This is the best book I’ve read in 2020 so far and it’s definitely one of my new all time favorite books. This story is classic enemies-to-lovers at its finest. I was hooked from the prologue and truly had no idea how the author was going to make these two fall in love. The hate was so real, palpable. I loved the whole premise, the forced proximity. And how slowly the layers of Delilah and Macon’s complex relationship are revealed. The slow burn, tension and anticipation of this book were perfection. It was so believable and had me invested. By the time these two got together, I was absolutely convinced that they belonged with each other and the payout was spectacular. This is such a deliciously satisfying read from beginning to end; everyone gets what they deserve in the end. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Having to live and work for her childhood enemy to pay off her sister’s debt is not what Delilah Baker expected when she received a text from Macon Saint 10 years after carefully avoiding hearing or thinking about him. As they spend more time together, Delilah and Macon will realize that hatred is slowly evolving into something else they both always secretly wanted.

This is the first book from Kristen Callihan I’ve read and it didn’t disappoint at all! I liked it so much that I hung on to the story from the very first pages and couldn’t put the book down. Recently I’ve read several new adult books where the story was only told from the point of view of one character and it always felt like something was missing like the story was not complete. Therefore, what I liked in Dear Enemy was that both main characters had chapters with their point of view. I loved witnessing Delilah and Macon’s feelings for each other grow slowly from hatred to friendship and finally to love. It was not insta-love, and they took the time to get to know each other, live together, understand their feelings for each other and act on it.

Delilah and Macon were amazing characters. I loved how Delilah always fought back Macon when he was a jerk to her. On the outside, it felt like she was not affected by what he was saying or doing, but it was hard for her not to get affected by his behavior especially because she didn’t know why he was so mean to her. Now let’s talk about Macon! When I started the book, I was not expecting to love him that much! Discovering more about his past and some of his secrets made me understand why he acted a certain way with Delilah when they were younger.

Their dynamic was also one of my favorite things in the book. They both grew up and evolve a lot since they last saw each other, and you felt it by the way they were interacting! Their banter was really funny and enjoyable, and they had a lot of angsty moments that made their chemistry perfect.

What I also liked: how passionate Delilah was about cooking and the way it was written in the book, Delilah’s mother!!!

What I didn’t like: Sam! Although she is one that brought Delilah and Macon together, I hated how she tried to tear down Delilah and put an end to Delilah and Macon’s relationship.

For all the reasons I just explained, I can’t not give this book 5 stars. It was amazing, Delilah and Macon were made for each other and I loved them so much.

If you are a fan of enemies to lovers romance with a lot of banter and angst, you should definitely check out Dear Enemy when it comes out in March. For my part, I’m going to read other books from Kristen Callihan, because if they are as amazing as Dear Enemy, I’m missing something! The Hook Up and Idol have been on my TBR list for a long time so it’s about time I read them!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a lovely story, I enjoyed it so much!It was addictive and I couldn't put it down, one of the things that I liked the most was the banter between the characters!

Dear Enemy was a fantastic read, it has the best enemies to lovers set up!I was captivating , the writing was so good that you will fall in love immediately with the characters and you will not put it down until you finish it!

Delilah and Macon has a great chemistry there is angst, intensity, desire and love hate.I love their moments together they make me ach and swoon so many times.I also has a smile in my face mostly, these two were like kids sometimes and I loved it!

“Delilah. We react to each other like the vinegar-and-baking-soda experiments we used to do in science class as kids. Even now she brings out the immature ass in me. But the second she walked back into my life, I became aware of two uncomfortable but undeniable facts: I am lonely as hell, and Delilah Baker feels like home.”

I highly recommend it, I love this author and I missed her writing, I cannot wait for more books by her, I would love to see another book in this world with a specific character .<3

Loved the bantering between Macon and Delilah! That is what made this story stand out from the other enemies-to-lovers titles. Fun, flirty—'Con Man', 'Tater Tot', 'FearTheTater' (my fav)—and sexy. Very enjoyable read. Highly recommended for 2020's reading list!

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Romance, and Kristen Callihan for an ARC of 'Dear Enemy' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Macon, I'm peetty sure is appreciative of his woman:s ballsy nature, "he waves an idle hand. “No, no, do go on. It’s been years since anyone has insulted me to my face. I’d say about ten years.” Macon just can't help himself, “paying proper respect,” I amend quietly. “You don’t ignore a body like yours. It would be rude.” I liked this book, I liked Macon.

"𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭."

Superb!

