“You must wonder somewhere deep down in that tiny black heart of yours what it feels like to be desired.” I lean across the table, staring straight into his smoky eyes. “I don’t have to wonder. You make it so obvious.”

I'm into romance books where the MCs are rivals and this book was just what I was looking for. Lucien & Mira were always competing with each other since their highschool days and the rivalry has not ended even when they're completing their fellowship in the same hospital. Throughout the cases, they poke and prod each other to just get a rise out of each other and it was entertaining to watch them bantering. Though one such encounter gone wrong leads them to bring up a story about them fake dating in front of a senior doctor to avoid getting reported. This book had some really witty conversations and Lucien & Mira's story was well developed. Colour me surprised when I picked this up and even enjoyed it. So everyone who loves to read about workplace rivalry/enemies to lovers , this book is all for you! Seeing Mira & Lucien realising their feelings was endearing. Ofcourse there was a slight conflict towards the end but it was resolved quickly. Other than that, the writing and the characters were pleasantly delightful.

ARC was provided to me my Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

This was everything that I have been looking for. I has my favorite tropes (rivals-to-lovers, slow burn, fake dating). I especially loved the last like 30 percent of the book filled with all the cutesy scenes. I would definitely recommend this for fans of Grey's Anatomy, Slow Burn, and Rivals-To-Lovers. The smut scenes were chefs kiss as well (like dang, they had my toes wiggling and everything). The only thing that I didn't love was the "big show-stopping event" to finish the 80 percent conflict but that's only because I personally dont like big, public gestures. Other than that little thing, I think that this book was perfect.

I liked that the two main characters had such a long history together. I am not usually a fan of the fake-dating storyline but since this also had the enemies-to-lovers I think it helped bring more to the story.

I love books with banter! I also love when the characters both like each other but still pretend to hate one another. The romantic gesture Luci did, its a dream that every book girl wants and needs. I love both Luci and Mira’s characteristics! I also think everyone needs an Amanda and Max in their life. Chapter 25 I think was definitely one of my favorite chapters in the book! But also I’m a sucker for workplace romance as well as hospital romances.

Just knowing that this book was going to be enemies to lovers with fake-dating, I already knew that I had to give it a try because it's the story that I normally enjoy a lot. Also, being a romantic comedy, which right now is a style of romance that I'm reading a lot and enjoying a lot too, it was no question. And this book has been exactly what I thought it would be and also a good read.

The truth is that I do think it's a good read, but it's also not and astonishing read. In the end, I don't read for absolutely amazing reads and hope that all the readings are something wonderful, in the end we are also simply looking for pleasant stories that entertain us and help us to disconnect from reality for a while.

I have to say, the protagonist has made me desperate at times and I didn't understand very well why she had those problems with the protagonist. Luckily, the book is told from both points of view and Lucien's chapters are much better in that regard, and it makes up for how heavy Mira can be at times.

I also really liked how the book is written and it was very easy to follow. It's the first thing I've read by the author, and I don't know if I'll read anything else, in the sense of going to look for another of her books, because I haven't been amazed either. But without a doubt, if they give me the opportunity in the future to read it again, it is possible that I will continue to do so, because entertaining me has entertained me a lot.

This book definitely gives off major Grey's Anatomy/The Hating Game vibes just like the book blurb says it does. I was hook instantly with Lucien *swoon*, and Mira was very Cristina Yang-like.

Sometimes I'm a big fan of the enemies to lovers in the work place trope, and sometimes I really hate it. This one was I really enjoyed. The author did a fun job with the situations that put these two characters in the pickle they were in. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars was because the banter between these two ADULTS felt so childish. The fact that they get in trouble at work, where they are both incredibly talented heart surgeons, for constantly bickering and belittling each other just made me cringe extra hard. It felt so high school to me, and that was a little too much for me in a very heavily SMUT novel.

