The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy may be the most memorable book I have read so far this year. I certainly found myself thinking about it during the day while I was reading, longing for evening when I could get home to read more, and I am still dwelling on it now. I loved the characters and their portrayal, I adored their acerbic banter and, most of all, I appreciated that it really was as 'enemies to lovers' story in the truest sense, as lately I've read books where the 'enemies' part has been tenuous at best. This was a really, really slow burn on the romance side, with not much happening until the final quarter of the book when the characters began to recognise their attraction to each other. (I'm in love with Osric too.) In terms of the rest of the plot, I found it interesting, and the world building on the whole was good. I read this as an ARC, but I have already decided to buy a copy for my shelf as soon as it releases, and I am hoping we won't be kept waiting too long for the sequel, as I am dying to know what happens next. The one note I would make is that there is some violence and sexual content, so it's for adults, not younger readers. I am giving it 5 stars.

“Onion Boy, the Eternal Optimist”

4.5 stars. Thank you to Hachette, NetGalley and Brigitte Knightley for the ARC.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is endlessly hilarious, a whirlwind of adventures travelling to and fro for cures and a slowwwwww burn romance.

I was highlighting so many funny quotes, there was never a chapter in this book where I wasn’t laughing. The banter is perfection, so much back and forth and the sarcasm is too good.

“What do you suppose he does with it when it’s not erect? - Drapes it round his neck, like a feather boa.” 🤣

“Might we, go anywhere without subtracting from the population? - Would you prefer, that we add to it?” 🙌🏼

Special mention to the critique crickets 🦗
Highly recommend adding this to your TBR!

A banter filled, slow burn for the ages.

For the year of the fanfics we are starting on a bang, 12 year old me is quaking in our boots at the fact we got to read and review this before it's release.

Lets firstly ignore everything else amazing I this book and talk humor. Not only are Osric and Arienne just hilarious when they are together but comedy seems to be Brigitte's superpower, every character had me CACKLING! Also this queen gave me a glossary - I never thought I'd say this but I LOVE A GLOSSARY. The romance was perfection, chef's kiss, could not have been better! Of course it took it's time but when it was burning it was HOT. Osric is my love sick man of course he falls first, it was addictive. And the KISS - crying throwing up loving it!

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers (OBVIOUSLY)
STEM Queens
Banter - seriously if the chapter headings aren't making you giggle the many insults thrown between our two love interests will.
This is OPPOSITES ATTRACT at its core.

As a Dramione lover, this really hit the spot. Full of that angsty banter that makes for a great enemies-to-lovers tale!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75/5 🌶️ 0.5/5

Tropes:
🗡️Enemies To Lovers
🧪Slowburn
🗡️Opposites Attract
🧪Forced Proximity
🗡️ He Falls First

Osric is suffering from an unknown illness that is slowly suppressing his magic and Aurienne is the healer he’s going to blackmail ( and potentially kidnap) into curing him.

The banter between the two main characters was witty and I really enjoyed the scenes where the back and forth ensued. The banter really enforced the enemies aspect and the dual pov really highlighted the internal struggle that was pushing the characters towards lovers.The Deofols stole every scene they were in and I thoroughly enjoyed their personalities and how they interacted with the main characters.

Overall I think more world building was needed to contextualise the magic system, wars and the overall state of the world they existed in. The world building suffered because the romance surpassed the fantasy aspect which is fine but when information was brought up regarding other characters and places I was left needing more context to understand how significant it was.

I also found the ending as feeling unfinished rather than it ending on a cliffhanger, almost like the book ended prematurely. It is important to note there will be another book in this series so this may have been the best position to end it in without having to draw it out too far.

I ultimately enjoyed this book a lot and cannot wait for the next one in the series and despite the aspects I didn’t enjoy, the banter and character progression really saved the day and I hope we get more world building in the next instalment so I can really immerse myself.

A big thank you to Brigitte Knightley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand | Orbit for the ARC, I can’t wait to read the next one ( I hope we get it soon 🤞🏻)

With a title like this, and a love of enemies to lovers tropes, why would you not pick up this book? I’ve had this book on preorder for well over a couple of months and I am so glad I got a change to read an ARC of it. This book definitely has the slow burn enemies to… kind of tolerating each other… I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens.

The main reason that they started interacting definitely got pushed to the back a little bit while they got caught up in the intrigue of another problem, but it all came together in the end and turns out that everything is actually connected.

