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Mallory Vineyard #3
Il mio futuro ex nemico (Mallory Vineyard Vol. 3)
Due rivali. Un concorso. Un’attrazione impossibile da ignorare.
David Cranston ha costruito la sua identità sulla tradizione, sull’eleganza e sul rispetto delle regole. E poi c’è Luis Montgomery: caos creativo, provocazione pura e incarnazione di tutto ciò che David detesta. Lavorare con lui è una tortura… soprattutto perché David non riesce più a toglierselo dalla testa.
Quando si presenta l’occasione di partecipare a un prestigioso concorso di design floreale, David sa che è la sua unica possibilità: salvare il suo negozio e dimostrare, una volta per tutte, di essere migliore del suo rivale.
Luis, però, non ha alcuna intenzione di perdere. Competere contro David accende una rivalità già esplosiva… e qualcosa di molto più pericoloso. Tra provocazioni, tensione crescente e momenti che sfuggono al controllo, l’odio inizia a trasformarsi in desiderio.
Ma quando in gioco ci sono sogni, ambizioni e orgoglio, cedere all’attrazione potrebbe costare tutto.
E forse, l’unica cosa più difficile che vincere… è ammettere di non voler più essere nemici.
David Cranston ha costruito la sua identità sulla tradizione, sull’eleganza e sul rispetto delle regole. E poi c’è Luis Montgomery: caos creativo, provocazione pura e incarnazione di tutto ciò che David detesta. Lavorare con lui è una tortura… soprattutto perché David non riesce più a toglierselo dalla testa.
Quando si presenta l’occasione di partecipare a un prestigioso concorso di design floreale, David sa che è la sua unica possibilità: salvare il suo negozio e dimostrare, una volta per tutte, di essere migliore del suo rivale.
Luis, però, non ha alcuna intenzione di perdere. Competere contro David accende una rivalità già esplosiva… e qualcosa di molto più pericoloso. Tra provocazioni, tensione crescente e momenti che sfuggono al controllo, l’odio inizia a trasformarsi in desiderio.
Ma quando in gioco ci sono sogni, ambizioni e orgoglio, cedere all’attrazione potrebbe costare tutto.
E forse, l’unica cosa più difficile che vincere… è ammettere di non voler più essere nemici.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2019
About the author
Kate Hawthorne
97 books952 followersWith over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 5, 2023
This is a true enemies-to-lovers story. The MCs get off on the wrong foot and truly despise each other, bickering endlessly and taking pleasure in pissing each other off.
This animosity is, of course, rooted in passion and there's plenty of aggressive sex to be had.
The plot revolves around the two men being competitors in the floral business and, eventually, a floral wedding design competition.
This was a fun, sexy story. Recommended for a quick read.
This animosity is, of course, rooted in passion and there's plenty of aggressive sex to be had.
The plot revolves around the two men being competitors in the floral business and, eventually, a floral wedding design competition.
This was a fun, sexy story. Recommended for a quick read.
August 12, 2019
This was my first dive into a Kate Hawthorne book and overall I enjoyed it.
At first I found the way the hate was written between Luis and David to be a little...silly, I guess? Like their insults were ridiculous at times and it felt like they were forcing it sometimes. It also took me a bit to get into this really, and it felt like at times the plot was trying its best to come up with ways to put these two together and it didn't exactly flow naturally.
But eventually these two and their rapport started to work for me, and I started really enjoying this story and these two together. I was wondering when they'd start moving from hate to love, as it doesn't happened until around the 70ish percent mark or so, maybe a little before, but I did like their breaking point or whatever that turned things on its head and got these two to stop hating each other.
Then by the end they were good together and I felt their love for each other, but I also love that they didn't lose all of their banter-y aspect, but then it was always tinged with adoration and love, which I alway love with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate relationships, them getting to that love but not losing that banter and wit that makes them fire together.
So overall this was a good first outing for me for this author - although I wish a few typos here and there could have been cleaned up - and I will definitely give her a try in the future. Two thumbs up from me!
At first I found the way the hate was written between Luis and David to be a little...silly, I guess? Like their insults were ridiculous at times and it felt like they were forcing it sometimes. It also took me a bit to get into this really, and it felt like at times the plot was trying its best to come up with ways to put these two together and it didn't exactly flow naturally.
But eventually these two and their rapport started to work for me, and I started really enjoying this story and these two together. I was wondering when they'd start moving from hate to love, as it doesn't happened until around the 70ish percent mark or so, maybe a little before, but I did like their breaking point or whatever that turned things on its head and got these two to stop hating each other.
Then by the end they were good together and I felt their love for each other, but I also love that they didn't lose all of their banter-y aspect, but then it was always tinged with adoration and love, which I alway love with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate relationships, them getting to that love but not losing that banter and wit that makes them fire together.
