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Behind Frenemy Lines
Award-winning author Zen Cho delivers a sparkling and witty rivals-to-lovers romance reminiscent of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game and Sajni Patel's The Trouble with Hating You.
Sparks fly when an ambitious rules-bound lawyer clashes with a maverick new hire who threatens his chances of partnership—and the walls he's built around his heart.
Charles Goh has always played by the rules. It’s how he survived his difficult childhood as the swotty foreigner at a posh English boarding school -- and now, his high-pressure job at one of the biggest corporate law firms in London. His job is his life and he's happy that way … until she shows up.
Kriya Rajasekar's lost her way. Her longtime boyfriend's broken up with her and she feels trapped in her legal career. She knows she needs a fresh start -- but it turns out her new job is at the same firm as her work nemesis. Charles Goh is like the bad luck charm she keeps running into, and their encounters lead to disaster every single time. And now he's her office mate.
But just as they’re figuring out how to navigate this frenemy relationship, Kriya needs Charles’ pretend they’re dating so her boss will stop hitting on her. Soon, it becomes less clear whether they're enemies, friends – or something else.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Sparks fly when an ambitious rules-bound lawyer clashes with a maverick new hire who threatens his chances of partnership—and the walls he's built around his heart.
Charles Goh has always played by the rules. It’s how he survived his difficult childhood as the swotty foreigner at a posh English boarding school -- and now, his high-pressure job at one of the biggest corporate law firms in London. His job is his life and he's happy that way … until she shows up.
Kriya Rajasekar's lost her way. Her longtime boyfriend's broken up with her and she feels trapped in her legal career. She knows she needs a fresh start -- but it turns out her new job is at the same firm as her work nemesis. Charles Goh is like the bad luck charm she keeps running into, and their encounters lead to disaster every single time. And now he's her office mate.
But just as they’re figuring out how to navigate this frenemy relationship, Kriya needs Charles’ pretend they’re dating so her boss will stop hitting on her. Soon, it becomes less clear whether they're enemies, friends – or something else.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2025
40 people are currently reading
5993 people want to read
About the author
Zen Cho
58 books2,688 followersI'm a Malaysian fantasy writer based in the UK. Find out more about my work here: http://zencho.org
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August 11, 2025A modern romance starring two corporate lawyers, but you don't hate either of them, which is impressive in itself. The romance is slow burn, immensely sweet once the initial difficulties have passed (the hero is neurodivergent and it takes a while for them to understand one another), closed door and very charming. That works extremely well with the quite gritty background of corporate misconduct, corruption, and sexual harassment to make for a really satisfying read. Hugely likeable and, of course, very well written.
August 12, 2025
I haven't loved an East Asian x South Asian romance like this since LAST TANG STANDING. More Interracial Romance with Non-White Love Interest, please.
I 100% requested this for the cover. My girl Kriya is hot af. And because I loved THE ORDER OF THE PURE MOON REFLECTED IN WATER, a completely different genre. And because I did not read my ARC of THE FRIEND ZONE EXPERIMENT on time. Surprised?
So, like LAST TANG STANDING, we've got lawyers that want to be enemies to lovers so bad. I think it's more misunderstanding than anything else, but it makes for a fun book. Obviously, Kriya and Charles end up sharing an office. More obviously, her divorced, middle-aged, white boss sexually harasses her, and is surprised when she doesn't reciprocate his "affections."
We're dealing with the law, so obviously there are some shady clients. But because they're both Asian, we've also got a family wedding they both end up attending. Let's not overlook one of my favorite tropes, fake dating.
There's also fraud, shady family members, and overall, some stupid decisions. God, I love when characters make stupid decisions. Makes me feel better about my own life. Don't ask me about my life.
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
I 100% requested this for the cover. My girl Kriya is hot af. And because I loved THE ORDER OF THE PURE MOON REFLECTED IN WATER, a completely different genre. And because I did not read my ARC of THE FRIEND ZONE EXPERIMENT on time. Surprised?
So, like LAST TANG STANDING, we've got lawyers that want to be enemies to lovers so bad. I think it's more misunderstanding than anything else, but it makes for a fun book. Obviously, Kriya and Charles end up sharing an office. More obviously, her divorced, middle-aged, white boss sexually harasses her, and is surprised when she doesn't reciprocate his "affections."
We're dealing with the law, so obviously there are some shady clients. But because they're both Asian, we've also got a family wedding they both end up attending. Let's not overlook one of my favorite tropes, fake dating.
