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Love at First Fight
Based on Much Ado About Nothing, this is a hilarious and uplifting romantic comedy perfect for fans of 10 Things I Hate About You and The Hating Game.
Love cynic Bridie Morgan is staging a last hurrah to the ‘dating’ stage of her life: she’s going on twenty dates in twenty days. If this ‘love’ thing really is a numbers game, then surely she’ll find The One. And if not? Well, at least the memory of her date with the Spice Girls’ biggest fan will be enough to put her off for life. She’ll never again wonder what she was missing.
But being love’s biggest sceptic is a challenge in the face of best friend Hattie’s upcoming nuptials. And as maid of honour, she really has to give it a chance.
Then Bridie’s lifelong nemesis Ben Kemp returns home to join the wedding party. Ben, who left her waiting outside their leavers’ prom in a brand-new dress, alone. Ben, who triggered the sorry state of affairs that has been Bridie’s love life ever since. Ben, the best man to her maid of honour.
As old enemies reunite, sparks fly – in ways Bridie could never have seen coming…
Love cynic Bridie Morgan is staging a last hurrah to the ‘dating’ stage of her life: she’s going on twenty dates in twenty days. If this ‘love’ thing really is a numbers game, then surely she’ll find The One. And if not? Well, at least the memory of her date with the Spice Girls’ biggest fan will be enough to put her off for life. She’ll never again wonder what she was missing.
But being love’s biggest sceptic is a challenge in the face of best friend Hattie’s upcoming nuptials. And as maid of honour, she really has to give it a chance.
Then Bridie’s lifelong nemesis Ben Kemp returns home to join the wedding party. Ben, who left her waiting outside their leavers’ prom in a brand-new dress, alone. Ben, who triggered the sorry state of affairs that has been Bridie’s love life ever since. Ben, the best man to her maid of honour.
As old enemies reunite, sparks fly – in ways Bridie could never have seen coming…
362 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
111 people are currently reading
3793 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jayne Baker
20 books296 followersMary Jayne Baker grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country... and she's still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.
Mary Jayne also writes uplifting, feelgood romances under the pen name Lisa Swift.
Mary Jayne also writes uplifting, feelgood romances under the pen name Lisa Swift.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
February 3, 2022
Yes, this book is so promising with its frenemies to lovers premise, lots of relatable, interesting supporting characters, MCs’ high chemistry and delicious, sarcastic, ultra smart banters made me fall of my couch several times! I laughed so hard! At least five times I wiped my tears!
When you see those comments you may think I have two different personality! If I liked this book so much why the heck I gave only three stars! Why I suddenly changed of heart…
Firstly: I loved childhood friends, teens in love but some incident tear the lovers apart theme: Ben and Bridie has been knowing each other at young age. They have some unresolved issues and now Ben’s brother marries Bridie’s best friend so they have to tolerate each other during the ceremony instead of being each other’s throats and working together because they’re best man and maid of honor!
This blurb gives me so much hope! And their group friends were so much lovable!
But… I was confused because Ben and Bridie’s issues finally resolve in second third and we finally find ourselves reading about blah blah blah much ado about nothing kind of bride and groom drama. I felt like the author wrote two different books and instead of releasing them one by one she decided to release them by combining in one story!
I loved Hattie and Cal but I preferred to read them as secondary characters! I didn’t want to read additional pages filled with their angsty personal dramas! It made me lose my interest and I simply started rolling my eyes, feeling an irresistible desire to skim their parts to reach the ending!
I think if there is a chance the parts belonged to bride and groom to be emitted, I could change my grading and giving this book four entertaining, smart, great romcom stars!
But I think I decided to give this one solid three, still entertaining but no necessary additional characters needed stars!
I loved the writing style of the author and
still intrigued to read different works of hers. But the last third of the book didn’t work for me!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Aria&Aries for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
When you see those comments you may think I have two different personality! If I liked this book so much why the heck I gave only three stars! Why I suddenly changed of heart…
Firstly: I loved childhood friends, teens in love but some incident tear the lovers apart theme: Ben and Bridie has been knowing each other at young age. They have some unresolved issues and now Ben’s brother marries Bridie’s best friend so they have to tolerate each other during the ceremony instead of being each other’s throats and working together because they’re best man and maid of honor!
This blurb gives me so much hope! And their group friends were so much lovable!
But… I was confused because Ben and Bridie’s issues finally resolve in second third and we finally find ourselves reading about blah blah blah much ado about nothing kind of bride and groom drama. I felt like the author wrote two different books and instead of releasing them one by one she decided to release them by combining in one story!
I loved Hattie and Cal but I preferred to read them as secondary characters! I didn’t want to read additional pages filled with their angsty personal dramas! It made me lose my interest and I simply started rolling my eyes, feeling an irresistible desire to skim their parts to reach the ending!
I think if there is a chance the parts belonged to bride and groom to be emitted, I could change my grading and giving this book four entertaining, smart, great romcom stars!
But I think I decided to give this one solid three, still entertaining but no necessary additional characters needed stars!
I loved the writing style of the author and
still intrigued to read different works of hers. But the last third of the book didn’t work for me!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Aria&Aries for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
August 2, 2021
The banter and humour in this story was very well done and the writing was good. So why did it take me so long to read this one?
(Bridie and Ben)
The two parallel plots were engaging, as were the characters, but I took many breaks while reading this book. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed reading this novel: it made me laugh, and the characters seemed real to me, but I suspect that apart from the quaint Yorkshire accent, and Ben and Bridie's hilarious slanging matches, I've been here before.
The author did put a refreshing spin on some of the usual tropes to be found here, but the ending and resolution of Hat and Cal's dilemma felt a bit contrived and rushed. (A written confession - in these days of video recordings?)
I'm going to rate this one a 3.75 out of 5, rounded up to a 4 because this was well written, had lively dialogue and I did want to find out how all the conflicts would be resolved. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
(Bridie and Ben)
The two parallel plots were engaging, as were the characters, but I took many breaks while reading this book. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed reading this novel: it made me laugh, and the characters seemed real to me, but I suspect that apart from the quaint Yorkshire accent, and Ben and Bridie's hilarious slanging matches, I've been here before.
The author did put a refreshing spin on some of the usual tropes to be found here, but the ending and resolution of Hat and Cal's dilemma felt a bit contrived and rushed. (A written confession - in these days of video recordings?)
I'm going to rate this one a 3.75 out of 5, rounded up to a 4 because this was well written, had lively dialogue and I did want to find out how all the conflicts would be resolved. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2022
1 star. I, painfully, pulled through up to the 40% mark and I decided life was too short.
Fellas, is it gay to practice self-care?
It's been very long since I've read a book where I absolutely hated everything about.
There's the not-like-other-girls-trope, the-dragging-down-other-women-to-make-me-feel-better-about-myself attitudes, cringy 'banter', frenemies-to-lovers, unrealistic, one-dimensional try-hard characters & INFO DUMPS. Can you believe it? INFO DUMPS IN A CONTEMPORARY ROM-COM. Just pages upon pages of inner monologue. Oh god.
The entire premise was set-up so weirdly yet still so so cliche.
The main characters Bridie and Ben had such toe-curling dialogue, it was truly unbearable. felt that the attempt at humour was too forced and they were just trying so hard to be quirky/witty that I was cringing through their interactions. It wasn't entertaining in the least.
Oh Ben. How the hell am I supposed to like Ben? He's the literal definition of trash. I don't care that he sleeps around with women and have consensual sex with them, it's the things that he says that makes me want to punch him in the face. I'm sorry but perhaps, I would not want to read the love story of someone I want to punch in the face.
