The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy

Dearly Beloathed #2

by Brigitte Knightley

The stakes are high, the love is forbidden, and the slow burn turns steamy in this swoony, witty, and heart-stoppingly romantic sequel to instant New York Times bestseller The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy.

Osric is a member of the Fyren Order, a guild of assassins who gleefully murder for money. Aurienne is a Haelan, a scholar-healer whose Order’s motto is Harm to none. Clear-cut absolutes separate them: good and bad, right and wrong, light and dark . . .

Until they don’t.

When Osric first bribed Aurienne to heal him, he never imagined those lines would begin to blur. But every healing session draws them closer together. He finds himself developing unwanted feelings for Aurienne as her capable hands heal his body—and his heart.

Aurienne’s perfect life has been flung into chaos in the form of a devastatingly handsome assassin. She should be in her research lab, not illicitly healing a Fyren every full moon—nor wrestling an attraction to him that threatens to slip into something else.

Things go superbly sideways when Osric and Aurienne discover more about the deadly Pox deliberately unleashed through the Tīendoms. The plague may be the work of another Order—an Order far nastier than either of them can handle.

As the lines between Osric and Aurienne continue to blur, the balance between peace and war, and love and hate, trembles, shifts, and hinges on a heartbeat.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Adult, Enemies To Lovers

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

Brigitte writes what she wants to read: enemies-to-lovers romances that put the unresolved back in UST. Her debut novel, THE IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO FALL FOR YOUR ENEMY, is coming out July 2025 (Berkley / Orbit UK).

Instagram: @brigitteknightley
Newsletter signups: brigitteknightley.com

Author illustration by @gingerhuneybee.

Reviews

[Nancy •͙͙✧⃝•͙͙✩ͯ (semi hiatus till 2027)]

So apparently they are sending out ARCs. Please let me get one. PLEASE.

******************************************

We have a cover. I REPEAT: We have a cover!
Now all I have to do is wait 8 more months for the BOOK.

Googles How to time travel to the future.

******************************************

I AM SCREAMING.

I WANT THIS BOOK AND I WANT IT NOW. What? I have to wait an entire YEAR for this? F***you. (I'm sorry I'm sorry I don't mean that)

[Angie]

UPDATE 2: I’ve started reading and omg I missed Aurienne and Osric so much 💕

Let the denial begin!!

-


UPDATE: I have an ARC 😭

-

This cover has me FERAL!!! Their hands are touching??? I’m SCREAMING!!! 🤩

PS: If anyone from the publisher or PR team sees this, just know I would die for an ARC. 🙈💕

[Liana Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

INFINITY STARS!!!!!!

FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW AFTER MY TRIP


The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy was hilarious. I had a great time and I absolutely devoured the slow burn tension. It was romantic and swoony. They were true ENEMIES but when Osric bribed Aurienne to heal him, he never expected the lines to blur. Now it's time for them to turn into LOVERS.




Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Bridgitte Knightley for an early ARC.

Publication date: July 7, 2026

[DianaRose]

hoorayyy i've got the arc! now i just have to read book one...

--

excited to read this one(despite not reading book one yet 🫣) and the cover is absolutely gorgina!!

[Noi (in & out)]

October 31st: we got a cover!
---------
Jul 28: Love that this is going to be a duology

[y ੯‧̀͡⬮]

drew barrymore laughing smiling in the rain gif

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🗡️ The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy 🗡️✨

💖💖 Osric & Aurienne Foreverrr 💖 💖

This. was. so. freaking. good.

It was magical, filled with dark whimsy and witty banter. Equal parts funny and poetic. They are both so over the top and ridiculous in the best way. Truly the antics in this book 😂😂😂

And the slow burn finally paid off. The spice was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and after finishing it, I’m giving it 6 stars. I’m so sad the duology is complete, but this was the perfect way to wrap it up. We truly need more duologies because this was perfection.

