I loved this book. Two lawyers forced to work very closely together 😎 and he just happens to be her rival in the office. The accent was a bit of a deterrent but that is just me. You will fall in love with the characters.
It has a ton of my favorite tropes. Work place romance, forced proximity, a bit of enemies to lovers. Again when it comes to the audiobook, they did a fantastic job but the accent: (which do make sense since it based in the UK) made it difficult to read and concentrate on the story.. if I would have read the ebook, I would’ve definitely loved it even more. 🎧🎧🎧🎧

Thank you Netgally and Macmillan audio for this ALC.

The story follows Kriya and Charles, two lawyers who have different approaches to life. Charles is mister follow the rule and struggles with social interactions. While Kriya is more lively but stuck in a toxic cycle with her boss. Kriya has always seen Charles as an enemy due to past interactions, however he has not seen her that way. So what happens when they are forced to share a work space?

Personally I enjoy the why this story unfolded. While there was some miscommunication which is one of the least favorite tropes, I was still won over by these characters. One of the major issues that moved the plot along had me talking out loud and fuming as it was a great depiction of how privileged individuals don’t think the rules apply to them or that they can intimidate you to get away with their wrong. I also enjoyed the narrators for this story. I will definitely be looking to read more by Zen Cho!

Review of Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho

Zen Cho’s Behind Frenemy Lines is a delightful rivals-to-lovers office romance that blends sharp wit, cultural insight, and emotional resonance. Set in a high-powered London law firm, the novel follows Charles Goh—the disciplined, rules-bound lawyer—and Kriya Rajasekar, a spirited newcomer rebuilding after heartbreak.

🤝 Final verdict
Behind Frenemy Lines is a smart, heartfelt romance that balances humor, cultural nuance, and emotional growth. It works beautifully for readers who enjoy thoughtful enemies-to-lovers storylines, workplace dynamics, and dual POV narratives. While the romantic chemistry leans gentle, it’s carefully developed and deeply satisfying.

I really enjoyed BEHIND FRENEMY LINES! I wasn’t totally sure what to expect but the story has everything: of course the enemies-to-lovers trope, but also a lot of more substantive topics like body image, sexism, workplace harassment, family trauma and caretaking, and so much more. There’s even some wonderful queer rep!

I also really liked the way the author created the protagonists’ relationship arc. It didn’t feel fake or saccharine, but there also wasn’t so much mutual loathing at the outset that it seemed literally impossible for the romance to build! The narrators did a great job bringing not only Kriya and Charles to life but also the other characters.

I would definitely read more from Zen Cho and other books narrated by these actors! I think Behind Frenemy Lines is a book that will be relatable and captivating for a lot of readers. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for sharing this e-arc with me!

This workplace co-worker fake dating to more dual POV romance just wasn't for me. I found it slow, lacked chemistry between the main characters and that there was more focus on the workplace harassment plot than the actual romance. Okay on audio but not one I'll remember or recommend even though it had a FAB cover! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

Behind Frenemy Lines didn’t quite sweep me off my feet, but I did appreciate the layers Zen Cho brought to the table. The romance had its sweet moments, and the representation, especially of Southeast Asian identities was refreshing and important.

It’s giving enemies to reluctant allies to maybe-something-more, and while the pacing and plot didn’t fully hook me, I’m always here for stories that center love and cultural nuance in imaginative ways. Not a fave, but a solid read for those who enjoy subtle romance, and thoughtful representation.

I genereally liked this story but less for the romance and more for the friends and international characters and the workplace story, the romance portion was a little weak and resolution too fast.

I wanted to like this but it fell a little flat. I didn't really feel the romance between the MCs and also didn't really get the enemies either. The fake dating was a nice touch and the narration was good.

Thank you Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook

Behind Enemy Lines is the story of a woman who, several years into her career as a lawyer, ends up at the same firm as her work frenemy. And not just same firm, sharing an office due to a shortage in office space. This book was a mix of everything. Drama with work issues, enemies to lovers, fake dating, self growth and humor peppered throughout, particularly from clients and family members. All with vibes similar to The Hating Game. I really liked how the real life issues were grappled with against a backdrop of a romance, to sort of balance it out and not make the whole thing too serious or too intense. The audio was great with dual narrators.

This one was just okay for me. The premise had promise, fake dating with a frenemy twist, and the cultural touches were a nice layer, but overall, it didn’t leave a big impression. The characters had their moments, and the banter was cute, but the story didn’t fully pull me in. If you’re into light office rom-coms with a slow burn and a bit of heart, this might hit better for you. For me, it was a decent read but not super memorable.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the audiobook of Behind Frenemy Lines.

Behind Frenemy Lines was a cute rivals-to-lovers story that follows the love/hate relationship between Charles and Kriya. These two lawyers met years ago, and sparks were there, but then they fizzled out. Years later, they are now co-workers who have to share an office. While fitting the inevitable feelings that they both seem to be hell-bent on hiding from one another, they face many obstacles together. With everyone around them seemingly working overtime to ensure that Charles and Kriya see what everyone else can see, Charles and Kriya are in for a long, winding road.

