Scan barcode
allyonlyreadsheas's review
4.0
Gosh, I just really love enemies to lovers. The tension. The chemistry. The slow thaw. The oh-crap-maybe-I-don't-hate-this-person-after-all-maybe-I-love-them. This anthology delivers it all like an enemies-to-lovers present with a pretty little bow on top!
Almost all of the stories really worked for me in this second volume of enemies to lovers from Violet Gaze Press. Overall the collection was not as diverse as the first volume and I didn't love every story, but there were some real gems!
Snowstruck by Ellie Devine - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A burned out movie star and the pap he just can't shake get snowed in together in the middle of nowhere and discover there's way more to the other than they ever imagined. I loved how antagonistic they were towards each other at the beginning and how that dynamic changed as they both became more comfortable with each other. Plus trope bonus - one bed!
Choking on Flowers by Imogen Markwell-Tweed - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay so this was absolutely adorable. Elle is florist who just wants to arrange beautiful bouquets, discover who has been sending her tiny love letters via her cat Flow, and avoid Jasper, the rude tattooist next door who unfortunately also happens to be her landlord. Jasper doesn't want to avoid Elle - he thinks they're friends. Sure they bicker, but that's just their thing! Except apparently it isn't. And apparently he wants it to be even more. Now he just has to discover a way to let her know that he's the one who's been sending her those notes.
Too Hot by Wendy Dalrymple - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a fun rival-food-truck-owners to lovers story! Mariella has worked her ass off to become the Tater Tot Queen, so you can imagine her irritation when she sees a new food truck pop up offering loaded fries (just a lazy tater tot, really) with similar recipes to hers! Damien didn't expect his loaded fry food truck to be such a cause for tension - everyone else on the food truck scene was so nice and welcoming. Too bad the person he wanted to be friendly with the most can't seem to stand him.
Sweet Heat by Bria James - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a betrayal of the worst kind ten years ago, Allegra Montague left a fiancé at the alter and her old life behind. She picked up the pieces and built a new life for herself, one where she didn't need her family's money or the love she thought she'd had. When Jude Manford, aforementioned fiancé, walks back into her life, there's still chemistry they can't deny. But can they overcome the hurt of their past? This one was emotional and soft - a reconciliation ten years in the making!
Not So Neighborly by Moira Scott - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A sunshiny, retired divorcee and his grumpy widowed neighbor fake a relationship that becomes all too real in Not So Neighborly. I loved Sam! He was just so...good. He dances with puppies! He loves to laugh! He's super into his prickly neighbor! Beth has her reasons for not wanting to get into another relationship, but she's not as grumpy as she wants people to think. Sometimes she dances with puppies too (not that she'd let anyone see). Her and Sam are so fun together and I loved that both MCs were over 50!
A Brief Romance by Noel Stevens - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When criminal defense solicitor Saffie Edgecomb is forced to work with hotshot barrister Hugh Beaufort - a man she absolutely cannot stand - her patience is tested. But as she gets to know Hugh she realizes that it's not just her patience that's at risk - maybe she's at risk of losing her heart too. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Saffie and Hugh and how her perception of him changes over time. Also Hugh is just a hot nerdy treat with an anxious heart of gold. Oh my.
Tipsy On You by Anna Volkin - ⭐⭐⭐
This one didn't really work for me as well - I enjoyed the sparring between Diana and Silviu and there was a VERY funny scene with a lightsaber, but I just didn't connect with either character. I was also a little irritated that this wasn't a complete novella, but a teaser for a full length story. Also Silviu smokes regularly and Diana smokes with him and that was just the biggest turn off for me. YMMV.
