2.75/3 Star Review of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is a witty, sharp, and refreshingly unique fantasy romance that offers plenty of clever writing and a slow-burn dynamic that truly earns its tension. While there’s a lot to admire here, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me in the way I’d hoped.

First off, the writing itself is undeniably impressive. Brigitte Knightley’s prose is razor-sharp, filled with clever turns of phrase and a vocabulary that often felt richer and more intricate than your typical fantasy romance. For readers who love a more literary style, this will absolutely stand out. However, at times, this precision made the storytelling feel a bit distant—I found myself more impressed by the writing than emotionally connected to the characters or plot.

The romance itself is a true slow burn, with a deliberate pacing that builds tension steadily over time. If you're a fan of romance that takes its time, this aspect was well-executed. However, while the relationship had its moments, I didn’t feel fully invested in the characters' emotional journeys. The dynamic had a fun, witty edge but lacked some of the deeper chemistry I was hoping for.

The world-building, however, deserves high praise. The magic system is inventive and memorable, adding layers of intrigue to the plot. While the story had a good foundation, the pacing dipped in places, particularly in the middle, which made it harder to stay consistently engaged.

Overall, The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is a solid read with moments of brilliance—especially in its world-building and sharp writing. While it didn’t completely win me over, it’s a book I’d still recommend to fans of slow-burn romance, unique magic systems, and clever dialogue. For those who loved Assistant to the Villain or enjoy a more intellectual, word-play-filled writing style, this could be a great fit.

I read the original fanfiction, and I was SO excited to read this! I have read a fair amount of trad-pub fanfiction, and this is by far the most original adaptation I've encountered. Knightly was able to keep the tone and soul of the fanfic while writing an original storyline that kept me on my toes. The writing style was so funny that it was actually almost distracting at times (in a good way), and the characters stayed true to their original selves. My only complaint was with pacing, though I suspect that once the duology is complete, the complete story will read better. I highly recommend this to people looking for a lighthearted, easy fantasy!!

Getting an email from NetGalley that I was approved to read this book in advance is definitely one of the highlights of this year. Since this was one of my most anticipated reads!

This story had everything it needed to be a perfect fantasy, and yet sometimes I felt like it lacked something. The world-building is simple enough, everything is pretty much explained in the glossary that the book provides. So no troubles there, but I would have been glad to read more about the countries themselves and their politics, since we know that some of them are on the brink of war, and yet we do not know why. I liked the Orders and the idea behind them, but aside from our main characters, we only meet one other person from another order, whom we meet only in passing. So why create them at all if we are never going to meet them?

What I loved were deofols, which are companions that each person has in this universe! They have a character of their own and not just a smaller copy of their owners, which was fun to read about.

The whole book is littered with ‘big’ words that, in some places, perhaps would have been appropriate, but I doubt they are in a simple enemies-to-lovers fantasy. I had to consult a dictionary on almost every page, which really took me out of the story and most times was distracting (thank God for Kindle’s vocabulary builder). If English is not your first language, I think you will find it difficult to get through the whole book without constantly looking up words.

That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy Briggitte’s writing style at all. The story was fast-paced, though a tad repetitive. What I mean by that is majority of the book is just the two main characters meeting up every full moon and doing the same thing but in different places. Good thing I did not mind it, since they were fun to read about.

The book is definitely an adult fantasy, it was filled with dirty jokes that, after a while, stopped being funny. Perhaps I’m just not made for that type of humour (at least not that often). How many times can you make a dick joke till you get tired of it?

The characters were my favourite part, I loved them dearly. The burn was definitely slow, but a burn nonetheless. That was deeply appreciated.

At the start of the book, it is established that Osric has 3 or 4 months before his abilities begin to dwindle significantly, and yet we don’t see it throughout the book?? He’s fine with just trying something once every full moon? How much time does he really have? I think it would have been interesting to see the consequences of his injury more. I do hope it is something that will be further explored in the second book.

And speaking about the second book, in my opinion, there was no need to make it a duology. I liked the ending of this one, but it did feel that if this book had several more chapters, the story would have reached its natural conclusion easily. But nevertheless, I am excited for the sequel. Brigitte Knightley did a fantastical job of getting me absolutely hooked on these characters. It was a brilliant debut novel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

Wow. I loved Brigitte’s writing throughout this book. I know it will take a unique group of readers but I absolutely loved the dry humor.