Read If You Love
🗡️ Assassin MMC
🌿 Healer FMC
💖 Enemies to lovers
💫 Forbidden romance
🤝 Forced proximity
🕯️ Plague mystery

_ _ _ _

⭐Final Score: 6 Stars
📅 Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Rachel Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 🌶️3

- Enemies-to-lovers
- Rom-com
- Magic systems
- Forced proximity
- Morally grey MMC
- Slow-burn

TETOLYE is the second book in the Dearly Beloved Duology, and we return right where book one leaves off. Aurienne continues to attempt to heal Osric’s rot in exchange for the funds needed to combat a devastating pox epidemic. As the two work side by side to unravel both his condition and the sinister origins of the pox, their reluctant alliance slowly begins to shift into something far more complicated. The closer they get to the truth, the closer they grow to each other and, in the process, they both begin to heal in ways neither of them expected…

TETOLYE has all the charm and fun that made me fall in love with this series in the first place, it’s such a satisfying and magical conclusion! The narrative voice is witty and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny throughout. The banter between Aurienne and Osric is brilliant, their dynamic has a perfect mix of tension and chemistry - once again delivering a fivestar enemies-to-lovers romance!

The world-building and magic system continues to be one of my favourite parts of the series , I was completely pulled back into Aurienne and Osric’s world. All the different factions and magical elements are set out and evolved so well without becoming overly heavy. The mystery surrounding the pox kept the stakes high and intriguing and the plot was easily just as gripping in book two as it is in book one.

The spice levels also definitely go up a notch in the second book - the slow burn was definitely worth the wait 🔥!

It perfectly balances cosy fantasy vibes, humour, romance, and moments of deeper emotional connection. Perfect for anyone who loves fantasy rom-coms with good banter, morally grey MCs, and slow-burn tension.

I can’t wait to see what Brigitte Knightley writes next!

Thank you so much to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC - I was genuinely so excited to see this land in my inbox!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No words could describe her, anyway, just as no words can capture the loveliness of sunlight on a petal.”

Feeling deeply unwell, over the best book I’ve ever read.

I spent an hour, sobbing, when I realized I was down to the last 40 pages, because I was so sad at the prospect of it being over. Days later and I’m still not over it. Will I ever read a book this good, again? Maybe, if Brigitte writes it.

I have described Brigitte’s writing as Pride & Prejudice with dick jokes and it has never been more true than in Exquisite Torment. She has out Austen-ed herself. I am in awe.

There is yearning, and there is Yearning. It’s masterful, how she gave us two diametrically opposed opposites in Osric & Aurienne, and so carefully, so patiently, brought them together. Here, the slow burn continues to patiently simmer, with incredible “just kidding I hate you” steps back & delicious payoff that will have you SCREAMING. I was barking, like Osric’s 8 dogs, over some of these scenes.

The symbolism and imagery in her writing, too, is insane. I have 10+ scenes I need art of. She paints these gorgeously vivid and thematic and meaningful descriptions of between-places and it’s all so stunningly visual it feels worthy of the Louvre.

The world is even richer and sharper, as is the theology and the magic and the politicking.

I adored every single plot beat. Some choices truly surprised me, in the best way.

The jokes, too, work even better. I laughed harder than I have in EONS. She is the funniest human.

Add to that (hyper specific trope edition):
- Retrievers who do not retrieve
- Crashing birthday parties
- Would shove in a lake—(murdery) and (affectionate)
- Petty thievery to be petty
- Botanicals not suitable for fleeing danger
- Oh how dare you, no, I think I hate you again
- I can fix him (no really I can’t)
- A laundromat’s worth of quashing
- Annual yearnings are way up
- She’s bisexual, he’s try-sexual
- Jewelry for her but actually for him
- Obsessed with her curls
- Inappropriate use of [redacted]
- Only one bed (in only one suite) ((in only one penthouse))
- My wife (disbelieving)
- Dinner at the opera

& you have, quite literally, the PERFECT book.

However many copies you have preordered of this one—double it.

The real Exquisite Torment is that perfectly satiated emptiness that comes, at the end, realizing you’ll never follow Osric & Aurienne for the first time again.

The easiest ♾️⭐️ ever. Thank you Ace for publishing this, and for the early copy.

[sonia]

THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this even more than I thought I would

magic meets whimsy meets enemies to lovers meets man down bad meets fucking CUTE okay

I haven’t been in the reading mood for most of March & this duology single handedly revived me. It’s fast paced, fun, packed with banter and *most importantly* super lighthearted!!

