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Enemies with Benefits #1
Nemici per la pelle
Sono entrambi uomini pericolosi. Nemici assoluti.
E del tutto attratti l’uno dall’altro.
Will non aveva mai incontrato nessuno come Kit. È arrogante. Stupendo. Letale.
La guardia del corpo più costosa che esista. E Will non riesce a resistergli.
Un semplice comando pronunciato con il suo accento sofisticato fa desiderare a Will cose che non aveva mai desiderato, e fare cose che non aveva mai fatto. La chimica tra loro è rovente e alle stelle.
C’è solo un problema: Will ha giurato di uccidere il miliardario che Kit è determinato a proteggere.
E Kit ha anche dei segreti; c’è un motivo dietro al suo sacrificare la sua anima un doloroso pezzo alla volta per mantenere in vita uno dei peggiori uomini che si trovino sulla faccia della Terra.
E del tutto attratti l’uno dall’altro.
Will non aveva mai incontrato nessuno come Kit. È arrogante. Stupendo. Letale.
La guardia del corpo più costosa che esista. E Will non riesce a resistergli.
Un semplice comando pronunciato con il suo accento sofisticato fa desiderare a Will cose che non aveva mai desiderato, e fare cose che non aveva mai fatto. La chimica tra loro è rovente e alle stelle.
C’è solo un problema: Will ha giurato di uccidere il miliardario che Kit è determinato a proteggere.
E Kit ha anche dei segreti; c’è un motivo dietro al suo sacrificare la sua anima un doloroso pezzo alla volta per mantenere in vita uno dei peggiori uomini che si trovino sulla faccia della Terra.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2017
134 people are currently reading
2020 people want to read
About the author
Annika Martin
47 books3,521 followersAnnika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who loves reading, taking pictures of her cats, consuming boatloads of chocolate suckers, and helping animals. She lives in the Twin Cities with her awesome husband and adorable cats.
Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
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Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
Amazon books: https://amzn.to/2UIYzeA
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2PkneA7
Annika on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annik...
Instagram: instagram.com/annikamartinauthor
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UH02SC
Google Play http://bit.ly/2UKJ45O
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Gt304m
Newsletter: https://geni.us/nwslettr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
May 18, 2017
~3.5 stars~
I liked this story, I really did. But I didn't love this story. I'm not familiar with the writing of Annika Martin, but Joanna Chambers is an amazing author. The writing is not in question. This duo made the story completely engaging.
Will and Kit were very likable characters. Character building was on point, and the relationship development was smooth. And the sex? *fans self* It was HAWT.
But this is romantic suspense, and so the authors have the challenge of making the suspense just as engaging as the romance. And that's where my enjoyment wasn't as strong. When I say you need to suspend your disbelief, I couldn't say that more emphatically. SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF! The story was serious, so it warranted serious espionage. But these two spies couldn't have been much worse at their jobs. I don't proclaim to be an expert on the inner workings of the CIA or independent mercenaries. But this was a fumbling excuse for realistic espionage. I think I'd make a better spy than these two. If you can be distracted by the "goods" of the person you're after, you're not gonna get an A on this particular assignment. Just sayin'.
Having said that, once I suspended my disbelief, this story was entertaining. I flew through this book, and I'm glad I read it. I would also recommend it. Just don't expect to be blown away.
My other niggle is that this story is in need of an epilogue. We get a strong HFN, all in the last chapter, but nothing was resolved in regards to where the couple will live? Are they going to live together? What is Will going to do with his life now? Etc. I would've liked to see a glimpse of Kit and Will in the future. I have faith in their relationship, but I wanted more.
**Please note that the first 9 chapters of this book are the prologue of Book 0.5 that is offered for free on Amazon. It's not necessary to get the prologue if you buy this book. And if you did read the prologue, this book really starts at 24% for you.
I liked this story, I really did. But I didn't love this story. I'm not familiar with the writing of Annika Martin, but Joanna Chambers is an amazing author. The writing is not in question. This duo made the story completely engaging.
Will and Kit were very likable characters. Character building was on point, and the relationship development was smooth. And the sex? *fans self* It was HAWT.
But this is romantic suspense, and so the authors have the challenge of making the suspense just as engaging as the romance. And that's where my enjoyment wasn't as strong. When I say you need to suspend your disbelief, I couldn't say that more emphatically. SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF! The story was serious, so it warranted serious espionage. But these two spies couldn't have been much worse at their jobs. I don't proclaim to be an expert on the inner workings of the CIA or independent mercenaries. But this was a fumbling excuse for realistic espionage. I think I'd make a better spy than these two. If you can be distracted by the "goods" of the person you're after, you're not gonna get an A on this particular assignment. Just sayin'.
Having said that, once I suspended my disbelief, this story was entertaining. I flew through this book, and I'm glad I read it. I would also recommend it. Just don't expect to be blown away.
My other niggle is that this story is in need of an epilogue. We get a strong HFN, all in the last chapter, but nothing was resolved in regards to where the couple will live? Are they going to live together? What is Will going to do with his life now? Etc. I would've liked to see a glimpse of Kit and Will in the future. I have faith in their relationship, but I wanted more.
**Please note that the first 9 chapters of this book are the prologue of Book 0.5 that is offered for free on Amazon. It's not necessary to get the prologue if you buy this book. And if you did read the prologue, this book really starts at 24% for you.
May 7, 2017
4 STARS
That. Was. So. Freaking. HOT.
No seriously. That was SO FREAKING HOT. I don't think I even bothered to read the blurb for this book before jumping at the chance to read it. While I haven't had a chance to read anything by Joanna Chambers prior to this (which I'll be rectifying quickly), Annika Martin has been an auto-buy for me for years. But really, this book couldn't have been more custom written for me if it had my name on it.
Enemies to lovers? Check!
Sizzling hot MM? Check!
Suspense interspersed with smoking hot sexy times? Check and CHECK!
Will is a man on a mission. With the CIA at his side, he knows that he's on a suicide mission that no one expects him to come out of alive. But he also knows that he'll stop at nothing to kill the man that's responsible for the single event that still haunts him to this day. Nothing short of feeling his blood seeping through his fingers will make Will rest. There's only one thing in the way; his target's ruthless and unstoppable bodyguard.
Their attraction is unexpected. Their connection is dangerous. And their inability to stay away from each other just may cost both of them their lives.
Enemies Like You was one twisty and sexy ride. I didn't expect what I got and what I got was entertaining as hell. I don't want to give you any spoilers, but not everything is what it seems and man did I love that particular twist to the story. But the twists don't stop. The authors hit you with them from every corner, until your mind is spinning so hard you feel like the lid will explode.
There were a few points that I felt were underdeveloped but it wasn't anything that took away from my enjoyment of the book. And boy did I enjoy it. THOROUGHLY. It was deliciously naughty and full of action and suspense and with two characters that I couldn't get enough of. This book is like GI Joe and James Bond came together to make a sexy MM baby. Does that even make sense? Whatever. Just go with me here.
ARC courtesy of authors in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
I like my sex like I like my grenades: simple, fast, and furious. One-time use.
That. Was. So. Freaking. HOT.
No seriously. That was SO FREAKING HOT. I don't think I even bothered to read the blurb for this book before jumping at the chance to read it. While I haven't had a chance to read anything by Joanna Chambers prior to this (which I'll be rectifying quickly), Annika Martin has been an auto-buy for me for years. But really, this book couldn't have been more custom written for me if it had my name on it.
Enemies to lovers? Check!
Sizzling hot MM? Check!
Suspense interspersed with smoking hot sexy times? Check and CHECK!
Will is a man on a mission. With the CIA at his side, he knows that he's on a suicide mission that no one expects him to come out of alive. But he also knows that he'll stop at nothing to kill the man that's responsible for the single event that still haunts him to this day. Nothing short of feeling his blood seeping through his fingers will make Will rest. There's only one thing in the way; his target's ruthless and unstoppable bodyguard.
Their attraction is unexpected. Their connection is dangerous. And their inability to stay away from each other just may cost both of them their lives.
Enemies Like You was one twisty and sexy ride. I didn't expect what I got and what I got was entertaining as hell. I don't want to give you any spoilers, but not everything is what it seems and man did I love that particular twist to the story. But the twists don't stop. The authors hit you with them from every corner, until your mind is spinning so hard you feel like the lid will explode.
There were a few points that I felt were underdeveloped but it wasn't anything that took away from my enjoyment of the book. And boy did I enjoy it. THOROUGHLY. It was deliciously naughty and full of action and suspense and with two characters that I couldn't get enough of. This book is like GI Joe and James Bond came together to make a sexy MM baby. Does that even make sense? Whatever. Just go with me here.
