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Shell Grove #2
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis
There’s a new sheriff in town…
And he’s her worst nightmare.
Reason #1: Ben Crawford is Olivia Knight’s long-time arch rival. They’ve been sworn enemies ever since she wore overalls to school one day, and he asked her in homeroom where she parked her cow. Now that he’s back, it doesn’t appear much has changed. He’s still arrogant. He’s still trouble. And this time, he’s got a badge and handcuffs. Which will make murdering him and disposing of his body much more challenging for her.
Reason #2: Sheriff Ben has done a lot of growing up during his time away from Shell Grove. He went and got himself some muscles and tattoos, and has the nerve to wear that sheriff’s uniform absurdly well. For some reason, that’s all she can seem to focus on whenever they cross paths. All the nice changes he’s made, instead of how vehemently she’s vowed to hate his guts for all eternity.
Reason #3: The complicated connection that has forever entwined their lives doesn’t have a pleasant backstory. As adults, they should be able to forget what happened when they were teenagers and move on. But in a small town where everyone has long memories, there are reminders everywhere of the nasty events that destroyed both of their families years ago. And she’s not sure their growing feelings for each other are enough to forgive the sins of the past and carve out a future…together.
Ben has a secret. A big one. The longer he’s in Shell Grove and surrounded by people who know his sordid history, the more likely that secret is going to come out. But if it does, Olivia will never speak to him again. Which will not do. Because he’s finally realized that Olivia is the reason why he came back to town in the first place. And if he doesn’t want to lose her forever, he needs to correct the mistakes he made a long time ago and prove he’s not the NEMESIS she’s always thought him to be.
And he’s her worst nightmare.
Reason #1: Ben Crawford is Olivia Knight’s long-time arch rival. They’ve been sworn enemies ever since she wore overalls to school one day, and he asked her in homeroom where she parked her cow. Now that he’s back, it doesn’t appear much has changed. He’s still arrogant. He’s still trouble. And this time, he’s got a badge and handcuffs. Which will make murdering him and disposing of his body much more challenging for her.
Reason #2: Sheriff Ben has done a lot of growing up during his time away from Shell Grove. He went and got himself some muscles and tattoos, and has the nerve to wear that sheriff’s uniform absurdly well. For some reason, that’s all she can seem to focus on whenever they cross paths. All the nice changes he’s made, instead of how vehemently she’s vowed to hate his guts for all eternity.
Reason #3: The complicated connection that has forever entwined their lives doesn’t have a pleasant backstory. As adults, they should be able to forget what happened when they were teenagers and move on. But in a small town where everyone has long memories, there are reminders everywhere of the nasty events that destroyed both of their families years ago. And she’s not sure their growing feelings for each other are enough to forgive the sins of the past and carve out a future…together.
Ben has a secret. A big one. The longer he’s in Shell Grove and surrounded by people who know his sordid history, the more likely that secret is going to come out. But if it does, Olivia will never speak to him again. Which will not do. Because he’s finally realized that Olivia is the reason why he came back to town in the first place. And if he doesn’t want to lose her forever, he needs to correct the mistakes he made a long time ago and prove he’s not the NEMESIS she’s always thought him to be.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
15 people are currently reading
2087 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Munton
34 books778 followersMelanie grew up in the Midwest, but she loves living in the Southeast (where the beaches are!) now with her husband and daughter.
Melanie's other passion is traveling and seeing the world. With anthropology degrees under their belts, she and her husband have made it their goal in life to see as many archaeological sites around the world as possible.
She has a horrible food addiction to pasta and candy (not together...ew). And she gets sad when her wine rack is empty.
At the end of the day, she is a true romantic at heart. She loves writing the cheesy and corny of romantic comedies, and the sassy and sexy of suspense. She aims to make her readers swoon, laugh out loud, maybe sweat a little, and above all, fall in love.
Go visit Melanie's website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects!
http://www.melaniemunton.com/
You can also follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Melanie's other passion is traveling and seeing the world. With anthropology degrees under their belts, she and her husband have made it their goal in life to see as many archaeological sites around the world as possible.
She has a horrible food addiction to pasta and candy (not together...ew). And she gets sad when her wine rack is empty.
At the end of the day, she is a true romantic at heart. She loves writing the cheesy and corny of romantic comedies, and the sassy and sexy of suspense. She aims to make her readers swoon, laugh out loud, maybe sweat a little, and above all, fall in love.
Go visit Melanie's website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects!
http://www.melaniemunton.com/
You can also follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
December 20, 2023
i counted nine times he called her "woman." nine. times. that is nine times too many.
"How much do you hate me now?"
"Significantly less."
"This is probably a bad idea." His mouth hovered over her temple. "But I don't exactly have a history of being good with you, do I?"
it was enemies to lovers that actually had a reason to be enemies and actually acknowledged when they knew they weren't enemies anymore. nothing annoys me more when the characters dont do this. its so easy to ruin this trope. so those quotes and those bonus points is what earned it the three stars.
if i wasn't reading this bc netgalley gave me this as an arc for honest review (thanks btw, love yall) i would've dnfed this at 50%. it was convos with side characters to sex to side characters to sex. the only time we see the characters together is in the bedroom (and on the boat and in public and all the other places they did it).
even their so called character development happened during inner monologues when he was inside her. there are other things a man and woman can do with eachother like idk dates? pg -13, innocent dinner followed by a kiss goodbye dates? call me old fashioned butttt 🤷♀️🤷♀️ (haha butt)
"How much do you hate me now?"
"Significantly less."
"This is probably a bad idea." His mouth hovered over her temple. "But I don't exactly have a history of being good with you, do I?"
it was enemies to lovers that actually had a reason to be enemies and actually acknowledged when they knew they weren't enemies anymore. nothing annoys me more when the characters dont do this. its so easy to ruin this trope. so those quotes and those bonus points is what earned it the three stars.
if i wasn't reading this bc netgalley gave me this as an arc for honest review (thanks btw, love yall) i would've dnfed this at 50%. it was convos with side characters to sex to side characters to sex. the only time we see the characters together is in the bedroom (and on the boat and in public and all the other places they did it).
even their so called character development happened during inner monologues when he was inside her. there are other things a man and woman can do with eachother like idk dates? pg -13, innocent dinner followed by a kiss goodbye dates? call me old fashioned butttt 🤷♀️🤷♀️ (haha butt)
October 7, 2022
This book was pretty good to me. It was sultry, chemistry-filled, fun, and spicy. This book felt unique compared to others using the enemies/friends-with-benefits cliché, even though it did involve some adversaries.
Ben and Olivia were rivals in high school who later crossed paths in an unusual setting as adults. When they understood who the other was, they responded with hate since it was all they knew how to do. However, they couldn't deny the growing chemistry between them.
The two had some amazing banter going on! It was quite fascinating to read how they understood precisely how to irritate one other and what triggers to hit. It was charming, witty, and swoon-worthy. The energy between them was palpable to me.
I think the writing is great, if that makes sense, it reads more like seeing a movie through a book than reading as a reader. I didn't like the story's pace because there wasn't enough grow for the purported "hatred" the characters had for one another. Could have used a little more storyline in the post-getting together section of the story instead of simply nonstop steam.
Overall, this is a lighthearted, simple love story that romcom fans will enjoy.
Thank you to the Author and Xpresso Book Tours for providing the chance to get an advanced reader copy (ARC) via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Ben and Olivia were rivals in high school who later crossed paths in an unusual setting as adults. When they understood who the other was, they responded with hate since it was all they knew how to do. However, they couldn't deny the growing chemistry between them.
