An enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy––with a cozy mystery twist! **Includes Laura's Ultimate Milkshake recipe!
Elle Brook
I’m pretty sure heartthrob Zane Masters is sabotaging my business, and I’m going to prove it.
It’s no secret that the big-shot CEO of Got Cake? wants to buy my bakery but I declined his offer––even though it was presented to me on a notecard with a triple chocolate donut.
For the record, I did not eat his over-priced donut... I threw it in the trash.
Off the record––I totally ate it, and oh my heck, it was finger-licking delicious.
Just as I get ready to release something new, Got Cake? announces something suspiciously similar.
Not forgetting the time three crates of fish got delivered to my shop. Dead fish.
It took me DAYS to get rid of the stench. And Zane is my number one suspect.
The only way I’m gonna find the proof I need to stop all this nonsense is to get close to him. Real close.
He’s a man’s man with a hunky smile and a smolder that can melt any heart, I know exactly what an alpha male like him wants in a woman.
My friends think I’m playing with fire. But I'll do whatever it takes to unravel his dark secrets. And the only way I'll get hurt is if I let my heart get involved. That's not gonna happen.
Besides, there’s zero chance I’m gonna fall in love with my enemy.
Flirting with my Enemy is a cozy mystery romcom. Packed with swoon-worthy romance, heart-warming characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and an exciting mystery.
Author note: This is a steamy-clean romance. Sizzling kisses but no sex or curse words.
Laura writes sweet romance and fantasy with steamy kisses, thrilling suspense, and mystery.
A self-confessed Potterhead and Once Upon a Time fan. Laura marries her love of 1990's romcoms with her obsession with Pretty Little Liars and writes fast-paced books written especially for readers who need an escape.
Laura Burton is a British author who lives in Wiltshire, England with her three wild sons, alpha-male husband, and positively loopy Poochon.
I tried the audio on Hoopla, but the narrator was so grating, I couldn't take it! There was such an urgency to her tone, she seriously needs to chill.
I SWITCHED TO THE EBOOK!
The synopsis describes this as "an enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy––with a cozy mystery twist!" I was ready for a change of genre and fell in love with the adorable cover, so took a chance and loved it!
Great palate cleanser with a cute, sweeter than sweet cast of characters. Elle is so energetic and determined to make lemonade out of the lemons that fall her way. I loved the way she cared for her friend Joyce. It added some emotional backbone to her character. You'll either love it or hate it! I have book #2, so I'm game.
Read it when you're craving a cupcake! Fluffy, short, and a little sassy.
“It reminds me that no matter how unpredictable life is, the Earth is always moving. And no matter how big my problems feel, in comparison to the universe out there, I and all of my worries are very small. It keeps me grounded.”
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
This was lighthearted, funny and emotional. I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers romance. I instantly fell in love with the main characters, Elle and Zane, they were relatable with brilliantly built back stories. I was in this from the note to the reader at the beginning, which made me laugh and caught my attention. The book flowed nicely, so although I read it quickly, it didn’t feel too fast-paced for an enemies to lovers.
I thought this was going to be a big-standard predictable book, but there was much more to this, I should say there are trigger warnings of severe illness/death, oh and smelly trout! I don’t joke, read it and find out! It also made me want to dig into a box of freshly baked brownies!
10 out of 10 for Elle and Zane and this lighthearted romance! Brilliant!
The pacing of this book was really weird. We have Elle, who has taken over her dead mother's bakery, and Zane, a millionaire (billionaire?) who opens a bakery literally next door to her. From page one, Zane seems to have some sort of investment in Elle while Elle is convinced they are enemies. There's supposedly attraction/chemistry between the two but to me, their interactions are really awkward. Also the female lead is just not likeable. At least Zane is consistently kinda sappy and sweet (almost overwhelmingly so, I wasn't really feeling him), but Elle was just awkward and cringe and I never really got a feel for her.
