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Mallory Vineyard #3
Future Ex Enemy
If there's one thing David Cranston hates, it's Luis Montgomery.
When he finds out they've both been invited to participate in a floral contest that could make or break both of their careers, David dives in, ready to win.
But there's only one problem, and there's only one bed.
David and Luis are forced together and tension isn't the only thing running hot between the two of them. David realizes he wants to come out on top...in more ways than one.
A drunken night and a hungover morning leave both men regretting actions that found them a little bit too close. Unfortunately, they keep getting closer, and closer, until the lines between hate and desire blur into something far more complicated than either of them bargained for.
Back home, Luis and David struggle to make sense of their feelings, and Luis has to face some hard truths. He thought he hated David and his roses and his baby's breath and his lemon verbena lotion, but he was so wrong.
Because if there's one thing Luis Montgomery loves, it's David Cranston.
When he finds out they've both been invited to participate in a floral contest that could make or break both of their careers, David dives in, ready to win.
But there's only one problem, and there's only one bed.
David and Luis are forced together and tension isn't the only thing running hot between the two of them. David realizes he wants to come out on top...in more ways than one.
A drunken night and a hungover morning leave both men regretting actions that found them a little bit too close. Unfortunately, they keep getting closer, and closer, until the lines between hate and desire blur into something far more complicated than either of them bargained for.
Back home, Luis and David struggle to make sense of their feelings, and Luis has to face some hard truths. He thought he hated David and his roses and his baby's breath and his lemon verbena lotion, but he was so wrong.
Because if there's one thing Luis Montgomery loves, it's David Cranston.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2019
87 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hawthorne
93 books931 followersWith over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 5, 2023
This is a true enemies-to-lovers story. The MCs get off on the wrong foot and truly despise each other, bickering endlessly and taking pleasure in pissing each other off.
This animosity is, of course, rooted in passion and there's plenty of aggressive sex to be had.
The plot revolves around the two men being competitors in the floral business and, eventually, a floral wedding design competition.
This was a fun, sexy story. Recommended for a quick read.
This animosity is, of course, rooted in passion and there's plenty of aggressive sex to be had.
The plot revolves around the two men being competitors in the floral business and, eventually, a floral wedding design competition.
This was a fun, sexy story. Recommended for a quick read.
August 12, 2019
This was my first dive into a Kate Hawthorne book and overall I enjoyed it.
At first I found the way the hate was written between Luis and David to be a little...silly, I guess? Like their insults were ridiculous at times and it felt like they were forcing it sometimes. It also took me a bit to get into this really, and it felt like at times the plot was trying its best to come up with ways to put these two together and it didn't exactly flow naturally.
But eventually these two and their rapport started to work for me, and I started really enjoying this story and these two together. I was wondering when they'd start moving from hate to love, as it doesn't happened until around the 70ish percent mark or so, maybe a little before, but I did like their breaking point or whatever that turned things on its head and got these two to stop hating each other.
Then by the end they were good together and I felt their love for each other, but I also love that they didn't lose all of their banter-y aspect, but then it was always tinged with adoration and love, which I alway love with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate relationships, them getting to that love but not losing that banter and wit that makes them fire together.
So overall this was a good first outing for me for this author - although I wish a few typos here and there could have been cleaned up - and I will definitely give her a try in the future. Two thumbs up from me!
At first I found the way the hate was written between Luis and David to be a little...silly, I guess? Like their insults were ridiculous at times and it felt like they were forcing it sometimes. It also took me a bit to get into this really, and it felt like at times the plot was trying its best to come up with ways to put these two together and it didn't exactly flow naturally.
But eventually these two and their rapport started to work for me, and I started really enjoying this story and these two together. I was wondering when they'd start moving from hate to love, as it doesn't happened until around the 70ish percent mark or so, maybe a little before, but I did like their breaking point or whatever that turned things on its head and got these two to stop hating each other.
Then by the end they were good together and I felt their love for each other, but I also love that they didn't lose all of their banter-y aspect, but then it was always tinged with adoration and love, which I alway love with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate relationships, them getting to that love but not losing that banter and wit that makes them fire together.