_______________________________
Why are you saying this about someone you've never met? Jealous much?
There was also a lot of unnecessary make-up, for lack of a better word, shaming. I don't know what Bridie and her friends have against make-up artists but the way they insulted Jojo for being a Youtuber-slash-makeup-guru, despite not knowing her was very infuriating and makes me think these women are just painfully insecure and superficial. It's 2021. Let's have some real feminist attitudes instead of this.
Many of the 'snarky' comebacks in this book very simply, just lacked taste and tact. Just completely not my cup of tea.
I'm cracking my mind for some redeeming qualities and I honestly, cannot think of any.
Overall, this book was simply not my cup of tea at all but that doesn't mean other people/you wouldn't enjoy it more than I did.
〖 Follow me on Instagram (@shashaybooks)! 〗
Thank you Aria & Aries for providing a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"Oooh, is it a spa weekend?" Cal said, brightening. "I've always wanted to try one of those hot rock massages."
Ben shook his head. "Mate, you've been spending too much time with Hattie. I mean, do you actually have a vagina of your own now or what?"
Fellas, is it gay to practice self-care?
It's been very long since I've read a book where I absolutely hated everything about.
There's the not-like-other-girls-trope, the-dragging-down-other-women-to-make-me-feel-better-about-myself attitudes, cringy 'banter', frenemies-to-lovers, unrealistic, one-dimensional try-hard characters & INFO DUMPS. Can you believe it? INFO DUMPS IN A CONTEMPORARY ROM-COM. Just pages upon pages of inner monologue. Oh god.
The entire premise was set-up so weirdly yet still so so cliche.
The main characters Bridie and Ben had such toe-curling dialogue, it was truly unbearable. felt that the attempt at humour was too forced and they were just trying so hard to be quirky/witty that I was cringing through their interactions. It wasn't entertaining in the least.
Oh Ben. How the hell am I supposed to like Ben? He's the literal definition of trash. I don't care that he sleeps around with women and have consensual sex with them, it's the things that he says that makes me want to punch him in the face. I'm sorry but perhaps, I would not want to read the love story of someone I want to punch in the face.
"Until I meet a woman who combines sex appeal with with, humour, intelligence, good conversation and great taste in films -- all the qualities I'd want in an ideal mate[...]"
_______________________________
"Nah, she's nothing but lip fillers and falsies," Bridie said staunchly. "You don't that stuff to make you gorgeous; Nature already did it for you."
"No surprise she made a career out of showing people how to hide their true faces,"
Why are you saying this about someone you've never met? Jealous much?There was also a lot of unnecessary make-up, for lack of a better word, shaming. I don't know what Bridie and her friends have against make-up artists but the way they insulted Jojo for being a Youtuber-slash-makeup-guru, despite not knowing her was very infuriating and makes me think these women are just painfully insecure and superficial. It's 2021. Let's have some real feminist attitudes instead of this.
Many of the 'snarky' comebacks in this book very simply, just lacked taste and tact. Just completely not my cup of tea.
I'm cracking my mind for some redeeming qualities and I honestly, cannot think of any.
Overall, this book was simply not my cup of tea at all but that doesn't mean other people/you wouldn't enjoy it more than I did.
〖 Follow me on Instagram (@shashaybooks)! 〗
Thank you Aria & Aries for providing a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 30, 2021
What a fun little romp this book was! I am a sucker for books that take place during the lead up to a wedding, and this one absolutely delivered on the pre-wedding hijinks front. While I really enjoyed the romance between Bridie and Ben, the real stand out of this book for me was the friendship between Bridie and Hattie and I just had an absolutely blast tearing through this one. It was definitely my favorite yet from Mary Jayne Baker and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future!!!
CW: cheating
CW: cheating
July 19, 2021
Bridie has given up on men after going on twenty disastrous dates in twenty days. Meanwhile Ben is the ultimate playboy returned to town after a year abroad. Bridie and Ben have been enemies ever since he stood her up at their leaver’s ball party, ten years ago.In Love at First Fight we see Ben and Bridie discover buried feelings of love and passion after their meddling friends set them up and force them to plan a wedding together.
The first half of the book was fast paced and entertaining as we read about all the shenanigans their friends get to. I loved the fun filled banter that Ben and Bridie exchange. There were quite a few places in the book where I laughed out loud at the things they said to each other.
I loved Mary Jayne Baker’s narration style.
But I felt that the rest of the book dragged on a bit. The events that the author introduced later into the story felt forced. There was also a lot of emphasis on the side character’s story. I would have liked to see more of Ben and Bridie. Instead, Cal and Hattie’s problems seemed to take up the limelight.
Although I did enjoy reading this book, I was disappointed that it was not completely what the blurb promised. The plotline had a lot of potential that was unexplored. I might have liked this one better if I had gone into it with lesser expectations.
So I would say that Love at First Fight is a fun and lighthearted book that you can pick up to pass the time during a lazy afternoon. You will enjoy it if you keep an open mind and don’t go in with your own expectations.
Special Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sharing the advanced reader copy of this book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The first half of the book was fast paced and entertaining as we read about all the shenanigans their friends get to. I loved the fun filled banter that Ben and Bridie exchange. There were quite a few places in the book where I laughed out loud at the things they said to each other.
I loved Mary Jayne Baker’s narration style.
But I felt that the rest of the book dragged on a bit. The events that the author introduced later into the story felt forced. There was also a lot of emphasis on the side character’s story. I would have liked to see more of Ben and Bridie. Instead, Cal and Hattie’s problems seemed to take up the limelight.
Although I did enjoy reading this book, I was disappointed that it was not completely what the blurb promised. The plotline had a lot of potential that was unexplored. I might have liked this one better if I had gone into it with lesser expectations.
So I would say that Love at First Fight is a fun and lighthearted book that you can pick up to pass the time during a lazy afternoon. You will enjoy it if you keep an open mind and don’t go in with your own expectations.
Special Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sharing the advanced reader copy of this book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Find me :
| INSTAGRAM |
May 17, 2021
I'm not sure where this book went wrong, as I was really looking forward to reading it. As soon as I saw the title, I wanted to get my hands on it. It promised enemies-to-lovers, banter, and tension. It delivered, but not super well.
I think my main problem is that Bridie and Ben weren't really enemies. Several times Ben admits he viewed her as a friend he teased constantly. I wanted more tension that this, and instead it just felt immature. Part of this may have been that these characters are written using European slang, which felt weird to me as a US reader.
I also didn't love the drama with Cal and Hattie. By the end, it just felt like it was dragging on. While I did appreciate the way it eventually wrapped up, the first 3/4 of it felt unnecessary. Their chapters distracted from the tension involving Bridie and Ben, which didn't help either couple.
And finally, this may seem like a weird complaint, but i couldn't stand Bridie's name. I knew what it was, but my brain read it as Birdie every time. By the end, I wasn't even correcting myself, because I honestly preferred Birdie.
Although this book wasn't my cup of tea, I can see other people loving it! I was in the mood for a romcom when I picked it up, which was one of the biggest reasons for my disappointment, as this isn't a romcom.
Thanks to Mary Jayne Baker and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I think my main problem is that Bridie and Ben weren't really enemies. Several times Ben admits he viewed her as a friend he teased constantly. I wanted more tension that this, and instead it just felt immature. Part of this may have been that these characters are written using European slang, which felt weird to me as a US reader.
