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Friendly Fire
For her entire life, Eliana Richards had been striving to become the best. She had been the first in her family to make it to college and always took on jobs that she hoped would make the world a tiny bit better every day.
Peter Davis was her biggest rival; a parasite that attached himself onto her life, following her through high school and college until their paths finally diverged. Now, after months of hard training, Eliana is set to join the CIA's best task force, finally achieving her goal.
The only problem?
Peter Davis is back and he threatens every goal she has ever set for herself.
Now they’re forced to work together, having to keep things professional in front of their team or risk the jobs both of them have fought so hard for. Living together at headquarters doesn’t make things easier. Every shared minute feels like torture; heated discussions and snappy comments are an everyday occasion.
That is until an accident forces Eliana to accept help from her biggest rival. Peter not only shares a bed with her but also cares for her in a way she never experienced.
Will Eliana finally open up to Peter and let him shatter the thick shell around her heart?
Will they be able to find closure from their past and start a new chapter together?
Peter Davis was her biggest rival; a parasite that attached himself onto her life, following her through high school and college until their paths finally diverged. Now, after months of hard training, Eliana is set to join the CIA's best task force, finally achieving her goal.
The only problem?
Peter Davis is back and he threatens every goal she has ever set for herself.
Now they’re forced to work together, having to keep things professional in front of their team or risk the jobs both of them have fought so hard for. Living together at headquarters doesn’t make things easier. Every shared minute feels like torture; heated discussions and snappy comments are an everyday occasion.
That is until an accident forces Eliana to accept help from her biggest rival. Peter not only shares a bed with her but also cares for her in a way she never experienced.
Will Eliana finally open up to Peter and let him shatter the thick shell around her heart?
Will they be able to find closure from their past and start a new chapter together?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
31 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Girke
5 books63 followersJessica Girke is a contemporary romance author that writes real and raw love stories. Her books often include mental and physical health topics and she is not too shy to write it in all details.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 7, 2025
#Review: *Friendly fire* - Jessica Girke - ARC [16+]
4.8/5✨
0/5🌶️
[Contains sensitive parts of physical and mental abuse from a parent]
I'm super grateful to be part of Jessica's ARC team💕, cause I got the chance to early read this beautiful, heartbreaking story and now share my good thoughts about it🥰. I wanna thank her for this opportunity!🫶🏼
Eliana was a super intelligent young girl, but her father wasn't pleased with her school performances, unless she was the bestest. Peter was another great kid who always challenged Eliana, but because of him and his competitiveness, she got the ugly side of her father. That's how Peter became Eliana's enemy.
Years have passed and the two of them meet again, when they both end up being part of the same CIA team. That was the moment when their lives will begin to change, because they will now get the chance to really know each other. After a mission where Eliana was hurt, their feelings start to shift and, slowly, will give up the rivalry and become attached to one another. But there are some secrets that both of them were hiding and, in order to achieve the happiness they craved for, they needed to get out everything in the open.
This book was sooo beautiful! Jessica has created such an amazing story, in which Eliana had to defeat her demons, to get pass her fears from her childhood. I loved how supportive Peter was and how smitten he was with Eliana🤭. I hated everything Eliana had to endure from her own father, being marked for life for what he did. But Eliana was a strong woman and a true fighter, which I appreciated a lot at her.
I loved so much this story and it's characters, being super touched by everything that happened in this book. We had suspense even from the first part of the story, until the very end. It was heartbreaking, hard to understand how cruel some people can be, but we had super sweet parts too, which I adored. Loved to see those characters comeback too🥰. This is definitely my favorite from Jessica Girke🩵.
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#RomanticSuspense
#ProtectiveMMC
#CinnamonRoll
#GoldenRetriever
#MentalHealth
#LifelongRivals
#LawEnforcement
#WorkplaceRomance
#ForcedProximity
4.8/5✨
0/5🌶️
[Contains sensitive parts of physical and mental abuse from a parent]
I'm super grateful to be part of Jessica's ARC team💕, cause I got the chance to early read this beautiful, heartbreaking story and now share my good thoughts about it🥰. I wanna thank her for this opportunity!🫶🏼
Eliana was a super intelligent young girl, but her father wasn't pleased with her school performances, unless she was the bestest. Peter was another great kid who always challenged Eliana, but because of him and his competitiveness, she got the ugly side of her father. That's how Peter became Eliana's enemy.
Years have passed and the two of them meet again, when they both end up being part of the same CIA team. That was the moment when their lives will begin to change, because they will now get the chance to really know each other. After a mission where Eliana was hurt, their feelings start to shift and, slowly, will give up the rivalry and become attached to one another. But there are some secrets that both of them were hiding and, in order to achieve the happiness they craved for, they needed to get out everything in the open.
This book was sooo beautiful! Jessica has created such an amazing story, in which Eliana had to defeat her demons, to get pass her fears from her childhood. I loved how supportive Peter was and how smitten he was with Eliana🤭. I hated everything Eliana had to endure from her own father, being marked for life for what he did. But Eliana was a strong woman and a true fighter, which I appreciated a lot at her.
I loved so much this story and it's characters, being super touched by everything that happened in this book. We had suspense even from the first part of the story, until the very end. It was heartbreaking, hard to understand how cruel some people can be, but we had super sweet parts too, which I adored. Loved to see those characters comeback too🥰. This is definitely my favorite from Jessica Girke🩵.
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#RomanticSuspense
#ProtectiveMMC
#CinnamonRoll
#GoldenRetriever
#MentalHealth
#LifelongRivals
#LawEnforcement
#WorkplaceRomance
#ForcedProximity
February 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Eliana and Peter is a gripping and emotionally charged rollercoaster of a novel that explores themes of survival, love, and redemption. Told through dual point-of-view narration, the story unfolds from the perspectives of two captivating characters—Eliana and Peter—who must confront their complicated pasts and simmering feelings for each other in a world rife with danger and intrigue.
