This was a cute slow paced fantasy and not at all like what i was expecting. It’s a very slow burn and for a good part of the book I don’t know if i would classify it as heavy fantasy but there is magic and spells and stuff. This is a cozy read with a fmc that is a healer and into STEM research and medicine. I love that aspect so much and how brilliant the fmc was. The mmc is morally grey and technically the villain in the book because he’s a killer and he comes to the fmc to get help with his degenerative disease and see if she can help slow it down.

Right away i loved the banter, there’s that enemies to lovers aspect because of what the mmc does and the fmc is happy to not help him. The world-building isn’t much though, the lore is well explained so i was a bit confused about the mystery element and why people were being killed but i didn’t focus on that. The magic system and fantasy element is clunky. This is a really slow slow burn, there’s tension and banter and both characters get attracted to each other but don’t act on it for a long while. There isn’t much steam but it didn’t need it, the romance worked well and both characters were so cute. I liked the humor and snark it’s not a rom com but the quiet and dry humor worked for me. Thanks to Ace Books for this arc for an honest review.

"The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy," the first book in the Dearly Beloathed Duology by Brigitte Knightley, is a captivating contemporary romance that expertly blends humor, tension, and heartfelt moments. From the very first page, Knightley draws readers into a whirlwind of witty banter and undeniable chemistry between the protagonists, making it impossible to put the book down.

The story revolves around the complicated relationship between the two main characters, whose initial animosity gives way to unexpected feelings, creating a dynamic that is both engaging and relatable. Knightley’s sharp dialogue and well-crafted interactions bring the characters to life, allowing readers to feel the electric tension between them as they navigate their growing attraction amidst various misunderstandings and obstacles.

Knightley’s writing is vibrant and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the characters’ emotions and the settings they inhabit. The character development is impressive, with each individual facing their own struggles and growth, making their journey all the more poignant. The exploration of themes such as love, rivalry, and forgiveness adds depth to the narrative, inviting readers to root for the characters as they navigate their feelings.

Overall, "The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy" is a delightful start to the Dearly Beloathed Duology that showcases Brigitte Knightley’s exceptional storytelling talent. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a romantic comedy filled with charm, wit, and ultimately, heart. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is so close to being good! I love this author and how she writes, and I love how unique it feels. Unfortunately this book got bogged down by too many made up fantasy words. By trying so hard to distant itself from the original fanfic, it ends up distancing itself from anything familiar. Not every magical fantasy word needs to be redone. I think I would really struggle recommending this book to others just due to the fact that the first few chapters might as well be in a new language. I also found the anus references to be a bit overdone. A few crass jokes here and there are humorous, but this amount was just tiring. This should’ve been edited better and then done all in one book. Not every story needs multiple books.

I loveeeee Brigitte banter and their relationship but I reallyyyy struggled with the world building. I was confused for a good while and I’m not a super seasoned fantasy reader so that could be on me. I will absolutely still read book 2 when that comes and after I understood the world, I had a much better time but it took me… longer than most fantasy books I read.

I sadly am dnfing this one 35% in. It’s my most anticipated 2025 release but there’s zero world building so I’m confused and can barely keep up with the magic system and orders etc. It took away from the good banter and chemistry between the characters.
Perhaps i will give it another shot later on but for now i lost all interest in picking it up to finish.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I’m excited to see where the second half of the duology takes us. It took me a bit of time to orient myself into the world and understand the magic system and some of the terms (both magical and medical). But I think the pay off was worth it. The story line is interesting and kept me engaged and excited to keep reading the entire time. The character growth in our “morally gray villain” has been slow so far, but it is definitely there and I’m rooting for him! This is definitely a slow burn romance, but I’m here for it!

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

I'm for sure going to be in the minority here, but I just wasn't a fan. The first 3/4 of the book felt so slow and repetitive (and overwhelming at times with the jargon). When I wasn't reading it, I had no desire to pick it back up. There were way too many conversations and circumstances that involved balls and other intimate parts and, for me, it stopped being funny after chapter 5.

I appreciated the characterization of our FMC and MMC and their very distinct voices, but that was really all I enjoyed for a great portion of the book. The enemies dynamic was meant to give us tension as the attraction grew, but I felt more like there was momentary attraction between them due to circumstance rather than actual interest (or denial thereof, for that matter). So when we finally got to the last quarter and the dynamic began to change, it felt forced and sudden more than organic.

That last quarter was also really the only part I genuinely enjoyed. We saw action, we saw stakes, and the pacing greatly improved compared to the incredibly slow pace of the rest of the book. It brought the rating up from where it was sitting for me at about 2.5 stars to 3. I was, however, jarred by the abrupt ending. I think I would have liked a short epilogue of some kind to soften the blow a bit.

I won't say that reading the sequel is off the table for me, but I don't know that I'll rush to read it either when it comes out.

I loved this book from start to finish. The language kept me on my toes, the banter yielded true laugh out loud moments, and the gravity of the plot line kept it compelling so that it ended up being the kind of read I devour, much to the chagrin of my household having to navigate around my laser focus and my ever growing TBR which would also like some attention.

I do not read a lot of romantasy but this one is so good! Full review to come soon though!! Thank you Berkley for the early gifted copy.

