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Partners in Crime #2
Enemies to Lovers: a forced-proximity, road-trip romcom with high stakes, emotion and a sizzling slow burn
From the author of Partners in Crime, comes a sparkling new adventure rom-com where a con woman and a lawman team up on an epic cross-country road trip to save their families...and each other.
Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama's calculating brain, her daddy's quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she's spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who's set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.
Krish Anand never mastered the fine art of being a bad boy...he would take a book over bullets any day. But when his FBI agent brother goes missing, he has no choice but to suit up for the adventure of a lifetime. Certain that someone in Sejal's little crime family is behind the disappearance, a desperate Krish manages to convince the beautiful thief that his brother's badge is actually his.
The deal is help him find his brother, and Krish and the law will leave Sejal be. With an up-to-no-good ex also hot on her trail, Sejal reluctantly agrees. As they wind their way across the country on planes, buses, and automobiles, sparks ignite, and what began as a fragile temporary truce starts to look more and more like a partnership.
Falling for the enemy? So cliche, but so good...if only they can survive long enough to chance a happily ever after.
TROPES
Enemies-to-Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Love
Adventure Rom-Com
Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama's calculating brain, her daddy's quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she's spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who's set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.
Krish Anand never mastered the fine art of being a bad boy...he would take a book over bullets any day. But when his FBI agent brother goes missing, he has no choice but to suit up for the adventure of a lifetime. Certain that someone in Sejal's little crime family is behind the disappearance, a desperate Krish manages to convince the beautiful thief that his brother's badge is actually his.
The deal is help him find his brother, and Krish and the law will leave Sejal be. With an up-to-no-good ex also hot on her trail, Sejal reluctantly agrees. As they wind their way across the country on planes, buses, and automobiles, sparks ignite, and what began as a fragile temporary truce starts to look more and more like a partnership.
Falling for the enemy? So cliche, but so good...if only they can survive long enough to chance a happily ever after.
TROPES
Enemies-to-Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Love
Adventure Rom-Com
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
154 people are currently reading
16553 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 824 reviews
May 5, 2026
titling a book "THING YOU LIKE" is a good approach
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come)
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy pub day!! This was really good! I enjoyed the adventure aspect and all of the characters. I recommend this to those looking for a slow burn plot with action and a hefty dash of romance.
**Note: this is the second book in a series (which I didn’t know until half-way through the book), but could be read as a standalone.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader and audio book (Dual narration by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan; narration rating: 5/5)
Thank you to NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for an early eARC and HarperAudioAdult for the ALC in exchange for my review.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Krish’s brother goes missing and the only lead he has is notes from his brother’s investigation into an Indian-American crime syndicate called Cobra and one of the leaders of Cobra’s daughters, Sejal. But what does Sejal, who has been estranged from her family for years because of their wrong doing, have to do with anything? She’s just trying to lie low after a string of bad luck: an abusive and dangerous ex, a mother who had her kidnapped, a father that was crooked, and a sister that Sejal believes wants nothing to do with her. In order to seek the answers both are looking for, Sejal and Krish reluctantly start a cross-country road trip, but soon find that they are being chased… Can these two enemies put aside their dislike for each other and take down their mutual enemy?
– FMC: Sejal Chaudhary. Never claimed to be a good girl. Is the eldest daughter. Has a complex family of criminals and non-criminals, but feels pressured to rise above her family’s past and do good (unless you’re a pervy married man with a cheating fetish)
– MMC: Krishna “Krish” Anand. Eldest brother whose brother goes missing after being possibly set up by dangerous people. Holding secrets of his own for his family’s protection.
– Location: Brooklyn (briefly), Wyoming (briefly), Las Vegas (briefly) and Santa Monica (briefly)
– POV: Dual third-person
– Spice: 2-3 open-door semi-explicit spicy scenes (not overly long)
– Tropes: “enemies”/dislike to lovers, strangers to reluctant cohorts to lovers, insta attraction (borderline insta lust), only one bed, road trip, opposites attract, found family, grumpy/grumpy
– Content warning: imposter syndrome (culturally), kidnapping/being held hostage, PTSD, narcissistic mother, child abandonment, abusive ex (mention), family member in peril, Indian and Russian mob, car accident, grief, caring for someone in a care home, being drugged (mention)
– Representation: BIPOC MCs (South Asian), children of immigrants
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: vicious by Tate McRae
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ The dysfunctional and mysterious family from Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson crossed with South Asian representation, like in the TV show Never Have I Ever
➼ Dislike-to-like MCs, like in Rook to King by Carina Taylor or the movie One for the Money
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——————✧—————Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy—————✧——————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I was told by someone on Instagram that this was a mafia romance. In the strictest of senses it is not. BUT it is rife with action, a bit of danger, and a crime family. It would be like the POV of what the characters targeted in mafia romances have…maybe? But don’t let that push you away!
The writing style and pacing were both balanced. And this book had depth and twists!! It was like watching an action movie with romance. And the characters throughout the book (excluding a few, and they know who they are), are multi-dimensional and deserving of their own books (in fact one of them already HAS their own book).
I loved being insides of Sejal’s head. She had a real push and pull of morals and what was right for her. I can’t imagine her up brining…My heart longed for her and her sister to reconnect and to watch them both heal.
And excuse?! Krish?! Give me a man that will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to protect his loved ones. He was like…a grumpy golden retriever with a strong moral compass. What’s not to love?
::3/23 update::
I was also given an opportunity to read this again as an audiobook (yes, I liked it enough to read twice!) and I LOVED the dimensionality the narrators—Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan—gave to this story. Their voices were clear and I loved that I could tell between the characters by the change of inflection and accent. The quality was superb.
Two things that held me back from 5 stars:
- It was borderline insta lust, which is not my favorite trope. This wasn’t as apparent as some other books, but I wished there was more development in this area vs. the immediate “he/she”’s so hot, I wonder what they’d be like in bed.
- The last 1/3 of the book felt rushed. We had a lot of great build-up and adventure with Sejal and Krish being chased…but then it kind of ended suddenly. And some of the major hurdles brought up throughout the book felt like they were resolved off-page.
Would I Recommend?: Certainly! I will also be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
———————-
Pre-read thoughts: I’ve been down bad for mafia style books and heard this on was dark despite the cover. lfg!!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
**Note: this is the second book in a series (which I didn’t know until half-way through the book), but could be read as a standalone.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader and audio book (Dual narration by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan; narration rating: 5/5)
Thank you to NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for an early eARC and HarperAudioAdult for the ALC in exchange for my review.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Krish’s brother goes missing and the only lead he has is notes from his brother’s investigation into an Indian-American crime syndicate called Cobra and one of the leaders of Cobra’s daughters, Sejal. But what does Sejal, who has been estranged from her family for years because of their wrong doing, have to do with anything? She’s just trying to lie low after a string of bad luck: an abusive and dangerous ex, a mother who had her kidnapped, a father that was crooked, and a sister that Sejal believes wants nothing to do with her. In order to seek the answers both are looking for, Sejal and Krish reluctantly start a cross-country road trip, but soon find that they are being chased… Can these two enemies put aside their dislike for each other and take down their mutual enemy?
– FMC: Sejal Chaudhary. Never claimed to be a good girl. Is the eldest daughter. Has a complex family of criminals and non-criminals, but feels pressured to rise above her family’s past and do good (unless you’re a pervy married man with a cheating fetish)
– MMC: Krishna “Krish” Anand. Eldest brother whose brother goes missing after being possibly set up by dangerous people. Holding secrets of his own for his family’s protection.