So overall this was a good first outing for me for this author - although I wish a few typos here and there could have been cleaned up - and I will definitely give her a try in the future. Two thumbs up from me!
August 9, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/01/14/...
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
October 5, 2019
I wasn't sure if I was going to give this a 3 or 4-star rating. On one hand, I enjoyed the last part of the book but I wasn't keen on the first 70% of it. Both MCs were assholes to each other with David basically starting it at the interview. Then, of course, Luis makes a grand gesture and all of the sudden they were fine.
Maybe I just don't enjoy enemies to lovers that much because I can't actually think of a book that I have read recently that contained that trope.
Maybe I just don't enjoy enemies to lovers that much because I can't actually think of a book that I have read recently that contained that trope.
dnf-or-skipped
April 15, 2021DNF @ 11% - enemies to lovers is OK, but gratuitous unpleasantness doesn't sit well with me.
August 8, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Enemies to lovers is one of my catnip tropes so I was really excited for Future Ex Enemy. The authors do a great job really building that animosity between the men and finding that delicious line between hate and love. While some books pay lip service to the enemies side of things, here we can really see these guys dig into their feud with one another. It makes seeing them ultimately fall for each other all the sweeter. The men are so passionate about each other that they are explosive in every way, both in and out of the bedroom. There is a nice bit of opposites attract here that fuels some of their hatred of each other, as David is very traditional and Luis is more modern in his approach and so the two find themselves at odds in just about everything. I think the authors do a particularly nice job developing David’s character and really showing us how his deep connection to his shop, being a florist, and the traditions with which he was raised play into the man he is now. I don’t feel like we got to know Luis and what drives him quite as much, but I think the two were an entertaining couple together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Enemies to lovers is one of my catnip tropes so I was really excited for Future Ex Enemy. The authors do a great job really building that animosity between the men and finding that delicious line between hate and love. While some books pay lip service to the enemies side of things, here we can really see these guys dig into their feud with one another. It makes seeing them ultimately fall for each other all the sweeter. The men are so passionate about each other that they are explosive in every way, both in and out of the bedroom. There is a nice bit of opposites attract here that fuels some of their hatred of each other, as David is very traditional and Luis is more modern in his approach and so the two find themselves at odds in just about everything. I think the authors do a particularly nice job developing David’s character and really showing us how his deep connection to his shop, being a florist, and the traditions with which he was raised play into the man he is now. I don’t feel like we got to know Luis and what drives him quite as much, but I think the two were an entertaining couple together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 10, 2020
This is a truly great enemies to lovers story. Luis and David gets off on the wrong foot and they just keep going from there. Giving each other snark remarks every chance they get. Winding each other up until boom. Maybe there's some attraction there?
I love flowers and there was a lot of flowers in this book. Like a ton of it. Some people might find it boring but I enjoyed it a great deal.
This book was hot. The angry sex, well it really worked. However, there was a great deal of angry masturbation in the shower and that got old after a bit. I ended up thinking "this again?" after a while.
I love flowers and there was a lot of flowers in this book. Like a ton of it. Some people might find it boring but I enjoyed it a great deal.
This book was hot. The angry sex, well it really worked. However, there was a great deal of angry masturbation in the shower and that got old after a bit. I ended up thinking "this again?" after a while.
October 10, 2020
I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, but although the two MC's do despise each other in the beginning, I did not like this story so much. Both the animosity in the beginning and the love story at the end felt forced and I did not feel it. Furthermore, the story did not make sense to me, the actions of the MC's was illogical. I think I was not in the right mental space for this story, as others loved it.
Read
August 9, 2019Wavering between three and four stars. Will come back later for that. This was a fun and sexy enemies to lovers read.
November 6, 2020
DNF 12%
Because I DNF-ed the previous book, Future Gay Boyfriend, I knew that the best way to give this book a fair shot was to read something else as a palate cleanser of sorts. After a few days and a nonfiction book, I felt good as I cracked open Future Ex Enemy. And experienced an instant and almost visceral hatred of Luis.