Anyways, like I said the timing was off so it felt like Elle went from hating Zane to being ok with him, to dating him in like, a week or two. And they had insta-love but also sex was off the table so it was just like, wtf do you see in each other cause, Burton did a lot of telling without showing. I think that's why the timeline of the story seemed so rushed. It's like, "Oh, it's been six months now" and I'm like, it's been a page and not even a chapter break! Also the ending was so unbelievable to me. Not to spoil anything, but if that much time passes and from the interactions we as readers saw...no way this ends in a HEA. Literally zero chemistry.
This is the first time in a long time that a free book actually felt/read like a free book. The only redeeming part for me was the handling of grief, since that was pretty realistic.
Laura Burton’s, Flirting with my Enemy is a sweet Romantic Comedy and the first book in the Love is a Mystery series. This cozy mystery is an enemies-to-lovers rom com with a twist! Laura’s recipe is a feisty, fun and quirky tale that you will fall in love with. It has all the ingredients to keep the pages turning and wanting to go looking for sweet treats at the same time. This is one story that will make you have all the feels. Laughing out loud, sniffling quietly in the corner, deep sighing on repeat and your tummy waring with your brain. So, with a little bit of everything to delight your senses grab a copy of this charming book, a treat or two and a glass of wine or two and snuggle in to enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening.
Elle hangs on to her mom's bakery because she promised she would. But it's been four years since her mom died, and Elle still can't overcome her grief. Zane owns the bakery next door, and Elle is convinced he's trying to sabotage her business. She plots to put him in his place, but things don't work out like she planned. This love story is sweet, and very touching in the secondary plot. Loved it.
Flirting With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy is the first book in the Love Is A Mystery series by Laura Burton. This story is exactly what the title says- a sweet, fun, romantic comedy. I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers story and following Elle and Zane as the sparks flew. The story has plenty of chemistry, but this is definitely a ‘clean’ romance as the characters don’t engage in anything more than some passionate kisses. The storyline is quite fun- and I enjoyed the dynamic between Elle and Zane- there were more than a few laughs to be had here- as well as a little mystery- but Ms. Burton doesn’t skimp on the emotion in story either- as there was plenty of ‘feels’ too. This is my favourite of her books that I have read, so far. And it is a fantastic start to a new series. I am really looking forward to reading “Married My Boss” (Book #2). Happy reading!
This book was very light-hearted and funny... But also what in the wattpad was this?
The main character is convinced that the billionaire bakery owner across the street is her rival, which is stupid because a tiny little bakery cannot compete with the bakery of a billionaire. She gets annoyed when he simply offers to buy her bakery, despite her dislike of her job and she's convinced that this is an insult to her dead mum. Then one day she waddles into his bakery with the intention of seducing him so she can find out all his secrets. She tries to pretend-faint but just embarrasses herself, gets cake all over herself and he picks her up and takes her to the hospital. Anyway, she thinks that Zane is trying to seduce her to take over her bakery and she's very insulted, as though she didn't have similar intentions. After about a week of talking he professes his love for her and whisks her away to his mansion where she has this screwed up idea that she owes him sex for this? Thankfully, after she has shoved him into a closet and jumped on him like he's the seat of a zip-line , he's like "girl, we need boundaries because this is weird af."
Anyway she gets a call that her elderly friend - who is like a grandma to her - is in hospital due to her dementia that she never told the MC about, and basically she ends up throwing her love away to look after her. Although of course, her 'grandma' has a moment where she snaps out of her dementia behaviours and says "go get your man!!! 😃" and then she dies. Then there's a proposal and it's a magical fairytale ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I blitzed through this simply because it was sweet, short, and cute! But I wanted MORE. Give me more buildup, give me more angst, give me more enemies-to-lovers…
It sets itself up to be an E-T-L, but it was slightly too fast-paced for my liking. Elle went from being severely offended and having a strong dislike to Zane, then is basically head over heels in love with him in 2 seconds flat. Don’t get me wrong, their humour and banter together did make me laugh and I enjoyed the wit to their jabs towards one another (mainly from Elle), it was just very quick.
