The Art of Marrying Your Enemy

The Richmond Brothers #2

by Alina Jacobs

Forget the summer I turned pretty…that was the summer I got hips, acne, and utterly humiliated by Aaron Richmond.
This summer? This was the summer I was forced to marry the bastard.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Marriage Of Convenience, Rom Com, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Forced Proximity

Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2025

About the author

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…

Sign up for my mailing list to get special bonus content, free books, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html

Reviews

[Kylee Jamison · Rating 1 out of 5]

guys, i have but one comment.

he only ended up with daisy *eye twitch* because his first choice, who he indeed DUMPED daisy to be with, *eye twitch* turned him down and told him that daisy was "as good as he was ever gonna get".

and honestly? good for her bc that man was actually psychotic, which is unsurprising since his mother is the antichrist incarnate. anyway.

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this book because the cover was cute and I love a good enemies to lovers book. This one started off great, they really hated one another and I was all for that. Then, things took a turn. The lead up was too incredibly long (the book was too long overall) but in no way, shape or form did I anticipate how quickly hate would shift to LOVE. Not just like, but it has only ever been you type of thing. Now, if you like BDSM and spice and like, degredation, maybe this book will be for you, but from the cute cover and romcom synopsis, I didn't see this coming and it felt completely WILD to be thrown into this plotline. Everyone in this book needed severe therapy. Like, the levels of messed up these people are is unreal honestly. I was going to give up sooner, but I did finish it out because this trainwreck had to be seen till the end. I never leave bad reviews, but my goodness did this whole entire book come out of left field with it's wild plotlines and painfully ignorant characters. They were all awful. Everyone.

[Mia S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much

The FMC was way too whiney and as Aaron called it a princess. He went through so much trauma ok acting like the villain was on par but at times too much. The epilogue left more questions than an ending story- are they always not going to talk and work through insecurities? Meh.

[O’rion Risher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a rom com. It kind of is, but there’s some dark parts and I was not expecting it to take that turn.

I feel like the comedy was over the top and too extensive throughout, I HATED almost everyone around the FMC. The MMC was a red flag waving asshole. I understand he had a very screwed up past, but it didn’t make what he does and says okay. I hated his family, really disliked him, hated her family… she acts like a teenager throwing a tantrum and she’s supposed to be 29 years old. She’s never even been kissed before. That is just so stupid. He acts all high and mighty but hates her because she’s rich and he thinks she acts like a princess? Doesn’t make sense since he’s more rich and literally lived next door to her in the Hamptons. And she legitimately acts as though she isn’t wealthy. Wears stained and old clothes.

So many things just didn’t add up. And then this marriage contract is for 31 days? That’s probably the stupidest amount of time since the contract requires them to consummate the marriage with him “spilling his seed” inside of her. It would make more sense for them to be required to stay married for at least 9 months after the “spilling of seed” to ensure there was a pregnancy or not.

There’s really a lot of plot holes and it bothered me enough that I gave up.

P.S. if you aren’t into dungeons and being bound and pretty forcefully “taken” this book is not for you and you should turn around and run. Or skip those chapters. I must’ve missed a warning about this because I swear I didn’t see one.

[Nikita Wagle · Rating 1 out of 5]

If it was possible to take stars away, I would. Do not read.

[Yesmina · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all what a beautiful/creative/hilarious cover! And yes, the bride trashed her reception and threw the grandiose cake on the groom (and he deserved it)

Quick unspoiled premise: Both MCs have always had an unhealthily obsessed with each other. The kinda obsession that makes you do horrible choices. Both of them though that one hates the other party (there is no miscommunication trope) and they lived for bullying each other which seemed the next best thing if they can't have one another.
Until they were forced to accept an arranged marriage.

