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A review by tendercuriosity
My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas
5.0
A unique plot, riveting characters, and a heartfelt romance. That's what you can expect from My Beautiful Enemy.
First and foremost, I highly recommend you start with the prequel, The Hidden Blade. Although My Beautiful Enemy can be read as a standalone, understanding the background of Catherine's (Ying Ying's) turbulent childhood and Leighton's indirect connection with her gives the readers a greater insight on their characters. Trust me, I don't think it would have been the same for me if I skipped out on the prequel. Heads up though, the prequel is not a romance.
Moving forward!
The story alternates between past and present. The past was the most endearing part of the book for me. Cathrine and Leighton's meeting and their journey in an exotic backdrop was entirely engrossing and heartwarming. Leighton is absolutely charming. Historical romance heroes seem to be all the same to me (though all enjoyable) but Leighton is a certainly a keeper.
In the present, Catherine is in England on a mission to find jade tablets for her stepfather. She runs into Leighton, a British spy, after their long separation. Old feelings resurface, past misunderstandings mix with passion that the long years apart haven't diminished, and sparks ignite. But that's not all, there's an assassin from Catherine's past that is seeking revenge (you will know more about him if you read The Hidden Blade!), which forces Catherine and Leighton to put aside their hurt and anger to work together.
Full of action, adventure, and an unforgettable romance, My Beautiful Enemy is a delightfully unique historical romance that I would recommend to everyone looking for a fresh take on romance in the Victorian era.
First and foremost, I highly recommend you start with the prequel, The Hidden Blade. Although My Beautiful Enemy can be read as a standalone, understanding the background of Catherine's (Ying Ying's) turbulent childhood and Leighton's indirect connection with her gives the readers a greater insight on their characters. Trust me, I don't think it would have been the same for me if I skipped out on the prequel. Heads up though, the prequel is not a romance.
Moving forward!
The story alternates between past and present. The past was the most endearing part of the book for me. Cathrine and Leighton's meeting and their journey in an exotic backdrop was entirely engrossing and heartwarming. Leighton is absolutely charming. Historical romance heroes seem to be all the same to me (though all enjoyable) but Leighton is a certainly a keeper.
In the present, Catherine is in England on a mission to find jade tablets for her stepfather. She runs into Leighton, a British spy, after their long separation. Old feelings resurface, past misunderstandings mix with passion that the long years apart haven't diminished, and sparks ignite. But that's not all, there's an assassin from Catherine's past that is seeking revenge (you will know more about him if you read The Hidden Blade!), which forces Catherine and Leighton to put aside their hurt and anger to work together.
Full of action, adventure, and an unforgettable romance, My Beautiful Enemy is a delightfully unique historical romance that I would recommend to everyone looking for a fresh take on romance in the Victorian era.