The story with Joyce did break my heart though, bless her, and I liked that you could pick up on the hints leading up towards that when Elle couldn’t. I’ll be honest, there was a part of me that sat there thinking “umm, can you guys not just text?” during the ‘rough part’ of the story, but the use of letters and Zane’s personal touch did make me swoon for them.
If you like an easy read, with humour and a cutesy couple, I’d definitely say give this a go! Personally, I enjoyed it, it was just a tad bit too fast-paced for me and I would’ve enjoyed more build up and slow burn with it.
This is a well written rom com with strong characters in Elle and Zane. They have a sizzling hot chemistry but will need to work through some issues along the way. The author brings all the feels and had me glued to the pages from start to finish. Loved and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I enjoyed this story, It has a similar plot to the 90s movie, “You’ve got mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It was funny and charming.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it was refreshing. I really appreciated that when there was misunderstandings she didn’t draw them out forever but the characters acted like adults and talked through things.
One thing that could be improved is the H is a little too perfect. And his background of why he is the way he is could have been fleshed out. He’s kinda this perfectly balanced altruistic person whose dreams for the future are not easily understood by what we know of him. There were some other annoyances for me in decisions the characters made but overall I did enjoy the story quite a bit.
I’ll read the next story in the series which seems from the description to be a take on the movie “The proposal” with Sandra Bullock.
He moves into the store next door — with the same type of business!!!! But oh my goodness he is good looking . . . . and then he steals my idea!!! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?? Totally an amazing book!! Loved every minute of it!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
I love cozy romantic stories and this one really delivered! It was as if a delicious cake with all the layers needed to satisfy a craving, but yet left you wanting more! This was my first read by the author and I am completely head over heels with her work! I spent my entire day reading this, no regrets here! It was a great way to fulfill my morning!
I am a past bakery owner so I always love stories that focus around a bakery. Throw in the two main characters Elle and Zane. Both truly different, but can they find common ground? Perhaps there is a attraction between one another but, both are so wrapped up in their own worlds they can not see it?
Elle owns a wonderful bakery that belonged to her mom. Having this bakery truly has a special place in Elle's heart. You can tell as you get to know her character that keeping it is really everything to her. As Elle has this bakery.. well so does Zane, but he owns a bakery next door. He is on a different financial level in terms of Elle. He's basically quite rich. And he is the type of guy if he wants something as in obtaining the next door bakery, you can damn well be sure he's going to make sure he gets it .To put it mildly, Zane knows how to push Elle's buttons. As stubborn as she is, she is not one to give in. Even if he may have very charming good looks as well as well as is good with his hands (in terms of baking of course) Perhaps zingers of an attraction can make a dessert so heavenly that it can melt the steel walls between these two people? But they are sworn enemies. How possibly can they over come their differences and realize what is front of them is maybe everything they ever needed?
Elle is a strong and determined person. She believes if she charms Zane with her sweet desserts she will have him wrapped around her finer. She believes matters of the heart are always easy to ignore and she can do this. As time goes on they both grow and change in different ways and we the readers learn new things about their characteristics. They both have a different personality that is so likable and lets face it, they both have that cute personality and their methods of how they go about one another has so much adorableness you cant shy away from wanting to read more to see how things go about!
They both did the unthinkable. Yup. They fell crazy in love with one another. Ells is facing some personal things more than meets the eye. Though she failed her original plan she found the one thing she may very well be unable to live without! But will love triumph overall? Is there wedding bells in this future and perhaps even a wedding cake? Or will this all end before it really even had a chance to put frosting on the cake?
I could not put this book down. Zane and Elle kept me reading and wanting more. I swear it was a good tasting cake. Perfect balance of sweetness but, not to sweet where I had to put it down. i was rooting for these two seriously destined to be together humans. Even if at times they didn't see eye to eye, they were indeed the perfect recipe for one another.
Again really enjoyed this book and did not want to spare a moment till I finished reading it. Very happy I got to read this book and grow along with Elle and Zane!
Highly recommend. I am pretty sure you wont be able to put it down as I was. Most importantly this author did an amazing story and I truly enjoyed and was quite happy reading it! Wonderful read!