So overall this was a good first outing for me for this author - although I wish a few typos here and there could have been cleaned up - and I will definitely give her a try in the future. Two thumbs up from me!
August 9, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/01/14/...
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
October 5, 2019
I wasn't sure if I was going to give this a 3 or 4-star rating. On one hand, I enjoyed the last part of the book but I wasn't keen on the first 70% of it. Both MCs were assholes to each other with David basically starting it at the interview. Then, of course, Luis makes a grand gesture and all of the sudden they were fine.
Maybe I just don't enjoy enemies to lovers that much because I can't actually think of a book that I have read recently that contained that trope.
Maybe I just don't enjoy enemies to lovers that much because I can't actually think of a book that I have read recently that contained that trope.
Did Not Finish
April 15, 2021DNF @ 11% - enemies to lovers is OK, but gratuitous unpleasantness doesn't sit well with me.
August 8, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Enemies to lovers is one of my catnip tropes so I was really excited for Future Ex Enemy. The authors do a great job really building that animosity between the men and finding that delicious line between hate and love. While some books pay lip service to the enemies side of things, here we can really see these guys dig into their feud with one another. It makes seeing them ultimately fall for each other all the sweeter. The men are so passionate about each other that they are explosive in every way, both in and out of the bedroom. There is a nice bit of opposites attract here that fuels some of their hatred of each other, as David is very traditional and Luis is more modern in his approach and so the two find themselves at odds in just about everything. I think the authors do a particularly nice job developing David’s character and really showing us how his deep connection to his shop, being a florist, and the traditions with which he was raised play into the man he is now. I don’t feel like we got to know Luis and what drives him quite as much, but I think the two were an entertaining couple together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Enemies to lovers is one of my catnip tropes so I was really excited for Future Ex Enemy. The authors do a great job really building that animosity between the men and finding that delicious line between hate and love. While some books pay lip service to the enemies side of things, here we can really see these guys dig into their feud with one another. It makes seeing them ultimately fall for each other all the sweeter. The men are so passionate about each other that they are explosive in every way, both in and out of the bedroom. There is a nice bit of opposites attract here that fuels some of their hatred of each other, as David is very traditional and Luis is more modern in his approach and so the two find themselves at odds in just about everything. I think the authors do a particularly nice job developing David’s character and really showing us how his deep connection to his shop, being a florist, and the traditions with which he was raised play into the man he is now. I don’t feel like we got to know Luis and what drives him quite as much, but I think the two were an entertaining couple together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 10, 2020
This is a truly great enemies to lovers story. Luis and David gets off on the wrong foot and they just keep going from there. Giving each other snark remarks every chance they get. Winding each other up until boom. Maybe there's some attraction there?
I love flowers and there was a lot of flowers in this book. Like a ton of it. Some people might find it boring but I enjoyed it a great deal.
This book was hot. The angry sex, well it really worked. However, there was a great deal of angry masturbation in the shower and that got old after a bit. I ended up thinking "this again?" after a while.
I love flowers and there was a lot of flowers in this book. Like a ton of it. Some people might find it boring but I enjoyed it a great deal.
This book was hot. The angry sex, well it really worked. However, there was a great deal of angry masturbation in the shower and that got old after a bit. I ended up thinking "this again?" after a while.
October 10, 2020
I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, but although the two MC's do despise each other in the beginning, I did not like this story so much. Both the animosity in the beginning and the love story at the end felt forced and I did not feel it. Furthermore, the story did not make sense to me, the actions of the MC's was illogical. I think I was not in the right mental space for this story, as others loved it.
Read
August 9, 2019Wavering between three and four stars. Will come back later for that. This was a fun and sexy enemies to lovers read.
May 31, 2026
• ᴄᴏʟʟᴀʙᴏʀᴀᴢɪᴏɴᴇ • 3.5 ⭐️
🍇 Il mio futuro ex nemico di @kate.hawthorne ed @em.denning edto da @triskelledizioni è uno di quei romance che riescono a tenerti incollata alle pagine soprattutto grazie alla tensione tra i protagonisti. Un enemies to lovers MM costruito su rivalità, provocazioni e attrazione repressa, capace di alternare momenti davvero coinvolgenti ad altri che, invece, mi hanno lasciata più distante.
🌓 David Cranston e Luis Montgomery sono due personaggi completamente opposti: David vive di controllo, tradizione ed eleganza, mentre Luis è istinto puro, caos creativo e continua provocazione.
💥Fin dalle prime pagine tra loro si crea una dinamica esplosiva fatta di battute taglienti e competizione. L’autrice riesce molto bene a costruire l’attrazione tra i due protagonisti, soprattutto nei momenti più silenziosi, quelli in cui basta uno sguardo o una frase detta male per percepire tutto ciò che stanno cercando di nascondere.