So this one is a definite 4.5 stars for me and other than the immaturity of the main characters at some points, I really, really enjoyed this book. The spice was *chefs kiss*.

Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours & Sasha Clinton for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to release on September 26th 2022!

As an avid greys anatomy fan this book was a no brained! Set in a medical field this book follows two surgeons who have been rivals their whole careers. I loved the dual POVs that allowed us to obtain a better understanding of the characters, and I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers arc. I really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing this arc.

Cardiothoracic surgeons, rivals since high school, always bickering and competing. These are the MCs of the book, a man who seems to have it all, but is so vulnerable inside, a woman with a chip on the shoulder but just wants to belong. Add in, being caught in an embarrassing position, prompting a fake dating pact, it hits all the tropes you need.
But what distinguishes this book from others within these tropes, is that while miscommunication leads to their enemies status, and miscommunication creates the conflict when they become lovers, the author does not drag out these situations. The MCs don't act theatrically and spiral the issues out of control inside their own heads, they are upfront about their needs and resolve conflicts in a manner that most reasonable humans do.
The heroine is a second generation immigrant of indian origin, but the author has stayed away from the stereotypical and frankly overdone conservative indian parent depiction. Sure there is a mention of religious aspects, cultural food, and the discipline first child rearing approach but the heroine is first her own person, then a part of a culture.
The romance is so beautiful and naturally, the intimate scenes are🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 and will make you sigh and blush. It was a one sitting read for me but I didn't want the book to end

Honestly, this book was in the 4-4.5 range for me until the last few chapters. I thought the chemistry was great. The somewhat slow build, along with the longstanding history, gave a solid enemies-to-lovers background. The fact that it was a giant miscommunication they didn't discuss for 16 years isn't ideal. However, neither MC have many friends due to being surgery fellows so its kinda understandable. I wish the book mentioned Mira's Indian-American heritage earlier because I felt that would've helped with the backstory more. Lucian being the stereotypical super nice rich white man who is also an amazing doctor and has amazing looks and a giant eggplant is overdone in books, but again, it's fine. *Spoiler* What really took this down was the ending in which Mira takes takes the blame for everything! Lucian and her mom were both unnecessarily mean to her, and yes, she was mean back to Lucian, but that doesn't make it all her fault. She's so insecure, but then taking the blame and everyone lives happily ever after when she makes an embarrassing grand gesture for Lucian?! From a women in STEMM perspective, it really didn't sit well with me.

Perhaps the characters change over time but I really couldn’t enjoy the story because I was so irritated with them. The writing is great, it got my attention and pulled me in. The opening line is great. That being said, this just wasn’t a hit for me this time.

Unfortunately this one simply wasn't for me. I definitely think there is an audience for this and that a lot of people will love it, but personally I struggled to relate to the main character's and found their bickering a little childish, I didn't quite get why she hated him so much.

I really enjoyed this book! Enemies to Lovers and fake dating are some of my favorite tropes! This book did them justice! I loved the chemistry between Lucien and Mira. Sometimes it drove me crazy though, just tell each other how you feel! I breezed through this book in one day. It had me laughing and smiling. Also, the love hate 🔥I look forward to reading more from Sasha Clinton!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

Mira and Lucien have been rivals and competitors since high school, and are now both cardio thoracic in the same hospital. To prevent them from getting in trouble with their boss after one of their many fights, the two colleagues lie and begin fake dating. Will life as Mira and Lucien know it change forever, or will they walk away as rivals and nothing more?

This story had a bit of a slow start, but I did generally enjoy it. Mira and Lucien had an insane amount of chemistry and it was fun to watch everything unfold. Enemies to lovers is not one of my top tropes, but LET ME TELL you. The HATE SEX in this story is 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵!

I didn’t fully comprehend the backstory and felt like we needed a bit more in terms character and plot development to fully grasp it.

Generally though, I enjoyed the story-it is the perfect story for Grey’s Anatomy fans!

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and XPresso Book Tours. All opinions are my own.

