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A review by oliverallen
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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)
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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