– Location: Brooklyn (briefly), Wyoming (briefly), Las Vegas (briefly) and Santa Monica (briefly)
– POV: Dual third-person
– Spice: 2-3 open-door semi-explicit spicy scenes (not overly long)
– Tropes: “enemies”/dislike to lovers, strangers to reluctant cohorts to lovers, insta attraction (borderline insta lust), only one bed, road trip, opposites attract, found family, grumpy/grumpy
– Content warning: imposter syndrome (culturally), kidnapping/being held hostage, PTSD, narcissistic mother, child abandonment, abusive ex (mention), family member in peril, Indian and Russian mob, car accident, grief, caring for someone in a care home, being drugged (mention)
– Representation: BIPOC MCs (South Asian), children of immigrants
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: vicious by Tate McRae
╰┈➤ ❝Wipe my tongue ‘cross your teeth, just a little taste to remember me by, I’m the ice in your glass, I’m the like the sand through your hands, oh my…❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ The dysfunctional and mysterious family from Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson crossed with South Asian representation, like in the TV show Never Have I Ever
➼ Dislike-to-like MCs, like in Rook to King by Carina Taylor or the movie One for the Money
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——————✧—————Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy—————✧——————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I was told by someone on Instagram that this was a mafia romance. In the strictest of senses it is not. BUT it is rife with action, a bit of danger, and a crime family. It would be like the POV of what the characters targeted in mafia romances have…maybe? But don’t let that push you away!
The writing style and pacing were both balanced. And this book had depth and twists!! It was like watching an action movie with romance. And the characters throughout the book (excluding a few, and they know who they are), are multi-dimensional and deserving of their own books (in fact one of them already HAS their own book).
I loved being insides of Sejal’s head. She had a real push and pull of morals and what was right for her. I can’t imagine her up brining…My heart longed for her and her sister to reconnect and to watch them both heal.
And excuse?! Krish?! Give me a man that will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to protect his loved ones. He was like…a grumpy golden retriever with a strong moral compass. What’s not to love?
::3/23 update::
I was also given an opportunity to read this again as an audiobook (yes, I liked it enough to read twice!) and I LOVED the dimensionality the narrators—Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan—gave to this story. Their voices were clear and I loved that I could tell between the characters by the change of inflection and accent. The quality was superb.
Two things that held me back from 5 stars:
- It was borderline insta lust, which is not my favorite trope. This wasn’t as apparent as some other books, but I wished there was more development in this area vs. the immediate “he/she”’s so hot, I wonder what they’d be like in bed.
- The last 1/3 of the book felt rushed. We had a lot of great build-up and adventure with Sejal and Krish being chased…but then it kind of ended suddenly. And some of the major hurdles brought up throughout the book felt like they were resolved off-page.
Would I Recommend?: Certainly! I will also be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
———————-
Pre-read thoughts: I’ve been down bad for mafia style books and heard this on was dark despite the cover. lfg!!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ★— A fake FBI agent and the daughter of career criminals go on an unwilling road trip together, and they entertained me all the way through!
Sejal has lived a life dominated by her need to evade the sins of her parents, keeping a low profile while using the skills she learned growing up to survive. Krish is her polar opposite, having lived a quiet life that the disappearance of his FBI agent brother has shaken up, which leads him to hunt down Sejal, who he believes has something to do with his brother’s disappearance.
This was such incredible fun! The book throws you right into the story without a lot of setup, and right in the first chapter I realized that Sejal is a girl after my own heart: self-sufficient, smart, and a bit of a black cat type who’s dealt with her life's trauma by mostly ignoring it.
The MMC and second POV of this book, Krish, is a dreamboat! Deceptively tall and broad in a way that helps sell his pretense of being an FBI agent, he's hiding a much gentler, nerdier personality underneath that Sejal slowly gets to see as the two are forced into close proximity.
Apparently this is a sequel to Partners in Crime, a prior novel of the author’s that I personally haven’t read (but now want to read) and which I only learned about after finishing it. Safe to say, I never felt like I lacked any information, so this works perfectly as a standalone!
Krish and Sejal's relationship is well paced, and while the two are instantly attracted to each other, them being on opposing sides and so suspicious of one another naturally lets their dynamic develop gradually. I loved seeing Krish's reaction to Sejal's softer sides, and I adored how much he had to keep an eye on her, in turn.
The family dynamics were an integral part of the story, both from Krish and Sejal's sides, and the book really did a beautiful job of giving you insights into Sejal's childhood that showcase how her more insular adult life came to be, all while still maintaining a lighthearted and banter-y tone.
I really can't recommend this one enough, and as someone who sometimes gets bored of the predictability of contemporary romance, this book's adventure plot brought such a refreshing twist to it and made this story a delight to follow!
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
⭐ Listener Rating: 4.5/5
This was such a great listen! I really enjoyed the female narrator and thought she infused the perfect edge of nonchalance and bite into Sejal. The male narrator, though, sometimes felt like he was narrating at a slightly different pace than her, which was a bit distracting until I got used to it. Otherwise, I did like how he brought Krish’s POV to life and thought he did well!
__________________
Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC and to HarperAudio for the ALC.
Sejal has lived a life dominated by her need to evade the sins of her parents, keeping a low profile while using the skills she learned growing up to survive. Krish is her polar opposite, having lived a quiet life that the disappearance of his FBI agent brother has shaken up, which leads him to hunt down Sejal, who he believes has something to do with his brother’s disappearance.
This was such incredible fun! The book throws you right into the story without a lot of setup, and right in the first chapter I realized that Sejal is a girl after my own heart: self-sufficient, smart, and a bit of a black cat type who’s dealt with her life's trauma by mostly ignoring it.
The MMC and second POV of this book, Krish, is a dreamboat! Deceptively tall and broad in a way that helps sell his pretense of being an FBI agent, he's hiding a much gentler, nerdier personality underneath that Sejal slowly gets to see as the two are forced into close proximity.
Apparently this is a sequel to Partners in Crime, a prior novel of the author’s that I personally haven’t read (but now want to read) and which I only learned about after finishing it. Safe to say, I never felt like I lacked any information, so this works perfectly as a standalone!
Krish and Sejal's relationship is well paced, and while the two are instantly attracted to each other, them being on opposing sides and so suspicious of one another naturally lets their dynamic develop gradually. I loved seeing Krish's reaction to Sejal's softer sides, and I adored how much he had to keep an eye on her, in turn.
The family dynamics were an integral part of the story, both from Krish and Sejal's sides, and the book really did a beautiful job of giving you insights into Sejal's childhood that showcase how her more insular adult life came to be, all while still maintaining a lighthearted and banter-y tone.
I really can't recommend this one enough, and as someone who sometimes gets bored of the predictability of contemporary romance, this book's adventure plot brought such a refreshing twist to it and made this story a delight to follow!
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
⭐ Listener Rating: 4.5/5
This was such a great listen! I really enjoyed the female narrator and thought she infused the perfect edge of nonchalance and bite into Sejal. The male narrator, though, sometimes felt like he was narrating at a slightly different pace than her, which was a bit distracting until I got used to it. Otherwise, I did like how he brought Krish’s POV to life and thought he did well!
__________________
Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC and to HarperAudio for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this book with absolutely no clue what kind of ride I was about to get on. No expectations, no predictions, just vibes… and honestly that worked in the book’s favor because this story thrives on keeping you slightly off balance.
{Apparently this is actually book two in the series (which I somehow did not realize at first??) and now I’m sitting here like… wait. There’s a whole book before this about Mira?? Yes plz!!!!!}
But back to this one….
At the center of the story we have Sejal, who grew up in a very… let’s say creatively criminal family. She’s clever, quick with her hands, and ridiculously good at sleight-of-hand tricks. She’s basically been raised around cons her whole life, even though she’s trying to keep her life a little less chaotic now.