Eliana, a survivor of toxic parents, is a CIA agent whose history is haunted by betrayal, heartache, and emotional scars. Her past has shaped her into someone who trusts no one, relying solely on her sharp instincts and steely resolve. As much as Eliana tries to bury the pain of her childhood, the emotional baggage still weighs heavily on her. Despite her vulnerability, she’s a formidable agent, skilled and fiercely independent, making her an unforgettable protagonist. Watching Eliana navigate the murky waters of both her personal and professional life is a powerful experience—she’s strong, yet deeply human, and her growth throughout the book is both compelling and inspiring.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is executed perfectly in this novel. As the story progresses, Eliana and Peter’s relationship is tested again and again, forcing them to reckon with their past and the intense feelings they still harbor. The tension between them is expertly built, and every twist in their story feels like a carefully crafted piece of a larger emotional puzzle. Their banter is sharp and often amusing, providing moments of levity amidst the action and danger.
The dual perspectives, sharp banter, and suspenseful plot twists create an unforgettable reading experience. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, CIA thrillers, and emotionally rich character development will find Eliana and Peter to be an absolute must-read. The combination of danger, passion, and personal growth will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
Eliana and Peter is a gripping and emotionally charged rollercoaster of a novel that explores themes of survival, love, and redemption. Told through dual point-of-view narration, the story unfolds from the perspectives of two captivating characters—Eliana and Peter—who must confront their complicated pasts and simmering feelings for each other in a world rife with danger and intrigue.
Eliana, a survivor of toxic parents, is a CIA agent whose history is haunted by betrayal, heartache, and emotional scars. Her past has shaped her into someone who trusts no one, relying solely on her sharp instincts and steely resolve. As much as Eliana tries to bury the pain of her childhood, the emotional baggage still weighs heavily on her. Despite her vulnerability, she’s a formidable agent, skilled and fiercely independent, making her an unforgettable protagonist. Watching Eliana navigate the murky waters of both her personal and professional life is a powerful experience—she’s strong, yet deeply human, and her growth throughout the book is both compelling and inspiring.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is executed perfectly in this novel. As the story progresses, Eliana and Peter’s relationship is tested again and again, forcing them to reckon with their past and the intense feelings they still harbor. The tension between them is expertly built, and every twist in their story feels like a carefully crafted piece of a larger emotional puzzle. Their banter is sharp and often amusing, providing moments of levity amidst the action and danger.
The dual perspectives, sharp banter, and suspenseful plot twists create an unforgettable reading experience. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, CIA thrillers, and emotionally rich character development will find Eliana and Peter to be an absolute must-read. The combination of danger, passion, and personal growth will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
February 9, 2025
I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I felt all of the feels. I really fell in love with these characters but I really fell in love with this book. It was genuine and authentic and all of the emotions. When it was good you felt good and when there was bad you felt the bad. It was moving in ways only you would understand when you read it.
From the first chapter I couldn’t stop thinking about how relatable Eliana was. She’s strong and shes smart. Reading her diary entries made me want to hold her hand, comfort her and remind her of all the good things.
Peter… he’s loyal, he’s witty, and he’s so intuitive to Eliana. You can’t help but understand the love between the two of them. He’s her light. And vice versa.
Eliana and Peter’s chemistry is honestly amazing. It feels real, it feels vulnerable, it doesn’t feel forced. Their relationship is relatable to real life relationships, with the fears of the unknown, and all the doubts. The most relatable thing about these characters is the fear of allowing someone in fully when you’ve been hurt. I mean truly capturing that in a book is hard but it was captured and written so well.
I think what’s so special about this book is the vulnerability, the journey, the evolution of overcoming one’s battles and demons. I also think something so special about this book is all the things you’re taught. That it’s okay to feel all the feels. It’s okay to let your guard down. It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to let someone in and see all the good, all the bad and all the in between.
I’m so thankful that I got the opportunity to read this book. I cannot recommend it more. It’s moving, it’s thought provoking, it captures the essence of realness that makes you uncomfortable in the best way. This is my first book I’ve ever read of Jessica Girke but it definitely won’t be my last. The vulnerability that Jessica added to this book truly shows just how amazing she is. She poured her heart and own experiences into this book. If you’re looking for a book that moves you, makes you wish you were friends with all the characters, is real and authentic with the sweetest love story read this book.
From the first chapter I couldn’t stop thinking about how relatable Eliana was. She’s strong and shes smart. Reading her diary entries made me want to hold her hand, comfort her and remind her of all the good things.
Peter… he’s loyal, he’s witty, and he’s so intuitive to Eliana. You can’t help but understand the love between the two of them. He’s her light. And vice versa.
Eliana and Peter’s chemistry is honestly amazing. It feels real, it feels vulnerable, it doesn’t feel forced. Their relationship is relatable to real life relationships, with the fears of the unknown, and all the doubts. The most relatable thing about these characters is the fear of allowing someone in fully when you’ve been hurt. I mean truly capturing that in a book is hard but it was captured and written so well.
I think what’s so special about this book is the vulnerability, the journey, the evolution of overcoming one’s battles and demons. I also think something so special about this book is all the things you’re taught. That it’s okay to feel all the feels. It’s okay to let your guard down. It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to let someone in and see all the good, all the bad and all the in between.
I’m so thankful that I got the opportunity to read this book. I cannot recommend it more. It’s moving, it’s thought provoking, it captures the essence of realness that makes you uncomfortable in the best way. This is my first book I’ve ever read of Jessica Girke but it definitely won’t be my last. The vulnerability that Jessica added to this book truly shows just how amazing she is. She poured her heart and own experiences into this book. If you’re looking for a book that moves you, makes you wish you were friends with all the characters, is real and authentic with the sweetest love story read this book.
February 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book Review: Friendly Fire by Jessica Girke
Friendly Fire was a refreshing surprise, as it’s outside my usual reading genre, yet it completely pulled me in. Jessica Girke’s writing style is wonderfully immersive, making it easy to visualize the story playing out in my mind like a movie.
