Rosie cemented herself as an auto-buy author after her The Roommate, so there was no way I wasn't going to drop everything and get this book into my eyeballs as soon as I was approved for it.

I love love loved Riley and Clark. She's friendly sunshine and he's crunchy grey. They're both looking for respect and acceptance and neither thinks they'll find it in the other. I loved their banter, the flirting disguised as antagonizing, the chemistry so thick you could cut a knife through it, and the actual conversations and consent.

Plot wise, there are a few moving pieces and I was here for all of it. The layered approach worked really well and I adored how this slow burn of emotions didn't come close to matching the flaming inferno of physical. The curse and it's backstory were interesting, the effects of those things, even more. Obviously, I could have done with a million more pages of these two, but I'm probably being greedy because Rosie just does rom-com perfectly for me.

Overall, I woke up thinking about this story and I'm already wondering about reading it again, so clearly, it's made it's way to my top ten of 2023 list.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing a digital copy free of charge**

This book is a work. Of. Art.

When Rosie said 'paranorm-ish' rom-com and 'The Mummy' vibes, every part of me was absolutely dying to read this book. I'm a huge fan of The Mummy, I love shows with any kind of supernatural element, and I was a little nervous how this one would play out, but this book exceeded my expectations.

There is a poetry to the story that can only be experienced by reading Do Your Worst. It's adventurous, swoon worthy, steamy, hilarious and charming. I absolutely LOVED Clark and Riley. There has never been a better opposites attract story, I will die on this hill.

Rosie took romance tropes to another level in this book. She said enemies to lovers? I'll make them actually hate each other. Say hurtful unforgivable things and STILL FALL IN LOVE.

She said forced proximity??? I shall CHAIN THEM TOGETHER.

The banter is A+. The touch of paranormal is subtle and believable to even a skeptic. The poetry of this story is utter perfection and it is so beautifully tied together in the end.

She's a brash American curse-breaker, come to Scotland to break a centuries-old curse on a ruined castle.

He's a stiff English archaeologist, working at said castle to find artifacts and rebuild his reputation.

Though the attraction between them is instantaneous, the battle lines are drawn early on. And they have to figure out if the castle's curse wants them at each other's throats in anger... or in lust.

A fun romp between two characters determined to prove themselves. Riley is a confident, no-nonsense young woman who knows her line of work is disdained by many, but she has experience with the unexplainable and knows how to approach it methodically, and she won't put up with disrespect. Clark, cantankerous and defensive thanks to a prior professional mistake (and family dynamics), wants his work to be taken seriously and can't believe the castle's owners would fall for what he thinks is a con job on Riley's part. But like a true scientist, the more evidence he finds of her abilities, the more he has to rethink his attitude about the supernatural.

The story has some pretty fast-paced adventures that nudge the two of them together, and the sex scenes (totally done to appease the curse, OF COURSE) are very steamy. I did find that at times they were both downright mean in the way they pushed each other's buttons, and there were times when I really questioned their relationship. Bit of a quick wrap-up, but at least they got a mutually supportive HEA.

Nitpick: Some of the details about Scotland felt just slightly... off, as if the author relied solely on Google for those details and not actual experience from traveling there. Not saying an author can't do that, but it felt more thrown in than actually known.

An enjoyable, funny book but not bound for my favorites list. 3 stars.

Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

4.5

another wonderful turn for danan! an easy & quick read with a great progression of things & a hearty helping of spice. the supernatural elements were made to be quite believable i thought (as someone who doesn’t read much, if any, paranormal romance). if you’ve enjoyed danan’s other books, you’ll like this one for sure.

#netgalley

A banging start quickly loses the morning afterglow as Riley, an occult expert hired to break the infamous curse of a Scottish castle, deals with Clark, the son of a famous archaeologist who has a disgraced past. What catapults these enemies-to-beneficial acquaintances is the antagonized tension between two opposites. Driven by a common goal, DO YOUR WORST has an unusual and entertaining premise filled with witty comebacks, underlying sexual tension, and local lore that is fabulously fun. Danan’s romantic narrative filled with her unique tone and style is a familiar feeling for a new setting. DO YOUR WORST is fun, sexy, and will warm up those Scottish nights.

