Thank you so much, Netgalley, for the ARC, and in exchange, I will provide my honest review.

The premise of this book was amazing! Brigitte created a very interesting world with a completely different magic system, which was very refreshing for me to read. The book's entire plot was so engaging, and something that had me constantly reaching to pick it up. I was unaware that this is going to be a series, and I'm very excited for the next book!

I really liked both the main characters. Their chemistry was something that made me want to keep reading, and I constantly found myself wanting to learn more about them. They have unique histories that explain clearly how they became the people they are. Overall, it was really enjoyable to read about them both!

The only issue I had with it was the abundance of vulgarity. I mean, about 50% into the story, every single page has some vulgar act, object, or situation being mentioned. It was really unnecessary in my opinion. If it was more advertised in the back summary about its quirky language, it wouldn’t have been as big of a deal. The back of the book wasn’t very vulgar and misled me a little, but if that’s your kind of humour, then you would love this!

The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy was a delightful read. The smart and playful banter between the two characters had me wanting more. This has been a true enemy’s to lovers and I am extremely excited for this release and the book to follow after. If you’re looking for a fiercely strong STEM, FMC this book is for you! I can never go wrong with a morally grey ‘touch her and die’ MMC!
As they work together to heal him they stumble upon the dark inner workings of something much bigger than the both of them. I truly believe they will be the only ones to make a difference in both the MMC & the pox spreading.

Ali Hazelwood was right - this was so incredibly good! It was fun and intriguing, and I had so much fun with the slow burn! I can’t wait to put this in reader’s hands.

Thank you to PRHC for my early copy! This is my most anticipated read for 2025 and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I wish I could take Brigitte's prose and somehow wire it into my brain because it is so witty and smart. On top of that the alternate England setting is SO interesting and again, SMART. Ppl will dismiss this bc it's Dramione-inspired (I'll admit that's how I found my way here bc I am (still) obsessed with Mortifying Ordeal) but everything about this book so well crafted! And the slow burn was SO GOOD and felt so realistic! THE YEARNING.
The PINING. The CONFUSED FEELINGS bc WAIT ARENT I SUPPOSED TO HATE THIS PERSON?!?
Loved! Adored! Cannot wait for the second book!!

Not only was it so difficult to get into the book, but I felt like I never connected with the characters. Medical words and jargon were constantly scattered throughout the entirety of this book as a way to make the characters seem smart, but instead took away from the characters ability to connect with the audience. There was never any type of world building, just an expectation to understand the world, magic, and the underlying conflict. It was impossible for me to find any enjoyment while reading this because I was too heavily focused on trying to wrap my head around what was even going on.

Every criticism I have with this book is inline with how I felt about the original fan fiction but it was somehow amplified. 😫 I won’t be naming it here so you’re able to still come to your own conclusions and not be swayed by previous material. If you had told me it would’ve taken 2 months for me to get through this book, I wouldn’t have believed you. I was so hyped to support this author finally getting their coins and seeing an entirely new magic system come to life. But is there such thing as TOO much banter? (Reader: the answer is yes) Why is the dialogue reminiscent of an SAT exam?!

I feel like the author struggled with creating an entirely new fantasy realm without the outline of a beloved magical world. The magic system implemented was so convoluted, I felt myself having to re-read full sections to understand what was happening. Which maybe we weren’t really supposed to understand it and it was just for the vibes?? In the end, it was a banter heavy cozy rom com which will 100% work for some it just didn’t for me.

I think people who read the original fanfic and loved it will eat this up and if you like a GLACIAL-paced slow burn you should still consider adding this to your TBR.

I’m heartbroken that this wasn’t an instant fave but maybe I’ll try rereading it again down the line. Thank you to the author and publishers for this ARC! The irresistible urge to fall for your enemy is on sale 7/25!

The Irresistible Urge to Fall in Love with Your Enemy did not urge me to fall in love. It’s an ok book but has some drawbacks that make it difficult. I never read the fan fiction or even Harry Potter (didn’t even know it had originated as such until after reading) so this review doesn’t have the history that other reader’s may come to this book with.