🌷Ho apprezzato tantissimo anche l’ambientazione nel mondo del design floreale competitivo, originale e diversa dai soliti romance contemporanei. Il concorso floreale non è solo uno sfondo, ma diventa parte integrante della storia e del rapporto tra David e Luis. C’è ambizione, orgoglio, desiderio di dimostrare il proprio valore e la sensazione costante che perdere significhi fallire non solo professionalmente, ma anche emotivamente.
💐Ci sono scene che funzionano davvero bene, soprattutto quando i protagonisti abbassano finalmente le difese e mostrano le loro fragilità. In quei momenti il romanzo riesce anche a emozionare molto.
💔Quello che mi ha convinta meno, però, è stato il continuo ripetersi dei conflitti tra i due. A lungo andare i battibecchi e i malintesi iniziali sembrano trascinarsi troppo senza una vera evoluzione immediata. In alcuni punti ho avuto la sensazione che la storia girasse un po’ in tondo, rallentando il coinvolgimento emotivo invece di intensificarlo.
Ringrazio la CE per la copia inviatomi in anteprima.
Dopo aver letto gli altri due volumi non potevo farmi certo scappare il terzo 🍇🍷
💭 Recensione completa sul blog
🍇 Il mio futuro ex nemico di @kate.hawthorne ed @em.denning edto da @triskelledizioni è uno di quei romance che riescono a tenerti incollata alle pagine soprattutto grazie alla tensione tra i protagonisti. Un enemies to lovers MM costruito su rivalità, provocazioni e attrazione repressa, capace di alternare momenti davvero coinvolgenti ad altri che, invece, mi hanno lasciata più distante.
🌓 David Cranston e Luis Montgomery sono due personaggi completamente opposti: David vive di controllo, tradizione ed eleganza, mentre Luis è istinto puro, caos creativo e continua provocazione.
💥Fin dalle prime pagine tra loro si crea una dinamica esplosiva fatta di battute taglienti e competizione. L’autrice riesce molto bene a costruire l’attrazione tra i due protagonisti, soprattutto nei momenti più silenziosi, quelli in cui basta uno sguardo o una frase detta male per percepire tutto ciò che stanno cercando di nascondere.
🌷Ho apprezzato tantissimo anche l’ambientazione nel mondo del design floreale competitivo, originale e diversa dai soliti romance contemporanei. Il concorso floreale non è solo uno sfondo, ma diventa parte integrante della storia e del rapporto tra David e Luis. C’è ambizione, orgoglio, desiderio di dimostrare il proprio valore e la sensazione costante che perdere significhi fallire non solo professionalmente, ma anche emotivamente.
💐Ci sono scene che funzionano davvero bene, soprattutto quando i protagonisti abbassano finalmente le difese e mostrano le loro fragilità. In quei momenti il romanzo riesce anche a emozionare molto.
💔Quello che mi ha convinta meno, però, è stato il continuo ripetersi dei conflitti tra i due. A lungo andare i battibecchi e i malintesi iniziali sembrano trascinarsi troppo senza una vera evoluzione immediata. In alcuni punti ho avuto la sensazione che la storia girasse un po’ in tondo, rallentando il coinvolgimento emotivo invece di intensificarlo.
Ringrazio la CE per la copia inviatomi in anteprima.
Dopo aver letto gli altri due volumi non potevo farmi certo scappare il terzo 🍇🍷
💭 Recensione completa sul blog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2020
DNF 12%
Because I DNF-ed the previous book, Future Gay Boyfriend, I knew that the best way to give this book a fair shot was to read something else as a palate cleanser of sorts. After a few days and a nonfiction book, I felt good as I cracked open Future Ex Enemy. And experienced an instant and almost visceral hatred of Luis.
To be fair to the authors, my hatred of Luis is entirely my own. He embodies so many of my pet peeves that it’s unreal. I’m a millennial, so I don’t hate on millennials, but Luis is like a condensed version of all the things people hate millennials for. And it’s not just because he showed up late to his interview because he tried and failed to satisfactorily tie his bowtie. (But I mean, come on. If you can’t tie a bowtie, don’t wear one. It’s that simple.)
No, what made me hate Luis was that he was just a random employee at Kingston Party Rentals and one day he decided to rearrange a bride’s wedding centerpieces without her permission because he thought they were dated. WTF?? I don’t care that it turned out well in the end. You don’t touch other people’s stuff without permission. And at that point, Luis was not interested in flower arrangement. He was just a random guy who thought he knew better than anyone else.
