Ohhhh my gosh this was so good!!

Do not let the cover fool you, it’s definitely got an element of higher fantasy to it that took my brain a moment to wrap around, but once I did I was IN IT. The way this is written will have you laughing at the banter. The writing style is unique and so fun to read I honestly don’t know how to explain it other than it’s a grown up version of HP in writing style.
I’m so glad to see that this author was able to turn her litfic into a masterpiece. I am obsessed.

I adored this. The slow progression in the relationship between the characters was masterfully done; the culture was interesting and the worldbuilding excellent. This isn’t yet published, and I’m already looking for information on the sequel. I wish it were longer and the story arc completed, because I don’t want to wait for more of these two!

This book has truly taken a piece of my heart. One of the most well rounded books I’ve read in some time. The story was fun, engaging and well thought out. The author did an amazing job with the world building and magic system. And the character development was on point. I loved both the MMC and FMC so much and miss them already.
An amazing slow burn that represents growth through trials, women in STEM, he falls first, top notch banter and witty humor.
This is an absolute must read. I cannot wait to continue to live in this world that Brigette Knightley has created.

thank you Netgalley and the Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

alright alright we're just going to start off by saying that the humor in this book is everything to me. they're cheeky, they're witty. she's soooo unimpressed with him while he's always saying something to get a reaction out of her. UGH. quality banter. and the fantasy was fantasy-ing. OH THAT WAS FUN. I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2.

full RTC when as we get closer to its release date: July 8, 2025

As a Dramione girlie, as soon as I heard the news that Brigitte was going to be traditionally published I was so excited and really hoped to get an arc for her new book. Thank you Berkeley for his arc, I really really appreciate it!
I loved the book. Brigitte’s way of writing humor is unmatched. Aurienne and Osric’s banter was something I was living for as well as their slowburn romance. I was wondering how Aurienne was going to fall for Oscric and the way it happened was beautifully done. I truly is an enemies, to reluctant allies to slowly having feelings for each other. I cannot wait for the next book. The two main characters are very different but still felt as if I knew them myself.
The world building was a bit jarring but as any other fantasy book, I got used to it. Again, I had an incredible time and can’t wait for this book to come out.

This being a debut novel… thank you god for Brigette Knightley. From the world building to the plot and characters, this was flawless. The writing style was so good and both Osric and Aurienne were so complex and real (and they were idiots too). The banter and the chemistry was on point; never in the book did any of their interactions feel like they were pushed or out of character. The way you can see how they slowly start to develop feelings and care and trust for each other through the things they go through and adventures they do together, it’s just everything to me and I can’t wait to see how all of this develops even more in book 2 (which we’ll be praying it comes out soon because if I have to wait a long time for it, I will simply die).

“Aurienne sought Mordaunt’s gaze to see how much longer he wished to keep up the pretence of the dance, but his eyes were on their joined hands. Their star-crossed tācn pressed against each other’s. Their Orders were in their veins, as inescapable as their own blood.” This is so sick, Brigette you are insane I can't handle this. As someone who read the fanfic back then, I can say that I went with a lot of expectations for this book, and this was all I wanted and more. It was such a original and fun novel and I can't wait to read all of the other books Brigette Knightley will put out in the future, because she just became one of my favourite authors.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley | Ace for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC! All opinions below are my own.

⭐️2.5 rounded down.

I’d like to first note that while going into this book, I had no prior knowledge about any Dramoine fanfictions.

With that being said, unfortunately this book wasn’t really for me. The fact it was enemies to lovers wasn’t an issue, and I actually found the pacing in that aspect to be fairly good. My issue comes more-so with the actual prose and initial presentation of both characters. The way it is written is extravagant, but unfortunately that also leads to clunky sentences that were needlessly difficult to get through. Many of the sentences which represent a characters thoughts or add on to characters actions simply don’t come across as funny or charming like they’re supposed to. This is why the first half of the book led me to feeling as if both Osric and Aurienne were equally insufferable in a story which, while largely character driven, failed to drive me to like either of them until far later than it should have.

Much of the vocabulary unique to the book is just thrown at you all at once in the midst of other, similar, incredibly real words. Very very tedious- I don’t mind annotating vocabulary and expanding my daily vernacular, but at times it felt a teeny bit silly and quite a bit overwhelming.

I don’t regret not DNF’ing the book, as the second half feels a lot less clunky and difficult to get through. I, however, do feel like it’s an issue that you even have to get to the second half for it to feel less insufferably haughty verbiage wise. The ending feels like it somewhat just drags out to a sequel, but it isn’t really that aggravating all things considered.

Over all, unfortunately this wasn’t really for me. Regardless of that, though, understand my thoughts won’t resonate with everyone who stumbles upon this review and I encourage anyone even slightly interested to at least give it a try.