And then there’s Krish, who is very much not from that world. He’s more bookish, thoughtful, and absolutely not the “kick down the door” type… which makes it even funnier that he ends up doing something extremely unhinged at the beginning of the story.😭😭😭
Krish is desperately searching for his missing brother, and he’s convinced Sejal’s family might somehow be connected to what happened. So naturally… his solution is to kidnap her. Yep. You read that right. He literally takes her as bait so he can track down answers about his brother. 😭💀
Which is why the enemies-to-lovers tension kicks in so fast. Sejal does not trust him, Krish doesn’t trust her family, and the two of them end up stuck traveling together while chasing leads, dodging trouble, and trying to figure out what the truth actually is.
And somehow… this extremely questionable partnership turns into a chaotic cross-country adventure.
And the romance… oh the romance was doing its thangggg 😌
The attraction between Sejal and Krish is very much there from the start, which honestly made it more entertaining. Their inner thoughts are constantly betraying them. They notice each other. They think about each other. Sometimes a little too much. 😏 There are moments where they’re very aware of how attractive the other person is… but actually acting on those thoughts? That takes a while. 😭
What I liked about their dynamic is that even while they’re both very aware of the attraction, they keep pushing it aside because the situation they’re in is complicated. They’re dealing with danger, family drama, secrets, and a partnership that starts out purely out of necessity. So a lot of the romantic tension lives inside their heads for a while. Still, the emotional connection sneaks up on them.🤭🤭🤭
There’s a moment where he realizes just how much her feelings affect him, and it just hits 🤭
What I also loved was how he starts appreciating her personality just as much as her looks. She’s chaotic, different, unpredictable… and instead of that scaring him off, it just makes him more curious about her.
And then you get these moments where the emotions sneak up on him in a way he clearly did not plan for 😝
Which honestly feels like the perfect description of that overwhelming moment when someone suddenly matters more than you expected them to. 😌
The story keeps throwing twists and family complications at them the entire time, which kept me really engaged. I loved not knowing where the story was going next, and some of the reveals genuinely surprised me. 👏🏼 👀
That said, I did have a few moments in the middle where certain things happening in the story annoyed me a little🙄😬, but the biggest issue for me was actually the ending.
Because the entire book takes its time building everything—the tension, the twists, the slow burn romance—and then suddenly the last part of the story moves really fast. The resolution and emotional wrap-up felt rushed compared to the rest of the book, and the pacing just didn’t feel as even as the rest of the journey. Which is honestly the main reason this landed at 4 stars instead of 5 for me. 😔😬
Did the ending feel rushed compared to the rest of the story? Yes.
Did I still have a really good time reading it? Also yes.
Overall this was such a fun, twisty adventure romance with chaotic road-trip energy, constant surprises, and a slow burn that mostly lives inside longing looks and dangerous thoughts before anything actually happens.
things to know about the book ↓
💗 Enemies to lovers
💛 Forced proximity
💗 Opposites attract
💛 Slow burn romance
💗 Third-person POV
💛 Messy family dynamics
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Alisha Rai for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
falling for the enemy? i’m so here for it 😝😝
{Apparently this is actually book two in the series (which I somehow did not realize at first??) and now I’m sitting here like… wait. There’s a whole book before this about Mira?? Yes plz!!!!!}
But back to this one….
At the center of the story we have Sejal, who grew up in a very… let’s say creatively criminal family. She’s clever, quick with her hands, and ridiculously good at sleight-of-hand tricks. She’s basically been raised around cons her whole life, even though she’s trying to keep her life a little less chaotic now.
And then there’s Krish, who is very much not from that world. He’s more bookish, thoughtful, and absolutely not the “kick down the door” type… which makes it even funnier that he ends up doing something extremely unhinged at the beginning of the story.😭😭😭
Krish is desperately searching for his missing brother, and he’s convinced Sejal’s family might somehow be connected to what happened. So naturally… his solution is to kidnap her. Yep. You read that right. He literally takes her as bait so he can track down answers about his brother. 😭💀
Which is why the enemies-to-lovers tension kicks in so fast. Sejal does not trust him, Krish doesn’t trust her family, and the two of them end up stuck traveling together while chasing leads, dodging trouble, and trying to figure out what the truth actually is.
And somehow… this extremely questionable partnership turns into a chaotic cross-country adventure.
And the romance… oh the romance was doing its thangggg 😌
The attraction between Sejal and Krish is very much there from the start, which honestly made it more entertaining. Their inner thoughts are constantly betraying them. They notice each other. They think about each other. Sometimes a little too much. 😏 There are moments where they’re very aware of how attractive the other person is… but actually acting on those thoughts? That takes a while. 😭
What I liked about their dynamic is that even while they’re both very aware of the attraction, they keep pushing it aside because the situation they’re in is complicated. They’re dealing with danger, family drama, secrets, and a partnership that starts out purely out of necessity. So a lot of the romantic tension lives inside their heads for a while. Still, the emotional connection sneaks up on them.🤭🤭🤭
There’s a moment where he realizes just how much her feelings affect him, and it just hits 🤭
“He wasn’t sure when he’d become so attuned to her emotions, but hurting her felt like hurting himself.”
What I also loved was how he starts appreciating her personality just as much as her looks. She’s chaotic, different, unpredictable… and instead of that scaring him off, it just makes him more curious about her.
“She made him laugh, and she was weird and silly and just mysterious enough that he wanted to sit down and slowly peel her layers off”
And then you get these moments where the emotions sneak up on him in a way he clearly did not plan for 😝
”She consumed him and gave him life simultaneously.”
Which honestly feels like the perfect description of that overwhelming moment when someone suddenly matters more than you expected them to. 😌
The story keeps throwing twists and family complications at them the entire time, which kept me really engaged. I loved not knowing where the story was going next, and some of the reveals genuinely surprised me. 👏🏼 👀
That said, I did have a few moments in the middle where certain things happening in the story annoyed me a little🙄😬, but the biggest issue for me was actually the ending.
Because the entire book takes its time building everything—the tension, the twists, the slow burn romance—and then suddenly the last part of the story moves really fast. The resolution and emotional wrap-up felt rushed compared to the rest of the book, and the pacing just didn’t feel as even as the rest of the journey. Which is honestly the main reason this landed at 4 stars instead of 5 for me. 😔😬
Did the ending feel rushed compared to the rest of the story? Yes.
Did I still have a really good time reading it? Also yes.
Overall this was such a fun, twisty adventure romance with chaotic road-trip energy, constant surprises, and a slow burn that mostly lives inside longing looks and dangerous thoughts before anything actually happens.
things to know about the book ↓
💗 Enemies to lovers
💛 Forced proximity
💗 Opposites attract
💛 Slow burn romance
💗 Third-person POV
💛 Messy family dynamics
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Alisha Rai for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
falling for the enemy? i’m so here for it 😝😝
Read
April 8, 2026⤷⊹ started: april 6th, finished: april 7th
rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i’ve been seeing so many good reviews for this book and it has me so excited 🤭 also the cover is so pretty?! and ofc i get to read this with my best friend har!! i love you sm and i can’t wait to read more arcs with you 🥹💗
thank you to avon and harper voyager, alisha rai for the arc and harperaudio for the alc in exchange for an honest review
rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i’ve been seeing so many good reviews for this book and it has me so excited 🤭 also the cover is so pretty?! and ofc i get to read this with my best friend har!! i love you sm and i can’t wait to read more arcs with you 🥹💗
thank you to avon and harper voyager, alisha rai for the arc and harperaudio for the alc in exchange for an honest review
April 6, 2026
Adventure romcoms are my favorite and this one definitely hit the spot.
I stayed up till 1am finishing this last night! It’s quick, a bit ridiculous (complimentary), and super messy (super complementary).
I had an absolute blast and I’ll definitely be checking out the first book in the interconnected series soon! Also, this is my formal petition for more adventure romcoms!
Whats to love…
- road trip
- adventure romcom
- secret identities
- complicated family dynamics
- opposites attract
- family forward
- forced proximity
- only one bed
- kissing as a form of hiding
Audiobook:
Good audiobook! Solid performance from both narrators. The pausing at the end of each sentence was a bit excessive and that made finding a perfect listening speed a little challenging but not so much to keep be from recommending the audiobook.
