The thing about Fox Blackwood is that he's a no-good, stupid, irritating boy.
And, also, I hate him.
Don't worry, he hates me too. It's a mutual hatred born of disrespect and insults.
Ever since he came back from his "adventurous" twenties, he's treated me like a scourge upon this earth. The idiot thinks I want to steal his place in the small town of October, Tennessee.
Yeah, my eyes are rolling, too.
As if I care. I've carved my own place here, and I fit snuggly in it. Before he showed up, anyway, invading my found family and becoming my seriously grumpy boss.
He's dead set on ruining my every moment of peace and ignoring any bits of intelligent thought I try to imbue upon his simple mind. He can't seem to get it through his thick skull that we're just fine without him.
I am just fine without him.
Until...
Ugh. I hate this, but...
Until suddenly, I'm not.
Enemies to WHAT is book one in a series of sweet small town closed-door romances. This funny enemies-to-lovers romcom features forced proximity, a damsel in distress, and a man who yearns more than he breathes.
Storm Sterling loves writing unhinged, closed-door romance that’s HOT without spice. She lives in midwest America with a large, broad-shouldered man and three tiny clones. It is her life goal to write books well enough that she can afford all of her favorite author's books. This goal is secondary only to playing Stardew Valley all day every day.
Please buy Storm’s books so she can afford more gaming hours and more Camilla Evergreen books. Seriously. Please. She’s desperate.
See, I promised myself to WAIT when a new series comes out, and not read them before the author has finished the series. Unfortunately, I was accepted accidentally on purpose to Storm Sterling's ARC team for this book and so had an obligation to read promptly. I blame myself.
Poem is salty sunshine (some might say, in layman's terms, a brat). Fox is grumpy stoic. The two of them clash and bicker and fight and secretly love it. Poem is determined to cement her place in the small town where Fox grew up, wiggling into his family, bar, and town in a way he wishes he could. He somehow believes he's not worthy of love or trust, and when this comes to a head, they meet with a .... (shocker) surprisingly adult and emotionally mature conversation about it. Hearts are healed. Love is found. Found-family is solidified and original-family is strengthened. Lovely. 💜
So why was this a mistake? Well. The town of October is full of absolutely charming side characters whose stories I cannot wait to read. They love bashfully, yearn at a distance, suffer loneliness, and deserve better than they have - and I am dying to see where they end up.
(Other notes: Heed the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Spice level: a little steamy and lots of descriptive kisses, making out, yearning. For clean-romance adults, not for kids IMO.)
This is hands down my favorite book from Storm Sterling so far (and that is saying something). The start of a new series that I couldn't put down and can't wait to read more of.
Poem is who I want to be when I grow up. She is confident, fun and completely herself. She has been through it with her family, but it has only made her stronger. Sure, she is a little bit oblivious, but that just makes her endearing. She is sassy and bratty, and has some amazing one-liners in this book. I could only hope to be as clever as Poem.
Fox is the definition of a man who pines. For some reason he has decided to deprive himself of what he wants under some misguided need to punish himself. He is also completely oblivious to how anyone else perceives him. His decorating sense is precious. His dedication to his family is commendable. He is clearly A+ leading man material.
I love their banter, the way they play. I love seeing that kind of relationship. I love watching their relationship build and progress throughout the book.
The world Sterling has built, and the families at its center are going to be a lot of fun to see expand in the rest of this series.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
Enemies to WHAT by Storm Sterling is a communication filled book full of beautiful enemies to lovers moments.
I think this is Storm's best yet! We have depth in all of the characters, lovable characters, and I think we have a beautiful found family that you can't get enough of. The banter was on point starting from Chapter one, you couldn't help but be hooked from page one. There was so much to unpack in only 221 pages, but I loved every single bit of it.
🍑Enemies to Lovers 🍑Found Family 🍑Forced Proximity 🍑Small Town 🍑Boss x Employee 🍑Grumpy x Sunshine 🍑All the Banterrrrr 🍑Sass
This book had delicious communication, delving into the insecurities of both the FMC and MMC and boy were there insecurities. Each one was laid bare for us to see and witness, apologies were made, promises were given, and the sweet follow-through was amazing. This book was enemies to lovers in the most basic sense, and it hit me right in the heart. I'm now (in)patiently waiting for the next books.
I recommend this book if you want your whole concept of communication to be wrecked.