His Roommate’s Girl by Sarah Nicolle - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tyson doesn't do relationships - in fact, he doesn't even do second dates. When he finds Adrienne, a girl he hooked up with then left without saying a word, in his apartment he's shocked to say the least. But she's with his roommate. And it's...upsetting? The more Adrienne is around Tyson, the more he realizes what an absolute idiot he was. He wants Adrienne, but she's not his and she'd never give him the time of day again anyway. But at least he still gets to have her in his life. Until he might not and he realizes just what he's willing to fight for. Truth be told Tyson is an idiot but he's growing and learning and trying to do better so we love him, his roommate is gross, and Adrienne just gets caught up in between.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Almost all of the stories really worked for me in this second volume of enemies to lovers from Violet Gaze Press. Overall the collection was not as diverse as the first volume and I didn't love every story, but there were some real gems!
Snowstruck by Ellie Devine - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A burned out movie star and the pap he just can't shake get snowed in together in the middle of nowhere and discover there's way more to the other than they ever imagined. I loved how antagonistic they were towards each other at the beginning and how that dynamic changed as they both became more comfortable with each other. Plus trope bonus - one bed!
Choking on Flowers by Imogen Markwell-Tweed - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay so this was absolutely adorable. Elle is florist who just wants to arrange beautiful bouquets, discover who has been sending her tiny love letters via her cat Flow, and avoid Jasper, the rude tattooist next door who unfortunately also happens to be her landlord. Jasper doesn't want to avoid Elle - he thinks they're friends. Sure they bicker, but that's just their thing! Except apparently it isn't. And apparently he wants it to be even more. Now he just has to discover a way to let her know that he's the one who's been sending her those notes.
Too Hot by Wendy Dalrymple - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a fun rival-food-truck-owners to lovers story! Mariella has worked her ass off to become the Tater Tot Queen, so you can imagine her irritation when she sees a new food truck pop up offering loaded fries (just a lazy tater tot, really) with similar recipes to hers! Damien didn't expect his loaded fry food truck to be such a cause for tension - everyone else on the food truck scene was so nice and welcoming. Too bad the person he wanted to be friendly with the most can't seem to stand him.
Sweet Heat by Bria James - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a betrayal of the worst kind ten years ago, Allegra Montague left a fiancé at the alter and her old life behind. She picked up the pieces and built a new life for herself, one where she didn't need her family's money or the love she thought she'd had. When Jude Manford, aforementioned fiancé, walks back into her life, there's still chemistry they can't deny. But can they overcome the hurt of their past? This one was emotional and soft - a reconciliation ten years in the making!
Not So Neighborly by Moira Scott - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A sunshiny, retired divorcee and his grumpy widowed neighbor fake a relationship that becomes all too real in Not So Neighborly. I loved Sam! He was just so...good. He dances with puppies! He loves to laugh! He's super into his prickly neighbor! Beth has her reasons for not wanting to get into another relationship, but she's not as grumpy as she wants people to think. Sometimes she dances with puppies too (not that she'd let anyone see). Her and Sam are so fun together and I loved that both MCs were over 50!
A Brief Romance by Noel Stevens - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When criminal defense solicitor Saffie Edgecomb is forced to work with hotshot barrister Hugh Beaufort - a man she absolutely cannot stand - her patience is tested. But as she gets to know Hugh she realizes that it's not just her patience that's at risk - maybe she's at risk of losing her heart too. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Saffie and Hugh and how her perception of him changes over time. Also Hugh is just a hot nerdy treat with an anxious heart of gold. Oh my.
Tipsy On You by Anna Volkin - ⭐⭐⭐
This one didn't really work for me as well - I enjoyed the sparring between Diana and Silviu and there was a VERY funny scene with a lightsaber, but I just didn't connect with either character. I was also a little irritated that this wasn't a complete novella, but a teaser for a full length story. Also Silviu smokes regularly and Diana smokes with him and that was just the biggest turn off for me. YMMV.