4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Avon for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
I stayed up till 1am finishing this last night! It’s quick, a bit ridiculous (complimentary), and super messy (super complementary).
I had an absolute blast and I’ll definitely be checking out the first book in the interconnected series soon! Also, this is my formal petition for more adventure romcoms!
Whats to love…
- road trip
- adventure romcom
- secret identities
- complicated family dynamics
- opposites attract
- family forward
- forced proximity
- only one bed
- kissing as a form of hiding
Audiobook:
Good audiobook! Solid performance from both narrators. The pausing at the end of each sentence was a bit excessive and that made finding a perfect listening speed a little challenging but not so much to keep be from recommending the audiobook.
4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Avon for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2026
┆ ⤿ 🚗 ⌗ started: april 6, finished: april 8th
ⓘ enemies to lovers release date: 7th april 2026
pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
got my first ever physical arc!! i'm genuinely in awe of how gorgeous this cover is. AND there's south asian rep so ofc i'm extra excited (as a brown girlie hehe). reading this with my best friend mads! 💌 i love you sm and i love reading all my arcs with you!! mwauh my twin foreverrrr 🌸💗
thank you to avon and harper voyager, alisha rai for the physical arc in exchange for a honest review
ⓘ enemies to lovers release date: 7th april 2026
pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
got my first ever physical arc!! i'm genuinely in awe of how gorgeous this cover is. AND there's south asian rep so ofc i'm extra excited (as a brown girlie hehe). reading this with my best friend mads! 💌 i love you sm and i love reading all my arcs with you!! mwauh my twin foreverrrr 🌸💗
thank you to avon and harper voyager, alisha rai for the physical arc in exchange for a honest review
April 8, 2026
Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai
Partners in Crime series #2. Contemporary diverse romance, romantic comedy. Own voices. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Sejal Chaudhary has had to support herself since she was kicked out of her house for refusing to steal something for her father. She learned some magic and does small tricks in bars to earn a dollars. When a man gets handsy and belligerent one night, she claims the big handsome man is her boyfriend. What she doesn’t know is the Krish Anand has been searching for Sejal. He’s convinced she can help him find his missing brother. Kissing her and posing as her boyfriend with a little protection thrown in may be just the story he needs to ensure her help.
🎧 the audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan in alternating POV chapters. The pace is fast and easily followed as the characters come to vivid life with accents and emotions clearly expressed. Listening to the audiobook keeps the listener engaged and breathlessly waiting for the next reveal.
Quick action, enemies to lovers, lots of fun banter, and on the road to find a family member, crime boss, or evade the mob makes this story highly entertaining and fun.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult
Partners in Crime series #2. Contemporary diverse romance, romantic comedy. Own voices. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Sejal Chaudhary has had to support herself since she was kicked out of her house for refusing to steal something for her father. She learned some magic and does small tricks in bars to earn a dollars. When a man gets handsy and belligerent one night, she claims the big handsome man is her boyfriend. What she doesn’t know is the Krish Anand has been searching for Sejal. He’s convinced she can help him find his missing brother. Kissing her and posing as her boyfriend with a little protection thrown in may be just the story he needs to ensure her help.
🎧 the audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan in alternating POV chapters. The pace is fast and easily followed as the characters come to vivid life with accents and emotions clearly expressed. Listening to the audiobook keeps the listener engaged and breathlessly waiting for the next reveal.
Quick action, enemies to lovers, lots of fun banter, and on the road to find a family member, crime boss, or evade the mob makes this story highly entertaining and fun.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult
April 7, 2026
Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai
Book Blurb: Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama’s calculating brain, her daddy’s quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she’s spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who’s set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.
Rating: ****
Feels: Amusement, Adventure,
Style: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity
First published April 7, 2026 : 384 pages
Fast paced fun in this romantic road trip with so many adorably twisty turns !! Kris and Sejal were so much fun to watch as they had all the things you would never want to happen to you, happen. Other than the one bed … soooo needed that to happen !!! Give us all the one bed tropes on a road trip and we will be happily fed !!! Loved all the side characters and the absolute hilarious shenanigans that ensured from so many encounters !!! Just a super fun trip and I was glad I got to be along for the ride !!!
Audiobook Review:
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual Narration
⭐ Listener Rating: *****
🎧 Audiobook Notes: Ohhh loved this as an audio book. I had read the book first and then got to treat myself to this audiobook. Loved the tone, vibes and style of this as an audiobook. The narrators had such a great read on this and really did read this like I had heard it in my head when I was reading it. They really were able to potray the amusing portions of this book well which I apprciated. Was really easy to understand both narrators at any speed, tone and pitch were perfect. I listened at 1.5 to 2.0 which is my normal speeds and settled at 2.0. I really am glad they did this as a dual read because it flowed well as a dual read !!
Favorite Quote: Krish had admired her skills. Nowwhere in his brother's file had it said that Sejal did magic tricks, of all adorable things.
No ! Not Adorable.
This book has:
Road Trip !!
Forced Proximity
One Bed (alot !!)
South Asian Rep
Secret Identities
Family Drama
Eldest Child Vibes
His family is Law enforcement
Her family is a Crime family
Book Blurb: Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama’s calculating brain, her daddy’s quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she’s spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who’s set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.
Rating: ****
Feels: Amusement, Adventure,
Style: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity
First published April 7, 2026 : 384 pages
Fast paced fun in this romantic road trip with so many adorably twisty turns !! Kris and Sejal were so much fun to watch as they had all the things you would never want to happen to you, happen. Other than the one bed … soooo needed that to happen !!! Give us all the one bed tropes on a road trip and we will be happily fed !!! Loved all the side characters and the absolute hilarious shenanigans that ensured from so many encounters !!! Just a super fun trip and I was glad I got to be along for the ride !!!
Audiobook Review:
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual Narration
⭐ Listener Rating: *****
🎧 Audiobook Notes: Ohhh loved this as an audio book. I had read the book first and then got to treat myself to this audiobook. Loved the tone, vibes and style of this as an audiobook. The narrators had such a great read on this and really did read this like I had heard it in my head when I was reading it. They really were able to potray the amusing portions of this book well which I apprciated. Was really easy to understand both narrators at any speed, tone and pitch were perfect. I listened at 1.5 to 2.0 which is my normal speeds and settled at 2.0. I really am glad they did this as a dual read because it flowed well as a dual read !!
Favorite Quote: Krish had admired her skills. Nowwhere in his brother's file had it said that Sejal did magic tricks, of all adorable things.
No ! Not Adorable.
This book has:
Road Trip !!
Forced Proximity
One Bed (alot !!)
South Asian Rep
Secret Identities
Family Drama
Eldest Child Vibes
His family is Law enforcement
Her family is a Crime family
April 11, 2026
I didn't realize this was the second book in the Partners in Crime series until I had already started reading it, and it was still really good!! Adventurous romances are always fun, and I've read quite a few over the years - starting with Something Wilder by Christina Lauren. Since then, I chase the high of laughing and watching characters run around in slightly ridiculous shenanigans while also having some high-stakes moments in the background.
Sejal is one of those heroines you can't help but root for. She didn't come from good circumstances and slightly reminds me of Alexis from Schitt's Creek! But also, her crazy backstory is sometimes hard to listen to, but overall she seems like a good girl that absoltely deserves her found family moments.
- You should def read the first book in the series first because I think there are too many spoilers from the first book in this one!!
**I'm always looking for diverse romances! I've read other romances from Asian American authors, and this is a great one to add to the list!