This backstory is probably meant to make Luis seem like he has a natural talent for design. To me, he seemed like an entitled asshole. But I was still willing to give him a shot. And then he walks into his interview with David like he’s hot shit, when he still had literally no experience in flower arrangement. He didn’t even want to work at Designs by David, but “A job in a place like this wasn’t his ideal first gig, but he needed to start somewhere, and this place was hiring.”
This is why people want to punch millennials in the face. Luis has no training, formal or otherwise, only picked up the idea to work with flowers recently, and has an ego the size of Texas. Sure, he knows a little about flower symbolism. The story doesn’t say how he picked that info up. If it had hinted at him actually doing some research, maybe reading a book, I wouldn’t be so mad. But as he’s presented, I hated Luis.
Then there’s David, “overall, a pretty standard looking guy.” Not exactly an exciting start. But at least I didn’t hate him. If anything, I liked David. Middle aged, worried about his business, and he also hated Luis.
I might have continued to read a bit more of the book just for David, if the spark between the two men hadn’t felt so fake. There was absolutely no spark or even sign of interest between the men during their first meeting. Which made the line “If David Cranston was younger, or even less disagreeable, Luis would have had half a mind to pin the man against the wall and fuck the contrariness right out of him” seem even more out of place. I literally said, “What?!” when I read that line. It comes out of nowhere. A blatant, heavy-handed attempt by the authors to generate a spark when it’s not coming naturally.
I don’t even remember the last time I gave up on a book so quickly. I actually felt a little bad that I didn’t get farther. But I could just tell that I wasn’t going to enjoy the story.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews and find the series review here
Because I DNF-ed the previous book, Future Gay Boyfriend, I knew that the best way to give this book a fair shot was to read something else as a palate cleanser of sorts. After a few days and a nonfiction book, I felt good as I cracked open Future Ex Enemy. And experienced an instant and almost visceral hatred of Luis.
To be fair to the authors, my hatred of Luis is entirely my own. He embodies so many of my pet peeves that it’s unreal. I’m a millennial, so I don’t hate on millennials, but Luis is like a condensed version of all the things people hate millennials for. And it’s not just because he showed up late to his interview because he tried and failed to satisfactorily tie his bowtie. (But I mean, come on. If you can’t tie a bowtie, don’t wear one. It’s that simple.)
No, what made me hate Luis was that he was just a random employee at Kingston Party Rentals and one day he decided to rearrange a bride’s wedding centerpieces without her permission because he thought they were dated. WTF?? I don’t care that it turned out well in the end. You don’t touch other people’s stuff without permission. And at that point, Luis was not interested in flower arrangement. He was just a random guy who thought he knew better than anyone else.
This backstory is probably meant to make Luis seem like he has a natural talent for design. To me, he seemed like an entitled asshole. But I was still willing to give him a shot. And then he walks into his interview with David like he’s hot shit, when he still had literally no experience in flower arrangement. He didn’t even want to work at Designs by David, but “A job in a place like this wasn’t his ideal first gig, but he needed to start somewhere, and this place was hiring.”
This is why people want to punch millennials in the face. Luis has no training, formal or otherwise, only picked up the idea to work with flowers recently, and has an ego the size of Texas. Sure, he knows a little about flower symbolism. The story doesn’t say how he picked that info up. If it had hinted at him actually doing some research, maybe reading a book, I wouldn’t be so mad. But as he’s presented, I hated Luis.
Then there’s David, “overall, a pretty standard looking guy.” Not exactly an exciting start. But at least I didn’t hate him. If anything, I liked David. Middle aged, worried about his business, and he also hated Luis.
I might have continued to read a bit more of the book just for David, if the spark between the two men hadn’t felt so fake. There was absolutely no spark or even sign of interest between the men during their first meeting. Which made the line “If David Cranston was younger, or even less disagreeable, Luis would have had half a mind to pin the man against the wall and fuck the contrariness right out of him” seem even more out of place. I literally said, “What?!” when I read that line. It comes out of nowhere. A blatant, heavy-handed attempt by the authors to generate a spark when it’s not coming naturally.
I don’t even remember the last time I gave up on a book so quickly. I actually felt a little bad that I didn’t get farther. But I could just tell that I wasn’t going to enjoy the story.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews and find the series review here
January 1, 2025
Holy tension Batman…
I’m not sure I've ever read a book where the characters HATED each other with THIS much passion (or roses). Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect of this enemies to lovers story. So, I was surprised when it blew away my expectations. There are too many in this trope that uses the idea as nothing but a plot device, where characters hate each other, sure, but they'll love each other by page 3. Did somebody say disappointment?!? BUT, not with this one! They legit hate each other, and you can feel the seething waves of tension as you read through their encounters with one another. So, color me surprised when I enjoyed my first enemies to lovers. :)
I’ve been waiting for an author(s) to show that hatred can have another outlet… and outlet with very believable LUST!!!!