This book is not for you if you don't tolerate MEAN MMC. I wholeheartedly warn everyone that the MMC is really mean to her but I love my fictional men that way.
Don't be fooled by the cute cover: there is tons of smut bordering on light BDSM (That sex dungeon stuff was on fiiiiiire!)
Even if this is essentially a rom-com with plenty fluffy heart melting moments, it has its emotional sub-plots (MMC back-story made me tear up)

PS: This is the author that created a unique lore for her stories. They are all standalones but somehow connected: A horrible man established a cult brainwashing women and impregnating them. He has a colony of kids bordering 70 maybe. The books are about those sons who broke free from the cult and how they became rich and powerful yet emotionally inadequate so only a good woman's love can mend them.
Every group of brothers is divided by the mother that birthed them or the territory they now live in (West Coast/ East Coast etc.) And the whole premise is genius.

Reading this Book for my Bingo Challenge to tick the square of "Arranged Marriage"

25 ┃37⭕┃87┃13┃68┃40┃32┃59┃76┃44
10┃86┃4 ┃45┃47┃98┃50┃14┃85┃75
88┃51┃ 9┃2┃42┃29┃ 24┃92┃ 82┃1
100┃34⭕┃17┃96┃43┃49┃64┃70┃15┃38
84┃31┃ 62┃7┃21┃73┃28┃46┃90┃77
3⭕┃12⭕┃80⭕┃ 69┃52⭕┃ 65⭕┃54⭕┃ 91⭕┃23⭕┃ 72⭕
18┃95┃ 22┃99┃93┃74┃41┃8┃35⭕┃ 58
57┃94┃ 16┃56┃ 5┃60┃78┃ 26┃81┃ 61
97┃48┃ 79┃67┃ 53┃30┃ 6┃36┃89┃ 33⭕
71┃19┃ 39┃66┃ 55┃27┃ 20┃63┃ 11┃83

[Jetscarbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is NOT a rom-com (spoilers ahead) I struggle even saying this is a romance book. At the most, I'd classify this as a dark bully romance..maybe. This couple was TOXIC asf.

I don't think I've ever disliked MCs in a book more than this one. Was this book funny? No. There were a few funny moments, but they were completely overshadowed by the toxicity this couple displayed toward each other.

Some backstory- the H and his mom were held as prisoners in the basement for over 10 years. His mom was kidnapped and raped. It took 10 years for them to be rescued. You almost feel sorry for his mom but then....nope. She's just an awful human who needs some serious therapy. They all do.

Anytime the h would get mad at him (which was often) she would make some type of joke about his imprisonment. Don't feel too sorry for him because he always made some crap remark about her weight/looks/intelligence.

What's annoying is that they both liked each other when they were teens, but neither knew how to express their feelings. Instead, they went the "no communication" route and assumed a bunch of things.

I'm sorry but h's family was terrible. I know the author tried to make them seem all supportive and great but it missed the mark badly. They joked about her weight, looks, school degree, etc..... I didn't like any of them. H's family was also garbage but at least he finally stood up to them in the end and cut them off.

The smut was bad. It was really bad. I had to skim it because it just left me feeling gross, especially considering H's backstory. THEN.....when you add all the backdoor action he was obsessed with, I don't know, I was awkward. h was a 29-year-old virgin who had never even been kissed. COME ON. One touch of his hand turns her into some 5-star p*rn star chained up in his basement (for real). *HARD EYE ROLL*

The 3rd act breakup was enough to make me DNF but I waded through to the painful end.
H divorced h so he could marry the woman his mom wanted him to. It seemed like he was fine with it too. He goes to see the OW because he's all ready to make plans for their upcoming wedding and she's like "uh, fk no I'm not marrying you. You should have stayed with Daisy because that's the best you're ever going to do" girrrrrl yes. (the only smart person in this whole book) Then he runs to propose to Daisy and she's like nope. Since Daisy has such an "amazing" family, they tell her she can't find any better man/d**k so she better get him back. She runs to get him back. Then they have some backdoor/frontdoor smex. HEA.
Ugh- it left me feeling like h was the second choice because she was.

eek. Not my vibe

Here are some quotes from the book

“You should be a little more grateful, Princess. This is your once-in-a-lifetime shot at a wedding. The only way a man would ever marry you is if he was forced to.”