ARC courtesy of authors in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
June 23, 2017
BR with The Adam
First things first, the prologue (Enemies With Benefits) is the first 8 chapters which inspired some disappointment. I was left wanting at the end and feeling a little sick that it was over. Those 8 chapters would’ve gone a long way in easing my separation anxiety. IDK if the Kit and Will saga will continue but I sure hope so!
Is this book perfect? Nope. There were several spy game things that had me side-eyeing. Don’t EVEN get me started on that whole club scene with Master Tom and Will. IDK what that was. I’m just going to pretend like it didn’t happen.
Taken as a whole though, I had some pathetic moony eyes happening. Will and Kit have an instant connection. Did I find the automatic D/s dynamic between them weird and heavy-handed at times? Yep. But the pragmatist in me says no one ever really knows what’s going to turn their crank until it happens. Kit turns Will’s crank in ways he’s unfamiliar and moderately uncomfortable with, but I loved that he didn’t fight it. He doesn’t understand it, it just is what it is and I did think the weirdness lessened as their connection grew and as the narrative evolved.
Kit’s androgynous and posing as Polzin’s (all around monster and narcissist) bodyguard and girlfriend. You gotta know happy Cupcake was happy with this WHOLE kit and caboodle! Will’s bisexual and happy with however Kit wants to dress. Even better! Not a lot of angst was spent on Kit’s androgyny which was a hit at Casa de Cupcake.
Will is ex-military, American and brute force to Kit’s cunning, British spook and that interplay amused me as did their cat and mouse game. Will keeps trying to outmaneuver Kit and Kit always senses when something’s amiss. It was entertaining and usually led to sex. I see nothing wrong with this. *shifty eyes* Once they join forces, though, is when things started to click for me. Their mission held my attention and even a surprise or two. Chambers and Martin struck a good balance between the espionage and romance plotlines. Naturally, their joining forces a modicum of trust that grows as they reveal more of themselves.
Having both of their perspectives I watched the walls between them start to come down and how each of them has unintentionally fallen for their “enemy”. I love a good enemies to lovers, but I can’t for the life of me fathom how these two couldn’t manage some hate sex. Truly baffling, this is.
Their first time together with Kit’s unveiling ranks at the top of my list on the sexmagickhotness scale,-SHOCKER-but none of it was shabby by any stretch. *side mouths* There could’ve been more MANTIES. Just sayin’. *end side mouth* But at least the big guy bottomed! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! #winning
It wasn’t perfect but I hearted the fuck out of it anyway and I’ll pounce on a book 2 should it be in the cards.
Recommend to enemies to lovers fans.
A review copy was provided.
First things first, the prologue (Enemies With Benefits) is the first 8 chapters which inspired some disappointment. I was left wanting at the end and feeling a little sick that it was over. Those 8 chapters would’ve gone a long way in easing my separation anxiety. IDK if the Kit and Will saga will continue but I sure hope so!
Is this book perfect? Nope. There were several spy game things that had me side-eyeing. Don’t EVEN get me started on that whole club scene with Master Tom and Will. IDK what that was. I’m just going to pretend like it didn’t happen.
Taken as a whole though, I had some pathetic moony eyes happening. Will and Kit have an instant connection. Did I find the automatic D/s dynamic between them weird and heavy-handed at times? Yep. But the pragmatist in me says no one ever really knows what’s going to turn their crank until it happens. Kit turns Will’s crank in ways he’s unfamiliar and moderately uncomfortable with, but I loved that he didn’t fight it. He doesn’t understand it, it just is what it is and I did think the weirdness lessened as their connection grew and as the narrative evolved.
Kit’s androgynous and posing as Polzin’s (all around monster and narcissist) bodyguard and girlfriend. You gotta know happy Cupcake was happy with this WHOLE kit and caboodle! Will’s bisexual and happy with however Kit wants to dress. Even better! Not a lot of angst was spent on Kit’s androgyny which was a hit at Casa de Cupcake.
Will is ex-military, American and brute force to Kit’s cunning, British spook and that interplay amused me as did their cat and mouse game. Will keeps trying to outmaneuver Kit and Kit always senses when something’s amiss. It was entertaining and usually led to sex. I see nothing wrong with this. *shifty eyes* Once they join forces, though, is when things started to click for me. Their mission held my attention and even a surprise or two. Chambers and Martin struck a good balance between the espionage and romance plotlines. Naturally, their joining forces a modicum of trust that grows as they reveal more of themselves.
Having both of their perspectives I watched the walls between them start to come down and how each of them has unintentionally fallen for their “enemy”. I love a good enemies to lovers, but I can’t for the life of me fathom how these two couldn’t manage some hate sex. Truly baffling, this is.
Their first time together with Kit’s unveiling ranks at the top of my list on the sexmagickhotness scale,-SHOCKER-but none of it was shabby by any stretch. *side mouths* There could’ve been more MANTIES. Just sayin’. *end side mouth* But at least the big guy bottomed! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! #winning
It wasn’t perfect but I hearted the fuck out of it anyway and I’ll pounce on a book 2 should it be in the cards.
Recommend to enemies to lovers fans.
A review copy was provided.
June 5, 2017
Minus One Star
TL;DR: click here for Giedre's review
I don't even know where to start, to be honest.
So I'll just go from the beginning. I despised Will and his cave-man routine that's basically thinly veiled homophobia and macho man showiness that excuses his objectification of both men and women by hiding behind "stoicism":
Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for casual sex and one night stands. But it still other people you are fucking, not things. There's a certain level of respect that goes both ways when you engage in a sexual activity, no matter how quick or devoid of intimacy. If you classify it at "using" someone, then you are a piece of trash. And exactly, how are men supposed to be like to be manly enough? Do tell.
When Will's cock starts to have a mind of his own, very much a la Christian Grey, I started to check out. I understand the disconnect we sometimes feel between what our bodies want and what our minds are comfortable with, but this was an exaggeration.
His dick started sounding more and more like a separate entity:
After that the sex gets generic, boring and repetitive. And it's fill fodder for the lack of actual plot construction of the rest of the story. Huge plot advancements are made through the eyes of one character or another. A huge pet-peeve of mine. Which just goes to show that the authors had no skill to demonstrate emotion or depth without restoring to the old: "he was smiling with his eyes" shit. Plus this next quote happens during the beginning of the book and seriously diosbenditodeloslibrosmediocressálvamedeestaputapendejada:
Look, the book had a great premise. But an underwhelming execution.
Everything that happens is hugely predictable. Not one thing came as a surprise to me. And when it came as a surprise to the characters in the book all I could think was that they were terribly mediocre spies. I would have felt much more satisfied with the ending had both of them died. They had it coming to them for being such crappy investigators.
I don't even want to go into details about Polzin. He's apparently the best that two white authors can come up with. Every single Hollywood cliché-filled carboard paste up of a villain that you can imagine is represented in Polzin. He's Russian (because duh... you know what would have been original? if the authors had for once showed some of their own countrymen that have committed despicable crimes, but no -_-), he's rude, he's a sexual sadist, he's the most evil man to ever evil in the history of ever, he's speaks in broken English, he fucks anonymous women and thinks more with his little head than with his big one buuuut he's the head of this terrible empire of doom, everyone is named Sergei, Dimitri or something along those lines (and his Russian employees are brutes who can barely think for themselves plus they are crappy bodyguards, because the only competent person in a whole security team can only be the British guy, obviously) and we never know anything concrete about him.
What are the evil things he's done? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND AWFUL.
What exactly is the nature of his businesses? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT HE'S EX-KGB AND BAD.
What are the secrets he's privy to that are worth so much? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT IT'S SUPER DOOPER CLASSIFIED INFORMATION THAT SPIES WANT, OK?!
The entire characterisation of Polzin is a massive hyperbole (heh) of a Disney villain supposedly come to life. He's so superficially done that I kid you not, Cruella De Vil has more depth.
Having zero knowledge of Russian, i can't comment on whether the few words that were used here are accurate or not. But i would love to read a few reviews from someone with veritable knowledge of the language because really, if you had to make your bad guy a Russian and have him be THE MOST STEREOTYPED villain, at least you could have been respectful to the language.
And probably even then, I would have found this lazy-ass, slightly racist depiction of a villain to be contentious.
The actual plot was an idea that never became anything more than a half-cocked story. From the minute there's a flashback to Madeleine Island the whole charade is painfully obvious (and stupid). And I'm gonna be courteous and put the next bit in a spoiler tag, but a part of me wanted to leave it as I had it written, because it's just so badly done I want everyone to know beforehand: .
Finally, that terribly under executed "Three months later", left me with no desire to read anything further from these two authors. Both of them are new-to-me and they are both definitely never-again ones.
Nothing about this book worked for me. Not the romance, not the suspense, not the mystery, not the action, not the sex.
I can also live my entire life without ever having to read "a brown that's umber and sienna" ever again.