There's also fraud, shady family members, and overall, some stupid decisions. God, I love when characters make stupid decisions. Makes me feel better about my own life. Don't ask me about my life.
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
June 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ | Behind Frenemy Lines was such a cute & resonating read. I loved the diversity of the characters & they were very easy to love. With underlying tropes of fake dating and frenemies to lovers, it was an overall enjoyable read.
Kriya & Charles are forced to share an office when she embarks on a new career journey & of course, Charles is her work nemesis. In true fate fashion, they slowly blossom a wonderful friendship that leads to more!
It was great to read about characters with such diverse backgrounds. In addition to ethnicity, Kriya is a lawyer and navigating her way through a male dominated workplace & its challenges. I enjoyed the performance in the audiobook & the dual narration, both narrators brought good energy to the characters. Recommend for fans of slow burn work romance stories with satisfying endings & the tropes listed above. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Kriya & Charles are forced to share an office when she embarks on a new career journey & of course, Charles is her work nemesis. In true fate fashion, they slowly blossom a wonderful friendship that leads to more!
It was great to read about characters with such diverse backgrounds. In addition to ethnicity, Kriya is a lawyer and navigating her way through a male dominated workplace & its challenges. I enjoyed the performance in the audiobook & the dual narration, both narrators brought good energy to the characters. Recommend for fans of slow burn work romance stories with satisfying endings & the tropes listed above. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2025
Behind Frenemy Lines was a quick, cute read packed with romance! It’s a workplace rom-com with only one office yes, forced proximity fans, this one’s for you. There’s also fake dating, great banter, and solid diversity rep throughout.
It’s a sweet, slow-build romance with no spice (fade to black), but the chemistry still shines. I flew through it and really enjoyed the lighthearted vibes.
Trigger warning: sexual harassment in the workplace is addressed.
Big thanks to Bramble Romance for the gifted copy! Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. the audio was very well done the narration was nuanced and great performances.
It’s a sweet, slow-build romance with no spice (fade to black), but the chemistry still shines. I flew through it and really enjoyed the lighthearted vibes.
Trigger warning: sexual harassment in the workplace is addressed.
Big thanks to Bramble Romance for the gifted copy! Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. the audio was very well done the narration was nuanced and great performances.
July 3, 2025
3.5/5
TW: several mentions of sexual harassment, workplace harassment
I always love seeing unique representations of Asian culture, and this book was chock full of those. We had an Indian female MC, with some other characters hailing from Hong Kong and Malaysia. I loved seeing all the mentions and descriptions of their customs, culture and food.
When it comes to the book itself, I felt it was lesser focused on the romance and more on the life of Kriya as a lawyer. It definitely took me some time to get used to all the lawyer speak and terminology, but once I did it was smooth sailing. My only other grievance was how script-like and plain Charles' (the male MC) chapters felt. It occasionally would make the plot lose its momentum and felt jarring, although I'm aware the author likely made it intentional to show how practical and to the point Charles is as a character.
Overall though, it was a pleasant read and I enjoyed seeing this interracial relationship between two incredibly smart and badass main characters. I'd be interested to see what else Zen Cho comes up with!
TW: several mentions of sexual harassment, workplace harassment
I always love seeing unique representations of Asian culture, and this book was chock full of those. We had an Indian female MC, with some other characters hailing from Hong Kong and Malaysia. I loved seeing all the mentions and descriptions of their customs, culture and food.
When it comes to the book itself, I felt it was lesser focused on the romance and more on the life of Kriya as a lawyer. It definitely took me some time to get used to all the lawyer speak and terminology, but once I did it was smooth sailing. My only other grievance was how script-like and plain Charles' (the male MC) chapters felt. It occasionally would make the plot lose its momentum and felt jarring, although I'm aware the author likely made it intentional to show how practical and to the point Charles is as a character.
Overall though, it was a pleasant read and I enjoyed seeing this interracial relationship between two incredibly smart and badass main characters. I'd be interested to see what else Zen Cho comes up with!
July 8, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My first Zen Cho book! It checked all the boxes for a perfect workplace romance. Our leading lady is sharp, hilarious, and the kind of character you’d actually want to grab drinks with. Plus, she’s in her 30s! I need more of that.
The story is rich with cultural depth and vibrant Asian family dynamics, offering representation that feels both meaningful and true-to-life. A note: there is no spice in this book, but it still captured real emotional intimacy without needing to be explicit. Yes, I love smut as much as the next person, but this was tasteful. I enjoyed the way it seamlessly blends political themes, pop culture nods, and a fresh modern voice. The side characters are lively, the pacing never lags, and there were some plot twists I genuinely didn’t see coming (and I read a lot of romance).