I’ve been burnt out on romantasy for awhile bc everything just feels so dramatic (how many times can I read about the world ending or an evil monarch needing to be over thrown before I slip into melancholy?? the answer - not many!!)

rapid fire thoughts:
- so unique compared to other romantasy stories
- lighthearted & so easy to read
- similar whimsy style as the Antiquarians Object of Desire aka another 5 star read
- a dramatic man (affectionate)
- normally I don’t like when MMCs are super talkative but Osric is charm incarnate!!!!
- I could see this story playing in my head like a movie which is so rare for me

for the readers wanting more whimsy in their life!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Proporcionado por BookUp
¿Qué obra maestra fue este libro? Maravilloso. De mis mejores lecturas del año (creo que va en top 1). Si no les gustó la primera parte, it’s ok, yo tampoco fui muy fan… pero este libro te da todo lo que te imaginas y más. Cuando hablo de enemies to lovers, This Is What I’m Talking about.

Lo acabo de terminar y tengo ganas de volverlo a leer…

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible, delightful, superb, stupendous, amazing, charming, emotional, wonderful, and just quite lovely. need 8 more Brigitte books in my life stat

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this book (3.5 stars). Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Knightley does an amazing job with character chemistry and banter. The humour is one of my favourite aspects of this book. I often found myself laughing out loud. If you’re looking for fun, banter, and vibes this is for you.

This book, however, is a bit weak in worldbuilding and plot. The overall plot and conflict in the background of this story, simmering beneath the romance of Osric and Aurienne, I felt was weak and ultimately not the best match in tone to the rest of this book. Personally I would’ve preferred of the author leaned fully into the romcom, fun, frothy aspect of the story and swapped out the underlying worldly conflict with something else. The Dreor order and their plans did not feel fully fleshed out or as interesting. At times it felt shoehorned in to have some stakes for the Orders but ultimately it wasn’t necessary.

While there were a couple really strong scenes in this book, overall I thought that more attention could’ve been spent to creating more impactful scenes. This book would’ve benefited from some heavy editing—cutting the book into one solid story would’ve made it stronger for me. I don’t think this story was a duology nor did the book needed three epilogues. It was a fun ride but it felt a bit half baked and like an early draft where the writer is telling themselves the story before the editing portion is underway to tighten it into a novel.

But overall, I really did like this book. If you liked the first one you will like this book. If you’re hoping it’s going to be more like the ff, you might be disappointed. I think I would read this again, one after the other.

[Lindsay (pawsomereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy was an absolute delight from start to finish. The story blended sharp wit, swoony romance and high stakes fantasy in a way that kept me completely hooked. Osric and Aurienne’s forbidden connection felt electric and their slow burn romance unfolded with just the right mix of tension, humor, and heart.
I loved watching the lines between enemy and ally blur as they were drawn closer together. Their banter was spot on and their emotional growth made the romance even more satisfying. The larger storyline with the mystery behind the spreading plague kept the plot moving and gave the book a good balance of romance and adventure. The writing style was a little hard to get into at times, so I didn't always think this was going to be a 5 star read, but the connection between the characters and that edge-of-my-seat feeling towards the end really convinced me of the full 5 stars rating.
This was a captivating and wonderfully romantic conclusion. I really hope this author writes more in the future, I'm excited to see what direction she goes in next!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[lola ୨ৎ]

੭﹕ pre-release: pleaseeeeee just make out and make loveeeee ( okay im sorry but it had to be said haha ) already 🥹 also this should have the "who did this to you" trope 😫 ? like imagine that omgg 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

[Dab]

THE COVER! Can we just stop whatever we’re doing for a moment and look at their hands? 😍 Can’t wait!!!

[Yennefer]

Just finished the first one, and yeah, bring it on! Need this ASAP so I can pick up after that ending.

[Maddi Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC) 5⭐️ Knightley’s writing style is my perfect cup of tea. A fantastic blend of cozy and epic. It balances sweet, funny moments with genuinely high-stakes situations so well.

I’ll be thinking about this duology for a long time, and I have no doubt it’s earned a spot on my reread list. If you loved book one, you won’t be disappointed…you’ll devour this just as quickly. And if you haven’t started the series yet, go fix that immediately.

[MyNeverEndingTBRList · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy is the second book in the Dearly Beloved duology, and I absolutely consumed this book.

I really can't get enough of two hilarious idiots falling in love, and this delivered exactly that. The slow burn was perfection, and every bit of the yearning had me hooked. Two words: Opera scene.

I laughed out loud numerous times and really enjoyed getting a deeper dive into the magic systems and the different Orders. It added so much to the world and made me even more invested in the story.

The combination of yearning, a morally grey MMC, and Brigitte's humour made this such a fun and ridiculously hot read. There was also a side character who completely surprised me. I didn't expect to become so attached to them, but by the end of the book I loved them and wanted to know more!

