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Reviews tagging 'Violence'
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
76 reviews
adventurous
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am quite literally obsessed with Brigitte's writing style and ability to write banter. This was such an enjoyable read in terms of getting to know these characters. I'd say it was equally plot and character driven, and I'm actually hoping she writes more?? Like the end was kind of open and I would be obsessed with reading more about these two and this entire world she has built. Also, I've added so many words to my vocabulary because of this book!!
- enemies to lovers (ish)
- slow burn
This is definitely a romance book, but the romance is very subtle, builds over time, and the ending might be a little different than what you are used to with romance books in the genre right now.
I am quite literally obsessed with Brigitte's writing style and ability to write banter. This was such an enjoyable read in terms of getting to know these characters. I'd say it was equally plot and character driven, and I'm actually hoping she writes more?? Like the end was kind of open and I would be obsessed with reading more about these two and this entire world she has built. Also, I've added so many words to my vocabulary because of this book!!
- enemies to lovers (ish)
- slow burn
This is definitely a romance book, but the romance is very subtle, builds over time, and the ending might be a little different than what you are used to with romance books in the genre right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Murder
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Do you ever read a book that makes you fall back in love with reading? This book did that for me.
I wanted to consume this as quickly as possible but I also wanted to savour every word because I knew that I could only this for the first time once.
I started this knowing that it’s a Dramione fic and I haven’t actually read a fic to book before so I didn’t know if it would be obvious or not. From the first chapter it was clear that a lot of work went into making these characters their own and the setting was so unique, that I completely forgot after awhile about its origins.
Since Aurienne is a Haelan (a healer) and Oscric is a Fyren (assassin for hire), there is a lot of interesting terminology used throughout. I found myself highlighting loads of words that either I hadn’t heard before or wasn’t sure of the definition. After about three chapters, it’s quite easier to get over this aspect and you can see how it adds to the charm of the story.
At times, the banter between characters and the descriptions of their own thoughts reminded me of the humour in The Princess Bride. It’s that outrageously silly way that characters say what they mean and how they see the world for what it is. I enjoyed this because I find that I don’t come across that kind of writing often enough.
I would recommend this for anyone that is looking for a really good enemies to lovers where the characters are actually enemies. This is for you if you’re looking for great world building, descriptive writing, witty banter, and intriguing characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and LittleBrownBooks for sending me an advanced reader copy.
I wanted to consume this as quickly as possible but I also wanted to savour every word because I knew that I could only this for the first time once.
I started this knowing that it’s a Dramione fic and I haven’t actually read a fic to book before so I didn’t know if it would be obvious or not. From the first chapter it was clear that a lot of work went into making these characters their own and the setting was so unique, that I completely forgot after awhile about its origins.
Since Aurienne is a Haelan (a healer) and Oscric is a Fyren (assassin for hire), there is a lot of interesting terminology used throughout. I found myself highlighting loads of words that either I hadn’t heard before or wasn’t sure of the definition. After about three chapters, it’s quite easier to get over this aspect and you can see how it adds to the charm of the story.
At times, the banter between characters and the descriptions of their own thoughts reminded me of the humour in The Princess Bride. It’s that outrageously silly way that characters say what they mean and how they see the world for what it is. I enjoyed this because I find that I don’t come across that kind of writing often enough.
I would recommend this for anyone that is looking for a really good enemies to lovers where the characters are actually enemies. This is for you if you’re looking for great world building, descriptive writing, witty banter, and intriguing characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and LittleBrownBooks for sending me an advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Minor: Body horror
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First and foremost I must thank NetGalley for approving my request literally five minutes after I pressed the button. I honestly did not expect you to approve it that fast, so a big smooch for you.
5/5 for everything
Probably too high of expectations going in but if I hate something, I will hate it.
Now the review – attempted to keep spoiler free, please let me know if it's not because I know some of you HATE that.
(Cross-posted on Fable and Goodreads)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Title: The Ganglion and the Fusspot
I remember when I first read DMATMOBIL in 2023 when I was avoiding (ironically) my Ethics in research class prep because it sucked. While I can obviously see the writing of Brigitte and how it hasn't really changed since that fic was published, this book is soooo not that. Yes, there are parts of the story that have come from DMATMOBIL but Brigitte has obviously made it her own world and incorporated her own magic system into this world whilst still having some nice callbacks to her roots. (e.g. the pink, heart-shaped glasses on a skull)
I will admit that when I saw how close to the end I saw the book was and I started speaking to my Kindle as though Brigitte was trapped in there writing it for me, I wasn't disappointed, frustrated yes – slow burn do be slow burning – but I will definitely read this again (a lot probably, definitely). I really liked how well the chemistry was between all of the characters (platonic and otherwise). While I would've liked to be frustrated with a single POV and second-guess myself with the classic "does she...? no? yes?", I LOVED the dual POV and the second-guessing of myself at certain points and honestly I haven't felt that from a new book in ages.
