this first book, despite him being technically a villain, but I am looking forward to seeing how Aurienne's character arc progresses over the series.

This is one of my most anticipated books for 2025 and I was so excited to receive an advance copy from Orbit! I love an enemies to lovers trope, slow burn and an interesting magic system, this book is all 3, the ultimate trifecta ✨

If you’re looking for an action packed romantasy or a spicy read, this book may not be the book for you, but if you love character and relationship focussed books, where you end up fully invested in the characters journey, then definitely pick this one up!

The banter Osric and Aurienne have is just perfect, the snippy little comments and jibes which slowly turn into something more familiar and playful is excellent. It reads very British humour/banter, which I absolutely adored, but then later on there were moments of pure poetry that honestly was probably some of the most beautiful sentences I’ve ever read, The way their relationship evolves throughout the book is perfect, it’s a believable timeline and evolution and I think that’s something that’s so hard to get right in a book like this, but it has been handled so well, the best I’ve read in a while!

The plot is definitely on the lighter side, but there was enough happening that it kept me engaged and I was eager to know what was going to happen. Knightly’s writing instantly grabbed me, I binged this book in 24 hours, partly because I was engrossed in the characters but also because the writing flows and made it so hard to put down.

Already can’t wait for the next book and it’s not even been announced yet! I love when I finish a book and instantly want the next book or to read it all over again, this book gives me that!

Thank you to Orbit UK for the opportunity to review this ARC.

When I tell you this is one of the best things I’ve ever read, I cannot even begin to describe the happiness I had while reading this. I had a smile on my face the entire time and that’s not an exaggeration. The banter between the characters is phenomenal. A beautiful enemies to lovers and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thank you for the advanced copy @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup_uk
I can’t wait for my physical copy to arrive July 8th!