Mordaunt and Aurienne are probably one of my most favorite enemies to lovers to date. I loved the world building throughout this book and I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on book two.

Thank you so much for the eARC of this book I will absolutely be telling all of my friends to preorder this one!

I really enjoyed elements of this book:
- the characterisation of main characters
- initially the dialogue
- the magic system
- guild system

I thought the magic system was novel and interesting and actually felt it would be fun to hear more about it.

Initially, I enjoyed the dialogue between the main characters - it was fun and there was a bit of banter, but I did feel that the longer this went on the more it began to grate on me. Whilst their characters developed, the way they spoke to each other didn't really mirror that development which was a bit of a shame.

I felt the plot was a little lacking; the main plot didn't really come into play until about 75% in and up until then I was sort of left wondering if much was going to actually happen. It would have felt a little better weaved in earlier.

However, despite my criticisms, I did enjoy the book. It was a fun and easy read.

Sometimes, a book delivers exactly what its title promises – and The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy does just that. This novel masterfully blends romance, tension, and emotional depth into a compelling enemies-to-lovers story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its chemistry between the main characters. The tension is palpable, the kind that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. Both leads are beautifully written—layered, flawed, and constantly evolving, making their emotional journey all the more satisfying. The writing itself is witty and engaging, with natural dialogue that enhances both the rivalry and the romance.

While the slow burn is absolutely worth it, there are moments where the pacing drags slightly. Additionally, some side characters could have been developed more to add depth to the story. However, these minor critiques do little to take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

the mc is so petty, i had way too much fun reading it. i really recommend it

I NEED THE NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW !!

I wanted to love this one so much more than I did.

I think what makes fanfic writers so amazing is their ability to expand on a world we're already intimately familiar with and they don't have to focus on the world building, and in the case of fantasy books, if we're reading fanfiction, we know the magic system.

I think where fanfic writers publishing their own versions of their fanfiction struggle, is having to establish all of this themselves. There was next to no world-building in this book. The magic system was barely explained and what was explained just served to confuse me even more than I already was. It all just felt very lightly touched on.

The actual plot was very stretched out. We got much of the same for most of the book - the two main characters meeting up, exchanging scathing words, trying something with no result, exchanging more scathing words and then storming off. I lost count of how many times this happened. You could have swapped out the scenes with each other and not noticed a difference. The plot developed too late and by then, I'd lost all of my ability to connect with it and the characters.

I do think this definitely has potential. The world building needs some serious developing, as does the magic system and the pacing.

Very funny and enjoyable! I really liked the characters banter, their humour and ability to bounce off each other was delightfully funny to read.

I also enjoyed the world building, while it's not the focus of the book I like the idea of an alternative world where William the Conqueror lost at Hastings and it was believable and interesting.

However NOTHING is concluded at all by the end of the book, which leaves it feeling as though it's half the story. I don't want to have to wait and buy a second book to get one whole story, so I had to mark it down from a four star for that.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Oh my bloody GOODNESS THIS BOOK !!!!!❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

I can confidently say that ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For My Enemy’ has been one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far - the banter ?! Brigitte’s writing style?! It truly is the epitome of a slowburn-witty-enemies-to-(somewhat 👀 )lovers. Absolute chefs kiss.

I 👏🏻 COULD 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 PUT 👏🏻 IT 👏🏻 DOWN 👏🏻 like genuine laugh-out-loud moments and I NEED TO DEBRIEF WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE HONESTLY THIS BOOK HAS ME IN ALL THE FEEEEEEELS AND GIDDINESS AND JUST 🤯 !!!

