2 Wrongs Make a Left: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

by Lauren Kohout

Some things just can't be forgiven.

Elena has hated Cole Durbin for over ten years, and she’ll never forgive his words from so long ago. But were those vile words the real him, or were they for his own protection? Now, they're stuck teaching at the same high school. By day, they teach English, but in her spare time, Elena writes romance novels under a secret pen name that no one knows about, except for her online writing pal, CJ Rollins.

Cole has loved Elena Martin for over 10 years, and he’ll never get over her. Will he ever be able to break down her walls? Now, he’s struggling with keeping his evil father away from his secrets. Only his closest friends know Elena is the one woman he’s ever been interested in. And no one knows he writes romance under the pen name CJ Rollins.

A decade and one huge betrayal stands between them. Will fate forcing them together give them the chance they need to put the past behind them?

2 Wrongs Make a Left is an enemies-to-lovers sports romance with mistaken identities, teachers, a found family and forced proximity at the worst moment. Readers will enjoy a bisexual MMC fighting bi-erasure and a Black/Hispanic woman fighting racism from her past. The book features spicy open-door scenes with a guaranteed HEA and can be read as a standalone.

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Breeanna Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC and am SO GLAD I did! I was so surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did and it has taught me to keep a more opened mind when judging a book by its tropes😜

Usually I don't go for sports themed books, but I really loved the comradery the main characters had with their teammates in this one. Their games are heavily detailed, but it's in a way that adds to the character development and not just a "this is a sports romance so here's a random sporting event that I'm required to throw in here" kind of way.

I'm also excited this is an interconnected series, so we will get to hear more from some of the others in their friend group in the future!

[Marissa Wattles · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
I'm obsessed with Lauren's writing style, characters, everything!!

Cole is everything I could ask for in an MMC 😩😍 I love everything about this relationship...the tension, the history, the banter & teasing. CHEF'S KISS!!

The characters are so relatable and I was very invested from the jump! Some of my favorite things included:
✨️Black Cat FMC & Golden Retriever MMC
✨️Found Family
✨️Teacher Romance
✨️Second Chance Romance
✨️Co-ed Soccer Team
✨️Pen Name Author friends (reminded me of Love on the Brain)
✨️Overcoming Toxic Family

Thank you so much for the ARC, I absolutely loved this interconnected standalone and am running to pick up the other two ASAP!

[Tammy Stradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

4.5⭐️ Elena hasn’t liked Cole since the day she left for college. Cole doesn’t know why, but that doesn’t stop him from liking her. In fact, Cole takes any chance he can to be near Elena which is easy because they are in the same friend group and teach at the same school. When an incident at school traps them together, Elena’s feelings towards Cole start to change. This is a spicy read with LGBTQ+ representation. It also discusses racism, abuse and school shootings.

[Kelsey Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and im so glad I was able to read this! it was fantastic! And im glad to know there will be more! I can't wait to see what else Lauren comes up with!

10/10 recommend!

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 Wrongs Make a Left: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance is Book 3 in the Cherry Stems Series. It's a spicy, enemies-to-lovers, hidden identity, forced-proximity, office romance. Lauren and Cole are high school teachers who also, unbeknownst to each other, are romance authors, and are online pen pals. Elena hates Cole due to a comment 10 years ago. Cole has been in love with her the entire time. This one was an emotional roller-coaster ride. Both characters had a lot of emotional baggage but also may have misjudged the other. The chemistry was ok and the ending was happy after a lot of angst.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun dialog and empathetic characters. While I found Cole was a deep character I somehow didn’t find Elena as approachable to me. I liked the different way Cole’s sexuality was approached. I rally liked the story as a whole and the friendships. I wish it could have been a bit deeper with the feelings, especially about the traumas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Kohout’s 2 Wrongs Make a Left (Book 3 in the Cherry Stems Series) delivers a heartfelt, emotionally layered enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist. Set in a small-town high school, the story reunites Elena Martin and Cole Durbin—two English teachers with a decade of tension and resentment between them. What begins as a long-standing grudge slowly evolves into a powerful reckoning with the past, complete with secret identities, surprising vulnerabilities, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry.

Elena has hated Cole for ten years, ever since a cruel comment during their early days as teachers drove a wedge between them. But here’s the kicker: Cole’s been in love with her all that time. The story gains even more depth when it's revealed that both Elena and Cole moonlight as romance authors—Elena as Maritza Shaw and Cole as CJ Rollins—and have unknowingly been each other’s closest confidantes online. This hidden connection adds a delicious irony and tension to their interactions, especially once they start spending more time together at work.

The novel doesn’t shy away from serious themes—racism, homophobia, bi-erasure, depression, and even a school shooting are explored with nuance and care. Kohout’s decision to use sensitivity readers shows a commendable effort to ensure these moments are handled authentically. These issues add layers to the story and ground the emotional arcs in something more than just romantic tension.

What makes this book shine is the character work. Elena’s internal monologues are sharp and often hilarious, offering a vulnerable look at someone trying desperately to guard her heart. Cole, on the other hand, is sweetly persistent and deeply flawed, navigating both his complicated family history and his own guilt over their past. The Cherry Stems friend group adds levity and warmth, balancing the heavier themes with moments of support, sass, and genuine love.

Of course, the slow build toward the big identity reveal is what keeps the tension simmering. Watching Elena and Cole unravel their misperceptions of each other and discover the truth behind their digital connection is incredibly satisfying. There’s a strong payoff, especially when Elena begins to question whether her hatred was truly warranted—or if Cole was simply trying to survive under the weight of someone else’s expectations.