I enjoyed this story. I thought it could have been wrapped up slightly quicker than it was. The back-and-forth between Charles and Kriya when it came to the maybe we will, maybe we won't seemed to drag too long. They knew for more than half the book that they had feelings for each other and even had the out when they started a "fake" relationship. I think that was a missed opportunity to explore their relationship deeper without taking the plunge.

I did enjoy the side plot with the boss and how Kriya decided to handle her work life without the help of a man. That was a great addition to the story and allowed us to see that Kriya was strong and capable of handling herself without needing a man to step in and save her. I think that was where the story turned for me and showed that Kriya had control over her life and could make decisions based on what was best for her and her alone.

This was a nicely balanced workplace romance for me, though it at times felt a little disjointed. I really adored the narrators and think they brought a lot to the characters. I wasn't sure that the romantic conflict was so clear as in most romances but overall I enjoyed the book.

This book was cute. It was slower than I expected but the story built through the book was so good it kept my attention. It was a quick rom com work place story that also touched on workplace misconducts.

I don't think I like the narrator and that made the book really hard to get into. Which makes me kinda sad because i was really looking forward to this title

Behind Frenemy Lines is smart, sexy, and full of heart. If you love a good rivals-to-lovers setup with just the right amount of emotional chaos, this one’s for you.

Charles is the buttoned-up, rules-obsessed lawyer who’s always in control. Kriya is all heart, energy, and a little bit of beautifully contained chaos. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the fake dating twist? Perfection. I was rooting for them from the first petty moment to the last soft one.

What I really appreciated is how Zen Cho doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of navigating toxic workplace dynamics—especially for women of color. Kriya’s journey hit home, and the way she owns her space with humor and tenderness felt so affirming. Also, can we talk about the anime-themed wedding? Pure joy.

This book is fun, flirty, and quietly radical in the way it centers a messy, lovable heroine who deserves softness and respect. It gave me everything I want in a romance: sharp banter, real emotional stakes, and characters who feel like people you’d actually want to know.

Tropes: rivals to lovers, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, only one bed, forced proximity, found family vibes, cultural specificity

💼 He’s all rules.
💥 She’s all risk.

♥️| Fake Dating
♥️| Forced Proximity
♥️| Slow Burn Chemistry

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ALC!

This was a good audiobook. I enjoyed the narrators, although the man felt flat at times. As for the plot, I thought it was a bit dramatic with the whole “frenemy” narrative between the MCs. They never felt like enemies and they never acted like it. If anything, Kriya’s boss and Charles’s family (specifically his raggedy daddy) were their enemies. Even then, that might be pushing it, but they were great antagonists—it was easy to despise them. I’m a sucker for complicated family relationships so I was on the edge of my seat when it came to Charles and his family issues. The dynamics of the main characters and their situations created lots of tension and conflict, so it was engaging for a good chunk of the book. Once we started talking law jargon, though, I checked out. I was satisfied with the end, how they both went about taking care of themselves, and reconnecting with their families and cultures.

4.75 to 5 (rounded to 5)

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! This book was everything I want in a workplace romance. Our FMC is smart, funny, and the kind of person you genuinely want to be friends with. She's also in her 30s, which is so refreshing to see in romance.

There’s rich cultural and family context through the lens of Asian representation, and the dynamics felt both authentic and relatable. I also really appreciated the closed-door romance—it showed that believable intimacy doesn’t always need explicit scenes to be impactful.

The book weaves in political themes and pop culture references that keep it grounded in reality and make the characters feel modern and multidimensional. The side characters were vibrant and helped keep the pace fun and dynamic. And a few of the plot twists? Totally unexpected—in the best way!

Some standout themes and tropes:

-LGBTQ+ Representation
-Smart Female Lead
-Workplace Romance
-Fake Dating
-Asian Family Dynamics
-Politics & Pop Culture References

Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a layered, clever, and heartfelt romance that really delivers.

I loved this story! The characters were interesting and the story engaging. I loved the way the characters interacted with each other and with the side characters/friends/family. There were moments of humor balanced with serious situations that made the characters reflect upon themselves. The main characters were adorable together and while they have moments of aloofness they seem to get each other.
The narrators were perfect for these characters and made the story lively and fun.

3.75 stars
Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho is an adorable slow burn romance that blends strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers with a fun fake dating twist. While the story starts off a bit slow, it quickly finds its rhythm, and I ended up really enjoying it.
Kriya and Charles are both Asian lawyers based in London, they had a chance encounter years ago that comes full circle when Kriya follows her boss to a new firm only to find herself sharing an office with Charles. As they navigate work, personal tensions, and a meddling circle of friends, their relationship shifts in the most delightful way.
Such a good, lighthearted read once it gets going. If you love witty banter and slow-burn tension, you will love this one.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan audio
ALC review
Pub date: 7/1/25