HOUSEKEEPING:
* Spice: 🌶️/5
* Reader Age Suggestions: adult
* Content Warnings: --
* Kindle Unlimited: ❌
**Thank you to Avon for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
Sejal is one of those heroines you can't help but root for. She didn't come from good circumstances and slightly reminds me of Alexis from Schitt's Creek! But also, her crazy backstory is sometimes hard to listen to, but overall she seems like a good girl that absoltely deserves her found family moments.
- You should def read the first book in the series first because I think there are too many spoilers from the first book in this one!!
**I'm always looking for diverse romances! I've read other romances from Asian American authors, and this is a great one to add to the list!
HOUSEKEEPING:
* Spice: 🌶️/5
* Reader Age Suggestions: adult
* Content Warnings: --
* Kindle Unlimited: ❌
**Thank you to Avon for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
Want to Read
April 8, 2026not avon sending me a finished copy after me calling them out LMAO.
March 26, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
Going in, I expected a pretty standard rom com, but this surprised me in the best way. It leaned into the chaos. At times it was downright goofy, almost slapstick, and I loved that. It made the story feel fresh and genuinely entertaining instead of predictable.
I also really appreciated the multicultural representation. I love seeing brown FMCs and MMCs, especially in a story that lets them be messy, funny, and a little ridiculous. So often BIPOC characters get boxed into heavier, more serious roles, and this was the complete opposite. It felt fun and freeing in a way that stood out.
Sejal and Krish were such a great pair. The forced proximity and enemies to lovers tension worked really well, especially with the road trip setup and all the chaos happening around them. Their dynamic kept things moving and made it easy to stay invested.
The audiobook really elevated the experience for me. Soneela Nankani as Sejal was fantastic, which I expected because I already love her work. Shahjehan Khan as Krish was new to me, but he was perfect. They both brought a lot of personality to the characters and made the story even more engaging.
Overall, this was just a really fun, fast-paced listen with great chemistry and humor. Perfect if you want an enemies to lovers romance that does not take itself too seriously.
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1.5/5 🌶️
Going in, I expected a pretty standard rom com, but this surprised me in the best way. It leaned into the chaos. At times it was downright goofy, almost slapstick, and I loved that. It made the story feel fresh and genuinely entertaining instead of predictable.
I also really appreciated the multicultural representation. I love seeing brown FMCs and MMCs, especially in a story that lets them be messy, funny, and a little ridiculous. So often BIPOC characters get boxed into heavier, more serious roles, and this was the complete opposite. It felt fun and freeing in a way that stood out.
Sejal and Krish were such a great pair. The forced proximity and enemies to lovers tension worked really well, especially with the road trip setup and all the chaos happening around them. Their dynamic kept things moving and made it easy to stay invested.
The audiobook really elevated the experience for me. Soneela Nankani as Sejal was fantastic, which I expected because I already love her work. Shahjehan Khan as Krish was new to me, but he was perfect. They both brought a lot of personality to the characters and made the story even more engaging.
Overall, this was just a really fun, fast-paced listen with great chemistry and humor. Perfect if you want an enemies to lovers romance that does not take itself too seriously.
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2026
This book is a delight! I had so much fun listening to this story. The narrators did a fantastic job becoming their characters, taking us on an emotional journey as well as being able to change their tone and attitude depending on the character they were reading for. Both narrators are equally talented and I loved their story telling!
The book itself was more than I was expecting in the best of ways. I was thinking rom com ( which it definitely had elements of), but it was also an exhilarating adventure story with mystery, shady characters, FBI and intelligence agency, confident artists and more!
If you are looking for a good, fun time then this is the book to pick up!
The book itself was more than I was expecting in the best of ways. I was thinking rom com ( which it definitely had elements of), but it was also an exhilarating adventure story with mystery, shady characters, FBI and intelligence agency, confident artists and more!
If you are looking for a good, fun time then this is the book to pick up!
April 9, 2026
eeek my first ALC ever
Thank you HarperAudio Avon for my ALC via Netgalley (did I do this right?)
I jumped in blindly (as I usually do), and the opening grabbed me right away. The setup was intriguing, and I genuinely had no idea where the story was headed.
I’m usually quick to predict twists, but this one kept me guessing.
I did feel the pacing dip after the initial action, but once things picked up again, I was fully invested.
Being immersed in a culture different from my own added so much interest and depth, especially during the slower stretch.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators were fantastic. Their accents and delivery really kept me hooked
The spice was good (not essential to the plot, but definitely enjoyable and felt like a reward).
And the way the older generation still found time to ask about dating and marriage amid total chaos? Hilarious and painfully relatable.
4.25 for me!
Thank you HarperAudio Avon for my ALC via Netgalley (did I do this right?)
I jumped in blindly (as I usually do), and the opening grabbed me right away. The setup was intriguing, and I genuinely had no idea where the story was headed.
I’m usually quick to predict twists, but this one kept me guessing.
I did feel the pacing dip after the initial action, but once things picked up again, I was fully invested.
Being immersed in a culture different from my own added so much interest and depth, especially during the slower stretch.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators were fantastic. Their accents and delivery really kept me hooked
The spice was good (not essential to the plot, but definitely enjoyable and felt like a reward).
And the way the older generation still found time to ask about dating and marriage amid total chaos? Hilarious and painfully relatable.
4.25 for me!
Read
January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Once upon a time, we were blessed with at least one Alisha Rai book per year, but she took a break to like…grow a human, so I understand not also giving birth to another amazing book. Enemies to Lovers is another adventure romance following the events of Partners in Crime that includes a road trip, some Big Secrets, and two really smart people who don’t want to put up with the other’s crap. Alisha Rai is one of those people who is somehow good at both intense emotional drama and slapstick comedy, so I’m excited to see how she continues the criminal rom-com genre that she is currently queen of. —Jessica Pryde
Once upon a time, we were blessed with at least one Alisha Rai book per year, but she took a break to like…grow a human, so I understand not also giving birth to another amazing book. Enemies to Lovers is another adventure romance following the events of Partners in Crime that includes a road trip, some Big Secrets, and two really smart people who don’t want to put up with the other’s crap. Alisha Rai is one of those people who is somehow good at both intense emotional drama and slapstick comedy, so I’m excited to see how she continues the criminal rom-com genre that she is currently queen of. —Jessica Pryde
April 18, 2026
'She was like catnip for terrible men. And she used it to her advantage occasionally. Leave the good, kind ones for the other good people. Give her the cheaters, the swindlers, the entitled masses who were rude to waitstaff. They were her bread and butter.' (Ch 1)
Adventure Rom-Com | Road Trip | Hidden Identity | Forced Proximity | Fake Dating /Relationship | Family Drama / Secrets | Mafia/Crime Org
Sejal and Krish were family-oriented, but not in the traditional sense, as there were a lot, a lot of family dysfunction in each of their families. Ultimately, their goals were the same — to keep their siblings safe.
'She stared at him for a long moment. He didn't flinch away from her. The blackhole of betrayal and rage inside her shrank further, taken over by understanding. It hadn't been personal until it became personal.' (Ch 20)
Liked the little twists and that though Krish had all the appearance of someone tough, he had that quiet, almost awkward, gentle side. And though Sejal put out strong, independent vibes, she still had her vulnerabilities.
'He was about to say he'd take the clothes to the bathroom and get dressed, but she motioned him closer. Like a moth seeking immediate death by flame, he moved toward her.' (Ch 10)
This was a cute romantic comedy. Spicy! With a dash here and there of humor.
'She cocked her head, "Uh oh, you found it."
"Found what?"
"My G-spot, it's activated by men telling me... I'm right."' (Ch 5)
Loved the chemistry between Sejal and Krish. It was instalust. They just clicked, despite all the secrets between them and the cacophony around them.