Overall, this was funny, romantic, and packed with tension in all the best ways. Well done, Brigitte! I can't wait to see what you write next.

4.5 stars

[Haley Hylton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A MAN DOWN BAD EATS EVERY TIME

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank god I got an ARC, the slow burn was slow burning in book one fr.

Full review to come closer to publication!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could rate this book higher than 5 stars.
Every single word, every single sentence, every single paragraph is so meticulous and marvelous.
I cackled with delight, I suffered the deepest of tummy aches as I angsted, I yearned, I sobbed, and then I cried uncontrollably for reasons that I won’t spoil.
This is a spectacular conclusion to this duology. Aurienne and Osric are two of the finest characters I’ve read in modern literature. I adore them.
Brigitte’s ability to weave complex emotions and complex magic together, to have such comedic brilliance, and to truly drag you through the complete gamut of human emotion - should be studied. Her attention and care to her craft is god-tier.

Thank you Hachette Australia and NetGalley for the eArc. You have simultaneously made my life, and broken my heart over a two day period. I cannot wait to hold this book in my hands and cherish it until the day I die. (Is she being dramatic? Nope)

[Tori Baz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Brigitte, Berkley, and NetGalley for an ARC of this INCREDIBLE book. This was the ultimate wrap up to an amazing story.

I LIVE for a Pride and Prejudice Declaration of Love and Brigitte is the best at it ♥️

[Yadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could cry after the ending of this book knowing that is the last in this duology. Which I didn’t know by the way for some reason I thought it was a trilogy, and now I’m sad because I have to say goodbye to these characters 😭

I have never read before a book with so much yearning from a MMC like Osric did in this book. My gosh he was full of longing for Aurienne and you could feel it on the pages. I was mad at her a little for making him suffer so much. She took her sweet time warming up to his and her feelings for him. Through all this still he didn’t loose his little spark that made it him. He was sad with style and a little humor which is what I love most about him.

The plot was very interesting and the healing sessions were so magical I love them all. The ending of the book did left some room for maybe a continuation and I hope that the author changes her mind and decides to do another book with this characters. I’m crossing my fingers !!

I love Osric and Aurienne as a couple so much though they were very different they complement each other so perfectly. The book made me cried a couple times and I’m so happy they they did have their HEA💜💜 This book is at the top of my reads this year if I could give more than five stars I would have without a doubt!

💜Thanks Berkley Publishing and netgalley for this gifted eARC

[Kristina Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

“That’s the thing about decay. Death becomes life again, inevitably. Beauty grows from rotted things.”

Brigitte Knightley’s fantasy novel “The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy,” the second and final installment in the “Dearly Beloathed” duology, is a forbidden-love romance inspired by “Harry Potter” fanfiction, specifically the Dramione pairing of Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.

Picking up where the first novel left off, thirty-five-year-old Fyren Osric Mordaunt continues seeking treatment for his seith rot. Thanks to Haelen Aurienne Fairhrim, the disease has stopped progressing, though a cure remains elusive. Following notes left by Widdershin, a controversial figure within the medical community known for his translations of ancient texts and support of experimental treatments, the pair meet in a new location beneath every full moon in hopes of finding answers.

Meanwhile, Aurienne investigates the growing Platt’s Pox epidemic. After discovering bottles containing the virus in Wellesley’s home during the first novel, she works to uncover who blocked funding for the pox inoculation and why children have become targets. With Osric’s assistance, the two become increasingly important to one another. Yet with every successful experiment on Osric’s seith rot, the expiration of their contract draws nearer. As their forbidden feelings deepen, they must decide whether pursuing a future together is worth the risk, especially as their duties place them on opposing sides. With the death toll rising and danger approaching the gates of Swanstone, both must determine how far they are willing to go to save each other.

Knightley’s sophomore effort and conclusion to the duology is a significant improvement over the first installment. There is noticeably less fixation on male anatomy, although occasional references to testicles remain. While the first novel was a slow-burn romance with little to no spice, this sequel includes several sexually explicit scenes. Although Knightley provides a satisfying conclusion to the central story, she leaves enough unanswered questions to support a future novella or continuation. Mysteries surrounding Tristane’s true identity, in particular, remain unresolved, and some plot developments require a considerable suspension of disbelief.