This is an enjoyable and engaging romantic comedy with an enemies to lovers theme and a cozy mystery twist. Elle Brook is convinced that Zane Masters, the big-shot CEO of Got Cake is sabotaging her business and she is determined to prove it. Elle declines an offer from Zane to buy her bakery and after that some crates of dead fish were delivered to her bakery and the smell was bad for days. Then just before Elle is due to release something new Got Cake announces something suspiciously similar. As Zane is her number one suspect, Elle plots to get the proof that she’s needs and to do this she plans to get ‘really close’ to him. The only problem is that Zane is a bit of a known heartthrob and has a smouldering smile that can melt hearts, not Elle’s though or at least that is what she promises her friends when they warn her against her plan. Elle thinks she will be fine as the only way she can get hurt is if she lets her heart get involved and it’s not likely that she will fall in love with her enemy, will she. This is a sweet, heartwarming romance with likeable and relatable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. There were some real laugh out loud moments as well as some drama and plenty of romance. I liked the added mystery element to the story which had me hooked.
This is a fun, quirky romance between a feisty and determined bakery owner and the charming and much too handsome Brit who owns the well known franchise next door. Elle is determined to prove that Zane is behind the acts of sabotage threatening to put her out of business or force her to sell her bakery to him. Her plan to get close Zane in order to snoop or charm a confession out of him doesn’t go as planned. An accident shows her more of his charming and compassionate side, sparking something within her that she hasn’t felt in years. Zane’s persistent pursuit makes her feel both guilty and thrilled. Just as she realizes that she wants a future with Zane and he feels the same, she discovers a major roadblock to that dream. This roadblock forces her to tell Zane he should look for some other woman with whom he can build a happy future. Does Zane listen to her plea? Read this delightful novella to find the answer. The conclusion of the book is definitely one I will remember.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really enjoyed this romance story. It has parts that make you laugh. The leading lady Elle is really relatable. She is a young business woman who is running her mother bakery. It's not what she wants to do but she feels she owes it to her mother. When Zane opens up another bakery right next door it makes Elle angry.
The anger from Elle to Zane intensifies when he makes her an offer for her business. It will give Elle the chance to do what she really wants which is create cakes so why does she see this as an insult. Elle's firey temperament brings out her protectiveness towards her mothers business and she will stop at nothing to protect it.
Zane however can't understand Elle's reaction. All he wants is to spend time with her and get to know her but Elle fights him all the way. Until she gives in and things seem to be looking up.
Is this all a ploy by Elle to find out what Zane's planning? What happens when pretending to have a connection to someone turns into a real passionate connection? Can Elle survive opening her heart to Zane?
Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Love is a Mystery Book 1) by Laura Burton
This is the first book I've read by Burton. I loved every minute of reading this. This short, funny, page-turning story will have you hanging on the edge of your seat.
Elle believes that her next door neighbor is trying to sabotage her company. Moving a big name brand cupcake store next to hers is bad news. Then she comes up with a plan that shouldnt have her falling for him. The quote I chose for Elle is: “Everyone has an angle, Zane. I’m curious to know why you want to get to know me. I’m the enemy after all.”
Zane is trying to get to know Elle. Only she thinks he's out for her business. He's wanting to merge their businesses for the both of them. The quote I chose for Zane is: “Annie and I were together for many years, and I thought she broke my heart. I thought I could never get over her. But it turns out she’s nothing but a ghost in my head. Seeing her the other night made me see the light.”
Flirting with My Enemy is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that blends humor, heart, and a touch of mystery. Elle Brook, the owner of a charming bakery, finds herself at odds with Zane Masters, the CEO of a competing cake business that has recently opened next door. When strange incidents begin to occur like crates of dead fish being delivered to her shop Elle suspects Zane is behind the sabotage. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out to get close to him, only to discover that he may not be the villain she imagined.
The story is filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a well-paced plot that keeps readers engaged. The romance develops in a sweet and satisfying way, with plenty of “meet-cute” moments and misunderstandings that add to the charm. The inclusion of a cozy mystery element adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a typical rom-com.