An enemies to lovers romance where the protagonists have loved each other from childhood? Sign me up. Such an interesting premise to begin with although I felt it didn't quite match expectations. Lucien and Mira's love/hate relationship actually stemmed from a ridiculous miscommunication which could have been easily rectified over the years. I actually felt the most meaningful moment was when Mira was honest with her mother about how she made her feel.
There didn't seem to be any particular relationship growth between Lucien and Mira, just a romance reader's supposition that they'd be together. I didn't think the side plot with Joe added anything to the story after the initial surgery either. The intimate scenes were well written but I felt like they'd been added more for titillation than depth. An ode to a romance reader but not delivered in quite the right manner for my enjoyment.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am certainly going through an enemies to lovers trope phase, and of course I’m loving it. Lucien and Mira are true enemies through their competitive actions. They are constantly trying to one up each other and have been since they were 16 years old, going through high school together all the way up to their residencies to see who is ultimately the best surgeon. I always enjoy enemies to lovers books because there’s such a thin line between love and hate, which makes for a fun relationship. Lucien and Mira’s competitiveness steams from a lot of insecurities on both side. Neither of them thinks they are truly as good as they proclaim and are terrified the other will find out. I loved following along their journey to self acceptance and realizing they try love each other. (I also loved the addition of Joe, he made a great side character!)

This was my first book by Sasha Clinton and I loved it. I will absolutely be going back to read Henry and Me after reading about Max!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥 Scene: First Romantic Gesture

DNF at 12%. I didn't connect to the characters, and their rivalry seemed childish to me. The writing is good, so maybe others will like the book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Great book for fans of The Spanish Love Deception or The Love Hypothesis.

I loved the banter between Lucien and Mira.

I really liked how we knew all along that they liked each other from the moment they met 16 years ago in high school. It’s crazy to me that they would go that entire time without ever bringing the topic back up that they liked each other.

There were a few times when I felt like the writing could be a bit better or it was too repetitive.

I really wanted to love this. Lucien started off as an engaging and mostly likeable character (despite him mentioning how he will pursue anyone "legal" twice in the first two pages). Mira is a little less likeable, but the chemistry is there for the most part. But....

I understand that consent is not always spectacularly handled in romance novels, but choking someone "in the moment" without discussion or a safeword... I also very nearly DNF'd at 47% after Mira randomly chose to KNEE LUCIEN IN THE SHINS AS PART OF FOREPLAY. Apparently, no safeword needed!

And no, Lucien, you do not get a gold medal for your valiant thoughts of "I don't like to touch reluctant women" (not that he *doesn't*, but doesn't *like* to).

I DID DNF at 51%, the day after the aforementioned choking and kneeing, when Mira tells Lucien she wants to be treated romantically and he barters romantic gestures for sex. I just can't anymore.

Not to mention, the necessary suspension of disbelief is beyond what I could handle.

Oh, and for the record - Mira and Lucien are incredibly unprofessional. Dangerously so. If your doctor's behavior resembles theirs.... call someone.

***Lucien and I is about two surgeons who have been in competition with each other since high school…at least Mira sees it that way. She basically has spent years following and trying to best Lucien. Told in alternating points of view, Mira feels insecure in comparison while Lucien has no doubt about his skills or his awesomeness. And now they must fake date or most likely be removed from their fellowship positions. This story about adversaries whose banter is a cover for the fact that they secretly lust for each other might have made more sense to this reader if Mira and Lucien had a different profession. Their interactions are so juvenile for a pair of well educated doctors. I will compliment the author on her grammar skills. She does know how to form complete sentences and paragraphs. Young adult readers might enjoy.

A rivals to fake dating to lovers story. Two surgery fellows fought and were caught by their program directors. They claimed that they were dating so they would avoid being expelled.

Mira and Lucien are both ambitious and competitive. I like both characters and how they secretly like each other a lot. I like their rivalry and banter too. A fun book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.