Themes covered in this book;
🥼 Smart, badass, self-assured FMC Aurienne who is a Haelen (Order of healer-scholars)
⚔️ Witty, literally-an-assassin, self-assured MMC Osric, who is a Fyren (Order of Assassins and also may happen to be Good Looking)
🥼 Different Orders
⚔️ SLOW BURNNNNN DONE BEAUTIFULLY (we are talking high interaction AND slow burn - 10/10 execution - take the assassin puns as you will 😉 )
🥼 Laugh-out-loud-and-maybe-even-some-snorting moments
⚔️ Enemies-to-lovers but like we are talking proper enemies 👀🫶🏻

I am anticipating the release of book 2 as though my life depends on it. THANK YOU so much to the team at Hachette Australia & New Zealand and Little Brown Book UK for access to an ARC of this absolute GEM and Brigitte - wowee I cannot WAIT for the book community to experience ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy’ - I know they will fall in love just as obsessively as I have 🥹🥹🥹

Being from different Orders (Aurienne-Haelan and Osric-Fyren) will lead them to disagree many times throughout this adventure. Aurienne and Osric, who by a strange agreement must work together, gradually grow closer, even with their awkwardly funny and witty banter occasionally. This is a really slow-burn romance from start to end between these enemies to lovers. However, I did have a hard time with the world-building and magic system like I wish it was better explained. There were chapters that were overworded with info or made-up words, and it wasn't until I read the glossary that some things fit but in the same way, I hope they will be better developed in the sequel (I'm not sure if there will be one but with that ending, it seems so). Moreover, it was difficult to connect with the characters, I sense that they were explored only on a surface-level. Overall, it was a good book that I wish I had enjoyed and connected with more

4 ⭐️

Laughed out loud, giggled and kicked my feet. This was SUCH a fun read and the humour had me absolutely cackling!

The slowest of slow burns (for a duology), hilarious banter, and delicious tension is what you get with TIUTFFYE and I absolutely ate it up!

Osric had already suspected that he didn’t like Fairhrim. That was now confirmed.
His patience with the negotiation ran out.
‘Kidnap it is,’ said Osric. He rose, poured the onions onto the floor, and flapped the empty sack at Fairhrim. ‘Get in.’

I think it’s important to note this is primarily a romcom, so if you’re in the mood for a super unserious book with jokes about dicks, pubes and murder delivered in a fantastical package, this absolutely delivers.

I am so excited for book two!!

I was about to read “Mortifying” when I heard the news the author was picked up by a traditional publisher (and I thought it would be a reworking), so I held off just in case.

Then I was gifted the e-ARC of TIUTFFYE, but Dramione-coded loving fans will not be disappointed by this one. It’s a fab unique story that stands on its own in a different kind of world with enough references to appreciate other literary worlds.

The writing and banter are a fresh break from other heavier fantasies out there right now. And the characters are just fun (without spoiling it, I love the deofols and what Osric keeps at his house). I’ve been in a reading slump lately, so the story felt cozy, familiar, but low stakes. It was a quick, paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

The biggest disappointment? Finding out it’s a duology and having to wait forever for the next one!

The Pspsps dedication page made up for it though.

Thanks so much to Little Brown Book Group via NetGalley for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️ Wow! I read DMATMOOFIL last year and loved it so was super excited when I heard Brigitte was publishing her work and this did not disappoint!! My main thing from this book is the delicious banter between Aurienne and Osric, they are both so sarcastic and quick witted I was literally laughing out loud throughout the entire book! I loved the magic system of this world, it was super interesting to read about. It certainly was a slow burn but I love that and it hit the spot with little sprinkles off slow realisation that they both are falling for one another. I did not know that this was a series situation and I would be left on a little bit of a cliffhanger so I am both devastated and excited! Devastated because I need book 2 now and excited because I will be able to read about Aurienne and Osric again!!! Absolutely incredible, I cannot wait for this release because I need my trophy book!!

Thank you so much to Little Brown Book (Orbit) & Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

⭐️⭐️✨️ - 2.5

I had really high hopes for this book after seeing huge hype around it on social media, but I'm gutted to say that I didn't enjoy it...

I didn't click either of the main characters - we didn't know much about their backstory, other than ones a healer & the other is an assassin with dodgy morals, if any.

I love a slow burn enemies to lovers story, but this was flat & lacked a spark for me.

The banter & dry humour were one of the highlights, but even that became a bit repetitive by the end.

The world building also felt a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, I hate an information dump, but it just needed a lil something to bring it to life.

I'll definitely pick it up again in future - maybe I'm just not in the right headspace for it just now?

I hate leaving negative reviews but this was a struggle to get through..