Overall, Flirting with My Enemy is a fun and heartwarming read that’s perfect for fans of lighthearted romance with a dash of intrigue.
Prepare yourself for another "zany" ride in this newest romantic comedy by Laura Burton. What happens when two bakeries are situated right next door to each other in NYC? As the reader meets Ella and Zane things are sparking whenever they come in contact with each other. She has her mom's small bakery and he is the billionaire from across the pond that has developed a "chain store" type of bakery. This story just goes from one devastation to another for poor Ella, but she deals with things by constantly moving - as in classes, dancing, working, yada, yada.
A fun and very touching story that brought laughs, smiles, sighs and yes, some tears. Excellent character development and the storyline as it panned out was not what you expect. An excellent book by Ms. Burton that I would recommend.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this my voluntary and honest review. VICKI FROM WYOMING
This is the first installment in Ms. Burton's new Love is a Mystery series and it is off to a splendid start! Ms. Burton's books are always such fun to read and bring me such joy, I had no doubt I would love this book. I was definitely not disappointed! Elle and Zane were the perfect enemies to lovers couple. Just the right amount of friction and sparks to make their chemistry really sizzle. The two go head to head with their respective businesses and somewhere along the way, the sparks begin to fly and Zane's charms start to win Elle over. I really enjoyed Ellie's feistiness and the banter betwee the two was just so much fun. But Elle faces some challenges and struggles that may get in the way with her happy ending with Zane. A fun read, with some emotional moments, this was a delightful read and I can't wait to read the next book! I am happy to recommend this!
I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This book has a lot of emotions that cover the spectrum, I laughed at some of the humorous moments, cried at others and was begging for more steam and spice! This book is a quick read that if your looking for a sweet semi Jalapeno pepper rated book it would be one for you. I intend to read the next story in the series, but am not so sure that it will be something better than what this one was. I rate this book at a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The main reasons being that I think that there is a lot missing in the story when it comes to the characters lives, especially the hero of the book. I also am partial to a book with more steam, or really any steam at all. This story is one that has lots of kisses but never gets I to more than that type of scene.
Enemies to lovers, Billionaire\poor girl tropes are a couple that this book has.
I hope this helps you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
Unexpectedly Finding Love Next Door - The chemistry between Elle and Zane is undeniably explosive and the sparks that fly between them every time they are in the vicinity of each other, could rival a sky filled with fireworks at night. However, Elle is weary of Zane because of incidents that keep occurring and a misunderstanding, which is subsequently cleared up. Unfortunately, an emergency in Elle’s life, creates a stumbling block in their budding relationship.
This was a really heartwarming and moving story, that had me laughing and crying, whilst rooting for Zane and Elle to get a happily ever after. Once I started reading the story, it was difficult to stop until I got to the end. It is a truly captivating read that I really enjoyed.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What would you do if a rival bakery franchise opened right next door to your small family bakery left to you by your recently deceased mom? And what if all of a sudden, not only your rival stole your interview but also your secret new recipe and put you window to shame? And why does it stink of rotting fish?? And why oh why does he have to look so good? And dance even better? Would you hate him? Or would 'hate' be the wrong word? This book made me laugh out loud and tear up in equal measures. I love the dynamic and chemistry between Elle and Zane. So much heartache, so little faith... So much love, so many entanglements... This page turner had me cheering and cursing at these two amazing characters who wholeheartedly deserve their HEA. What a wirlwind of fun and feels. LOVED! IT! I received a free ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
Sweet treats and romance is the perfect ingredients in this book by Laura Burton. Flirting with my Enemy is a clean fun read that leaves you wanting more.
This story follows Ella and Zane, two rival bakery owners, one on a completely different financial level though. Zane is rich, and has his sights set on taking over Elle's bakery. Elle does not plan to give in with out a fight though, as her bakery used to belong to her mother, and she has no intention of giving it up.
While both characters are very different, it is fun to watch them grow, and fall in love. As we all know though, just because we are in love doesn't mean happy ever after. Can Elle and Zane get past their differences?