To be fair to the authors, my hatred of Luis is entirely my own. He embodies so many of my pet peeves that it’s unreal. I’m a millennial, so I don’t hate on millennials, but Luis is like a condensed version of all the things people hate millennials for. And it’s not just because he showed up late to his interview because he tried and failed to satisfactorily tie his bowtie. (But I mean, come on. If you can’t tie a bowtie, don’t wear one. It’s that simple.)
No, what made me hate Luis was that he was just a random employee at Kingston Party Rentals and one day he decided to rearrange a bride’s wedding centerpieces without her permission because he thought they were dated. WTF?? I don’t care that it turned out well in the end. You don’t touch other people’s stuff without permission. And at that point, Luis was not interested in flower arrangement. He was just a random guy who thought he knew better than anyone else.
This backstory is probably meant to make Luis seem like he has a natural talent for design. To me, he seemed like an entitled asshole. But I was still willing to give him a shot. And then he walks into his interview with David like he’s hot shit, when he still had literally no experience in flower arrangement. He didn’t even want to work at Designs by David, but “A job in a place like this wasn’t his ideal first gig, but he needed to start somewhere, and this place was hiring.”
This is why people want to punch millennials in the face. Luis has no training, formal or otherwise, only picked up the idea to work with flowers recently, and has an ego the size of Texas. Sure, he knows a little about flower symbolism. The story doesn’t say how he picked that info up. If it had hinted at him actually doing some research, maybe reading a book, I wouldn’t be so mad. But as he’s presented, I hated Luis.
Then there’s David, “overall, a pretty standard looking guy.” Not exactly an exciting start. But at least I didn’t hate him. If anything, I liked David. Middle aged, worried about his business, and he also hated Luis.
I might have continued to read a bit more of the book just for David, if the spark between the two men hadn’t felt so fake. There was absolutely no spark or even sign of interest between the men during their first meeting. Which made the line “If David Cranston was younger, or even less disagreeable, Luis would have had half a mind to pin the man against the wall and fuck the contrariness right out of him” seem even more out of place. I literally said, “What?!” when I read that line. It comes out of nowhere. A blatant, heavy-handed attempt by the authors to generate a spark when it’s not coming naturally.
I don’t even remember the last time I gave up on a book so quickly. I actually felt a little bad that I didn’t get farther. But I could just tell that I wasn’t going to enjoy the story.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews and find the series review here
Because I DNF-ed the previous book, Future Gay Boyfriend, I knew that the best way to give this book a fair shot was to read something else as a palate cleanser of sorts. After a few days and a nonfiction book, I felt good as I cracked open Future Ex Enemy. And experienced an instant and almost visceral hatred of Luis.
To be fair to the authors, my hatred of Luis is entirely my own. He embodies so many of my pet peeves that it’s unreal. I’m a millennial, so I don’t hate on millennials, but Luis is like a condensed version of all the things people hate millennials for. And it’s not just because he showed up late to his interview because he tried and failed to satisfactorily tie his bowtie. (But I mean, come on. If you can’t tie a bowtie, don’t wear one. It’s that simple.)
No, what made me hate Luis was that he was just a random employee at Kingston Party Rentals and one day he decided to rearrange a bride’s wedding centerpieces without her permission because he thought they were dated. WTF?? I don’t care that it turned out well in the end. You don’t touch other people’s stuff without permission. And at that point, Luis was not interested in flower arrangement. He was just a random guy who thought he knew better than anyone else.
This backstory is probably meant to make Luis seem like he has a natural talent for design. To me, he seemed like an entitled asshole. But I was still willing to give him a shot. And then he walks into his interview with David like he’s hot shit, when he still had literally no experience in flower arrangement. He didn’t even want to work at Designs by David, but “A job in a place like this wasn’t his ideal first gig, but he needed to start somewhere, and this place was hiring.”
This is why people want to punch millennials in the face. Luis has no training, formal or otherwise, only picked up the idea to work with flowers recently, and has an ego the size of Texas. Sure, he knows a little about flower symbolism. The story doesn’t say how he picked that info up. If it had hinted at him actually doing some research, maybe reading a book, I wouldn’t be so mad. But as he’s presented, I hated Luis.
Then there’s David, “overall, a pretty standard looking guy.” Not exactly an exciting start. But at least I didn’t hate him. If anything, I liked David. Middle aged, worried about his business, and he also hated Luis.
