THE IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO
FALL FOR YOUR ENEMY
by Brigitte Knightley
Ace Hardcover
On Sale: July 8, 2025
The first in a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy duology featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an exquisite fantasy world, perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.
Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, is in dire need of healing. Naturally – such is the grim comedy of fate – the only healer who can help is Aurienne Fairhrim, preeminent scientist, bastion of moral good, and member of an enemy Order.
Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick – so desperate that, when Osric bribes her to help him, she accepts, even if she detests him and everything he stands for.
A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders, much to Aurienne’s disgust. As Osric and Aurienne work together to heal his illness and investigate the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction, which only fuels the heat between them.
The romance world cannot stop raving about Brigitte Knightley’s irresistible debut:
“Charming and perfectly crafted, this will-they-won’t-they slow burning romance between two enemies is now one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. Knightley’s debut crackles with wit and magic, intrigue and banter, and has left a mark behind on my heart.”—Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals
“A delight in every sentence. I cackled, I swooned, I was filled with bitter jealousy over Brigitte Knightley’s voice and prose. Read this if you have taste!”—Yulin Kuang, author of Reese’s Book Club pick, How to End a Love Story
“A must-read for fans of Terry Pratchett and Leigh Bardugo. Sexy and hilarious with dry-as-bone humor, Knightley’s writing is not to be missed.”—Elissa Sussman, bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask
“This debut boasts gorgeously-written, vivid settings, a unique magic system and fresh fantasy world, razor-sharp wit, and graceful characterization. In short, Knightley’s debut is nothing short of irresistible itself.”—Isabel Cañas, USA Today bestselling author of Vampires of El Norte
“The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy had all the things I love most: a slow-burn romance that hurts so good, truly agonizing enemies-to-lovers, and a broad world with a twisty mystery at its core. Knightley’s voice soars.”—Julie Soto, USA Today bestselling author of Not Another Love Song
About the Author
Brigitte Knightley’s modus operandi is to write what she wants to read: enemies-to-lovers romances that put the unresolved back in UST. She is best known online as fanfic writer @isthisselfcare. Her work is enjoyed by fans of slow burns, tongue-in-cheek romcoms, and suffering. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is her debut novel.
Website: https://brigitteknightley.com/
Sounds delightful.
This sounds like an interesting read.