Some of my favorite tropes and themes you’ll find inside:
✅ LGBTQ+ rep
✅ Brilliant, relatable FMC
✅ Fake dating (!!)
If you’re craving a romance that’s witty, layered, and filled with heart, this one delivers. It's light and easy.
Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
My first Zen Cho book! It checked all the boxes for a perfect workplace romance. Our leading lady is sharp, hilarious, and the kind of character you’d actually want to grab drinks with. Plus, she’s in her 30s! I need more of that.
The story is rich with cultural depth and vibrant Asian family dynamics, offering representation that feels both meaningful and true-to-life. A note: there is no spice in this book, but it still captured real emotional intimacy without needing to be explicit. Yes, I love smut as much as the next person, but this was tasteful. I enjoyed the way it seamlessly blends political themes, pop culture nods, and a fresh modern voice. The side characters are lively, the pacing never lags, and there were some plot twists I genuinely didn’t see coming (and I read a lot of romance).
Some of my favorite tropes and themes you’ll find inside:
✅ LGBTQ+ rep
✅ Brilliant, relatable FMC
✅ Fake dating (!!)
If you’re craving a romance that’s witty, layered, and filled with heart, this one delivers. It's light and easy.
Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
June 30, 2025
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group/Bramble and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance. Add in a fake dating situation and I should have been sold. The blurb for this one made it sound like it would fit this bill perfectly. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me.
I think the writing style is what initially threw off the pacing of this book for me. I love a dual POV romance because you really get to see what is on the mind of the FMC and the MMC. I enjoyed Kriya's POV enough. I could see how she was relatable. But Charles's POV was totally off for me. At first, I thought maybe the author was portraying him as someone on the spectrum. I hadn't remembered reading that in the blurb, but thought maybe I missed it. But I didn't from what I could tell in the story. It was never mentioned but his POV was full of fragmented sentences. Like we were just hearing things that were maybe in his head. I did understand he was being portrayed as socially awkward, but It was hard for me to read and definitely threw off the cadence of the story.
If I could have gotten past the MMCs POV and how it was written, I could not get past all the law speak and jargon. There was so much of the work, the characters never had any time for chemistry. So when they got together I just didn't feel their pull to each other at all. And there was no build up. They went from enemies to sleeping together so quickly. And it wasn't hate sex, it was just them getting together. It did not work for me at all.
Given the blurb, I also thought there would be more romance and spice. This book really had neither.
I did like the cultural references and learned a bit about both the main characters's backgrounds during the story.
Overall, I would not classify this story as a romance at all. It was more a story about a woman learning to stand up for herself and becoming more independent and confident with who she is. It's also about a woman who stands up against sexual harassment in the workplace. For me this one missed the mark and I feel like the blurb needs to be reworked to show it really is about the workplace and the misogyny that exists there. While this story wasn't for me, I'm sure others will find it pleasurable to read.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance. Add in a fake dating situation and I should have been sold. The blurb for this one made it sound like it would fit this bill perfectly. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me.
I think the writing style is what initially threw off the pacing of this book for me. I love a dual POV romance because you really get to see what is on the mind of the FMC and the MMC. I enjoyed Kriya's POV enough. I could see how she was relatable. But Charles's POV was totally off for me. At first, I thought maybe the author was portraying him as someone on the spectrum. I hadn't remembered reading that in the blurb, but thought maybe I missed it. But I didn't from what I could tell in the story. It was never mentioned but his POV was full of fragmented sentences. Like we were just hearing things that were maybe in his head. I did understand he was being portrayed as socially awkward, but It was hard for me to read and definitely threw off the cadence of the story.
If I could have gotten past the MMCs POV and how it was written, I could not get past all the law speak and jargon. There was so much of the work, the characters never had any time for chemistry. So when they got together I just didn't feel their pull to each other at all. And there was no build up. They went from enemies to sleeping together so quickly. And it wasn't hate sex, it was just them getting together. It did not work for me at all.
Given the blurb, I also thought there would be more romance and spice. This book really had neither.
I did like the cultural references and learned a bit about both the main characters's backgrounds during the story.
Overall, I would not classify this story as a romance at all. It was more a story about a woman learning to stand up for herself and becoming more independent and confident with who she is. It's also about a woman who stands up against sexual harassment in the workplace. For me this one missed the mark and I feel like the blurb needs to be reworked to show it really is about the workplace and the misogyny that exists there. While this story wasn't for me, I'm sure others will find it pleasurable to read.