This was a quick, fun read that I couldn't put down. Laura Burton is another new author that I can't wait to to read again.
Flirting with my Enemy was a cute, though predictable, romantic comedy book by Laura Burton. It was a bit cheesy at times, but I enjoyed it, and will likely read the next book in the series. The book follows Elle and Zane, who own bakeries next door to each other. Zane is rich and British, and trying to buy Elle's bakery. Elle is not sure if he is sincere in his offerings, or try to sabotage her and run her out of business. She is struggling between love and hate, and it is a very fine line. He is quite the charmer, but she isn't sure if she can trust him. Elle is a bit of a hot mess, but her character is sweet. The flirting with the enemy portion of the book was entertaining, and it had a twist ending. I did not see that coming, but it was a good twist. The ending was a bit over the top, but perfect, considering what we had seen of Zane. Overall, it was an enjoyable book.
Neighboring bakery owners find love in this novella length first installment of a new book series.
📖Read via free ebook - 3⭐️
Consumed with grief after losing her mother to cancer four years ago, Elle had done all she could to keep her mother's bakery doors open for business. When Zane Masters, billionaire business man, opens one of his franchises, "Got Cakes" bakery, right next door to Elle's shop, she's immediately suspicious of his intentions (esp. when fish keeps getting delivered and his menu starts to look like a carbon copy of her own). But Zane is hiding hurts of his own & the two find more to lose being enemies than being friends.
Review: This is a novella length book, so the love and attraction comes rather too quickly. However, Zane is probably one of the most cinnamon roll heroes I've ever read and would certainly win over anyone with his romantic dates and understanding heart.
I enjoyed this friends to enemies story. This is a sweet romance-mystery story that kept me engaged and turning pages to the end. This is a well written story that had me laughing throughout the story. The characters are connectable and bring life to the story. They are written with a lot of heart and soul. The author’s use of details made the story realistic and fun to read. This is a story about Elle and Zane. She thinks that he is trying to sabotage her business. The only way she can prove it is to get close to him. Will she get more than she bargained for? What will fate have in store for these two? I really enjoyed these two characters. They truly made the story for me. I am happy I picked up this book and the laughs that come with it. I highly recommend this book.
This was fun and quick read. Elle Brook has some big plans to bring more exposure to her little cupcake shop and has an interview lined up to unveal her latest creation. Unfortunately for her things start to go.off the rails almost from the moment she walked into her shop and smelled something fishy. In trying to coax her interviewer to go somewhere less smelly she accidentally pushes her toward the competition. Could her new neighbor and competition, Zane Masters, be the culprit behind the fishy smell? Is he out to sabotage her business? Elle is on the hunt to find out what his motives are and getting close to him is the best way to do it. Is she in over her head? Will she be able to resist her attraction to Zane or will she give in and fall head over heels in love?
I LOVED this book so much. Fantastic read from beginning to end. If you love a enemies to lovers cozy rom com please read this book. Elle is an owner of a bakery that was her mother's. Big shot Zane Masters owns Got Cake! and tries to buy off Elle and her bakery. Strange things start happening to Elle's bakery like deliveries of dead fish, feeling like Zane is suspect #1 to try and run her out and Elle cannot be bought. Zane makes Elle realize he is not trying to sabotage her business and proves that to her. Elle's long time friend, whom is more like a grandmother, then falls ill. You will learn how selfless Elle truly is. My heart on how determined she is to take care of Joyce just truly tugged at my heartstrings. This book is truly fantastic, I loved every piece of this book.
Flirting with the Enemy was a sweet story. I did have a lot of questions as I was reading since it really jumped in right at the start. I was glad that they were able to be answered as the story went on. I loved Zane’s character! Elle was a good character but I had difficulty at times connecting with her. She frustrated me because her train of thinking was all over the place at times and I just had a hard time with her. I did connect with her on a personal level when she was taking care of Joyce. It resonated with me regarding things going on in my life right now. Overall, it was a good story. The epilogue had me confused at first but then it made sense at the end. I would read more books by this author.