I might have continued to read a bit more of the book just for David, if the spark between the two men hadn’t felt so fake. There was absolutely no spark or even sign of interest between the men during their first meeting. Which made the line “If David Cranston was younger, or even less disagreeable, Luis would have had half a mind to pin the man against the wall and fuck the contrariness right out of him” seem even more out of place. I literally said, “What?!” when I read that line. It comes out of nowhere. A blatant, heavy-handed attempt by the authors to generate a spark when it’s not coming naturally.
I don’t even remember the last time I gave up on a book so quickly. I actually felt a little bad that I didn’t get farther. But I could just tell that I wasn’t going to enjoy the story.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews and find the series review here
January 1, 2025
Holy tension Batman…
I’m not sure I've ever read a book where the characters HATED each other with THIS much passion (or roses). Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect of this enemies to lovers story. So, I was surprised when it blew away my expectations. There are too many in this trope that uses the idea as nothing but a plot device, where characters hate each other, sure, but they'll love each other by page 3. Did somebody say disappointment?!? BUT, not with this one! They legit hate each other, and you can feel the seething waves of tension as you read through their encounters with one another. So, color me surprised when I enjoyed my first enemies to lovers. :)
I’ve been waiting for an author(s) to show that hatred can have another outlet… and outlet with very believable LUST!!!!
*Sigh* I should have known it was going to happen. The Futures series by Denning and Hawthorne has always been on point and had consistently awesome HEA (or maybe not on this one ;) ). J/K! Side note: I love characters who refer to each other by their last names, there’s just something about it ...but back on topic, David and Luis are the Most spectacular Jacka**es to each other, until they’re not. *smirk*
I’m not gonna lie, I loved the tension, the fights, the attitudes, VERBENA, and I loved the distinctly different passions for floral arrangements and flower choices…
I was unaware that floral scents and flower petals could be so damn bossy! Agh!
5/5 - ARC provided by the authors for an honest review.
...Also, I will never deny loving when these authors team-up. Its like debauchery with singing unicorns flying out of its ass, for fuck's sake they’re florists and its HOT!
I’m not sure I've ever read a book where the characters HATED each other with THIS much passion (or roses). Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect of this enemies to lovers story. So, I was surprised when it blew away my expectations. There are too many in this trope that uses the idea as nothing but a plot device, where characters hate each other, sure, but they'll love each other by page 3. Did somebody say disappointment?!? BUT, not with this one! They legit hate each other, and you can feel the seething waves of tension as you read through their encounters with one another. So, color me surprised when I enjoyed my first enemies to lovers. :)
I’ve been waiting for an author(s) to show that hatred can have another outlet… and outlet with very believable LUST!!!!
*Sigh* I should have known it was going to happen. The Futures series by Denning and Hawthorne has always been on point and had consistently awesome HEA (or maybe not on this one ;) ). J/K! Side note: I love characters who refer to each other by their last names, there’s just something about it ...but back on topic, David and Luis are the Most spectacular Jacka**es to each other, until they’re not. *smirk*
I’m not gonna lie, I loved the tension, the fights, the attitudes, VERBENA, and I loved the distinctly different passions for floral arrangements and flower choices…
I was unaware that floral scents and flower petals could be so damn bossy! Agh!
5/5 - ARC provided by the authors for an honest review.
...Also, I will never deny loving when these authors team-up. Its like debauchery with singing unicorns flying out of its ass, for fuck's sake they’re florists and its HOT!
August 6, 2019
Luis goes for a job interview and totally insults the florist David. So he doesn’t get the job. He finds a better one and totally gets to rub it in David’s face. When they are forced to work together for a contest both men want to win. David wants to do it to save his business, Luis does it mainly to beat David.
Oil and Water
Roses and Lilies
Love and Hate
Hot and Cold, then just Hot as they discover they can’t keep their hands (or mouths) off each other.
These writers weave their stories together so well. Their characters are always well defined and easy to like, (though Luis was a bit of a brat). Being a retired florist I enjoyed the flower combinations they came up with, it was a nice touch. I liked the book. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this book from the authors.