Childhood Enemies-to-Lovers ✔
Fun Banter ✔
Feels ✔
Romantic ✔

This is my type of enemies to lovers romance done so well..
Watching romance bloom between Macon and Delilah was fun and emotional.
Only thing I did not like was Sam, Delilah sister she was so one dimensional and childish.
I want North book (but not with Sam) out of all supporting characters, he was the best.
Get your hands on this book immediately when it comes out in March!! :)

*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

This book was so fun. I loved it. Macon and Delilah had such a snarky, fun relationship. There were some sexy and serious times but overall their relationship was just a lot of fun. I felt horrible for Dee once she found out what had really happened in the past. I hated her sister and am glad that Dee finally washed her hands of her. I'm really glad I got to read this book. Definite recommend.

There is something to be said about a good written, healthy enemies to lovers story. Most of the books with this trop tend to walk the line between enemies and abusers, a lot of them go even as far as crossing it. I’m happy to report, this book didn’t have such a misconception of the trope.

My first Kristen Callihan book was <i>Idol</i>, and I’ve since then read both her <b>VIP</b> and <b>Game On</b> series as well as her latest book Unmatched. There is no denying that this author’s books get better and better with every new one. And <i>Dear Enemy</i> just proves that.

I must admit, I read the synopsis for this book sometime ago but I wasn’t interested enough to add it to my tbr for some reason, but, as soon as I knew this was available on NetGalley, I ran to get it and that’s solely based on WHO wrote it. And I’m glad I did.

This book was just, for lack of better words, amazing! The characters are easily loveable and their development (both as individual characters and as a unit) and chemistry is indisputable.

Delilah is a very selfless character with the biggest heart.
Madoc, at first, appears like a heartless jerk, but once you get to know him, the real him, which not many people get to see, there is no denying how good of a character he is.
These two look and sound like they would be a complete disaster together, Delilah’s mother often compares them to gas and oil, which, in my opinion, is the perfect description. Because gas and oil are combustible and whereas this is not ideal for children, as adults, with their chemistry, it is just perfect. And beyond that, these two understand each other, and see through each other’s bullshit and walls like no other. They go from enemies to friends to lovers so naturally and without falling into the usual cliché that there is no point in denying how good they are and how much sense they make.

Another aspect I loved about this book is how it dealt with adoption without making it as a plot point for representation’s sake. It was just so perfectly dealt with, that scene between Delilah and her mother discussing this matter had cold-hearted me tear up a bit.

The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was Delilah’s sister. She is so manipulative, self-centered and cruel, I found myself wanting to smack her several times. (Ok, all the time whatever) But even with that, it wasn’t so much a negative point about this book as much as it was part of the narrative. Like those characters that belong in stories that you are MEANT to hate but not hate the story because of them. (Am I even making sense at this point?)

Unbeknownst to me, Kristen Callihan has become one of the authors I just HAVE to read everything from. I didn’t see it nor did I feel it coming, but my eagerness to start this book for the sole reason that it was written by her, is proof enough. And this book just made me even more excited for <i>Exposed</i>, which the final book in her <b>VIP</b> series and which, for anyone who knows me, has been my most anticipated book of hers and one of my most anticipated ever for the longest time (really, ever since I started the series if we’re being completely honest).

I would easily recommend this book so easily and loudly, but I feel like at this point, I’d recommend everything Kristen Callihan.

Ahhhh! Anyone who knows me knows that enemies to lovers is my form of kindle crack. I legit die for the animosity, the banter and the hate. YES. The Hate. There is something about the intense and edgy emotions in a love-hate relationship that I die for. And Dear Enemy has alllll of this and more!!! Kristen Callihan delivered something amazing y'all and she is taking allll the names! Lord, I loved Dear Enemy! Macon and Delilah were #BanterGoals!! I was so here for all of the fiery sexual tension, the spitfire back and forth and the witty comebacks.


Gah!! I loved these two together so much. They were passionate and addicting and I was here for it! I might love Delilah's sass more than Macon. She was cutting and sarcastic and laugh out loud funny at times. Macon likewise was the perfect combination of a bully and a vulnerable man who lost his way. But with Delilah back in his life, he found a sense of home that he always needed.

Overall, I loved this story! I loved their back and forth and how they needed to overcome their past in order to find a future with one another. It was amazing how they both realized how ingrained they were in one another since they were kids. I loved every minute of this fiery ride! 5 stars! ~Ratula 

* I would like to thank Netgalley and Montlake Publishing for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. *

I'm a little disappointed. I've read other books by the author and really enjoyed it but I don't know about this one...

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was anticipating this novel since I've read other novels from this author that I've loved but unfortunately this wasn't one of them. I was disturbed by the bullying Marco inflicted on Delilah growing up. I understand he had an abusive past himself but it's not excuse for the humiliation he put her through.
Now as adults things do get hot and heavy but all of the food and sex analogies were cheesy if not a bit off putting. We get it that shes sexually appealing now but it's hard to reconcile his change of heart when he made her body a target of his attacks when they were kids.
He spends half the novel feeling sorry for himself and making Delilah take care of him.
I just couldn't muster any sympathy for him.
A disappointing novel.