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Jude

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Jude’s Bookshelves

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currently-reading‎ (34)

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Jude is Currently Reading

Jude is currently reading

At the Mercy of Midnight: The must-read rivals to lovers dark academia romantasy

by Chloe Cullen (Goodreads Author)

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(40%)
— Jul 29, 2026 06:12PM

Jul 29, 2026 04:08PM

Jude is currently reading

Ruinous Ends (The Souls of Blackwood Academy, #2)

by I.V. Marie (Goodreads Author)

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— Jul 18, 2026 03:46AM

Jul 18, 2026 03:24AM

Jude is currently reading

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed, #1)

by Brigitte Knightley (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: my-fanstasy-fix, currently-reading

Reading for the 7th time

read in July 2025

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Jude said: " I just finished my fourth reread of this book, and I felt it was finally time to leave a review. After reading this book in every medium available to me - ebook, audiobook, and physical copy - I can confidently say this story is unlike anything in th I just finished my fourth reread of this book, and I felt it was finally time to leave a review. After reading this book in every medium available to me - ebook, audiobook, and physical copy - I can confidently say this story is unlike anything in the genre. It is a light-hearted fantasy romance, but it still delivers deeply developed characters, an immersive setting that not only makes you pay attention but makes you want to know more about the world, and a romance that feels incredibly natural.

I am a big enemies-to-lovers aficionado, and this is the first book I have read in the genre in the last five years that truly captures the essence of the trope. There is no love at first sight, no softened annoyance disguised as dislike, and no early flicker of doubt that signals where things are headed. Aurienne and Osric are two contrasting characters who are fundamentally at odds - she is a moral, uptight, morality driven healer, and he is a dramatic, vindictive assassin. In most stories, that contrast is softened or reframed as latent attraction, but Brigitte Knightley avoids that entirely. The hatred between them feels immediate and justified; he resents needing her, and she resents being forced to work with him. Even with witty banter and comedic back-and-forth, it takes more than half the book for any real softening to occur.

As the story progresses, we see why their perceptions of each other shift. Osric comes to respect Aurienne’s relentless, intimidating competence as both a healer and researcher. At one point, he even offends her by diminishing her qualifications, and we see his immediate recognition of that mistake and his subsequent apology - a moment that feels out of character only because it marks real growth. We also see Aurienne’s response to his selflessness at the end of the book, when she heals him not out of obligation, but out of want. The progression is slow, but that is what makes it feel natural. We sit in these moments with them and feel every shift in emotion, every reluctant moment of fondness, and every stubborn moment of denial.

I could genuinely go on and on about this book. The humour is dry, witty, and extremely entertaining. The banter is sharp and clever and makes it impossible to look away. The beginning was a bit difficult for me to get into; I stopped reading after a couple of chapters and only returned a month later, which then led to me finishing the entire book in one sitting. I also found the ending somewhat abrupt, though that may simply be my desire to know what happens next.

While Aurienne and Osric are the focal point of the story, there is also a strong underlying plot. Political tension between the Tiendoms leads to a deadly pox affecting children, Osric struggles with a life-threatening illness, and Aurienne is attempting to find a cure that does not exist. The story takes familiar tropes and refines them into something fun without being convoluted, and emotional without being overwhelming.

Overall, this may be my favourite ever read and the most fun I have ever had with a story. I will be eagerly counting down the days until I can get my hands on the next book. ...more "

progress:

(70%)
"Does it count if I was listening to the audiobook on the plane and I fell asleep for the majority?" — Jul 03, 2026 07:12PM

May 13, 2026 11:30PM · see review

See all 34 books that Jude is reading…