*Sigh* I should have known it was going to happen. The Futures series by Denning and Hawthorne has always been on point and had consistently awesome HEA (or maybe not on this one ;) ). J/K! Side note: I love characters who refer to each other by their last names, there’s just something about it ...but back on topic, David and Luis are the Most spectacular Jacka**es to each other, until they’re not. *smirk*
I’m not gonna lie, I loved the tension, the fights, the attitudes, VERBENA, and I loved the distinctly different passions for floral arrangements and flower choices…
I was unaware that floral scents and flower petals could be so damn bossy! Agh!
5/5 - ARC provided by the authors for an honest review.
...Also, I will never deny loving when these authors team-up. Its like debauchery with singing unicorns flying out of its ass, for fuck's sake they’re florists and its HOT!
I’m not sure I've ever read a book where the characters HATED each other with THIS much passion (or roses). Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect of this enemies to lovers story. So, I was surprised when it blew away my expectations. There are too many in this trope that uses the idea as nothing but a plot device, where characters hate each other, sure, but they'll love each other by page 3. Did somebody say disappointment?!? BUT, not with this one! They legit hate each other, and you can feel the seething waves of tension as you read through their encounters with one another. So, color me surprised when I enjoyed my first enemies to lovers. :)
I’ve been waiting for an author(s) to show that hatred can have another outlet… and outlet with very believable LUST!!!!
*Sigh* I should have known it was going to happen. The Futures series by Denning and Hawthorne has always been on point and had consistently awesome HEA (or maybe not on this one ;) ). J/K! Side note: I love characters who refer to each other by their last names, there’s just something about it ...but back on topic, David and Luis are the Most spectacular Jacka**es to each other, until they’re not. *smirk*
I’m not gonna lie, I loved the tension, the fights, the attitudes, VERBENA, and I loved the distinctly different passions for floral arrangements and flower choices…
I was unaware that floral scents and flower petals could be so damn bossy! Agh!
5/5 - ARC provided by the authors for an honest review.
...Also, I will never deny loving when these authors team-up. Its like debauchery with singing unicorns flying out of its ass, for fuck's sake they’re florists and its HOT!
August 6, 2019
Luis goes for a job interview and totally insults the florist David. So he doesn’t get the job. He finds a better one and totally gets to rub it in David’s face. When they are forced to work together for a contest both men want to win. David wants to do it to save his business, Luis does it mainly to beat David.
Oil and Water
Roses and Lilies
Love and Hate
Hot and Cold, then just Hot as they discover they can’t keep their hands (or mouths) off each other.
These writers weave their stories together so well. Their characters are always well defined and easy to like, (though Luis was a bit of a brat). Being a retired florist I enjoyed the flower combinations they came up with, it was a nice touch. I liked the book. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this book from the authors.
Oil and Water
Roses and Lilies
Love and Hate
Hot and Cold, then just Hot as they discover they can’t keep their hands (or mouths) off each other.
These writers weave their stories together so well. Their characters are always well defined and easy to like, (though Luis was a bit of a brat). Being a retired florist I enjoyed the flower combinations they came up with, it was a nice touch. I liked the book. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this book from the authors.
August 10, 2019
DNF @82%
The first 80% where okay to begin with. Not great. Not amazing. Just....okay. There was some enemies-to-lover “tension” but it wasn’t even that good. The banter they had dint give me that vibe.
Also I counted FIVE (5) jerk off shower sex scene ALL OF THEM one after the other. This stressed me out so much. Why?? Why were there so many and all one after the other?? Ugh.
I am a veteran at enemies-to-lovers books. I inhale that shit like it’s oxygen. This wasn’t it. A good start but not enough. Also from the guys in the cover, I couldn’t tell which one was supposed to be David or Luis.
The first 80% where okay to begin with. Not great. Not amazing. Just....okay. There was some enemies-to-lover “tension” but it wasn’t even that good. The banter they had dint give me that vibe.
Also I counted FIVE (5) jerk off shower sex scene ALL OF THEM one after the other. This stressed me out so much. Why?? Why were there so many and all one after the other?? Ugh.
I am a veteran at enemies-to-lovers books. I inhale that shit like it’s oxygen. This wasn’t it. A good start but not enough. Also from the guys in the cover, I couldn’t tell which one was supposed to be David or Luis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
“You’re late”
I love enemies to lovers and I absolutely love it when it’s by Kate and EM. This will have you wanting to go to the nearest bath and body works looking for some Lemon Verbena lotion so you can remember what it smells like and make you want to go buy some flowers. The chemistry is off the charts from chapter one and you’ll be shaking your head at these two knuckle heads while they deny everything they feel until almost the last second.
