I. Loved. This.
An absolutely delicious slow burn. The dialogue between the characters was so witty and enjoyable. Despite being a slow burn I found it so easy to read and well paced. All I wanted was to keep reading. Tha magic system was so intriguing although did take me a minute to get my head around. I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait for a sequel!

The irresistible urge to fall for your enemy

THE SLOW BURN IS SLOW BURNING.

First of all, let’s get one thing straight - this is not a rewritten fanfiction. Yes, there are some similarities here and there, but not enough to make it feel like a copy. So if you were hoping for a one-to-one retelling, adjust those expectations.

Now, when I tell you this book had me in a chokehold the entire time I was reading it, I mean it. I wanted to devour it in one sitting and also savour every page because it was just that good. This is a rom-com where Comedy is boldly capitalised, and it works.

I’ll admit, the beginning took a little getting used to - the special terms and names had me going back a few times to check who’s who and what’s what. But once you settle in, it’s worth it.

The author understands the assignment when it comes to enemies to lovers. And paired with a slow burn? Absolute torment, but in the best possible way. I kept internally screaming for them to just kiss already. It’s the killer combination that keeps you in perfect.

And speaking of perfection and killers - Osric. You want a male lead who ticks all the boxes? Sarcastic? Check. Killer? Check. Humour? Check. Handsome? Double check. He’s everything.
The same goes for our FMC, Aurienne. Strong, intelligent, sharp-tongued, and armed with killer wit? Check, check, check.

Their dynamic is absolute gold - full of biting remarks, brilliant clapbacks, and insults that had me crying with laughter. And it’s all laced with that classic British humour, which honestly, what else could a girl want?

Actually - I’ll tell you what. A second book. Immediately.

Massive thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC.
I really wanted to like this more. The premise was really interesting, a healer who has to try and heal an assassin even though his ‘kind’ (the Fyren) are the enemy. However, I found the plot fell kind of flat. It was heavy in jargon which for me personally broke up the flow, despite the intention to show Aurienne’s intellect and overall scientific nature.

It felt too repetitive even though the failure of each experimental trial was intended to show that her efforts were not working.

I couldn’t connect to either the FMC or MMC and I think this is where the breakdown for me occurred. I did enjoy the deofals and the relationships with those and between characters.

Overall, I cannot fault the writing style which was witty, amusing as well as descriptive I just don’t think I was the intended audience here!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (⭐️)

A big thank you to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!

This book was everything I had hoped it to be and more! The dialogue between our two main characters was incredibly witty and amusing; The humour of this book played a huge part and I really loved that. I absolutely flew through this one because all I could think about was reading it!

The characters were a true slow burn and enemies to lovers; more than halfway through and they still despise each other!

Honestly didn’t realise this was a duology so now i’m pacing back and forth…book 2 couldn’t come soon enough!

4.5 ⭐️

God, this book is absolutely hilarious. You can tell the author wrote fanfiction previously. it's that kind of humourthat i love. I laughed out loud constantly. If they get the right voice actors, the audiobook is bound to be absolutely amazing.

I really liked both osric and aurienne. I wouldn't say it's enemies to lovers in the at war sense exactly, more she doesn't approve of his line of work, and he thinks she's stuck up. The banter is perfect from the start, and the dirty jokes as the book goes on fit really well. I can't believe I went into this thinking it was YA.

The romance is definitely slow burn. I was concerned at one point that it wasn't going to develop well, but by the end, I was happy with where it wound up. Having the full moons to remind you of the passage of time really helped, too. The magic system is brilliant too.

I do wish we had gotten to see a little more of osrics powers. There were certain moments where i maybe would have switched POV to show it. The chapters are quite long, so there was definitely an opportunity for this. Also a little more of Auriennes' research process for the healings. Sometimes, it felt like we were missing the plot in between the healings at the beginning.

I felt a little like the plot was missing at the start, especially knowing this is a duology. But once you hit the halfway point, things come together to produce that bigger storyline. Im very excited to see where both the plot and the relationship go. It rarely happens, but I'm already tempted to reread because the book kept me so entertained.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is the kind of book that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. And honestly it’s been so long since I’ve experienced this. Brigitte Knightley has delivered a wildly addictive page turner full of tension, wit, and slow-burning chemistry. If you love slow burn this is for you! (50% and they still loathed each other, the enemies-to-lovers was delivering) Not a fan of a slow burn? I urge you to give this a shot for the humour alone, I do think book 2 has been set up beautifully for a truly epic love story.

