This book was absolutely unputdownable! It has a quick pace to it that swept me along, all happy families, hot sun and laps in the pool. The family break is broken up by sibling rows, fears shared and a potential summer fling in a man bun. Woven into all the holiday action is Florence overcoming a breakdown. This is sensitively described and the impact at the time as well as the lasting effects on her and her close ones is meaningful. The amazing parents support the family to have a super vacation and love will always find a way,

A really lovely, enjoyable and easy read; definitely one to get you out of a reading slump!

Laura set the scene perfectly, a family holiday in Greece for Flo turns into a temporary nightmare when Jamie her brothers best friend turns up.

Every family member brought something different to this book which I really liked, and even though it was predictable at times, some of the twists i definitely wasn’t expecting.

Reading this book has definitely made me want to read more of Laura’s books :)

Title: Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams
Release Date: August, 15th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Flo Greenberg, an over-achiever seeking a relaxing Greek holiday with her family, finds herself frustrated when her brother's best friend, Jamie Kramer, unexpectedly joins the trip. Despite Jamie's annoying presence, Flo must endure two weeks of sharing meals and activities with him. Determined not to let him get under her skin, Flo sees spending time with Jamie as an opportunity to overcome her lingering anger towards him after an incident the previous year.

What a joyride! "Enemies to Lovers" had me hooked from the get-go. It's got one of my all-time favourite tropes, which injected an extra dose of excitement into the story. I couldn't help but burst into laughter, feel the sparks fly between the characters, and revel in those heart-fluttering moments that make romance novels irresistible.

What sets this book apart for me, is the author's skilful balance between the romantic plot line and the main character's development and past traumas. Williams doesn't solely focus on the relationship dynamics but also delves into the characters' personal growth, fears, and vulnerabilities, which adds depth to the story.

I was absolutely glued to the pages—I devoured "Enemies to Lovers" in a single sitting! I was that engrossed in this delightful story and its characters. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone in search of a delightful, heartwarming read that'll keep you hooked.

Tropes:
Brother’s Bestfriend
Summer Romance
Forbidden romance
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Romantic Tension



Thank you to The Publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone | Penguin , The Author Laura Jane Williams & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Enemies to Lovers is the perfect summer read, and is a 5 star read from me. This book follows Flo, an over-achiever who had a breakdown a few years ago. The first person to see her as she is was her brothers best friend, Jamie, until he rejected her last Christmas and left without a word. Now he's turned up on her family holiday and she's still not over what happened. The book follows the development of their relationship as enemies who can't stand to be around each other, and holiday romances. I couldn't put this book down and am looking forward to rereading it in the summer time! At points it was a little predictable but it was a very comforting read so I didn't mind this. Would recommend to anyone looking for an easy summer romance read!

I literally finished this book in about 4 hours. This was the perfect book to read in the sunshine, on a cloudy day, anywhere or anytime. It just really brought a sense of happiness and calm in me, and absolutely hooked me. Enemies to lovers is my absolute favourite trope in romances, and so a book with that in the title? How could I resist? And trust me when I say, this did not disappoint. The characters, the settings, the miscommunication, chefs kiss.

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LJW continues to outdo herself with every novel. She’s one of those rare authors you can’t wait to read every time they have a new book out, and she never disappoints. Can’t recommend highly enough!!

Another super read from this author, and a great book for reading by the beach. Set mostly in Greece, the family reminded me much of my own, lots of siblings, competitive all the time but underneath that, they have each other’s backs- rightly or wrongly!

This was a really enjoyable, easy read!
The enemies to lovers trope played out well, and the characters (including side characters) felt well rounded and added to the story.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it all in one night (rip my sleep). I’m a sucker for a miscommunication trope and this book had me internally screaming once I realised just how bad Jamie and Flo were at talking. I wouldn’t say they had electric chemistry, but their relationship is nice.

The side characters really made this book. Filo’s family are all incredibly well rounded characters on their own and I hope that there’s a Laurie and Kate ‘prequel’.

The title of this book really doesn’t reflect the story. I wouldn’t call Flo and Jamie ‘enemies’ at any point.

you think you are on your dream holiday in greece …. until the family friend you despite most turns up .

i simply adore how relatable the characters are. any woman reading could visualise themselves in them.

the writing is witty and i found myself giggling as i was reading, so it felt super lighthearted - and the perfect summer read.

throughout the book, the two main characters often interacted, in group settings. at times he felt like a side character. i wish we saw more of just the two of them having moments together.

as well written as the characters are, i often found their relationships was focused on one thing. how attractive they found each other. the author could’ve explored different deeper themes.

the story is essentially a woman dealing with her trauma from her mental breakdown with a slight essence of a holiday romance. it’s definitely perfect for a slow burn yet easy beach read for fans of mamma mia / my big fat greek wedding.

