Book Review: Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This review may contain minor spoilers.

Flo Greenburg is looking forward to her family vacation in Greece. That is until Jamie Kramer, her brother's best friend, arrives. Enemies to Lovers starts off six months after Jamie ran away when Flo thought they were starting a romance the previous Christmas, she now has to grapple with his constant presence. Her new plan, exposure therapy. Because ‘the best way to get over a crush? Get to know them better.’ This story includes enemies to lovers (ish), brother best friend, and summer vibes.

I enjoyed the setting of this story and the overall Greenburg dynamic was fun to follow. I was pleasantly surprised by the sibling dynamic and loved the three of them together. The family games and outings kept the fun and humor, and also made the story more relatable. I enjoyed the interactions between Flo and Jamie, especially after some of the confusion was explained by the twist reveal.

Overall this story was not as much “enemies to lovers” as it was brother’s best friend and second chance romance. There were a few parts of the story that felt non-flushed out or brushed off when I wanted more dialogue or details. And Jamie didn't seem as shocked or upset by the reveal, which felt odd.

I enjoyed this story and it was a fun summer read. Would love to read more about the siblings. Definitely need more on Alex’s story since there were many holes. Need to know what comes next for him.

I received an eARC from NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for my honest review.

Overview: Flo is excited and ready to enjoy a family vacation in Greece - until she finds out that her family also invited Jamie, her brother’s best friend, who led her on last Christmas and then promptly abandoned her…

Thoughts: Boy, do I have thoughts about this book! 1) I feel hoodwinked by the title! This is not a book I would have categorized as “enemies to lovers”, as the animosity felt very one-sided. 2) The connection between Flo and Jamie was so superficial, as it was continually emphasized in the book how hot both of them were. I’m not sure what they even had in common otherwise?! But they did seem to spend a lot of time looking at each other… 3) I absolutely detest the use of misunderstandings to create conflicts in books. That is all I will say on the topic. Other than that, the setting of the book sounded amazing.. I only WISH I could go on a summer vacation like this!!

Take home message: Enemies to lovers is an easy beach read that ironically doesn’t feature much of the enemies to lovers trope at all. BUT! If you are a fan of second chance romances and want to live vicariously through hot female and male leads who spend half the book in their swimsuits/bikinis, this is definitely the book for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I knew I would like this one simply because of the title being my favorite trope. It was a super cute story and I loved that it included brother’s best friend and forced proximity. A family vacation where Jamie, Flo’s brother’s best friend, tags along even though she hasn’t seen him since Christmas when they almost hooked up. Queue the miscommunication but what a better place to figure it out than in Greece? Definitely a great beach read.

Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams is a solid 3-star read that offers an enjoyable, somewhat frustrating, romance. The story follows Flo, a relatable protagonist who struggles with anxiety, and Jamie, her brother's friend and supposed enemy-turned-lover. One of the strengths of the book is how well Williams illustrates Flo’s internal battles with anxiety, making her a character many readers can empathize with. I also enjoyed the lively and close-knit family on a Greek vacation because it adds warmth and charm to the story.

The chemistry between Jamie and Flo has some delicious moments, where sparks fly and you can see the potential for a great romance. Until one or both of the characters hastily exits the scene. Their interactions are marred by a frustrating reliance on miscommunication. The plot hinges on misunderstandings that drag on far too long, leaving you wishing the characters would just sit down and have a meaningful conversation. This issue becomes particularly problematic when Jamie and Flo sleep together before resolving their differences, a moment that makes the heroine in particular seem self-absorbed and undermines the emotional depth of their relationship.

Enemies to Lovers is an entertaining read with likable characters and a picturesque setting, but it falls short due to the overuse of miscommunication as a plot device. If you enjoy slow-burn romances and don’t mind a bit of frustration along the way, this book might still be worth your time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

This was a super easy read, with short chapters and a very simple concept. I wish the story gripped me a little more, but it's a perfect beach read for the end of summer!

Thank you to Putnam Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. Unfortunately the writing style of this really did not work for me. I hate when a book starts entirely with exposition. It feels like a story is being explained to me instead of me getting to experience it myself. Because of that, I had to DNF.

While I enjoyed this book, it was not close to the top of my list of favorite summer reads for 2024. Solid 3.5 stars rounded to 4. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I wanted to love this book, based on the title & description: But unfortunately, this book fell short for me. It didn’t feel like Flo and Jamie were really enemies, they just had some tension between them. I feel like the characters were all over the place and that Hope was a little unnecessary.

I enjoyed reading Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Flo and her family are heading to Greece for a family vacation and she is looking so forward to the time with family. Unfortunately,a wrench was thrown into her happy plans when she finds out her brother’s best friend Jamie will be with them. Jamie and her had a very brief encounter and she wasn’t having anything to do with him at all. I love the banter between these two and it was fun to see them get together and work out their differences.

I received this ARC from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book and read it in one day! It is the typical enemies to lovers romance book. I would definitely recommend this book.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up

Review: Overall, this was a cute, quick read. I read it in one sitting. I wasn't anything special as far as romance books I go. I did text a friend when I was at 9% and correctly guessed the "twist" at the end. I think this is a great, low angst, need a palate cleanser read.

Synopsis: Flo Greenberg: highly strung. Over-achiever. And desperate for a relaxing Greek holiday with her family.

Jamie Kramer: her brother's best friend. Pain in the arse. And somehow on Flo’s relaxing Greek holiday too…

With two surprise weeks of sharing meals, boat trips and sun-loungers, Flo must endure the company of this irksomely chiselled Lothario. But after what happened last year, she’s determined not to let him get the better of her.

In fact, spending time with the enemy will be the perfect cure for Flo's all-consuming anger towards Jamie, right?