TL;DR: click here for Giedre's review
I don't even know where to start, to be honest.
So I'll just go from the beginning. I despised Will and his cave-man routine that's basically thinly veiled homophobia and macho man showiness that excuses his objectification of both men and women by hiding behind "stoicism":
"I like my men to be men"
"I like my sex like I like my grenades: simple, fast, and furious. One-time use".
Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for casual sex and one night stands. But it still other people you are fucking, not things. There's a certain level of respect that goes both ways when you engage in a sexual activity, no matter how quick or devoid of intimacy. If you classify it at "using" someone, then you are a piece of trash. And exactly, how are men supposed to be like to be manly enough? Do tell.
When Will's cock starts to have a mind of his own, very much a la Christian Grey, I started to check out. I understand the disconnect we sometimes feel between what our bodies want and what our minds are comfortable with, but this was an exaggeration.
His dick started sounding more and more like a separate entity:
"...my dick likes that notion."
After that the sex gets generic, boring and repetitive. And it's fill fodder for the lack of actual plot construction of the rest of the story. Huge plot advancements are made through the eyes of one character or another. A huge pet-peeve of mine. Which just goes to show that the authors had no skill to demonstrate emotion or depth without restoring to the old: "he was smiling with his eyes" shit. Plus this next quote happens during the beginning of the book and seriously diosbenditodeloslibrosmediocressálvamedeestaputapendejada:
"Something flickers in his eyes at that, and wildly, I think, He does know me. Not on the outside, but on the inside, where it counts."
Look, the book had a great premise. But an underwhelming execution.
Everything that happens is hugely predictable. Not one thing came as a surprise to me. And when it came as a surprise to the characters in the book all I could think was that they were terribly mediocre spies. I would have felt much more satisfied with the ending had both of them died. They had it coming to them for being such crappy investigators.
I don't even want to go into details about Polzin. He's apparently the best that two white authors can come up with. Every single Hollywood cliché-filled carboard paste up of a villain that you can imagine is represented in Polzin. He's Russian (because duh... you know what would have been original? if the authors had for once showed some of their own countrymen that have committed despicable crimes, but no -_-), he's rude, he's a sexual sadist, he's the most evil man to ever evil in the history of ever, he's speaks in broken English, he fucks anonymous women and thinks more with his little head than with his big one buuuut he's the head of this terrible empire of doom, everyone is named Sergei, Dimitri or something along those lines (and his Russian employees are brutes who can barely think for themselves plus they are crappy bodyguards, because the only competent person in a whole security team can only be the British guy, obviously) and we never know anything concrete about him.
What are the evil things he's done? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND AWFUL.
What exactly is the nature of his businesses? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT HE'S EX-KGB AND BAD.
What are the secrets he's privy to that are worth so much? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS, BUT IT'S SUPER DOOPER CLASSIFIED INFORMATION THAT SPIES WANT, OK?!
The entire characterisation of Polzin is a massive hyperbole (heh) of a Disney villain supposedly come to life. He's so superficially done that I kid you not, Cruella De Vil has more depth.
Having zero knowledge of Russian, i can't comment on whether the few words that were used here are accurate or not. But i would love to read a few reviews from someone with veritable knowledge of the language because really, if you had to make your bad guy a Russian and have him be THE MOST STEREOTYPED villain, at least you could have been respectful to the language.
And probably even then, I would have found this lazy-ass, slightly racist depiction of a villain to be contentious.
The actual plot was an idea that never became anything more than a half-cocked story. From the minute there's a flashback to Madeleine Island the whole charade is painfully obvious (and stupid). And I'm gonna be courteous and put the next bit in a spoiler tag, but a part of me wanted to leave it as I had it written, because it's just so badly done I want everyone to know beforehand: .
Finally, that terribly under executed "Three months later", left me with no desire to read anything further from these two authors. Both of them are new-to-me and they are both definitely never-again ones.
Nothing about this book worked for me. Not the romance, not the suspense, not the mystery, not the action, not the sex.
I can also live my entire life without ever having to read "a brown that's umber and sienna" ever again.
October 25, 2017
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Disappointed*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
I'm uncertain of how I feel about this book. In some ways I liked it (a tiny bit), in other ways I didn't. I liked the concept of the story, however, I didn't like how fast the romance started. It felt like a done deal after the first meeting. Also - PLEASE DON'T HATE ME - I didn't like how bodyguard () Kit ‘Kate’ ‘Katerina’ aka (27?) was playing a woman. Specially since I wasn't informed of it before reading it. I don't know why, but I struggled with feeling/seeing his... manhood? Masculinity?
Something flickers in his eyes at that, and wildly, I think, He does know me. Not on the outside, but on the inside, where it counts.
I thought, going into the book, that I was reading about to masculine, alpha males, but none of the characters acted like that. Will ‘Nero’ (in his thirties?) wasn't all that; saying he's a top and in charge, yet as soon as he meets Kit he's on his knees for him? Also, I didn't feel like they were any good with their...‘work’ of sorts. Overall, it could've been so much better had it been written differently. But, story wise it wasn't all that bad, however, it was still quite predictable.
I need to get away from his orbit, but instead I draw closer—loathing him—loathing everything. “You disgust me.”
“But you still want me to fuck you, don’t you?”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series/Standalone?, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Will ‘Nero’.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2/2.5 stars.
June 6, 2017
Y'all, I don't even know. :|
I snapped up this book as soon as I finished the novella (which turned out to be the first 8 chapters of this novel. That should've raised a flag or two. #IJS)
Having never read anything by Annika Martin, I basically snagged this book based on my lurve for Joanna Chambers. Her Enlightenment series is one of my faves so I was THRILLED to read a contemporary M/M by her.
Initially, I thought I was going to end up giving this novel at least a 4.5. BUT THEN, certain things started to annoy me (the way a pebble does inside a shoe) until I ended up practically hate-reading it to its rather fizzed out end.
What I liked
+ Kit (sexiest spy ever? #Debatable)
Not surprisingly, Joanna Chambers wrote his POV scenes AND IT SHOWS SO MUCH! If it was up to me, I would have read 1000s of pages about him.
He's this person who has a LOT of layers and a background that is so opera heroine-like. Joanna Chambers must have had tons of fun writing him. We do get to learn a lot about him and it is that v. knowledge what allows readers to forgive his somewhat wacky behavior in the melodramatic scenes in the next-to-last chapter.
I liked the D/s aspect of his relationship with Will. But then, I've got a soft spot for characters who constantly one-up another.
Even though Will was such a run-of-the-mill ~macho~ dude, his submission to Kit's cool demeanor was hella tasty. Ridic af but there we are.
What I didn't like
- Who is Will? (No, really, WHO IS HE?)
I had a difficult time figuring him out. All we learn about him is that:
1. He lead a team in Kabul, they died, and he feels guilty about that. So now he has a plan of REVENGE that he doesn't expect to survive.
2. He really likes Kit. Especially in panties. Also when Kit orders him around.
That's it.
Does he like to drink coffee? Does he have any hobbies (aside from lusting after Kit and pretending he doesn't)? Is he a cat person or a dog person? *hands*
Annika Martin wrote him as a generic Alpha dude who rationalizes a lot of how his body and mind respond to Kit. He's a pastiche of the usual macho hero dude. Honestly, he was SO incomplete as a character that I didn't care if he lived, died, or ended up in an alternate dimension
I mean, there's a female side character who works along Will and we learn just as much about her as we learn about Will. Soooooo...
- The random kink club scene
OK, without spoiling much...
There's a scene in which Will visits a kink club on his own in order to find some answers about himself. The problem is that the way he goes about it feels v. superficial.
Never mind the reactions from his play partner (who isn't Kit) that is almost like one out of a really bad porn? Neither of them behave in a way that feel human or real. Will is super dismissive even though he's being hit v. hard and the person he plays with is kinda dispassionate? It's all kinda a HUGE mehhhhhhhhhh.
I'm gonna give a generous guess that this scene is supposed to be a contrast to the way Will does kink with Kit vs. with someone else. #Imreallytryingtonotbetoomean
- The plot (Oh, spies being all spy-like...zzzz)
Part of what kept me reading this book--even as I rolled my eyes into the next century--was that I thought of it in terms akin to a summer blockbuster movie. The kind with OTT premises and ultra-cheesy lines. This is on the fantasy-level of spy stories.
At one point, I was pumped cuz the plot hinted at the idea that Kit and Will would have to travel around the world in a short time while searching for SUPER IMPORTANT YET SECRET THING. I expected, like, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and ended up getting Paul Blart: Mall Cop 4.
The whole thing came undone in the last 15%. The SUPER IMPORTANT YET SECRET THING that everyone was searching for might be at xyz place. So Will and Kit prepare to go on a FINAL MISSION TO CONFRONT DESTINY (or some such thing.) The book tries to make the reader think that the tension is intense, zomg and that readers will be at the edge of their seats!!!!111!!!