The two had some amazing banter going on! It was quite fascinating to read how they understood precisely how to irritate one other and what triggers to hit. It was charming, witty, and swoon-worthy. The energy between them was palpable to me.
I think the writing is great, if that makes sense, it reads more like seeing a movie through a book than reading as a reader. I didn't like the story's pace because there wasn't enough grow for the purported "hatred" the characters had for one another. Could have used a little more storyline in the post-getting together section of the story instead of simply nonstop steam.
Overall, this is a lighthearted, simple love story that romcom fans will enjoy.
Thank you to the Author and Xpresso Book Tours for providing the chance to get an advanced reader copy (ARC) via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 6, 2022
How it's possible for this series to keep getting better and better is beyond me. I loved this book so much that I'm not sure I can even properly express it in words. But I'm going to try.
We have Olivia and Ben, sworn enemies since high school, that are reunited in the small town of Shell Grove, and things get messy. The banter between the two was phenomenal! They knew exactly how to get on each other's nerves, what buttons to push, and it was so entertaining to read it. It was funny, clever, and oh so romantic. I particularly loved it in the first chapter because it really set the mood for the rest of the book.
Even though this was a bit of an enemies/friends-with-benefits situation, it felt different than other books with this trope. I'm the first to admit I'm not a fan of friends-with-benefits stories, but this one did it right. We didn't really get into the benefits part until well into the book so a good relationship had already been built between the characters and I, as the reader, knew the characters better and knew what their true feelings were for each other. the natural progression in their relationship was inevitable and done so smoothly I couldn't help but swoon. Truly, a very different vibe than friends-with-benefits.
As per usual, I loved the characters in this book. I think I said this in my review about book 1, but the side characters are truly so well written. They are each unique, but true to themselves. I know exactly how each character is going to react because they've been well-developed and thought out.
And then were Olivia and Ben who I loved from the start. Olivia and Ben both had family issues from the past that they were working through in this book, more Olivia than Ben. But Ben had his own demons he had to confront and move past.
Jealous Ben was amazing! I loved that we got multiple scenes of it because I was swooning the whole time. Also, I'm not usually a fan of possessive men in books, but Ben's possessiveness was very well done. He let Olivia be her own person, have her space when needed, and make her own decisions, but he was still very much involved in her life. It was so great!
Totally unrelated, but I just found out there is a Jade and Hunter story so if you need me, I'll be reading that and probably fanning over it for the next few days.
Overall, I'm in love with this series, in love with this town, and all it's characters. I can't wait for our favorite best friends to finally figure their love for each other out! 5 stars
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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We have Olivia and Ben, sworn enemies since high school, that are reunited in the small town of Shell Grove, and things get messy. The banter between the two was phenomenal! They knew exactly how to get on each other's nerves, what buttons to push, and it was so entertaining to read it. It was funny, clever, and oh so romantic. I particularly loved it in the first chapter because it really set the mood for the rest of the book.
Even though this was a bit of an enemies/friends-with-benefits situation, it felt different than other books with this trope. I'm the first to admit I'm not a fan of friends-with-benefits stories, but this one did it right. We didn't really get into the benefits part until well into the book so a good relationship had already been built between the characters and I, as the reader, knew the characters better and knew what their true feelings were for each other. the natural progression in their relationship was inevitable and done so smoothly I couldn't help but swoon. Truly, a very different vibe than friends-with-benefits.
As per usual, I loved the characters in this book. I think I said this in my review about book 1, but the side characters are truly so well written. They are each unique, but true to themselves. I know exactly how each character is going to react because they've been well-developed and thought out.
And then were Olivia and Ben who I loved from the start. Olivia and Ben both had family issues from the past that they were working through in this book, more Olivia than Ben. But Ben had his own demons he had to confront and move past.
Jealous Ben was amazing! I loved that we got multiple scenes of it because I was swooning the whole time. Also, I'm not usually a fan of possessive men in books, but Ben's possessiveness was very well done. He let Olivia be her own person, have her space when needed, and make her own decisions, but he was still very much involved in her life. It was so great!
Totally unrelated, but I just found out there is a Jade and Hunter story so if you need me, I'll be reading that and probably fanning over it for the next few days.
Overall, I'm in love with this series, in love with this town, and all it's characters. I can't wait for our favorite best friends to finally figure their love for each other out! 5 stars
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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October 9, 2022
✓small town
✓banter
✓enemies with benefits
✓guy falls first
✓semi pining (🤨)
lately most of the enemies-to-lovers books i've read don't have actual enemies, the couple usually just in love but don't know how to explain their feelings in that books. BUT i love this book because they have an actual and natural reason to be enemies.
Ben's mother and Liv's father fell in love and escaped from their small town while married with someone else 12 years ago, so naturally their children and partners who left behind in town have strong feelings toward each others. i would actually loved to read a book about main couple's parents, their story is so heartbreaking 🥲
anyways 12 years later Liv have a good life in small town and ben comes back for the first time in 12 years, and he's new sheriff😌 they really are a good couple, i thought they would act childish but they were really mature and when it comes to reveal new truths they solved their conflict pretty quick 🤌🏼
thanks to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review! 🦋
✓banter
✓enemies with benefits
✓guy falls first
✓semi pining (🤨)
lately most of the enemies-to-lovers books i've read don't have actual enemies, the couple usually just in love but don't know how to explain their feelings in that books. BUT i love this book because they have an actual and natural reason to be enemies.
Ben's mother and Liv's father fell in love and escaped from their small town while married with someone else 12 years ago, so naturally their children and partners who left behind in town have strong feelings toward each others. i would actually loved to read a book about main couple's parents, their story is so heartbreaking 🥲
anyways 12 years later Liv have a good life in small town and ben comes back for the first time in 12 years, and he's new sheriff😌 they really are a good couple, i thought they would act childish but they were really mature and when it comes to reveal new truths they solved their conflict pretty quick 🤌🏼
thanks to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review! 🦋
October 31, 2022
If I reconnected with my nemesis in the way that Olivia did with Ben, you would never hear from me again.
I’m a sucker for witty female characters so the minute Olivia was introduced, I fell in love with her.
I don’t know what it is about enemies to lovers that I can’t seem to shake. There’s just something about falling in love with someone that you used to want to put their hand into a blender.
As if she were the only thing standing between him and mental destruction.
She was his asylum.”
If anyone ever said this about me I would marry them on the spot, I’m not even kidding.
The actions of the main protagonists of the story were heavily influenced by the past trauma of what happened all those years ago. I loved that both Olivia and Ben’s main arc of their characters was their desire to break out of their old patterns or pasts.
I would’ve rated this story higher but I couldn’t due to me wanting the resolve of the issues that had been the main part of the story to be dragged out a bit further. I love angst and I just would’ve enjoyed if it had carried on for a few more chapters than it was.
Overall, this story was enjoyable and I’m excited to see what comes next in the Shell Grove series.
Thank you to Melanie Munton for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m a sucker for witty female characters so the minute Olivia was introduced, I fell in love with her.
I don’t know what it is about enemies to lovers that I can’t seem to shake. There’s just something about falling in love with someone that you used to want to put their hand into a blender.
As if she were the only thing standing between him and mental destruction.
She was his asylum.”
If anyone ever said this about me I would marry them on the spot, I’m not even kidding.