I also didn't love the drama with Cal and Hattie. By the end, it just felt like it was dragging on. While I did appreciate the way it eventually wrapped up, the first 3/4 of it felt unnecessary. Their chapters distracted from the tension involving Bridie and Ben, which didn't help either couple.
And finally, this may seem like a weird complaint, but i couldn't stand Bridie's name. I knew what it was, but my brain read it as Birdie every time. By the end, I wasn't even correcting myself, because I honestly preferred Birdie.
Although this book wasn't my cup of tea, I can see other people loving it! I was in the mood for a romcom when I picked it up, which was one of the biggest reasons for my disappointment, as this isn't a romcom.
Thanks to Mary Jayne Baker and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
May 21, 2021
‘Love at First Fight’ was supposed to be the enemies-to-lovers kind of book I normally pick up, except that I cringed my way through nearly three-quarters of it.
Apart from having Ben’s manwhore reputation thrown in my face quite a few times, I didn’t like how Ben and Bridie seemed to try convince themselves that they were and always had been in love with each other simply because of their friends’ and families’ meddling through the creative power of words and some well-timed but deliberate eavesdropping moments. That they were rehashing an event a decade ago—Ben having gone on to sleep around with as many women as he can while refusing Bridie as a teenager—seemed relevant but repetitive and having them from frenemies(ish) to lovers in the blink of an eye made me cringe particularly after the multiple references to Ben’s way with half the town’s women.
But if the spotlight was initially on Bridie/Ben, the sudden switch of focus (and insertion of multiple POVs) to her best friend and Ben’s brother’s upcoming wedding along with the drama they suddenly faced threw me off. Bridie and Ben (new status: couple) turned the tables on their squabbling friends and play matchmakers before I could even convince myself that they were a pairing I think I could root for.
I’ll admit that I skimmed this one…a lot. Admittedly it’s due to my own personal peeves about utilising the manwhore-turned-one-true-monogamist type of trope after getting hit with some kind of inexplicably, cosmic realisation that he’d loved only 1 woman all along but that I just couldn’t find myself enjoying the story overall.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Apart from having Ben’s manwhore reputation thrown in my face quite a few times, I didn’t like how Ben and Bridie seemed to try convince themselves that they were and always had been in love with each other simply because of their friends’ and families’ meddling through the creative power of words and some well-timed but deliberate eavesdropping moments. That they were rehashing an event a decade ago—Ben having gone on to sleep around with as many women as he can while refusing Bridie as a teenager—seemed relevant but repetitive and having them from frenemies(ish) to lovers in the blink of an eye made me cringe particularly after the multiple references to Ben’s way with half the town’s women.
But if the spotlight was initially on Bridie/Ben, the sudden switch of focus (and insertion of multiple POVs) to her best friend and Ben’s brother’s upcoming wedding along with the drama they suddenly faced threw me off. Bridie and Ben (new status: couple) turned the tables on their squabbling friends and play matchmakers before I could even convince myself that they were a pairing I think I could root for.
I’ll admit that I skimmed this one…a lot. Admittedly it’s due to my own personal peeves about utilising the manwhore-turned-one-true-monogamist type of trope after getting hit with some kind of inexplicably, cosmic realisation that he’d loved only 1 woman all along but that I just couldn’t find myself enjoying the story overall.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
June 2, 2021
Love at First Fight by Mary Jayne Baker is a cute, lighthearted romance that was fun to read.
Bridie has sworn off men, but to prove to herself that she’s really done, she decides to date twenty men in twenty days. After the twenty dates, all duds, she has decided to live life as a single woman. But, when her old boyfriend-turned-enemy, Ben, comes back to town for good, Bridie is determined to forget him, as she has never forgiven him for standing her up at their school leavers’ party. However, Bridie is the maid of honor for her best friend’s upcoming wedding, and Ben is the best man, they have to work together to plan the combined hen and stag party.
The book started off fun and light with Bridie’s interesting dates but dragged a bit in the middle and towards the end. The story between the secondary characters of Hattie and Cal almost overwhelmed the main story between Bridie and Ben. There was some excellent banter between Bridie and Ben, and their friends working to get them together was cute.
All in all, the story was cute, and I did enjoy it, but I wish it focused more on the main characters and their lead-up to romance. Also, a small criticism is the main character’s name, Bridie. I kept reading it as Birdie.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Bridie has sworn off men, but to prove to herself that she’s really done, she decides to date twenty men in twenty days. After the twenty dates, all duds, she has decided to live life as a single woman. But, when her old boyfriend-turned-enemy, Ben, comes back to town for good, Bridie is determined to forget him, as she has never forgiven him for standing her up at their school leavers’ party. However, Bridie is the maid of honor for her best friend’s upcoming wedding, and Ben is the best man, they have to work together to plan the combined hen and stag party.
The book started off fun and light with Bridie’s interesting dates but dragged a bit in the middle and towards the end. The story between the secondary characters of Hattie and Cal almost overwhelmed the main story between Bridie and Ben. There was some excellent banter between Bridie and Ben, and their friends working to get them together was cute.
All in all, the story was cute, and I did enjoy it, but I wish it focused more on the main characters and their lead-up to romance. Also, a small criticism is the main character’s name, Bridie. I kept reading it as Birdie.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 21, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the eARC for review!
______
Ben broke Bridie's heart 10 years ago, and her love life has been cursed ever since. She gives herself 20 dates in 20 days to find her perfect man before she resigns herself to lifelong single-dom. But with her best friend getting engaged to Ben's brother, Cal, and her and Ben picking up the mantles of Maid of Honour and Best Man, she's seeing a lot more of Ben than she'd like. Of course, everyone else can see the two have long-hidden feelings for each other, so the wedding party - minus Ben and Bridie themselves - devise a plan to get the two back together once and for all.
Love at First Fight was.... cute. It had a lot of potential. I love brit-lit, and the cast of characters, when we saw them, was fun. Bridie and Ben had great banter, and there were definitely some laugh out loud moments.
But the book quickly lost its course. What could have been a really great enemies-to-lovers dual POV romance spiralled into an overdramatic and unnecessary side-plot focus by the end.
I wanted to follow Bridie and Ben on their journey from frenemy "exes" to sickeningly in love. But the love part came way way too fast, with "I Love You's" flying around before the two even get back together, and their drama resolved 75% into the book. After that, the book shots focus to Cal and Hattie, the bride and groom, and some random drama that added nothing to our main story.
We didn't need the Hattie / Cal and company POV additions. I firmly believe the story would have been tighter had we focused more on Ben and Bridie. Obviously b and c-plots are okay - and welcomed! - but once our a-plot was resolved, the rest just felt like noise.
Also, I feel like Baker could have toned down the casual sexism. There's even a scene where Ben asks if Cal has a vagina because Cal wanted to get a rock massage for his bachelor party. It didn't sit right with me, especially considering Baker was so good at shutting it down later when Bridie and Ben talk about their distaste for marriage, how outdated the traditions are.
Also,
Overall, this is a quick read, has nice writing, and good characters, but the plot fell a little flat.
______
I love it when a plan comes together, don't you?
Ben broke Bridie's heart 10 years ago, and her love life has been cursed ever since. She gives herself 20 dates in 20 days to find her perfect man before she resigns herself to lifelong single-dom. But with her best friend getting engaged to Ben's brother, Cal, and her and Ben picking up the mantles of Maid of Honour and Best Man, she's seeing a lot more of Ben than she'd like. Of course, everyone else can see the two have long-hidden feelings for each other, so the wedding party - minus Ben and Bridie themselves - devise a plan to get the two back together once and for all.