BUT
a) I never felt either Kit or Will were in actual danger. Not once (and this could be explained by the fact that, other than being a sleazy dude who happens to be Russian, we don't really know much about Polzin. Like, how does he run his empire? *shrugs*)
b) Unfulfilled promise. Let us go to
AND THEN something happens. The scene fades to black and we pick up 3 months later.
JUST LIKE THAT.
Sure, we're told what has happened in that 3-month span BUT STILL! What kind of counterfeit storytelling method is that? *gives Joanna Chambers a V. POINTED LOOK* #YoureWAYbetterthanthisChambers
- The small typo that was >__>
At the 72% of the story we get this:
And Polzin would put Kit through unimaginable pain if he knew who he was. Two fucking years undercover with Polzin--Kit has steel cajones no question about that.
I understand Will is trying to say that Kit has steel cojones (steel balls).
CAJONES, however, are drawers (like the ones you find in a cabinet or armoire.) It doesn't translate at all. Considering the fact that this is a fairly well-known slang and it's the one moment there's a word in Spanish, how did it get misspelled? HOW??????
TL;DR: A SUPER DISAPPOINTING entry by Joanna Chambers (given that Annika Martin ~wrote~ Will's scenes, I truly cannot give her any props.) I legit ended up in a sad kitten!book slump for almost a week after read this. This book took a wrong turn somewhere along the plot and never got back on the road that it should've been.
My suggestion would be to read the novella (which is FREE) and forget this book exists. Cannot recommend unless you're a completist fan and must read everything that Joanna Chambers publishes. #Trustme
I snapped up this book as soon as I finished the novella (which turned out to be the first 8 chapters of this novel. That should've raised a flag or two. #IJS)
Having never read anything by Annika Martin, I basically snagged this book based on my lurve for Joanna Chambers. Her Enlightenment series is one of my faves so I was THRILLED to read a contemporary M/M by her.
Initially, I thought I was going to end up giving this novel at least a 4.5. BUT THEN, certain things started to annoy me (the way a pebble does inside a shoe) until I ended up practically hate-reading it to its rather fizzed out end.
What I liked
+ Kit (sexiest spy ever? #Debatable)
Not surprisingly, Joanna Chambers wrote his POV scenes AND IT SHOWS SO MUCH! If it was up to me, I would have read 1000s of pages about him.
He's this person who has a LOT of layers and a background that is so opera heroine-like. Joanna Chambers must have had tons of fun writing him. We do get to learn a lot about him and it is that v. knowledge what allows readers to forgive his somewhat wacky behavior in the melodramatic scenes in the next-to-last chapter.
I liked the D/s aspect of his relationship with Will. But then, I've got a soft spot for characters who constantly one-up another.
Even though Will was such a run-of-the-mill ~macho~ dude, his submission to Kit's cool demeanor was hella tasty. Ridic af but there we are.
What I didn't like
- Who is Will? (No, really, WHO IS HE?)
I had a difficult time figuring him out. All we learn about him is that:
1. He lead a team in Kabul, they died, and he feels guilty about that. So now he has a plan of REVENGE that he doesn't expect to survive.
2. He really likes Kit. Especially in panties. Also when Kit orders him around.
That's it.
Does he like to drink coffee? Does he have any hobbies (aside from lusting after Kit and pretending he doesn't)? Is he a cat person or a dog person? *hands*
Annika Martin wrote him as a generic Alpha dude who rationalizes a lot of how his body and mind respond to Kit. He's a pastiche of the usual macho hero dude. Honestly, he was SO incomplete as a character that I didn't care if he lived, died, or ended up in an alternate dimension
I mean, there's a female side character who works along Will and we learn just as much about her as we learn about Will. Soooooo...
- The random kink club scene
OK, without spoiling much...
There's a scene in which Will visits a kink club on his own in order to find some answers about himself. The problem is that the way he goes about it feels v. superficial.
Never mind the reactions from his play partner (who isn't Kit) that is almost like one out of a really bad porn? Neither of them behave in a way that feel human or real. Will is super dismissive even though he's being hit v. hard and the person he plays with is kinda dispassionate? It's all kinda a HUGE mehhhhhhhhhh.
I'm gonna give a generous guess that this scene is supposed to be a contrast to the way Will does kink with Kit vs. with someone else. #Imreallytryingtonotbetoomean
- The plot (Oh, spies being all spy-like...zzzz)
Part of what kept me reading this book--even as I rolled my eyes into the next century--was that I thought of it in terms akin to a summer blockbuster movie. The kind with OTT premises and ultra-cheesy lines. This is on the fantasy-level of spy stories.
At one point, I was pumped cuz the plot hinted at the idea that Kit and Will would have to travel around the world in a short time while searching for SUPER IMPORTANT YET SECRET THING. I expected, like, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and ended up getting Paul Blart: Mall Cop 4.
The whole thing came undone in the last 15%. The SUPER IMPORTANT YET SECRET THING that everyone was searching for might be at xyz place. So Will and Kit prepare to go on a FINAL MISSION TO CONFRONT DESTINY (or some such thing.) The book tries to make the reader think that the tension is intense, zomg and that readers will be at the edge of their seats!!!!111!!!
BUT
a) I never felt either Kit or Will were in actual danger. Not once (and this could be explained by the fact that, other than being a sleazy dude who happens to be Russian, we don't really know much about Polzin. Like, how does he run his empire? *shrugs*)
b) Unfulfilled promise. Let us go to
AND THEN something happens. The scene fades to black and we pick up 3 months later.
JUST LIKE THAT.
Sure, we're told what has happened in that 3-month span BUT STILL! What kind of counterfeit storytelling method is that? *gives Joanna Chambers a V. POINTED LOOK* #YoureWAYbetterthanthisChambers
- The small typo that was >__>
At the 72% of the story we get this:
And Polzin would put Kit through unimaginable pain if he knew who he was. Two fucking years undercover with Polzin--Kit has steel cajones no question about that.
I understand Will is trying to say that Kit has steel cojones (steel balls).
CAJONES, however, are drawers (like the ones you find in a cabinet or armoire.) It doesn't translate at all. Considering the fact that this is a fairly well-known slang and it's the one moment there's a word in Spanish, how did it get misspelled? HOW??????
TL;DR: A SUPER DISAPPOINTING entry by Joanna Chambers (given that Annika Martin ~wrote~ Will's scenes, I truly cannot give her any props.) I legit ended up in a sad kitten!book slump for almost a week after read this. This book took a wrong turn somewhere along the plot and never got back on the road that it should've been.
My suggestion would be to read the novella (which is FREE) and forget this book exists. Cannot recommend unless you're a completist fan and must read everything that Joanna Chambers publishes. #Trustme
May 1, 2017
This is one hell of a sexy cover. Great representation of the two heros. Great composition. Eye catching title. I love it.
This was a super enjoyable book. Well written. It had a nice pace to it. Some twists and turns. Some hot sex scenes. Two likable main characters. No real angst or relationship drama. It was almost perfect.
Two things kept this from being a perfect read for me. One, I thought the plot was a little underdeveloped overall. Two, the ending felt REALLY rushed. Those two small issues aside this one was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
May 8, 2017
For those of you who have read the FREE novella, Enemies with Benefits, the story will start at Chapter 9. For those who haven't, well, Chapter 1-8 of this book is basically the novella
Enemies Like You the first installment of Enemies with Benefits series as well as the debut of collaboration between Joanna Chambers and Annika Martin ends up being on the lower end of "just okay" spectrum for me.
My biggest problem to enjoy this enemies-to-lovers romance is because I only cared about one half of the equation, while dismissive towards the other. You can imagine myself being bored with one narration (and skimming a lot!) and wishing that I could read this book solely from one character's perspective.
Let me explain...
Enemies Like You is written using two narratives. One is Will, the CIA freelance assassin who is dead set to kill Sergei Polzin, the man responsible in killing Will's bands of brothers. The other is Kit, the British bodyguard extraordinaire who also poses as Polzin's girlfriend when needed.
I am not familiar with Annika Martin's writing or how this duo works, but based on her background, being an American, I assume Ms. Martin tackles Will's chapters and Ms. Chambers writes Kit's.
I didn't have a problem with Kit's chapters. In fact, I LOVED them... I loved Kit. I thought Kit had layers that kept me very much engaged throughout: a bodyguard who cross-dressed on occasions, with an artist soul. Kit didn't protect Polzin simply because it was his job. Oh no, Kit had reasons to do it and readers would learn about this as the story went on.