I received an ARC through Edelweiss via ACE and PRH in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy 3/5
The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy 4/5

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This second instalment takes off right from where we left off in book one.

I had some issues with book one, namely the world building that felt rather confusing at times. Things felt much more developed in book two.

The plot THICKENED a lot. I was very curious to see how the two major problems a the heart of the story were going to be resolved, and I was not disappointed.

Now, the romance. Look, I’m a person who loves yearning. And yearning I did see! Watching these two incredibly stubborn (but charming!) characters navigate their feelings for one another and their inner-turmoil over these feelings was … dare I say delightful.

Book one is definitely the appetizer to this full course meal.

I was so enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Knightley crafts next.

[Jessica Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booksta Link✨

Publish Date: July 7th, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5 /5
Themes & Tropes: True Enemies-to-Lovers, Yearning, Assassin x Healer, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn Romance, Banter as a Love Language, Mutual Pining, Reluctant Allies, Only One Bed, Touch Her and Die.

Thank you so much to the Berkley team for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall Summary:

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy is exactly what I hoped for in a sequel: a satisfying conclusion that honours everything readers loved about the first book while expanding the world, deepening the relationships, and raising the stakes.
The mystery is compelling, the world-building continues to grow, and the character development is incredibly rewarding. But for me, the true highlight was always Aurienne and Osric. Their relationship is filled with wit, devotion, tenderness, and some of the best mutual yearning and pining I’ve read in a long time.

Most of all, this book left me with that bittersweet feeling that every great finale should leave behind: complete satisfaction with the ending, coupled with a desperate wish that I could spend just a little more time with these characters.

I came away with answers, closure, and a full heart—but also a deep longing to return to this world one more time.

Plot:

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy picks up immediately after the events of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy, so proceed with caution if you haven’t yet read book one.

We return to our dearly beloathed Osric, a member of the Fyren Order—a guild of assassins who happily kill for coin—and Aurienne, a Haelan scholar-healer whose Order is built upon the principle of “harm to none.”

When Osric first bribed Aurienne to heal him, neither of them could have anticipated how much their lives would become entangled. With every healing session, the lines between healer and patient, enemy and ally, continue to blur. As Aurienne works to mend Osric’s failing body, she finds herself becoming increasingly attached to the man she should despise, while Osric discovers that his growing feelings for her may be far more dangerous than any wound he’s ever suffered.

Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the deadly Pox deepens. What initially seemed like a devastating plague begins to reveal itself as something far more sinister, with evidence suggesting another Order may be responsible for deliberately unleashing it throughout the Tiendoms. As the story unfolds, the balance between peace and war, duty and love, begins to shift precariously. Every revelation raises the stakes, forcing Aurienne and Osric to confront impossible choices that could change the future of their world.

One of my favourite aspects of this sequel was how neatly it tied together the lingering questions from book one. Every mystery, clue, and plot thread eventually finds its place, leaving me feeling thoroughly satisfied with the answers while simultaneously mourning the fact that my time with these characters had come to an end.

The mystery surrounding the Pox, Osric’s declining health, Aurienne’s desperate attempts to heal him against impossible odds, and the ongoing conflict between their rival Orders all weave together beautifully. The balance between plot and romance felt incredibly strong throughout, though I would say the story leans slightly more heavily toward the romance, sitting around a 60/40 split.

The first half occasionally felt a little rushed, with certain developments coming together perhaps a touch too easily. However, everything shifts dramatically in the final quarter of the book. The stakes skyrocket, the tension becomes almost unbearable, and the payoff is absolutely worth it. While the ending is ultimately hopeful, it also leaves the door slightly open. A looming war hangs on the horizon, and I couldn’t help but find myself wanting more from this world.

World Building:

The world expands beautifully in this sequel. While book one established the foundations of the Tiendoms and its various Orders, this instalment allows us to spend more time with members of other guilds, giving the world far greater depth and complexity. I loved learning more about how each Order operates, their philosophies, traditions, and the ways in which their members differ from one another. Every new piece of lore felt purposeful and added another layer to the story.

We also gain deeper insight into both Aurienne’s and Osric’s backgrounds, helping us better understand how their respective Orders shaped them into the people they are today. Everything that made the world feel unique in book one continues to flourish here.

Writing:

Bridgette Knightley’s writing continues to be one of the strongest aspects of this series. She has such a wonderful balance of humour, wit, tension, and emotional depth. The banter is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, yet she can pivot effortlessly into deeply emotional moments that hit you completely out of nowhere.