His Roommate’s Girl by Sarah Nicolle - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tyson doesn't do relationships - in fact, he doesn't even do second dates. When he finds Adrienne, a girl he hooked up with then left without saying a word, in his apartment he's shocked to say the least. But she's with his roommate. And it's...upsetting? The more Adrienne is around Tyson, the more he realizes what an absolute idiot he was. He wants Adrienne, but she's not his and she'd never give him the time of day again anyway. But at least he still gets to have her in his life. Until he might not and he realizes just what he's willing to fight for. Truth be told Tyson is an idiot but he's growing and learning and trying to do better so we love him, his roommate is gross, and Adrienne just gets caught up in between.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
vwalklate's review
5.0
This is the second volume of a diverse anthology themed around my all-time favourite trope - enemies to lovers. It did not disappoint! I enjoyed every story in the bunch. Individual reviews below:
Snowstruck by Ellie Devine
4/5 - Such a good start to this anthology! Ashton the jaded, world-weary movie star versus Alaina the hot-headed paparazzi photographer with a heart of gold. With likeable, well-rounded characters, a nod to the only one bed trope and some smoking hot sex scenes, this was a classic E2L story that I absolutely loved. The ending in particular was superb - it had a real romcom movie feel to it.
Choking on Flowers by Imogen Markwell-Tweed
4/5 - Elle the florist can't stand Jasper the tatooist, who happens to be her workplace landlord. She also starts off oblivious to the fact that he's the one attaching sweet little notes to the collar of her (hilarious and sweet) cat Flow. The passion between these two artistic souls was great. I didn't quite connect to them as much as some of the characters in the other stories, but I still really enjoyed it.
Too Hot by Wendy Dalrymple
4/5 - Word of advice - have a snack to hand when reading this story because the amazing food descriptions will make you drool! This was a hot, slow burn, slow realisation E2L relationship between two thoroughly likeable characters, Mariella and Damien. They were both adorable. I was rooting for them all the way through this story, which also cemented my love for potatoes in all their cooked forms. Loved it.
Sweet Heat by Bria James
4/5 - I sometimes struggle with second chance love stories because my cynical side refuses to believe they can overcome whatever horrible thing broke them up in the first place. That was not an issue at all with this one. From the moment it started, the pining, passion and emotion between Allegra and Jude was utterly convincing and you just knew they were meant to be together. This was beautifully written from start to finish and I actually gave a little cheer at the end. Fabulous.
Not So Neighbourly by Moira Scott
5/5 - Oh. My. Gosh. Words can't describe how much I loved this, but I'm going to try. First off: it's so refreshing to read about MCs aged 50+, who know exactly who they are and what they like, both in and out of bed. Second: individually both characters were incredibly likeable and appealing - Beth was so relatable and Sam, oh Sam, is there anything hotter than a cinnamon roll in the streets, alpha in the sheets? Third: puppies!!!!! You simply can't go wrong with doggos. This story actually made me cry at one pointnear the end when Beth has temporary second thoughts, and relives the death of her husband . Best one in the bunch for me. In fact, best short story VGP has published so far. Absolutely loved it - and I don't normally like the fake relationship trope!
A Brief Romance by Noel Stevens
4/5 - UK representing here, yay! This is set in London, an interesting and fun E2L romance between a solicitor and a barrister. Romance aside, the author managed to include the perfect amount of info about the legal aspect of the story without bogging down the plot with too much detail. Saffie was feisty, funny and very lovable, and Hugh, bless him, was just an adorable dork. I loved Saffie's meddling best friends, too, they were very funny. Super enjoyable story.
Tipsy On You by Anna Volkin
4/5 - Silviu is the ex-boyfriend of Diana's best friend, so Diana is furious when they're seated next to each other at a wedding. Their banter and snark is great and there's a hilarious moment with a glow in the dark condom, but I didn't completely connect to it and I couldn't figure out why until the end, when it was revealed thatthe story will continue in a sequel. This might be why I didn't fully click with it - the characters needed longer to develop. It was an enjoyable read though and I'll definitely take a look at the sequel.