“An allowance. I'm not a child!” “Not with hips like those,” he said snidely.

“I don’t want to be seen at Columbia University with you like that,” I barked. “They are a big client of Van de Bergs.”

"My balls shrivel up anytime I have to sleep next to you.”

“You spoiled fucking princess.” My words were bile. I turned on her. She took a step back, glass crunching under her shoes. “Don’t,” I said, my voice cold, “ask me to choose between you and my mother. Because I will never choose you.”

“And as your friend, you might want to try and win Daisy back. I saw the way she looks at you. She is as good as you’re ever going to get.”

[Joanne Kopcho · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love Alina - This book was disappointing

I was eagerly awaiting this book. I have been reading Alina Jacobs for years. Out of all of the series (Holbrooks, Svensons, Richmonds), this book was bad. The author left too many disconnects and holes in the story. Not sure why the editor didn’t see that in the proofreading. Spoiler alert: the author glosses over the very abusive intimacy between Aaron and Daisy. With a bit more thought and develpment, the author could have avoided RED flag set issues that carried forward throughout the end of the book. The book and its loose ends will be a trigger for any reader in a manipulative-abusive relationship. More was needed to close the issues both Daisy and Aaron faced to get to love (e.g., Aaron needs counseling). Not enough done on the back stories and resolutions. Disappointing read based on the quality of the author’s other writings.

[Violet 🖤 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. I wasn’t gonna write a review, but can’t help myself. This was not good. The FMC constantly throwing the MC’s trauma at him and the whole world, no. I can deal with a stubborn and slightly immature FMC but not one this childish. The MC, zero redeeming qualities. Seriously, none. The humor… I guess I missed it? It was just cringe.

The writing well that too was pretty awful all around.. Like, I am 15, have a crush and decided to put my journal entries out there and call it a book type of awful. …how old are we again? No respectable 29 year old is acting like this FMC. There’s smut but even that was poorly written. Hard Pass.

[Ambriehl Khalil · Rating 1 out of 5]

this dude is an actual psycho. zero redeeming qualities??? what was the point of this

[Megan G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everybody needs therapy

Both main characters families are awful and they all need therapy. They were all exceedingly annoying including the main characters when all of their issues stem from miscommunication and despite the fact that these people are almost 30 years old they continue to act like immature high schoolers.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF did I just read 🫨 And why is it 4am. NOBODY be deceived by the poppu happy-go-lucky cover, this is some twisted dark romance shit in here. Also i feel like i should be hating it but i don't...

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUCH A FUN READ!

I may have forgotten to leave a review right after finishing this book, BUT what I did not forget was how ENTERTAINED it kept me THROUGHOUT. It had me cackling, giggling, feeling emotional, and even frustrated at times but it certainly delivered what I was hoping for.

The banter? Chef’s kiss. BUT can we talk about the spice here? I was not prepared in the slightest. Never judge a book by its cover because those scenes flabbered the gast out of me.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

scary, toxic, low-key terrifying, yet marketed as a romcom enemies to lovers.... yeah no.

I've read plenty of alina jacobs, and my enjoyment varies, but this is just a hard no. ignoring that I wasn't expecting it, I read dark romance and enjoy it. but this was just so many levels of wrong.

the MMC has anger issues. routinely punches windows and walls, including just next to her head. yells in her face, grabs her, and throws her around. chains her up in a basement. vrigin fmc's first time is of dubious consent and he's extremely rough on her. and not in a fun way. then proceeds to an*lly r*pe her. he says he feels bad in his POVs but no actions show that. I don't care what he's been through, it is not an excuse for how he acted.

the fmc is not perfect, but she's a little more typical flawed character. spoiled brat? no. but she's is rich and privileged, though she doesn't meet any of the cliches. she's insecure about her weight, and lashes out when shes hurt, and he has been hurting her for years. after what I described above about her first time, she's happy because it means a man finally wanted her....and then we discover her crush is actually a fully fledged obsession. really it's the only thing that explains her acceptance of his behaviour, but it was just weird over all.