August 13, 2025
Delightful. Sensible MCs, who move past "enemies" pretty swiftly, to mutual respect and more. Charles is a total darling. Interesting legal background, though I would like to have seen the flabby-natured boss getting more of a come-uppance.
Cover art by Bo Feng Lin is rather less subtle than the book.
Cover art by Bo Feng Lin is rather less subtle than the book.
September 1, 2025
4.5 stars. I’ll read anything Zen Cho writes, including a rom-com about straight lawyers, apparently. And it was really good! And fortunately it's not really rivals to lovers - the so called rivalry gets cleared up pretty quickly.
It’s set in the same world as The Friend Zone Experiment - a few secondary characters from it appear. I liked this one better - the romance was much more believable and it’s lighter. There’s still some heavy topics - Kriya’s dealing with sexual harassment at work and Charles has family issues. And a case they’re working on together gets ugly. But it’s much lighter and more fun than The Friend Zone Experiment.
SBTB 2025 summer bingo: immigrant MC. Also class differences and main couple 30+
It’s set in the same world as The Friend Zone Experiment - a few secondary characters from it appear. I liked this one better - the romance was much more believable and it’s lighter. There’s still some heavy topics - Kriya’s dealing with sexual harassment at work and Charles has family issues. And a case they’re working on together gets ugly. But it’s much lighter and more fun than The Friend Zone Experiment.
SBTB 2025 summer bingo: immigrant MC. Also class differences and main couple 30+
July 29, 2025
“What I liked about my relationship with Charles was how nice, in a surprisingly uncomplicated way.”
Behind the Frenemy Lines was a nice workplace romance, but a few things prevented me from completely enjoying the story.
My main trouble came from the MMC. If I love when the authors give their characters truly different voices, it was a bit too much for me in this case. I would have understood if it had been in the dialogues, but in the text, the very synthetic, sometimes just words without true sentences, prevented me from bonding with this character (even though I am a neurodivergent person who actually has trouble to express correctly when I talk) —and it almost pushed me to DNF.
That being said, I loved that we actually saw the characters work, that what they did had a true importance in the plot, and gave a lot of rhythm. I loved their combativity, how they are both proud but also feel restrained by their obligations. The romance between them feels mostly easy and logical, and conflicts come from other characters/situations. I absolutely adored how Charles acts with Kriya, how he supports her but doesn’t act instead of her. He gives her space, because he knows she’s completely able to deal with the situation, and that’s something we need to see more in romance.
Thank you to the author, Colored Pages PR and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
3.5/5
Behind the Frenemy Lines was a nice workplace romance, but a few things prevented me from completely enjoying the story.
My main trouble came from the MMC. If I love when the authors give their characters truly different voices, it was a bit too much for me in this case. I would have understood if it had been in the dialogues, but in the text, the very synthetic, sometimes just words without true sentences, prevented me from bonding with this character (even though I am a neurodivergent person who actually has trouble to express correctly when I talk) —and it almost pushed me to DNF.
That being said, I loved that we actually saw the characters work, that what they did had a true importance in the plot, and gave a lot of rhythm. I loved their combativity, how they are both proud but also feel restrained by their obligations. The romance between them feels mostly easy and logical, and conflicts come from other characters/situations. I absolutely adored how Charles acts with Kriya, how he supports her but doesn’t act instead of her. He gives her space, because he knows she’s completely able to deal with the situation, and that’s something we need to see more in romance.
Thank you to the author, Colored Pages PR and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
3.5/5
May 2, 2025
3.5 stars
rep: Indian Malaysian protagonist, Chinese protagonist, lesbian Chinese side character, Malaysian side characters
cw: workplace sexual harassment, racism
Behind Frenemy Lines was a quick, fun romance that I sped through. There was a little less romance than I anticipated, but I still really enjoyed Kriya and Charles's dynamic. This was also a more realistic book and not filled with tropes, which I actually found refreshing. The dual points-of-view also really worked; Kriya and Charles have very different perspectives, with his chapters reading as very analytical.
quick fun read that focused a little less on the romance than I thought but still had a good dynamic. I really liked the characters and the romance was cute!
rep: Indian Malaysian protagonist, Chinese protagonist, lesbian Chinese side character, Malaysian side characters
cw: workplace sexual harassment, racism
**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Behind Frenemy Lines was a quick, fun romance that I sped through. There was a little less romance than I anticipated, but I still really enjoyed Kriya and Charles's dynamic. This was also a more realistic book and not filled with tropes, which I actually found refreshing. The dual points-of-view also really worked; Kriya and Charles have very different perspectives, with his chapters reading as very analytical.
original review:
quick fun read that focused a little less on the romance than I thought but still had a good dynamic. I really liked the characters and the romance was cute!