Oil and Water
Roses and Lilies
Love and Hate
Hot and Cold, then just Hot as they discover they can’t keep their hands (or mouths) off each other.
These writers weave their stories together so well. Their characters are always well defined and easy to like, (though Luis was a bit of a brat). Being a retired florist I enjoyed the flower combinations they came up with, it was a nice touch. I liked the book. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this book from the authors.
August 10, 2019
DNF @82%
The first 80% where okay to begin with. Not great. Not amazing. Just....okay. There was some enemies-to-lover “tension” but it wasn’t even that good. The banter they had dint give me that vibe.
Also I counted FIVE (5) jerk off shower sex scene ALL OF THEM one after the other. This stressed me out so much. Why?? Why were there so many and all one after the other?? Ugh.
I am a veteran at enemies-to-lovers books. I inhale that shit like it’s oxygen. This wasn’t it. A good start but not enough. Also from the guys in the cover, I couldn’t tell which one was supposed to be David or Luis.
The first 80% where okay to begin with. Not great. Not amazing. Just....okay. There was some enemies-to-lover “tension” but it wasn’t even that good. The banter they had dint give me that vibe.
Also I counted FIVE (5) jerk off shower sex scene ALL OF THEM one after the other. This stressed me out so much. Why?? Why were there so many and all one after the other?? Ugh.
I am a veteran at enemies-to-lovers books. I inhale that shit like it’s oxygen. This wasn’t it. A good start but not enough. Also from the guys in the cover, I couldn’t tell which one was supposed to be David or Luis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
“You’re late”
I love enemies to lovers and I absolutely love it when it’s by Kate and EM. This will have you wanting to go to the nearest bath and body works looking for some Lemon Verbena lotion so you can remember what it smells like and make you want to go buy some flowers. The chemistry is off the charts from chapter one and you’ll be shaking your head at these two knuckle heads while they deny everything they feel until almost the last second.
I love enemies to lovers and I absolutely love it when it’s by Kate and EM. This will have you wanting to go to the nearest bath and body works looking for some Lemon Verbena lotion so you can remember what it smells like and make you want to go buy some flowers. The chemistry is off the charts from chapter one and you’ll be shaking your head at these two knuckle heads while they deny everything they feel until almost the last second.
August 10, 2019
This was fuuuuuun! The line between hate, lust and love is super fine in this super sexy, UST-driven romance between two diametrically different florists who just need to work out that what's blooming between them isn't just the flowers 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 12, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this book but it ended up being not so bad. Cute enemies to lovers story with plenty of insults and snark. Nothing to write home about but a good way to spend a few hours.
August 19, 2019
Oooooh! So much tension between these two in a great addition to the Future series!
David Cranston and Luis Montgomery couldn't be more different in style, work method and personality so it's no wonder that they clash so much when it comes to working together and again at a floral contest.
It makes for really entertaining reading with a lot of barbs back and forth between the two but an excessive amount of sexual tension simmering below the surface. There's a heartwarming element to the story as David's flower shop is struggling and the floral contest is a possible saviour for it, making him fight that much harder to win the competition and show Luis how a timeless classic can win. Luis is determined to prove himself as a new guy to the industry and needs to win to get his and Mallory Vineyard's name out there.
I love that we get to see some of the previous characters from this series and there is some supportive friendships that grows between them along with the business that builds at the Vineyard we were introduced to in book #1
Kate and E.M. have written a fantastic enemies to lovers story, really drawing the reader in and giving them a story full of tension, chemistry and emotion. I love this series of stories that they have given us, each with a different trope but all equally enjoyable.
Definitely a recommended read for me, especially for lovers of the enemy to lover trope and fans of these authors with love the story.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
David Cranston and Luis Montgomery couldn't be more different in style, work method and personality so it's no wonder that they clash so much when it comes to working together and again at a floral contest.
It makes for really entertaining reading with a lot of barbs back and forth between the two but an excessive amount of sexual tension simmering below the surface. There's a heartwarming element to the story as David's flower shop is struggling and the floral contest is a possible saviour for it, making him fight that much harder to win the competition and show Luis how a timeless classic can win. Luis is determined to prove himself as a new guy to the industry and needs to win to get his and Mallory Vineyard's name out there.