It was Will's chapters that made me struggle so much. I thought Will was very flat and two dimensional as a character. While I could try to suspend my disbelief, the fact that he ended up thinking with his d*ck during mission made me want to get my money back if I am CIA. I disliked how Will's chapters were basically only providing the physical interaction (sex and more sex: blowjob, masturbation, and so on) of the story.
It was very disappointing for me because I thought Will had a great background for this story. After his army brothers died Will basically had suicidal mission. He became an effective assassin (although I question his reputation during this mission) because he just stop caring. I wish THAT is being more explored. Instead I felt completely detached from Will and wish I could just read more of Kit's chapters.
In fact, Will seemed to have more nuanced, to be more 'human' when he was written from Kit's point of view...
That is my reason for my rating. I am not sure if I want to read the next books. I love Joanna Chambers; she's one of MM historical authors who is responsible for my liking that genre (I avoid historical romance before, at all cost). So I want to follow this series for her. But I'm worried that Ms. Martin's writing might not be my cup of tea (based also from her backlist titles that seem to be more sexy than romantic).
I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Enemies Like You the first installment of Enemies with Benefits series as well as the debut of collaboration between Joanna Chambers and Annika Martin ends up being on the lower end of "just okay" spectrum for me.
My biggest problem to enjoy this enemies-to-lovers romance is because I only cared about one half of the equation, while dismissive towards the other. You can imagine myself being bored with one narration (and skimming a lot!) and wishing that I could read this book solely from one character's perspective.
Let me explain...
Enemies Like You is written using two narratives. One is Will, the CIA freelance assassin who is dead set to kill Sergei Polzin, the man responsible in killing Will's bands of brothers. The other is Kit, the British bodyguard extraordinaire who also poses as Polzin's girlfriend when needed.
I am not familiar with Annika Martin's writing or how this duo works, but based on her background, being an American, I assume Ms. Martin tackles Will's chapters and Ms. Chambers writes Kit's.
I didn't have a problem with Kit's chapters. In fact, I LOVED them... I loved Kit. I thought Kit had layers that kept me very much engaged throughout: a bodyguard who cross-dressed on occasions, with an artist soul. Kit didn't protect Polzin simply because it was his job. Oh no, Kit had reasons to do it and readers would learn about this as the story went on.
It was Will's chapters that made me struggle so much. I thought Will was very flat and two dimensional as a character. While I could try to suspend my disbelief, the fact that he ended up thinking with his d*ck during mission made me want to get my money back if I am CIA. I disliked how Will's chapters were basically only providing the physical interaction (sex and more sex: blowjob, masturbation, and so on) of the story.
It was very disappointing for me because I thought Will had a great background for this story. After his army brothers died Will basically had suicidal mission. He became an effective assassin (although I question his reputation during this mission) because he just stop caring. I wish THAT is being more explored. Instead I felt completely detached from Will and wish I could just read more of Kit's chapters.
In fact, Will seemed to have more nuanced, to be more 'human' when he was written from Kit's point of view...
That is my reason for my rating. I am not sure if I want to read the next books. I love Joanna Chambers; she's one of MM historical authors who is responsible for my liking that genre (I avoid historical romance before, at all cost). So I want to follow this series for her. But I'm worried that Ms. Martin's writing might not be my cup of tea (based also from her backlist titles that seem to be more sexy than romantic).
I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
June 26, 2017
2.5*
I sadly fell in like and not love with this story. Such a shame because I was really looking forward to reading it.
The sex was off the charts hot. The chemistry was great. What was not so great was all the time we spent without these guys being on page with each other. There wasn't enough of them together for this to feel like a true romance book. We just got bits and pieces of them together and I didn't enjoy that. We get more of the suspense part of the book and that would have been great cause I do enjoy these suspense romances for both purposes. The romance and the suspense. That's why I love reading Josh Lanyon so much. But unfortunately this suspense left a lot to be desired. They both were just so unbelievable at their job. I found myself bored unless they were interacting with each other.
It just didn't work for me dolls.
Happy reading! xx
I sadly fell in like and not love with this story. Such a shame because I was really looking forward to reading it.
The sex was off the charts hot. The chemistry was great. What was not so great was all the time we spent without these guys being on page with each other. There wasn't enough of them together for this to feel like a true romance book. We just got bits and pieces of them together and I didn't enjoy that. We get more of the suspense part of the book and that would have been great cause I do enjoy these suspense romances for both purposes. The romance and the suspense. That's why I love reading Josh Lanyon so much. But unfortunately this suspense left a lot to be desired. They both were just so unbelievable at their job. I found myself bored unless they were interacting with each other.
It just didn't work for me dolls.
Happy reading! xx
December 1, 2018
I really loved the prequel. I was somehow surprised it's also included in the long length book. I really enjoyed this one. It was full of action. And it's also full of super HOT scenes. Really loved the suspense and the sweetness. I agree, some parts are hard to believe, but if you get over this, the romance is really good. Adored the couple!
June 16, 2017
Tag team review with Cupcake!
2.75 stars
I’ve got mixed thoughts on ‘Enemies Like You.’
The two MCs are pitted against each other from the start. Will is gunning after a Russian oligarch, while Kit is determined to protect the villain.
Will is the selfless avenger. His only goal is to get justice for his betrayed friends, with no thought for his own life. He’s reckless, but it was easy to understand where he was coming from.
Kit’s motivations are less selfless, and it takes a while to figure out what he’s after. He may not be a knight in shining armour, but I liked him right off the bat. The tortured bad boy vibe was just too hard to resist.
From the beginning, these two have a complicated and slightly unhealthy relationship. In fact, their “relationship” for much of the book is an alternating mix of aversion, obsessive fascination, and kinky sex.
It wasn’t realistic - two enemies falling straight into sex - but it was definitely hot. If you’ve got a thing for the bigger guy being the submissive bottom, you’ll be pleased.
The emotional aspect of Kit and Will’s relationship is just as complicated, and takes a lot longer to settle. The two are lonely men, and while they slowly fall for each other, neither is willing to put their trust in someone else.
But once Will and Kit start letting their guards down, they quickly realise that they can’t imagine life without one another.
I liked the relationship/romance aspect enough to enjoy the book.
What I wasn’t a fan of was the mystery/action plot. Neither Kit or Will are particularly savvy spies, so it felt like amateur hour at times. The mystery itself isn’t exactly original, so it just didn’t capture my attention.
Overall, this was a mixed bag for me. I liked Kit and Will’s enemies-to-lovers romance well enough, but I wasn’t blown away by the plot.
2.75 stars
I’ve got mixed thoughts on ‘Enemies Like You.’
The two MCs are pitted against each other from the start. Will is gunning after a Russian oligarch, while Kit is determined to protect the villain.
Will is the selfless avenger. His only goal is to get justice for his betrayed friends, with no thought for his own life. He’s reckless, but it was easy to understand where he was coming from.
Kit’s motivations are less selfless, and it takes a while to figure out what he’s after. He may not be a knight in shining armour, but I liked him right off the bat. The tortured bad boy vibe was just too hard to resist.
From the beginning, these two have a complicated and slightly unhealthy relationship. In fact, their “relationship” for much of the book is an alternating mix of aversion, obsessive fascination, and kinky sex.
It wasn’t realistic - two enemies falling straight into sex - but it was definitely hot. If you’ve got a thing for the bigger guy being the submissive bottom, you’ll be pleased.
The emotional aspect of Kit and Will’s relationship is just as complicated, and takes a lot longer to settle. The two are lonely men, and while they slowly fall for each other, neither is willing to put their trust in someone else.
But once Will and Kit start letting their guards down, they quickly realise that they can’t imagine life without one another.
I liked the relationship/romance aspect enough to enjoy the book.
What I wasn’t a fan of was the mystery/action plot. Neither Kit or Will are particularly savvy spies, so it felt like amateur hour at times. The mystery itself isn’t exactly original, so it just didn’t capture my attention.
Overall, this was a mixed bag for me. I liked Kit and Will’s enemies-to-lovers romance well enough, but I wasn’t blown away by the plot.
May 14, 2017
FYI -Enemies with Benefits is a prologue (free on Amazon) featuring the first 9 chapters of this book.
This book is a spy thriller with loads of improbable situations ... but once you get beyond that, step out onto that tightrope, hold on tight and enjoy.
Kit and Will meet during the attempted assassination of Polzin, "a fucking psychopath." Put Will in the role of the assassin, while Kit is Polzin's bodyguard. Their sexual dynamic is red hot and they rapidly progress from enemies to friends-with-benefits to much more, and the cross-dressing and the sizzling side of dominance is hella hot.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
This book is a spy thriller with loads of improbable situations ... but once you get beyond that, step out onto that tightrope, hold on tight and enjoy.
Kit and Will meet during the attempted assassination of Polzin, "a fucking psychopath." Put Will in the role of the assassin, while Kit is Polzin's bodyguard. Their sexual dynamic is red hot and they rapidly progress from enemies to friends-with-benefits to much more, and the cross-dressing and the sizzling side of dominance is hella hot.