Love at First Fight was.... cute. It had a lot of potential. I love brit-lit, and the cast of characters, when we saw them, was fun. Bridie and Ben had great banter, and there were definitely some laugh out loud moments.
But the book quickly lost its course. What could have been a really great enemies-to-lovers dual POV romance spiralled into an overdramatic and unnecessary side-plot focus by the end.
I wanted to follow Bridie and Ben on their journey from frenemy "exes" to sickeningly in love. But the love part came way way too fast, with "I Love You's" flying around before the two even get back together, and their drama resolved 75% into the book. After that, the book shots focus to Cal and Hattie, the bride and groom, and some random drama that added nothing to our main story.
We didn't need the Hattie / Cal and company POV additions. I firmly believe the story would have been tighter had we focused more on Ben and Bridie. Obviously b and c-plots are okay - and welcomed! - but once our a-plot was resolved, the rest just felt like noise.
Also, I feel like Baker could have toned down the casual sexism. There's even a scene where Ben asks if Cal has a vagina because Cal wanted to get a rock massage for his bachelor party. It didn't sit right with me, especially considering Baker was so good at shutting it down later when Bridie and Ben talk about their distaste for marriage, how outdated the traditions are.
Also,
Overall, this is a quick read, has nice writing, and good characters, but the plot fell a little flat.
August 10, 2021
On my blog.
Galley provided by publisher
Buckle up folks, because it’s time for a little discussion on just what makes a good retelling. Perhaps you can already tell that this book is not that, based on my rating and how I’ve started this review, and in that, you would be right! I didn’t hate this book, but I found it alright as a romance, and flat out bad as a retelling.
Harsh, you may think, but honestly, there’s more to retellings than simply jotting down the main events of a story, roughly converting them into a modern (or otherwise different) setting, and calling it a day. And that’s what this book fails to recognise. Books are like onions, in that respect: you peel away one layer, you find the next. What happens in books also says something about the time the author is writing in. As such, Claudio accusing Hero of being unfaithful is not merely about the accusation alone, so turning it around so the Claudio character is the one being accused does not work. Turning Don John into a jealous ex does not work because Don John’s jealousy is not simply about the relationship between Hero and Claudio.
I do get that finding equivalents between the original and modern day is hard! I think the only retelling I’ve read that I’ve felt truly does this well is Ibi Zoboi’s Pride, because it manages to translate the commentary alongside the plot to the modern day. I haven’t read another since.
Perhaps it’s a little harsh to be expecting a full retelling out of a book that’s very much not aiming to be that! But even setting my issues with that aside (insofar as I could), I found myself getting bored by this book. Benedict and Beatrice are supposed to be cleverly bickering at each other most of the time, but here, it never really felt that clever for one. There was never really any tension between them either, no reason for me as a reader to be rooting for them. The blurb says “sparks fly”, but I never felt them.
On top of this, I just didn’t care about Hattie and Cal’s relationship. Because this book isn’t just about Bridie and Ben, but also those two. This, of course, could be the curse of the established relationship hitting me, but I think it might just be an overall feeling about the book. For vast swathes of it, I was just bored.
So when I finally finished, all I really felt was relief that it was over.
Galley provided by publisher
Buckle up folks, because it’s time for a little discussion on just what makes a good retelling. Perhaps you can already tell that this book is not that, based on my rating and how I’ve started this review, and in that, you would be right! I didn’t hate this book, but I found it alright as a romance, and flat out bad as a retelling.
Harsh, you may think, but honestly, there’s more to retellings than simply jotting down the main events of a story, roughly converting them into a modern (or otherwise different) setting, and calling it a day. And that’s what this book fails to recognise. Books are like onions, in that respect: you peel away one layer, you find the next. What happens in books also says something about the time the author is writing in. As such, Claudio accusing Hero of being unfaithful is not merely about the accusation alone, so turning it around so the Claudio character is the one being accused does not work. Turning Don John into a jealous ex does not work because Don John’s jealousy is not simply about the relationship between Hero and Claudio.
I do get that finding equivalents between the original and modern day is hard! I think the only retelling I’ve read that I’ve felt truly does this well is Ibi Zoboi’s Pride, because it manages to translate the commentary alongside the plot to the modern day. I haven’t read another since.
Perhaps it’s a little harsh to be expecting a full retelling out of a book that’s very much not aiming to be that! But even setting my issues with that aside (insofar as I could), I found myself getting bored by this book. Benedict and Beatrice are supposed to be cleverly bickering at each other most of the time, but here, it never really felt that clever for one. There was never really any tension between them either, no reason for me as a reader to be rooting for them. The blurb says “sparks fly”, but I never felt them.
On top of this, I just didn’t care about Hattie and Cal’s relationship. Because this book isn’t just about Bridie and Ben, but also those two. This, of course, could be the curse of the established relationship hitting me, but I think it might just be an overall feeling about the book. For vast swathes of it, I was just bored.
So when I finally finished, all I really felt was relief that it was over.
May 17, 2021
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Love at First Fight is definitely an entertaining, banter-filled (kind of) lovers to enemies to lovers journey!
While this was a bit slow paced to begin with, the latter half was entirely dramatic and over-the-top (in a cheesy but enjoyable way)!
I do have to say that I didn't relate very much to either of the main characters, and this did include my least favourite trope - bad communication, I still very much enjoyed reading this for the witticisms!
Love at First Fight is definitely an entertaining, banter-filled (kind of) lovers to enemies to lovers journey!
While this was a bit slow paced to begin with, the latter half was entirely dramatic and over-the-top (in a cheesy but enjoyable way)!
I do have to say that I didn't relate very much to either of the main characters, and this did include my least favourite trope - bad communication, I still very much enjoyed reading this for the witticisms!
July 31, 2021
Mary Jayne Baker's Love at First Fight is the first book I've read from her. Love at First Fight is a rom-com about two childhood friends, Bridie and Ben, who are enemies to lovers. They're all grown up and about to meet again after around ten years.
Bridie and Ben have a long history together. When Ben invited Bridie to the sixth-form leavers' ball, they were both young teenagers who were always kissing and making out and ready to take it to the next step. But he didn't show up that night. Now, ten years later, they're at each other's throats and have been assigned to work together as maid of honor and best man, much to their dismay.
Bridie has given up on men after going on twenty separate horrendous dates in twenty dates as a result of, what occurred ten years ago. They're back to their continuous fighting now that Ben has returned from Peru. When they're not together and just talking to their buddies, however, it's always about one another.
Bridie's best friend, Hattie, and Ben's brother, Cal, come up with a plan with the support of all their pals to help these two recognize that they've always liked each other. I thought it was cute at first. For Hattie's birthday, there was a mask party where you weren't meant to know who anyone was until the reveal. I loved how Bridie had no idea she was talking to Ben the whole time while she started talking about the night he didn't show up. But that cute feeling didn't really go up or down after that.
It basically just stayed in a straight line. And it felt like the book was primarily about Bridie and Ben, with Hattie and Cal thrown in for good measure. Since they created the entire plan to get them together, it felt (at times) more focused on them, and then everything became about the wedding and Cal's ex and blah blah. It was understandable at first, but when the entire ex situation came up, which resulted in drama, it was no longer acceptable. That's probably why, especially at the end, I felt it was more centered on Hattie and Cal. It was more about their drama than anything that happened to Bridie and Ben.