First, the book doesn’t pick up until about 50%. Up until 40%, it’s a list of random places we visit where nothing really happens. It’s boring, it’s a list and, instead of using this space to create a rich tapestry of the world and magic system, we get repetitive descriptions of either cute or disintegrating towns and unclear waystone descriptions. The magic has a physical element, along the human nervous system, but we get very little sense about how it functions and how it is influenced by natural world or ley lines. It’s all very vague and basic. Then there are the other “houses” of magic but it’s very divergent-esque. We don’t get to see how these interact besides being told certain ones bad and other ones good.

Up until 50%, the most entertaining aspect of this book is the dialogue which is consistent throughout. Knightely has the wittiest repetoire for characters and it’s delightful- the only reason I kept reading. However, for me, in the first half, it doesn’t lend to flirtation nor extreme hatred. It felt like scenes were missing where we could have seen either 1) more actual enemy-ing or 2) them have a gradual realization of affection. Additionally, all of the characters can fit into two books - witty person or dumb person. So though I found the conversations funny and interesting, the characters had very little distinguishing personalities. To make it worst, there are about 6-8 characters who I could find no purpose to in the story at all - there names were just dropper there and we were lucky to get their hair color.

Then we get to the last half of the book and it’s not exactly insta-love? But apparently once a band of bandits points out the other person is hot, it cannot be unseen and the MCs are attracted to each other. This felt random and abrupt and was an odd story-telling technique to me. Where’s the growth? The longing before they even know what it is? If it was there, it didn’t connect with me.

The plot though finally picks up! I was literally asking myself while reading, “Why doesn’t this have some sort of larger plot?” When it finally appeared, at about the 60% mark. This was way too late in the novel. The larger political-social mystery took way too long to be introduced and ended up feeling rushed in the end when it was finally the most satisfying plot to read. It was also a bit obvious but I’ve never held that against a book too much.

Plus, I couldn’t tell when this was taking place. All of the clothing and language is very conservative, long, high-necked dresses, neck ties, etc. and Osric makes fun of seeing Aurienne’s ankles; yet the prostitutes wear pasties and booty skirts with words on the ass? I was left confused with the cultural expectations as this bit didn’t seem to make sense.

Finally, the ending was just abrupt. It wasn’t a cliffhanger where I was left on the edge of my seat wondering what is next - it just ended and I was left asking, “So… that’s it?” After hearing this book’s journey, I understand it now, but the ending was a poor stopping point and needed more work to be satisfying.

Knightely does write several beautiful scenes with lovely atmosphere like the two dancing on the balcony but otherwise this felt like it needed more workshopping to me.

This read was not what I expected and not in a good way. I was very confused the whole time. While this could be due to not reading the fanfic before picking up this book, I found that the magic system was too confusing and had no foundation for me to glean throughout the read. I’m sure fans of the fanfic will have an easier time when reading, but I just couldn’t get past this confusing magic system.

Rarely have I cackled my way through a book until THIS STORY came along! Witty, smart, filled to the brim with antics and escapades, Irresistible Urge has shot its way soundly to the top of my 2025 list! Brigitte is utterly hysterical with how she paints absurdly gory scenes, leaning into both Osric's charm and profession as an assassin but with a cheeky, wink-at-the-camera approach that never allows it to get too dark. Aurienne is prim and exacting, but has a wickedly dry sense of humor and pragmatic passion that I've seen searching for since watching Bones obsessively in my youth. And while the adventure part is interesting and clever and oh-so-fun (bopping around the countryside in search of places particularly good for healing), it's their slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, push-pull dynamic that really wins the day! Cannot wait for the second book!

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is a fun, witty enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers plenty of banter, sizzling tension, and just the right amount of angst. If you love a stubborn and slow burn romance, this one has exactly what you're looking for.

I just couldn't even finish this book. The story did not engage me and the language was more than I wanted to deal with. I had so many other things to read I didn't want to waste my time on this one after about 1/3 of the way through.