I love that we get to see some of the previous characters from this series and there is some supportive friendships that grows between them along with the business that builds at the Vineyard we were introduced to in book #1
Kate and E.M. have written a fantastic enemies to lovers story, really drawing the reader in and giving them a story full of tension, chemistry and emotion. I love this series of stories that they have given us, each with a different trope but all equally enjoyable.
Definitely a recommended read for me, especially for lovers of the enemy to lover trope and fans of these authors with love the story.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
August 5, 2019
Future Ex Enemy by Kate Hawthorne and EM Denning. First impressions of each other were not favorable, but when brought together again for a job these two men find themselves growing closer and the heat getting higher. David and Luis are such amazing characters. The enemies to lovers theme, the tete-a-tete between the two, the simmering heat that builds as the book progresses and finally explodes in passion so hot it could melt your kindle... well, almost. There is a thin line between hate and love and these two are tumbling over it and I am all for that. The story is interesting with the sense of competition, suspense, drama, sexiness, humor and sweetness. Definitely satisfying read.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
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August 13, 2019DNF- 25%.
I worried that I didn't give this story a fair shake but I just couldn't continue. I didn't feel like I got what I expected from the blurb. At 25% no contest has even been mentioned yet which felt weird to me. I also couldn't get past all the really mean things these 2 MCs say to each other. I know they are in enemy mode now but I can't imagine you just forgive that stuff when you become lovers. I'm not a fan of this one.
I worried that I didn't give this story a fair shake but I just couldn't continue. I didn't feel like I got what I expected from the blurb. At 25% no contest has even been mentioned yet which felt weird to me. I also couldn't get past all the really mean things these 2 MCs say to each other. I know they are in enemy mode now but I can't imagine you just forgive that stuff when you become lovers. I'm not a fan of this one.
August 14, 2019
IMHO, Kate and EM blew the traditional enemies-to-lovers storyline out of the water, turned it inside out and upside down, shredded it into a million pieces, set the pieces on fire, then put it back together in a fresh, original, and grab-you-by-the-feels tale guaranteed to pull you in from the very first page.
Read
January 3, 2021DNF 48%
I love enemy to lovers stories but Not only did I not feel the attraction between Luis and David, I also couldn’t connect with them for some reason.
Maybe I’ll try it another time.....
I love enemy to lovers stories but Not only did I not feel the attraction between Luis and David, I also couldn’t connect with them for some reason.
Maybe I’ll try it another time.....
August 12, 2019
Flowers, hate sex and emotions so deep that you can't tell what they mean. A lovely story of change, understanding and traditions - this book will make you feel the whole emotional spectrum!
August 28, 2019
It was a sexy read, but was there something more between the two main characters than a hot fuck? Not really. I felt also a bit off about whole sex without condoms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2021
This was not the same as the others
This was a little too heavy on the hate and not enough of the love.
Though the last bit of the story was good.
This was a little too heavy on the hate and not enough of the love.
Though the last bit of the story was good.
March 3, 2021
Hate and love both stem from passion, so it’s no wonder that two men who initially hate each other end up happily ever after together in this book. Of course, this is only possible because David and Luis have undeniable chemistry. This only serves to irritate each man further, which draws them closer together, which makes them angrier, which… You get the picture. They might have the opposite of a “meet-cute” at the beginning of the story, but by the time the first kiss rolls around, sparks would have flown if it didn’t happen in a walk-in flower cooler.
The plot of this book obviously depends on throwing the characters together time and again, and Hawthorne and Denning deliver the trope de resistance with that old favorite, “there’s only one bed.” The authors skirt a particular line in these hate-sex encounters, which might turn some readers off from the book altogether. However, watching the characters start to realize that there is more to their interactions than pure distaste is fascinating as it unfolds, egged on by both a precocious niece (who’s actually more interested in giraffes) and a slightly manipulative old lady (who’s actually more interested in flowers). Overt or not, circumstances conspire to show Luis and David how much they mean to each other.
Nothing about this book is a traditional romance arc, making it all the more interesting to read. Out of all the characters in this series, these are the two I’d love to check in on later. I have the feeling that being in love will do little to cool the adversity dynamic of their relationship.