I need to get away from his orbit, but instead I draw closer—loathing him—loathing everything. “You disgust me.”Will is working with the CIA so he can kill Polzin in order to avenge the death of his men in Afghanistan (for which Polzin is responsible) while Kit's reason is somewhat murky at the start of the book.
“But you still want me to fuck you, don’t you?”
... a bent, twisted-up, deeply tarnished sword can kill just as readily as a straight and true one.We get Kit and Will's POV throughout and I loved the twists and turns as we get to know the two men, their motivations and their fears and it was devastating to learn why Will's men were killed. This book doesn't tie everything up in a neat bow, and since it looks like this is the first book in the series, I'm looking forward to the next chapter in Will and Kit's life. 4 stars!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
May 24, 2017
Okay so this was very frustrating ! I felt a bit ripped off that I started at Chapter 9 because the first part of the book was a repeat of the novella - I'm not sure about that ... I expected to pick up from the prologue, not have it repeated. I liked Kit and I liked Will but there was some kind of disconnect- i couldn't really feel the chemistry even though there was every attempt to build the heat between these two. I figure it was me and I just wanted more. Once I hit 80% things started to fall into place but it was so hard to get to that point. I hope lots of people love it - and I'm certain it will hit the right notes for other readers but unfortunately it was just a middle of the road book for me
April 8, 2021
So...I really liked Enemies like You, the concept, the characters (especially Kit😍) and their relationship BUT I think it was AT LEAST 100 pages too short. There was so much more character development and back story to develop, and (without giving away any spoilers) the finale felt really rushed. I'm not sure if there's going to be a #2, but be aware that the #0.5 prologue novella was LITERALLY just the first 9 chapters of this book.
Even so, this was a 3.5 rounded up to 4 ✨✨✨✨ read for me.
p.s. Will and Kit were 🔥🔥🔥
Even so, this was a 3.5 rounded up to 4 ✨✨✨✨ read for me.
p.s. Will and Kit were 🔥🔥🔥
June 25, 2018
Enemies to lovers like no other #TRUTH
ridiculously fucking HOT
February 16, 2018
*** Action, sex, intrigue, secrets, and more sexiness ! ***
A marvelous spy novel about Russians, a traitor, big money, and huge secrets.
Will/Nero is ex-military,
who is CIA and his target is the powerful Russian, Polzin. At a large party, a secret meeting will take place. Will plans to get Polzin, but things take a turn. Polzin's elite bodyguard is passing as his girlfriend, and HE is a British agent !
Kit/Christopher, is perfection as masculine and feminine.
He's beautiful.
Later in London, Will and Kit run into each other again. Will goes undercover to a BDSM Club to get Polzin, but Kit distracts him,
once again, with very dirty, raw, hot, BDSM, and extreme sex.
The CIA finds more information about a group of nicknamed bad guys, who they call "The Nest." Will decides to share his information with Kit, and we see their secret thoughts, the inner conflicts and reasons they are where they are.
We get more wild, animalistic sexy times.
They are led into a bloody, messy, vicious battle.
There are discoveries, shocking news, and "Sirin", Phoenix" and "Griffin" are found. But what about Will and Kit?
This is beautifully written, with dynamic characters, a fast moving plot, and lots of hot sexiness. This is a marvelous, action packed tale. Great stuff !
Loved the ending and I am very impressed with these two authors.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
=================
A marvelous spy novel about Russians, a traitor, big money, and huge secrets.
Will/Nero is ex-military,
who is CIA and his target is the powerful Russian, Polzin. At a large party, a secret meeting will take place. Will plans to get Polzin, but things take a turn. Polzin's elite bodyguard is passing as his girlfriend, and HE is a British agent !
Kit/Christopher, is perfection as masculine and feminine.
He's beautiful.
Later in London, Will and Kit run into each other again. Will goes undercover to a BDSM Club to get Polzin, but Kit distracts him,
once again, with very dirty, raw, hot, BDSM, and extreme sex.
The CIA finds more information about a group of nicknamed bad guys, who they call "The Nest." Will decides to share his information with Kit, and we see their secret thoughts, the inner conflicts and reasons they are where they are.
We get more wild, animalistic sexy times.
They are led into a bloody, messy, vicious battle.
There are discoveries, shocking news, and "Sirin", Phoenix" and "Griffin" are found. But what about Will and Kit?
This is beautifully written, with dynamic characters, a fast moving plot, and lots of hot sexiness. This is a marvelous, action packed tale. Great stuff !
Loved the ending and I am very impressed with these two authors.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
=================
May 18, 2017
4.5 stars
Ohhh, I really really loved this. Thank god the rest of the novel was as good as the prologue we got because YES. This has several things I love in romance stories and it is written WELL, ahhH!! 'Cause we got spies and the whole "mortal enemies thing" going for it and mystery and intrigue and trying to figure out who the bad guys are - I love guessing who it could be (and I was right with this one, yep!) - and really really hot sex and of course my favorite of all, two guys falling in love ;).
But seriously, I loved Kit and Will, they had explosive chemistry (and REALLy fucking hot sex scenes, DAMN. And if they're the main focus of the next book, I'd love to see Will fuck Kit, because that would be so fucking hot) and I felt the satisfaction when they said "I love you" to each other. I felt that love for each other. .
Overall I loved the plot, the characters were interesting and dynamic and thankfully not one dimensional, and I loved the sizzling hot romance.
The oNLY gripe I had that led me to take away half a star was the fairly rushed ending. Because one minute . Also, I'm guessing Kit killed Archie or something because he doesn't really come up after the scene before the last chapter. But like, the readers being told either way if the dude is dead or not would have cleared things up, is all.
That was my only gripe, which sucks because the ending of the book mostly paled (except for the cute scene between them at the very end) in comparison the the rest of the book, that spent a lot of time setting up the plot and letting us get to know these two characters and see them fall in love. It should have had a great ending to cap everything off as well. I mean, we got these two together and happy for now, which I'm happy about, but skipping over the recovery period felt rushed imo.
But this book is definitely worth, if not for the last chapter, then every other chapter haha. (Although the last chapter is worth it too just because Will and Kit get together ;)).
Ohhh, I really really loved this. Thank god the rest of the novel was as good as the prologue we got because YES. This has several things I love in romance stories and it is written WELL, ahhH!! 'Cause we got spies and the whole "mortal enemies thing" going for it and mystery and intrigue and trying to figure out who the bad guys are - I love guessing who it could be (and I was right with this one, yep!) - and really really hot sex and of course my favorite of all, two guys falling in love ;).
But seriously, I loved Kit and Will, they had explosive chemistry (and REALLy fucking hot sex scenes, DAMN. And if they're the main focus of the next book, I'd love to see Will fuck Kit, because that would be so fucking hot) and I felt the satisfaction when they said "I love you" to each other. I felt that love for each other. .
Overall I loved the plot, the characters were interesting and dynamic and thankfully not one dimensional, and I loved the sizzling hot romance.
The oNLY gripe I had that led me to take away half a star was the fairly rushed ending. Because one minute . Also, I'm guessing Kit killed Archie or something because he doesn't really come up after the scene before the last chapter. But like, the readers being told either way if the dude is dead or not would have cleared things up, is all.
That was my only gripe, which sucks because the ending of the book mostly paled (except for the cute scene between them at the very end) in comparison the the rest of the book, that spent a lot of time setting up the plot and letting us get to know these two characters and see them fall in love. It should have had a great ending to cap everything off as well. I mean, we got these two together and happy for now, which I'm happy about, but skipping over the recovery period felt rushed imo.
But this book is definitely worth, if not for the last chapter, then every other chapter haha. (Although the last chapter is worth it too just because Will and Kit get together ;)).
May 23, 2017
Smoking hot!! Loved this quick action packed story. Kit and Will could not keep their hands off one another even though they were enemies.
May 4, 2017
Before I started this novel, I read the free prologue novella, Enemies with benefits, which I very much enjoyed. It isn't needed to read however, to start with the novella, since it's included in this one. It spans the first 24 % of the book.
I enjoyed reading this one, though I have to say, there were also some things that bothered me.
Will is an (freelance) assassin, working on an assignment for the CIA. His assignment: killing the man who's responsible for the death of his (former) army team...Sergei Polzin. The only thing on Will's mind is vengeance....
That is until he comes face to face with Kit....
Kit is Polzin's bodyguard. He wants his boss dead as much as Will does, but he is biding his time, because he is after something precious....
Kit's biggest job is to keep Polzin alive. His job however becomes much more fun, when he is confronted with Will....
I am not going into the plot anymore than this, because I don't want to ruin anything with spoilers. I can however tell you that these two are flaming HOT together.