The actions of the main protagonists of the story were heavily influenced by the past trauma of what happened all those years ago. I loved that both Olivia and Ben’s main arc of their characters was their desire to break out of their old patterns or pasts.
I would’ve rated this story higher but I couldn’t due to me wanting the resolve of the issues that had been the main part of the story to be dragged out a bit further. I love angst and I just would’ve enjoyed if it had carried on for a few more chapters than it was.
Overall, this story was enjoyable and I’m excited to see what comes next in the Shell Grove series.
Thank you to Melanie Munton for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 21, 2022
I feel like this is an enemies to lovers romance where the reason why they were "enemies" in the first place was actually valid which was such a win! The witty banter between Olivia and Ben was everythingggggg. But almost every chapter had spice, and I love a good spicy book but I kind of just skimmed through the smut because this one in particular made me cringe a little. Especially when there would be aspects of the book where the characters would open up and we would be able to see more of their past trauma, and then BAM they're having sex. And let's count how many times Ben calls Olivia "woman" - that was a real ick for me.
For the most part, I did enjoy aspects of this book and it was a pretty easy read but it wasn't my personal fave romance I've read. But if you are looking for a spicy small town enemies to lovers rom com with a lil depth to the characters - I would recommend this!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Read if you like ✨
Enemies to friends with benefits to lovers
Guy falls first
Witty banter
Small town setting
A lot of spice
Escape rooms
Characters with past trauma
Fishing
For the most part, I did enjoy aspects of this book and it was a pretty easy read but it wasn't my personal fave romance I've read. But if you are looking for a spicy small town enemies to lovers rom com with a lil depth to the characters - I would recommend this!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Read if you like ✨
Enemies to friends with benefits to lovers
Guy falls first
Witty banter
Small town setting
A lot of spice
Escape rooms
Characters with past trauma
Fishing
October 3, 2022
First off, a big old thank you to NetGalley and Melanie Munton for my ARC of Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis. I cut it kind of close finishing this book with its release date being tomorrow, but oh my god, now you know that you HAVE to read this book AS SOON as it drops!!
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is your classic enemies to lovers book. Ben Crawford and Olivia Knight are the opposite of high school sweethearts. They are more like high school mortal enemies, with an unconventional connection. Now, both adults, Ben is the new sheriff in town and Olivia can't keep her mind off of him. Because of all the ways she's thinking about murdering him...
because she hates him that much, right? When they decide to redirect their hatred and frustration for each other in... other methods, will they be able to keep it strictly enemies with benefits? Though it may seem simple, they still have their troublesome past and a secret one is keeping from the other. Will they be able to keep this simple agreement with each other or will they figure out the Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis?
I'm not a romcom reader, let alone a smut reader. If you look at my past reviews and read books, you will see that I gravitate towards thriller/suspense novels. I do read the occasional romcom because come on, I need some sort of refresher from the heavy stuff I read, lol. For some reason, Melanie Munton's Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis called out to me when I saw it on NetGalley, and I just had to read it. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Holy freaking smut- this book is actually incredible. The tension I read, the frustration I read, the details I read. Wow. Melanie Munton, you are talented. I laughed, I blushed, I even teared up whilst reading this book. You made me feel a whirlwind of emotions that melted my cold dead heart.
If you're thinking, well this isn't really my genre, it's probably not. Heck, there were some parts of this book that I wasn't enjoying because I found it a little too cringey. However, I did have to read a lot with a grain of salt given this book isn't what I normally read. Given those circumstances I had to give this book a 5. Like I've said multiple times, this isn't what I read, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus, the playlist alone makes this book deserving of 5 stars.
Melanie Munton, congratulations on writing a great book.
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is your classic enemies to lovers book. Ben Crawford and Olivia Knight are the opposite of high school sweethearts. They are more like high school mortal enemies, with an unconventional connection. Now, both adults, Ben is the new sheriff in town and Olivia can't keep her mind off of him. Because of all the ways she's thinking about murdering him...
because she hates him that much, right? When they decide to redirect their hatred and frustration for each other in... other methods, will they be able to keep it strictly enemies with benefits? Though it may seem simple, they still have their troublesome past and a secret one is keeping from the other. Will they be able to keep this simple agreement with each other or will they figure out the Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis?
I'm not a romcom reader, let alone a smut reader. If you look at my past reviews and read books, you will see that I gravitate towards thriller/suspense novels. I do read the occasional romcom because come on, I need some sort of refresher from the heavy stuff I read, lol. For some reason, Melanie Munton's Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis called out to me when I saw it on NetGalley, and I just had to read it. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Holy freaking smut- this book is actually incredible. The tension I read, the frustration I read, the details I read. Wow. Melanie Munton, you are talented. I laughed, I blushed, I even teared up whilst reading this book. You made me feel a whirlwind of emotions that melted my cold dead heart.
If you're thinking, well this isn't really my genre, it's probably not. Heck, there were some parts of this book that I wasn't enjoying because I found it a little too cringey. However, I did have to read a lot with a grain of salt given this book isn't what I normally read. Given those circumstances I had to give this book a 5. Like I've said multiple times, this isn't what I read, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus, the playlist alone makes this book deserving of 5 stars.
Melanie Munton, congratulations on writing a great book.
September 29, 2022
“Does this mean we have to stop fighting all the time?”“Are you kidding?” “I give it five minutes tops before you piss me off again.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was sweet, full of chemistry, light-hearted and steamy. Ben & Olivia's banters always kept me entertained. Olivia & Ben were highschool nemesis. A scarring incident that happened because his mom and her dad got together made them hurt each other by throwing jabs in school and they went their separate ways. But now Ben is back in Shell Grove and the moment he meets Olivia, I could feel the chemistry between them. Will it be possible for them to get past their history and have their own HEA? Or will the secret that Ben is keeping make Olivia misunderstand things and they will lose their chance to be together this time? You have to read this steamy enemies to lovers rom-com to find out!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
I quite enjoyed this book. It was sweet, full of chemistry, light-hearted and steamy. Ben & Olivia's banters always kept me entertained. Olivia & Ben were highschool nemesis. A scarring incident that happened because his mom and her dad got together made them hurt each other by throwing jabs in school and they went their separate ways. But now Ben is back in Shell Grove and the moment he meets Olivia, I could feel the chemistry between them. Will it be possible for them to get past their history and have their own HEA? Or will the secret that Ben is keeping make Olivia misunderstand things and they will lose their chance to be together this time? You have to read this steamy enemies to lovers rom-com to find out!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
October 8, 2022
Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Kobo
Ben and Olivia have a complicated history. Thanks to their parents (her dad & his mom) being in a relationship, they've fought each other, thrown spite and snark, and have generally behaved like enemies. Now he's somehow back in town and they start up immediately with all the antagonism. But this time around, they'll find exactly how deep the antagonism goes and what really lays beneath it. If they can move beyond their past, they can have something more than just the fighting they've always had.
The steam in this rom-com is seriously some of the hottest I've read in quite awhile. When they're not fighting, they're well, you know. But I have to admit the fighting was actually my favorite part of their story. They really do drive each other nuts and aren't afraid to let each other know. So snarky, so funny, constantly riling each other up, even after they start an enemies with benefits kind of thing. Once the emotionally gut wrenching component comes around, though, the story loses me a bit. Olivia goes from being a funny, sassy, strong woman to just being a stubborn jerk. And Ben reverts to caveman antics without the fun. Thankfully this portion of the story is short, so I can safely say the rest of it made up for it. I really like the rest of this enemies to lovers story - it's hot, it's funny and witty, and Ben and Olivia are absolutely perfect for each other.
ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours for an honest review.
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October 8, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Olivia and Ben haven’t seen each other for over a decade and they meet in a particular way. Ben is back to Shell Grove, the town where they grew up and the audience to their past arguments. They think this time will be the same, but they are both completely changed and it seems this time could be different.
I loved this book because it was hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. I liked that they didn’t immediately get over the past because there were some no-solved things that needed space for themselves. I liked the characters and the story and I really recommend this!
Olivia and Ben haven’t seen each other for over a decade and they meet in a particular way. Ben is back to Shell Grove, the town where they grew up and the audience to their past arguments. They think this time will be the same, but they are both completely changed and it seems this time could be different.
I loved this book because it was hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. I liked that they didn’t immediately get over the past because there were some no-solved things that needed space for themselves. I liked the characters and the story and I really recommend this!
October 13, 2022
You know sometimes a book comes along and just steals your heart. Well this one did it for me! I fell in love with the small town of Shell Grove in the book before this one but I absolutely fell in love with Liv’s & Ben story.
If you love a
*small town romance
*enemies to lovers
*second chances
*laugh out loud banter
* some serious 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Pick up this book!
Even tho this is part of a series you can hands down read this one as a standalone book. But do yourself a favor and read the whole series. I can’t wait for Maggie & Finns story to play out next!
If you love a
*small town romance
*enemies to lovers
*second chances
*laugh out loud banter
* some serious 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Pick up this book!
Even tho this is part of a series you can hands down read this one as a standalone book. But do yourself a favor and read the whole series. I can’t wait for Maggie & Finns story to play out next!
September 29, 2022
I didnt care for the characters, the romance or the writing. I should have known from the beginning that I wouldn't like it, but I kept reading anyway. Overall, this book just wasn't for me.
October 25, 2022
O my gosh, this book was amazing! After I read ‘Reasons Why Not to Date Public Enemy CEO’ I knew I had to read the second book in this series. I was a little bit ashamed that it took me quite some time to read the first book, especially because I loved it so much. Luckily it didn’t take me that long to pick up this second book, because this one is maybe even better than the first one!
This is how Enemies to lovers need to be. Perfect chemistry, funny hatred between the MC’s and a perfect builded slow burn. Do you need more? NO! But it is so much more than just a simple ‘enemies to lovers’ story. Ben and Olivia slowly become friends and then so much more. The backstory from both characters was well written and added a lot to a great story. And just as in the first book, I also completely fell head over heels with Ben. A man with many layers and the way he adores (yes, ADORES) Olivia? YES PLEASE!
Yes, this was an amazing, fun and perfect read. Are you a romance lover? Read this, you won’t regret it. And while you read the book, I will be waiting (immensely impatient) for the next book!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. This has not affected my review and all my opinions are my own.
This is how Enemies to lovers need to be. Perfect chemistry, funny hatred between the MC’s and a perfect builded slow burn. Do you need more? NO! But it is so much more than just a simple ‘enemies to lovers’ story. Ben and Olivia slowly become friends and then so much more. The backstory from both characters was well written and added a lot to a great story. And just as in the first book, I also completely fell head over heels with Ben. A man with many layers and the way he adores (yes, ADORES) Olivia? YES PLEASE!
Yes, this was an amazing, fun and perfect read. Are you a romance lover? Read this, you won’t regret it. And while you read the book, I will be waiting (immensely impatient) for the next book!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. This has not affected my review and all my opinions are my own.
October 23, 2022
absolutely adorable dual POV small town rivals-to-lovers romance!
I loved the FMC Olivia and MMC Ben and appreciated being able to see both of their perspectives as their characters developed and interacted with each other.
Here's what I loved
⭐Great back stories
⭐Amazing descriptions
⭐Super easy read- loved the author's writing style
⭐The character development
⭐THE TENSION
⭐Guy falls first
⭐They know how to push every button on each other
⭐Enemies with benefits
⭐Rivals to lovers
⭐The spicy scenes- like hellloooo he's a small town sheriff so if that wasn't played into there were some missing opportunities but the author didn't let us down
⭐EPILOGUE
⭐Guaranteed HEA
I will 100% be adding more of this author to my TBR.
The story was great and super well developed- no instalove, no rivals without a reason, great writing style.
I loved the FMC Olivia and MMC Ben and appreciated being able to see both of their perspectives as their characters developed and interacted with each other.
Here's what I loved
⭐Great back stories
⭐Amazing descriptions
⭐Super easy read- loved the author's writing style
⭐The character development
⭐THE TENSION
⭐Guy falls first
⭐They know how to push every button on each other
⭐Enemies with benefits
⭐Rivals to lovers
⭐The spicy scenes- like hellloooo he's a small town sheriff so if that wasn't played into there were some missing opportunities but the author didn't let us down
⭐EPILOGUE
⭐Guaranteed HEA
I will 100% be adding more of this author to my TBR.
The story was great and super well developed- no instalove, no rivals without a reason, great writing style.
October 4, 2022
I have been a big Melanie Munton fan for a few years and I'm never disappointed with her sexy hot romances. Her latest book in the Shell Grove series is about unfortunate teenagers caught up in their parents' drama leading to hatred of each other. Twelve years later they meet again only to be confused by their unexpected attraction to each other even though they can't forget the past.
Olivia Knight wants to take over her Aunt Rita's Bed and Breakfast, but it's contingent on her meeting face-to-face with the father who abandoned her and destroyed her life 12 years ago. And she had no time for her archenemy, Ben Crawford, to return to Shell Grove as the new sheriff in town. He's still the smirky asshole she knew in high school, but he's oh, so gorgeous with his filthy mouth and nice tight ass. He wasn't going to rip her life apart again.
Ben Campbell has come back to Shell Grove to try to make things right. He wasn't a rebellious teenager anymore. He was a decorated marine and the new sheriff in town. But the minute he saw Olivia again he reverted back to that teenager and used words to her up. She made his blood boil in more ways than one, but she deserved a good man and he was far from it. He's carrying a secret that destroyed her life and she would never forgive him. Unfortunately, his heart couldn't handle it.
Enemies-to-lovers tropes are my jam and Ms. Munton writes them so well. When the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the goody two shoes come back to the town that knows all their dirty secrets, it's a battle of wills. They both come back to prove themselves. He to right all the wrongs he made and she to earn respect and not be "just the child left behind by her philandering father and grief-stricken mother". Olivia is beautiful and stubborn as she holds grudges and denies her heart. Ben's guilt is killing him. The secret he carries will certainly lose the woman he has fallen for and unfortunately, he's not the one that tells her. This leads to anger, self-reflection, mending fences, and looking forward. I loved the word porn between these two. The slow burn of attraction is such a turn on and when they finally seal the deal, it's very hot and very rewarding.
Olivia and Ben's supportive friends are a great addition to the story and I can't wait to read Maggie and Finn's story because I also love friends-to-lovers tropes. Also, the story of Ben's and Olivia's parents is very sad and made me cry when the truth came out.
I highly recommend this great romance with a perfect blend of tension, redemption, and spicy sex. Pick up this book; I guarantee you'll love it.