I love enemies to lovers and I absolutely love it when it’s by Kate and EM. This will have you wanting to go to the nearest bath and body works looking for some Lemon Verbena lotion so you can remember what it smells like and make you want to go buy some flowers. The chemistry is off the charts from chapter one and you’ll be shaking your head at these two knuckle heads while they deny everything they feel until almost the last second.
August 10, 2019
This was fuuuuuun! The line between hate, lust and love is super fine in this super sexy, UST-driven romance between two diametrically different florists who just need to work out that what's blooming between them isn't just the flowers 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 20, 2026
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELVINO 1831
Siamo giunti al terzo e penultimo volume della saga di “Mallory Vineyard” e, al termine della lettura, posso dire che, come nei volumi precedenti, anche in questo libro non vi è nulla di rivoluzionario o memorabile, ma è comunque un’opera ben scritta con due personaggi efficaci e una trama che garantisce ore di piacevole svago in loro compagnia.
Nel terzo volume fanno la loro comparsa Luis Montgomery e David Cranston: il primo è un giovane che si è improvvisato fiorista, per così dire; il secondo, invece, è un quarantenne con una lunga carriera nel settore, a capo di un negozio che un tempo prosperava, ma che ora attraversa un periodo di profonda crisi.
Quanto a differenze, non si potrebbe chiedere di meglio: Luis, un vulcano di talento ma con una tecnica elementare; David, dotato di una tecnica sopraffina, ma forse con una creatività limitata. Il loro primo incontro ha luogo quando Montgomery si presenta per un colloquio di lavoro al negozio di Cranston. Quest’ultimo non manca di fargli notare il minimo ritardo (solo due minuti) e rimane colpito in negativo dalla sua disinvoltura e da un atteggiamento che potrebbe facilmente essere interpretato come presunzione.
A pochi mesi di distanza, Luis ricopre la carica di responsabile del reparto decorazioni e floricoltura presso Mallory Vineyard. Margery Young, influente membro della comunità che ha selezionato la tenuta Mallory per il matrimonio del figlio Jerry con Franklin, richiede alla tenuta di ingaggiare David Cranston come fiorista per le decorazioni della cerimonia nuziale.
I due, naturalmente, non riescono a mettersi d’accordo su quasi nulla e si limitano a provocarsi a vicenda; la signora Young, pochi giorni dopo il matrimonio, li invita entrambi a partecipare a un concorso riservato ai migliori designer floreali dello Stato. Oltre a questo, la gara avrebbe valorizzato la Mallory Vineyard come eccellente tenuta vinicola e prestigioso luogo per celebrare matrimoni.
Per David, vincere questo prestigioso concorso sarebbe l’opportunità perfetta per risollevare le sorti della sua attività e umiliare il presuntuoso Montgomery, provandogli che la tradizione non è mai un errore. D’altro canto, per Luis, la vittoria nella competizione sarebbe una grande soddisfazione, potendo così dimostrare all’impeccabile e tradizionalista Cranston che fantasia e talento prevalgono sulla tradizione.
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Siamo giunti al terzo e penultimo volume della saga di “Mallory Vineyard” e, al termine della lettura, posso dire che, come nei volumi precedenti, anche in questo libro non vi è nulla di rivoluzionario o memorabile, ma è comunque un’opera ben scritta con due personaggi efficaci e una trama che garantisce ore di piacevole svago in loro compagnia.
Nel terzo volume fanno la loro comparsa Luis Montgomery e David Cranston: il primo è un giovane che si è improvvisato fiorista, per così dire; il secondo, invece, è un quarantenne con una lunga carriera nel settore, a capo di un negozio che un tempo prosperava, ma che ora attraversa un periodo di profonda crisi.
Quanto a differenze, non si potrebbe chiedere di meglio: Luis, un vulcano di talento ma con una tecnica elementare; David, dotato di una tecnica sopraffina, ma forse con una creatività limitata. Il loro primo incontro ha luogo quando Montgomery si presenta per un colloquio di lavoro al negozio di Cranston. Quest’ultimo non manca di fargli notare il minimo ritardo (solo due minuti) e rimane colpito in negativo dalla sua disinvoltura e da un atteggiamento che potrebbe facilmente essere interpretato come presunzione.
A pochi mesi di distanza, Luis ricopre la carica di responsabile del reparto decorazioni e floricoltura presso Mallory Vineyard. Margery Young, influente membro della comunità che ha selezionato la tenuta Mallory per il matrimonio del figlio Jerry con Franklin, richiede alla tenuta di ingaggiare David Cranston come fiorista per le decorazioni della cerimonia nuziale.
