Enemy of my Dreams by Jenny Williamson.
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This book is what I wanted from every other romantasy I have read this year.

When people say “this book had me in a chokehold” I did not understand them…until this book.

I finished the audio for this book and four hours later I cannot stop thinking about it and am seriously considering starting it over again.

This book makes me want to hunt down really great artists and force them to read it and then draw me fanart of Alaric and Julia.

I want a movie-version with perfect casting stat.

The tension. The drama. The romance. The found family. I will ship Alaric and Julia till forever.
The enemies to lovers trope was so well done because I wanted to throw this book across the room I was so frustrated with how they were treating each other (alas I was listening to the audio so I had to mentally throw), but also I didn’t want to stop reading.

My initial rating was 4.5 but I just cannot stop thinking about this book and I have such a book hangover I have not been able to read anything for the rest of the day.
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book has consumed me body and soul, and I am mentally living here until further notice.

I LOVED this!!!!! I wish we had sooooo many more looks this, ancient history, enemies to lovers, war, drama, and an epic love story! Julia, is a spoiled princess and her thought processes at the beginning were at once ridiculous and I totally see how she was pushed to such desperation! She had such phenomenal growth throughout the story, and even though she kind of annoyed me at first, I grew to really admire her and I think that was the point! Alaric has my heart and soul, their banter was immaculate, and I loved his anti-Roman squad bros, they were so funny and cute! Are there some historical inaccuracies? Yes. Did they bother me? NO, because this was so fun and engaging that I just enjoyed the ride!

I was drawn in by the cover and I loved this book. Cat and mouse enemies to lovers and I was HOOKED from the start. I absolutely loved these characters and the story was amazing.

Enemy of My Dreams by Jenny Williamson is a fiery historical romance set in 409 CE, where political power plays and passion collide. The story follows Julia Augusta, the clever and defiant daughter of a Roman emperor, who arranges her own kidnapping to escape her controlling brother. Her captor? Alaric, the brooding leader of the Visigoths. What starts as a risky alliance quickly turns into a sizzling enemies-to-lovers dynamic, full of tension, desire, and complicated loyalties.

Williamson does a great job pulling you into the drama of a crumbling empire, with fast-paced twists and vivid worldbuilding. Some parts—especially the back-and-forth between Julia and Alaric—might feel a bit repetitive, but the chemistry and high stakes keep things interesting. If you’re into strong heroines, morally gray heroes, and historical romance with bite, this one’s worth the read.

⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

*historical romance that takes place during the Roman empire
*enemies to lovers (but instalust)
*miscommunication
*OW drama

This book was just not my jam mainly due to the amount of miscommunication in this book. The POV switches were also extremely weird and choppy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the ARC of this novel. I am not very familiar with the fall of the Roman Empire and its emperors other than the sack of Rome by the Visigoths. This is not historically accurate (because I went to Wikipedia for the characters) but it did give a look into the different cultures and people at the time. Overall I liked the book but it began to become repetitive for Julia and Alaric to not communicate and hate each other and then come back together and then fight and then come back together, over and over and over again. About 40% in, I started skimming and don't feel like I missed too much. More editing down could have helped as this felt just a bit too long. 2.75 stars.

This is one of those books that needs more hype. Why isn't everyone reading and talking about this?! I finally started reading my ARC and literally could not put it down, stayed up embarrassingly late in attempt to finish it, and had to pick right back up at the first opportunity the next day. Actual enemies-to-lovers, tension and pining that had me losing it, and so much action and adventure. The found family aspect was done so perfectly and had me feeling all the emotions for this little group of barbarians. AND THE MMC. I SWOON. Like I said, I literally couldn't put it down. The first 2/3 of this book was so epic and was headed towards a 5-star read, but the last 1/3 felt a little rushed and left me wanting more - what about her brother? That's all we get?! And the back and forth, cat and mouse, between Julia and Alaric was delicious, but started feeling repetitive. I kept waiting for the trust in each other and their relationship to surface, but they just kept doubting the other, time and time again, which left me annoyed. Still obsessed. Completely and totally enamored and will be thinking of nothing but this book for the foreseeable future. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

*A Wild Historical Romance: "Enemy of My Dreams" by Jenny Williamson*

This book is a sweeping historical romance set in Ancient Rome. It's about Julia, the emperor's sister, and Alaric, King of the Goths, who fall for each other despite being on opposite sides of a war.

# The Good Stuff
- *Great Characters*: Julia and Alaric are complex and relatable, with rich backstories that drive the plot.
- *Intense Romance*: Their forbidden love is passionate and all-consuming, set against the backdrop of war and power struggles.
- *Immersive Setting*: The author does a great job of transporting readers to Ancient Rome.

# The Not-So-Good Stuff
- *Slow Start*: The beginning can be a bit slow.
- *Predictable Twists*: Some plot twists are a bit predictable.

# Overall
Despite some minor flaws, this book is a captivating historical romance that I enjoyed reading. The characters are well-developed, and the story is engaging. If you like stories about Ancient Rome, politics, and romance, you'll probably like this book.

*Rating:* 4.5/5 stars

*Rec:* For fans of historical romance and epic sagas. Not recommended for readers who prefer fast-paced plots or are sensitive to mature themes.

I am an absolute SUCKER for historical romance and this hit just the spot I needed for that since I mood read. 3.5 stars rounded to 4 just because I felt the beginning was a little too slow for me !

This started out interesting enough and then very quickly became miscommunication after miscommunication, with Julia really just going off the deep end constantly. The amount of alcohol and drug use was actually wild, I don't think there is a single moment throughout the entire story that Julia isn't at least partially inebriated. It is not passion and definitely not romance if all they do is scream at each other, have sex, then go back to screaming and fighting.