I found myself deeply connecting with both the FMC and MMC—their emotions, struggles, and growth felt authentic and compelling. The dynamics between them were engaging, and the tension kept me turning the pages. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished, making you reflect on the journey the characters took.
Overall, Friendly Fire is an exceptionally well-written novel that exceeded my expectations. A fantastic read, even for those who don’t typically gravitate toward this genre. Highly recommend!
#Enemiestolovers,#Close proximities#MentalHealth #WorkplaceRomance #Cinnamon #FrenchToast
Friendly Fire was a refreshing surprise, as it’s outside my usual reading genre, yet it completely pulled me in. Jessica Girke’s writing style is wonderfully immersive, making it easy to visualize the story playing out in my mind like a movie.
I found myself deeply connecting with both the FMC and MMC—their emotions, struggles, and growth felt authentic and compelling. The dynamics between them were engaging, and the tension kept me turning the pages. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished, making you reflect on the journey the characters took.
Overall, Friendly Fire is an exceptionally well-written novel that exceeded my expectations. A fantastic read, even for those who don’t typically gravitate toward this genre. Highly recommend!
#Enemiestolovers,#Close proximities#MentalHealth #WorkplaceRomance #Cinnamon #FrenchToast
April 1, 2025
➕Enemies to lovers
➕Tension and angst
➕He fell first
➕Secret agents
➕School rivals
➕Dual POVs
➕Friendship
➕Found family
📚This book is a definite must-read! I absolutely adored the slowburn, the rivalry and the dual POVs.
At first, the shifting timelines were a bit confusing, but I was quickly drawn in. I loved how Eli and Peter’s rivalry wasn’t just surface-level — it had a rich, meaningful backstory that unfolded slowly and kept me hooked. The CIA/FBI secret service setting was a fresh perspective, and I enjoyed learning more about that world. The book also handles heavy issues like domestic violence with incredible depth. Though it can be triggering, I appreciated how it explored the long-term effects.
✨And the ending... wow! A total emotional rollercoaster. I won’t spoil anything, but it hit every possible emotion!
➕Tension and angst
➕He fell first
➕Secret agents
➕School rivals
➕Dual POVs
➕Friendship
➕Found family
📚This book is a definite must-read! I absolutely adored the slowburn, the rivalry and the dual POVs.
At first, the shifting timelines were a bit confusing, but I was quickly drawn in. I loved how Eli and Peter’s rivalry wasn’t just surface-level — it had a rich, meaningful backstory that unfolded slowly and kept me hooked. The CIA/FBI secret service setting was a fresh perspective, and I enjoyed learning more about that world. The book also handles heavy issues like domestic violence with incredible depth. Though it can be triggering, I appreciated how it explored the long-term effects.
✨And the ending... wow! A total emotional rollercoaster. I won’t spoil anything, but it hit every possible emotion!
February 28, 2025
4/5⭐
[SLIGHT SPOILERS]
OMG PETER AND ELI ARE THE CUTEST EVER 🥺🥺 love love the agent-work romance since I've never read a book like this. The rivals/enemies to lovers was amazing. i love how understanding and patient peter was with eli ☹️❤️🩹
love seeing eli heal slowly but steadily, I'm so happy she found someone like peter <3 absolutely loved the story, the dairy entries, the characters, and the writing. omg the way i cried when peter showed eli HIS diary enteries and the small things he loved about her omg 🤧❤️🩹❤️🩹
thank you to author Jessica Girke for giving me a chance of reading the advanced copy, love you, love the book, love everything so so much 🤍
[SLIGHT SPOILERS]
OMG PETER AND ELI ARE THE CUTEST EVER 🥺🥺 love love the agent-work romance since I've never read a book like this. The rivals/enemies to lovers was amazing. i love how understanding and patient peter was with eli ☹️❤️🩹
love seeing eli heal slowly but steadily, I'm so happy she found someone like peter <3 absolutely loved the story, the dairy entries, the characters, and the writing. omg the way i cried when peter showed eli HIS diary enteries and the small things he loved about her omg 🤧❤️🩹❤️🩹
thank you to author Jessica Girke for giving me a chance of reading the advanced copy, love you, love the book, love everything so so much 🤍
July 16, 2025
"I couldn't change the past, but create my future"
When I first had the opportunity to read Friendly Fire as an ARC, I was so excited to follow Eliana and Peter's story. As a huge fan of books with the enemies-to-lovers trope, it is a must read!! These two lovebirds have my heart.
Throughout the book, I experienced a range of emotions as Friendly Fire brilliantly explores trauma and mental health representation through the lens of recovery.
Please make sure to check it out if you're a huge fan of;
*Enemies to Lovers
*Mental Health Rep
*High School Rivals
*Dual POV
And many more!!
When I first had the opportunity to read Friendly Fire as an ARC, I was so excited to follow Eliana and Peter's story. As a huge fan of books with the enemies-to-lovers trope, it is a must read!! These two lovebirds have my heart.
Throughout the book, I experienced a range of emotions as Friendly Fire brilliantly explores trauma and mental health representation through the lens of recovery.
Please make sure to check it out if you're a huge fan of;
*Enemies to Lovers
*Mental Health Rep
*High School Rivals
*Dual POV
And many more!!
January 4, 2025
Friendly Fire - Jessica Girke
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I always knew I wanted to protect the world. Protect the world from people whose only purpose was to infiltrate and destroy.”
"Friendly Fire" by Jessica Girke is an absolutely gripping read that will pull you in from the very first page. I couldn't put it down once I started – I read the entire book in one sitting, and let me tell you, it was an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. The story alternates between the past, revealed through a diary written by Eliana that exposes her struggles, and the present, where she finds herself once again face-to-face with her enemy, Peter.
“Even if she didn’t want me to, I would protect her from now on. That was the least thing I could do after making her entire life miserable.”
Eliana is a character who has endured a great deal emotionally, and she’s someone you can truly relate to in many moments. As you read her diary entries, you’ll find yourself wanting to step into the story to offer her a comforting hug and say the kind words she needs to push through her darkest thoughts. Thankfully, Peter is there for her, and he’s nothing short of perfect in how he supports her.