This book was nothing like I expected it to be. This book is supposed to be an enimes to lovers book, but that kinda feld flat for me. They weren't really enimes. It was more of a bare dislike. But I think it is hard to portray such in dynamic in a romance book right? And for that, that it was a romance book the trope was done ok. I found the male protagonist to be quite charming but our female protagonist annoyed me in some parts of the story but I could see why they made her the way she was. Overall this was an easy book ,that was enjoyable!

A complicated one to rate, but I went for five in the end as the author has some really good work. I will be honest this wasn’t my favourite from this author, there were parts that could have been done better, but there were also places that shone through. Flo and Jamie needed their heads shaking, but I know why they didn’t, as they both come from difficult places, Flo from her anxiety and Jamie as he risks the only family he has left, if he upsets his best friend by being with his sister, it’s a difficult place to be in. That being said there were bits that could have been done so much better. Laurie the one brother just made me want to swing pool floaties at him, and Alex the other brother made me smile at times.

The trope itself is pretty self explanatory, based on the title. But the character development of the male MC is what made it for me. It felt like he started as my own personal enemy, but as the book progresses and you see more snippets of his character, he becomes more and more likeable throughout.
I found this book strangely relatable, whether it was because it’s British and I read it whilst on holiday, or because of the mental health topics addressed (appropriately done), the concept of ‘finding yourself’ or even just the dysfunctional yet loving family.

As far as side characters go, I loved Alex and Hope/Despair, I wish there was more about their stories included… Would love a sequel!!

Main take aways:
enemies to lovers (obviously)
brothers bestfriend - forbidden love
Greece setting is giving Mamma Mia vibes
a bit of a plot twist
last episode of friends (if you know, you know)

Overall, I have not a single criticism. Demolished the book in a day. As always, Laura Jane William’s writing style is easy to follow and the perfect Summer/Holiday read!

Well the title is absolutely correct and I LOVE IT. This is such a popular trope, but it works so well in this book - one that touches on mental health, grief, sexual assault and more. I love the family dynamic, the characters, the fact that it doesn't rely on being overly spicy - the plot is enough! A thoroughly enjoyable romance, set in beautiful Greece too.

Enemies to Lovers is a very very nice easy read, with all my favourite tropes all in one book. Brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers, forced proximity. Situated in lovely Greece as well! It made me wish I was on holiday with them and I was the one eating all the amazing food and spending time in the villa and drink wine and sunbathe whilst enjoying quality family time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I’m very thankful to NetGalley for the early reading copy.

As someone who loves Laura Jane Williams' books I was very excited to get my hands on this ARC. She's done it again and written another brilliant book. I didn't want to put it down.

Flo has recently had a breakdown, she is on the mend but everybody tiptoes around her. She and her family go on a holiday but since Flo missed the group email, she didn't realise Jamie was going. Jamie is her brothers friend who hurt her at Christmas - She was not pleased to see him!

This book is the ultimate holiday read and a must for anybody who loves Chic-lit/romance novels.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I absolutely loved it.

LJW writes in such a way that it's easy to pick up this book from where you left off at any point. It was an extremely easy read, definitely perfect for reading by the pool or on the beach! You know exactly what is going to happen in the book as it's described in the title, however I felt it took a little while to get there, and then we didn't see much of the lovers part. They made a great couple and it would have been fab to have read more about them. I loved the family dynamics, it was very relatable.

I just loved this story so much!! I cannot remember the last time I devoured the whole book in one day but I honestly couldn't put this down or turn away. I just had to know how it would end!

I found Flo's character so relatable; I laughed, cried and grieved lost time with her as a lot of the situations and life events she endures and recalls are so similar to ones I've found myself in. Jamie's character took me a little while to warm too but soon I was absolutely rooting for him!

This book made me both crave a holiday and made me feel so warm and gooey inside. I would absolutely recommend this!

The writing was so consuming and the characters’ voice just instantly pulls you into the story. This is a story which is sweet, passionate, addictive and scorching all rolled in one.

This is a wonderful book.

Flo is getting back to normal after suffering a nervous breakdown. She is looking forward to a relaxing holiday with her loving family on a Greek island, but her peace is disrupted when she discovers that the man who broke her heart a few months earlier, Jamie, is also on the holiday.

Essentially this is a story about the love between Flo and Jamie, but it is so much more than a love story. It is about mental health, and trust, and families. It delves into the struggles that everyone goes through, even the people who appear to be the most sorted. And it’s a wonderful depiction of a sun holiday in a beautiful place with people that you love. It will have you searching up holidays and checking in with your parents and siblings.

Loved this book and can’t wait to read more books by Laura Jane Williams.