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alejandra_guerrero's review against another edition
3.0
The thing I don't like about antologies is that some of the stories inside are kind of good, but some are so bad they make my eyes bleed... Also, Is it enemies to lovers if only one hates the other? The only story where them both despise each other all of the enemies portion happen before the story started... so I didn't get the feeling either.
toomanyfingees's review against another edition
5.0
This book packs a lot between it's covers.
I was a little nervous about Enemies to Lovers as short stories; it's a trope that seemed, in my mind, better left to full novel treatment. But these stories for sure proved me wrong. Each story was short and steamy. The book also included a diverse set of authors, which I appreciated, and each story felt unique, I think, because of it.
I was a little nervous about Enemies to Lovers as short stories; it's a trope that seemed, in my mind, better left to full novel treatment. But these stories for sure proved me wrong. Each story was short and steamy. The book also included a diverse set of authors, which I appreciated, and each story felt unique, I think, because of it.
lizlucero's review
I really enjoyed this anthology. It was a lot of fun, and each author had a really different take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Plus, it introduced me to some new authors! I'm now going to look up Rebel Carter's entire backlist because her story was delightful and set the tone for the whole anthology.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
allyonlyreadsheas's review
5.0
Enemies to Lovers is one of my absolute favorite tropes, so you can imagine my excitement when this anthology was announced. A diverse, well-rounded collection of steamy enemies to lovers with lots of secret pining?? Yes please!
And let me tell you, every single one of these stories was very much my shit. From life-long rivals who discover just how thin the line between hate and love can be to terrible first impressions proven so very wrong, I was blown away by how much heart and depth was in each story. These were all new-to-me authors and I can't wait to read more from all of them!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
And let me tell you, every single one of these stories was very much my shit. From life-long rivals who discover just how thin the line between hate and love can be to terrible first impressions proven so very wrong, I was blown away by how much heart and depth was in each story. These were all new-to-me authors and I can't wait to read more from all of them!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
vwalklate's review
5.0
An anthology dedicated to my favourite trope - yes please! A fab collection of well written short stories, not a bad one in the bunch, I enjoyed them all. Individual reviews below (spoilers present but hopefully hidden):
SUGAR AND SPICE by Rebel Carter
4/5 - I'm not a fan of the fake marriage trope but I liked the characters and the Alaska setting. Daisy and Austin were both very sweet but also hilarious in their antics and conflict, the E2L theme was on point.I would've liked to have seen the impromptu baking competition on the page though, I was surprised that part was skipped over. I loved all the mention of cakes and bread :)
WORKS OF FRICTION by Marie Lipscomb
4.5/5 - Oh sweet, broken Ben. Oh sweet, fabulously confident Jess. I shipped this couple so hard from the start. The whole story was just *chef's kiss* E2L wonderfulness and it was great to see an older, divorced male MC. I'd happily read a full length book dedicated to their HEA epilogue, wouldn't even need a plot tbh, just more sex and humour and happiness (and alien erotica :-)) My joint favourite story.
CUL-DE-SAC CUPID by Lauren Connolly
4/5 - The author's story in the previous 'Only One Bed' anthology was one of my favourites so I was thrilled to see another member of the Buchanan family in this book as a prequel. The slow burn was great, and although I usually prefer dual POV in romance, this worked quite well from just Diana's side, as Melony didn't actually know they were enemies. It was nice to see Mel's siblings back on the page.
LOATHE TO LOVE by A. Perveen
4/5 - This was lovely! The 'best friend of my brother' trope isn't one of my favourites but this story was beautifully done with intricate worldbuilding and a big nod to the importance of family and friends, which always gets a thumbs up from me. I liked the touches of native dialogue (Urdu I think?), the parrot was adorable and I'm lowkey obsessed with Mahnoor's brother Mustafa, I hope we get to read his HEA in a future story!
QUEEN OF THIEVES by Natalia Andrews
4/5 - This had a dreamy, poetic quality that was very different to the others but lovely to read. I liked the historical aspect of the ruins and how the American setting held wild Irish and fiery Spanish touches. I wouldn't have known it was set in the fifties if it hadn't been explicitly stated, though.I'm also a bit iffy about the sea, so having both MCs fall in/go under at points was hard to read, even though it wasn't lingered on. But it was still a sweet story with a satisfying conclusion.
THE FLIP by Inga Gardner
4/5 stars - I loved Jackie's hands-on capability and how Ian wasn't threatened by that. The slow burn build up was great, as was the sex when they got there. Not sure aboutJackie's friend Maya forgetting their teenage vow to hate Ian forever - I reckon everyone remembers their teen angst stage in acute detail! - but all in all this was a great E2L story. I kind of want to flip a house now!
HARD TO SWALLOW by Emily Hemenway
4.5/5 - Ooh I do so love a suave Frenchman, especially one who can cook. This felt very quick, almost instalust-esq, but because the history between them was written so clearly, it absolutely worked. The descriptions of the food were melt-in-the-mouth amazing, the sex was hot and the little touches of French dialogue were great. Also loved the scene at the end, in his restaurant - nothing better than a hero admitting the heroine was right all along :-) My other joint favourite story!
SUGAR AND SPICE by Rebel Carter
4/5 - I'm not a fan of the fake marriage trope but I liked the characters and the Alaska setting. Daisy and Austin were both very sweet but also hilarious in their antics and conflict, the E2L theme was on point.
WORKS OF FRICTION by Marie Lipscomb
4.5/5 - Oh sweet, broken Ben. Oh sweet, fabulously confident Jess. I shipped this couple so hard from the start. The whole story was just *chef's kiss* E2L wonderfulness and it was great to see an older, divorced male MC. I'd happily read a full length book dedicated to their HEA epilogue, wouldn't even need a plot tbh, just more sex and humour and happiness (and alien erotica :-)) My joint favourite story.
CUL-DE-SAC CUPID by Lauren Connolly
4/5 - The author's story in the previous 'Only One Bed' anthology was one of my favourites so I was thrilled to see another member of the Buchanan family in this book as a prequel. The slow burn was great, and although I usually prefer dual POV in romance, this worked quite well from just Diana's side, as Melony didn't actually know they were enemies. It was nice to see Mel's siblings back on the page.
LOATHE TO LOVE by A. Perveen
4/5 - This was lovely! The 'best friend of my brother' trope isn't one of my favourites but this story was beautifully done with intricate worldbuilding and a big nod to the importance of family and friends, which always gets a thumbs up from me. I liked the touches of native dialogue (Urdu I think?), the parrot was adorable and I'm lowkey obsessed with Mahnoor's brother Mustafa, I hope we get to read his HEA in a future story!
QUEEN OF THIEVES by Natalia Andrews
4/5 - This had a dreamy, poetic quality that was very different to the others but lovely to read. I liked the historical aspect of the ruins and how the American setting held wild Irish and fiery Spanish touches. I wouldn't have known it was set in the fifties if it hadn't been explicitly stated, though.
THE FLIP by Inga Gardner
4/5 stars - I loved Jackie's hands-on capability and how Ian wasn't threatened by that. The slow burn build up was great, as was the sex when they got there. Not sure about
HARD TO SWALLOW by Emily Hemenway
4.5/5 - Ooh I do so love a suave Frenchman, especially one who can cook. This felt very quick, almost instalust-esq, but because the history between them was written so clearly, it absolutely worked. The descriptions of the food were melt-in-the-mouth amazing, the sex was hot and the little touches of French dialogue were great. Also loved the scene at the end, in his restaurant -
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