romance book review |

Enemies to lovers novels are like marmite – either you love them or you hate them. A lot of people find them super cheesy and unrealistic, but for me, I am an absolute sucker for them. And this, my friends, is perhaps my favourite enemies to lovers story that I have ever read. A bold statement, but true.

I posted about this book on my Instagram back in 2021 as it was my number one book that I read in 2020, and four years later it still sits firmly in my top 10 books of all time. There are very few books which I devour so quickly, or capture my attention so much that I can’t put them down, but this folks and friends, was one of them. I loved everything about it. It was beautifully witty, hilarious, and I found myself physically laughing from cover to cover.

One of the things that I liked most about this book is that it’s written in the first person, from the point of view of the main protagonist, Lucy, which really connects the reader with the character. The way she describes her love/hate relationship with Joshua is so real and expertly crafted that you become so immersed in their love story that it becomes entirely possible to forget that these two human beings only exist on paper. From the very minute you begin reading you are begging, pleading, and yearning for these two characters to realise their love for one another.

Though, I will admit that this novel is a slow burn. Like… a really slow burn to the point where you’re physically itching with anticipation. But the payoff is so good and makes it all worth it. The love/hate relationship/game between Lucy and Josh is one of those romantic archetypes which we love to see but don’t dare admit, and something which can be incredibly difficult for writers to achieve successfully – but Sally Thorne executes it perfectly.

But, perhaps my favourite thing about this book is that it never actually states where the story is taking place. When I started reading I assumed that it was New York City because it had that particular feel, but in actual fact the location is never stated. I think that is what makes this story so wonderful because ultimately it could be set in any city, in any corner of the world; and it is down to the reader to use their imagination about where that might be – perhaps someone near them!

I think it is very rare to have nothing bad to say about a book – not even a small criticism – but personally, with my preferences, I am struggling to find things that I didn’t like. I don’t think I will ever be able to find the right amount of words to be able to describe how much I loved this book, but I think about it often.

Note: Yes, I have also seen the movie; yes, I loved it; but no, I have yet to write a post about it. I’m thinking about writing a book vs film comparison when I get the time, but I think I need to rewatch the film again before I do so!

Favourite Quotes:

✨ ‘Books were, and always would be, something a little magic, and something to respect.’

✨ ‘Watching you pretend to hate the nickname is the best part of my day.’

✨ ‘I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them. I’ve had a lot of time to compare love and hate, and these are my observations. Love and hate are visceral. Your stomach twists at the thought of that person. The heart in your chest beats heavy and bright, nearly visible through your flesh and clothes. Your appetite and sleep are shredded. Every interaction spikes your blood with adrenaline and you’re in the brink of fight or flight. Your body is barely under your control. You’re consumed and it scares you. Both love and hate are mirror versions of the same game – and you have to win. Why? Your heart and your ego. Trust me, I should know.’

✨ ‘I want to know what’s going on in your brain. I want to juice your head like a lemon.’

✨ ‘All I want to do is kiss you until I fall asleep. I want to slide in between your sheets, and find out what goes on inside your head and underneath your clothes. I want to make a fool of myself over you.’

✨ ‘I love strawberries. I’m so lovesick, I eat them constantly. Can I nickname you Shortcake? It’ll be a dead giveaway that I love you’

✨ ‘Maybe the only way to truly unite people is through battle and pain. Confrontation and competition. Maybe surviving something is the point.’

✨ ‘Brute, raw masculinity contrasted with gentleness is the most attractive thing on earth.’

✨ ‘You look like a hot virginal dork who’s been defiled in the backseat of my car.’

✨ ‘You love him. You love him. You always have. More than you’ve ever hated him. Every day, staring at this man, knowing every color and expression and nuance. Every game you’ve ever played has been to engage with him. Talk to him. Feel his eyes on you. To try to make him notice you.’

✨ ‘I always thought you’d live underground somewhere, near the earth’s core.’ / ‘Uncle Satan didn’t have any apartments available in my price range.’

This book… this book… I could rave about this book until the cows come home! I absolutely adored it.

I’ll admit that it took me a good few pages to get into, but once I completed the first chapter I was absolutely hooked – so much so that I read it in two days

I think there are some books that are just pure enjoyment, and if I could, I would bottle up the joy this book gave me and I would keep it forever. It had be laughing from start to finish and contains some of the best banter between two people that I have ever read – it was absolutely perfect and hilarious.

Minnie was such a well-rounded character. I definitely saw a lot of myself in her as she was constantly finding herself in awkward and uncomfortable situations, and I know exactly how that feels, as sometimes I am a walking, talking embarrassing moment waiting to happen! But, I thought that this just added to her quirkiness and loveability, and I only with that Minnie was a real person because I think I want to be her best friend.

When it comes to romance books I can be quite picky with the writing, as it’s very easy to over-explain, under-explain or simply make things ridiculously cheesy… but I needn’t have worried with this as the writing was so well done. The small details and breadcrumbs that Sophie Cousens leaves throughout are impeccable and I audibly gasped when the lightbulb moment happened in my brain regarding the brandy creme patisserie scenario! I did not see that coming whatsoever, and it was such an excellent twist! The romance was excellent, well thought out, and not cliche in the slightest.

I also love the fact that this story takes place in 2020, though an entirely different 2020 than the one all of us experienced. Somewhere in a parallel universe, where Covid never existed, Minnie and Quinn’s romance exists.

This was such a feed-good story from start to finish, and if you’re going to read anything over the festive season, then make it this.

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Note: there is also apparently a film adaptation in the works for this book, so I am very excited to see what it’s like! I feel like the problem with adaptations is that what they bring to life on screen rarely looks like what I envisioned in my head, so I often find myself disappointed… but, I’m holding out hope that this film will be a good one – especially if it retains all of the wonderful humour and banter that makes this book so perfect!

Favourite lines:

✨ ‘If you lived in a city for long enough, Minnie thought, the streets and places where life happens fold inwards like paper, making space for new memories. Yet visiting old haunts and a long forgotten road was like stretching the concertina out again – the memories leap out, fresh as the day you folded them away.’

✨ ‘All you can hope for is to do more good than harm in this life.’

✨ Minnie let out an involuntary high-pitched noise. She clutched a hand over her mouth, turning the sound into a strangled sort of sneeze.’

✨ ‘No one’s too small to make a difference; just ask Greta Thunberg.’

✨ ‘Better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you’re not.’
‘Profound,’ said Minnie. ‘Where did you read that – the back of a cereal packet?’

✨ ‘Life can’t just be about coupling up like yoghurts in a multi-pack.’

✨ ‘Don’t cry about something you wouldn’t cry about in five years time.’

✨ ‘Ah, Coco Nuts, we meet again. I see you have foiled my cunning plan to steal all the fruit in Fruitopolis.’

✨ ‘Be a good companion to yourself and you will never be lonely.’

✨ ‘She picked up a perfect red leaf from the ground, examining the intricate pattern of vessels mapping its thin surface. So beautiful, yet only created to last such a short time before its role on this planet was over, and it would decay into mulch. An unremarkable existence, and yet to look at it – how remarkable.’

✨ ‘Life is change – if nothing’s changing, you aren’t living.’