His Roommate's Girl by Sarah Nicolle
4/5 - After a one-night-stand with Adrienne which ended with him sneaking out, Tyson is not happy when she starts dating his roommate Isaiah. Tyson spends a lot of this story pining, snapping and moping after Adrienne as he quickly realises he made a mistake letting her go - and I don't blame him as she's a fabulously confident, wonderful character. This was told from Tyson's POV and boy does he come across as a d*ck at times, but nowhere near as much as Isaiah - at least Tyson tries to grow as a person as the story develops, and becomes just about worthy of the awesome Adrienne in the end.
Snowstruck by Ellie Devine
4/5 - Such a good start to this anthology! Ashton the jaded, world-weary movie star versus Alaina the hot-headed paparazzi photographer with a heart of gold. With likeable, well-rounded characters, a nod to the only one bed trope and some smoking hot sex scenes, this was a classic E2L story that I absolutely loved. The ending in particular was superb - it had a real romcom movie feel to it.
Choking on Flowers by Imogen Markwell-Tweed
4/5 - Elle the florist can't stand Jasper the tatooist, who happens to be her workplace landlord. She also starts off oblivious to the fact that he's the one attaching sweet little notes to the collar of her (hilarious and sweet) cat Flow. The passion between these two artistic souls was great. I didn't quite connect to them as much as some of the characters in the other stories, but I still really enjoyed it.
Too Hot by Wendy Dalrymple
4/5 - Word of advice - have a snack to hand when reading this story because the amazing food descriptions will make you drool! This was a hot, slow burn, slow realisation E2L relationship between two thoroughly likeable characters, Mariella and Damien. They were both adorable. I was rooting for them all the way through this story, which also cemented my love for potatoes in all their cooked forms. Loved it.
Sweet Heat by Bria James
4/5 - I sometimes struggle with second chance love stories because my cynical side refuses to believe they can overcome whatever horrible thing broke them up in the first place. That was not an issue at all with this one. From the moment it started, the pining, passion and emotion between Allegra and Jude was utterly convincing and you just knew they were meant to be together. This was beautifully written from start to finish and I actually gave a little cheer at the end. Fabulous.
Not So Neighbourly by Moira Scott
5/5 - Oh. My. Gosh. Words can't describe how much I loved this, but I'm going to try. First off: it's so refreshing to read about MCs aged 50+, who know exactly who they are and what they like, both in and out of bed. Second: individually both characters were incredibly likeable and appealing - Beth was so relatable and Sam, oh Sam, is there anything hotter than a cinnamon roll in the streets, alpha in the sheets? Third: puppies!!!!! You simply can't go wrong with doggos. This story actually made me cry at one point
A Brief Romance by Noel Stevens
4/5 - UK representing here, yay! This is set in London, an interesting and fun E2L romance between a solicitor and a barrister. Romance aside, the author managed to include the perfect amount of info about the legal aspect of the story without bogging down the plot with too much detail. Saffie was feisty, funny and very lovable, and Hugh, bless him, was just an adorable dork. I loved Saffie's meddling best friends, too, they were very funny. Super enjoyable story.
Tipsy On You by Anna Volkin
4/5 - Silviu is the ex-boyfriend of Diana's best friend, so Diana is furious when they're seated next to each other at a wedding. Their banter and snark is great and there's a hilarious moment with a glow in the dark condom, but I didn't completely connect to it and I couldn't figure out why until the end, when it was revealed that
His Roommate's Girl by Sarah Nicolle
4/5 - After a one-night-stand with Adrienne which ended with him sneaking out, Tyson is not happy when she starts dating his roommate Isaiah. Tyson spends a lot of this story pining, snapping and moping after Adrienne as he quickly realises he made a mistake letting her go - and I don't blame him as she's a fabulously confident, wonderful character. This was told from Tyson's POV and boy does he come across as a d*ck at times, but nowhere near as much as Isaiah - at least Tyson tries to grow as a person as the story develops, and becomes just about worthy of the awesome Adrienne in the end.
More...