This book was absolutely fabulous. Poem is sassy, considerate, genuine and lovely. Fox is a grumpy, reserved, ruminating, handsome man with tattoos and has the tendency to put his foot in his mouth whenever Poem, the love of his life, is involved. Almond is wonderful. Emerson and Wolfe are funny. Almia is sweet, and her grandparents (Fox’s parents) are iconic. There are tattoos, shoulders, stealing clothes, sassy remarks, bickering and heartfelt conversations and growth. Swoony kisses, tasty food, with wonderful found family and lovable characters. Every time I read one of her books, I think that I would love to be friends with her characters and how to create and live in a community like that on a daily basis. This book is hot NOT spicy and frankly a delight like many of the books of hers I have read. Overall, if you like snark, found family, tattoos, complex characters, and hot not spicy workplace/enemies to lovers romance with pining male leads, then I would highly recommend this book. I got a copy of this book and these opinions are my own.
ARC Review :🏠🍺💋😘🛏️ 🧁I can’t contain my excitement for this book! It revolves around Fox and Poem, who work together at Fox’s bar, who are continually are engaging in there hilarious banter that made me laugh and smile so much ☺️ . But beyond the laughs, it beautifully illustrates how Fox is always right there for Poem when she needs him, and which it is absolutely swoon-worthy. At first, Poem mistakenly believes that Fox doesn’t like her and that he hates her , but she couldn’t be more wrong because Fox is so hopelessly in love with her because that man can’t stop thinking about her ! I also think the books show well on the found family because anytime Poem needs help Fox Family is always there. And I also think that Fox and Poem show their genuine and heartfelt love to each other at anytime they need it. This story is just so romantic that it will make you smile. 🤍🩵💜♥️
Storm Sterling's newest book DELIVERS!! Enemies to WHAT?! is witty, so funny, heartfelt, and captivating from beginning to end. Poem is the sassy FMC, who came from a not so great home (read the trigger warnings), and has found a new family, if Fox would just get out of her way! Fox, the MMC, has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth around Poem, and therefore comes across as a bit of a jerk, but he is oh SO sincere and loveable! He truly wants to be the best version of himself that he can be for his family and friends, everyone in his life. Watching these two get to know each other better (through lots of sass, teasing, sincere/tough conversations, and CONSENTUAL man-handling) was so sweet and fun! This book is incredible, highly recommend, and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
“You deserve affection, Fox,” I tell him. “And you deserve to believe that you deserve it. It’s not shameful to be loved by you.”
“I want to give you family. I want to give you safety. I want to give you love, forever and always. I want to give you every good thing you could ever want and every good thing you won’t dare to hope for. I want to give you my soul and my servitude with it.”
Fox is a reformed bad boy who has been struggling to redeem himself with his family for the past several years. Poem is his employee who wants desperately to fit into his family— and he’s the one thing standing in her way.
He’s been in love with her since they first met. She thinks he hates her. So classic.
I adore the forced proximity of their situation, and that despite the fact that Poem is sure that Fox hates her, she is fiercely loyal to making sure he knows that he is safe with her. Their relationship progression is so beautiful with the way they are both so dedicated to making sure the other person feels secure. Poem is a communication queen.
This was a delight. Poem and Fox are both fantastic examples of the enemies to lovers trope, but I LOVE the way Poem avoids the RomCom pitfalls and actually communicates, actively avoids being cruel, and calls people out for poor behavior. Their story gives the author many, many opportunities to casually drop wisdom, advice, and relationship goals! By the end of the book, you adore this couple, and you are starting to give the side characters some side eye as you wonder who's going to catch the love bug next. I dearly love a RomCom series where we get to marry off all the main characters! I loved this book - I laughed, and I cried. Poem is just such a mood, and her sense of humor is perfect.
Favorite Quote: “Of course, Poem. It’s always Poem, raising my blood pressure and shortening my lifespan by years with every interaction we have, be it tantalizing or infuriating. I lost at least a decade earlier when she let me hold her against my chest”
I think I say this every time, but can I be dropped into a Storm Sterling book PLEASE?!??!?? 😍 The amount of times I just wanted to reach through the page and give Fox a hug! 🥰 🥹
That epilogue was the cutest, and that bonus epilogue has me super excited for what’s to come! 😆
Thank you to the author for the advance copy, all thoughts are my own. 🚨- Child abuse/neglect (discussed, not shown), self-harm (via hitting of head on hard surfaces, no blood)
Storm has done it again. One of my favorite things about Storm’s books is the way the characters tend to each have their own trauma to work through and help each other grow.
I love an unrealized love by one or both parties and this book sure served it up. Getting to read Poem and Fox’s journey from enemies to lovers was so entertaining. I had to binge read this because I couldn’t put this down.
I will say just as a warning I would heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. Poem does have a pretty sad backstory that could be triggering if you aren’t prepared.
Overall I’m excited to see what happens with the other characters, Almond, Wolfe, etc.
Poem & Fox each have their own deep seated traumas to sort through, some sing pretty serious, sad stuff.
But, they bring much delight through their bantering play, physical affection, and all the hot not spicy swoony stuff.
The side characters though! LOVE. Highly recommend. Much joy that several of them are slotted for their own books after this one.