The plot of this book obviously depends on throwing the characters together time and again, and Hawthorne and Denning deliver the trope de resistance with that old favorite, “there’s only one bed.” The authors skirt a particular line in these hate-sex encounters, which might turn some readers off from the book altogether. However, watching the characters start to realize that there is more to their interactions than pure distaste is fascinating as it unfolds, egged on by both a precocious niece (who’s actually more interested in giraffes) and a slightly manipulative old lady (who’s actually more interested in flowers). Overt or not, circumstances conspire to show Luis and David how much they mean to each other.
Nothing about this book is a traditional romance arc, making it all the more interesting to read. Out of all the characters in this series, these are the two I’d love to check in on later. I have the feeling that being in love will do little to cool the adversity dynamic of their relationship.
April 17, 2021
4 stars
Hmmm... it took me a while to warm up to either MC. I liked what little we ‘saw’ of David in the previous books but, when I got his story, he acted like a crusty old man. Of course that could be the fact that we meet David when Luis meets him and they clash from the start. Luis was too cocky for his own good but, only when he was around David. David was an old-fashioned grump but, only around Luis! Once their personalities came out when away from each other, I liked them.
Their encounters were filled with animosity bordering on passion. While still believing they hated each other, things did get sexual a couple of times and eventually (about 3/4 through the book, they realized they no longer hated each other.
Well written. Overall, I did enjoy this one more than FGB.
*****
POV... third person
Standalone or series... book 3 in series but can be read as standalone
Hangover... no
Recommend... sure
Reread... maybe
KU read
David Cranston
Luis Montgomery
Hmmm... it took me a while to warm up to either MC. I liked what little we ‘saw’ of David in the previous books but, when I got his story, he acted like a crusty old man. Of course that could be the fact that we meet David when Luis meets him and they clash from the start. Luis was too cocky for his own good but, only when he was around David. David was an old-fashioned grump but, only around Luis! Once their personalities came out when away from each other, I liked them.
Their encounters were filled with animosity bordering on passion. While still believing they hated each other, things did get sexual a couple of times and eventually (about 3/4 through the book, they realized they no longer hated each other.
Well written. Overall, I did enjoy this one more than FGB.
*****
POV... third person
Standalone or series... book 3 in series but can be read as standalone
Hangover... no
Recommend... sure
Reread... maybe
KU read
David Cranston
Luis Montgomery
January 30, 2024
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Future Ex Enemy is the last book in the Mallory Vineyard series, and I love that each of them has their own completely different vibe.
David is struggling to keep his family's flower shop going, and when the much younger Luis walks and tears apart his work, the two part on unfriendly terms.
And their paths keep colliding, somehow making them hate each other more, until they don’t that is.
There is so much tension between these two I’m surprised Kindle didn’t explode.
David is a lovely guy. I would be grumpy too if some young whippersnapper dissed me. Especially when it’s your and your family's life's work on the line.
Luis on the other hand really does beg you to want to spank him.
Future Ex Enemy is the last book in the Mallory Vineyard series, and I love that each of them has their own completely different vibe.
David is struggling to keep his family's flower shop going, and when the much younger Luis walks and tears apart his work, the two part on unfriendly terms.
And their paths keep colliding, somehow making them hate each other more, until they don’t that is.
There is so much tension between these two I’m surprised Kindle didn’t explode.
David is a lovely guy. I would be grumpy too if some young whippersnapper dissed me. Especially when it’s your and your family's life's work on the line.
Luis on the other hand really does beg you to want to spank him.
January 23, 2024
Constant squabbling and feuding makes this book a pet peeve for me. This will appeal If you like enemies to lovers, but slow and drawn out. There is interaction early on and some intimacy but their hate for each other is still prevalent. Neither can own up to their feelings for each other and will not admit their body reactions to one another. There is a dynamic between them but as soon as the intimacy ends they go back to being cold with one another. I'm not sure when the hate turned to love but there is a lot more underneath the surface with this story. I enjoyed the characters when they finally admitted their feelings and the snark wasn't quite so spiky. A sweet epilogue that gave a HEA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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