June 24, 2025
This was a cute Enemies to lover’s romance. Charles and Kriya aren’t truly enemies but there is tension between them!
Charles is a stick to the rules type of guy and Kriya has just gone through a breakup and is not sure which way to go. Her career isn’t moving the way she wants it too and doesn't really know what to do. Her boss goes to a new company, and she does as well, and she meets Charles and the more time she spends with him they eventually fake a relationship.
Workplace romances may seem like fun but can also be damaging to a person’s career, so be careful, triggers: sexual harassment!
Overall, this was a cute, quick, fun read the banter and flirting was quirky, and I wished they had more time together. No spice was in this book, so I’ll say it was an innocent read, be
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian and Bramble for the eARC!
Charles is a stick to the rules type of guy and Kriya has just gone through a breakup and is not sure which way to go. Her career isn’t moving the way she wants it too and doesn't really know what to do. Her boss goes to a new company, and she does as well, and she meets Charles and the more time she spends with him they eventually fake a relationship.
Workplace romances may seem like fun but can also be damaging to a person’s career, so be careful, triggers: sexual harassment!
Overall, this was a cute, quick, fun read the banter and flirting was quirky, and I wished they had more time together. No spice was in this book, so I’ll say it was an innocent read, be
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian and Bramble for the eARC!
July 24, 2025
Thought the fmc was black, but pleasantly surprised that her ethnicity is Indian by way of Malysia but she was educated in Brittian? so she had a British accent. Didn't know Malaysia had Indians. Like to learn something. Including how close Malyasia is to Hong Kong.
I feel like a lot of British romance hinges on either miscommunication or lack of communication and this was no exception.
Still I liked it enough that I would read this author again
I feel like a lot of British romance hinges on either miscommunication or lack of communication and this was no exception.
Still I liked it enough that I would read this author again
October 3, 2025
Workplace rivals-to-lovers romance. This was a fun and quick read
November 8, 2025
3.5 stars
she's getting over a bad breakup, he's her bad luck charm, and now they're sharing an office... will they be ok?
a clean adult romance novel that follows kriya, a headstrong lawyer that has just shifted firms with her mentor and charles, a rule abiding lawyer that works at the same firm. they end up having to share an office, and everything would’ve been great, if only charles wasn’t kriya’s bad luck charm lol. i absolutely adored their dynamic and the conversations they had!
kriya is the kind of person who cant help but want to fix a wrong that happens in front of her and i love that about her!! and charles, while he may seem awkward and uninterested, he’s such a sweetheart and i loved how he always looked out for kriya, even long before she even liked him hehe :)) my only complaint with the book is i need more scenes of them!!! we got too little couple scenes, pls an extra epilogue please 🥺🥺
thank you so much to zen cho, bramble romance, and colored pages book tours for sending me an ARC through netgalley! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out now!
she's getting over a bad breakup, he's her bad luck charm, and now they're sharing an office... will they be ok?
a clean adult romance novel that follows kriya, a headstrong lawyer that has just shifted firms with her mentor and charles, a rule abiding lawyer that works at the same firm. they end up having to share an office, and everything would’ve been great, if only charles wasn’t kriya’s bad luck charm lol. i absolutely adored their dynamic and the conversations they had!
kriya is the kind of person who cant help but want to fix a wrong that happens in front of her and i love that about her!! and charles, while he may seem awkward and uninterested, he’s such a sweetheart and i loved how he always looked out for kriya, even long before she even liked him hehe :)) my only complaint with the book is i need more scenes of them!!! we got too little couple scenes, pls an extra epilogue please 🥺🥺
thank you so much to zen cho, bramble romance, and colored pages book tours for sending me an ARC through netgalley! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out now!
July 9, 2025
This workplace co-worker fake dating to more dual POV romance just wasn't for me. I found it slow, lacked chemistry between the main characters and that there was more focus on the workplace harassment plot than the actual romance. Okay on audio but not one I'll remember or recommend even though it had a FAB cover! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
June 17, 2025
ARC and ALC review
Kriya is going through a messy break up and needs a fresh start.
Her boss plans to leave the law firm and asks her to follow him.
What she did not expect is to share an office with Charles, her work nemesis.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
This book is a workplace romance that starts with fake dating.
I liked both main characters, especially Kriya.