I appreciate the glossary that was provided in the beginning of the book - but I also think that that is going to be a lot easier to use with a hard copy of the book, so one can flip back and forth to refresh what certain words mean. Aside from that, it was a fun read, I look forward to the next book.

4.5⭐️

I'm calling this book a "cosy-crude high stakes romantasy". I know so many people are gonna EAT this one up!!
This is the most fun l've had with a book in a while. The banter was BANTERING. The hate was palpable. And the world building was so immersive I really forgot I was reading. Brigitte is so witty! The plethora of quirks and quips in this book had me audibly giggling and made the characters that much more charming. (The pub names are hilarious!)

There's so much to love about this book. The dynamic between Aurienne and Osric was so perfect and the pacing (despite the time skips) was really well done! This is also a true enemies to lovers which is so rare nowadays and the slow burn is utter perfection❤️‍🔥

I will admit I was a little confused for the first third of the book cause there's a LOT of terminology to retain and most times I just used context clues cause I couldn't get to the glossary very easily on the e-book. But I think this is one of those books where you just jump in the deep end and eventually you start to understand. The ending is also very abrupt, but I think a next book has been sent up really well.

Even though parts were confusing, the vibes were SO good that I didn't even mind. The writing is also unlike anything l've read which was REFRESHING. WE LOVE UNIQUE ROMANTASY👏🏼

I WILL be needing the second one ASAP cause this one set it up so perfectly.

I devoured this book in a way I haven’t in a very long time. Such a delightful read which feels like a romcom in the humour and Moments it has, the slowest of burns with the best kind of banter between the 2 main characters *chefs kiss*. Brigitte has such a wonderful way of writing, I’ll read anything she writes. For fans of DMATMOOBIL, everything you love about the fic is here but in a different story so wonderfully told absolutely loved everything about it and can not wait to read the next part!

Pspsps

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for the eARC!

I was so excited to read this book and I did love it, I just didn't know it was going to be a series so the ending caught me very off guard!

Aurienne and Osric's dynamic was really fun to read because of the dual points of view in the book. The pining, the bickering all of it I loved. The opposing professions of healing people and killing people mixed with warring moral compasses, were very entertaining to read.

The only thing that takes away from the book being a 5/5 for me was that I felt like nothing was resolved by the end, which felt like it ended out of nowhere for me. After learning it's not a standalone makes more sense as to why it was open-ended but it left me feeling cheated of a satisfying ending at the time I was reading it.

I NEED the next book ASAP, I need to know how this ends!!

This book had soooo much potential for me and I was so so so excited for it. And there was honestly so much about it I absolutely loved. The banter was incredible, the world was fascinating and the magic system felt interesting and unique. But my biggest issue was how long the chapters were. I personally cannot stand long chapters as I tend to lose focus or lose interest. So while I was so excited to find out what was happening next and even with the end of the book, I’m excited to find out what will happen in the next one, it got to the point of feeling like it was a chore to read because of how long each chapter was. And it just felt unnecessary too. There were so many sections of each chapter where they could have ended but just kept going. Anyway, a lot of everything else of this book was enjoyable and I do look forward to the next book but that really threw me off from enjoying the story fully.

THE IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO FALL FOR YOUR ENEMY
Release date: July 8, 2025

I. am. OBSESSED. I had the absolute time of my life reading this, and I’m heartbroken it’s over (for now). Knightley created such an immersive world; it is one of those books that fully transports you to another space and time, where you fall in love with the characters in the very first pages. I’d call this an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn and I mean SLOWWW burn, cosy(ish) fantasy, I didn’t want to put it down once. Our two main characters Aurienne Fairhim and Osric Mordaunt are in each other’s presence 90% of the book, and I have discovered a new favourite trope because of this. I NEED MOREEEE ugh!

I have countless quotes highlighted between these two. I was gasping, laughing, and swooning at their hilarious banter. Aurienne and Osric are true enemies to lovers; they hate each other SO much and are in denial that they’re anything more than each other’s ‘Means to an End’ and ‘Point of Leverage’. The crude, dry humour between them is insane and unmatched. I’m on my hands and knees begging for the next one already (yes, I know this one isn’t even out yet) because I could honestly read about Osric and Aurienne forever. I love these characters so much, and the tension and burn that grows between them is EVERYTHING!!! I fear this altered my brain chemistry.