“Even if he were Adonis himself, I don’t care about him. Even the best build body can not overshadow a venomous character.”
Peter is a beautifully written MMC, a new book boyfriend to add to your list. He’s loyal, vulnerable, and has a sunny disposition that shines through. As you get to know him, it’s easy to see why and how Eliana fell in love with her enemy.
Although this is a romance, and I absolutely loved how their relationship evolved, it's so much more than that. You can truly feel the emotions and love between Eliana and Peter as they grow and develop. Their connection is both tender and intense, filled with tension and moments of doubt. This book is also deeply personal for my dear Jessica, and you can see the love and heart she poured into it on every page.
It was a journey from the start to the last page but so worth it, I am so incredibly happy to see how Jess evolved as an author and I am proud of her. Being once again in the same universe from DIYM and seeing the first characters she created, from a different perspective, meeting new ones and feeling all the emotions, living in the moments that were so well written… it was beautiful and I really think you should give it a chance.
Eliana deserves to have her story read, she will teach you a lot and by the end you’ll want to have more pages, especially of her and Peter.
Yes, Jessica writes books that deal with mental health problems, but that’s exactly what makes her and her books special and worth reading. She’s showing us the ugly parts of life but gives life lessons through the characters and their path to getting better.
In the end I want to congratulate Jessica for this story and I want to recommend Friendly fire to those who love enemies to lovers, forced proximity and dual pov - along so much more tropes.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I always knew I wanted to protect the world. Protect the world from people whose only purpose was to infiltrate and destroy.”
"Friendly Fire" by Jessica Girke is an absolutely gripping read that will pull you in from the very first page. I couldn't put it down once I started – I read the entire book in one sitting, and let me tell you, it was an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. The story alternates between the past, revealed through a diary written by Eliana that exposes her struggles, and the present, where she finds herself once again face-to-face with her enemy, Peter.
“Even if she didn’t want me to, I would protect her from now on. That was the least thing I could do after making her entire life miserable.”
Eliana is a character who has endured a great deal emotionally, and she’s someone you can truly relate to in many moments. As you read her diary entries, you’ll find yourself wanting to step into the story to offer her a comforting hug and say the kind words she needs to push through her darkest thoughts. Thankfully, Peter is there for her, and he’s nothing short of perfect in how he supports her.
“Even if he were Adonis himself, I don’t care about him. Even the best build body can not overshadow a venomous character.”
Peter is a beautifully written MMC, a new book boyfriend to add to your list. He’s loyal, vulnerable, and has a sunny disposition that shines through. As you get to know him, it’s easy to see why and how Eliana fell in love with her enemy.
Although this is a romance, and I absolutely loved how their relationship evolved, it's so much more than that. You can truly feel the emotions and love between Eliana and Peter as they grow and develop. Their connection is both tender and intense, filled with tension and moments of doubt. This book is also deeply personal for my dear Jessica, and you can see the love and heart she poured into it on every page.
It was a journey from the start to the last page but so worth it, I am so incredibly happy to see how Jess evolved as an author and I am proud of her. Being once again in the same universe from DIYM and seeing the first characters she created, from a different perspective, meeting new ones and feeling all the emotions, living in the moments that were so well written… it was beautiful and I really think you should give it a chance.
Eliana deserves to have her story read, she will teach you a lot and by the end you’ll want to have more pages, especially of her and Peter.
Yes, Jessica writes books that deal with mental health problems, but that’s exactly what makes her and her books special and worth reading. She’s showing us the ugly parts of life but gives life lessons through the characters and their path to getting better.
In the end I want to congratulate Jessica for this story and I want to recommend Friendly fire to those who love enemies to lovers, forced proximity and dual pov - along so much more tropes.
January 6, 2025
° Friendly fire by Jessica Girke °
"Friendy fire" is a book, a personal story, but which only made me more curious about the author and Eliana's story.
There wasn't a page where I didn't shed a tear. From the pages of the diary to the current story of the protagonist.
I managed to get so angry about Eliana's father that I found it very difficult to read the parts where he was mentioned.
Peter is sweet. I've loved him since he first appeared in the Demons series. I liked him even more in his own book. I got to know him properly and become attached to him. I learned his back story, from when he was just a kid who wanted to compete with another equally stubborn kid. But their reasons are completely different and one more painful than the other.
Still, I couldn't hate Peter one bit when he realized why Eliana was acting like that and what was going on when he was better, even by a point.
Eliana deserved the best and those things came to her after she managed to escape from the place that was worse than hell.
Eliana fought to get somewhere where she could save the world, as cliche as it sounds.
Eliana fought her father's horrible words and acts and managed to make it to shore in one piece.
Whole but scratched.
But, someone she didn't expect showed up and took care of those wounds. He toke care of them. He healed them and promised that that individual would never touch her again.
Slowly, very slowly, Eliana managed to come out of her shell and the people she had by her side made her life better, some of them without realizing it.
The friendship between Eliana and Mihaela was nice. I also want a friend like Mihaela 👀. Especially if I'm as stubborn and sassy as Eliana.
I liked Liam too. I had more of him. I loved his friendship with Peter.
The last two chapters managed to make me cry for a whole year. My eyes were red and stinging and I couldn't read a single line. I refused to believe that was the end. I also refused to believe that Peter wanted it to end.
I know such people exist. I think we all have come across them in our lives, directly or indirectly. And I'm glad I was able to read a book that tackles real, deep, painful topics. Not just pleasant, not just the good side of life.
"Friendy fire" is a book, a personal story, but which only made me more curious about the author and Eliana's story.
There wasn't a page where I didn't shed a tear. From the pages of the diary to the current story of the protagonist.
I managed to get so angry about Eliana's father that I found it very difficult to read the parts where he was mentioned.
Peter is sweet. I've loved him since he first appeared in the Demons series. I liked him even more in his own book. I got to know him properly and become attached to him. I learned his back story, from when he was just a kid who wanted to compete with another equally stubborn kid. But their reasons are completely different and one more painful than the other.
