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The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

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The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

Dearly Beloathed (Related to this series)

Publisher
Little, Brown Book Group
Publish Date
8 July 2025
Run Time
11 hours 38 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Rating
5.0 (1 review)

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What to expect

'Utterly unique, hilarious, swoony beyond my wildest dreams! This book is an instant classic and a true masterpiece, it took my breath away and made my heart explode' Ali Hazelwood

***THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ***

A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an exquisite fantasy world, perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, is in dire need of healing. Naturally - such is the grim comedy of fate - the only healer who can help is Aurienne Fairhrim, preeminent scientist, bastion of moral good, and member of an enemy Order.

Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick - so desperate that, when Osric bribes her to help him, she accepts, even if she detests him and everything he stands for.

A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders, much to Aurienne's disgust. As Osric and Aurienne work together to heal his illness and investigate the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction, which only fuels the heat between them.

Tropes include:
Enemies-to-lovers
High interaction slow burn
Hypercompetent idiots
He falls first and harder
Slaughter as a love language

Praise for The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy:

'Sworn enemies, underhanded shenanigans, dazzling magic and delicious romantic tension make this a witty, wonderful gem. Whether you're Team Aurienne (she of the incandescent brilliance) or Team Osric (he of the magnificent cheekbones) or just Team Would You Two Just Kiss Already, I promise you'll love this' Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

'Brilliant and wildly imaginative, with a delicious forbidden romance set in a fascinating fantasy world. Knightley is a remarkable talent, weaving together witty comedy, slow-burn longing, and heart-wrenchingly poetic imagery' Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

'With the most wickedly delicious banter, Brigitte Knightley is sure to become your next favourite author. This had all the things I love most: a slow-burn romance that hurts so good, truly agonizing enemies-to-lovers, with a twisty mystery at its core' Julie Soto, author of Forget Me Not

'Brigitte Knightley is such a wonderfully talented writer with a unique voice and a real genius for banter. Anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers romantasy, will surely adore The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy!' India Holton author of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

'The slow burn romance of my dreams. Whip smart, creative, and brimming with banter and wit . . . both the hero and heroine had me laughing and shouting to just kiss already. This one is a rare delight' Isabel Ibañez, author of What the River Knows

'Utterly unique and delightful, this is the perfect romantasy for those who like their villains (and heroes) with a touch of murder, thievery, and questionable morals. Sexy and hilarious with dry-as-bone humour, Knightley's writing is not to be missed' Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask

'This debut boasts gorgeously-written, vivid settings, a unique magic system and fresh fantasy world, razor-sharp wit, and graceful characterization. In short, Knightley's debut is nothing short of irresistible itself' Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda

Critics Review

  • Utterly unique, hilarious, swoony beyond my wildest dreams! This book is an instant classic and a true masterpiece, and I've never read anything like it. Like a warm hug, that also made me laugh, and also took my breath away and made my heart explode. It's like the author took every single trope I adore and executed them in the most perfect way. A magnificent book, and I cannot wait for it to become everyone's favourite and to bring them as much joy as it brought me!

    Ali Hazelwood

  • Brilliant and wildly imaginative, with a delicious forbidden romance set in a fascinating fantasy world. Knightley is a remarkable talent, weaving together witty comedy, slow-burn longing, and heart-wrenchingly poetic imagery

    Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

  • With the most wickedly delicious banter, Brigitte Knightley is sure to become your next favourite author. This had all the things I love most: a slow-burn romance that hurts so good, truly agonizing enemies-to-lovers, with a twisty mystery at its core

    Julie Soto, author of Forget Me Not

  • The slow burn romance of my dreams. Whip smart, creative, and brimming with banter and wit . . . both the hero and heroine had me laughing and shouting to just kiss already. This one is a rare delight

    Isabel Ibañez, author of What the River Knows

See more reviews
  • This debut boasts gorgeously-written, vivid settings, a unique magic system and fresh fantasy world, razor-sharp wit, and graceful characterization. In short, Knightley's debut is nothing short of irresistible itself'

    Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda

  • Brigitte Knightley is such a wonderfully talented writer with a unique voice and a real genius for banter. Anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers romantasy, will surely adore The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy!