'Though Krish wouldn't tolerate someone hurting another, he had never felt a huge urge to swoop in and rescue a woman. Except now, multiple times, in the short time he'd spent with Sajel.' (Ch 4)
ALC courtesy of NetGalley | Avon / HarperAudio
Adventure Rom-Com | Road Trip | Hidden Identity | Forced Proximity | Fake Dating /Relationship | Family Drama / Secrets | Mafia/Crime Org
Sejal and Krish were family-oriented, but not in the traditional sense, as there were a lot, a lot of family dysfunction in each of their families. Ultimately, their goals were the same — to keep their siblings safe.
'She stared at him for a long moment. He didn't flinch away from her. The blackhole of betrayal and rage inside her shrank further, taken over by understanding. It hadn't been personal until it became personal.' (Ch 20)
Liked the little twists and that though Krish had all the appearance of someone tough, he had that quiet, almost awkward, gentle side. And though Sejal put out strong, independent vibes, she still had her vulnerabilities.
'He was about to say he'd take the clothes to the bathroom and get dressed, but she motioned him closer. Like a moth seeking immediate death by flame, he moved toward her.' (Ch 10)
This was a cute romantic comedy. Spicy! With a dash here and there of humor.
'She cocked her head, "Uh oh, you found it."
"Found what?"
"My G-spot, it's activated by men telling me... I'm right."' (Ch 5)
Loved the chemistry between Sejal and Krish. It was instalust. They just clicked, despite all the secrets between them and the cacophony around them.
'Though Krish wouldn't tolerate someone hurting another, he had never felt a huge urge to swoop in and rescue a woman. Except now, multiple times, in the short time he'd spent with Sajel.' (Ch 4)
ALC courtesy of NetGalley | Avon / HarperAudio
April 19, 2026
4.25 ⭐ ⊹ 1 🌶️ ⊹ 384 📖 ⊹ 10h 47m 🎧
⁀➴ Overall: This was such a fun read! I completely loved the story, the characters, and the excellent audio narration!!
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
🩷 forced proximity
🧡 enemies to lovers
💛 family drama
🩷 slow burn
🧡 road trip
💛 adventure romance
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
I really enjoyed this story. It felt unique, engaging, and truly fun to read! I really appreciated all of the Indian cultural references and the narration added even more to the story. It always makes a book that much better when you get to learn something while you’re enjoying a story!
Sejal was an incredible FMC. She’s strong, independent, and has been through a lot to ensure her own safety and that she is able to take care of herself. She’s a total baddie AND a magician. What’s not to love?? 🫶🏼
Krish was such a sweet and caring MMC. He was on his own personal quest, but always ensured that Sejal was okay throughout. He wasn’t afraid to speak his truth when the time came and he always validated Sejal along the way.
I don’t want to say too much about the story so that this can remain spoiler free. I will say it does keep you engaged and invested throughout!! I listened to almost the whole story in one day because I wanted to know what happened next!
I think there were some moments from a writing perspective where there were some abrupt transitions. Sometimes I’d have to rewind and listen again to ensure I caught everything when this happened. Not a dealbreaker, but just something that sometimes took me a bit out of the story.
Thank you to Alisha Rai, Avon, HarperAudio Adult, and NetGalley for this ALC.
⁀➴ Overall: This was such a fun read! I completely loved the story, the characters, and the excellent audio narration!!
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
🩷 forced proximity
🧡 enemies to lovers
💛 family drama
🩷 slow burn
🧡 road trip
💛 adventure romance
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
I really enjoyed this story. It felt unique, engaging, and truly fun to read! I really appreciated all of the Indian cultural references and the narration added even more to the story. It always makes a book that much better when you get to learn something while you’re enjoying a story!
Sejal was an incredible FMC. She’s strong, independent, and has been through a lot to ensure her own safety and that she is able to take care of herself. She’s a total baddie AND a magician. What’s not to love?? 🫶🏼
Krish was such a sweet and caring MMC. He was on his own personal quest, but always ensured that Sejal was okay throughout. He wasn’t afraid to speak his truth when the time came and he always validated Sejal along the way.
I don’t want to say too much about the story so that this can remain spoiler free. I will say it does keep you engaged and invested throughout!! I listened to almost the whole story in one day because I wanted to know what happened next!
I think there were some moments from a writing perspective where there were some abrupt transitions. Sometimes I’d have to rewind and listen again to ensure I caught everything when this happened. Not a dealbreaker, but just something that sometimes took me a bit out of the story.
Thank you to Alisha Rai, Avon, HarperAudio Adult, and NetGalley for this ALC.
April 19, 2026
Enemies to Lovers reads like one of those fast-paced, heist romcoms. There's amateur espionage, dangerous situations, fake identities—and in the midst of it all, a blossoming romance. The story definitely moves at a clipped pace, thrusting you right in the middle of a con from the first scene and setting up both of the characters, Sejal and Krish. However, instead of hooking me right away, I found the speed and yet piecemeal fashion in which vital information was dropped confusing, and because the story focused so much on capturing that heightened, dazzling suspense element, the romance was a bit stop-and-start and not as gripping as I had hoped it would be.
The main element of the story and plot that didn't work for me is that there is a huge moment in Sejal's past that is not only vital to understanding her situation and mental state, but that every other secondary character we meet down the line is involved in. However, the timeline of her past was difficult for me to piece together, and I felt like I didn't fully understand how this big event actually unfolded until far too late in the book for me to form a strong attachment to her, or to take in how it affected everyone's lives. (edit: I just, and I mean, just, post-read and post-review, realized this was not a standalone and the huge event happened in book one. I generally hope for interconnected standalones to be digestible separately, but that really explains the approach to the event and the sporadic info in this book.)
Additionally, when I say every other secondary character, I mean every other out of a large cast. I didn't quite expect so many people to be involved—perhaps it was my faulty perception of the blurb, but I had hoped their situation would be a bit more isolating in a trusting-and-relying-on-each-other kind of way. However, we run into both of their family members and a couple more additional characters from their past who eventually all have their hands in the suspense case that Krish and Sejal are trying to crack. And while there were great character beats between Krish and Sejal and their parents, it just became too many people to keep track of, and it really diverted the focus from the romance.
The parts of the book that I enjoyed the most (no surprise here), were when Sejal and Krish found themselves unwillingly drawn to each other and opening up to each other because their instincts were telling them that they were trustworthy. Sejal in particular was such a tough nut to crack that whenever she let Krish in, it felt like such a victory. And I really relished in those parts of the story. However, because these scenes are slotted in slow points of the plot before we move on to yet another city or set up a meeting with someone else to get info, they felt too separated from each other and didn't feel as natural for me. I really wanted to connect with their connection a bit more, and I think more moments where they really relied only on each other in intense situations would have convinced me a lot more.
However, if you are not as much of a romance-focused reader as me, I think there is still plenty to enjoy here: the plot elements are entertaining and exciting and will really draw readers in who want to be taken (pun intended) on a wild ride.
﹙ two-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you avon for the arc to review!
The main element of the story and plot that didn't work for me is that there is a huge moment in Sejal's past that is not only vital to understanding her situation and mental state, but that every other secondary character we meet down the line is involved in. However, the timeline of her past was difficult for me to piece together, and I felt like I didn't fully understand how this big event actually unfolded until far too late in the book for me to form a strong attachment to her, or to take in how it affected everyone's lives. (edit: I just, and I mean, just, post-read and post-review, realized this was not a standalone and the huge event happened in book one. I generally hope for interconnected standalones to be digestible separately, but that really explains the approach to the event and the sporadic info in this book.)
Additionally, when I say every other secondary character, I mean every other out of a large cast. I didn't quite expect so many people to be involved—perhaps it was my faulty perception of the blurb, but I had hoped their situation would be a bit more isolating in a trusting-and-relying-on-each-other kind of way. However, we run into both of their family members and a couple more additional characters from their past who eventually all have their hands in the suspense case that Krish and Sejal are trying to crack. And while there were great character beats between Krish and Sejal and their parents, it just became too many people to keep track of, and it really diverted the focus from the romance.