I did however have a bit of a problem with the believability. Thankfully I don't read books for realism, because I hope that a real CIA agent would not act this way.
After I decided to, not take everything so seriously, I got to enjoy the book much more.
What also bummed me out, was the lack of an epilogue. I am a big fan of epilogues, they give me closure. The ending of this book didn't give me any real closure.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
February 1, 2019
I loved this! Why am I the only one who loved this? 😂 I just found it so interesting and intense and addictive. Kit and Will are both such interesting characters and I loved them and their intense connection. It was very quick, as I have seen some people say, but lust usually is. What they had was a bit more than lust, not quite insta-love, but maybe infatuation. Regardless, I didnt have any trouble accepting their relationship and enjoying where it went from there. I also really enjoyed the spy aspect of the story, but it wasnt too much and didnt take attention away from the romance. My only complain is that it was too short. I did not want this to end and I would really love if there was a sequel!
December 28, 2019
It was good, but not as good as it could have been.
I din’t Regret spending the $ tho. The freebie “prequel” is a scam. It’s the first 8 chap of this book! For that alone, this gets 1 star taken off. That’s just the author’s or whoever trying to cheat readers out of $. I hate being cheated.
Then another 0.5 star off for Will. He’s just so DUMB! I mean, seriously, he’s so hot for Kit’s dick he spends 20 min doing that instead of getting his revenge???? What’s freaking wrong with him?? Made me lose a lot of respect for the character.
Then a lot of readers say they don’t like the author writing Will’s part. Eh. I don’t know if it’s so much the writing or the fact that he’s STUPID!@
Lord how I hate dumb beefy men in my romances... if they’re supposed to be dumb beefy men, then ok, but that’s not supposed to be Will. He’s supposed to be intelligent enuf to work with the CIA. Not for them but with them.
Geez!
So 3.5 rounded to 4, feeling generous today.
I din’t Regret spending the $ tho. The freebie “prequel” is a scam. It’s the first 8 chap of this book! For that alone, this gets 1 star taken off. That’s just the author’s or whoever trying to cheat readers out of $. I hate being cheated.
Then another 0.5 star off for Will. He’s just so DUMB! I mean, seriously, he’s so hot for Kit’s dick he spends 20 min doing that instead of getting his revenge???? What’s freaking wrong with him?? Made me lose a lot of respect for the character.
Then a lot of readers say they don’t like the author writing Will’s part. Eh. I don’t know if it’s so much the writing or the fact that he’s STUPID!@
Lord how I hate dumb beefy men in my romances... if they’re supposed to be dumb beefy men, then ok, but that’s not supposed to be Will. He’s supposed to be intelligent enuf to work with the CIA. Not for them but with them.
Geez!
So 3.5 rounded to 4, feeling generous today.
June 2, 2017
Barely 3 stars. What could have been a great plot fell short in all departments.
These two acted more like horny teens than spies. And don't get me started on the declaration of love... I rolled my eyes sooo hard I thought they were gonna get stuck on the back of my head.
A mehh reading.
These two acted more like horny teens than spies. And don't get me started on the declaration of love... I rolled my eyes sooo hard I thought they were gonna get stuck on the back of my head.
A mehh reading.
March 20, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up from me. I begrudge paying for a 'free' novella which wasn't free on Amazon UK when I bought it, and to then have the whole bloody thing repeated at the start of this one [and take up 25% of this story] was more than a little annoying...so in effect, I've paid for the novella twice - not happy, not a happy bunny at all.
Anyhoo, as far as this story goes, I was distinctly underwhelmed. These two showed so much promise in the novella, and things just sort of fizzled out. Joanna Chambers is a very good writer, and I just wonder whether she was mentoring Annika Martin, who doesn't appear to have written any other M/M as far as I can see. I loved the story from Kit's POV, but quickly got bored with the writing for Will's character. Yes, there were quite a few feels other than sexy ones in this story...betrayal, anger, regret, astonishment, even the L word made an appearance, but the plot itself was fairly obvious and the remaining bad guy was practically telegraphed. Will there be any other collaborations between these two?? I have no idea, and tbh, I'm not sure I would buy another story if they did. Such a shame.
Anyhoo, as far as this story goes, I was distinctly underwhelmed. These two showed so much promise in the novella, and things just sort of fizzled out. Joanna Chambers is a very good writer, and I just wonder whether she was mentoring Annika Martin, who doesn't appear to have written any other M/M as far as I can see. I loved the story from Kit's POV, but quickly got bored with the writing for Will's character. Yes, there were quite a few feels other than sexy ones in this story...betrayal, anger, regret, astonishment, even the L word made an appearance, but the plot itself was fairly obvious and the remaining bad guy was practically telegraphed. Will there be any other collaborations between these two?? I have no idea, and tbh, I'm not sure I would buy another story if they did. Such a shame.
May 24, 2017
DNF for me, which would normally be a 1-star rating, but leaving it at 2 stars, since the 'so-called' prequel was quite good.
As for the rest of it:
I did not care for Kit at ALL. It was really fucking hard for me to sympathize, since he killed a lot of people, because of (as I read it).
The smex was hot, but again Kit was a douche, and it annoyed me that Will kept accepting Kit's behaviour.
The prequel, really was not a prequel, but the beginning of the book... It feels like bamboozling somehow (IMO)...
As for the rest of it:
I did not care for Kit at ALL. It was really fucking hard for me to sympathize, since he killed a lot of people, because of (as I read it).
The smex was hot, but again Kit was a douche, and it annoyed me that Will kept accepting Kit's behaviour.
The prequel, really was not a prequel, but the beginning of the book... It feels like bamboozling somehow (IMO)...
June 14, 2017
DNF at 28%
January 11, 2021
Romance MM : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Damn. That was hot. And totally sweet.
Damn. That was hot. And totally sweet.
September 2, 2019
Just reread this one & loved it even more the second time. Original review below.
—————————————————
Okay – let’s just keep this real. I don’t really believe the CIA is sending super hot retired, elite Special Forces soldiers to assassinate corrupt, sadistic, crazy rich bad guys or that said bad guys employ cross-dressing assassins to keep them alive. Or that these deadly assassins are so paralyzed by lust that they get up to sexy times whenever they’re supposed to kill each other. But this is Romancelandia, these guys are hot for each other, and their chemistry is SCORCHING. Put these things together and Enemies Like You is catnip for a romantic suspense fan. I had no problem jumping on the crazy train and throwing reality out the window devouring this first collaboration between Joanna Chambers and Annika Martin. Enemies Like You is deliciously naughty and entertaining right up until its too neat and tidy denouement – but that’s the only reason it misses a DIK.
Two years earlier in Afghanistan, Will lost his unit in an ambush. Since then, he’s been tracking Sergei Polzin, the corrupt billionaire who betrayed them. When Enemies Like You opens, Will’s working with the CIA to assassinate Polzin. Unfortunately, the billionaire’s own deadly assassin, whom no-one can identify, has killed everyone who’s tried it in the past. But Will is different. He doesn’t care whether he survives the hit – he just wants the billionaire dead.
Kit is Polzin’s bodyguard. Lethal, hardened and willing to do what it takes to protect his boss, Kit knows the CIA has a new killer in its employ, but doesn’t know what he or she looks like. Confident in his team and his ability to spot an assassin before he or she can strike, Kit casually checks out the guests at a party one evening… and keeps returning to a man dressed all in black. There’s something about him (aside from his bad outfit) that intrigues Kit, but eventually he dismisses him from his shortlist. When Polzin heads upstairs for a meeting, he follows to ensure his security protocols are in place.
When Polzin leaves, Will follows. He’s ready to attack, but his plans are thwarted when Kit discovers him first. When he traps Will, he can’t quite believe it’s the handsome man in black while Will experiences an even bigger shock of his own. Polzin’s girlfriend, the beautiful and bored woman on his arm at the party, is a man and he’s the bodyguard/assassin.
I don’t want to give too much away in this review, but suffice it to say this first encounter doesn’t unfold the way either man expects and sets the tone for their first few encounters. Kit doesn’t pull the trigger, Will doesn’t fight back, and the smoking hot sexual tension between them builds as they stand pressed against each other. The scene is explicit and intense, and neither man quite understands what’s happening between them. We don’t either – it’s insane! Will’s PoV, as he slowly reveals what lies beneath Kit’s dress, strikes just the right balance of confused and aroused, while Kit – whose steely nerves and smug demeanor never falter – nearly comes undone at Will’s submission. Only Kit’s quick thinking allows Will to escape the room – but both men emerge from the experience wondering what the hell just happened and when they’ll face each other again.