Still, I couldn't hate Peter one bit when he realized why Eliana was acting like that and what was going on when he was better, even by a point.
Eliana deserved the best and those things came to her after she managed to escape from the place that was worse than hell.
Eliana fought to get somewhere where she could save the world, as cliche as it sounds.
Eliana fought her father's horrible words and acts and managed to make it to shore in one piece.
Whole but scratched.
But, someone she didn't expect showed up and took care of those wounds. He toke care of them. He healed them and promised that that individual would never touch her again.
Slowly, very slowly, Eliana managed to come out of her shell and the people she had by her side made her life better, some of them without realizing it.
The friendship between Eliana and Mihaela was nice. I also want a friend like Mihaela 👀. Especially if I'm as stubborn and sassy as Eliana.
I liked Liam too. I had more of him. I loved his friendship with Peter.
The last two chapters managed to make me cry for a whole year. My eyes were red and stinging and I couldn't read a single line. I refused to believe that was the end. I also refused to believe that Peter wanted it to end.
I know such people exist. I think we all have come across them in our lives, directly or indirectly. And I'm glad I was able to read a book that tackles real, deep, painful topics. Not just pleasant, not just the good side of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2025
The main reason for this rather lower rating? UnfortunateIy, I didn’t feel the chemistry between the MMC & FCM - at all 🥲.
I must hand it to the writer though: the storyline & the characters’ background stories are very original, what with the whole CIA/FBI environment.
I must hand it to the writer though: the storyline & the characters’ background stories are very original, what with the whole CIA/FBI environment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
This was an intense, very emotional but hopeful romance novel!
I really enjoyed the original setting in a CIA agency and the cast of characters put into that setting. The found family trope was really nice in that surrounding.
The main characters are sassy and fun, even though they’ve been through a lot. It was nice to see them find each other and grow together. They were really cute together and clearly meant to be.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the pacing. It was too fast for my liking and the romance could’ve burned a little slower.
Nonetheless this book tackles heavy topics and mental health really well and combines it with hope, love and joy. It’s done really well and I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a little more depth with their romance novels!
This was an intense, very emotional but hopeful romance novel!
I really enjoyed the original setting in a CIA agency and the cast of characters put into that setting. The found family trope was really nice in that surrounding.
The main characters are sassy and fun, even though they’ve been through a lot. It was nice to see them find each other and grow together. They were really cute together and clearly meant to be.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the pacing. It was too fast for my liking and the romance could’ve burned a little slower.
Nonetheless this book tackles heavy topics and mental health really well and combines it with hope, love and joy. It’s done really well and I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a little more depth with their romance novels!
March 22, 2025
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy and am sharing my honest review based on my personal experience.
I’ll be honest when I first read the blurb for this book, I was really excited. It ticked all the boxes: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, dual POV. I was fully expecting to love it. And while the book had a strong start and a lot of potential, it just didn’t quite work for me in the end.
At first, I enjoyed the rivalry between Eliana and Peter. Their backstory, the way they were constantly at odds, felt real. Honestly, I’d probably hate Peter too if he was always perfect at everything. The banter between them was fun, even if it was a bit cheesy. Their love story, though cute, ended up feeling way too over-the-top. I wanted to see more depth in their relationship, but instead, it felt a bit like a teenage puppy love romance.
One of my biggest issues was how unrealistic the CIA and government stuff felt. I know I’m not reading this for perfect accuracy, but some of the missions and training they went through just didn’t feel believable. It felt like there wasn’t much research around these aspects that really pulled me out of the story.
Then there’s Eliana herself. I really wanted her to be this tough, badass woman who had fought tooth and nail to be in the CIA’s elite force. It came off as if she is just kind of weak and whiny. I get that she’s dealing with trauma, but there were moments where I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. For Example, when she literally cried on a mission. It made it hard to connect with her as a character that I could look up to.
All that said, I’m sure this book will be someone’s favorite. It has a solid storyline and mostly likable characters. For me, though, the whole thing just fell flat. It wasn’t a bad book at all. It just wasn’t the right fit for me. If you love a cheesy, light-hearted enemies-to-lovers romance with a little action sprinkled in, you might really enjoy it.
I’ll be honest when I first read the blurb for this book, I was really excited. It ticked all the boxes: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, dual POV. I was fully expecting to love it. And while the book had a strong start and a lot of potential, it just didn’t quite work for me in the end.
At first, I enjoyed the rivalry between Eliana and Peter. Their backstory, the way they were constantly at odds, felt real. Honestly, I’d probably hate Peter too if he was always perfect at everything. The banter between them was fun, even if it was a bit cheesy. Their love story, though cute, ended up feeling way too over-the-top. I wanted to see more depth in their relationship, but instead, it felt a bit like a teenage puppy love romance.
One of my biggest issues was how unrealistic the CIA and government stuff felt. I know I’m not reading this for perfect accuracy, but some of the missions and training they went through just didn’t feel believable. It felt like there wasn’t much research around these aspects that really pulled me out of the story.
Then there’s Eliana herself. I really wanted her to be this tough, badass woman who had fought tooth and nail to be in the CIA’s elite force. It came off as if she is just kind of weak and whiny. I get that she’s dealing with trauma, but there were moments where I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. For Example, when she literally cried on a mission. It made it hard to connect with her as a character that I could look up to.
All that said, I’m sure this book will be someone’s favorite. It has a solid storyline and mostly likable characters. For me, though, the whole thing just fell flat. It wasn’t a bad book at all. It just wasn’t the right fit for me. If you love a cheesy, light-hearted enemies-to-lovers romance with a little action sprinkled in, you might really enjoy it.
