Cover Image: Dear Enemy

Dear Enemy

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Member Reviews

"Dear Enemy" by Kristen Callihan ventures into the often-explored territory of hate-to-love romances, offering readers a story that is both familiar and entertaining in parts. Callihan's writing style is fluid and engaging, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the dynamic between the main characters, though the banter sometimes feels forced rather than naturally witty. The plot, while promising in premise, struggles with pacing issues and predictable moments that detract from the overall impact of the story. While the chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, their development and the depth of their relationship could have been more thoroughly explored to provide a richer emotional experience. Overall, "Dear Enemy" has its moments of charm and appeal but falls short of its potential, landing it in the realm of an average read within the genre.

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He was her life long enemy but she will stop at nothing to help her sister. This book has it all and will definitely keep you guessing on what could possibly happen next.

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This was an okay book for me. I just couldn’t connect to the story or the characters. I’m hoping the next book I read by this author is a winner for me.

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This was an amazing, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance.

It was gripping, intense, sad and beautiful all at the same time.

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This book is a enemies to lovers story between Macon and Delilah. They have known each other since they were eleven when they became neighbors. Macon and Delilah's sister Samantha were friends and Delilah always tagged along. From the get go there was teasing and picking at each other between Macon & Deliliah (to the point it became bullying) throughout middle and high school. Sam & Macon ganged up on her alot. There were lots of reasons behind this that are revealed throughout the book. Needless to say when they meet again 10 years later things begin to change and their journey from enemies to lovers begin.

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I wanted to read Dear Enemy as soon as I saw it not only because it was written by Kristen Callihan, but the title suggested it was going to be an enemies to lovers romance and since that’s my favorite trope, this was pretty much a gimme. I almost went into it completely blind, but I did check out the synopsis shortly after I started to make sure that the story wasn’t going to be centered around this specific trope that I’m not a fan of and I definitely did a phew-hand-swipe-across-the-forehead-dodged-a-bullet gesture when I found out that it wasn’t going to be. I was surprised that the hero was a Hollywood actor, I’m generally not into that, but I wasn’t worried because I was already digging the little I’d read and I also trusted that I would like it regardless as Ms. Callihan has made me love storylines that I’m not ordinarily into before. And boy, did I LOVE Dear Enemy — omg, I just loved it so hard!

Dear Enemy is a total slow burn and I completely fell in love with Delilah and Macon both by themselves and especially as a couple. My hate to love soul was satisfied, I really enjoyed their bickering, but I think I enjoyed their playful/friendship even more. Dear Enemy gave me all the feels because Delilah and Macon were just the sweetest together, especially that Macon — the man seriously made me swoon! It made me tear up and laugh and I had the best time reading this book, I never wanted it to end. Dear Enemy was beautiful, heartwarming, and it’s one of my favorites of the year for sure!

~ Sonja, 5 Stars

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[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
An enemies to lovers that really aren't enemies.
I had a great time reading Dear Enemy. It's light, well written, with two MC that you have to love (especially Mason, he's so lovely and cute... -and hot!-) and a great deal of sexual tension (more than sexual scenes). I loved almost the whole book but the ending is very rushed, I felt like if the writter needed to end the story and didn't know how. That part was very weak to me, didn't like it.
But overall I think is a good book, perfect when you need something uncomplicated.
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//REVIEW IN SPANISH//
Es un nadismo de mono con platillos que me ha tenido leyendo muy entretenida hasta la parte final, donde la resolución de los pistos abiertos es extremadamente simplona.
Sin embargo, me ha sorprendido gratamente en general, ya que esperaba el típico libro contemporáneo de polvos por doquier y para nada, ha sido bastante más dulce y bonito (y con pocos guarrerismos).

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Dear Enemy

I Picked Up This Book Because: Kindle Challenge.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: KindleUnlimited
Dates Read: 1/4/21 - 1/8/21
Stars: 5

The Characters:

Delilah Baker:
Macon Saint:
Sam Baker, Mrs Baker, North West (not that North West)

The Story:

I have no idea what took me so long to read this book but I’m kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. Macon and Delilah are the epitome of “it’s a thin line between love and hate”. After a turbulent childhood when Sam runs off after her shady dealings with Macon and he accidentally contacts Delilah and they meet back up you can feel the chemistry between these two from the start. The back and forth between them had me ready to scream “Just jump him/her already!” So this is a slow burn enemies to lovers story that I enjoyed very much. Like “I just finished it 4 days ago and could listen to it again” enjoyed it.