Thank you to Ms. Munton for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Olivia Knight wants to take over her Aunt Rita's Bed and Breakfast, but it's contingent on her meeting face-to-face with the father who abandoned her and destroyed her life 12 years ago. And she had no time for her archenemy, Ben Crawford, to return to Shell Grove as the new sheriff in town. He's still the smirky asshole she knew in high school, but he's oh, so gorgeous with his filthy mouth and nice tight ass. He wasn't going to rip her life apart again.
Ben Campbell has come back to Shell Grove to try to make things right. He wasn't a rebellious teenager anymore. He was a decorated marine and the new sheriff in town. But the minute he saw Olivia again he reverted back to that teenager and used words to her up. She made his blood boil in more ways than one, but she deserved a good man and he was far from it. He's carrying a secret that destroyed her life and she would never forgive him. Unfortunately, his heart couldn't handle it.
Enemies-to-lovers tropes are my jam and Ms. Munton writes them so well. When the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the goody two shoes come back to the town that knows all their dirty secrets, it's a battle of wills. They both come back to prove themselves. He to right all the wrongs he made and she to earn respect and not be "just the child left behind by her philandering father and grief-stricken mother". Olivia is beautiful and stubborn as she holds grudges and denies her heart. Ben's guilt is killing him. The secret he carries will certainly lose the woman he has fallen for and unfortunately, he's not the one that tells her. This leads to anger, self-reflection, mending fences, and looking forward. I loved the word porn between these two. The slow burn of attraction is such a turn on and when they finally seal the deal, it's very hot and very rewarding.
Olivia and Ben's supportive friends are a great addition to the story and I can't wait to read Maggie and Finn's story because I also love friends-to-lovers tropes. Also, the story of Ben's and Olivia's parents is very sad and made me cry when the truth came out.
I highly recommend this great romance with a perfect blend of tension, redemption, and spicy sex. Pick up this book; I guarantee you'll love it.
Thank you to Ms. Munton for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
October 4, 2022
Melanie Munton writes some incredible characters, and the energy, the dynamic, and chemistry between them makes her books a place I always want to return to
.
If you need to get out of a reading slump, this is your book
.
.
Former high school nemesis meet in their old town and the banter between them after so many years turns spicy, but more than old school feud between the straight girl with perfect grades and the sad bad boy of the town is how their families were mixed up when their parents decided to run away together
.
Olivia returned to Shell Crove to help run her aunt's B&B and eventually buy it back to its former glory. Torn between her masseuse job at the spa and bed and breakfast she is caught off guard when she finds out who owns that sexy lower back she is working on
.
Ben Crawford is no longer the troublemaker boy he used to be and after so many years he returned to the small town determined to prove to everyone that he can fix things, in the form of the new sheriff. But it's hard to break old habits and get Olivia riddle up is his favorite one
.
.
.
I loved the banter, bickering and all that energy between them, the slow burn tension until those super spicy scenes where they both break their own limits and start to see more in each other
.
.
That I did not like? almost nothing, I love everything except the resolution times of the third act, but I am specific, I like when they give themselves the space for things to flow but not when they are resolved like a snap of two fingers, especially when are things between parents or siblings who have been there for years
.
In my personal taste, not all the characters have to jump to hug each other, there are different ways to forgive and move forward without having to make everyone be together and happy at the end of the book
.
But I loved Ben and Liv together and everything about how they come together, and Shell Grove and that cast of characters that make me want to read every story
.
.
.
.
Thanks to Melanie Munton and Xpresso Book Tours for give me a copy of this amazing reading in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
.
If you need to get out of a reading slump, this is your book
.
.
Former high school nemesis meet in their old town and the banter between them after so many years turns spicy, but more than old school feud between the straight girl with perfect grades and the sad bad boy of the town is how their families were mixed up when their parents decided to run away together
.
Olivia returned to Shell Crove to help run her aunt's B&B and eventually buy it back to its former glory. Torn between her masseuse job at the spa and bed and breakfast she is caught off guard when she finds out who owns that sexy lower back she is working on
.
Ben Crawford is no longer the troublemaker boy he used to be and after so many years he returned to the small town determined to prove to everyone that he can fix things, in the form of the new sheriff. But it's hard to break old habits and get Olivia riddle up is his favorite one
.
.
.
I loved the banter, bickering and all that energy between them, the slow burn tension until those super spicy scenes where they both break their own limits and start to see more in each other
.
.
That I did not like? almost nothing, I love everything except the resolution times of the third act, but I am specific, I like when they give themselves the space for things to flow but not when they are resolved like a snap of two fingers, especially when are things between parents or siblings who have been there for years
.
In my personal taste, not all the characters have to jump to hug each other, there are different ways to forgive and move forward without having to make everyone be together and happy at the end of the book
.
But I loved Ben and Liv together and everything about how they come together, and Shell Grove and that cast of characters that make me want to read every story
.
.
.
.
Thanks to Melanie Munton and Xpresso Book Tours for give me a copy of this amazing reading in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
October 2, 2022
Loved, loved, loved this book! I cannot express that enough. I was so captivated that I would glance up and see hours had gone by while reading. I did not want it to end!
“Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis” is book two in the Shell Grove companion series. I had not read the first book in the series prior to finishing this one and it did not negatively effect my enjoyment during reading. This can definitely be read as a stand alone (however, I am 100% going to read the next book in the series. You get to see a lot of the side/core character of the companion series and you will love every one of them. As soon as their books come out, I will pick them up).
- This book had one of my favorite beginnings ever. It completely hooked me in. It started with comedy, tension, and plot IMMEDIATELY which is a testament to the whole book. Beautifully blended throughout.
- My head was thrown back in laughter so many times that it is now starting to hurt.
- The should be a master-class in how to write tension and romance because I cannot find any room for improvement.
- One of my favorite writing styles I’ve seen. Melanie Munton is immediately going on my “Favorite Authors” list
- The whole story was so beautifully planned out. Nothing felt like a side plot, it all felt like one story (because it was) which is, again, a testament to how carefully planned and well-executed every page was.
- The emotions were SO real. I felt with them (Ben and Olivia) for each moment of doubt and sadness. It was just so realistic that it was impossible to get annoyed with them if any conflict happened because their reactions were just so organic
I could go on an on about how much I loved this story. I have so many quotes that I loved in my notes.
10/10 story
10/10 characters
10/10 writing
10/10 romance
I think that about sums it up.
Thank you so much NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
“Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis” is book two in the Shell Grove companion series. I had not read the first book in the series prior to finishing this one and it did not negatively effect my enjoyment during reading. This can definitely be read as a stand alone (however, I am 100% going to read the next book in the series. You get to see a lot of the side/core character of the companion series and you will love every one of them. As soon as their books come out, I will pick them up).
- This book had one of my favorite beginnings ever. It completely hooked me in. It started with comedy, tension, and plot IMMEDIATELY which is a testament to the whole book. Beautifully blended throughout.
- My head was thrown back in laughter so many times that it is now starting to hurt.
- The should be a master-class in how to write tension and romance because I cannot find any room for improvement.
- One of my favorite writing styles I’ve seen. Melanie Munton is immediately going on my “Favorite Authors” list
- The whole story was so beautifully planned out. Nothing felt like a side plot, it all felt like one story (because it was) which is, again, a testament to how carefully planned and well-executed every page was.
- The emotions were SO real. I felt with them (Ben and Olivia) for each moment of doubt and sadness. It was just so realistic that it was impossible to get annoyed with them if any conflict happened because their reactions were just so organic
I could go on an on about how much I loved this story. I have so many quotes that I loved in my notes.