Osric Mordaunt finds himself in desperate need of a healer. Aurienne Fairhrim is tasked with helping him. He is an assassin, she is a healer, and they are members of enemy Orders. They are diametrically opposed in every way, yet have to learn to work together.

🖤Enemies to lovers
🖤Slowww burn
🖤Hypercompetent idiots
🖤Shadow daddy vs ice queen
🖤Magical animal companions
🖤Really unique magic system
🖤Women in STEM
🖤Touch her and die
🖤Banter for days
🖤Dry witty humor
🖤Mystery solving

Reading this book was an absolute delight. It's witty and funny and clever, and I couldn't get enough. Brigitte Knightley has such a way with words and with crafting characters that I can read about endlessly. I enjoyed every single interaction between the two main characters, who start out despising each other. They slowly become more friendly, and this transition is done seamlessly and feels earned, which I feel very few "enemies to lovers" books manage to do successfully. I am so invested in this story, and can't wait to get more of!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really loved this iteration of this story. I could see the threads of what I already loved in the fanfic along with the new magic system that was interesting and fit the story. Of COURSE the enemies to lovers was delish.

Everything about this was perfect. No notes. The banter, the wit, the characterization. I would say my heart is full but it's not because I need more. Give me the sequel NOW.

5⭐️

**my eternal gratitude to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and the one and only Brigitte Knightley - you are single handedly doing the Lord's Work™**

I know a lot of people have been raving about this book, but this really is a great book! I can see this blowing up MASSIVELY once this is released. The tension, banter, and chemistry were HOT!

I was really excited for this book, I love an enemies to lovers storyline. The healer and assassin route was fun in theory BUT I was really disappointed in this. I never felt the pull to pick it up. It makes sense being a fanfic turned mainstream publish, because the world building was only about 20% of the way there. I also HATED the pacing. The ending is so so abrupt, that I legitimately thought it was a misprint. With all that said, it wasn't the worst thing I've read and I could be tempted to try again with a second book in the series.

A wonderful adaptation! This book was SOOOO funny, I couldn't stop highlighting phrases while I was reading. I loved the banter and the dynamic between Osric and Aurienne, and thought that they had the perfect blend of humor and romance in their relationship. I thought that the stakes were built up well in this book, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment! My only critique was that the medical jargon was a bit too heavy-handed throughout the book. I understand that it was fantasy medical jargon, but there was still a lot of it, and clogged up the narrative at points.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley was a fun read. As a fan of the author’s fanfic Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love, I was beyond excited to get my hands on this one.

I really enjoyed the protagonists, Aurienne and Osric—especially Osric. The witty banter between the two was absolutely perfect. I was literally laughing out loud at some of their exchanges. I also thought the dual POV was a great choice; the perspective of both characters was definitely needed.

The slow-burn romance was, well, very slow. I enjoy a good slow burn, but this one took its time—there’s very little romance or spice in this first installment. I’m eager to see how their relationship develops in the next book.

The pacing felt a bit slow in the beginning, but by the halfway point, the story really started to pick up. Honestly, I think this book would have worked better as a single novel rather than being split into two parts. The ending felt a little abrupt. Additionally, the heavy use of medical terminology throughout felt unnecessary at times.

Overall, Knightley’s debut novel did have issues with pacing, but it was still an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for the next one.

If you are a fan of books that tackle serious plots in the most unserious way (think of the tone of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries) and/or you love a handsome, self-interested antihero who falls for the girl a la Flynn Rider, then you're going to love this book.

The Irresistable Urge to Fall for your Enemy is an absolute delight. Osric is a member of an order of assassins who is forced to team up with a member of an order of magical healers in order to hopefully save his life from a degenerative condition that threatens his ability to use magic. The twist? He has to get her help in secret, because if his order finds out he has this condition, they will kill him.

Aurienne is a highly capable healer who takes her order's creed of "harm to none" very seriously, and she is incredibly torn about using her skills to help Osric, who is basically harm for hire.

The tone and the dialogue of this book are both so funny. Osric and Aurienne.are both incredibly smart, so their banter is both intelligent and hilarious. I love them both, and the slow burn build up of tension between them is fantastic.

I would not call this book enemies to lovers. I can imagine that being the arc of the overall series, but this book itself is more enemies to reluctant allies to maybe friends-ish.

The one thing that I didn't love about this book is that the story arc feels more like a "part 1" than a "book 1." I don't feel like there is a specific in-book story arc that comes to a satisfactory close by the end of the book. It feels like the entire book is the setup for a bigger story, which it is, but I prefer for each book in a series to have a dedicated arc that comes to a close within that book, and this book doesn't do that for me.

Even so, I greatly enjoyed it and I think you will, too.

If you love smart humor, strong worldbuilding, and the slowest of slow burn romances, you'll love The Irresistable Urge to Fall for your Enemy.

Wickedly funny at every turn, even in the minutiae. I found the magic system to be incredibly well developed and totally absorbing. The vocabulary is stunning (did you know an abattoir is a slaughterhouse? I didn’t) and, generally, the whole book is whip smart. I want every romance I read to be like this.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is in fact an irresistible read with a slow burn romance that will leave readers clinging on every word said between the two main characters.