To go back to Brigitte's writing style. Oh hell yes, she writes like she has rewatched Easy A (first film that I could think of that had the same speech style) a billion times with how the banter goes back and forth, honestly, I kept giggling way too loudly and the walls looked upon my chaotic nature with far more concern than inanimate objects should have.
I loved the adventure that they had to go on, the disgust they have for each other (almost as much as I have for them 😏) is palpable and is, for sure, a fine line that they are honestly leaping across like they are in the Olympics and aiming for a gold medal.
Additionally, I'm so excited to see where they go and what Brigitte is going to do to hurt me in the future with the brick wall she kissed and lovingly built before she drove over me with the cement mixer.
I'm so excited to see where she goes in the future, she is for sure an instant buy which WILL hurt my bank account.
And now I am going to consume other content to forget basically everything until the official Irresistible arrives through my postbox and wakes me from my slumber like I am Nosferatu.
Some honourable mentions of what I wrote in my notes app whilst reading – in no particular order:
— The Irresistible Urge to Give Brigitte a Phat Smooch on the Forehead
— I feel like Aurienne was that one meme of Charlie from Always Sunny smoking with the board in the background trying to figure out how to solve Osric’s issues
— That’s what the fork’s for — hawt
— haha don't die ur so sexy
— Brigitte, Ill say it again - IM IN YOUR WALLS PLEASE PLEAAAAAAAASSSSSEEEEE
— 🫱(‿✝️‿)🫲
— Is it bribery if I beg and offer you money for a sequel implanted into my mind now?
5/5 for everything
Probably too high of expectations going in but if I hate something, I will hate it.
Now the review – attempted to keep spoiler free, please let me know if it's not because I know some of you HATE that.
(Cross-posted on Fable and Goodreads)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Title: The Ganglion and the Fusspot
I remember when I first read DMATMOBIL in 2023 when I was avoiding (ironically) my Ethics in research class prep because it sucked. While I can obviously see the writing of Brigitte and how it hasn't really changed since that fic was published, this book is soooo not that. Yes, there are parts of the story that have come from DMATMOBIL but Brigitte has obviously made it her own world and incorporated her own magic system into this world whilst still having some nice callbacks to her roots. (e.g. the pink, heart-shaped glasses on a skull)
I will admit that when I saw how close to the end I saw the book was and I started speaking to my Kindle as though Brigitte was trapped in there writing it for me, I wasn't disappointed, frustrated yes – slow burn do be slow burning – but I will definitely read this again (a lot probably, definitely). I really liked how well the chemistry was between all of the characters (platonic and otherwise). While I would've liked to be frustrated with a single POV and second-guess myself with the classic "does she...? no? yes?", I LOVED the dual POV and the second-guessing of myself at certain points and honestly I haven't felt that from a new book in ages.
To go back to Brigitte's writing style. Oh hell yes, she writes like she has rewatched Easy A (first film that I could think of that had the same speech style) a billion times with how the banter goes back and forth, honestly, I kept giggling way too loudly and the walls looked upon my chaotic nature with far more concern than inanimate objects should have.
I loved the adventure that they had to go on, the disgust they have for each other (almost as much as I have for them 😏) is palpable and is, for sure, a fine line that they are honestly leaping across like they are in the Olympics and aiming for a gold medal.
Additionally, I'm so excited to see where they go and what Brigitte is going to do to hurt me in the future with the brick wall she kissed and lovingly built before she drove over me with the cement mixer.
I'm so excited to see where she goes in the future, she is for sure an instant buy which WILL hurt my bank account.
And now I am going to consume other content to forget basically everything until the official Irresistible arrives through my postbox and wakes me from my slumber like I am Nosferatu.
Some honourable mentions of what I wrote in my notes app whilst reading – in no particular order:
— The Irresistible Urge to Give Brigitte a Phat Smooch on the Forehead
— I feel like Aurienne was that one meme of Charlie from Always Sunny smoking with the board in the background trying to figure out how to solve Osric’s issues
— That’s what the fork’s for — hawt
— haha don't die ur so sexy
— Brigitte, Ill say it again - IM IN YOUR WALLS PLEASE PLEAAAAAAAASSSSSEEEEE
— 🫱(‿✝️‿)🫲
— Is it bribery if I beg and offer you money for a sequel implanted into my mind now?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Brigette and have since DMATMOOBIL but I could've done with 90% less crude body humor. Became repetitive and distracting. I'm still going to read the next one though as the ending had less of that and more plot movement that was really interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First off, thank you to Goodreads giveaways and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC of this book!
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, Murder
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment