November 1, 2024
Jennifer Worth is a devoted fan of the "Elytheum Courts" series of romantasy novels, so she eagerly seizes the chance to attend a special immersion event for super fans like her. To her utter surprise, her work rival, Scott Daniels--who's never shown interest in the series--is also there. Their strained professional relationship has always been strictly business, but when they both join a high-stakes scavenger hunt, Jennifer begins to see a different side of Scott. He is no longer the rude coworker who only wants to engage in professional topics; now he seems to be flirting with her. As the competition intensifies, so does the chemistry between Jennifer and Scott, and they both realize that competing against each other has always been fun. Jennifer is left questioning whether their blossoming romance is as magical as the fantasy worlds she adores or if she's just tricking herself into believing things between them can last in the real world. VERDICT Readers who enjoyed Sally Thorne's The Hating Game will love this charming enemies-to-lovers story, and it will be adored by anyone who's passionate about their favorite book fandoms.--Ashli Wells
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 6, 2025
Married writing duo Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka (The Breakup Tour) beguile in this empathetic enemies-to-lovers romance. After book marketer Jennifer Worth ends her unsatisfying relationship, she decides to spend a week at an immersive fan experience based on her favorite romantic fantasy series, wanting an escape into a world where love is passionate and real. She’s shocked when she arrives to find her work nemesis, Scott Daniels, also in attendance and cosplaying as one of the men of her dreams. As they search for clues through the elaborate themed scavenger hunt, their constant sparring turns to white-hot attraction. Now Jennifer wonders if her own romantic fantasies, which she’s long dismissed as unrealistic, might be achievable after all—with the one person she least expected to fall for. The authors convincingly portray Jennifer’s romantic angst and Scott’s swoony attempts to woo her. A robust supporting cast rounds out the love story as Jennifer makes new friends who are all as obsessed with the series as she is and becomes embroiled in drama brewing among the experience’s actors. This is a treat.
February 1, 2025
Two workplace enemies begin to view each other in a different light when they both arrive at the same weeklong fandom event. Following a breakup she saw coming from miles away, Jennifer Worth books a ticket to a weeklong "immersive experience" for fans of Elytheum Courts, a bestselling romantasy series. She's gobsmacked to see that Scott Daniels, her nemesis at the publishing company where she works, is also in attendance, fully decked out in leather armor. Jennifer distinctly remembers Scott saying he was taking time off to attend a friend's wedding, but when confronted about the lie, Scott tells Jennifer she can leave if his presence is disturbing her. Part of the event is a scavenger hunt, and since Jennifer and Scott are seemingly unable to get out of each other's way--on the grounds, in the communal bathroom--they finally agree to put aside their differences and work together to solve the trail of clues. Jennifer is sick of experiencing swoony romance only in fiction, but she often feels like she's asking for too much in the way of courtship and passion in real life. Curiously, she seems to feel sparks when she's verbally sparring with Scott. This enemies-to-lovers romance taps into the tremendous sense of community that comes with being part of a fandom. Most of the characters are unabashed in their love for Elytheum Courts, and the event gives Jennifer the nudge she needs to walk away from the shame she carries about wanting to be swept off her feet. However, since we only get Jennifer's point of view, the narrative feels one-sided, especially given the many assumptions she makes about Scott and his motivations for attending the experience. The humor and warmth of fan communities feels carefully crafted here, though that care doesn't extend to the central romance. This celebration of fandom will appeal to readers passionately entrenched in similar communities.
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