Do Your Worst is different than Rosie Danan’s previous books, but I think fans of The Roommate and The Intimacy Experiment will still enjoy it!

Riley is a curse breaker who’s hired to break a curse on a castle in Scotland. When she arrives, she’s confronted with archaeologist Clark, who’s there to find artifacts. She’s determined to turn her curse breaking into a business, and he’s recovering from a professional scandal and hopes this job will provide redemption. From the moment they meet, they clash — Clark doesn’t believe in curses, and Riley wants to prove him wrong. They try to avoid each other, only to keep ending up in close proximity… and having LOTS of pants feelings.

These two have chemistry for days. Despite their best efforts, they can’t stay away from each other. Riley in particular keeps trying to push Clark away because she thinks it will help break the curse, but it doesn’t work. Seeing how and when the curse would be broken — and how Clark and Riley’s growing feelings played into it — definitely kept the pages turning.

Recommended if you enjoy books with lots of steam and light paranormal elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rosie Danan does it again folks. This book is not only laugh out loud funny but sexy as fuck. Also, the setting being in the highlands and paranormal ish mystery and activities will make this book absolutely unputdownable.

The banter, the pranks, the sexual chemistry and tension, all the brooding, and the tenderness in this book were just so freaking fantastic.

This was an enemies to lovers you’re not gonna wanna miss!

Going into "Do Your Worst" by Rosie Danan, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into, but it was worth the ride! This book is a wild, steamy adventure that combines enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, enemies with benefits (which, I must admit, I surprisingly enjoyed), paranormal elements, and the classic grumpy x sunshine trope. Oh, and let's not forget the unexpected addition of a quirky pet cat.

I've got some spoilers ahead, so proceed at your own risk!

Our main characters, Riley and Clark, couldn't be more different. Riley is a curse breaker, while Clark is an archaeologist. When their paths cross, sparks fly, but things quickly turn sour when Clark discovers Riley's job and lumps her into a "scam artist" status. Cue super enemies mode x 100! As Riley tries to explain the unexplainable and Clark aims to restore his family's honor (after his lying liar of a brother tarnished it), their hatred for each other is amplified.

Fate has other plans for them. A storm forces them to seek shelter in Clark's small camper, leading to some seriously entertaining and oh-so-sad (wink, wink) moments of forced togetherness. Witnessing Clark's gradual surrender to the idea that some things can't be explained was a joy to behold. And when Riley convinces him that breaking the curse involves a certain kind of intimate encounter with bodily fluids, things get deliciously spicy. I found myself sweating multiple times from the steam.

While the ending felt a tad rushed in terms of the overall storyline, the steamy bits more than made up for it. Danan knows how to turn up the heat. And let's not forget the unexpected addition of a furry companion—Riley and Clark find themselves with a pet cat that decides it's their new owner. It adds a quirky touch to the story and adds to the overall enjoyment.

Be ready to lose yourself in the delightful and sexy world crafted by Rosie Danan. You're in for a wild ride that will leave you both entertained and slightly breathless!

I had the best time reading this book. Riley, a curse breaker, and Clark, a disgraced archeologist, face off in a cursed Scottish castle, determined to drive the other away. This might be the best enemies to lovers I've ever read, because it delights in the antagonism between the characters but also makes the conflicts between them feel very genuine, rather than manufactured. The premise is incredibly fun (and the idea of curses instead of ghosts or witches feels very fresh, and the reader doesn't have many expectations). Both characters' backstories were incredibly rich, and I enjoyed both emotional arcs. I wasn't sure how the central conflict of believer vs skeptic would resolve, but I was delighted by the ending. I can't wait to reread.

