I adored this book!

This book is everything you need in a small town romance novel. Beautiful landscapes, enemies to lovers, adorable dog, delicious food, forced proximity, found family - just perfect.

I loved how the characters had a past from their culinary school days, enemies from their past experiences as rivals.


Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book from the first few pages. The writing style is engaging and the minds of our characters are hilarious. You feel the simmering tension from the beginning and root for the characters the whole time. It's a different take on forced proximity and ties in workplace/forbidden romance and, of course, enemies to lovers!

This is a truly heartwarming book about the fact that love can grow once one realizes and understands the emotional and intellectual capacity that can occur when one is ready and willing to change. Both Lennox and Tatum came into this working relationship with a negative attitude based upon the attitude they gave each other in the criticism during their school years together. It is only when they truly respected each other and took the advice into account that their love grew. I enjoyed how thoroughly Tatum was embraced into the Hawthorne family. They were both lucky to find each other and it was evident.

It’s been a few millenia since I actually finish a contemporary read, and I blew threw this one in the best happy-swoony-romance-reader way!

My first read from this author, and this is definitely the kind of sweet romcom I can get behind: no monologuish telling-not-showing/ cringey forced dialogue, but great, straightforward dual POVs. My expectations were low on the “Enemy” title alluding to an actual Enemies to Love trope, and, yep, it’s actually former academic rivals that squabble over first pick of produce and prick each other’s pride for the first 15%, but it was great. As a historical romance reader always needing some form of escapism, I expected to lean on the farm/restaurant setting and the competence of two talented chefs to help me hang on, and so it was. Loved the setting, loved the professional kitchen dynamic, plus we get a hero who can simultaneously be Mr. Sophisticated Restaurant Owner, Mr. Cooks from His Heart for Family and Mr. Scares off Wild Predators and Hauls off Logs. He’s also Mr. Emotional Maturity so, yeah, Lennox Hawthorne and his mascarpone hot chocolate are keepers.

I stay in the Kissing Only romance lane and prefer heated interactions as longing stares across ballrooms, so my threshold for mentions of physical attraction and use of the term “sexy” is pretty low. There were some instances were this could easily have gone pre-marital closed-door, but, though they are very physically into each other, and it does take up a good chunk of their stream of consciousness, this sticks to non-descriptive make-out sessions, and I found it well balanced with their emotional progression and substantiated feelings. Also they make a great chefy team! Tatum’s crossroads situation arc was so well balanced in finding her own path but also learning to lean on a partner for support and mind-blowing Bolognese. And,
speaking of great team, though I chaos jumped into this third book, the Hawthorne family is great, and there’s nothing like a brothers’ group chat.

I would definitely read more from this author and recommend this for whenever one feels the pull to enter the 21st century and swoon in the present.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Content notes: kissing only, no inappropriate language, on page toxic parent, mention of parent loss grief.

I just want to say that the cover doesn't sell anything about the entertaining dynamic between the characters, it doesn't even cover the chemistry of the two main characters
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This book is for lovers of slow burn, for those who enjoy flavored stories and definitely who love series with family members, because it really tempts you to look for the other books in the series
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Lennox Hawthorne left the world of fine five stars restaurant around the world long ago to return home and set up a small restaurant named after him on his family's land. And with a family as big and united as this one, they need another chef to take care of the events they host
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Thinking about the business, he tells his sister that she can take whoever she wants for the job, but days later, seeing Tatum Elliot at the entrance, he begins to think that perhaps he should have thought differently
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Tatum and he always fought for the first place in the class but seeing her after so long something seems to be different. The desire to beat her returned with more force than before, especially when her dog gets into the kitchen causing disaster in his path
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Tatum Elliot not only took the job to try something new, she needs space from her famous Cheff father who pressures her to follow in his footsteps. But she did not expect to meet her former culinary school classmate, much less notice how much he hates her, but the feeling goes both ways and with it how easily can change in the opposite
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I liked the dynamic in the Hawthorne family and between the two main characters and how they grow closer to each other and I am definitely going to check out the other books in the series
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Thanks to Jenny Proctor and Victory Editing group for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

I really enjoyed this book, and the banter between them. A great family to learn to get to know, and glad she stood up to her dad in the end.

Arc provided by Netgalley for honest review.

Absolutely loved this feel good rom com book. Lovely easy read that was full of all the feels. Was nice reading a rom com that didn't have any unexpected major plot twists and it was easy flowing reading the budding romance between Tatum and Lennox - the chemistry was sizzling on the pages! I look forward to reading more books by this author.

culinary school rivals turned friends and then more?

While I’m not usually a “fade to black” romance reader — this was a story worth reading.

I loved the dual POV and for the record I always think that’s the best way to go from the start.

I definitely read these out of order because this is my first Hawthorne brother book but I know there’s already more of the brothers to read about and I can’t wait to jump in and do that!

I loved this enemies (rivals really) to lovers read! Tatum is relatable and self-aware as she tries to figure out who she is and where she belongs in the world, and Lennox is sweet and supportive as he loves her enough to let her figure it out. They are so good together! They actually communicate, they want what's best for each other, and they help each other become stronger and better. The conflict is never unnecessarily dramatic, and they handle it with maturity and grace. And don't get me started on the supporting characters, I just love them so much! I haven't read the first two books in this series (or Olivia's in the Some Kind of Love series), but now I certainly have to because the Hawthorne family has won my heart as much as it's won Tatum's. And I can't forget about Bree, because she is just wonderfully adorable.

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a speedy read and I finished it in one day. The book flowed so well which really draws you in and keeps you turning the page.