Some of my favourite scenes weren’t the dramatic reveals or romantic moments, but the quieter interactions between Aurienne and Osric. There is a tenderness woven throughout their relationship that made many of those scenes surprisingly emotional.

I also loved how the healing elements were incorporated into the story. Despite being rooted in fantasy, Aurienne’s approach to healing often feels grounded in science and logic. Watching her fight against a disease that seems impossible to cure was one of the most compelling aspects of the novel, particularly as the stakes continued to rise.

Characters:

Aurienne absolutely shines in this book. We see her grow in ways I wasn’t expecting, particularly as we learn more about her past relationships and the experiences that shaped her hesitancy toward emotional attachment. What I loved most about her is her unwavering dedication to her craft. Healing has always come first for Aurienne, and while that remains true, we slowly see her learn that allowing people into her life doesn’t diminish her purpose. Her oath to do no harm is repeatedly tested throughout the story, but not in the ways I anticipated. Rather than becoming consumed by guilt, she approaches difficult choices with thoughtfulness and practicality, recognising that sometimes causing harm in the moment may ultimately save countless lives. Watching her navigate those moral complexities was fascinating.

Osric stole my heart in book one and somehow managed to keep it in this one. I would quite simply die for this man. His devotion to Aurienne is wonderful, but what surprised me most was how much I loved seeing his loyalty to the Fyren Order and the people within it. His friendships, his sense of responsibility, and his gratitude toward those who helped shape him all add so much depth to his character. One of the most rewarding parts of his arc is watching him slowly realise just how much Aurienne has changed him. The small ways he begins sharing information, trusting others, and placing someone else’s happiness above his own felt incredibly meaningful because they happened so naturally.

Both Aurienne and Osric spend a great deal of time reflecting on their changing feelings and evolving beliefs through their internal monologues, which I absolutely adored. Rather than simply telling us these characters have changed, Knightley allows us to witness those transformations happening in real time.

Romance:

Oh, this romance. This is exactly what I want when someone promises me a slow burn. The yearning between Aurienne and Osric is absolutely exquisite. Every glance, every reluctant act of kindness, every moment where one of them realises they’ve crossed another emotional line they never intended to cross—it was perfection. Their relationship never feels rushed. Instead, it builds steadily throughout the story, allowing every emotional beat to land exactly where it needs to. The banter remains one of the strongest aspects of their dynamic, but beneath all the wit and teasing is a relationship built on trust, admiration, and genuine understanding.

And yes, we finally get some spice. The opera scene in particular? I was SO unwell. But what I appreciated most was that the physical intimacy never overshadowed the emotional connection. The romance remains deeply tender beneath all the tension, and that emotional vulnerability is ultimately what makes it so effective.

The final section of the book delivers some truly heartbreaking moments as Aurienne and Osric are forced to confront an uncertain future. It’s not a third-act breakup, nor does it rely on unnecessary drama. Instead, it feels like a natural consequence of everything they’ve been through and everything that still lies ahead. Their final declarations of love were everything I could have hoped for and somehow felt perfectly, unmistakably them.

[alysbookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going down as a favorite series for me - I absolutely love an enemies to lovers story, especially with some humor. Such a satisfying end, but I'll always want more!

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was EVERYTHING I could have hoped for and more. The pining, the banter…perfection. And Osric, utterly, hopelessly in love and freaking tortured by it. This book was nothing short of divine.

The story retains the lightness and humor that made the first book so amazing, but also, simultaneously delivers moments that are genuinely heart wrenching. Brigitte’s writing is brilliant. This book is brilliant. And Osric has firmly secured his place as a new all time favorite. Ugh Osric 😭 the exquisitely tormented soul falling on love for the first time.

“She had become what he could never have, and so became his greatest torment.”

Beyond the romance, the mystery surrounding the Pox adds a a layer of suspense.The balance of humor, high stakes, forbidden romance, aching pining, simmering tension, and self discovery is fan-freaking-tastic. Both characters undergo significant transformations, Osric more willingly than Aurienne I will say, and I devoured every page.

I’m endlessly grateful to Berkeley Publishing Group (Ace) and NetGalley for granting me an ARC of this phenomenal book. Effing fantastic. I will be rereading immediately. And snatching up every special edition copy I can get my hands on. This duology will forever be on my favorites shelf💫