Rosie Danan could publish a shopping list and I'd read it. "The Roommate" and "The Intimacy Experiment" were two of the most wonderful, and unusual contemporary romances I've read in recent years. Her writing is full of heart and such refreshing sex positivity. I can't stress enough how invaluable it is to have a writer who can make sex sound like the absolute joy it is no matter what you're into. Danan makes sex a necessary, even vital component of a successful relationship. In a time when it feels like half the population would like us all to become Puritans again I truly feel like I can't emphasize enough what an incredible service she does with the subjects she writes about. That her books are never anything less than totally delightful, beautifully written, and genuinely entertaining just feels like an added bonus.

"Do Your Worst" is no exception and if anything it only proves that's there's no genre of romance Danan can't write in. I am the last person who would willingly read fantasy romance. When I learned that Danan's latest book would be about a "curse breaker" trying to learn the secrets of a haunted Scottish castle my first reaction was definitely "oh c'mon why can't she keep writing about the porn industry?"

But after reading this sweet, slightly kinky modern fairy tale I will never doubt again. Leave it to Danan to take an often corny as all hell trope and turn it into a modern day fable about personal growth and belief in things even when there isn't a logical explanation for them. Like love.

I adored her leads. Riley Rhodes, a take no prisoners, ass kicking curse breaker desperate to prove her magical gifts do have a place in the "real" world and curmudgeonly Clark Edgeware, a young archeologist desperate to come out from the shadow of his father's legacy are the perfect enemies to lovers pair. The charm of their witty tete-a-tetes is only matched by the scorching heat of their chemistry. The two of them tramping around the wilds of Scotland digging up fae secrets and mysterious artifacts sniping at each other the whole time is pure pleasure. The course to true love is of course never smooth but there's something so lovely about how hard and fast they fall for each other while totally failing to notice its even happening that just kills me.

The sex is hotter than the fire's of hell and tinged with a touch of tasteful (and totally consensual) bdsm which readers will be happy to know is handled with both delicacy and spice. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find some of it kind of inspiring...ahem.

If Ms. Danan would like to set her next novel in the midst of an intergalactic civil war or under the sea with a school of mermaids I will happily, happily come along. Clearly every genre she touches turns to pure gold.

I was so excited to see a new Rosie Danan book! I've reread The Roommate and The Intimacy Experiment so many times; big comfort reads for me.

While this new book is definitely different than those, I had a fun time reading it. It was easy to sink into and I was hooked fast. Riley and Clark had fantastic banter and chemistry. I kept thinking this would veer into fantasy territory, but it really stayed in the adventure arena, which was fun and a bit more unique.

Would definitely recommend!

OMG 💕 This was a brain altering adventure romance! Enemies-to-lovers perfection. SCREAMING at how good this book was!! AHHHH

I loved the chemistry between Clark and Riley. They’re opposites in every way yet so right for each other but also their dislike from the start made sense. I loved the push and pull between them, the banter, and the writing itself is superb.

This book was so, so fun and sexy! There was especially some moments that made me blush and fangirl (ex. “I’m giving you a massage to prove i’m not attracted to you” and the hair braiding scene 😳).

This was an easy read and I basically want everyone and their mom to read it. Ironically, before reading this book I was in a book slump but this book “broke” my curse ;)

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was really disappointed with this one! The "enemies" part and what they did to each other was so, so far-fetched. I didn't like the leads and felt they acted like immature idiots rather than people actually frustrated with each other. The tension wasn't really there, either. Felt like a twee version of something that could've been fun.

I like that the story is trying new, different things. It's definitely not same-old-same-old. That said, it is trying to mix old and modern language, and I don't totally think it's working for me. "I'm sure I'm already gonna get rocked by jet lag tomorrow" mixed with "aye" and barbacks feels like such a strange combination. Stopped at 10% in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Such an interesting combination of the worldly, outgoing curse breaker and the reserved down on his luck archaeologist, and set in idyllic Scotland! I loved the tension and the chemistry! I hope this leads to a series!!!

I am always on the lookout for a well-executed romance that employs the enemies to lovers trope. It's my guilty pleasure, and authors like Rosie Danan never fail to captivate me with their creative storytelling.