Although I will say that the ring Ben gave Bridie was incredibly cute, and the scene at the end of the book where he exchanged it for a real diamond ring was super cute and so them.
*Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Bridie and Ben have a long history together. When Ben invited Bridie to the sixth-form leavers' ball, they were both young teenagers who were always kissing and making out and ready to take it to the next step. But he didn't show up that night. Now, ten years later, they're at each other's throats and have been assigned to work together as maid of honor and best man, much to their dismay.
Bridie has given up on men after going on twenty separate horrendous dates in twenty dates as a result of, what occurred ten years ago. They're back to their continuous fighting now that Ben has returned from Peru. When they're not together and just talking to their buddies, however, it's always about one another.
Bridie's best friend, Hattie, and Ben's brother, Cal, come up with a plan with the support of all their pals to help these two recognize that they've always liked each other. I thought it was cute at first. For Hattie's birthday, there was a mask party where you weren't meant to know who anyone was until the reveal. I loved how Bridie had no idea she was talking to Ben the whole time while she started talking about the night he didn't show up. But that cute feeling didn't really go up or down after that.
It basically just stayed in a straight line. And it felt like the book was primarily about Bridie and Ben, with Hattie and Cal thrown in for good measure. Since they created the entire plan to get them together, it felt (at times) more focused on them, and then everything became about the wedding and Cal's ex and blah blah. It was understandable at first, but when the entire ex situation came up, which resulted in drama, it was no longer acceptable. That's probably why, especially at the end, I felt it was more centered on Hattie and Cal. It was more about their drama than anything that happened to Bridie and Ben.
Although I will say that the ring Ben gave Bridie was incredibly cute, and the scene at the end of the book where he exchanged it for a real diamond ring was super cute and so them.
*Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
August 1, 2021
I really enjoy Mary Jayne Baker's books and this is no exception. It isn't the most unusual story line, and probably fairly predictable as it's loosely based on much ado about nothing, however it is beautifully told and the characters are very believable. The dialogue is witty and fast paced, and each chapter leads you to want to read 'just one more' before you go to sleep so you could be up late into the night.
Bridie and Ben have history. Ben stood her up for her prom without explanation. Since then Bridie's love live is abysmal and she is trying for 20 dates in 20 nights to cure her of wanting to date again! Now Bridie's best friend Hattie is marrying Ben's brother Cal. Bridie is the Maid of Honour and Ben is Best Man, and together they are organising the Sten (Stag and Hen) do. Can they put the past behind them and move on?
This is a perfect summer story. Non taxing and a fairly quick read.
Bridie and Ben have history. Ben stood her up for her prom without explanation. Since then Bridie's love live is abysmal and she is trying for 20 dates in 20 nights to cure her of wanting to date again! Now Bridie's best friend Hattie is marrying Ben's brother Cal. Bridie is the Maid of Honour and Ben is Best Man, and together they are organising the Sten (Stag and Hen) do. Can they put the past behind them and move on?
This is a perfect summer story. Non taxing and a fairly quick read.
September 7, 2021
CW: implied infidelity, vindictive lying
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Bridie Morgan is giving love one more chance, with 20 dates in 20 days before she gives up on the whole thing. But her best friend Hattie sees that there's something - maybe someone - getting under Bridie's skin... maybe a love lost but never forgotten? Enter Ben Kemp: devilishly handsome with one hell of a reputation, and Bridie couldn't hate him more for the errors of their shared past. That is, until their friends play Team Cupid, because they've got a plan...
I liked this story because even though it was a bit predictable, there were other storylines that added to it and made it more surprising. The characters were great, and the various perspectives added to the story as well. You could see how it would end, but it was still an enjoyable journey to get there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Bridie Morgan is giving love one more chance, with 20 dates in 20 days before she gives up on the whole thing. But her best friend Hattie sees that there's something - maybe someone - getting under Bridie's skin... maybe a love lost but never forgotten? Enter Ben Kemp: devilishly handsome with one hell of a reputation, and Bridie couldn't hate him more for the errors of their shared past. That is, until their friends play Team Cupid, because they've got a plan...
I liked this story because even though it was a bit predictable, there were other storylines that added to it and made it more surprising. The characters were great, and the various perspectives added to the story as well. You could see how it would end, but it was still an enjoyable journey to get there.
August 4, 2021
It’s very British, isn’t it?
This wasn’t what I was expecting and it went in so many ways I wasn’t sure of at first, but I’m pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it and these characters. Super cute and charming! There were some iffy moments/dialogue in there that threw me off but I don’t have much else to add except that it was fun.
Thank u @ Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This wasn’t what I was expecting and it went in so many ways I wasn’t sure of at first, but I’m pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it and these characters. Super cute and charming! There were some iffy moments/dialogue in there that threw me off but I don’t have much else to add except that it was fun.
Thank u @ Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2022
I really should have considered DNFing this once it became painfully clear just how British it was. Having binged a ton of American romances this year thus far, this one really stood out from my other reads, and not necessarily in a good way. I wanted to give it a fair chance, so I kept reading. And eventually I got too far in to justify DNFing, it being a short book and all.
The first red flag for me, personally, was the fact the lead man's surname is Kemp... Probably means nothing to most people, but my secondary school had an ICT teacher called Mr. Kemp. So yeah, didn't want to be thinking about that while I was reading a romance with a lead who shared the same surname.
I wasn't a huge fan of having Cal and Hattie's POVs included - if that's what was happening that is. Sometimes I really couldn't tell who were meant to be following, and I could even swear the POVs changed mid-paragraph more than once. Not to mention the absolute episode of a British soap opera the second half of the book turned into. I don't really watch any, but it gave me those vibes. You know, stuff that is extremely ridiculous and unlikely to happen in real life? But written in a book that feels pretty authentic until that point? This is one of those. Or how Calvin was supposedly the perfect boyfriend but let himself be led into uncomfortable situations that were easily misunderstood. On multiple occasions! Cal, please! His naive, idealistic views on Jojo... I could have brushed all of that off honestly. The dialogue was really funny in places and the romance had some cute bits. But what I really couldn't get over was the setting.
I couldn't bring myself to view Ben as attractive when he spoke like a grandfather. Or how I image most British elderly speak. As this book is set in Yorkshire, it's trespassing into the Northern side of England, so speech is obviously going to be different than from what I'm used to in the South of the South. But every time Ben would refer to anyone as love... I just couldn't see how that was supposed to be appealing or even sexy. I tried, but at some point it became clear he was a lost case. He was supposed to be the ultimate charmer. With charm so strong my underwear should have been melting off! There was nothing attractive about him though. Now, I realise this is very much a personal taste thing, so my review and rating is obviously very biased. If you don't mind reading a very British romance, then this might be an enjoyable read to you. However, I really couldn't bring myself to enjoy any of it in the end. Not sure if I wanted to either.
The first red flag for me, personally, was the fact the lead man's surname is Kemp... Probably means nothing to most people, but my secondary school had an ICT teacher called Mr. Kemp. So yeah, didn't want to be thinking about that while I was reading a romance with a lead who shared the same surname.
I wasn't a huge fan of having Cal and Hattie's POVs included - if that's what was happening that is. Sometimes I really couldn't tell who were meant to be following, and I could even swear the POVs changed mid-paragraph more than once. Not to mention the absolute episode of a British soap opera the second half of the book turned into. I don't really watch any, but it gave me those vibes. You know, stuff that is extremely ridiculous and unlikely to happen in real life? But written in a book that feels pretty authentic until that point? This is one of those. Or how Calvin was supposedly the perfect boyfriend but let himself be led into uncomfortable situations that were easily misunderstood. On multiple occasions! Cal, please! His naive, idealistic views on Jojo... I could have brushed all of that off honestly. The dialogue was really funny in places and the romance had some cute bits. But what I really couldn't get over was the setting.