The Hawthorne family are so sweet with the way they show up for eachother. I hadn't read the previous books and there are some small unavoidable spoilers due to their appearances in this book. So I would recommend reading the others first if you want to avoid this.

Lennox was the perfect book boyfriend material. How attractive is a man that's so dedicated to the one he loves. watching Lennox and Tatum learn how to love was really enjoyable.

The real stars of the book have to be Toby and a well timed snow storm.

Some great aspects/ tropes the book includes: forced proximity, workplace romance, enemies to lovers.

Thank you to the author/publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was so sweet and wholesome, and I loved it. I haven’t yet read the first two books in this series, but I will definitely be doing that soon. The slow burn romance throughout the book had me kicking my feet! I also loved both Tatum and Lennox, and the Hawthorne family was just so lovable. I also loved that there were good subplots that didn’t distract from the romance, but made the book overall more interesting!

Romance: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5

How to kiss your enemy is a fun, laugh out loud, light hearted read. It is a good romcom that doesn't require too much attention to read. But will sweep you up and help you escape for a little while.

Arc Review

The third instalment to the Hawthorne Brothers series. (This book can be read as a standalone)

This was such a cute wholesome academic rivals/ enemies to lovers romcom story.

Tatum, the daughter of a famous chef comes to work at the farm to table venue owned by Chef Lennox Hawthorne, the two had been rivals since culinary school and this meeting reignites some of that competitive passion.

Low level spice, very cute and wholesome characters, the writing was great. I would definitely recommend this book as a palette cleanser if you are wanting a light low stakes romcom novel to get you out of a slump.

Was it revolutionary? No. Was it a good time? Yes.

I'm a massive sucker for enemies to lover's stories especially with the elements it had. Such a fun quick read that kept me going the whole time.

I LOVE Jenny Proctor books! She is an auto-read for me. Her stories are laugh out loud funny. I also love culinary/ rivalry stories and this was no exception! Tatum and Lennox were so fun to read. Their banter was unmatched and the chemistry was spicy. This is technically book 3 in a series but can be read alone. Although you should read them all!!

This is a cute enemies-to-lovers romance, although the 'enemies' portion of the story is over pretty quickly and it's really more a 'rivals' story. I personally would have preferred a bit more banter, but Tatum and Lennox make a cute couple. The book is part of a series and although I have not read the previous books, I don't feel like I have missed out on anything. Overall, there is not much to make this story stand out, or to make it memorable - but it's a cute, fun standard romance read. Thanks to NetGallery and Victory Editing for allowing me to get a copy of the book.

Kudos to Jenny Proctor, because this is enemies-to-lovers done right! Lennox Hawthorne is pretty successfully running his new restaurant on his family's farm property when his culinary school nemesis, Tatum Elliott, rolls into town to take over the farm's catering kitchen. The two chefs butt heads and return to their competitive ways, but it's not long until they can't deny the feelings simmering beneath the surface.

If you have read and loved the first two books in this series, you know some of the elements that make this one a winner, too - small town vibes, big family with even bigger heart, wholesome characters, sweet clean romance, mischievous pets and livestock, and Hawthorne brother pow-wows, plus Lennox's story adds the drool-worthy descriptions of some awesome food. I loved this story and can't wait for Flint's story, but I also don't want this series to end!

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review. I adored it!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book!

I absolutely devoured this book (see what I did there? because it's a foodie book..)!

While I'm not always a fan of the closed door romance novels, because sometimes they just get boring, I have to say that Jenny Proctor does a wonderful job of holding her readers attention! Witty banter, secret looks, even more secret touches... yup... she writes it well!

Lennox and Tatum's story is the perfect, enemies-to-lovers with a touch of forced-proximity. There is some adorable pet love and oh so many swoon worthy moments.

The relationship between the Hawthorne Brothers is also epic and I love seeing these types of bonds in books.

Toss into this some personal growth for our FMC and it was an instant love for me!

This is a fun and quick story between Lennox and Tatum who are college enemies who are forced to work in the same environment and land up falling in love as they get to know one another. This is such a cute story and I like the way that Jenny has scripted the book. it a feel good romance with none of the forced drama. I loved the simple story line and the narration from both Lennox's and Tatum's points of view. Do pick it up for a good feel good story that will tug at your heart while curled with with your favorite drink.

The best Hawthorne Sibling book yet in my opinion.

A few of my favorite aspects of the book:
👨‍🍳 Enemies to Lovers Trope
👩‍🍳Workplace romance
👨‍🍳Yummy food references
👩‍🍳Forced proximity moments
👨‍🍳Knight in Shining armor with a shotgun moment
👩‍🍳Discovering talents
👨‍🍳Learning to set hard boundaries
👩‍🍳Hilarious sibling conversations
👨‍🍳Embarrassing older siblings (that's me IRL)
👩‍🍳Family history and sentimental family heirlooms
👨‍🍳Family traditions
👩‍🍳Dual perspective

📖Tatum and Lennox were enemies in culinary school. As they work together on the Hawthorne farm in the cooking department will they let their past come between them? Will the draw of the spotlight take Tatum back to California? Can they discover what their dreams are really made of?

✍️ The character growth in this book was awesome. Tatum's growth especially was fantastic and I loved how she discovered more fully who she was and what she wanted in life. Lennox's ability to see beyond the surface grew through this story and I loved going on his journey to discover what true love is.

💋 The romance stops at kissing in this book. Light on description make-outs 👍

⚠️Tatum has issues with her father and his manipulative behavior.