She is a strong and independent woman that can take care of herself and even stands up for others.
I have to say that I did not like Charles much in the start, but he turned out to be a very cute guy.
The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Daniel York Loh and Vera Chok.
I liked that we have both perspectives and the narrators helped me connect easier with the characters and the story.
They both have great accents but were easy to understand.
The romantic plot is a slow burn and I liked that they became friends first.
What I did not expect (but it did not bother me) is that there were fade to black scenes.
I also liked that there were realistic work problems, relatable plus size experiences and Asian families expectations.
Kriya is going through a messy break up and needs a fresh start.
Her boss plans to leave the law firm and asks her to follow him.
What she did not expect is to share an office with Charles, her work nemesis.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
This book is a workplace romance that starts with fake dating.
I liked both main characters, especially Kriya.
She is a strong and independent woman that can take care of herself and even stands up for others.
I have to say that I did not like Charles much in the start, but he turned out to be a very cute guy.
The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Daniel York Loh and Vera Chok.
I liked that we have both perspectives and the narrators helped me connect easier with the characters and the story.
They both have great accents but were easy to understand.
The romantic plot is a slow burn and I liked that they became friends first.
What I did not expect (but it did not bother me) is that there were fade to black scenes.
I also liked that there were realistic work problems, relatable plus size experiences and Asian families expectations.
July 10, 2025
One of my anticipated new releases for this year. In Behind Frenemy Lines, Kriya is a high-powered London lawyer who's just moved to a new firm with her boss. But now she shares an office with the man who has seemed to thwart her at every turn...
A big part of the appeal of romance novels is the familiarity--you know exactly what you're getting. But sometimes, retreading the same old tropes can start to feel overdone. Zen Cho's contemporary romances are a breath of fresh air, and she has a real gift for showing who these two people are and why they're attracted to each other without resorting to tired cliches. I enjoyed that while the romance is a central plot point, Cho spends much of the book detailing what Kriya and Charles' life is like, from Kriya's complex relationship with her controlling boss, to Charles sharing a house with his favorite cousin, to an extensive sideplot on corruption scandals in Malaysia.
I also greatly appreciated that Charles isn't the extremely tiresome aggressive pushy alpha type. He's a sweetheart, ruthlessly good at his job, and more than a little autistic-coded. The reason Kriya dislikes him initially isn't because of some contrived unprofessional grudge. It's because her passing encounters with him have all been terrible, although not due to malice on Charles' part. This includes him telling her that she's at the wrong building for her interview right after she fell and broke her shoe and spilling coffee on her favorite outfit before an important court appearance(And that's not even the half of it!! Poor Kriya.)
Highly recommended if you're a romance reader, and it has enough slice of life outside plot going on that it probably has some crossover appeal if romance isn't your usual thing.
A big part of the appeal of romance novels is the familiarity--you know exactly what you're getting. But sometimes, retreading the same old tropes can start to feel overdone. Zen Cho's contemporary romances are a breath of fresh air, and she has a real gift for showing who these two people are and why they're attracted to each other without resorting to tired cliches. I enjoyed that while the romance is a central plot point, Cho spends much of the book detailing what Kriya and Charles' life is like, from Kriya's complex relationship with her controlling boss, to Charles sharing a house with his favorite cousin, to an extensive sideplot on corruption scandals in Malaysia.
I also greatly appreciated that Charles isn't the extremely tiresome aggressive pushy alpha type. He's a sweetheart, ruthlessly good at his job, and more than a little autistic-coded. The reason Kriya dislikes him initially isn't because of some contrived unprofessional grudge. It's because her passing encounters with him have all been terrible, although not due to malice on Charles' part. This includes him telling her that she's at the wrong building for her interview right after she fell and broke her shoe and spilling coffee on her favorite outfit before an important court appearance(And that's not even the half of it!! Poor Kriya.)
Highly recommended if you're a romance reader, and it has enough slice of life outside plot going on that it probably has some crossover appeal if romance isn't your usual thing.
May 30, 2025
Review: Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Behind Frenemy Lines is marketed as an enemies-to-lovers romance, but it reads more like a hate-to-love story. Charles and Kriya aren’t truly enemies, their early interactions are more awkward and curt than genuinely antagonistic. There's tension, yes, but not the kind rooted in true conflict.