I couldn't bring myself to view Ben as attractive when he spoke like a grandfather. Or how I image most British elderly speak. As this book is set in Yorkshire, it's trespassing into the Northern side of England, so speech is obviously going to be different than from what I'm used to in the South of the South. But every time Ben would refer to anyone as love... I just couldn't see how that was supposed to be appealing or even sexy. I tried, but at some point it became clear he was a lost case. He was supposed to be the ultimate charmer. With charm so strong my underwear should have been melting off! There was nothing attractive about him though. Now, I realise this is very much a personal taste thing, so my review and rating is obviously very biased. If you don't mind reading a very British romance, then this might be an enjoyable read to you. However, I really couldn't bring myself to enjoy any of it in the end. Not sure if I wanted to either.
August 28, 2021
This was such a fun book!! I was totally rooting for the main characters to get together! I also really loved the side story about Hattie and her boyfriend. From the beginning, I was like, "um, is this random roommate-boyfriend supposed to be so charming?" I was actually a little worried that there was going to be a cheating scenario because that was the only reason I could think of that a bit character would be so fleshed out. But then he got his own storyline, and it was one of my favorite parts of the book! Anyway, I really enjoyed this one, and I'm definitely going to look for more from this author!
May 16, 2021
Thanks to #Netgalley and Aria for making this book available to me.
Okay, this book was so cute to read. It read like I was watching a movie, the characters were so multi-dimensional, there was a reason for everything, the small town was so well structured that something in me thinks it is a real place a need to visit with real people from this book I want to get to know.
For the most part, this book follows closely two couples with Bridie Morgan and Ben Kemp as the main couple. At the start of this book, we follow Bridie as she goes on this journey to go on twenty dates in twenty dates so that she can finally set her mind at rest that she is incompatible with any man and that she really does not need any man. She has gone on a long list of horrid dates but she hopes that the last one she meets will be good enough to take on her best friends birthday party. Now comes the reason why Bridie cannot seem to meet any guy who is good enough, Ben Kemp. Ben Kemp was her friend when they were teenagers and in high school. He was the guy that seemed to have slept with having the student population at that time. During their friendship, she fell in love with him and because of anxieties and almost pigheadedness, their friendship breaks and they have been at each other's neck. They are well known in town to be each other's nemesis.
Ben who has just returned home is faced with Bridie and her dates and he cannot seem to stand the contempt she still holds for him. He decides to find out why and she hopes he can finally answer her questions.
On the other hand is Bridie's best friend, Hattie who is dating Ben's brother Cal. They are so very much in love that it almost seems that nothing would come between them until Cal slippery ex who is a famous make-up artist on Youtube comes to lay problematic eggs because of her existential crisis. I actually enjoyed reading about Hattie and Cal's relationship and how they play into breaking Bridie and Ben together.
Now to speak of the originality of the themes expressed in this book. Not to sound salty, it was a bit unoriginal and like I said it felt like I had watched this so many times or even read it a few times. However, I did enjoy it and it was quite relaxing to read.
Okay, this book was so cute to read. It read like I was watching a movie, the characters were so multi-dimensional, there was a reason for everything, the small town was so well structured that something in me thinks it is a real place a need to visit with real people from this book I want to get to know.
For the most part, this book follows closely two couples with Bridie Morgan and Ben Kemp as the main couple. At the start of this book, we follow Bridie as she goes on this journey to go on twenty dates in twenty dates so that she can finally set her mind at rest that she is incompatible with any man and that she really does not need any man. She has gone on a long list of horrid dates but she hopes that the last one she meets will be good enough to take on her best friends birthday party. Now comes the reason why Bridie cannot seem to meet any guy who is good enough, Ben Kemp. Ben Kemp was her friend when they were teenagers and in high school. He was the guy that seemed to have slept with having the student population at that time. During their friendship, she fell in love with him and because of anxieties and almost pigheadedness, their friendship breaks and they have been at each other's neck. They are well known in town to be each other's nemesis.
Ben who has just returned home is faced with Bridie and her dates and he cannot seem to stand the contempt she still holds for him. He decides to find out why and she hopes he can finally answer her questions.
On the other hand is Bridie's best friend, Hattie who is dating Ben's brother Cal. They are so very much in love that it almost seems that nothing would come between them until Cal slippery ex who is a famous make-up artist on Youtube comes to lay problematic eggs because of her existential crisis. I actually enjoyed reading about Hattie and Cal's relationship and how they play into breaking Bridie and Ben together.
Now to speak of the originality of the themes expressed in this book. Not to sound salty, it was a bit unoriginal and like I said it felt like I had watched this so many times or even read it a few times. However, I did enjoy it and it was quite relaxing to read.
August 2, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Aria and Aries for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an Honest Review.
Rating: 2/5 stars
I really enjoyed the premise of the book which is rivals to lovers meet second chance love. It had great potential from a great cast of characters to a great plot. The first half of the book was great, it was funny and it was going at a great pace. But when the second half began, the book had lost its course. I felt as though the love part was way too fast for my taste, and the main couple's issues had gotten resolved at the 70% mark leaving the story to centers itself around Hattie, Cal, and their random drama. Their POVs felt unnecessary to the story and the book should have stayed focused on Bridie and Ben. Mary Jayne Baker's Narration was great and the writing was very easy to enjoy. The book was cute and I had a fun time reading it but it should have focused on the main couple. Another thing that bothered me was the book definitely had a “i’m not like other girls” trope which i hate.
Rating: 2/5 stars
I really enjoyed the premise of the book which is rivals to lovers meet second chance love. It had great potential from a great cast of characters to a great plot. The first half of the book was great, it was funny and it was going at a great pace. But when the second half began, the book had lost its course. I felt as though the love part was way too fast for my taste, and the main couple's issues had gotten resolved at the 70% mark leaving the story to centers itself around Hattie, Cal, and their random drama. Their POVs felt unnecessary to the story and the book should have stayed focused on Bridie and Ben. Mary Jayne Baker's Narration was great and the writing was very easy to enjoy. The book was cute and I had a fun time reading it but it should have focused on the main couple. Another thing that bothered me was the book definitely had a “i’m not like other girls” trope which i hate.
June 29, 2021
I feel like the story had a bit too much going on in it to be honest. While Bridie and Ben's second chance love meets rivals to lovers was good, the story pivots in the last 75 pages to be about Cal (Ben's brother) and Hattie (Bridie's bff) upcoming wedding and their premarital drama brought on by a influencer ex of Cal. It just felt like a part of another tory that was added into this one. We go get a few side POV chapters with Cal (none with Hattie, besides scheming to get Ben and Bridie together). The story was also a bit long for me, and had some pacing issues and abrupt time jumps that wasn't my favorite.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 14, 2021
3.5 stars
This book was fun to read. It has so many laugh out loud moments and some are really great. Just like in the movies mentioned in the description, these two enemies to lovers learn the hard way that there’s much more than the eye can see.
The feelings brought up by their antics will bring them together step by step and that happily ever after is there to take its claim in no time.
It was interesting to see how the author brings the nowadays dating culture and difficulties that young people have to make amends and build trust and a real relationship and friendship.