    India Holton author of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

  • This is the perfect romantasy for those who like their villains (and heroes) with a touch of murder, thievery, and questionable morals. Sexy and hilarious with dry-as-bone humour, Knightley's writing is not to be missed

    Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask

  • A goddamn delight in every sentence. I cackled, I swooned, I was filled with bitter jealousy over Brigitte Knightley's voice and prose. Read this if you have taste!

    Yulin Kuang

  • Sworn enemies, underhanded shenanigans, dazzling magic and delicious romantic tension make this a witty, wonderful gem. Whether you're Team Aurienne (she of the incandescent brilliance) or Team Osric (he of the magnificent cheekbones) or just Team Would You Two Just Kiss Already, I promise you'll love this

    Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

User Reviews

Book 5.0

Narration 5.0

  • 5.0 5.0

    So funny and clever. I enjoyed the world building and the characters too. The glossary would have been more handy at the start of the audio book. I look forward to more in the series.

    dizzydyslexic 2026-02-22

Details

Author
Brigitte Knightley
Narrator
Heather Long, Thomas Judd
Duration
11 hours 38 minutes
Release Date
8 July 2025
ISBN
9781405564311
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Little, Brown Book Group
Genre
Fantasy romance / Romantic fantasy, Romance: fantasy and paranormal
Rating
5.0(1 review)
Narration
5.0(1 review)

Synopsis

'Utterly unique, hilarious, swoony beyond my wildest dreams! This book is an instant classic and a true masterpiece, it took my breath away and made my heart explode' Ali Hazelwood***THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ***A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an exquisite fantasy world, perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, is in dire need of healing. Naturally - such is the grim comedy of fate - the only healer who can help is Aurienne Fairhrim, preeminent scientist, bastion of moral good, and member of an enemy Order. Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick - so desperate that, when Osric bribes her to help him, she accepts, even if she detests him and everything he stands for. A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders, much to Aurienne's disgust. As Osric and Aurienne work together to heal his illness and investigate the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction, which only fuels the heat between them.Tropes include:Enemies-to-loversHigh interaction slow burnHypercompetent idiotsHe falls first and harderSlaughter as a love languagePraise for The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy:'Sworn enemies, underhanded shenanigans, dazzling magic and delicious romantic tension make this a witty, wonderful gem. Whether you're Team Aurienne (she of the incandescent brilliance) or Team Osric (he of the magnificent cheekbones) or just Team Would You Two Just Kiss Already, I promise you'll love this' Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches'Brilliant and wildly imaginative, with a delicious forbidden romance set in a fascinating fantasy world. Knightley is a remarkable talent, weaving together witty comedy, slow-burn longing, and heart-wrenchingly poetic imagery' Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon'With the most wickedly delicious banter, Brigitte Knightley is sure to become your next favourite author. This had all the things I love most: a slow-burn romance that hurts so good, truly agonizing enemies-to-lovers, with a twisty mystery at its core' Julie Soto, author of Forget Me Not'Brigitte Knightley is such a wonderfully talented writer with a unique voice and a real genius for banter. Anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers romantasy, will surely adore The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy!' India Holton author of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love'The slow burn romance of my dreams. Whip smart, creative, and brimming with banter and wit . . . both the hero and heroine had me laughing and shouting to just kiss already. This one is a rare delight' Isabel Ibañez, author of What the River Knows'Utterly unique and delightful, this is the perfect romantasy for those who like their villains (and heroes) with a touch of murder, thievery, and questionable morals. Sexy and hilarious with dry-as-bone humour, Knightley's writing is not to be missed' Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask 'This debut boasts gorgeously-written, vivid settings, a unique magic system and fresh fantasy world, razor-sharp wit, and graceful characterization. In short, Knightley's debut is nothing short of irresistible itself' Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda

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