I due, naturalmente, non riescono a mettersi d’accordo su quasi nulla e si limitano a provocarsi a vicenda; la signora Young, pochi giorni dopo il matrimonio, li invita entrambi a partecipare a un concorso riservato ai migliori designer floreali dello Stato. Oltre a questo, la gara avrebbe valorizzato la Mallory Vineyard come eccellente tenuta vinicola e prestigioso luogo per celebrare matrimoni.
Per David, vincere questo prestigioso concorso sarebbe l’opportunità perfetta per risollevare le sorti della sua attività e umiliare il presuntuoso Montgomery, provandogli che la tradizione non è mai un errore. D’altro canto, per Luis, la vittoria nella competizione sarebbe una grande soddisfazione, potendo così dimostrare all’impeccabile e tradizionalista Cranston che fantasia e talento prevalgono sulla tradizione.
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May 21, 2026
STRANA FAMILY BOOK BLOG
La dinamica relazionale tra Luis e David è caratterizzata da un'intensa conflittualità reciproca. La loro ostilità è presente sia sul lavoro che nella vita privata, ma fortunatamente non si tratta di nulla di allarmante, dato che non degenera in azioni pericolose. I loro battibecchi suscitano parecchio coinvolgimento emotivo, pur mantenendo un'aura di intrattenimento. La loro profonda avversione, lungi dall'essere un ostacolo, si rivelerà il catalizzatore di una chimica innegabile e autentica. L'evoluzione di questo rapporto, sebbene inizialmente graduale, sfocia in una sintonia travolgente. Il personaggio di Avery, con la sua delicatezza e la predilezione per le giraffe, porta la necessaria dolcezza alla narrazione, arrivando nei momenti più opportuni. Lo stile di scrittura, fluido e accattivante, riesce ad arrivare efficacemente al lettore, nonostante le poche pagine del testo. Libro consigliato!
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶🌶🌶
Emozione: 💘💘💘💘💘
La dinamica relazionale tra Luis e David è caratterizzata da un'intensa conflittualità reciproca. La loro ostilità è presente sia sul lavoro che nella vita privata, ma fortunatamente non si tratta di nulla di allarmante, dato che non degenera in azioni pericolose. I loro battibecchi suscitano parecchio coinvolgimento emotivo, pur mantenendo un'aura di intrattenimento. La loro profonda avversione, lungi dall'essere un ostacolo, si rivelerà il catalizzatore di una chimica innegabile e autentica. L'evoluzione di questo rapporto, sebbene inizialmente graduale, sfocia in una sintonia travolgente. Il personaggio di Avery, con la sua delicatezza e la predilezione per le giraffe, porta la necessaria dolcezza alla narrazione, arrivando nei momenti più opportuni. Lo stile di scrittura, fluido e accattivante, riesce ad arrivare efficacemente al lettore, nonostante le poche pagine del testo. Libro consigliato!
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶🌶🌶
Emozione: 💘💘💘💘💘
April 12, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this book but it ended up being not so bad. Cute enemies to lovers story with plenty of insults and snark. Nothing to write home about but a good way to spend a few hours.
August 19, 2019
Oooooh! So much tension between these two in a great addition to the Future series!
David Cranston and Luis Montgomery couldn't be more different in style, work method and personality so it's no wonder that they clash so much when it comes to working together and again at a floral contest.
It makes for really entertaining reading with a lot of barbs back and forth between the two but an excessive amount of sexual tension simmering below the surface. There's a heartwarming element to the story as David's flower shop is struggling and the floral contest is a possible saviour for it, making him fight that much harder to win the competition and show Luis how a timeless classic can win. Luis is determined to prove himself as a new guy to the industry and needs to win to get his and Mallory Vineyard's name out there.
I love that we get to see some of the previous characters from this series and there is some supportive friendships that grows between them along with the business that builds at the Vineyard we were introduced to in book #1
Kate and E.M. have written a fantastic enemies to lovers story, really drawing the reader in and giving them a story full of tension, chemistry and emotion. I love this series of stories that they have given us, each with a different trope but all equally enjoyable.
Definitely a recommended read for me, especially for lovers of the enemy to lover trope and fans of these authors with love the story.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
David Cranston and Luis Montgomery couldn't be more different in style, work method and personality so it's no wonder that they clash so much when it comes to working together and again at a floral contest.
It makes for really entertaining reading with a lot of barbs back and forth between the two but an excessive amount of sexual tension simmering below the surface. There's a heartwarming element to the story as David's flower shop is struggling and the floral contest is a possible saviour for it, making him fight that much harder to win the competition and show Luis how a timeless classic can win. Luis is determined to prove himself as a new guy to the industry and needs to win to get his and Mallory Vineyard's name out there.
I love that we get to see some of the previous characters from this series and there is some supportive friendships that grows between them along with the business that builds at the Vineyard we were introduced to in book #1
Kate and E.M. have written a fantastic enemies to lovers story, really drawing the reader in and giving them a story full of tension, chemistry and emotion. I love this series of stories that they have given us, each with a different trope but all equally enjoyable.