2 Wrongs Make a Left is more than just a romance—it’s a story about learning to see someone (and yourself) clearly after years of hurt and misunderstanding. It's equal parts angsty, tender, and hopeful, perfect for readers who crave emotional depth, flawed characters, and the kind of healing that only love—and a well-timed plot twist—can bring. Kohout proves once again that the wrong person might just be the right one, after all.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers • Secret Identity • Forced Proximity • Found Family • Redemption Arc
Spice Level: 🌶️ (Low to Medium – emotional tension takes center stage)

My Rating System:
1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book.
2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations.
3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others.
4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read the book again. Definitely recommendable.
5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Elena and Cole have a LOT of history between them. And we've seen their antagonism through the previous books in this series. Now we get to learn WHY they are so antagonistic, and watch them realise that their understanding of each other, and their history, has aspects that neither was aware of related to the other. There is a "secret identity" aspect, which adds a level of understanding to their situation as well, and which certainly makes for entertaining reading.

Being the white adoptive mom of 3 black daughters, I can appreciate the racist portion of the story, and I appreciate how Cole works hard to overcome the prejudices of his father, and works hard to ensure he doesn't allow any of it to colour his treatment of those around him.

I loved watching both Cole and Elena's growth through the story, and appreciated the growing pains they experienced.

There are quite a few sensitive topics/scenes through the book, so I urge readers to check the content warnings before reading, but I will say that these scenes are handled well, and I did not find them traumatic. Emotional, sure. But note traumatic.

A truly fabulous read, and definitely my favourite in the series.

And then there's the bonus scene! lol... WOW...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Visionary Impart · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 Wrongs Make a Left delivers a heartfelt, emotional, and wonderfully layered enemies-to-lovers romance. Lauren Kohout blends humor, chemistry, and genuine vulnerability into a story that feels both entertaining and deeply meaningful. Elena and Cole’s decade-long tension crackles on every page, and their journey from resentment to understanding is beautifully handled especially as their hidden identities slowly unravel.

The novel stands out for its thoughtful exploration of identity, trauma, and second chances, all wrapped in a spicy, satisfying romance with a guaranteed HEA. With its blend of mistaken identities, found family warmth, and two lovable characters fighting their pasts, this book is an irresistible, feel-good read.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing about history, especially when it is centered around adolescent relationships, that can lead to confusion. Elena has not liked Cole since she left for college and that did not change when they wind up teaching at the same school. but them teaching at the same school is just the proximity they need to start working on the issues that divide them. Especially since Cole actually really likes Elena. Nicely done love story with some serious topics that were handled well by the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[mydailyreads Rs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how the characters grow in this book like after so many years the find the way back ti each other i guess true love and persistence does work 😂 anyways
Cole is going through so much from childhood and so does Elena the way thei handle themselves is good i think their perfect for each other however i read the book about 58% i hope this counts as a review besides the book is really good i would enjoyed it more tho.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this third book in the cherry stems series and it certainly did not disappoint! It is shocking to finally learn the reason Elena “hates” Cole and I wasn’t sure how this relationship would end up. Lauren did a great job addressing some heavy topics and an even better job at creating HOT/steamy sex scenes. The ending was my favorite part. Go read this series asap!

[Stacey Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Two Wrongs Make a Left! The enemies-to-lovers tension was perfection and the ending wrapped up the series beautifully. We finally learn what happened to cause Elaina to be so cold towards Cole and are rewarded with lots of spicy scenes. I laughed, I swooned, and I couldn’t put it down. 5 stars

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5☆
2.5/5🌶

Full review to come, but definitely laughed, cried, and kicked my feet with glee in this book.

[jen’s white noise · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Elena knew hot men. She wrote hot men."

I'm having such a hard time reviewing this book because I was excited about reading it and I can't pinpoint why it isn't 4 or 5 stars for me. I'm going to do this in list form.

What I liked:
*The attraction Cole and Elena had for each other - and neither knew
*soccer team
*Loved the secret author storyline
*Workplace romance and the near tragedy that happened there
*The friend group is amazing
*So many feelings about Elena's feeling living across the street from Cole's family and his dad being so terrible to them
*Her family's ability to see past his dad
*His mom

What I disliked:
*I didn't feel a connection to the characters
*I feel like the MCs didn't have chemistry
*There was a lot of explaining in the book and sometimes it felt like I was reading a textbook

tropes include:
*enemies to lovers
*workplace romance
*second chance
*sports romance
*grumpy x sunshine

"Those eyes looked right into his soul every time she looked at him."

I received this ARC for free and this review is voluntary. Thank you to Lauren Kohout for the opportunity.

[Stacie Hegenauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting romance that had some undertones that challenged racism in modern society. I enjoyed how opinionated and strong Elena acted but the amount of time and energy that the characters waste on a misunderstanding highlights how much communication matters in relationships. While this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone and you won’t be lost (I wasn’t). The Cherry Stems are a unique group of found family and this book made me interested in reading the rest of the series.

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enemies-to-lovers romance is a sweet, angsty tale of two people who’ve known each other since childhood. One adores the other but the feeling is definitely not mutual. Misunderstandings and hidden identities keep them on their toes but deeper issues involving sexual preferences and skin color, threaten to tear them apart for good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.