Dramione girlies, I can't wait for y'all to experience this one!

Brigitte Knightley, you are a queen, and you've had my heart since the DMATMOOBIL days. TIUTFFYE has really cemented you in there.

This book was delightful. I loved the world-building and magic (or should I say, seith) system in this one. Set in an alternate version of England where the Norman conquest failed and the British Isles just never quite became able to put the U in the UK — this felt familiar but with a new enough spin to feel so fantastical.

One of my biggest qualms with so many of the enemies-to-lovers stories I've read in recent memory is that the enemies never really *enemy.* It's always instalove, there is never enough tension or loathing that is overcome for a truly satisfying fall. TIUTFFYE broke from that norm and is bringing back enemies in a big way. This book was a low and slow burn. So slow that I found myself appreciating the little tidbits we were thrown more than usual. The graze of a cheek had me squealing, throwing my book down, and taking a few laps around my living room. A hand kiss actually sent me into orbit.

And the BANTER. Don't get me started on how delightfully funny this book was. I adored the ways the characters quipped with each other. I felt so many echoes of DMATMOOBIL here.

Which brings me to my final point for now (I'm riding a high of just finishing this book and am sure I'll have more to say on it later) — I went into this expecting a retelling of DMATMOOBIL, partly because the other Dramione GOATs being tradpublished this year actually are direct adaptations and partly because I wasn't paying attention to Brigitte's social channels were she cleared the issue up and stated that this is an original story. So to be clear, TIUTFFYE is an original story and not a retelling of DMATMOOBIL. I do fear that some will do this story a disservice by going in with expectations on the contrary. I think that any lovers of DMATMOOBIL will absolutely love this as a sibling, not a twin to that story. There are plenty of similarities, but it is its own media and I absolutely love it for that.

4.5 stars, I cannot wait for the next installment of the story!

enemies to lovers in its finest form (read: in the only form that should be deemed acceptable), witty beyond belief, plot to keep you occupied & interested while you're snacking on the light dusting of crumbs of a Dramione-esque romance

this is my formal request for someone to please inject this story into my veins.

an ingenious and innovative romantasy in the midst of an oversaturated romantasy market, this book hits every mark, dots every i, crosses every t, and leaves you ready & wanting for the second half of this story.

aurienne is so very hermione granger coded with a morality that rivals our golden girl herself, with a sharp tongue and brilliant mind.

osric is so very draco malfoy coded with a snarky wit, pension for violence, and air of superiority second only to our favorite blonde-haired slytherin.

this story breathes new life into the romantasy genre and leaves you breathless and wanting. and trust me, the moment they go from Fairhrim & Mordaunt to Aurienne & Osric is positively delectable.

thank you to Berkley Romance, Ace Books, and Brigitte Knightly for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm honored beyond belief.

Thank you, Ace/Berkley Publishing Group, for approving our ARC—this was one of our most anticipated reads of 2025! I absolutely loved this book, both as a romance reader and a bookseller.

As a reader, I found this book to be a masterclass in razor-sharp wit, dynamic character interactions, and a slow burn that simmers to perfection. The fantasy world is immersive, and I love how Brigitte throws you right in without overwhelming exposition—just enough to orient you while keeping the pacing tight. The included dictionary feature was a great touch for quick reference. The relationship between the protagonists was exquisite and deeply believable, and the mystery element kept me hooked. I was so sad when I finished because I wanted more!

As a bookseller, I have no doubt this book will do incredibly well, even beyond Brigitte's fanfiction following. It’s a well-written, witty, and trope-filled romance that stands firmly on its own merit. In our shop, we often get romantasy readers searching for a true slow burn or a genuine enemies-to-lovers dynamic—both of which this book absolutely delivers. It also features other beloved tropes, like he falls first, deal-making, and forced proximity, making it an easy recommendation for those looking for something specific.

What makes this book particularly great is its versatility. While rooted in fantasy, it has a sharp sense of humor that will appeal to readers who love witty banter. Its strong writing and light-hearted nature also makes it an excellent choice for contemporary romance readers looking to dip their toes into romantasy. And while it’s nowhere near dark, its depictions of murder and some grotesque details may still appeal to dark romance readers seeking a lighter read.

Overall, this was an absolute delight to read, and I cannot wait to stock it on our shelves!

i know i know i was supposed to eat this up…but i think it is simply not my vibe right now! i know everyone is incredibly excited for this release so i decided to hop on the bandwagon but it does not seem like my kind of story at the moment. after tying multiple times, i have decided to dnf and will instead provide my review here! Thank you!

Yooooo this was so fun

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fanfic Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Falling In Love.

This is a completely different story, but the vibes are vibing. The dry humor is there. The sarcasm and wit is there. The chaos is there.

It’s written for people who have read fic before and are part of a fandom, any fandom, and that may not work for everyone but you already know it works for me

Onto this book itself though:

The world building was there. The magic system was there. The plot was unique and interesting.