I absolutely loved this book. I adore how much Fairhrim and Osric loathe one another. It's very Dramione coded, but, oddly, at the same time completely original.

Every word that comes out their mouths is dripping in distain. They're both arrogant, vain and self-proclaimed geniuses in their own fields and even though their moral compasses are pointing in completely opposite directions, there's no denying the irresistible pull towards each other.

I could listen to them argue and insult each other endlessly. The dialogue is cutting, fast-paced and absolutely hilarious.

It did end really abruptly. I felt a little cheated considering the delicious slowburn that had bubbling from their very first meeting was finally overflowing. I honestly thought there was something wrong with my copy! My disappointment that it was over really is a testament to how much I was enjoying it. I need more!

The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy was a fun & lighthearted read that follows two pov characters. Aurienne, a healer, and Osric, an assassin. The two are in polar opposite orders who are forbidden from helping one another. However, injuries that have occurred before the story begins lead Osric to try and force Aurienne into healing him. Things don't go quite his way and he ends up assisting in the cure for a Pox. In return, Aurienne assists in trying to cure the incurable for him. This leads to her trying to investigate how mythical means may help.

The book is absolutely jam packed with humour and the banter between the two characters will have you laughing. It's very much a slow burn enemies to lovers relationship between the two that will lead into the next book. Speaking of, it does end somewhat abruptly not so much a cliffhanger but you'll be desperate for more. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to continue their story!

Thanks to Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group for this arc.

This book is ✨ divine ✨ I don’t think I could love it more if I tried. I will leave a disclaimer that it is very different to most books - the writing style is narrated, and I think jumps into the story like a fanfiction, but the difference here is that we’re building a whole new world with no existing characters or backstory. Apart from that, the book itself is so much fun and I genuinely loved it, partly because of how different it was.

First of all, there is agonisingly slow burn to this story. I was screaming by the end of it for the pair to get it on. Brigitte does an amazing job of writing the character’s emotions, and how they hate each other but perhaps they’re not the worst human being in the world but also that thought is utterly preposterous and how could they possibly think that. You get the point. It goes around and around in circles and I hated it but it made it so much better and I squealed in delight towards the end of the book.

This is a slow read to get into. The world building is great, but explanation of the magic system isn’t there. Not that much happens in the first half of the book, so we get a really good look at the characters and the buildup of the complication of the plot. I loved the plot and I think it was a fantastic story. Brigitte made such a great story out of what starts as a small issue in the book, and then turns out to be a giant conspiracy that becomes life or death.

I absolutely adore Aurienne - I’m a huge geek with a penchant for big words and witty humour, and she’s a girl after my own heart. The juxtaposition with Osric was so much fun, their desperate need for what the other could give them outweighing the absolute disgust at needing to work with one another. Their banter was hilarious, and I giggled out loud quite a few times when reading. There are so many crude jokes, big words and utterly ridiculous statements made, and it was a pleasure to read them. Aurienne’s deofol (messenger spirit animal thing) was the highlight of my reading experience and I must have a plush version or art print, because I adore it.

All in all, 5/5 and I’m so excited to have been able to ARC read for this book.

“Irresistible Bastard Meets Immovable Bitch”

When chapter 1 is named this you know you’re in for a fun time! This book had the most hilarious banter I have ever read.

Not only was the banter hilarious, I found myself highlight whole pages of funny notes, the names of things and places were so clever.

Aurienne, a healer & Osris, a shadow assassin are forced to work together, enemy orders… there is murder and healing and hate, so much hate!

True enemies to… not quite lovers, it’s the slowest slow burn and I was screaming for something, anything to happen between the two main characters.

This was FUN. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because it genuinely made me laugh out loud at times (a your mum joke in 2025?? I'm lowkey sold)

I'm the girlie living under a damn rock who didn't know this was a D/H fanfic until halfway, but I'm not mad, lmao. It was very nicely crafted into its own world and vibe and only a few things I felt carried a connection.

I felt it lagged a bit in terms of pacing because the banter took front stage, and whilst it IS very witty, sometimes it felt over-edited and therefore lacked a natural flow, especially in the dialogue.

Overall, this was a fun read and I LOVE how it was actually a slow-burn!!