Definitely read the reader’s expectations & if none of it looks triggering for you personally, plus some to all of it looks interesting, well, then, might I suggest…reading it? Especially if you like bratty princess heroines & gruff, wants to throttle her or kiss her type of MMC.
Such a great, amazing book! I love this author’s books! This dual POV story has plenty of banter and sizzle with none of the spice.
I greatly appreciated the themes in the book of found family, love, friendships, learning to trust and most of all communication! The FMC and MMC each have their own issues in life to work through and the author does a fantastic job with how they work it out.
I love the comedy though the entire book. I couldn’t stop grinning during the last third of the book. I definitely recommend this book!
Storm can do no wrong. Her books are delightful, and I’ve read all of them more than once (including this one).
Poem is a strong, confident woman who has grown a lot since she got away from her abusive parents, but is still afraid of not being wanted. "I'm not desperate to be a part of your family just because I like them Fox. I'm desperate for it because I'd do anything to be a part of a family like you have, where it's clear beyond reason that you're all loved and wanted, every moment of every day." She loves nothing more than getting under Fox's skin and finds him physically attractive, but doesn't think there's any more to it than that.
Fox is a recovering bad boy who doesn't think he's good enough for Poem, so he's kept his feelings secret. "My kit, so brave, facing scary things that bring forth scary recollections, and doing it with more courage than I have in my left pinky." Such pining and desperation. He really just wants to treat her like the princess he thinks she is, and who can argue with that?
As always, the banter is on point, the characters are imperfect and relatable, and there’s plenty of heat without the spice. The supporting characters were great, too and I’m looking forward to learning their stories in the rest of this series!
Storm started a new series! Eeeeee! (Happy squeals) I loved this book for its simplicity. Just 2 people, their backstories, and them finding love. The dialogue that brings them together is totally beautiful, mature, and captivating. I did wish for more explanation of the MMC’s past, but we might get that in future books. All of the side characters are super endearing and I’m dying thinking of how long I have to wait for their books, but this is going to be a super fun journey. 100% recommend!
Storm has a way of wrapping a story around your heart. I don’t think I’ve read parents written by another author that play such profound roles. Fox and Poem, however, will leave you laughing, crying, and everything in between. From the sparring to the flirting, (which is totally the same thing), you won’t be able to put this book down. I know I couldn’t.
No spice No language Read the author’s note
PS- to those of you being mean to Storm, stop. (Not that you read my reviews, but seriously. Go find another hobby.)
The MMC is a big shouldered grump who actually talks about his feelings (who doesn’t love that) and the FMC really loves her found family and is determined to keep what she has found. The characters had me laughing through the whole book.
The lack of third miscommunication made me want to throw confetti and personally write a thank you letter to the author. I truly enjoyed sinking my teeth into this literary delight! It was *chefs kiss*
I loved this book and it may be mostly because I love all the characters so much. Fox4eva. And I love Poem too! And not to mention literally every single other person of importance in the entire book. The yearning and the zesty banter, what’s not to love. I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL WORDS FROM STORM (author extraordinaire)!!! ✨🩷
I adored this book(as I have all of Storm Sterling's books)! This is such a fun story. I love how she always writes perfectly flawed characters who are hilarious and unhinged in the best way. The banter is hot(not spicy). As usual, I can't wait for the next book.
What a delightful book! The plot is compelling and the story is fascinating and fabulously fun, with serious undertones. I loved Poem, Fox, and Wolfe, their characterizations are superb.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
Fox and Poem’s book is everything you could hope for in a Storm Sterling book! Enemies to lovers, funny banter, amazingly sweet and healing moments! Read it!
...it's over? no more Fox and Poem? Well, now I'm just sad 😔😭. This book was so splendidly amazing that I could go for a second, and a third... maybe a fourth🤭. The characters and their stories may just be my new favourite of Storm Sterlings. Poem was a sweet little princess with a bratty attitude (the lovable kind, obviously), and Fox was an insecure baby who was a blushing darling underneath his restraint. I love the little thoughts Storm puts on the top of each of the chapters, and I am slightly sad there will be no Samantha, but... we get a Wolfe book😱 and then an Almond book🥰😍, which, let me tell you, I'm soooo excited for. Anyway, anyway. My point is that this book was spectacular, and I cannot wait to see what's next.
Enemies to more is my favorite ever, and this book does not begin to disappoint. I loved everything about Poem and Fox, and adored all of the side characters as well. From Fox's parents (couple goals + excellent parents) to the siblings, friends in town to meddling townsfolk, this book is the recipe for a good RomCom. Packed full of funny lines, emotional growth, and real processing of trauma. If you enjoy snarky wit, bratty banter, and hot but not spicy kisses, this book is for you! I read an early version, be sure to check it out as soon as you can!