The world-building is so important I feel in the 1st book and this book is immersive without being overwhelming, the magic system was pretty easy to follow, I probably could have done with a little more explanation into a couple of things but I wouldn’t say it altered my reading experience. But it’s the characters that steal the show—Aurienne and Osric are total opposites with razor-sharp banter (I LOVED the banter between these two) and just the right amount of mutual loathing (and longing….. eventually). I loved these two! Osric chapters were some of the funniest I’ve read in months. Brigittes writing and characters remind me a little of Ali hazlewood so if she’s one of your favourite authors I really think you’ll enjoy Brigittes writing style, it’s smart, emotional, and often had me laughing out loud. Every moment, from the quiet ones to the heart-racing twists, is layered with intent. You can tell from early on this story isn’t going to be a straight forward read the undercurrent of something more happening constantly had me guessing at what was possibly going on, what was the bigger bigger picture, who was behind certain things. And JUST as we start to get answers and JUST as the romance was starting to kick off …. THE END. This is how you keep the reader gripped it’s been a while since I’ve felt that gut punch of a cliff hanger (no the cliff hanger isn’t a horrible one, but the story ends and you feel bereft it happens at just the moment where you want more)

I honestly can’t wait for the sequel!

Spice: 🌶️
Star rating :4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I will score up to 5 as I feel 4 is to low)

A Big thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the ARC (ebook)

When I requested an e-ARC of this book I had no idea that it started out as a HP fanfiction - so this was a surprise to me.
What actually got me excited to about this book was the interesting premise.

Osric a member of an Order of the Dusken Paths is suffering from a serious health condition that might soon leave him dead. To avoid his fate, he seeks the help of Aurienne, a healer and the only one who has a chance of saving him. The catch? Their orders are less than friendly with each other, which makes them enemies by default. Special circumstances however leave them with no other choice but forming an uneasy alliance.

The irresistible urge to fall for your enemy is a low-stakes, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers story with witty banter and a refreshing, light and engaging writing style.
The worldbuilding is intriguing, though I personally would have liked a bit more depth. The story leans heavily on dialogue and is very character-driven.

Overall I quite enjoyed this story, even if it wasn’t entirely my usual cup of tea.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves witty, funny, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romances where the mmc falls first (and falls hard) with emotional tension simmering beneath the surface.

Thank to Netgally & Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this, however it really did not live up to the hype that I have seen across social media.

What I did like was both of the character’s humour. The banter was very much alive and went back and forth very easily as if it was a real life conversation and this is what really got me through reading the book the whole way through.

The plot I felt was very basic, I didn’t feel as if if was fast paced or that there was any type of urgency in the plot to move it forward much. It felt really slow and boring and could have been a lot better developed to match the banter between the characters.

The ending also leaves you on quite an open end which means there will be a sequel so your questions can be answered. I feel like this story should and could have been wrapped up within this book and doesn’t need a sequel.

Overall, sadly not my type of romantsy book but I can see why it appeals to the masses as an easy to read book.

I wanted to love this. I was so excited for this book. Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love is one of my absolute favourite Dramione fics, so when I found out it was being reworked and traditionally published, I couldn’t wait.

But honestly? I’m gutted. This just didn’t hit the way I hoped.

The biggest issue for me was the characters. Osric and Aurienne had potential, but they felt… flat. One-dimensional. I was waiting for that delicious tension, that sharp wit, the layered character work that made DMATMOOBIL so good—but it never quite got there. I didn’t feel invested in them the way I wanted to, and that was frustrating.

And then there’s the world-building. I love a well-built fantasy world, but this felt subpar—especially compared to what I’m used to. Maybe that’s because DMATMOOBIL already had an established world to lean on, and here, everything had to be built from scratch. Maybe it’s just me being picky. But either way, it didn’t feel as fleshed out as I like my fantasy settings to be.

Or… maybe my issue is just me. Maybe it’s that this isn’t Dramione anymore. It’s not the world I know and love. And if I’m being honest, my neurodivergent brain does not like change. I get attached to things the way they are, so maybe this book was doomed to fall flat for me no matter what.

That said, I know a lot of people are loving this one! I’ve seen plenty of reviews praising the sharp banter and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and I totally get why this might work for others. I just wish I’d felt something more.