TROPES⁀➷
𐙚 Enemies to lovers (no, but for real.)
𐙚 High-interaction slow-burn (new favourite trope??)
𐙚 Hyper-competent idiots (god, I love them hahahah)
𐙚 He falls first-and harder (screeech)
𐙚 Slaughter as a love language (go off Osric!! <3)

If you’re reading this put in your pre-order NOW‼️

*Clutches pearls*

I devoured this book🤌🏻once I started, there was no stopping! Absolutely addictive from beginning to end.

This is a true enemies to lovers with the slowest burn and the most delicious yearning. When I say SLOW I mean SLOW and I LOVE IT. Brigitte masterfully crafts the tension between a healer and an assassin, making every interaction sizzle with intensity.

Osric, our dangerously charming assassin, is battling an illness that threatens his magic. The only one who can help? Aurienne, a brilliant healer. Their orders despise each other, so Osric gives her no choice, either she helps him… or he takes her.

The banter? Sharp. The chemistry? Off the charts. The writing? So quirky and fun mixed with some dark elements which I think worked great! And the humor? It was everything to me. I laughed so hard-maniacally, to be honest. It’s probably the book that has made me laugh the hardest in quite some time. The dry wit, the snark, the absolutely unhinged back-and-forth? Perfection.

Tropes you’ll love:
💕Enemies to lovers (one of the best I’ve read!)
💕Forced proximity
💕Kidnapping (almost)
💕Magic and healing
💕Tension so thick you could cut it
💕SLOW BURN

Osric is swoony, sarcastic, and impossible not to love, while Aurienne is strong, brilliant, and refuses to back down. This is just a must read full stop. Cannot recommend enough!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

This was EVERYTHING, it was so fun to read, i absolutely ADORED the banter between them and just literally couldnt get enough. Brigitte choice of language and dialogue really rounded out the entire experience.
This was a true enemies to lovers piece, and I am so grateful for that.
I need more, I cant wait to get a physical copy to stare at lovingly once its released!

3.5/5 stars!

It took me a little bit to get into the writing style of this book. I could (and did) happily put the book down and take 3 weeks until i picked it back up and continued on. It is VERY character based, with the plot kinda pushing along in the background? I think there are three different plot lines happening all at once with no real connection.. It is also book 1 in a duology. So do not except to get any answers in this book.

I enjoyed some of the witty lines, the banter and the high egos of the two main characters. They truly are enemies are not looking at each other lovingly by 3 chapters in. So its advertising of enemies to lovers is true, this making it a slow burn.. a very very slow burn.

There is no world building. I honestly have not much idea on who is what order, where its set, where their magic comes from or anything really.. Just that there are some kings and a healing and an assassin order and maybe a war brewing? I also have no idea how much time passed over the course of this book??

Will i pick up book 2? yes, most likely. The last 15% did leave me wanting to see what happens next as the plot kind of moved along a little and left us on somewhat of a cliff hanger.

Thank you Netgalley & Hachette Aus for an ARC in exchange for a review.

This was absolutely amazing! The two main characters are very evocative of their origin, but that is where the similarities end. The magic was unique and deadly and the budding romance is a tease! I need the second book now!

I am absolutely here for the dramione fanfic turned trad published.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is so good, it's the BEST kind of slow burn enemies to lovers. The thing that I enjoyed the most about this book (keeping in mind that there is PLENTY to enjoy) was the sense of humour and wit. I actually lived for the banter that the two MCs had. It was witty, funny, and completely on brand for the slow burn enemies to lovers.

Aurienne and Osric are two extremely different people, with seemingly nothing in common. As they spend more and more time with each other, they find some similarities (albeit reluctantly) and start to find each other's company somewhat tolerable.

Honestly though, thank goodness I read this on my e-reader because I used the definition option so many times throughout this book. The use of capital letters to emphasise particular words or comments was an interesting choice to me. I felt as though I read it as intended, with the inflections on the particular words/comments, but that style of writing is something I would expect in a YA novel, not an Adult romantasy. There are some spicy scenes throughout too.

Very grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this!

As one of my most anticipated reads of this year - like many, I started my journey with this title in its original fan fiction format - I have to admit this fell a little short of the high pedestal I placed it upon.