I truly do not care that they've both been harboring a "crush". nothing could make this make sense to me. and the way he ends up with her in the end is just another punch in the gut.

oh and families on both sides are horrible in different in ways. this book made me so anxious and triggered some very unwanted feelings memories.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I didn't read this on my kindle I would have thrown the book in a wood chipper!

[Terry H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 100 mph theme park ride…

First, let me say that I do enjoy Alina Jacob’s writing. She’s sharp and witty and her stories have a lot of imagination .

This is the second book I’ve read in this series and I’m giving it 3 stars mainly because other than Daisy, the FMC and her mother, I can’t stand any of the other characters. They are either truly unlikable or annoying as heck.

The backstory for The Richmond Brothers is probably the most twisted back story I’ve ever read and it seems like something you would read in a thriller or horror novel, not a romance.

But like I said, Alina Jacob’s has a wild imagination.

Daisy’s siblings are awful. Selfish and self centered. Her dad is okay but her mom is fantastic.

Aaron’s brothers are great but his mom and her family are so ridiculously crazy that I just wanted to throw my phone across the room.

I won’t give out any plot because even if I did do spoilers, there’s so much going on from the first word of the first chapter to the last word of the last chapter and everything goes 100 mph. It’s a constant ride on a rollercoaster.

Let me just say this….the sex scenes are 5 star and ghost pepper hot and there’s a wonderful HEA.

I had fun with this and I hate that Goodreads won’t get with the program and let us give ratings a little more nuanced than whole stars. This would get a 3.75.

[Roxanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the reviews here before I opened the book and read it anyway lol the ad on Insta with the blurb made it sound better than the reviews (lesson learned!)

It was just meh. I almost DNFd it but I wanted to see if there was more backstory for Aaron . Daisy was aggravating at best. Food seemed to be her entire personality trait . No problem that she was a virgin but her first experience is being chained up in a dungeon and included no prep anal and she LOVED it and was ravenous for more immediately ? Come on. Plus the allusion that Aaron needs his dungeon to feel sexually satisfied really romanticized his abuse which I also found off putting . Enjoying the scene or a BDSM lifestyle should not be associated with abuse . It’s insulting to those of us who enjoy it.

The story, itself, was like Swiss cheese. Too many holes that needed to be filled. They met as kids, loved each other but then hated each other? What happened ? We needed more filler on the backstory. Aaron’s mother was kidnapped along with other women and kept in a cellar? She comes out bitter and hating him but so does her family? I understand her being angry but his grandparents blaming him
For being a product of rape? Blaming him for his mother’s issues? GTFOH.

Honestly save yourself the time and don’t read this.

[Book Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost there, but yet so far

I really wanted to like this book, but it was just off center alot. I wouldn't say it's a comedy more of a cringe. The underlying storyline is good, but it gave me none of the feels and the characters fell flat alot and there was no were near enough groveling from him.

*spoiler* you cant just tell your wife you'd never pick her over your mum when your mum has just spat vile thing at her for no reason at all and then divorce your wife and expect a few flowers to make up for your behaviour.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both families were shitty except for grandma and Reece. All the comments about her weight? And the joking with serious shit? She was so… ugh. And he wasn’t any better, though his breakup with the family did make me a bit sad.

[Tina]

So this book had such a fun idea: marry your enemy to save the family fortune? Yes please. I was ready for drama, chaos, and a bit of spice. What I got instead was a weird mix of cringey smut, confusing backstory, and characters that made me want to throw my Kindle across the room.