I’m sad about this one. I wanted it to be everything. Instead, it was just… fine.

Huge thank you to Little Brown and NetGalley for the opportunity to read my most highly anticipated book of the year in exchange for an honest review. I couldn’t believe my luck and really I’m feeling like god’s favourite right now.

I’m just going to start with I adore this author’s writing style, it’s witty, well paced and god does she know how to write a sloooooow burn with fantastic tension. I am slightly biased as I have read the fan fiction that this novel is inspired by (and it’s my favourite) but I genuinely think this story stands up on its own.

Brigitte has managed to create an entirely original world, using the Deofol and Waystones to create a similar set up to DMATMOOBIL but made it her own. She also made the characters her own. At first I did struggle to separate them from being just Draco/Hermione dropped into another world, but as it went on, they developed into entirely their own characters. While it’s clear where the inspiration came from, I like that Aurienne and Osric have their own feel and identity, separate from D/H. That being said I did really enjoy the few subtle hints to the original fan fiction. I screamed at the pink heart glasses reference which was a fun Easter egg for fans of the original work. But even had I never read anything by this author before, it ticks all the boxes for me and is exactly the type of novel I would gravitate towards. Plus the cover is gorgeous!

This is a slow burn TRUE enemies to lovers, they have real reason to hate and mistrust one another which isn’t always the case in this genre of book. Usually there is a bit of dislike for a few chapters then they kiss and fall into bed. What’s great here is the hatred is actually deeply founded in Order division and isn’t just a minor hurdle, but a huge obstacle that seems virtually impossible to overcome. It was interesting to explore characters that really couldn’t be from more different worlds, and the juxtaposing ideas of ‘do no harm’ and literally being paid to do harm, and how two very logical people contend with the impossibility of their situation. As a reader, this is a huge driving factor thinking ‘how on earth is this going to work out in the end?’ .The chemistry between the two main characters really takes centre stage and the stakes become higher as the plot goes along. The banter was of course my favourite element, and had me giggling and kicking my feet. This is exactly the vibe I was expecting so did not disappoint!

The initial world building was quite a lot to get my head around but eventually it started falling into place. I didn’t know it was the first in a duology until recently, so I am excited to explore the world further in the second book and see what’s next for the these characters. I would be interested to see more actual conversations between Aurienne and Osric, I love the banter but at points it did seem like that’s all there was, many of their conversations lacking any substance and were just opportunities to snipe at each other. I hope to see more vulnerability and opening up about their pasts, and maybe more explanation for how they both chose the paths they are on.

Overall this book gave the vibes of fanfiction that is so often lacking for me in anything traditionally published, in the best possible way. The plot and world is unique and interesting and the banter is delicious, I’d highly recommend to any romantasy readers out there whether you have read the original work or not!

This was absolutely incredible. I haven’t laughed and kicked my feet that much in a LONG time. I absolutely adore her writing, it’s so witty and clever. I need the next book yesterday, I must know what happens.

⭐ 4.5 stars ⭐

‘Don’t compliment me,’ said Aurienne.
‘Does it make you uncomfortable?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. I like to see you suffer.’
This was accompanied by a wink. Odious.

○ Plot and pacing: 4/5
○ Characters: 5/5
○ Romance: 5/5
○ Writing: 4/5
○ Worldbuilding: 3/5

Osric Mordaunt, a Fyren assassin, suffers from seith rot, a disease with no known cure. In order to achieve the impossible, he must resort to ask Aurienne Fairhrim, a sanctimonious healer of an enemy Order, for her help. Their forced collaboration only serves to fuel their animosity… and the heat that starts to simmer between them.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it didn’t disappoint me! I had a great time and it really feels like a true enemies to lovers.

It started a bit slow and repetitive, but the dialogues and inner monologues made it worth it. The dialogues were witty and funny with a very distinct type of humour and, while the writing was fresh, unique and very different from the usual romantasy, I can see how some people might find it a touch convoluted. However, once I got used to the style, I enjoyed it a lot!

The relationship between the characters is, no doubts, the best part of the book. The author knows how to write a slow burn and that ending left me so excited to read the sequel. At first, it seemed very hard, if not impossible, to overcome that hatred that Aurienne and Osric feel for one another, but, little by little, they start breaching the gap and it feels so natural and, frankly, unavoidable.