Charles Goh is a socially awkward, by-the-book kind of guy who often gives in to his family’s guilt trips, making him come across as a bit of a pushover. Kriya, on the other hand, is feeling stuck and reeling from a breakup. She feels stagnant in her career and doesn't really do much about it until the end (which makes sense, you need time to build up the guts to leave.). When she follows her boss to a new company, she ends up working alongside Charles and, unexpectedly, sharing an office with him. Their proximity leads to more time together and eventually, a fake dating situation.
This is a cute workplace romance with a solid hate-to-love dynamic. Both characters clearly rub each other the wrong way at first, yet there's a magnetic pull between them. I enjoyed the story overall, it’s a quick, fun read but I found myself wishing for more flirting, more banter, and more scenes of Charles and Kriya as a couple. The ending, in particular, felt rushed; I wanted more time with them together. But that's just my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the eARC!
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Behind Frenemy Lines is marketed as an enemies-to-lovers romance, but it reads more like a hate-to-love story. Charles and Kriya aren’t truly enemies, their early interactions are more awkward and curt than genuinely antagonistic. There's tension, yes, but not the kind rooted in true conflict.
Charles Goh is a socially awkward, by-the-book kind of guy who often gives in to his family’s guilt trips, making him come across as a bit of a pushover. Kriya, on the other hand, is feeling stuck and reeling from a breakup. She feels stagnant in her career and doesn't really do much about it until the end (which makes sense, you need time to build up the guts to leave.). When she follows her boss to a new company, she ends up working alongside Charles and, unexpectedly, sharing an office with him. Their proximity leads to more time together and eventually, a fake dating situation.
This is a cute workplace romance with a solid hate-to-love dynamic. Both characters clearly rub each other the wrong way at first, yet there's a magnetic pull between them. I enjoyed the story overall, it’s a quick, fun read but I found myself wishing for more flirting, more banter, and more scenes of Charles and Kriya as a couple. The ending, in particular, felt rushed; I wanted more time with them together. But that's just my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the eARC!
July 1, 2025
This romance is full of tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, and workplace romance. We have two lawyers who live in the UK, but they are from Malaysia (Kriya) and Hong Kong (Charles). I loved all the diversity representation in this one. We deal with some sexual harassment in the workplace, just as an FYI.
I thought Cho did a great job with the slow-build romance. There is no spice because it happens behind closed doors. Both of these characters undergo significant growth throughout the book. They are dealing with family expectations, questioning their career paths, and trying to become “unstuck” in life. Kriya is also fresh out of a very long relationship. I think Cho attacked many different plot points that might have been too much. I did feel a little overwhelmed with all the moving plots that took me in several directions. I don’t want to get into it because I don’t want to spoil anything. I just thought she could have taken a couple of things out, and it would have flown a little bit smoother.
Overall, I thought this was so cute! It was my first Cho book, but it will not be my last. If you love diversity and romance tropes, pick this one up. There’s a lot of both things!
Thank you, Tor, for the printed ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I thought Cho did a great job with the slow-build romance. There is no spice because it happens behind closed doors. Both of these characters undergo significant growth throughout the book. They are dealing with family expectations, questioning their career paths, and trying to become “unstuck” in life. Kriya is also fresh out of a very long relationship. I think Cho attacked many different plot points that might have been too much. I did feel a little overwhelmed with all the moving plots that took me in several directions. I don’t want to get into it because I don’t want to spoil anything. I just thought she could have taken a couple of things out, and it would have flown a little bit smoother.
Overall, I thought this was so cute! It was my first Cho book, but it will not be my last. If you love diversity and romance tropes, pick this one up. There’s a lot of both things!
Thank you, Tor, for the printed ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
June 13, 2025
Thank you to Zen Cho, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. ♡
₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: definitely need to add more multicultural romances to my archive and this one definitely caught my eye! I love a good fake dating when it isn't too overly cliche, so i have high hopes for this baby!
₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts: i feel like i dont read many books that have a shy mmc and i loooved charles. after getting to know him more i dont see how he and kriya ever thought the other didn't like each other as he seemed distant with 99% of people BUT the chemistry between these two was so there. i could imagine these two characters irl being absolutely adorable together. zen cho did a fantastic job with this one and i have to read more by her! loved it!!
₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: definitely need to add more multicultural romances to my archive and this one definitely caught my eye! I love a good fake dating when it isn't too overly cliche, so i have high hopes for this baby!
₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts: i feel like i dont read many books that have a shy mmc and i loooved charles. after getting to know him more i dont see how he and kriya ever thought the other didn't like each other as he seemed distant with 99% of people BUT the chemistry between these two was so there. i could imagine these two characters irl being absolutely adorable together. zen cho did a fantastic job with this one and i have to read more by her! loved it!!