April 3, 2025
If you are looking for an easy, enemies to lovers, sprinkled with TW, and moving past abuse, def read this. Their sass is also immaculate. I got this as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review :)
I really wanted to like this more than I did. There were many parts of it I absolutely loved, the enemies to lovers, the ‘protect you at all costs’, I liked the storyline and how Eliana went over the hurdles in her life. For me I think I needed more, this was somehow too short , and some things went by too fast, whilst other things went by too slowly. I liked the idea of them being agents, and the ‘I hated you in College, I’m hating you in adulthood, but I realize now you’re actually not that baad’ :) I also liked how Peter steps up, but equally, things somehow happened super quickly and a bit out of nowhere there for me, I wanted more explanation of her move to the FBI to return to the CIA, and also would have loved for Peter to find out from her, since she had quite a few vulnerable moments with him, it felt a bit like something was missing. I also think the best friend irked me a bit, because I am Romanian, and it just felt like her Romanianness was her main characteristic somehow, even though she was an amazing friend to Eliana, much more than the fact that she was from Romania at some origin. I would have also loved more of a backstory on why Eliana had changed schools, and some kind of story on Peter’s family, because it felt in parts that not everything was as it seemed, but also that somehow he didn’t actually have such a good relationship with his family.
I read the genre a lot, so my brain has definitely felt like something was missing, but I also read the acknowledgements and much more of it makes sense in a way, whilst equally I struggled a bit. This isn’t to say I didn’t read it in a day, haha, I just had ‘I love this story’ moments along with ‘I need to roll my eyes hard’ moments.
I really wanted to like this more than I did. There were many parts of it I absolutely loved, the enemies to lovers, the ‘protect you at all costs’, I liked the storyline and how Eliana went over the hurdles in her life. For me I think I needed more, this was somehow too short , and some things went by too fast, whilst other things went by too slowly. I liked the idea of them being agents, and the ‘I hated you in College, I’m hating you in adulthood, but I realize now you’re actually not that baad’ :) I also liked how Peter steps up, but equally, things somehow happened super quickly and a bit out of nowhere there for me, I wanted more explanation of her move to the FBI to return to the CIA, and also would have loved for Peter to find out from her, since she had quite a few vulnerable moments with him, it felt a bit like something was missing. I also think the best friend irked me a bit, because I am Romanian, and it just felt like her Romanianness was her main characteristic somehow, even though she was an amazing friend to Eliana, much more than the fact that she was from Romania at some origin. I would have also loved more of a backstory on why Eliana had changed schools, and some kind of story on Peter’s family, because it felt in parts that not everything was as it seemed, but also that somehow he didn’t actually have such a good relationship with his family.
I read the genre a lot, so my brain has definitely felt like something was missing, but I also read the acknowledgements and much more of it makes sense in a way, whilst equally I struggled a bit. This isn’t to say I didn’t read it in a day, haha, I just had ‘I love this story’ moments along with ‘I need to roll my eyes hard’ moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2025
Where to even begin? This book was so much more than I was expecting! Eliana is such a relatable and lovable character! She went through so much and was still able to open up. Not only tough and intelligent this girl is sassy and I loved it, her personality and the emotional moments felt so natural.
I went in know it was enemies to lovers and not going to lie it was my biggest drawn in but, after I started this book I couldn’t put it down I was drawn in by the FMC and then Peter was there and it just hooked me.
Peter I feel was great for her and the things you find out about him make you love him all the more. The glimpses you get in his POV make you understand that everything looks different through someone else’s eyes.
The family dynamic of the Team of CIA members surrounding the two give the found family plot as well and as a person who has special found family in my own life I loved it in this book.
After reading this book I am looking forward to reading more of the Authors works!
I went in know it was enemies to lovers and not going to lie it was my biggest drawn in but, after I started this book I couldn’t put it down I was drawn in by the FMC and then Peter was there and it just hooked me.
Peter I feel was great for her and the things you find out about him make you love him all the more. The glimpses you get in his POV make you understand that everything looks different through someone else’s eyes.
The family dynamic of the Team of CIA members surrounding the two give the found family plot as well and as a person who has special found family in my own life I loved it in this book.
After reading this book I am looking forward to reading more of the Authors works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
This is a hard review to write because I wanted so badly to love this book. The story has so much potential but it just wasn't it for me.
I think a lot of my issue was that it definitely felt translated from another language, like sentences weren't written in their normal order. I think once she was trying to say whispering and it said hushing instead and there were multiple instances of similar missed translations. It just made it feel disjointed to me and hard to read.
It's enemies to lovers and the miscommunication trope is STRONG.
I didn't really love the FMC- I get that she has a lot of trauma, I really do. But she was very weak mentally and emotionally (which again, I totally get), but somehow managed to make it into the hardest CIA group to get into and pass their torture/initiation faster than anyone else ever has?
I received this book as an ARC and so it's possible this will be edited prior to publishing.
I think a lot of my issue was that it definitely felt translated from another language, like sentences weren't written in their normal order. I think once she was trying to say whispering and it said hushing instead and there were multiple instances of similar missed translations. It just made it feel disjointed to me and hard to read.
It's enemies to lovers and the miscommunication trope is STRONG.
I didn't really love the FMC- I get that she has a lot of trauma, I really do. But she was very weak mentally and emotionally (which again, I totally get), but somehow managed to make it into the hardest CIA group to get into and pass their torture/initiation faster than anyone else ever has?
I received this book as an ARC and so it's possible this will be edited prior to publishing.
February 9, 2025
Friendly Fire is a fast paced book, I love the trio (Liam, Peter, and Eli) and Eli's best friend Mihaela. Back in high school they always rivaled about who became the class's best until they met again at CIA.
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Eliana; was abused by her Father, physically and mentally by gaslighting her into thinking she was a disappoinment and that she needs to be always perfect in school. Eliana is smart girl in class and only good grades/scores is accepted by her Father.
Peter; Felt so sorry about what happened to Eli back in High School. If he only knew he will take matters in his own hand.
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Eli & Peter
Peter liked Eli because of her strength, sassiness, being protective with her team.
Eli liked Peter because he is the only person who took care, love her, and she can call home.
Both of them joined CIA and being paired for missions because of this both have time to get to know each other and Eli surely overcome her trauma caused by her Father by being surrounded with right people.