The parts of the book that I enjoyed the most (no surprise here), were when Sejal and Krish found themselves unwillingly drawn to each other and opening up to each other because their instincts were telling them that they were trustworthy. Sejal in particular was such a tough nut to crack that whenever she let Krish in, it felt like such a victory. And I really relished in those parts of the story. However, because these scenes are slotted in slow points of the plot before we move on to yet another city or set up a meeting with someone else to get info, they felt too separated from each other and didn't feel as natural for me. I really wanted to connect with their connection a bit more, and I think more moments where they really relied only on each other in intense situations would have convinced me a lot more.
However, if you are not as much of a romance-focused reader as me, I think there is still plenty to enjoy here: the plot elements are entertaining and exciting and will really draw readers in who want to be taken (pun intended) on a wild ride.
﹙ two-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you avon for the arc to review!
April 6, 2026
I had such fun listening to/reading this book! I listened to some, and read the book at other parts.
This book was funny and chaotic, the characters were lovable, and I genuinely was dying to know the outcome. I can't wait to read more from this author.
This book was funny and chaotic, the characters were lovable, and I genuinely was dying to know the outcome. I can't wait to read more from this author.
April 6, 2026
this was such a fun & easy listen. i had a really good time with this one.
it had a light, humorous vibe, & i really enjoyed the witty banter between the characters. it kept things entertaining & made it easy to stay engaged the whole time.
the narrators did such a great job bringing the story & characters to life. i loved the dual narration! it just made the whole experience even better.
the pacing was really good too. it held my interest right from the start, & i never felt like it dragged at any point.
i also didn’t realize this was book 2 going into it, but it honestly reads perfectly fine as a standalone.
overall, this was just a really enjoyable, easy listen that i’d definitely recommend.
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🩷 enemies to lovers
🧡 forced proximity
💛 instant attraction
🩷 slow burn
🧡 forbidden love
💛 adventure rom-com
🩷 hidden identity
🧡 mystery
💛 third person pov
thank you to netgalley, alisha rai, and harper audio for the advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.
it had a light, humorous vibe, & i really enjoyed the witty banter between the characters. it kept things entertaining & made it easy to stay engaged the whole time.
the narrators did such a great job bringing the story & characters to life. i loved the dual narration! it just made the whole experience even better.
the pacing was really good too. it held my interest right from the start, & i never felt like it dragged at any point.
i also didn’t realize this was book 2 going into it, but it honestly reads perfectly fine as a standalone.
overall, this was just a really enjoyable, easy listen that i’d definitely recommend.
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🩷 enemies to lovers
🧡 forced proximity
💛 instant attraction
🩷 slow burn
🧡 forbidden love
💛 adventure rom-com
🩷 hidden identity
🧡 mystery
💛 third person pov
thank you to netgalley, alisha rai, and harper audio for the advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the audiobook of Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai! This author has been on my radar for a while and I even own a few of her ebooks so I was excited to finally dive in. Luckily, this story did not disappoint 🙌🏽 Now I’m even more eager to read the rest!
This story was so much fun. An unlikely duo team up reluctantly to help themselves out, only to realize they have more in common than they thought. There are complicated family dynamics woven throughout and I loved seeing how those threads resolved.
Special shout out to the narrators, Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan they did such a great job!!
This story was so much fun. An unlikely duo team up reluctantly to help themselves out, only to realize they have more in common than they thought. There are complicated family dynamics woven throughout and I loved seeing how those threads resolved.
Special shout out to the narrators, Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan they did such a great job!!
May 8, 2026
After the events that occurred in the first two chapters with Rhi and Samson, I had an idea of what to expect from the remainder of the story. It was average. It could have been better, but definitely could have been worse.
April 12, 2026
I had so much fun reading and listening to Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai!
This was such an exciting and thrilling romance novel. This one had some of my favorite tropes like enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity!
I loved how both Krish and Sejal's characters grew and learned that they were truly their best together.
I really enjoyed how they learned to care for one another and when they figured out that the other person was caring for them.
It was so lovely to read also about Krish and Sejal's culture, heritage, and family experiences as South Asian characters. I really loved the scene where Krish's mom is teaching Sejal how to make chai. I could really imagine that in my head.
It was a great read all the way through the very last word. It was so fun and loving.
I will definitely be going back to read Partners in Crime to read more about Mira and Naveen's story!
The narration by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan was so great! It made the audiobook so fun and engaging. The audiobook is in a dual narration style with the narrators switching off every chapter or so with the different points of views! I think Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan both did a fantastic job narrating the main characters as well as all the other ones. Their timing with the lines and delivery was spot on and I loved it so much. I felt like I was watching the book play out in front of me.
I would definitely recommend this book and audiobook to someone who is looking for a fun, thrilling, and meaningful romance with a spy/mystery twist.
Big thank you to Avon and Harper Audio for the eARC and ALC to review! This review reflects my own opinions.
This was such an exciting and thrilling romance novel. This one had some of my favorite tropes like enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity!
I loved how both Krish and Sejal's characters grew and learned that they were truly their best together.
I really enjoyed how they learned to care for one another and when they figured out that the other person was caring for them.
It was so lovely to read also about Krish and Sejal's culture, heritage, and family experiences as South Asian characters. I really loved the scene where Krish's mom is teaching Sejal how to make chai. I could really imagine that in my head.
It was a great read all the way through the very last word. It was so fun and loving.
I will definitely be going back to read Partners in Crime to read more about Mira and Naveen's story!
The narration by Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan was so great! It made the audiobook so fun and engaging. The audiobook is in a dual narration style with the narrators switching off every chapter or so with the different points of views! I think Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan both did a fantastic job narrating the main characters as well as all the other ones. Their timing with the lines and delivery was spot on and I loved it so much. I felt like I was watching the book play out in front of me.
I would definitely recommend this book and audiobook to someone who is looking for a fun, thrilling, and meaningful romance with a spy/mystery twist.
Big thank you to Avon and Harper Audio for the eARC and ALC to review! This review reflects my own opinions.
March 27, 2026
I’m sorry but Sejal is on the run from her Russian Mafia Ex, Cobra secret society and now the FBI …. Poor girl can’t catch a break! But really this would be my nightmare, never being able to settle down and always having to look over your shoulder. And then to have such instant chemistry with a man you know you have to ditch but is so freaking nice. (Queue the internal scream).
Okay rant over. Really I loved this audio, it could not have been any better. No notes, no recommendations. Will be buying a copy to sit on my shelf.
And if any …”FBI Agent” but really hot Liberian wants to come protect me I won’t say no. We can look for your brother too, whatever you need Krish! WHATEVER you need. He was such a goner for her, but the way he held it together. All the gold stars, glad they figured it out! And glad he finally caved and let her do it !!!
And the twist of who is running Cobra now!!!! SHOCKED! Was not expecting that.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
First POV
🎧 Dual Narration 11h 9m
🎙️ Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magician Conwoman x Fake FBI Agent (Actual Librarian)
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Adventure Rom Com
Family Secrets
Secret Identity
Found Family
Thank you to HarperAudio | Avon, and author Alisha Rai, for providing me with the ALC of “Enemies to Lovers”. Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan did a wonderful job narrating this book.
Okay rant over. Really I loved this audio, it could not have been any better. No notes, no recommendations. Will be buying a copy to sit on my shelf.
And if any …”FBI Agent” but really hot Liberian wants to come protect me I won’t say no. We can look for your brother too, whatever you need Krish! WHATEVER you need. He was such a goner for her, but the way he held it together. All the gold stars, glad they figured it out! And glad he finally caved and let her do it !!!