In her latest book, Danan masterfully blends the allure of Highlander and Outlander, infusing the story with Scottish legends, charm, curses, magic, and mystic elements. It's an irresistible combination that immediately piqued my interest.

The two main characters, Riley and Clark, hail from vastly different backgrounds. Clark is the son of a renowned archaeologist whose groundbreaking discovery caught the attention of movie makers, turning his story into a screen adaptation. He is well-educated, a believer in science and tangible evidence, and still reeling from a devastating betrayal that jeopardized his career and tarnished his family's reputation. On the other hand, Riley comes from a family of occultists and curse breakers, making her an outsider who was shunned by society during her childhood. When she seizes an opportunity to use her family's gift to alleviate their financial struggles, she finds herself unable to resist an offer to break a nearly 300-year-old curse, leading her to an infamous Scottish castle nestled in the Scottish Highlands.

Little does Riley expect to be stabbed in the back by the very same charming stranger with whom she shared a passionate kiss after a wonderful night filled with genuine conversation and a few drinks. The man who swept her off her feet turns out to be the same person who attempted to have her fired from her job, convinced that she is nothing more than a delusional fraud, dredging up painful memories of betrayal. Fortunately, the castle's owner sees things differently, and Clark's plans to remove Riley from his survey site are destined to fail.

Determined to prove the authenticity of the curse, Riley finds herself at odds with Clark, who is equally determined to debunk her claims. The knives are out, and Clark becomes a thorn in her side, but Riley is prepared to do whatever it takes to thwart his scheming ways. However, what neither of them anticipates is the undeniable sizzling attraction and growing chemistry between them. As their guards slowly come down, they realize that they may be able to help each other honor their family names and find a common ground, all while their palpable attraction intensifies with each passing moment.

Prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure that blends the essence of Outlander with the enchantment of A Discovery of Witches! I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is your perfect fall read. Scotland castle, mystical undertones, and witty banter - the perfect recipe for a cozy read. While they may have said “I love you” too quickly for my taste, the chemistry was incredible. I think this may be Rosie’s best!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: parental abandonment (past), family tensions, betrayal by a loved one (past)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f light paranormal romance
-rivals to lovers
-insta attraction
-forced proximity
-starchy archaeologist in the streets animal in the sheets
-this is sex is entirely due to the curse we are trying to break and not at all because of my feelings for you
-Mummy vibes
opposites attract
-chemistry and banter for days

The only thing that this book makes you want to do when you finish it is start it over again, because it will just ruin you for other books. Rosie's prose is luscious, romantic, tender, hilarious.

Riley is a curse breaker on her first big job, which happens to be at a crumbling castle in Scotland. But who she thought was the hot British guy from the bar the night before ends up being the archaeologist digging on the site with something to prove and how definitely doesn't believe in curses (and oh yeah that cat is definitely not his).

The absolute banter between these two as they tried to deny their continued sexual attraction and also get the other to leave the job behind. the way this book maximized the tropes, the curse, to just make this a horny and fun good time. These two pushed each other's buttons in the best ways. One step forward two steps back that will have you screaming but then turning the page to know what happens next.

I will commit murder for Clark. Nerdy, falling for Riley before he wanted to admit it to himself, a bit damaged and hurt, and just so protective her chaotic and wild adventurous ways. These two were the perfect balance for each other. And gosh the sex. These two may struggle to communicate at first but that doesn't mean they can't ask for what they want in the bedroom (and in public, and the sex ritual I mean OMG sign me up for whatever Scottish tour this is seriously). Every twist and turn of the curse as these two tried to disprove their attraction by you know touching each other.

This is an incoherent mess of a review but this is one of the best books I've ever read, an instant favorite and I can't wait to read it again. A romantic adventure masterpiece that had me reading with a huge smile on my face in between the screaming over the sexual tension and just the major pay off. There's no way to not root for Riley and Clark to get together. A banger premise, a banger romance, that is swoony, steamy, and just plain fun.

Steam: 4