What I found lacking was the worldbuilding. Some things are unnecessarily explained at length while more significant aspects (magic system, politics, etc.) are just brushed over, which left me a bit confused sometimes. I would have preferred to have the glossary explained during the story and not as an info dump at the beginning.

Overall, this book is great for those readers that prefer a romance centred story in a fantasy background and adore well done enemies to lovers and banter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

DNF’ed, unfortunately I just did not get on with this book. To me there was a huge amount of lore but somehow a complete lack of world building. The characters had some wit but also felt really two dimensional, and I didn’t click with either of them.

Brigitte Knightley’s The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is a wickedly clever, emotionally charged romantic fantasy that pairs knife-sharp banter with heart-wrenching slow burn. When Osric Mordaunt—brooding assassin and member of a morally dubious Order—blackmails idealistic healer-scientist Aurienne Fairhrim into curing him, what follows is a tense, twisty collaboration drenched in reluctant desire, wit, and unexpected tenderness.

The novel thrives on the chemistry between its leads: Osric, a morally complex killer with a soft spot he refuses to name, and Aurienne, a no-nonsense intellectual who really, really doesn’t have time for this man’s magnificent cheekbones. As they dig into a mysterious pox outbreak, Knightley masterfully builds a world rich in magical science, political tension, and emotional stakes.

Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers with high-stakes banter, slow-burn tension, and a generous dose of "slaughter as a love language," this is a story that crackles with heat and humor—an irresistible blend of fantasy and romance that will leave you yelling, "Just kiss already!" in the best way.

Rating: 5/5 — Come for the sharp tongues and deadly tension, stay for the aching hearts and brilliant minds.

DNF @ 10%

I didn't know this was a Dramione fanfic, otherwise I'd never have requested it. Sorry, but I honestly can't read something so dull.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Let me start by saying that I’ve never read any fanfiction, including any of this author’s previous work—so I’m unsure if that had an impact on my reading experience.

The truth is… I probably should’ve DNFed this book. From the first two chapters, I had a strong feeling I wouldn’t love it if the writing continued in the same way. I’m clearly not the target audience for this one, and I won’t be continuing the series.

Please keep that in mind as you read this review.

The book is told in dual POV: Osric, an assassin from the Fyren Order, and Aurienne, a healer from his rival order. When Osric falls seriously ill, he needs the help of the best healer in the country. Aurienne initially refuses but agrees after he offers enough money to fund research and resources to treat the deadly pox spreading across the country.

If you asked me to explain the world-building or the magic system, I’d struggle. Even though there’s a glossary, I found it confusing, and the story itself offers very little expansion or explanation of the world. We know it’s set in London and that there are different orders, but that’s about it. The magic system had potential but felt underdeveloped and vague.

At first, I appreciated the banter between the two main characters, but it quickly became repetitive and exhausting—much like the plot itself. The main storyline, mainly focused on treating Osric, doesn’t evolve. It feels stagnant.

As for the characters: I simply couldn’t connect with them. They came across as arrogant, flat, and one-dimensional, with little to no development. Their chemistry was lacking, and I found myself frustrated with their interactions. Without the cover image, I honestly wouldn’t have been able to picture them at all. The lack of physical description, environmental details, or expressive mannerisms made it difficult to visualize the story. And that’s something I really appreciate in a book— immersive description.

I’m not a prude, but the constant sexual innuendo and toilet humour felt juvenile and excessive. What was meant to be funny came across as cringe-worthy rather than clever. The attempts at humour overall didn’t do it for me.

While I understand the author was going for a quirky, witty tone, the mix of made-up words, other languages, and overly complicated or “clever” dialogue just didn’t work for me.

Regarding the enemies-to-lovers and slow burn aspect—I can’t say much. I wasn’t invested enough in the characters or their relationship to be rooting for them. It is a slow burn, but is it “enemies” to lovers? Their animosity seemed more like general bias due to being from rival orders, not rooted in any real conflict or history between the 2 characters. There wasn’t a triggering event or meaningful backstory that justified their dislike of one another.

The secondary plot should’ve been introduced much earlier. In fact, this book could’ve easily been a standalone, with everything resolved in one book. I think that would’ve helped the pacing, character development, and plot delivery.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I enjoyed, but I can still appreciate the positive reviews from readers who are fans of the author and know her work.