And the twist of who is running Cobra now!!!! SHOCKED! Was not expecting that.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
First POV
🎧 Dual Narration 11h 9m
🎙️ Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magician Conwoman x Fake FBI Agent (Actual Librarian)
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Adventure Rom Com
Family Secrets
Secret Identity
Found Family
Thank you to HarperAudio | Avon, and author Alisha Rai, for providing me with the ALC of “Enemies to Lovers”. Soneela Nankani & Shahjehan Khan did a wonderful job narrating this book.
March 29, 2026
3.5⭐️
Enemies to Lovers is a cute romcom that follows Sejal, a member of a criminal family that makes her living getting away with magic trick filled petty crimes. In the midst of one of these crimes, she runts into Krish, an FBI agent who thinks she is the key to finding his missing brother. They decide to partner up to infiltrate her family’s business and from there sets off a story of adventure, road trips, and a lot of funny moments. Sejal and Krish were opposite in almost every way but the attraction and tension between them could be felt through the page. I wasn’t aware that this was connected to the author’s previous book Partners in Crime and while this is a standalone I do think reading PIC beforehand would have increased my enjoyment of this. I had a few issues with the pacing of the plot in the second half of the book but the banter between these two was cute throughout!
I loved the South Asian representation and the narrators
Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan did a really phenomenal job with this one! They embodied these characters perfectly.
Thank you to Harper Audio Adult for the ALC and Avon for the eARC and the physical ARC copies in exchange for my reviews! 🫶🏾
Enemies to Lovers is a cute romcom that follows Sejal, a member of a criminal family that makes her living getting away with magic trick filled petty crimes. In the midst of one of these crimes, she runts into Krish, an FBI agent who thinks she is the key to finding his missing brother. They decide to partner up to infiltrate her family’s business and from there sets off a story of adventure, road trips, and a lot of funny moments. Sejal and Krish were opposite in almost every way but the attraction and tension between them could be felt through the page. I wasn’t aware that this was connected to the author’s previous book Partners in Crime and while this is a standalone I do think reading PIC beforehand would have increased my enjoyment of this. I had a few issues with the pacing of the plot in the second half of the book but the banter between these two was cute throughout!
I loved the South Asian representation and the narrators
Soneela Nankani and Shahjehan Khan did a really phenomenal job with this one! They embodied these characters perfectly.
Thank you to Harper Audio Adult for the ALC and Avon for the eARC and the physical ARC copies in exchange for my reviews! 🫶🏾
April 8, 2026
3.5⭐️
💖enemies to lovers
💖rom com vibes
💖road trip
This was my first book by Alisha Rai and found the audio to be enjoyable even with two narrators I’ve never listened to before. The pacing was action packed and fast. The banter was snappy. Sejal is a con woman of sorts but gets kidnapped by Krish. They end up on a road trip to find Krish’s missing brother but encounter a lot of twists in their plan.
The audio was enjoyable but this one fell a little flat for me as I wanted more romance from the story and felt like it was lacking a bit. I also felt like the spice scenes came out of no where and they were just placed in the story to have it part of it.
I would love to give this author another go though because the banter really sold me on the story!
Thank you Avon & NetGalley for this advanced copy and audiobook!
💖enemies to lovers
💖rom com vibes
💖road trip
This was my first book by Alisha Rai and found the audio to be enjoyable even with two narrators I’ve never listened to before. The pacing was action packed and fast. The banter was snappy. Sejal is a con woman of sorts but gets kidnapped by Krish. They end up on a road trip to find Krish’s missing brother but encounter a lot of twists in their plan.
The audio was enjoyable but this one fell a little flat for me as I wanted more romance from the story and felt like it was lacking a bit. I also felt like the spice scenes came out of no where and they were just placed in the story to have it part of it.
I would love to give this author another go though because the banter really sold me on the story!
Thank you Avon & NetGalley for this advanced copy and audiobook!
February 19, 2026
4.25 stars rounded down
I love an adventure romcom, and Enemies to Lovers was so dang fun! From their first meeting, I adored the dynamics between Krish and Sejal. Krish is a competent cinnamon roll, and Sejal is a bristly sweetheart. Their families were both super complicated, but they still cared so much for them. I really liked how it all came together in the end. While the romance was strong, the spice was not. Both spicy scenes felt superfluous and like the author didn’t really care about them, but they were included because that’s what is expected. They weren’t bad, but something was off about them for me. However, that doesn’t keep this from being a great book! Would recommend.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review!
I love an adventure romcom, and Enemies to Lovers was so dang fun! From their first meeting, I adored the dynamics between Krish and Sejal. Krish is a competent cinnamon roll, and Sejal is a bristly sweetheart. Their families were both super complicated, but they still cared so much for them. I really liked how it all came together in the end. While the romance was strong, the spice was not. Both spicy scenes felt superfluous and like the author didn’t really care about them, but they were included because that’s what is expected. They weren’t bad, but something was off about them for me. However, that doesn’t keep this from being a great book! Would recommend.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review!
April 17, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
This was delightful, and honestly I cannot wait for more from Alisha. The story, the audio, everything worked perfectly and it made me feel like I was watching a movie.
This book is fast paced, flirty, funny and a full on adventure. Sejal and Krish are so complex and engaging on their own as characters, but putting them in these high stakes situations and keeping it funny, it just pulled me all the way in. I was hooked.
✨ Adventure Rom Com
✨ South Asian Representation
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Forbidden Love
I loved this book’s front he very first meet cute between Krish and Sejal and as their story and the mystery built, I was invested in both of them. Ans this is such a great enemies to lovers story too, that’s watching their relationship change and them grow closer was so good.
I highly recommend this book. It’s got a little of everything and two characters that you just want to root for to get their HEA.
Thank you to Alisha Rai, Avon Books/Harper Voyager, Harper Audio Adult, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy and an advance listener's copy of this book. All opinions are my own
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
This was delightful, and honestly I cannot wait for more from Alisha. The story, the audio, everything worked perfectly and it made me feel like I was watching a movie.
This book is fast paced, flirty, funny and a full on adventure. Sejal and Krish are so complex and engaging on their own as characters, but putting them in these high stakes situations and keeping it funny, it just pulled me all the way in. I was hooked.
✨ Adventure Rom Com
✨ South Asian Representation
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Forbidden Love
I loved this book’s front he very first meet cute between Krish and Sejal and as their story and the mystery built, I was invested in both of them. Ans this is such a great enemies to lovers story too, that’s watching their relationship change and them grow closer was so good.
I highly recommend this book. It’s got a little of everything and two characters that you just want to root for to get their HEA.
Thank you to Alisha Rai, Avon Books/Harper Voyager, Harper Audio Adult, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy and an advance listener's copy of this book. All opinions are my own
March 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this novel.
If you are looking for a diverse, romantic comedy version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, this is for you. The banter between Sejal and Krish is hilarious, and the way they navigate their feelings for each other while investigating each other is so entertaining to read. This one is a perfect short and sweet romcom for your summer reading TBR.
If you are looking for a diverse, romantic comedy version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, this is for you. The banter between Sejal and Krish is hilarious, and the way they navigate their feelings for each other while investigating each other is so entertaining to read. This one is a perfect short and sweet romcom for your summer reading TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This had all the makings of a five-star, adventurous rom-com that would make for a perfect adaptation. Unfortunately, the further you get into the story, the more far-fetched and ridiculous the situation becomes. The smut comes out of nowhere all three times, with no heat, no preamble, no tension, and the word choice is cringeworthy. There's a bit too much tell and not enough show, with a predictable ending that required an exhausting journey.
The Vibes:
Forced Proximity
Mystery Adventure
Hidden Identity
Road Trip
Morally Grey
Enemies to Lovers
Crime Family
Part of a Series
South Asian Cast
The Vibes:
Forced Proximity
Mystery Adventure
Hidden Identity
Road Trip
Morally Grey
Enemies to Lovers
Crime Family
Part of a Series
South Asian Cast
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