10/10 story
10/10 characters
10/10 writing
10/10 romance
I think that about sums it up.
Thank you so much NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 19, 2022
I have been having the absolute best luck with Netgalley books, I am finding so many new authors that I love.
Ben and Olivia HATE each other and when I started the book I understood why and wasn’t prepared for how they would get over the elephant in their relationship. Ben’s mother and Olivia’s father had an affair while they were both still married to Ben’s father and Olivia’s mother. That’s a pretty big reason to not be besties growing up and 12 years later when they come face to face again it’s clear they still don’t get along. They fight constantly, but slowly you start to see the real Ben and that he just wants to protect Olivia.
Throughout the entire book we know that Ben had a secret that will change how Olivia sees him, and I gotta say I was dreading when that secret would come out. Obviously nothing goes as planned so the truth comes out in a horrible fashion. However Ben and Olivia are great for each other. They know each other’s trauma, since they were so intertwined and I think that is what truly made them work. They knew the ugly and were able to see past it to what made each of them perfect for each other.
I absolutely loved this book and I look forward to going back and reading Reasons Why Not To Date Public Enemy CEO and can’t wait for the next book of Maggie and Fin!
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!
Release Date: October 4, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥 Scene: bonfire (but all scenes were 🔥 and the mouth on Ben = perfect!)
Ben and Olivia HATE each other and when I started the book I understood why and wasn’t prepared for how they would get over the elephant in their relationship. Ben’s mother and Olivia’s father had an affair while they were both still married to Ben’s father and Olivia’s mother. That’s a pretty big reason to not be besties growing up and 12 years later when they come face to face again it’s clear they still don’t get along. They fight constantly, but slowly you start to see the real Ben and that he just wants to protect Olivia.
Throughout the entire book we know that Ben had a secret that will change how Olivia sees him, and I gotta say I was dreading when that secret would come out. Obviously nothing goes as planned so the truth comes out in a horrible fashion. However Ben and Olivia are great for each other. They know each other’s trauma, since they were so intertwined and I think that is what truly made them work. They knew the ugly and were able to see past it to what made each of them perfect for each other.
I absolutely loved this book and I look forward to going back and reading Reasons Why Not To Date Public Enemy CEO and can’t wait for the next book of Maggie and Fin!
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!
Release Date: October 4, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥 Scene: bonfire (but all scenes were 🔥 and the mouth on Ben = perfect!)
September 27, 2022
Thank you to Melanie Munton for giving me an advanced e-book of Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis !
This is the first book I’ve read by Melanie, and I can honestly say I am going to need to add more of her books to my TBR. Especially the first book in this series so I can learn more about the friend group mentioned, although Melanie does do a wonderful job describing the friends in this book so I didn't feel too behind.
This second book in the Shell Grove series follows Olivia and Ben, who have been enemies since they were children due to some unfortunate family drama. When Ben moves back to their small hometown on the coast of South Carolina in order to be the new police chief, Olivia has to learn how to cope with him invading her every day life -- especially since he has to rent a room in her family owned B&B. Due to the close contact and the shared friend group, Olivia and Ben must come to terms that maybe the strong feelings they have for each other might be something other than hate.
It’s told in a dual POV, which I LOVE, especially in romance books. I love being able to read both characters realizing their feeling for each other and what might be holding them back, I just feel like it adds that much more depth to their character growth. The spicy scenes were so well written, like Tessa Bailey level spice, and the book is filled with innuendos and sly comments that makes reading every page so much fun. The sexual tension that is build up within the first few pages is immaculate!!!
Anyone who loves a witty female main character and a tattooed ex-bad boy male character and a good enemies to loves romance will enjoy Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis! ❤️🔥
This is the first book I’ve read by Melanie, and I can honestly say I am going to need to add more of her books to my TBR. Especially the first book in this series so I can learn more about the friend group mentioned, although Melanie does do a wonderful job describing the friends in this book so I didn't feel too behind.
This second book in the Shell Grove series follows Olivia and Ben, who have been enemies since they were children due to some unfortunate family drama. When Ben moves back to their small hometown on the coast of South Carolina in order to be the new police chief, Olivia has to learn how to cope with him invading her every day life -- especially since he has to rent a room in her family owned B&B. Due to the close contact and the shared friend group, Olivia and Ben must come to terms that maybe the strong feelings they have for each other might be something other than hate.
It’s told in a dual POV, which I LOVE, especially in romance books. I love being able to read both characters realizing their feeling for each other and what might be holding them back, I just feel like it adds that much more depth to their character growth. The spicy scenes were so well written, like Tessa Bailey level spice, and the book is filled with innuendos and sly comments that makes reading every page so much fun. The sexual tension that is build up within the first few pages is immaculate!!!
Anyone who loves a witty female main character and a tattooed ex-bad boy male character and a good enemies to loves romance will enjoy Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis! ❤️🔥
September 23, 2022
GAH the excitement I had going into this book was insane, after the first book of this series I fell in love with Shell Grove and these characters. I didn’t think it was going to be possible to like a couple from this series more than Mia and Aiden… but as far as I am concerned, MIA AND AIDEN WHO???? (Jk I still adore them)
The passion and arguing in this steamy enemies to lovers was through the ROOF. I kinda loved how you could totally tell the entire time that Ben was so far gone for Liv, even when they were arguing like crazy he was still just so enamored with her.
I was really happy that even though there was A LOT of heavy baggage Liv and Ben needed to work through it didn’t over shadow their story and romance in a negative way, we were able to have the problem fixing while being able to get to know and fall in love with Liv and Ben simultaneously. In my opinion it seems hard for a lot of authors to equally handle both, one usually tends to get more of a spotlight, so that was really well done.
This book is HOT HOT HOT, the chemistry and passion is so intense without it being over kill. Ben has set a new standard for dirt talk in my eyes, good god I need to find myself one of him ASAP.
I also totally didn’t expect to get all teary eyed towards the end a few times. So maybe do yourself a favor and have some tissues on hand??
Melanie Munton, you are a genius
The passion and arguing in this steamy enemies to lovers was through the ROOF. I kinda loved how you could totally tell the entire time that Ben was so far gone for Liv, even when they were arguing like crazy he was still just so enamored with her.
I was really happy that even though there was A LOT of heavy baggage Liv and Ben needed to work through it didn’t over shadow their story and romance in a negative way, we were able to have the problem fixing while being able to get to know and fall in love with Liv and Ben simultaneously. In my opinion it seems hard for a lot of authors to equally handle both, one usually tends to get more of a spotlight, so that was really well done.
This book is HOT HOT HOT, the chemistry and passion is so intense without it being over kill. Ben has set a new standard for dirt talk in my eyes, good god I need to find myself one of him ASAP.
I also totally didn’t expect to get all teary eyed towards the end a few times. So maybe do yourself a favor and have some tissues on hand??
Melanie Munton, you are a genius
October 18, 2022
A heated read from the first contact, that will leave you eager for more!
When I read the synopsis I was sure that this book would be a delight to read, even though I haven't read the first of the series, yes, I have this problem of wanting to read the books out of order, don't judge me, but the fact that the author puts the characters together so well and presents them as if it was the first time makes you very comfortable in the reading, and you won't even feel that this is not the first book.
A spicy romance, full of provocations, with a pinch of family dramas and difficult pasts, the perfect combination for an enemies to lovers, it is amazing that even with them grown up we can follow and grow along with the characters.