The relationship between Will and Kit starts out as two men trying and failing to kill one another (because their crazy lust keeps getting in the way), but evolves into a love affair. Will keeps trying to kill Polzin and Kit keeps trying to stop him – but neither one seems willing or able to kill each other. They can’t resist their attraction and resistance proves futile – and hot. Kit dominates, Will submits, and neither one can understand why. Using his agency connections, Will ultimately discovers Kit’s identity, and after piecing together his backstory, he tracks him to an empty London apartment. Kit can’t believe his eyes when he spots Will at his hideaway. Awkwardness gives way to affection and before long the men are sharing their backstories and tenderly making love.
Kit’s motivation for protecting Polzin is a tangled web, but with Will’s help, he begins to see it in a different light. Hidden away in Kit’s apartment, they form a plan to move forward together. Kit needs Polzin alive, Will still wants him dead – but they agree to a compromise that allows them to try to get what they both want. Their mission is clear, but their relationship less so. Finally finding someone and something worth living for is unexpected, and neither man knows how to handle or admit it. So they don’t.
I liked the contrast between Kit and Will very much, and each man is appealing for different reasons. Kit is a delicious mix of haughty, arrogant and lethal – in my mind he’s a sexy James Bond type. He tries not to like Will, but Will relentlessly pursues him and his submission is disarming. Will is big, blunt, tough and single minded in his desire to kill Polzin, but he falls hard for Kit. He can’t quite understand why he’s willing to submit to him, and his intense attraction to Kit’s androgynous beauty confuses him. But he can’t stay away and doesn’t. Although I wanted to buy into the deadly hitman persona Ms. Chambers and Ms. Martin are trying to sell, Will comes across as fundamentally good and true. His honest affection for Kit and unwillingness to back away from his feelings even when Kit tries to push him away, are lovely.
As the book nears its end, Kit’s backstory and the reason he’s spent years killing on behalf of Polzin, shift to the forefront. I liked Kit’s storyline, Will’s revenge quest, and the relationship. Unfortunately, the big reveal about Polzin… well, after all the lead-up to the truth, it’s anticlimactic, and I guessed what was coming fairly on. During the final, bloody confrontation, things don’t unfold quite as one might expect, and the writers put us through the wringer one last time before we eventually get a sweet happily ever for this twisted, jaded pair. When it ended, I just wanted to read the whole thing over again.
Enemies Like You is hugely entertaining and I loved its unapologetic embrace of ‘the crazy.’ The premise, that two deadly assassins can’t kill each other because they’re so overcome with lust every time they’re together, should be ridiculous. And it is. But I didn’t care. I liked everything about it, and I only wish the ending was stronger. I hope Ms. Chambers and Martin revisit these characters again soon.
—————————————————
Okay – let’s just keep this real. I don’t really believe the CIA is sending super hot retired, elite Special Forces soldiers to assassinate corrupt, sadistic, crazy rich bad guys or that said bad guys employ cross-dressing assassins to keep them alive. Or that these deadly assassins are so paralyzed by lust that they get up to sexy times whenever they’re supposed to kill each other. But this is Romancelandia, these guys are hot for each other, and their chemistry is SCORCHING. Put these things together and Enemies Like You is catnip for a romantic suspense fan. I had no problem jumping on the crazy train and throwing reality out the window devouring this first collaboration between Joanna Chambers and Annika Martin. Enemies Like You is deliciously naughty and entertaining right up until its too neat and tidy denouement – but that’s the only reason it misses a DIK.
Two years earlier in Afghanistan, Will lost his unit in an ambush. Since then, he’s been tracking Sergei Polzin, the corrupt billionaire who betrayed them. When Enemies Like You opens, Will’s working with the CIA to assassinate Polzin. Unfortunately, the billionaire’s own deadly assassin, whom no-one can identify, has killed everyone who’s tried it in the past. But Will is different. He doesn’t care whether he survives the hit – he just wants the billionaire dead.
Kit is Polzin’s bodyguard. Lethal, hardened and willing to do what it takes to protect his boss, Kit knows the CIA has a new killer in its employ, but doesn’t know what he or she looks like. Confident in his team and his ability to spot an assassin before he or she can strike, Kit casually checks out the guests at a party one evening… and keeps returning to a man dressed all in black. There’s something about him (aside from his bad outfit) that intrigues Kit, but eventually he dismisses him from his shortlist. When Polzin heads upstairs for a meeting, he follows to ensure his security protocols are in place.
When Polzin leaves, Will follows. He’s ready to attack, but his plans are thwarted when Kit discovers him first. When he traps Will, he can’t quite believe it’s the handsome man in black while Will experiences an even bigger shock of his own. Polzin’s girlfriend, the beautiful and bored woman on his arm at the party, is a man and he’s the bodyguard/assassin.
I don’t want to give too much away in this review, but suffice it to say this first encounter doesn’t unfold the way either man expects and sets the tone for their first few encounters. Kit doesn’t pull the trigger, Will doesn’t fight back, and the smoking hot sexual tension between them builds as they stand pressed against each other. The scene is explicit and intense, and neither man quite understands what’s happening between them. We don’t either – it’s insane! Will’s PoV, as he slowly reveals what lies beneath Kit’s dress, strikes just the right balance of confused and aroused, while Kit – whose steely nerves and smug demeanor never falter – nearly comes undone at Will’s submission. Only Kit’s quick thinking allows Will to escape the room – but both men emerge from the experience wondering what the hell just happened and when they’ll face each other again.
The relationship between Will and Kit starts out as two men trying and failing to kill one another (because their crazy lust keeps getting in the way), but evolves into a love affair. Will keeps trying to kill Polzin and Kit keeps trying to stop him – but neither one seems willing or able to kill each other. They can’t resist their attraction and resistance proves futile – and hot. Kit dominates, Will submits, and neither one can understand why. Using his agency connections, Will ultimately discovers Kit’s identity, and after piecing together his backstory, he tracks him to an empty London apartment. Kit can’t believe his eyes when he spots Will at his hideaway. Awkwardness gives way to affection and before long the men are sharing their backstories and tenderly making love.
Kit’s motivation for protecting Polzin is a tangled web, but with Will’s help, he begins to see it in a different light. Hidden away in Kit’s apartment, they form a plan to move forward together. Kit needs Polzin alive, Will still wants him dead – but they agree to a compromise that allows them to try to get what they both want. Their mission is clear, but their relationship less so. Finally finding someone and something worth living for is unexpected, and neither man knows how to handle or admit it. So they don’t.
I liked the contrast between Kit and Will very much, and each man is appealing for different reasons. Kit is a delicious mix of haughty, arrogant and lethal – in my mind he’s a sexy James Bond type. He tries not to like Will, but Will relentlessly pursues him and his submission is disarming. Will is big, blunt, tough and single minded in his desire to kill Polzin, but he falls hard for Kit. He can’t quite understand why he’s willing to submit to him, and his intense attraction to Kit’s androgynous beauty confuses him. But he can’t stay away and doesn’t. Although I wanted to buy into the deadly hitman persona Ms. Chambers and Ms. Martin are trying to sell, Will comes across as fundamentally good and true. His honest affection for Kit and unwillingness to back away from his feelings even when Kit tries to push him away, are lovely.
As the book nears its end, Kit’s backstory and the reason he’s spent years killing on behalf of Polzin, shift to the forefront. I liked Kit’s storyline, Will’s revenge quest, and the relationship. Unfortunately, the big reveal about Polzin… well, after all the lead-up to the truth, it’s anticlimactic, and I guessed what was coming fairly on. During the final, bloody confrontation, things don’t unfold quite as one might expect, and the writers put us through the wringer one last time before we eventually get a sweet happily ever for this twisted, jaded pair. When it ended, I just wanted to read the whole thing over again.
Enemies Like You is hugely entertaining and I loved its unapologetic embrace of ‘the crazy.’ The premise, that two deadly assassins can’t kill each other because they’re so overcome with lust every time they’re together, should be ridiculous. And it is. But I didn’t care. I liked everything about it, and I only wish the ending was stronger. I hope Ms. Chambers and Martin revisit these characters again soon.
July 6, 2021
In the beginning, I thought the main character was trans it was quite confusing tbh but they were actually androgynous which is very interesting and different. I just didn't like the story much.
June 22, 2017
James bond meets Jason bourne
I seriously thought I bought the wrong book, that I had to go back and see if I made a mistake. NOPE mistake!...keep reading...I'm sure you get it at some point...and I'm so glad I did! that was a damn Hoooot twist!
They don’t like it that I’m twice the man they’ll every be and prettier than any woman they could ever get"
So many twists and turns and one BIG holy crap I never saw coming.
Oh, stop flirting and just suck my cock. You know you want to.”
This book will give you, passion, trust, secrets, betrayal and sex that will make you blush!
People can change. Sometimes they change for the worse, but sometimes somebody comes into their life and inspires them to be different, better.”
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