A fun and easy summer read, as a Greek who read this durong my holiday in Greece, I can atest that the writing definitely made me feel 'at home.' However, I didn't feel like the book offered anything new in terms of the genre/trope and I was hoping the enemies bit would actually be a bit more intense. Flo's mental health issies were delivered with respect and the description of the family dynamics and relationships were definitely my favourite part. Some fun supporting characters, but overall not sure if this one will make a lasting impression. It did make for a great summer read by the sea though!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy, all opinions are my own

Enemies to Lovers whisks you away to sunny Greece, where the setting is so vivid you can almost smell the sea air. 🌊 The story is about Flo and Jamie, who are supposed to be “enemies,” but the title doesn’t quite match their fun, playful relationship.

The best part of the book is the close-knit family vibes, with lots of funny sibling moments that add a lot of warmth. ❤️ Flo’s mental health journey is handled really well and feels very real. On the downside, the character Hope doesn’t add much to the story, and I would have loved more focus on Flo and Jamie instead.

Overall, this book is a fun, light read, perfect for a beach vacation. ☀️ It’s filled with humor and a sweet romance between Flo and her brother’s best friend, ending with a happy-ever-after. If you like lighthearted love stories with a great setting, this is a great pick!

Flo goes away on a family holiday to Greece not realising that Jamie, her Brothers best friend and the man who she thought she could have been in a relationship with had he not left a note saying they shouldn’t take things any further, will also be there.
The story started slowly but blossomed into a great story of misunderstanding, family relationships, mental health (which I felt was handled really well and with sensitivity) and how things aren’t always as they seem.
There was a mix of characters, which all were integral to the story and gave the story the warmth and humour against the backdrop of warm sunshine on golden beaches.
I would definitely recommend this book and would certainly have been 5 stars had the beginning not been a little slow for me to get into, but is worth continuing with.
Thank you to Randomhouse UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for the chance to review this book however all opinions are completely my own.

4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Flo is an incredibly gracious character. I was able to resonate with her character throughout the book and couldn’t put it down! The plot was written wonderfully, and the ending was so lovely. I loved the found-family concept and it was so cute to read about this close-knit family, sharing all their flaws and concerns. Jamie was also a great character - a great love interest. I think I have read/watched many enemies to lovers stories recently and this is a good one!
I think it wasn’t quite 5 stars for me due to the miscommunication which is always slightly frustrating to read but necessary to the plot!
Overall, a super cute holiday romance!!

An easy, fun read that has all the tropes you need to keep you sated this summer; brother’s best friend, forced proximity, second chance and you guessed it, enemies to lovers.

Set on an idyllic Greek island that transports you on the perfect mental summer holiday, there are mishaps, shenanigans and tensions that bubble over into lust and love.

I particularly liked the mental health representation in this book and the difficulties people face getting through them, especially showing navigating relationships again when people have seen you at your lowest.

The characters were likeable and you’re always rooting for a happy ever after for them. Jamie and Flo when they’re together…delicious! I love the tension, and the pass agg going on, these are defo characters that would play out well on the screen.

My only blah with this book is the miscommunication which is a big part of this book. It just makes me want to shake some sense into the characters and when it goes on too long…ahhh the frustration! That being said, it didn’t put me off and I loved the resolution at the end.

The family dynamics and banter in this were great and really showed off the complexities of familial support but also its importance and impact during times you need it most.

This is definitely one to chuck in your holiday bag to read poolside/beachside with a cocktail or two!

Thank you so much to @centurybooksuk for the proof copy and letting me be a part of the blog tour!
And congrats @laurajaneauthor for creating another cracking read!

I was genuinely excited to read this book, as the title really piqued my interest. However, I have to say it didn't quite hit the mark for me, and I feel there was some untapped potential.

The "enemies" aspect of the story didn't really come through as I expected. Instead, what I felt while reading was more of an underlying tension between the characters rather than outright animosity. While the book is certainly an easy read, it has its shortcomings. I did enjoy the family dynamics and the summery atmosphere, but the title seems misleading given that the main characters don't really come across as enemies.

Some of the characters were likable, but I struggled to form a strong connection with them. I never reached that point where I truly cared about their fates or felt invested in their journeys.

That being said, the book does succeed in its primary goal of entertaining the reader. It's a light, enjoyable read that would be perfect for those seeking a comforting story with elements of romance, humor, and personal growth.

In essence, while it may not have been my cup of tea, I can see how it could appeal to readers looking for a breezy summer read with a dash of tension and family warmth.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This latest release by Laura Jane Williams is set during a two-week family holiday in Greece. This novel offers a delightful blend of romantic tropes, all set against beautiful beaches and summer sunshine.

