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The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

By Brigitte Knightley
Series: Dearly Beloathed
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3.83 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 24,760 ratings, 7,626 reviews)
Brief Description
‘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 A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3199
Elsewhere:
$3799
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From a fanfiction sensation with over 3 million reads comes a debut a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance set in an exquisite fantasy world, perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
‘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

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:

‘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 Ibanez, author of What the River Knows

Lists

Romantasy reads that deserve more hype

Series: Dearly Beloathed

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  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
    ‘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 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...
    By Brigitte Knightley
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    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
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  • The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy
    'Sworn enemies, dazzling magic and delicious romantic tension make this a witty, wonderful gem' — Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. In this swoony, witty and heart-stoppingly romantic sequel to instant Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy, the stakes are high, the love is forbidden and...
    By Brigitte Knightley
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    Elsewhere:
    $3799
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  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    This deluxe, first-edition trade paperback of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy will feature beautifully stencilled edges and captivating interior endpaper art! Loyalties are tested in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or, worse, fall in...
    By Brigitte Knightley
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  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
    ‘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...
    By Brigitte Knightley
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Loyalties are tested in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or, worse, fall in love. This stunning hardcover features a cover with foil, beautifully designed endpapers, and a black-and-white interior map! When...
    By Brigitte Knightley
    Hardback
    $7300
    Available
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780356524740

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 July 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Orbit

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 502g

Pages: 416

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Brigitte Knightley Cosy Fantasy Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books New Release Fiction Romance Romantasy (Fantasy Romance) Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: Dearly Beloathed

About the Author

Brigitte's modus operandi is to write what she wants to read: enemies-to-lovers romances that put the unresolved back in UST. Her work is enjoyed by fans of slow burns, tongue-in-cheek romcoms, and suffering.

Also by Brigitte Knightley

View all
  • The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy
    'Sworn enemies, dazzling magic and delicious romantic tension make this a witty, wonderful gem' — Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. In this swoony, witty and heart-stoppingly romantic sequel to instant Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy, the stakes are high, the love is forbidden and...
    By Brigitte Knightley
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    This deluxe, first-edition trade paperback of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy will feature beautifully stencilled edges and captivating interior endpaper art! Loyalties are tested in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or, worse, fall in...
    By Brigitte Knightley
    Paperback
    $6000
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
    ‘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...
    By Brigitte Knightley
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pre-order
    Hedgewitch
    Dive into this a captivating, standalone, enemies-to-lovers romantasy from the queen of slow burn, Brigitte Knightley, author of the global bestseller The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy.  To be invisible is to be safe. After centuries of persecution, The Hedgewitch Order have hidden the true extent of their powers and cultivated an image as harmless mushroom- harvesters. So it comes...
    By Brigitte Knightley
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    Out 17 Aug 2027
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
    AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Loyalties are tested in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or, worse, fall in love. This stunning hardcover features a cover with foil, beautifully designed endpapers, and a black-and-white interior map! When...
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