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Eliana; was abused by her Father, physically and mentally by gaslighting her into thinking she was a disappoinment and that she needs to be always perfect in school. Eliana is smart girl in class and only good grades/scores is accepted by her Father.
Peter; Felt so sorry about what happened to Eli back in High School. If he only knew he will take matters in his own hand.
----
Eli & Peter
Peter liked Eli because of her strength, sassiness, being protective with her team.
Eli liked Peter because he is the only person who took care, love her, and she can call home.
Both of them joined CIA and being paired for missions because of this both have time to get to know each other and Eli surely overcome her trauma caused by her Father by being surrounded with right people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: March 28, 2025
Rating: 3.5⭐️ (rounded up)
First off, thank you, Jessica, for trusting me to advance read and review another one of your books!
Although 'Friendly Fire' is an interconnected standalone with the Demon Series, I found the Demons Series more my cup of tea, so to speak. The miscommunication trope used in this book is probably my least favorite trope so I think that played a part in it.
Although not having experienced physical abuse, having toxic parents is something I have dealt with my entire life, so the content in this book hit a bit harder for me. Reading about how Eliana's father beat (physically, mentally, emotionally) the confidence out of her was so incredibly heartbreaking.
I loved the message at the end from Jessica. It warms my heart when authors open up to their readers and are vulnerable enough to share their own life stories someway through their work, painful or otherwise.
"He brought light to my darkness..."
Publication date: March 28, 2025
Rating: 3.5⭐️ (rounded up)
First off, thank you, Jessica, for trusting me to advance read and review another one of your books!
Although 'Friendly Fire' is an interconnected standalone with the Demon Series, I found the Demons Series more my cup of tea, so to speak. The miscommunication trope used in this book is probably my least favorite trope so I think that played a part in it.
Although not having experienced physical abuse, having toxic parents is something I have dealt with my entire life, so the content in this book hit a bit harder for me. Reading about how Eliana's father beat (physically, mentally, emotionally) the confidence out of her was so incredibly heartbreaking.
I loved the message at the end from Jessica. It warms my heart when authors open up to their readers and are vulnerable enough to share their own life stories someway through their work, painful or otherwise.
"He brought light to my darkness..."
April 1, 2025
I was provided with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I went into “Friendly Fire” with an open mind. I found the government agency aspect to be very interesting, not something I had previously encountered in a romance novel, but felt as though the story could have tapped into that more and used it to enrich the plot a bit. While I did not dislike the book, I did find some parts to be very cheesy and written with a YA feel, which I’m not sure it was intended to be, and it felt like the relationship between Peter and Eliana started with disdain that was based on… not much… and then suddenly jumped into soulmate territory despite their chemistry feeling forced and lacking in passion. Parts of the story were sort of glossed over and not really addressed, while other parts dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, it felt like a whole lot of nothing was happening. The “spice” felt cringey and incongruous. It was difficult for me to feel invested in this one.
I went into “Friendly Fire” with an open mind. I found the government agency aspect to be very interesting, not something I had previously encountered in a romance novel, but felt as though the story could have tapped into that more and used it to enrich the plot a bit. While I did not dislike the book, I did find some parts to be very cheesy and written with a YA feel, which I’m not sure it was intended to be, and it felt like the relationship between Peter and Eliana started with disdain that was based on… not much… and then suddenly jumped into soulmate territory despite their chemistry feeling forced and lacking in passion. Parts of the story were sort of glossed over and not really addressed, while other parts dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, it felt like a whole lot of nothing was happening. The “spice” felt cringey and incongruous. It was difficult for me to feel invested in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
This book quickly worked its way into my heart. Eli and me are quite similar in our pasts and reading her story and seeing her slowly allow Peter into her heart and her mind was so beautiful. I connected with this story so deeply.
Jess really poured everything into this story and I am so thankful to her for letting me read an early copy.
Peter is everything you could want in a man. He's soft, he's loving and he cares so much for Eli. He's there with whatever she needs before she can even think to ask.
Seeing him come to understand that what was mostly banter to him in their schooling, was actually a far more dire situation for Eli and he goes above and beyond to make sure she feels every bit of love she deserves from him.
This book is a standalone but does have some recurring characters from the Demons series so I would recommend reading those too!
Jess really poured everything into this story and I am so thankful to her for letting me read an early copy.
Peter is everything you could want in a man. He's soft, he's loving and he cares so much for Eli. He's there with whatever she needs before she can even think to ask.
Seeing him come to understand that what was mostly banter to him in their schooling, was actually a far more dire situation for Eli and he goes above and beyond to make sure she feels every bit of love she deserves from him.
This book is a standalone but does have some recurring characters from the Demons series so I would recommend reading those too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
Hate to love tension between rivals (who also have a rivalry past together). The sweet, tender moments add a nice balance to the heavier emotional side of this story. I really enjoyed how sweet and caring the MMC was and how that brought healing to the FMC. Her past abvse brought an emotional side to the story. I enjoyed the playful banter and the forced proximity that led to a faster paced hate to lovers shift. Their story is a mix of healing what’s broken and adorable lovey dovey moments.
❤️🔥 Rivals (hate) to lovers
❤️🔥 Dual POV
❤️🔥 Flashback to memories between the MCs
❤️🔥 Forced proximity
❤️🔥 CIA agent romance
❤️🔥 Workplace romance
❤️🔥 Flirty Playful Banter
❤️🔥 Mental Health Rep
❤️🔥 Cinnamon Roll MMC
❤️🔥 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
❤️🔥 Broken to Healing
❤️🔥 Caretaking
🌶️ Low Spice
Innuendo, spicy open door thoughts
Actual spice moments are fade to black though
Language F* GD*
❤️🔥 Rivals (hate) to lovers
❤️🔥 Dual POV
❤️🔥 Flashback to memories between the MCs
❤️🔥 Forced proximity
❤️🔥 CIA agent romance
❤️🔥 Workplace romance
❤️🔥 Flirty Playful Banter
❤️🔥 Mental Health Rep
❤️🔥 Cinnamon Roll MMC
❤️🔥 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
❤️🔥 Broken to Healing
❤️🔥 Caretaking
🌶️ Low Spice
Innuendo, spicy open door thoughts
Actual spice moments are fade to black though
Language F* GD*
February 13, 2025
ARC REVIEW
2.25 ⭐
This had potential, but needs to be edited A LOT by someone.