The Random Thoughts:


Challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge 2021 - D
Goodreads Book Bingo 2021 - A book you meant to read in 2020
Year of Smut 2021 - A book by a new-to-you author

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Sometimes highly anticipated books don’t quite live up to our expectations. That is not to say they’re not good, but we want more from them.

That’s how I feel about DEAR ENEMY. I generally love Ms. Callihans books and I thought this would be so addictive because … enemies to lovers! But it didn’t blow me away.

This is about a chef and a movie star and they were childhood nemesis. Years without talking, our heroine ends up working as his private chef and living with him to work off a debt her sister got into with him. And the sparks fly from there.

Ms. Callihans writing style is still reflected in this book and it kept me interested and reading this. But I was never fully invested in the backstory or the current plot line. So many things just didn’t make sense and I wasn’t buying into the story. Now if I didn’t take that in consideration, I liked the chemistry when these two were together.

Plus there were lots of things that could’ve been explored more. Like his stalker for example. Too many threads that were underdeveloped which made me wonder why they were even there. They didn’t love the story of characters forward. And that ending… I saw that twist coming from a mile away but what happened in the end felt like tacked on just for adding drama.

I hope that her next release sweeps me off my feet more than this one did.

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This book is FUN. It's sexy and sometimes angsty and entertaining.

I loved the flashbacks to Delilah and Macon in high school. These two not only didn't like each other, they could barely stand to be around each other. As Kristen Callihan will reveal, though, there is more to the story, as I'm sure you expect.

Now, ten years later, Delilah sacrifices herself on Macon's altar to save her feckless sister Sam, who happens to be Mason's ex-girlfriend from those high school days. You will not like Sam, who is the weakest character in the book. She isn't on the page very often, but she haunts the story. When you do meet her, you want to know why she's such a selfish brat. You can't trust her, though, so you don't know if her protests have any validity.

Back to Delilah and Macon: they are DELICIOUS. (Literally, in some cases. Delilah is a chef, and all the food talk in this book will make your stomach growl.) Their chemistry scorches the pages, even though Callihan gives you severe blue ovaries as you wait FOREVER for them to rock the headboard. Worth it, though. Oh, yes, it is. In fact, their first sexual interaction will make you tremble with need.

I enjoyed watching Macon and Delilah relinquish their control. Neither wants to appear weak, yet they both are. I liked how protective they are of each other, and I liked how they were willing to admit mistakes.

This is the book to pick if you want something largely light-hearted with some heat. You will adore Macon and Delilah.

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An incredible hate-to-love romance with excellent banter and lots of swooning. Kristen Callihan knows how to pen a terrific romance and Macon and Delilah's off-the-charts chemistry despite the somewhat icky position they were in made this book for me.

http://www.theinfinitelimitsoflove.com/2020/08/top-ten-tuesday-24-books-i-read-loved.html

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I am a big fan of Kristen Callihan's books and some of them are favorites that I read over and over again. So when I saw this baby and read the blurb I knew I had to give it a go.

Now as much as I enjoyed reading it...I wasn't blown away by it. For some reason, I just couldn't fully connect with the story or the characters and I even found myself skimming every now and then. It was all just a bit too slow for my liking...

Now, this might also be because of the weird times we are currently living in. I find it harder and harder to escape into a story and connect.

For those of you who love the "enemies to lovers" trope, you should definitely give this one a go.

I myself like my stories a bit more angsty, especially now, which makes me a bit weird I know. A lot of people are looking for comfort stories right now, while for me it is pretty much the opposite.

That is why I think I should give this one another go when things have calmed down a bit... Maybe I will feel completely different about it... It has been known to happen ;)

For now, I would have to go with 3 stars... not bad...but not awesome either.

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This is was a great enemy to lovers story and I don't think that gives too much away. This was a perfect read for the garden on a sunny day. It was a fairly quick read, I liked both the characters and the chemistry between them. You could really feel the push pull between them. There were a few twists and turns but overall a perfect summer romance read.

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I love enemy to lovers trope! So I was very exited about this title.