At one point Julia says "I'd have done anything, if you had just told me." Which is such a load of CRAP considering how much she blatantly disregards him and does whatever she feels like. Case in point the literal next day.

There is a general feeling of failure and collapse throughout this story, which I think was actually really well done. Yes it gets painfully repetitive with the lack of communication and trust between Julia and Alaric, but the mood and tone are genuine to the surrounding events. It could have been improved by not trying for a happy ending of them ending up together since it was not believable at all with their constant fighting and distrust.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for providing an eARC of Enemy of My Dreams in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

What a book. It had almost every trope that I love. Touch her, and you die. Who did this to you. I would die for you. He made her his Queen. Enemies to lovers and all of the action packed of war and betrayal. I loved the story and how it wasn't all romance. It was found family and character growth. I loved all of the characters and wanted to keep reading. I really wanted to read the demise of her brother and the empire. I needed more of an ending. It wrapped up too quickly, but still a really captivating book. I wasn't sure what to think when I started this but I loved every minute and couldn't put it down. 10/10 would read again.

Wow! I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers book and I want more! If you're into a setting of historical Rome you should give this a read! Will definitely be looking to read more by this author! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this one!

I enjoyed this historical romance! It was a unique, enemies to lovers with opposites attract and a fun cat and mouse vibe.

Set during the Roman empire, we watch Julia, the Roman princess, try to establish her own destiny and escape the plans set for her by her brother. In a time where women are treated as little more than cattle to be bartered, she is determined to be her own master.

By a chance of fate, she throws herself at the mercy of Alaric, the brutal war lord and number one enemy of Rome, to use as a bargaining chip in exchange for her freedom. Throughout their journey back to his people, the pair are in a constant battle of the wills - both sides having no idea what they other has faced and having to grow/adapt. By the time all hell breaks lose, the pair have developed a budding relationship which is quickly tested by political ties, betrayals and battles.

I really enjoyed the story and I was rooting for Julia, even when she was being a spoiled brat. I loved watching her grow and develop into a strong woman. Alaric was hard and brutal, it was not easy for him to develop emotional attachments. Their sarcastic banter was perfection for me!

Enemy of My Dreams is a historical romance set in Ancient Rome. An enemies to lovers, cat and mouse, romance that will appeal to lovers of Roman history.

This was a fun, entertaining historical fiction spin on the infamous conflict between Rome and the Goths.

Here you’ll find:
- an entertaining reimagining of ancient history
- Enemies to lovers (plenty of tension!)
- Drama and high stakes adventure
- Forbidden romance
- Strong willed heroine
- Power struggles and politics

I enjoyed this one but wasn’t just gripped by it. Overall a solid historical romance though!

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for sending a copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and HTP Books for the eARC and the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book!

As someone who likes historical fiction and historical romance but not always in this particular setting, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did enjoy this historical romance set in Ancient Rome!

Julia is the only daughter of the Roman Emperor and as you might imagine, she is used to a very extravagant and lavish lifestyle that may even lead toward the debauched. But when her father dies and her younger brother takes over the throne, Julia soon finds that her brother has his own plans for her and she will do anything to avoid his plans of arranged marriage to one she loathes. When all hope seems lost, her salvation comes in the form of the greatest enemy of the empire - none other than Alaric, King of the Goths. With his help, Julia has a plan… but to Alaric, Julia may be the mouse to his cat in a game that may lead to the end of the empire as they know it.

The world-building, the characters, and the prose of this story make you feel like you are there in that time period and world, and the chemistry between Julia and Alaric keeps things interesting as well. Very much enemies to lovers (with a bit of insta-lust), but very enjoyable overall!

Good prose and exciting story. Felt like there could have been more development/fleshing out for the main plot but overall a good read.

I wanted to absolutely LOVE this book - the premise was beyond amazing - I mean, a cat & mouse style enemy to lovers styled book in ancient Rome?? Say less!! The writing was phenomenal, the story was phenomenal, and the character development & growth? Next level good! The action just kept going and I truly appreciated that. The insta-lust from the party really threw me for a loop - it was ravenous and invigorating but I was struggling a bit with it in general. I'm a bit excited but also worried for book 2 to see if it continues with the fun cat-and mouse style game or if it lessens a bit. I really want this couple to last and get some really good times together!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book! I'm a Classics major, so I'm a fan of anything ancient Rome-inspired, and I really liked the ancient Rome/ancient world setting! I thought the plot was pretty interesting and fast-paced, and overall, I had a good time reading this. It did take a bit for me to get into the book, however, and I found Julia to be kind of annoying at times. Otherwise, I enjoyed this debut novel, and am excited to see what Jenny Williamson writes next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Can I give it 10⭐️?

Review: Enemy of My Dreams

This story was absolutely amazing and entertaining from start to finish. Every character was incredibly endearing, even in their more barbaric ways. The brotherhood of the Vikings felt authentic and immersive, making their bond one of my favorite aspects of the book. And then there’s Julia and Alaric— their banter, tension, passion, and love story had me hooked. I just wanted more and more!

Even though it’s a historical story, it was easy to follow, never dragging, and it truly felt like it fit the period. The pacing was spot on, keeping me engaged without feeling bogged down by excessive detail. And I have to mention the narrator— they were absolutely incredible, bringing the story to life in such a compelling way.

If you’re looking for a historical romance with fiery chemistry, rich world-building, and characters you can’t get enough of, this is definitely one to pick up!

I received a copy of this book and audiobook from Net Galley and am voluntarily giving my honest review.