The author made me feel identical to the two characters, in different ways, in a unique way, which is very difficult for me. I gave many little screams of pleasure reading this, how sensitive, hot, painful and full of emotions, a bomb of them actually, here we see "I'm hurt, I don't want to hurt you, but it's more complicated to keep you around".
It was an enjoyable read, although I would tone down a little details of places, or of wanting to talk about the same feeling with other words, in excess, it can give the idea that the reading is not evolving if it is the person's first contact with that universe
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC for an honest opinion ♡
When I read the synopsis I was sure that this book would be a delight to read, even though I haven't read the first of the series, yes, I have this problem of wanting to read the books out of order, don't judge me, but the fact that the author puts the characters together so well and presents them as if it was the first time makes you very comfortable in the reading, and you won't even feel that this is not the first book.
A spicy romance, full of provocations, with a pinch of family dramas and difficult pasts, the perfect combination for an enemies to lovers, it is amazing that even with them grown up we can follow and grow along with the characters.
The author made me feel identical to the two characters, in different ways, in a unique way, which is very difficult for me. I gave many little screams of pleasure reading this, how sensitive, hot, painful and full of emotions, a bomb of them actually, here we see "I'm hurt, I don't want to hurt you, but it's more complicated to keep you around".
It was an enjoyable read, although I would tone down a little details of places, or of wanting to talk about the same feeling with other words, in excess, it can give the idea that the reading is not evolving if it is the person's first contact with that universe
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC for an honest opinion ♡
September 25, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The moment I realized that this is an enemies-to-lovers story, I knew I had to pick it up and I wasn't disappointed, quite the contrary. actually!
Olivia Knight and Ben Crawford have been arch-nemesis ever since their high school years, the fact that two of their parents ended up running out of their respective families, leaving both teenagers in broken homes, only solidified their hatred. Or so Olivia thought.
I loved every moment of this book, the slow-burn romance that suddenly turned into an unadulterated smut-fest had me on the edge of my seat. One of the things I enjoyed about this is that it's not an insta-love situation. Olivia and Ben needed to get through plenty of stuff before they had their happily ever after. And while it wasn't a smooth ride for either of them, I enjoyed every tension-filled moment between these two characters. Their chemistry was off the roof and I was a bit disappointed when the story ended.
This is an easy-going, uncomplicated love story that anyone who enjoys romcoms would easily get into. It's an easy 5-star for me and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in that series.
The moment I realized that this is an enemies-to-lovers story, I knew I had to pick it up and I wasn't disappointed, quite the contrary. actually!
Olivia Knight and Ben Crawford have been arch-nemesis ever since their high school years, the fact that two of their parents ended up running out of their respective families, leaving both teenagers in broken homes, only solidified their hatred. Or so Olivia thought.
I loved every moment of this book, the slow-burn romance that suddenly turned into an unadulterated smut-fest had me on the edge of my seat. One of the things I enjoyed about this is that it's not an insta-love situation. Olivia and Ben needed to get through plenty of stuff before they had their happily ever after. And while it wasn't a smooth ride for either of them, I enjoyed every tension-filled moment between these two characters. Their chemistry was off the roof and I was a bit disappointed when the story ended.
This is an easy-going, uncomplicated love story that anyone who enjoys romcoms would easily get into. It's an easy 5-star for me and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in that series.
October 5, 2022
Thank you so much to NetGalley for this arc!
There’s a new sheriff in town and it is Olivia’s #1 long time nemesis. Ben and Olivia have been sworn enemies ever since she wore overalls to school and he asked her where she parked her cow. 12 years ago Ben’s mother and Olivia’s dad revealed they had been having an affair and left town, and shortly after, Ben left as well. Now he’s back and for Olivia, it doesn’t seem like much has changed, except for the fact that he now has a badge. With his house not fully done yet, he decides to spend the next few weeks at Olivia’s family's old B&B. Ben knows he has made quite a few mistakes in the past with Olivia, and when he realizes that she’s the reason he came back, he will do whatever he needs to do to correct his mistakes, and prove to her they’re made for each other.
I loved this book! @authormelaniemunton you are truly talented! Loved the chemistry, banter, tension, and passion between them. I laughed so much, cried, and blushed. Definitely sobbed when the truth about their parents came out and what they had to go through to finally be happy. You will definitely need to have some tissues ready! This book was so so well written that I felt every emotion. Melanie will definitely be on my list of favorite authors from now and on!
There’s a new sheriff in town and it is Olivia’s #1 long time nemesis. Ben and Olivia have been sworn enemies ever since she wore overalls to school and he asked her where she parked her cow. 12 years ago Ben’s mother and Olivia’s dad revealed they had been having an affair and left town, and shortly after, Ben left as well. Now he’s back and for Olivia, it doesn’t seem like much has changed, except for the fact that he now has a badge. With his house not fully done yet, he decides to spend the next few weeks at Olivia’s family's old B&B. Ben knows he has made quite a few mistakes in the past with Olivia, and when he realizes that she’s the reason he came back, he will do whatever he needs to do to correct his mistakes, and prove to her they’re made for each other.
I loved this book! @authormelaniemunton you are truly talented! Loved the chemistry, banter, tension, and passion between them. I laughed so much, cried, and blushed. Definitely sobbed when the truth about their parents came out and what they had to go through to finally be happy. You will definitely need to have some tissues ready! This book was so so well written that I felt every emotion. Melanie will definitely be on my list of favorite authors from now and on!
October 3, 2022
First of all, thank you so much NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC of the second installation in the Shell Grove series!
4.5/5 stars! If you like:
– Small Town romances
– Enemies (Nemesis) to lovers
– Beach reads
– Dual P.O.Vs
– Spice, lots of spice!
Then this book is for you!
I truly enjoyed this book! It's great to get back into the Shell Grove community and this is yet another great story of Melanie's. The characters are very lovable as well as the story plot.
Ben and Olivia has known each other since school and has been "hating" each other for 12 years, but when Ben suddenly returns to Shell Grove, they discover feelings, that may even be different from hatred. This book is light-hearted and filled with humour, romance and spicy smut scenes with lots of details! I loved how Olivia and Ben got to talk about their past and all the family drama that occured between the two families!
This book is about forgiving and new discoveries of love! Definitely a recommendations to those who love beach reads and summer stories in small towns!
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is releasing October 4th! So be ready!
4.5/5 stars! If you like:
– Small Town romances
– Enemies (Nemesis) to lovers
– Beach reads
– Dual P.O.Vs
– Spice, lots of spice!
Then this book is for you!
I truly enjoyed this book! It's great to get back into the Shell Grove community and this is yet another great story of Melanie's. The characters are very lovable as well as the story plot.
Ben and Olivia has known each other since school and has been "hating" each other for 12 years, but when Ben suddenly returns to Shell Grove, they discover feelings, that may even be different from hatred. This book is light-hearted and filled with humour, romance and spicy smut scenes with lots of details! I loved how Olivia and Ben got to talk about their past and all the family drama that occured between the two families!
This book is about forgiving and new discoveries of love! Definitely a recommendations to those who love beach reads and summer stories in small towns!
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is releasing October 4th! So be ready!