I was given an ARC copy, and it is poorly edited and seems translated.
The storyline is unrealistic to me, but the main relationship had potential. Unfortunately, the timelines didn't add up. (Eg. The FMC had been to college, graduated from the FBI academy, had a short career there and then transferred to th CIA. And yet the dialogue seemed like it was between two teenagers.
The action part (missions) was also non existent and not well detailed. Yet in other parts, there was too much detail given.
Potential to be fleshed out, but at the moment, I struggled to get through this.
2.25 ⭐
This had potential, but needs to be edited A LOT by someone.
I was given an ARC copy, and it is poorly edited and seems translated.
The storyline is unrealistic to me, but the main relationship had potential. Unfortunately, the timelines didn't add up. (Eg. The FMC had been to college, graduated from the FBI academy, had a short career there and then transferred to th CIA. And yet the dialogue seemed like it was between two teenagers.
The action part (missions) was also non existent and not well detailed. Yet in other parts, there was too much detail given.
Potential to be fleshed out, but at the moment, I struggled to get through this.
March 17, 2025
Peter and Eli were longtime rivals in every aspect of life…and thanks to a new job, they now get to rekindle that rivalry…but that rivalry becomes something more after the first mission is anything other than planned.
Eli is a smartass who is tough as nails.
Peter is a closet squishmellow
Liam is a hilarious computer geek who seemingly holds everyone else together
The characters are absolutely adorable…and not just Peter and Eli…I need more of Liam and I need it now!!!
This was an absolutely adorable read!!! Thank you so much Jessica for trusting me with your baby…it was the sweetest story I have read in a long time.
Eli is a smartass who is tough as nails.
Peter is a closet squishmellow
Liam is a hilarious computer geek who seemingly holds everyone else together
The characters are absolutely adorable…and not just Peter and Eli…I need more of Liam and I need it now!!!
This was an absolutely adorable read!!! Thank you so much Jessica for trusting me with your baby…it was the sweetest story I have read in a long time.
March 28, 2025
New book boyfriend alert! 🚨 Meet Peter Davis, a sweet cinnamon roll who is also protective, loving, caring, and devoted to showing Eliana how much she deserves to be loved and treated.
Eliana Richards is a badass, sassy woman who had been through so much trauma from her childhood at the hands of her father. (CAUTION: mentions of abuse but not on page!)
I loved how Peter took care of Eliana and helped her with her healing journey 🥺🫶🏻 Peter was so patient and supportive with Eli and I was so happy to see Eli get the love she needed.
Thank you to Jessica Girke for letting me ARC read this book in exchange for an honest review! 💚
Eliana Richards is a badass, sassy woman who had been through so much trauma from her childhood at the hands of her father. (CAUTION: mentions of abuse but not on page!)
I loved how Peter took care of Eliana and helped her with her healing journey 🥺🫶🏻 Peter was so patient and supportive with Eli and I was so happy to see Eli get the love she needed.
Thank you to Jessica Girke for letting me ARC read this book in exchange for an honest review! 💚
April 18, 2025
This took me a bit to get through. It had a good base story. I loved that Eli was able to survive her rough start. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything. She deserved a happy ending. I almost had a coronary at 90% lol! I was waiting for something to happen the entire book. Then I was like wait?! It was a good read. I’d have given it 4 stars if it had had a little more meat to the story. Who doesn’t love a love story though? I sure do!
March 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this ARC!!! We are to greatful to receive this!
I laughed, cried, smiled! Instantly fell in love with the characters, I really enjoyed the dual POV too and the chapters weren’t to long! I enjoyed the background of the diary entries also! It’s definitely an enemies to lovers!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I laughed, cried, smiled! Instantly fell in love with the characters, I really enjoyed the dual POV too and the chapters weren’t to long! I enjoyed the background of the diary entries also! It’s definitely an enemies to lovers!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 29, 2025
I really enjoyed a lot about this book! The romance between the main characters, Eliana and Peter, unraveled thoughtfully throughout the story. I loved the flash backs of them as rivals in school and how that was integrated throughout the story.
The one thing that kept this form a higher rating for me was the CIA plot. A lot of that just felt confusing and those plot points just made me want to come back to the romance!
Thank you to Jessica Girke for sending me an ARC for this book!
The one thing that kept this form a higher rating for me was the CIA plot. A lot of that just felt confusing and those plot points just made me want to come back to the romance!
Thank you to Jessica Girke for sending me an ARC for this book!
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March 31, 2025I thought i was getting this badass super smart CIA operative but all i got was a weak and whiny woman whose entire personality is that she's got daddy issues and H is her academic rival. She tells herself she's smart, compares herself to him and then throws a huge pity party. Rinse and repeat.
The CIA component and missions are non existent just like the chemistry between H/h.
The CIA component and missions are non existent just like the chemistry between H/h.
March 27, 2025
arc review:
i really loved this! the settings the characters everything! if you love a good police show with a lot of romance this is the book for you🫶🏻
i really loved this! the settings the characters everything! if you love a good police show with a lot of romance this is the book for you🫶🏻
March 28, 2025
ARC review!
I got this book for free as an ARC copy all opinions are my own!
This is such a good book to scratch the itch left from watching Bones! I love it!
I got this book for free as an ARC copy all opinions are my own!
This is such a good book to scratch the itch left from watching Bones! I love it!
March 28, 2025
ARC Review:
Enemies to lovers story.
Eliana & Peter were high school rivals,
The last thing Eliana wanted expected was to be accepted into a CIA Group that included Peter.
Enemies to lovers story.
Eliana & Peter were high school rivals,
The last thing Eliana wanted expected was to be accepted into a CIA Group that included Peter.
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