While the beginning of the book may have been slow, the story picks up momentum as it progresses. One of the most captivating aspects of this book is the portrayal of family dynamics and interactions, which are heartwarming and incredibly humorous. Additionally, the book sensitively addresses the topic of Flo's mental breakdown, offering an insightful and thoughtful exploration of this challenging issue.

This is a three-star read because it fails to offer anything new. However, it does offer escapism, making it an ideal beach read!

This one was just ok for me. It was well written and had likeable main characters but the storyline wasn’t particularly rememberable. I still like this author and look forward to reading more of her books .

This was a perfect beach read. A book about the love hate relationship of Flo and Jamie. There was nothing not to like:

It was fun, relatable and you were rooting for the happy ending.

It was a little predictable but it didn’t matter one bit.

Thanks for the opportunity to review.

*review contains spoilers!*

Aside from a few more risqué moments, I feel like the book could be a Young Adults book.

The note under the door felt very childish from the outset.

The way that Flo (at her big age) couldn’t quite bring herself to speak to Jamie when he turns up at the villa… they’re supposed to be adults!

Although I’ve only rated it 3 stars, I read it in a day and it was an easy read. Would I recommend it? Probably only as a quick read or perhaps a holiday read.

In this book you will be whisked away on a holiday to Greece with Flo, her family, and her brother's best friend Jamie.

Flo doesn't like Jamie one bit Especially after what he done to her last Christmas so when she sees him with her brother she is frustrated and angry but has to deal with it coz he's like a second son to her family.

Flo has been through a lot recently and was struggling with her mental health and now with Jamie in the picture she has a lot of thinking to do and decisions to make.

Here's my opinion: I started this book thinking it was funny and lighthearted read but alas it was a disappoinment actually I couldn't engage with the main characters or like them , it was really hard to get through it and didn't give me any excitement.
However as I always say, what I didn't like might be someone else's favorite therefore, give it a chance and check it out when it's released.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of#EnemiesToLovers in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo💋

Flo Greenberg is highly strung, an over-achiever and is desperate for a relaxing Greek holiday with her family. Jamie Kramer is her brother's best friend, a pain in the arse and is somehow on Flo’s relaxing Greek holiday too. With two surprise weeks of sharing meals, boat trips and sun-loungers, Flo must endure the company of this irksomely chiselled Lothario, but after events from last year, she’s determined not to let him get the better of her. In fact, spending time with the enemy will be the perfect cure for Flo's all-consuming anger towards Jamie, right? (Spoiler alert: wrong…!)

After loving ‘LoveStruck’ last year from this author, I was really excited for this new title, I am very glad to say I wasn’t left disappointed. This is a wonderfully cosy room-com read and Flo is a really delightful character. She knows she’s not perfect and she’s not trying to be, the family dynamic beautifully supporting her ups and downs, from the caring parents and the over-protective siblings, there are some serious family goals here!

Yes some elements are predictable but in a bad way, not at all! I read this book with a smile on my face the whole way through, loving the comical repertoire with Flo’s siblings and the undeniable connection between Flo and Jamie. A delve into the importance of mental health is also very carefully covered, getting the message out there that it’s ok not to be ok, proving nothing in life can be 100% perfect all of the time.

A wonderful beach read that you will lap up this summer, whether by the pool or in the garden, or pretty much anywhere!

I've read all of Laura Jane Williams's books. She is an auto-read author of mine, and I was lucky enough to have an arc of this book to take on holiday.
It is a fabulous blend of a great story, wonderful flawed characters, a great side cast, and just the right amount of spice! ("Though it can be a bit embarrassing to be reading a scene of that nature when by the side of the pool, with families surrounding you!
Flo is a woman who has been through the wringer, suffering a breakdown a few years previously. Her family still treat her like a fragile piece of china, wrapping her up in cotton wool. Well, alternating between that and her brother's version of sibling-style care...
She's on a family holiday and reeling from a rejection from someone she never thought would mean something to her: her brother's best friend, Jamie.
Then, there he is, on her family holiday, to cause all manner of feelings.
I won't go into it too much, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC.

A really enjoyable read. It has you swooning and giggling. A most read for any lover of romance novels.

This is a light-hearted, summer rom-com set on a family holiday in Greece. The characters are likeable and relatable with plenty of humour but they have also had tough experiences such as suffering with mental health, death of parents and sexual assault. These are all handled sensitively in the book and gave it more depth rather than just being your typical rom-com.