However, there are many things that I just couldn’t get past in here and hence the lower star rating.
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
This book was fun to read. It has so many laugh out loud moments and some are really great. Just like in the movies mentioned in the description, these two enemies to lovers learn the hard way that there’s much more than the eye can see.
The feelings brought up by their antics will bring them together step by step and that happily ever after is there to take its claim in no time.
It was interesting to see how the author brings the nowadays dating culture and difficulties that young people have to make amends and build trust and a real relationship and friendship.
However, there are many things that I just couldn’t get past in here and hence the lower star rating.
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
August 5, 2023
it wasn’t too bad but the romance was way too fast paced for me and also kinda (very) cringy at times.
i also think that the title is irrelevant to the story and the book is only called that because it is and "enemies to lovers" romance.
i did like the fact that even though it was written in a third person narrator, we as readers still got to get different perspectives from all of the main characters (not just the two "lovers").
this book is a lot like the unhoneymooners by christina lauren which i would recomend ten times more than this one.
i also think that the title is irrelevant to the story and the book is only called that because it is and "enemies to lovers" romance.
i did like the fact that even though it was written in a third person narrator, we as readers still got to get different perspectives from all of the main characters (not just the two "lovers").
this book is a lot like the unhoneymooners by christina lauren which i would recomend ten times more than this one.
June 20, 2021
Finished reading: June 20th 2021
"Sometimes the most obvious explanation is the only one that makes sense, however much we might want to deny it."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Aria in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
July 21, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm normally not into contemporary romance, but I picked this up in hopes of finding a lighthearted read during a very stressful month... and it didn't disappoint! I devoured Love at First Fight in less than 24 hours. It's well written and fast paced, has plenty of funny and enjoyable banter and is enemies-to-lovers. What more could you possibly want? A love interest that's described as a mix of Aidan Turner and Chris Hemsworth? You got it. Enough drama to keep you on your toes without dragging on for too long? You got it.
I did have a moment of hesitation when the plot took a new twist at the 70% mark where I thought that the book might be a tad too long. Fortunately, there was no unnecessary melodrama and it didn't drag as I had feared. I was hooked until the end! All in all, an enjoyable read that I'm sure fans of contemporary romance will love.
I'm normally not into contemporary romance, but I picked this up in hopes of finding a lighthearted read during a very stressful month... and it didn't disappoint! I devoured Love at First Fight in less than 24 hours. It's well written and fast paced, has plenty of funny and enjoyable banter and is enemies-to-lovers. What more could you possibly want? A love interest that's described as a mix of Aidan Turner and Chris Hemsworth? You got it. Enough drama to keep you on your toes without dragging on for too long? You got it.
I did have a moment of hesitation when the plot took a new twist at the 70% mark where I thought that the book might be a tad too long. Fortunately, there was no unnecessary melodrama and it didn't drag as I had feared. I was hooked until the end! All in all, an enjoyable read that I'm sure fans of contemporary romance will love.
March 21, 2023
Started great, middle hilarious, ending chould not happen soon enough.
July 12, 2021
Bridie is a cynic when it comes to love because she's been burned in the past, specifically by Ben. She blames Ben for her bad luck with her dating life. When Bridies best friend gets engaged and she becomes maid of honor and her nemesis Ben is the best man, they are thrust together with wedding planning. Bridie and Ben need to decide how to handle being reunited once again.
This was so cute. It gave me warm fuzzy feelings. I love when men get vulnerable in books, it makes the characters so much more rea for me. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Aria for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: Aug 5
This was so cute. It gave me warm fuzzy feelings. I love when men get vulnerable in books, it makes the characters so much more rea for me. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Aria for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: Aug 5
August 9, 2021
3.5 STARS
I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bridie Morgan has had a bad outlook on love ever since Ben Kemp stood her up in high school. Every man since has let her down— which should not be a surprise to her. Bridie has decided to give dating one last chance. She is going on 20 dates in 20 days— surely one of them will turn out well if all hope is not lost.
Right before her best friends wedding, Ben returns to town. Bridie and Ben never get along; they constantly bicker with each other. They’re then forced to spend time together— after all Ben is named the Best Man and Bridie the Maid of Honor.
Although, do they really hate each other? Everyone around them seems to think otherwise…
This book started off really great. There was a perfect mix of fighting, back story, and getting to know each other all over again. I initially loved reading from the other characters POV’s, but towards the end I really didn’t care for it. I think the book could’ve done without the Hattie/Cal subplot at the end. It felt very long and unnecessary to me. I also didn’t really care for any of the characters besides Bridie and Ben. Even then, I kept forgetting Ben’s name. Ben was kinda forgettable in my opinion. I also feel like his feelings flipped a switch out of no where. I get where the author was trying to go — he knew her for YEARS— but he went from hating her to realizing he’s in love with her in mere pages. Then he was a total simp for her for the rest of the book. It just didn’t feel very realistic to me.
Overall, the writing was great and the story entertaining. It just got long at the end and felt a little bit basic. If you want to read a quick, former lovers turned enemies to lovers story, definitely try this out!
I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bridie Morgan has had a bad outlook on love ever since Ben Kemp stood her up in high school. Every man since has let her down— which should not be a surprise to her. Bridie has decided to give dating one last chance. She is going on 20 dates in 20 days— surely one of them will turn out well if all hope is not lost.
Right before her best friends wedding, Ben returns to town. Bridie and Ben never get along; they constantly bicker with each other. They’re then forced to spend time together— after all Ben is named the Best Man and Bridie the Maid of Honor.
Although, do they really hate each other? Everyone around them seems to think otherwise…
This book started off really great. There was a perfect mix of fighting, back story, and getting to know each other all over again. I initially loved reading from the other characters POV’s, but towards the end I really didn’t care for it. I think the book could’ve done without the Hattie/Cal subplot at the end. It felt very long and unnecessary to me. I also didn’t really care for any of the characters besides Bridie and Ben. Even then, I kept forgetting Ben’s name. Ben was kinda forgettable in my opinion. I also feel like his feelings flipped a switch out of no where. I get where the author was trying to go — he knew her for YEARS— but he went from hating her to realizing he’s in love with her in mere pages. Then he was a total simp for her for the rest of the book. It just didn’t feel very realistic to me.
Overall, the writing was great and the story entertaining. It just got long at the end and felt a little bit basic. If you want to read a quick, former lovers turned enemies to lovers story, definitely try this out!
January 14, 2022
I personally couldn't enjoyed this book despite being interested by synopsis.
August 8, 2021
Bridie and Ben have actually been fighting on and off for the last ten years. And frankly, it was all Ben’s fault. He did Bridie very dirty when they were both just teenagers, and has spent a long time not apologising for it. Now his brother Cal is marrying Bridie’s best friend Hattie, and Ben and Bridie are thrust back into each other’s company… and Ben has finally grown up enough to start examining exactly why he’s never been able to get his focus off Bridie.
Hattie and Cal are an adorable couple who just want the best for Ben and Bridie, and get up to all sorts of hijinks with friends trying to get Ben and Bridie to see past their respective blind spots. Ben does, finally, understand just how wrong he was and does a massive grovel, and he and Bridie get together.
Up until that point I was loving the book because Ben and Bridie are so real and so funny with the way they sass and bicker, but the bizarre thing is that they get together shortly after the halfway mark. And then we get into a really strange plot - I can’t even call it a subplot, because it totally takes over the book - where Cal’s ex-girlfriend comes back on the scene and tries to break him and Hattie up, and Ben and Bridie have to team up to outwit her and keep the wedding on track.