I like this story about Delilah and Macon (childhood enemies), but I didn't love. Something was missing... and other things were to much, like how many times Sam (Delilah's sister ) was mention...?
Banter between them was ok, there were a few funny moments.
I wanted Delilah to be little stronger character (again, when it comes to her sister).

I think I'll go with 3.5 stars!

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I think the summary of this book makes it out to be a lot less put together than it is. I was intrigued by the summary, but I had reservations that were thankfully quashed once I started reading. I was immediately sucked in and I thought the banter/enemies-to-lovers vibe was done so well. I'd caution people that in the beginning it seems impossible that you'd root for the hero, but it's worth it if you stick with this slow burn. The ending definitely felt rushed (and at times, very cheesy), but I can forgive that since it didn't leave questions unanswered.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

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I’m not a huge fan of enemies to lovers and even less of a fan when the hero’s ex is the heroines’s sister… but, if anyone can make this work for me it’s Kristen Callihan.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book after the first chapter where the author takes readers back in time to see the main protagonists in their childhood verbally abusing each other. The last scene at the prom had me wincing and angry, but I kept reading and believe it or not, I ended up enjoying this book.

I think what ultimately kept me reading was the chemistry between Macon and Delilah. It just jumped off the page, I mean you could practically see the sparks between them. As soon as they appeared in present day and readers finally get into Macon’s head I knew that all was not as it appeared. And it wasn’t. I’m not sure some of the reasons for the hero’s childhood behavior toward the heroine can ever be excused, but at least it can be explained just a bit. I did think this author did a good job of slowly building their relationship from enemies to lovers and resolving all the issues between them.

This is definitely a slow burn romance and I thought they would never get to the sexy times. But when they finally did… wowza.

All in all, not my favorite by this author, but a solid, enjoyable read.

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This book was absolutely everything I’ve ever wanted in a romance and more. I devoured this story. I truly feel like I connected with this story about Macon and Delilah “ Tot” who asks him a massive favour in order to save her sister from going to jail.

From their first encounter as children, HATE is the word that fit perfectly to describe their relationship. However, where there's hate... there's love... isn't it.

The entire book slowly builds you up and keeps you hanging and just makes you feeeeeeel! I felt everything. The words, olala the words and the secrets.

Delilah aka “Tot” and Macon’s relationship was consuming, addictive and explosive. The banter, the conversation , the texts and the sparks!!!!!

“But you and that boy…” She smiles faintly.
“ Showers of sparks. You light each other up."

The way they met again years later because of Delilah’s sister made the reader feel that it was meant to be!
Macon is an amazing character, he is soulful and sexy and his deep and his love for Tot is so passionate.
Dear Enemy is a skillfully written and thoroughly entertaining novel .

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I am so sad I didn’t love this one more, since I adore Kristen Callihan and her books. The hero got on my nerves too much, and while he did grow on me by the end, I was still thinking of the awful things he did to the heroine growing up. (It doesn’t help that the epilogue literally reminds us of what he did... which did not endear him to me.) I thought his reasons for bullying her and being with her sister were so weak. A couple of the interesting plot points (like the heroine’s runaway sister, the stalkers, and the hero’s dad) became anticlimactic and didn’t wrap up in a satisfying way. I did love the foodie aspect of this romance though, which we surprisingly got a lot more of than the hero’s Hollywood background. I think Kristen Callihan is publishing another book with Montlake and I’m hoping I’ll enjoy that one more!

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This is a super slow burn enemy to lovers book that completely worked for me and a different take on a bully book, which almost never works for me. And I can see why the book may not – and has not – worked for everyone. I love banter and this banter worked really well for me. Delilah’s sister, Samantha, is irredeemable to me, and she winds up as a personal assistant to a movie star she has a past with, Macon Saint to basically save her sister’s ass. They have a lot of history and baggage to work through – and for me – it just worked as the tension ratcheted up. There is a subplot of a stalker that honestly I didn’t care about and that’s where I think any of the stumbles were. But the chemistry is delicious.

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I love Kristen Callihan's style of writing and am glad to get my hands on her new book. 'Dear Enemy', as the book name suggests, has a hate-to-love storyline and is also a slow-burn. It’s an amazingly entertaining, fun, and fantastic journey to go on with Macon and Delilah. Their chemistry, banter, emotions, sexy times and romance just keep you flipping the pages right till the very end. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more by this author. Happy reading everyone!!

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