I really liked this book! The enemies to lovers storyline between Osric and Aurienne was full of tension and slow-burn romance that kept me turning the pages. Their banter was great, and you could really feel the chemistry building the whole time.

The plot was interesting too. . I liked the contrast between the assassin world and the healer world, it made their relationship feel even more complicated.

Some parts in the middle felt a little slow, but overall, it was a great read with strong characters, a bit of danger, and a romance that felt well-earned. Definitely recommend if you like fantasy and enemies to lovers.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC

I was interested in reading this book, but due to the way this book is being marketed, I will not be reading it publicly, perhaps not at all, or reviewing it on any platform.

I will not associate my name or platform with JK Rowling’s intellectual property in any way. I’m very disappointed that Penguin Random House would market this book by calling it Harry Potter & Dramione fanfiction even if that was the original inspiration.

What an incredible start to this new duology!

Enemies to lovers fans, this one's for you. We're talking actual enemies here. Ideologically opposed, from rival magical factions, these two patently cannot stand each other. Until they can. And it's absolutely delicious.

Struck with a magical malady that is as incurable as it is fatal, assassin for hire Osric Mordaunt needs a phenomenal healer. He finds one in Aurienne Fairhim. Much to Osric's surprise and dismay, his usual methods of persuasion (threats) hold no sway over Aurienne. But Aurienne needs something from Osric as well, and against her better judgement a bargain is struck to cure the incurable. Armed with little more than fairy tales and a hunch, it's a race against time and across kingdoms to heal a man that Aurienne believes the world would be better off without.

I love the world building and magic system in this book. This alternate Britain, where magic exists and the Norman Conquest was a failure, has both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon inspired lexicon and mythology. Magic is treated as a less understood science, and scientists have actually mapped how magic moves through people and through the land. The blending of science and magic makes for a really compelling system.

I was pleasantly surprised at how genuinely hilarious this book is. The dry, sarcastic humor paired with the whimsy infused into this world was hysterical, and different from anything I've read in a long time. And the banter! The mouths on these two main characters had me both cracking up and blushing. Aurienne and Mordaunt take ruthless jabs at each other, and they flawlessly keep up with each other's wit.

I adored both of these characters and their slow burn so much. It's a true slow burn - there's no instant spark or thinly veiled mutual attraction here. Mordaunt and Aurienne are so similar - they're both stubborn and intelligent, sharp witted, incredibly good at what they do, and surprisingly tender and soft with the things they hold dear. They're also so far apart on their moral compasses that it's initially hard to see how they'll ever even like each other, let alone fall in love. Yet fall they do, in a way that's so convincing and so heart wrenching in its impossibility. The tension and feelings build gradually as they go from viewing each other as a necessary evil and a means to an end, to something much more.

I am eagerly and impatiently awaiting the conclusion of this duology. It's already heading straight to the top of my most anticipated books list.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC for an honest review.

Possibly my most anticipated book of the year. I was so thrilled to get an ARC on Netgalley (thank you to the publisher!!), and I'm delighted to report that it exceeded expectations. The only issue with this book is that it's a duology, and now we have to wait for the second half of the story.

What I liked most about this book is that it's smart! It's set in a version of England where the Norman Conquest never happened and the island is still a confederation of smaller kingdoms. There is a magic system that is described with Old English words and phrases, and a set of different orders that magic users belong to. The main characters, Osric and Aurienne, start out as actual enemies, which is honestly rare for the romance genre. They're thrown together when Osric (an assassin) has a problem he needs Aurienne (a healer) to solve. I loved that both characters are vain and grudgingly impressed by each other's competence, and that it takes a long time for them to warm up to each other.

The writing is genuinely funny and I laughed out loud a few times, though I did find it odd that Osric's career as an assassin and the violence is largely played for laughs, especially since many of the scenes would be truly gruesome. But I enjoyed this book so much that that's a minor quibble. I'm impressed by the world and can't wait to read the next one

I ADORED this!!!

Whimsical & hilarious & not at all what I was expecting. I dove into this book with no idea what the story was about or any of the tropes that were in it and that made the reading experience SO. MUCH. FUN.