Honestly, this just didn’t make any sense. It would have been so much more logical for Jojo to have been BEN’s ex, who found out he was seriously dating Bridie and tried to muscle back in. The way it was, the focus was off Ben and Bridie for probably a good quarter of the book, and it’s just way too much for a subplot.
There’s a lot to like about this book. The characters are so very realistic, down to earth Yorkshire lads and lasses with very ordinary lives - Hattie and Bridie are high school teachers, Cal is a mechanic, Ben leads adventure tours on the muddy moors - and they’re funny, with strong connections and relationships between them. The banter’s genuinely amusing. A couple of things struck me as odd, like Bridie having grown up in the town but having literally no friends apart from Ben and Cal who she’d known since her schooldays. That’s really not how small towns work.
The thing is that the plot is a hot mess once Ben and Bridie resolve their past issues. And no matter how much I enjoyed the writing and the characters, I just can’t ignore that. I’d like to see what this author could produce with an editor who could help them nail down a proper romance plot arc, but I cannot give this more than three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Hattie and Cal are an adorable couple who just want the best for Ben and Bridie, and get up to all sorts of hijinks with friends trying to get Ben and Bridie to see past their respective blind spots. Ben does, finally, understand just how wrong he was and does a massive grovel, and he and Bridie get together.
Up until that point I was loving the book because Ben and Bridie are so real and so funny with the way they sass and bicker, but the bizarre thing is that they get together shortly after the halfway mark. And then we get into a really strange plot - I can’t even call it a subplot, because it totally takes over the book - where Cal’s ex-girlfriend comes back on the scene and tries to break him and Hattie up, and Ben and Bridie have to team up to outwit her and keep the wedding on track.
Honestly, this just didn’t make any sense. It would have been so much more logical for Jojo to have been BEN’s ex, who found out he was seriously dating Bridie and tried to muscle back in. The way it was, the focus was off Ben and Bridie for probably a good quarter of the book, and it’s just way too much for a subplot.
There’s a lot to like about this book. The characters are so very realistic, down to earth Yorkshire lads and lasses with very ordinary lives - Hattie and Bridie are high school teachers, Cal is a mechanic, Ben leads adventure tours on the muddy moors - and they’re funny, with strong connections and relationships between them. The banter’s genuinely amusing. A couple of things struck me as odd, like Bridie having grown up in the town but having literally no friends apart from Ben and Cal who she’d known since her schooldays. That’s really not how small towns work.
The thing is that the plot is a hot mess once Ben and Bridie resolve their past issues. And no matter how much I enjoyed the writing and the characters, I just can’t ignore that. I’d like to see what this author could produce with an editor who could help them nail down a proper romance plot arc, but I cannot give this more than three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
June 20, 2021
To start off, Love at First Fight is an ‘enemies to lovers’ book about two childhood-friends/more-than-friends. It’s a trope that I’m obsessed with, so to say that I was excited to read about enemies having to work together on their mutual friends’ wedding would be quite the understatement.
Bridie Morgan and Ben Kemp used to be childhood friends turned into something more-than in their late teens, at least until the incident their last school year. Ever since that incident, they’ve been at each other’s throats like cats and dogs, or at least Bridie has been. But after a year away from home, Ben returns to find that his little brother is in quite the serious relationship with Bridie’s best friend. To Ben’s delight and Bridie’s horror, they’ve been assigned the roles of best-man and maid-of-honor.
The relationships between Bridie and her friends are hilarious. They – Bridie, Hattie and Cal – were fun to read about. Especially the relationship between Bridie and Cal. I loved how they all seemed so close, almost like family. But this is not just the three/four of them, but with the other friends, and Pete of course, to complete the group. They were all fun to read about together, especially as each other’s co-conspirators. The banter between Bridie and Ben was probably my favorite thing about this book.
However, I was honestly a bit disappointed after I finished this book. Maybe I went into this with high expectations. But when started reading this book, I was ready to really fall in love with it.
As an enemies-to-lovers fan, the bantering and teasing is my absolute favorite thing to read. But with Bridie, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Ben. Ben really seemed to consider her his friend, and his teasing was always good-humored. But Bridie didn’t consider Ben as her friend. So her ‘teasing’, at times, came off really harsh and mean-spirited. At times, she sounded downright mean to him.
What really bothered me about this book, is the fact that there’s basically a second book woven into the story of Bridie and Ben. And that’s the story of Hattie and Cal. However much I liked reading about them, it started to frustrate me the more they appeared. With that, I mean having their own chapters throughout this book. I felt like I saw too much of them in this story to consider this a Bridie and Ben story. Hattie and Cal’s relationship woes/drama seemed to become the center of this book, and it was not what I was expecting. What I expected was more of Bridie and Ben’s relationship and their own drama, and less of Hattie and Cal. It felt like I got a 2-in-1 deal that I was completely unaware of. Hattie and Cal could’ve and/or should’ve gotten their own story, instead of forcing Bridie and Ben to share the spotlight with them. Their drama dominated the last 20% of this book, which I unfortunately skimmed because the frustration had gotten so bad, and made it a slow read for me.
It would’ve been nice/considerate to share the importance of Hattie and Cal’s drama in the blurb. Because what I expected was not what I read about.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bridie Morgan and Ben Kemp used to be childhood friends turned into something more-than in their late teens, at least until the incident their last school year. Ever since that incident, they’ve been at each other’s throats like cats and dogs, or at least Bridie has been. But after a year away from home, Ben returns to find that his little brother is in quite the serious relationship with Bridie’s best friend. To Ben’s delight and Bridie’s horror, they’ve been assigned the roles of best-man and maid-of-honor.
The relationships between Bridie and her friends are hilarious. They – Bridie, Hattie and Cal – were fun to read about. Especially the relationship between Bridie and Cal. I loved how they all seemed so close, almost like family. But this is not just the three/four of them, but with the other friends, and Pete of course, to complete the group. They were all fun to read about together, especially as each other’s co-conspirators. The banter between Bridie and Ben was probably my favorite thing about this book.
However, I was honestly a bit disappointed after I finished this book. Maybe I went into this with high expectations. But when started reading this book, I was ready to really fall in love with it.
As an enemies-to-lovers fan, the bantering and teasing is my absolute favorite thing to read. But with Bridie, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Ben. Ben really seemed to consider her his friend, and his teasing was always good-humored. But Bridie didn’t consider Ben as her friend. So her ‘teasing’, at times, came off really harsh and mean-spirited. At times, she sounded downright mean to him.
What really bothered me about this book, is the fact that there’s basically a second book woven into the story of Bridie and Ben. And that’s the story of Hattie and Cal. However much I liked reading about them, it started to frustrate me the more they appeared. With that, I mean having their own chapters throughout this book. I felt like I saw too much of them in this story to consider this a Bridie and Ben story. Hattie and Cal’s relationship woes/drama seemed to become the center of this book, and it was not what I was expecting. What I expected was more of Bridie and Ben’s relationship and their own drama, and less of Hattie and Cal. It felt like I got a 2-in-1 deal that I was completely unaware of. Hattie and Cal could’ve and/or should’ve gotten their own story, instead of forcing Bridie and Ben to share the spotlight with them. Their drama dominated the last 20% of this book, which I unfortunately skimmed because the frustration had gotten so bad, and made it a slow read for me.
It would’ve been nice/considerate to share the importance of Hattie and Cal’s drama in the blurb. Because what I expected was not what I read about.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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