I’m not sure I’d describe Flo and Jamie as ‘enemies’ but there’s tension between the two of them and the lack of understanding and communication between the two of them for much of the book was frustrating. This definitely ticks the box for ‘brother’s best friend’ trope if you enjoy this in a book.

Some of the dialogue was a bit cringeworthy but it would make a great holiday book this summer and it was an enjoyable, easy read.

3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Random House UK, Cornerstone) for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

enemies to lovers by laura jane williams🇬🇷🏛️🍷🌊🏝️☀️🤍🫒🕯️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

this book could not have been more me if it tried, being named after my favroyite trope of all time🤭😍

enemies to lovers (obvs)
forced proximity
brothers best friend
family holiday
jealousy
slow burn romance

such a perfect summer romance, based in the lands of greece🇬🇷

i ate this book up this weekend, i just couldn’t put it down🤭 the banter, the chemistry, the family moments…i couldn’t get enough!! plus, basically mamma mia vibes!!🏝️

after all, my favourite romances are the wholesome, light, easy, fun romances - and laura smashed it😍

flo hadn’t had the easiest of lives recently, and being rejected by her brothers best friend was the tip of the ice burg…BUT when he shows up on their family holiday in greece, she finds herself stuck with him for two weeks🤭

jamie was just perfect, he saw flo for everything she was, herself🥹 not her past or what had happened, just her as she was now, stronger - which was all she ever wanted from her family - he had a heart of gold💛

i loved the family dynamic written throughout the book, a bunch of foodies that were as competitive as i’d expect from a larger family, i couldn’t help but giggle to myself at times😅

and then there’s the romance!! my favourite part!! what starts as a ‘holiday fling’ in flo’s eyes…except its everything BUT that🔥 its as clear as the greek sky that jamie is in love with flo, but being known as part of the family he is afraid of losing them if things get rocky…making for the perfect slow burn romance🥹

release date: august 15th - please save this date if you haven’t already🙏🏼

thank you to netgalley and cornerstone, random house for the ARC in return for my review🫶🏼

⚠️TWs: sensitive topics covered so please check out in advance🫶🏼

DNF @ 5%

I just could not do it. This book is like someone word vomited all over and there was no way I was going to enjoy this. I didn’t like the present tense and in the first 5% all it did was go on about her mental health and breakdown and him being a player.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book. A lovely easy read that I read in less than 2 days!

Flo is desperate for a relaxing holiday with her family in Greece. That’s until she turns up and sees her Brother’s best friend, Jamie, on the beach with them. After what happened at Christmas, she isn’t sure if this is going to be the relaxing holiday after all but she is determined to not let him get the better of her.

Laura writes such easy, enjoyable reads which I don’t want to put down! This story was light hearted, but also full of a lot of feelings which so many families go through. The characters were well-developed and the storyline was captivating.

I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a light hearted romance they can read by the pool.

Florence & Jamie ❤️

🇬🇷Florence has just completed her PhD in literature and she’s holidaying with her parents, her two brothers and her sister in law in a fantastic villa in Greece. Only problem is that her brother’s best friend Jamie has come along.

📝Had she known, she would definitely have stayed away. Last Christmas, things were developing between the two, and then Jamie left suddenly, leaving her a note with a nonsense excuse.

⛱️As the idyllic days pass in a blur of Mediterranean food, Greek hotties and lazy days by the pool, Flo realises she needs to try and be friends with Jamie. But can the two put aside their differences?

📚This story is all about the extremely slow burn. In the very Brit-Lit way, there’s a sunshine filled holiday, family antics and a holiday romance. The pace of this story is very slow, Flo spends time with each of the family members, her parents and time texting with her best friend, ruminating about her recent breakdown and considering the Jamie situation. I felt like a dual POV could have shaken the story up a little bit and given some insight into the relationship between Flo and Jamie and what they actually saw in each other.

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 3/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date 15 Aug 2024

I was really in the mood for a summer setting holiday feeling read and the concept of this one definitely delivered in that regard. The setting was lovely and I really liked the coming together of the family.

Unfortunately the story itself fell a little flat for me, I felt like we skimmed on the edge of depth and would have liked to have explored it a little more but just never really got there and it made me lose connection to the characters. Every time we started to tread into the depth it felt as though we retreated.

I did like the banter between the siblings and I thought the whole female/male sibling relationship was really well captured- I just wanted more. I wanted to understand them more, to dive more into the parental relationship and the bond between the characters.

Overall I would say this book is a fun easy read but it had the potential to be more. Personally I love the depth I find and the contrast to the light when reading a romance which this one lacked, however if you are after something that is light hearted and easy to read this could definitely be the pick for you!