October 9, 2022
thank you to the author and xpresso book tours for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
it was sweet, chemistry-filled, fun, and spicy. when former high school rivals reunite in their hometown, their old rivalry resurfaces in their hometown and the banter between them becomes heated. due to a traumatic incident caused by his mom and her dad getting together, olivia and ben parted ways after hurting each other by exchanging insults at school. but now he’s back in shell grove as the new sheriff. the feud between those two became entangled together with the family issues as their parents decided to flee together, which is why it is more complicated than just an old school rivalry. i immediately saw a spark between him and olivia. i love the banters!! the slow-burning tension leading up to those extremely steamy sequences where they both pushed their own boundaries and began to see more in one another!! i adored how olivia and ben's characters' main arcs centered on their desire to depart from their shared traumas and history. this was good overall, and i’m looking forward to the future melanie munton books!
it was sweet, chemistry-filled, fun, and spicy. when former high school rivals reunite in their hometown, their old rivalry resurfaces in their hometown and the banter between them becomes heated. due to a traumatic incident caused by his mom and her dad getting together, olivia and ben parted ways after hurting each other by exchanging insults at school. but now he’s back in shell grove as the new sheriff. the feud between those two became entangled together with the family issues as their parents decided to flee together, which is why it is more complicated than just an old school rivalry. i immediately saw a spark between him and olivia. i love the banters!! the slow-burning tension leading up to those extremely steamy sequences where they both pushed their own boundaries and began to see more in one another!! i adored how olivia and ben's characters' main arcs centered on their desire to depart from their shared traumas and history. this was good overall, and i’m looking forward to the future melanie munton books!
September 28, 2022
Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis by Melanie Munton is Book #2 in the Shell Grove Series and focuses on Ben & Olivia’s tumultuous and turbulent relationship that spans many years. In fact, their relationship began as enemies when they were children due to some complicated circumstances between their families. This is definitely an enemies-to-lovers romance! There is a ton of anger and hurt between these two, but there’s always something underlying all that anger and it’s their sizzling chemistry. I love the dual POV – I think it helps the reader get into the characters’ heads. And I love the small town feel of Shell Grove and the beachy feel – Ms. Munton’s topnotch description of this town and its residents made me feel like I was right there in the sun and sand. This isn’t all about Ben & Olivia righting their wrongs and trying to find their way, it’s also about forgiveness and recognizing when you find your one and only soulmate and living your best life. I'm grateful to have been given an opportunity to read an early copy of this book.
October 9, 2022
Ben Crawford is back in Shelly Grove after a decade, and he comes back as the new sheriff. Olivia returned just after college to help run her aunt's B&B.
Both were affected by a scandal in the small town, but she's the one that never let it go and is still suffering. Olivia has to deal with it on order to get what she wants in life.
They were enemies in high school, but now...The chemistry is sizzling.
I was quite shocked by the different jobs Olivia had, being a masseuse made a great meet cute, and another good scene. Her heart was in the B&B and also most of her time.
Ben has done a lot of growing up in the time he's been away, he's a good guy that had to deal with a bad hand when he was just a kid. I liked his character.
There were a couple of things that shocked me: her second job as a masseuse and that important bit of information that she wasn't aware of in a small gossip town.
I love a good enemies to lovers story, I enjoyed their interactions and the story development.
I received a copy in exchange of an honest review.
Both were affected by a scandal in the small town, but she's the one that never let it go and is still suffering. Olivia has to deal with it on order to get what she wants in life.
They were enemies in high school, but now...The chemistry is sizzling.
I was quite shocked by the different jobs Olivia had, being a masseuse made a great meet cute, and another good scene. Her heart was in the B&B and also most of her time.
Ben has done a lot of growing up in the time he's been away, he's a good guy that had to deal with a bad hand when he was just a kid. I liked his character.
There were a couple of things that shocked me: her second job as a masseuse and that important bit of information that she wasn't aware of in a small gossip town.
I love a good enemies to lovers story, I enjoyed their interactions and the story development.
I received a copy in exchange of an honest review.
September 28, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. This book debuts on 4 October 2022, so I consider myself lucky to get my hands earlier than that! :D
MARVELLOUS. This book was marvellous. It centres on the two main characters — Olivia the B&B owner and Ben the new Sheriff in town (he came back after 12 years). Honestly, Ben was a complete jackass to Liv during their youth since Liv didn’t do anything to him (yeah yeah I know, boys are weird at expressing their feelings but oh well).
There was baggage (a LOT of them), and I didn’t expect it would be that heavy. In fact, I don’t think I can forgive said party for leaving the town. The only reason this book got less than 1 star is because of this plot. I seriously won’t ever forgive J (I forgot his name) and perhaps A, too, for what he/they did. Would’ve gladly erased them with Liv moments.
Anyway, this book got angst (one of my favourites), and possessive territorial alpha male (he was hilarious) and that enemies-to-lovers trope we all love so much. OH AND IT GOT SLOW BURN!!!!
The smut was good… very good… 👀
I love the communication and maturity between the couple. They didn’t suffer in miscommunication longer than necessary and had friends who were helpful in pushing them into a mature relationship. I love reading Ben’s POV because we could see he was hooked from the get go he had no chance 🤣🤣🤣
This is my first book from Melanie Munton and I enjoyed it! Will check out the rest of her books now!
MARVELLOUS. This book was marvellous. It centres on the two main characters — Olivia the B&B owner and Ben the new Sheriff in town (he came back after 12 years). Honestly, Ben was a complete jackass to Liv during their youth since Liv didn’t do anything to him (yeah yeah I know, boys are weird at expressing their feelings but oh well).
There was baggage (a LOT of them), and I didn’t expect it would be that heavy. In fact, I don’t think I can forgive said party for leaving the town. The only reason this book got less than 1 star is because of this plot. I seriously won’t ever forgive J (I forgot his name) and perhaps A, too, for what he/they did. Would’ve gladly erased them with Liv moments.
Anyway, this book got angst (one of my favourites), and possessive territorial alpha male (he was hilarious) and that enemies-to-lovers trope we all love so much. OH AND IT GOT SLOW BURN!!!!
The smut was good… very good… 👀
I love the communication and maturity between the couple. They didn’t suffer in miscommunication longer than necessary and had friends who were helpful in pushing them into a mature relationship. I love reading Ben’s POV because we could see he was hooked from the get go he had no chance 🤣🤣🤣
This is my first book from Melanie Munton and I enjoyed it! Will check out the rest of her books now!
October 8, 2022
Warning: This book is not safe to read in public!
Melanie Muton’s Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is the epitome of SPICE! I found this book on NetGalley and thought the cover and description looked super cute. I mean who doesn’t love an animated cover and enemies-to-lovers trope? So when I say this book caught me by surprise, I am not kidding. The plot is is superb, but the romance is straight up explicit! Read with caution!!!
I didn’t realize until almost 3/4 of the way through the book that this was apart of a series. Muton is a fantastic author. You do not have to have read the first book in the series to know what is going on. However, it would be super helpful as the first book follows the love story of supporting characters in this book. Also, there is a third book already in the works for this series and perhaps even more!
Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Melanie Muton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!
Melanie Muton’s Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis is the epitome of SPICE! I found this book on NetGalley and thought the cover and description looked super cute. I mean who doesn’t love an animated cover and enemies-to-lovers trope? So when I say this book caught me by surprise, I am not kidding. The plot is is superb, but the romance is straight up explicit! Read with caution!!!
I didn’t realize until almost 3/4 of the way through the book that this was apart of a series. Muton is a fantastic author. You do not have to have read the first book in the series to know what is going on. However, it would be super helpful as the first book follows the love story of supporting characters in this book. Also, there is a third book already in the works for this series and perhaps even more!
Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Melanie Muton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!
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