Getting to read a story with a South East Asian character as the lead was so nice, especially seeing her paired with another Asian character. I usually only see stories about East Asian characters, so getting some diversity is refreshing.

Oof, the emphasis on family reliance and dependence was a big kicker in the novel, and both characters had their own strife to deal with within their families. One reason I thought they got along well was being of the inherent understanding of their place within their own respective families. Both are caregivers and provide financial support for someone, which is stressful but is a job they know they have to do (for the most part).

Kriya is a strong female lead who takes shit from her boss for a while but eventually gains the courage to shut him down and move on to someone that serves her better. She loves her job and is steadfast in her morals/ethics surrounding the work she does. When she resigns with a intent to go behind the scenes and make sure someone is unable to sue, I was so happy for her for sticking up for her people and their future.

Charles was a character that took me a while to like. His prose through the novel was odd and often made me feel distant from his true thoughts. He's a very hesitant person who does not want to impose on anyone and is okay with getting the short end of the stick if everyone is taken care of. I loved seeing him gain confidence and do things for himself for once.

Together, they were an odd couple that matched well. The drama in the novel was more political and not necessarily a hinderance on their budding relationship. I was so stoked that Kriya took the job and chose herself after following men for so many years. Seeing Charles also make a life changing decision for her, their future, and his relationship with his mom, his pending move felt natural and right.

Overall, this story wasn't life changing but it was a nice break from crazy hijinks and awkwardly placed sex scenes. I'd recommend if you'd like a break from more mainstream romances and would like to read something different. Solid 3.5 for me.

Behind frenemy lines was a quick and fun read. The plot was cute and the execution was well done. One thing I did not like however, was the Charles's POV. The way it was writing was not my favorite, it was too choppy and the lack of pronouns (I) was not my fav. I also didn't like the dialogues being prefaced with the characters initial. I appreciated the fact that the author wanted to differentiate the writing between the characters but it could have been done better.
Reading passages like : [Opened the door. Sat at desk and started typing when Kriya spoke.
k : "hi"
CG : "hello"
Who is Kriya talking to? Continued typing. Got up. Left. ] was not for me.

The time jumps were also weirdly done. You only knew that it was a time jump when it ended and the characters were brought back to the present.

!!!!Minor spoiler!!!!
I liked the fact that they both thought the other hated them just because they're both a bit socialy awkward, a lot socially awkward for Charles xD

2.5/5 rounded up.

I had quite high hopes for this book, it sounded like it would be so much fun (and the premise kind of reminded me of The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark since they're both about lawyers having to get along).

I didn't find the characters of this book to be very engaging, interesting or likable. They were just so flat to me and I did not feel like they had really much chemistry at all.

And there was something about the formatting/writing style of this book that didn't mesh with me. It felt very choppy and stunted. And for the conversations, simply having the characters initials and a colon for them speaking was just so weird to me. And I don't think I know how to explain why.

I also got confused with the time-jump thing, but that's a person-to-person thing.

I just wanted more from this. Especially because it had such a promising premise that could've been so much fun.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

I can’t help but fall in love with this book. The way the tension builds between them is almost unbearable in the best way possible, and it’s the kind of slow burn that makes every moment feel so satisfying. What really gets me is how the author makes me care so much about the characters, especially with Kriya. She’s messy and human, and watching her deal with her career and personal life felt so relatable. Charles, the stickler for rules, is so much more than his perfect exterior, and I found myself rooting for them both, hoping they’d find their way to each other. I was laughing one moment, then on the edge of my seat the next, just hoping these two would figure it out. The romance doesn’t feel rushed, and every moment they share feels earned. It’s that perfect balance of tension, humor, and heartfelt emotion that gets me every time.

I love law and everything related so of course I’m going to like a book where both mcs are lawyers. The fmc finds herself in the same law firm she tried to get w job at in the beginning of her career after her boss moves and takes her with him. She meets the mmc who is a lawyer at the firm and they relate on many level. They are both asian and British and both have gone through feelings of not being enough for the culture they are in or in their ethnic groups. I really enjoyed seeing both characters be proud and struggle with issues surrounding their culture and family expectations for them.

This is both a cute romance and a workplace tale and its a sweet, well written book that explores workplace harassment and shitty bosses. Overall a cute and diverse read. Thanks to Bramble for the earc.

Zen Cho delivers a romcom that crackles with wit, tension, and undeniable charm. Charles and Kriya’s rivalry is sharp, their banter electric, and their chemistry is absolutely scorching. Between office politics, fake dating, and the slow unraveling of their guarded hearts, this is the kind of romance that refuses to let go.

The romance is beautiful, unfolding naturally with moments of passion, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. Every interaction feels meaningful, drawing readers into a love story that lingers long after the final page. If you enjoy stories that delve into complex emotions and authentic relationships, this book is a must-read.