June 19, 2025
3.75⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and TOR Publishing Group for an advance copy of this novel! I read this via immersion, as I also received a physical copy, and I thought this was so cute! I loved that there were also two narrators for each point of view.
This was an adorable office romcom with forced proximity, and even a small fake dating scenario! I loved all of the characters and all of the representation which can sometimes be lacking in the romance genre.
This one feels like watching a wholesome romcom movie on a cozy weekend in surrounded by all of your favorite snacks, wearing your fluffy slippers, and enjoying a face mask.
I would recommend this for a happy little romance read!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and TOR Publishing Group for an advance copy of this novel! I read this via immersion, as I also received a physical copy, and I thought this was so cute! I loved that there were also two narrators for each point of view.
This was an adorable office romcom with forced proximity, and even a small fake dating scenario! I loved all of the characters and all of the representation which can sometimes be lacking in the romance genre.
This one feels like watching a wholesome romcom movie on a cozy weekend in surrounded by all of your favorite snacks, wearing your fluffy slippers, and enjoying a face mask.
I would recommend this for a happy little romance read!
March 30, 2025
Loved this. Zen Cho is so talented and she can write all sorts of genres. But, I particularly love her contemporary romances. Here, we have two lawyers, who have the opposite of meet cutes, throughout the years, who start to share an office. Charles is so awkward and has the best internal (and hilarious) commentary. And Kriya learns to reevaluate and confront long standing professional relationships and does so that can school professionals. This was just so much fun.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
June 26, 2025
Surprisingly political and feminist forward. The romance was light, not exactly the level of tension I’d expect when “frenemy” is in the title, and fade to black is not my fav. All that said, the plot kept me completely engaged. Lots of multi culture rep, Asian family expectations, and funny side characters. Both narrators did a great job bringing these characters to life.
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the ARC!
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the ARC!
July 22, 2025
very well written, though probably not a good time for me. as i really didn't care all that much about the people or thought that have the time they were super illogical and acting like teenagers not grown up lawyers. though to be fair, it could be all me, as i am super grumpy and cynical at this time. but loved the writing
July 23, 2025
DNF’ed at 37%. I couldn’t get past the writing style - especially in Charles’s POV. I can’t describe it other than the sentences were not sentences, and the dialogue read as if it was a script.
I also don’t feel the chemistry between Charles and Kriya, and their friendship developed too fast for them to be labeled as “frenemies.”
Very disappointed, this was an anticipated read for me.
I also don’t feel the chemistry between Charles and Kriya, and their friendship developed too fast for them to be labeled as “frenemies.”
Very disappointed, this was an anticipated read for me.
July 2, 2025
ARC & ALC review
This book was cute. It was slower than I expected but the story built through the book was so good it kept my attention. It was a quick rom com work place story that also touched on workplace misconducts.
This book was cute. It was slower than I expected but the story built through the book was so good it kept my attention. It was a quick rom com work place story that also touched on workplace misconducts.
July 4, 2025
I wasn't the biggest fan of the narration and the plot was meh
September 6, 2025
Honestly - disappointing.
Nice Malaysian mentions but this UK narrative just felt tired. I thought the male POV was curious but nothing spoke to me in this book by the end of it.
Nice Malaysian mentions but this UK narrative just felt tired. I thought the male POV was curious but nothing spoke to me in this book by the end of it.
September 1, 2025
Thank you MacMillan Audio for the book!
Enemies-to-lovers? Forced proximity? Office chaos and pretend dating? Yesssss!
Charles has always played by the rules. His high pressure law job is his whole life… until Kriya shows up and messes it all up.
Kriya’s fresh start turns into a disaster when she keeps running into her ultimate work nemesis, and now he’s her office mate.
Now it’s hard to tell if they’re enemies, friends, or maybe… something way more. After a fake date for his cousin's wedding, bumping into her ex (and I need to kiss you right now so he knows I am sooo over him) I am HERE for this messy, flirty, swoony office romance.
Enemies-to-lovers? Forced proximity? Office chaos and pretend dating? Yesssss!
Charles has always played by the rules. His high pressure law job is his whole life… until Kriya shows up and messes it all up.
Kriya’s fresh start turns into a disaster when she keeps running into her ultimate work nemesis, and now he’s her office mate.
Now it’s hard to tell if they’re enemies, friends, or maybe… something way more. After a fake date for his cousin's wedding, bumping into her ex (and I need to kiss you right now so he knows I am sooo over him) I am HERE for this messy, flirty, swoony office romance.
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