Definitely a recommended read for me, especially for lovers of the enemy to lover trope and fans of these authors with love the story.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
August 5, 2019
Future Ex Enemy by Kate Hawthorne and EM Denning. First impressions of each other were not favorable, but when brought together again for a job these two men find themselves growing closer and the heat getting higher. David and Luis are such amazing characters. The enemies to lovers theme, the tete-a-tete between the two, the simmering heat that builds as the book progresses and finally explodes in passion so hot it could melt your kindle... well, almost. There is a thin line between hate and love and these two are tumbling over it and I am all for that. The story is interesting with the sense of competition, suspense, drama, sexiness, humor and sweetness. Definitely satisfying read.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Read
August 13, 2019DNF- 25%.
I worried that I didn't give this story a fair shake but I just couldn't continue. I didn't feel like I got what I expected from the blurb. At 25% no contest has even been mentioned yet which felt weird to me. I also couldn't get past all the really mean things these 2 MCs say to each other. I know they are in enemy mode now but I can't imagine you just forgive that stuff when you become lovers. I'm not a fan of this one.
I worried that I didn't give this story a fair shake but I just couldn't continue. I didn't feel like I got what I expected from the blurb. At 25% no contest has even been mentioned yet which felt weird to me. I also couldn't get past all the really mean things these 2 MCs say to each other. I know they are in enemy mode now but I can't imagine you just forgive that stuff when you become lovers. I'm not a fan of this one.
August 14, 2019
IMHO, Kate and EM blew the traditional enemies-to-lovers storyline out of the water, turned it inside out and upside down, shredded it into a million pieces, set the pieces on fire, then put it back together in a fresh, original, and grab-you-by-the-feels tale guaranteed to pull you in from the very first page.
Read
January 3, 2021DNF 48%
I love enemy to lovers stories but Not only did I not feel the attraction between Luis and David, I also couldn’t connect with them for some reason.
Maybe I’ll try it another time.....
I love enemy to lovers stories but Not only did I not feel the attraction between Luis and David, I also couldn’t connect with them for some reason.
Maybe I’ll try it another time.....
August 12, 2019
Flowers, hate sex and emotions so deep that you can't tell what they mean. A lovely story of change, understanding and traditions - this book will make you feel the whole emotional spectrum!
August 28, 2019
It was a sexy read, but was there something more between the two main characters than a hot fuck? Not really. I felt also a bit off about whole sex without condoms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2021
This was not the same as the others
This was a little too heavy on the hate and not enough of the love.
Though the last bit of the story was good.
This was a little too heavy on the hate and not enough of the love.
Though the last bit of the story was good.
March 3, 2021
Hate and love both stem from passion, so it’s no wonder that two men who initially hate each other end up happily ever after together in this book. Of course, this is only possible because David and Luis have undeniable chemistry. This only serves to irritate each man further, which draws them closer together, which makes them angrier, which… You get the picture. They might have the opposite of a “meet-cute” at the beginning of the story, but by the time the first kiss rolls around, sparks would have flown if it didn’t happen in a walk-in flower cooler.
The plot of this book obviously depends on throwing the characters together time and again, and Hawthorne and Denning deliver the trope de resistance with that old favorite, “there’s only one bed.” The authors skirt a particular line in these hate-sex encounters, which might turn some readers off from the book altogether. However, watching the characters start to realize that there is more to their interactions than pure distaste is fascinating as it unfolds, egged on by both a precocious niece (who’s actually more interested in giraffes) and a slightly manipulative old lady (who’s actually more interested in flowers). Overt or not, circumstances conspire to show Luis and David how much they mean to each other.
Nothing about this book is a traditional romance arc, making it all the more interesting to read. Out of all the characters in this series, these are the two I’d love to check in on later. I have the feeling that being in love will do little to cool the adversity dynamic of their relationship.
The plot of this book obviously depends on throwing the characters together time and again, and Hawthorne and Denning deliver the trope de resistance with that old favorite, “there’s only one bed.” The authors skirt a particular line in these hate-sex encounters, which might turn some readers off from the book altogether. However, watching the characters start to realize that there is more to their interactions than pure distaste is fascinating as it unfolds, egged on by both a precocious niece (who’s actually more interested in giraffes) and a slightly manipulative old lady (who’s actually more interested in flowers). Overt or not, circumstances conspire to show Luis and David how much they mean to each other.
Nothing about this book is a traditional romance arc, making it all the more interesting to read. Out of all the characters in this series, these are the two I’d love to check in on later. I have the feeling that being in love will do little to cool the adversity dynamic of their relationship.
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