I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this. There were so many blink and you miss it jokes and other ones that were outright in your face but nonetheless hilarious.

I would’ve loved a smidge more background on our characters and why they are the way that they are and why they each chose the paths they chose, but maybe we will get that in the next book.

My biggest complaint and what kept it from being five stars was that the ending felt very abrupt. I literally turned the page thinking there would be more but alas, that was just it. I know it’s part of a series but it still didn’t really feel very wrapped up enough for the end of a book 1.

However I am down bad and will read anything this author writes.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Rounding up to 5)

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC!

This book has a lot going for it. It’s not your typical enemies-to-lovers trope—Aurienne and Osric aren’t opposites in personality; if anything, they’re too alike. However, their morals are vastly different—one walks the path of light, the other of darkness. They’re both exceptional at what they do, though their skills are complete opposites: one heals, while the other kills.

The humor was spot on. I loved the sharp sarcasm woven throughout the dialogue and points of view, which added to the book’s charm.

As a fantasy novel, the story throws the reader straight into its world. You have to piece together how everything works, but I personally enjoyed that aspect—it made the experience more immersive.

Since this is a duology, nothing fully resolves by the end. While some revelations occur, most plot points (including the romance) remain open. Speaking of romance, it’s a very slow burn, but the humor balances it out perfectly.

I can't wait for the next installment!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄
🧙‍♂️ Dramione
♥ Enemies to Lovers
🕯 Gaslamp Fantasies
👀 Dual POV
😹 Unhinged Banter

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Osric Mordaunt, a deadly assassin, is dying from seith (i.e. magic) degeneration and the only person capable of saving his life is Aurienne Fairhrim, morally good healer from an opposing order. After Osric makes an offer than is too good to refuse, they form a reluctant partnership as they search for a cure. Loathing, banter, chaos, and sexual tension ensues.

𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was absolutely hilarious and had me hooked the entire time. I liked this even more than DMATMOOBIL and cannot wait for the second book. A word of warning: this is a SLOOWWWWW burn so proceed with caution if that isn’t your thing. If you like romantasy, I cannot recommend this enough. 4.75/5⭐.

When someone tells me there's a book waiting at my digital library with an enemies-to-lovers trope, I jump on it without hesitation! This is my addiction and even my vice! The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy delivers everything I crave in a romantasy—razor-sharp wit, a simmering slow burn, and a rich, immersive world that pulls you in from the first page.

Picture this: two characters, Aurienne and Osric, who absolutely cannot stand each other. But oh my goodness, their banter! I found myself literally laughing out loud at their exchanges - they're both so quick-witted and sharp-tongued. And the way they slowly, painfully start to see each other differently?

The best part is that it's not just surface-level enemies-to-lovers (you know the type, where they're supposedly enemies but they're making eyes at each other by chapter three). These two have genuine reasons for their animosity, and watching their walls come down bit by bit was absolutely delicious. I kept wanting to shake them both while simultaneously wanting them to never stop arguing because their chemistry was just that good!
Knightley didn't just give us a romance, though - she wrapped it in this gorgeously crafted fantasy world that had me completely hooked. There's this whole mystery element that kept me guessing, and the adventure aspects had me on the edge of my seat. But it never overshadowed the romance - everything worked together perfectly.

And that ending? Utterly brutal in the best way, leaving me desperate for the sequel. If you love slow burns that actually take their time, enemies-to-lovers where the enemies part isn’t just a label, and world-building that enhances the romance rather than distracting from it—then drop everything and read this book.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for sharing this irresistible romantasy's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The dramione lover/reader in me was screaming. Crying, and hyperventilating at being able to read this early 🥰 absolutely amazing and had me laughing the entire time

It is absolutely no secret that DMATMOOBIL is one of the best Dramione fanfics out there. When I saw that it was being trad pubbed, I couldn't believe and I was SOOO excited to read it. Brigitte's banter is absolutely unmatched and she totally delivers in this book. I'm obsessed with the two main characters but it's important to note that this book is a different story from DMATMOOBIL, not an adaptation. Once I got a grip of the magic system and the world building, I was totally sat. I was locked in by the end and I'm very excited for the second book!

This book was such an enjoyable read! The story was compelling, the characters felt real, and I loved how everything unfolded. I found myself eager to turn each page, and I’d definitely recommend it!

There were times when the magic system felt a little overwhelming and incomplete and I feel like the enemies to lovers shift was a little abrupt. I did like the romance and the plot overall and I am happy to see this story published. I look forward to the next installment.

I love some Dramonie fanfic and this book was such a delight. I thought the world was unique enough to feel like its own thing, but the characters and their dynamic were familiar in a way that was so comforting and fun to read. I could read about these two bickering all day long. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.