(Spoiler alert: wrong…!)

Enemies to Lovers was the first Laura Jane Williams book I’ve read (despite having all of her books in my library) and now current me can thank past me for preemptively purchasing them, because I’ll definitely be reading the rest of her works. On the surface it was a lighthearted enemies to lovers, Greek island rom-com. But there are deeper layers to it that added some much needed nuisance - Florence “Flo” Greenberg is an overachiever just getting over a breakdown that had her hitting bottom. She’s finally feeling good about herself and where she’s at in life, and looking forward to a two-week vacation on a Greek island with her family. Enter unexpected guest Jamie Kramer, her brother’s best friend. The one that she once had almost something over the holidays, and then gave her a brush-off and the cold shoulder. Now instead of a relaxing holiday with family, she’s in a constant state of anxiety and rivalry with Jamie. But he seems angry with her too, which she can’t make sense of. As their petty squabbling turns into a reluctant truce and maybe even friendship, they begin to open up to one another. But Flo still can’t make sense of why he cut her off just as it seemed they were on the precipice of something. As she struggles with her mental health, she also has to make sense of where she stands not only with Jamie, but also her family. With more than romance, the story also focused on mental health, grief, depression, and building a life you can be proud of.

Enemies to Lovers is my fourth novel by Laura Jane Williams. This story follows Florence (Flo) Greenberg, who is going on a Greek holiday with her family. Her brother’s best friend, Jamie Kramer, who rejected Flo via a note under her door at Christmas, is along for the trip. The title and synopsis of the novel seem a little misleading as this was not as “enemies” focused as I expected. There was some tension between them, but it wasn’t actual enemies. I’ve thought this with many other novels, but a new official trope needs to be created as there are tons of novels claiming to be full enemies to lovers when they are not actually enemies.

Flo was an interesting character as I enjoyed her sometimes and disliked her other times. She was not likable as she believes her assumptions are facts and while this part does get better, it does take a little effort to get through. She goes through some nice character growth throughout the story as she goes through some self-discovery to carve out her own identity. There is a nice mental health aspect to her journey and to the rest of the story that I wish was explored in greater detail. The two characters acted a little younger than they were, I believe, intended, so I think the author should have changed their ages to fit their personalities. I believe everything in this story had potential and just needed a few details updated and some additional depth to the characters. Overall, this was not my favorite from the author, but I would still read more from her in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I went into this blind because all I needed to know was that it had the "enemies to lovers" trope to be interested. What I wasn't expecting was a completely heartfelt & emotional story this deep. All the good rom-com feels with swoon worthy moments & a beautiful vacation setting! Loved loved loved it!

If this book doesn't get made into a movie I will be SO disappointed!!!

The story has all the elements to make a great rom-com. Enemies to lovers, obviously, is the obvious one. It also has the big, loving family. I loved them all so much. They added the exact right amount of drama, humor, and familial clarity.

Flo and Jamie, I can totally picture them. They'd be great in a movie, and in a follow-up book!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enemies to Lovers
Author: Laura Jane Williams
Romcom

Thank you so much Netgalley and Putnam books for this ARC! Released today 8/13! I really enjoyed this one.. Flo is on a trip to Greece with her family where they invited her brother’s best friend that she hates. One of the reasons she hates him so much is that he basically scorned her after a fling by ending things via a letter. I know I have mentioned this before, but I love books where they are on trips because it gives me a little personal escape from my day to day life. Flo is kind of a mess and she’s just trying to figure herself out on this trip, and when the curve ball called Jamie is thrown her way, it really throws a wrench in things. Watching them navigate this family trip while loathing each other (but also being drawn to each other) was fun to read. It was an easy summer read.

3.5 ⭐

***Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Enemies to Lovers
Brothers Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Mental Health representation

Was this book perfect, no, was it enjoyable, yes.

I will say I figured out what happened pretty early on.

Calling this an enemies to lovers book, is a far fetch, as it was more I'm angry/disappointed and mis-communication.

The family dynamic was good.

Alex certainly did not act like a doctor.

Laurie needs to grow up.

Flo and Hope's friendship was nice.

For someone pining for eight years, I'm not sure I felt it.

I'd read another book by this order if the subject was intriguing.

Enemies to Loves by Laura Jane Williams—OUT NOW!

This summer holiday book has family, forced proximity, a mental health rep, and Greek vacation vibes 😍
While I wouldn’t say this is actual an enemies to lovers, the two main characters do have some tension and hurt feelings to work through. The thing that I think was supposed to make them enemies was more of an awkward obstacle in both of their lives considering how entwined their social circles are.
There was lots of family banter, which I really enjoyed. The setting was also dreamy and it made me wish I was on a Greek vacation.
Overall this was a light and easy read.

Thank you @netgalley @putnambooks and @penguinrandomhouse for the advanced copy to review!

Flo and her family are having a relaxing vacation in Greece. This vacation is exactly what Flo needs after the tough couple of years she’s had. Until Jamie her brother’s best friend shows up. The guy who rejected her last Christmas. Spending time with Jamie will be the perfect way to find all his flaws and get over him. Right?

Enemies to Lovers was a fun and silly beach read. It was lighthearted while also discussing mental health. However, the story kinda fell short for me. I did enjoy the family dynamic and the vacation scenery. Many people did enjoy this book and it did have cute moments, but overall I wasn’t invested in Flo and Jamie’s relationship.

I do wish we could’ve seen more of Flo and Jamie’s connection from last Christmas cause there wasn’t anything big that happened where I could understand their closeness during last Christmas and why the rejection hurt so much. I figured they had a relationship over Christmas break and then Jamie left her, but they hadn’t even kissed. They were mad and hurt by each other, but it sounded like a childish crush not that they were in love.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.