Please don’t let my review deter you—this book might be the right fit for you.

0.5 ⭐️ —for the cover, which I really liked. ☺️

4.25 out of 5

thank you netgalley, publisher little brown orbit and author brigitte knightley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are mine.

*screeches into pillow. AHHHHHHHHH. Oh, boy. This was gorgeous.

PLOT:
Osric Mordaunt is an assassin who is affected by body rot that will take his life soon. As a part of the Fyrens, his death is certain. When he is told that the only person who can help him is Aurienne Fairhrim, a healer from the Haelans, all hell breaks loose.
Fyrens and Haelans don't get along with each other. Assassins and healers. What did we expect?

Aurienne, rightfully, doesn't want to help him but Osric is desperate. When he finds out that Aurienne's order needs money for their cause, Osric provides the funding in exchange for treatment from her (secretly, because imagine if the Haelans knew of this)

On their little adventure trying to find the cure for Osric's dangerous condition which no one was able to cure before, they find something more in each other.

CHARACTERS:
LITERAL PERFECTION. ABSOLUTELY MINDBLOWING, THESE TWO.
Osric is an assassin of multitudes. I love him to bits. His demeanour, his hilarious remarks, his monologues, everything about him is literally *chef's kiss. The character development he goes through, the way he approaches his feelings towards Aurienne...ahh, I never thought I'd find a man this hilarious, even in a book.

Aurienne holds my heart for being the most caring person but also the most unbothered and snarky person when it comes to Osric. It's almost like that side's reserved for Osric (lucky boi) and there's just so many times in the book where I just choked on my coffee at the burns and the banter between these two.

THE LOST 0.75 STAR
It was a little slow to start off. I loved the SLOW burn, but slow starts kinda made it hard to keep keep going near the beginning. But once it picked up, it was totally worth it. The only issue I had is just the experience at the beginning where I felt like "ooh, when is it picking up?"

One liner: Miss Brigitte Ma'am, I'm waiting for part 2

I could not believe my luck when I received an ARC for this. Brigitte is a gifted writer and I loved every second of this. The witty, sarcastic banter had me laughing out loud so many times. I adore enemies to lovers and this was so well done.

I appreciated the glossary to understand some of the worldbuilding, but I did feel like there needed to be a bit more world building throughout the story. I was honestly distracted by the hilarity of the FMC and MMC, but reflecting back, I don't feel I know enough about the other Orders.

All that being said, I can't wait to listen to the audiobook. I look forward to returning to this world.

Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!The Irresistible Urge was definitely not what I expected. I really did like the mystery element and some of the banter.
Unfortunately much of the rest was not for me.
The worldbuilding was almost non existent, the magic is there and the characters only personality traits were that they sniped at each other at every given opportunity.
That’s essentially all there is; just pages and pages of them bantering back and forth. And I did have fun with it for a while but it lost my interest eventually.
Reading from the male MC’s point of view left me really confused that we were supposed to find him attractive as a love interest. He was awkward and sounded like he was 14 years old.
Everything and I mean everything has some overcomplicated name or description straight from the thesaurus or is a made up word with some extra vowels in it.
Overall this is a very unserious book despite all the murder and I think if it’s the kind of humour someone likes it will be a great hit! You will get so many pages of just that to enjoy with just enough flavouring to make a story. Just on this occasion it unfortunately did not work for me.

3.5/5★

I have mixed feelings about this one.

It was good but at the same time, I wasn’t overly invested in it. It may be the writing or the way it’s been told but I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It did start to pick up a bit, halfway through and did eventually become interning. I found it hard to like these characters, they didn’t feel grounded and the romance felt a little forced.

There were funny moments and the whole moment with how politics plays a huge role in how it governs the kingdom which relates to today's standards of how people are just trying to survive while people in higher power look down on others. I also felt the chapters went on a bit too long and could easily be two or even three chapters each. I did find Certain scenes were not needed, and that’s from someone who enjoys a bit (or quite a bit) of spice.

When it came to the world-building, I felt very lost as I couldn’t picture anything and it confused me, I just started picturing basic places to fit the characters somewhere that wasn’t the void. For most of this, I used the read also and I was in stitches.
But these are my opinions and others may enjoy it more.

I did find the critic crickets funny, with all their one-liners. I would also like to know these ways of killing someone with a potato.