Review by chelsbels - The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

chelsbels 's review for:

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-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: Yes

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigette Knightley

Is Immersive.

We follow two people from juxtaposed magical orders as they both try to come out a winner in what starts out as a transactional relationship, but their relationship soon turns into a quest to understand a deadly outbreak infecting mostly children uncovering those that wish to see it continued. Of course, being beautiful, smart and equally arrogant from being the best of the best, they start to feel attraction for one another. Pursued quickly, as if by a bear, by disgust for one another and themselves.

Some fanfic fiends may know this author and enemies to lovers storyline from Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love. However this novel stands outside that of the Harry Potter world. Knightley does a decent job world building and finding ways magic can work without wands, Apparition, flow networks and portkeys. They do an even better job to remove the animosity from school yard building and a racist war, by creating magical orders of basically the killers and healers living in a semi dukedom Europe.

All together it becomes a bit muddled at points. We lose the understanding of these characters' inner lives and upbringing, we get lost in the explaining of the world rather than in the quest and romance. All the foundational stuff leaves you questioning. What time period is this, they talk about London, but the use of oil lamps, they seem to have no taboo about sex, women healers, but talk about ball gowns, ankles showing, servants, the nouveaux rich, and unclaimed bastards. It sort of makes one question and thus pulls one out of the story. How do they talk about cream pies and oil lamps or walking as transport at the same time?

Regardless of this shaky world building the story is good, and vastly different that those who enjoyed the fan fic will be entertained. I’m excited for the second novel, as Knightley is a very good comedic writer with a sizzle. Much more haha romance than steamy but still sex positive, and not in a YA off page style, rather full on descriptive scenes even if it was just solo sessions.

This novel is for anyone who is ready for a funny adventure novel, not just those who read the fan fic.

Content Warnings