The characters were hilarious. The banter had me giddy. & the love interest had me highlighting every word that came out of his mouth.

The most fun I’ve had reading in a long time.

“They had grown entangled in each other through reciprocities. Healing and killing. Killing and healing.”

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌: The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Brigitte Knightley
𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔: 🍴🧅🩸🩺💗

I had the absolute best time reading this beautiful work by Brigitte Knightley! From the very first page her writing is unique, incredibly captivating, and hilarious!
Our main characters are at complete odds- Orsic is an assassin with an insurmountable kill count, while Aurienne has dedicated her life to the art of healing. Through an act of fate, aka Orsic’s deep pockets, Aurienne is tasked/forced to use her healing talents on the assassin- who morally she does not want to aid at all. We folllow both of their pov’s which I think is so important when reading an enemies to lovers! We have to understand how the parties true hate develops into something more. Watching the events of the novel unfold from both perspectives is crucial for that! Knightley allowed the story to develop seamlessly while switching between the povs. I felt so connected to Orsic and Aurienne!! And now for my favorite parts: the yearning?! The sarcasm?! The quips?! I was snorting water out of my nose at points because of the masterful dialogues between our main characters. There are truly hilarious moments and laughing out loud at so many moments elevated the reading experience for me!! I’m in love with this book and I couldn’t put it down. It will leave you craving more of the writing, more of the characters, and maybe an onion?? Just kidding, iykyk. This is one of my top reads of the year!! I adore it and I have nothing but compliments for it! I am on the edge of my seat and foaming at the mouth for book two!!

3.5

Thank you Ace Books , Berkley romance for my review copy!

I am a bit conflicted about this one because it has some super strong points and I kinda enjoyed it overall. I also have to put it here that I never read the author's fanfics so I went knowing next to nothing. The irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy somewhat falls between a romance and a romantasy with strong STEM vibes (read:Nerdy strength of vibes) which I actually enjoyed. A terrible pox outbreak, an assassin on the brink of death and the only healer that can help him.. but there is a catch-they are enemies like really bad enemies!

If you think you read proper enemies to lovers, think again coz you haven't met Aurienne and Osric. They are personification of the trope Enemies to lovers and hence the romantic tension with lots and lots of banter and quips definitely warranties lots of giggles. It is also a super slowww burn and I am actually down for it, slowww burn and hand grazings need to make a come back if you ask me ;) , that being said at times I felt the word volley felt a little forced like the chapters are *needed* to end with them being at each other's throats.

While I enjoyed the book for the most part, I had hard times placing the book in any timeline because the world felt vague with bits of it being extremely modern while the language felt very primitive and I also wished the magic system was better developed. There were too many subplots going on the side which kind of made it little cluttered, I was also not fan of the crude humor and the overall too ridiculous tone of the book its written in but I know that might be a case of personal preference. However, I enjoyed Osric and Aurinne's character arc's enough to want to read the continuation and maybe the finale will be more satisfying.

When I say I want an enemies to lovers THIS is what I mean. The slow burn (is agonizing)!!! The banter (had me giggling and kicking my feet)!!!

I will note that some of the humor throughout this book wasn’t exactly my favorite, but overall I enjoyed this one. I really appreciate the attention to detail and world building — as someone who doesn’t read a ton of fantasy, this was relatively easy to follow. I never felt lost or unable to comprehend what was going on.

I can’t say thank you enough to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for blessing me with this ARC.

The slowest of slow burns, this is a creative world, interesting characters, and a fun enemies-to-lovers romance. Haven’t read any fanfic and don’t know the backstory, but Aurienne and Osric really hate each other… they’re forced together through no real fault of their own, and forced to help each other. Folks, this is crass, irreverent, and hilarious. The literal homing they get up to are so absurd, and the side characters must only be for comedic relief. I will say I wanted things to get a little faster?? Like, slow burn is slow burn but we waited a VERY long time for something besides hate to happen!

Anyway, read if you like funny enemies to lovers where they’re more enemies than lovers.