I loved the intricate world building the fleshed out glossary gave and was a little disappointed that we didn't seem to move far past the immediate circle of the main characters. I was prepared and ready to delve into the different Orders and a more robust plot line and found myself a little disappointed in the almost cosy, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story that unfolded. It felt like I was supposed to be invested in the high personal stakes of the main characters from the get go but with no real background to give an insight into their motivations and choices, it took multiple attempts at diving in for me to get on board with it.

That being said, the witty snark between the characters was to die for and watching their enmity slowly but surely be dashed upon the rocks of unwitting attraction and, dare I say, begrudging respect, as they navigate through some gleefully discomforting circumstances ultimately made this book enjoyable.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Oh my bloody GOODNESS THIS BOOK !!!!!❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

I can confidently say that ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For My Enemy’ has been one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far - the banter ?! Brigitte’s writing style?! It truly is the epitome of a slowburn-witty-enemies-to-(somewhat 👀 )lovers. Absolute chefs kiss.

I 👏🏻 COULD 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 PUT 👏🏻 IT 👏🏻 DOWN 👏🏻 like genuine laugh-out-loud moments and I NEED TO DEBRIEF WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE HONESTLY THIS BOOK HAS ME IN ALL THE FEEEEEEELS AND GIDDINESS AND JUST 🤯 !!!

Themes covered in this book;
🥼 Smart, badass, self-assured FMC Aurienne who is a Haelen (Order of healer-scholars)
⚔️ Witty, literally-an-assassin, self-assured MMC Osric, who is a Fyren (Order of Assassins and also may happen to be Good Looking)
🥼 Different Orders
⚔️ SLOW BURNNNNN DONE BEAUTIFULLY (we are talking high interaction AND slow burn - 10/10 execution - take the assassin puns as you will 😉 )
🥼 Laugh-out-loud-and-maybe-even-some-snorting moments
⚔️ Enemies-to-lovers but like we are talking proper enemies 👀🫶🏻

I am anticipating the release of book 2 as though my life depends on it. THANK YOU so much to the team at Hachette Australia & New Zealand for access to an ARC of this absolute GEM and Brigitte - wowee I cannot WAIT for the book community to experience ‘The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy’ - I know they will fall in love just as obsessively as I have 🥹🥹🥹

Thank you to Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the eARC.

Dramione girlies we are being treated this year. First things first, this is not a rewrite of Draco Malfoy and the Absolute Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love. It’s a whole new story with a fresh plot and different character personalities, and it absolutely delivers.

The slow burn is so slow, Mariana Zapata levels of drawn-out tension, but it makes every moment worth it. The banter is snarky, sharp, and actually funny, mixing intellectual humour with just the right amount of vulgar wit. It also gives major STEM romance energy, like Ali Hazelwood but with fantasy elements.

The worldbuilding is solid, with a unique magic system, a map, and a glossary (which I honestly immediately forgot). The writing is complex, so it took me a while to get through, but it’s so well done. Plus, it’s part of a duology, which means more.
And the cover? Incredibly obsessed.

Thank you to the publisher/ netgalley for the ARC!!! <3

A thoroughly solid 3 stars!! BUT LIKE HOLY WOW THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERFECT COVER ART I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFEEEEEEE?????????? Damn okay. They did that.

Wow okay wow. This was... SO different to what I was expecting... but that is not necessarily a bad thing at all!!

Firstly; I did not realise this was going to be a series at ALL!!! I feel cheated!! I thought I was going to have a perfect little standalone with no LOOSE ENDS!!!! but what a phenomenal and perfectly fitting series name.

Secondly; some of the best writing, technical-wise, that I've read in ages. I consider myself to be someone with a very decent vocab, but there were so many fun words that I didn't know (especially in the first third) that I didn't even bother looking them all up. The writing was SHARP!!! So sharp!!!! Very very witty, very very clever, very very well done.

Thirdly; NOW THAT!!! IS A SLOW BURN!!!!!!! none of this 'advertised-as-slow-burn-enemies-to-lovers-and-then-they-have-sex-by-page-200' crap. Phenomenal pacing from a slow burn perspective.

Overall, this reminded me of a more... scholarly (?) Assistant to the Villain? Similar sort of humor and that feels-low-stakes-and-slightly-cosy-because-of-said-humor vibe, but much sharper writing (and that's not to say that the writing was better or worse than ATTV, 'sharp' just feels like the most accurate descriptor that I can find). This book is one for the writing-focused girlies; I don't know if I LOVED the characters or plot alone enough to keep me glued to the page, but it was a fun little ride!