Let’s start with the good: Granny Madge. Absolute queen. She was hilarious and honestly carried the whole book on her back. If the story had been all about her, I’d have been obsessed.

But everything else? Ehhhhhh. Daisy’s family was the worst. Her sister was a selfish brat, everyone treated Daisy like dirt, and they were all bending over backwards to please Aaron, who, by the way, was a complete jerk. I have no idea why Daisy’s supposed to fall for him. He was controlling, emotionally cold, and just... rude. Plus, his tragic backstory was dumped in tiny bits that didn’t help me understand him. I still don’t get why his mum’s drama is his fault or why he “owes” her anything.

Also, the smut. Oof. I’m not even a prude, but wow—it was repetitive, over-the-top, and honestly uncomfortable. Especially when you remember Daisy had never even been kissed before this. One second she’s a virgin, the next she’s a walking adult film star?? It just didn’t feel believable or earned, and Aaron’s obsession with backdoor stuff made it all feel even more off. The power imbalance was icky. Some scenes felt coercive.

Then there's the marriage contract and the whole “we have to sleep together or the marriage is void” thing. Like… what?? And the weird Victorian references and random family obsession with Aaron being around kids? Many plot threads were introduced and then barely explained.

Honestly, this book had potential. I wanted to like it. The forced marriage enemies-to-lovers trope, the awkward wedding moments, the sassy grandmother—all that could’ve made for a fun rom-com. But the pacing dragged, the romance felt forced, and the “spice” was just uncomfortable.

The narration didn’t help. The male narrator was giving major Mr. Moviefone vibes—like he was reading a trailer instead of actual dialogue. And the female narrator? She didn’t always hit the right emotions. Serious moments came off weirdly light, and somehow everyone sounded a bit too happy, even when things were tense or dramatic. It kind of killed the mood and made it even harder to connect with the characters.

Two stars—one for Granny Madge, and one for the idea that could’ve worked with a lot more editing and a lot less cringe.

[Kaely Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of dark romance and was looking for an escape with someone funny and light hearted, but this was not quite it. It was good and funny at times, but the mmc's background was dark and so the story got dark at times.

[Anna Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 so book 2 had a hard act to follow. This is enemies to love at its finest. The hatred, awful behavior is full. The steamy sex at its raunchiest, all with the vulnerability of two people in love.

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was painful.
Not remotely a rom-com. Too much too weird & discombobulating overall.
The characters reeked. The plot was a cesspool.
Odd crap filled bully romance with no redeeming qualities.
I’m floored that this author made these choices.
Honestly- WTF.

[MP · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the world did I just read

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me. I loved the main girl but I wanted to beat up the mmc on multiple occasions. Overall, I loved it.

[Thea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Significantly worse than the first book which is a feat in itself

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Spicy, funny, trauma. All the things

[Aly · Rating 1 out of 5]

idek where to start 🙃

but natapos ko siya so 🥴

[Angela Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty funny

Great story, plenty of humor. The last 1/4 was a bit tedious but I like the author. Only a couple of proofreading errors

[Jaime Fiction Fangirls · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could’ve really loved this story had everything not been so crude and unserious. The backstory of the mmc was a serious subject and could have such a profound impact on the whole story but it kind of felt like this was used as an excuse for him to be an absolute nightmare to the mfc. The constant aggressive anal talk I really could have done without. It wasn’t necessary to address the mmc’s inner turmoil and proclivities and actually felt kind of rapey. I also have to agree with so many of the reviewers who wondered if he hadn’t been turned down, if he would’ve ever stood his ground and actually chose the mfc. Even his big moment of finally standing up for himself felt overly self-depricating. HE WAS A CHILD, it was never his duty to save anyone but himself.

I’m so frustrated because I actually liked the characters and the plot but it just feels like the seriousness of it all was made into something lighthearted and crass and if i never have to read so much about anal again it will be worth not reading this author again.