reveriesociety_
Written on Jul 18, 2020
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Callihan comes a smart, emotional contemporary romance about finding love with the most unlikely of people.
As kids, they hated each other. Macon Saint was beautiful, but despite his name, Delilah knew he was the devil. That he dated her slightly evil sister, Samantha, was no picnic either. When they broke up, it was a dream come true: Delilah never had to see him again.
Ten years later, her old enemy sends a text.
Delilah’s sister has stolen a valuable heirloom from Macon, now a rising Hollywood star, and he intends to collect his due. One problem: Sam has skipped town.
Sparks still sizzle between Macon and Delilah, only this heat feels alarmingly like unwanted attraction. But Delilah is desperate to keep her weak-hearted mother from learning of her sister’s theft. So she proposes a deal: she’ll pay off the debt by being Macon’s personal chef and assistant.
It’s a recipe for disaster, but Macon can’t stop himself from accepting. Even though Delilah clearly hates him, there’s something about her that feels like home. Besides, they’re no longer kids, and what once was a bitter rivalry has the potential to be something sweeter. Something like forever.
- ISBN10 1542016770
- ISBN13 9781542016773
- Publish Date 31 March 2020
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Montlake
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 392
- Language English
Reviews
stacey_is_sassy
Written on May 2, 2020
****4.5 Stars****
When I started Dear Enemy I didn’t see much hope for Delilah and Macon. Their obstacles seemed insurmountable. The devastation and hurt I felt for Delilah and the teenage bullying she was put through just didn’t seem like it could be forgivable. I had my target, or should I say targets, for the baddies but I knew that Delilah and her perpetrators were teenagers and I knew a lot could change from teenage angst to adulthood. The hardest part for me to come to terms with though, was that one of her perpetrators was the one person she kept forgiving…her sister.
Now, I can tell you straight, that if my sisters did what that selfish, egotistical spoilt brat, Sam did, I would not hesitate in seeing her get her just deserts. There is NO WAY I would be covering for her or making up for her bad deeds. Yes, I get that Delilah was trying to protect her Mama BUT her Mama must take a little bit of the blame for enabling such an absolute COW!!
If you haven’t got the message yet…I HATE SAM!! I will never understand why families enable their loved ones to keep them being inconsiderate, selfish, and even CRIMINALS!! I just didn't understand why Delilah covered for her and made excuses for her bad behaviour. SHE STOLE!! Then, we find out that that wasn't even the worst of it. I HATE SAM!!!
There was a little part of me that hoped that Macon wasn’t as bad as what he seemed. I did not like the way he treated Delilah when they were kids. It’s just that, as a parent, I know that there are sometimes underlying reasons for kids to act out. Macon had a lot of reasons to act out. Geez, my gut was swirling, and my heart was breaking for the poor kid. To go his whole life unprotected from the monster who was supposed to be his protector, is just something I struggle with. Some days I wish that every parent had to go through a five year check-in to prove they are good parents.
So, Dear Enemy had a lot of emotional ups and downs. Overall, I really enjoyed the journey and didn’t mind pushing through some of the downs because the ups were so good. I did have a problem with the Epilogue, though. First, we have Delilah again putting her dreams on hold to follow Macon for his work. Yes, I do believe that a relationship is all about 'give and take' but Delilah has given a lot. But, then again, I like that they didn’t want to be apart. (You just can't please me sometimes.
Angie
Written on Apr 10, 2020
+This setup...it's so random and ridiculous, but it somehow worked really well.
+This also isn't the typical high school bully Romance. Yes, Macon was mean to Delilah, but she was mouthy right back! And some things never change.
+Macon is famous, but not too famous. He's on one successful show, but it still has its downside.
+Helping their dreams come true!
NO!
-Sam, Delilah's sister. She's an important part of this weird setup, but I didn't quite believe her as a character based on what little we know of her.
-Macon's name. I either read "Mason" or "Bacon."
-Why are they fighting right now?! What are they even fighting about?! Fighting because reasons.
Cocktails and Books
Written on Apr 7, 2020
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Oh Macon and Delilah! This was a true delight to read. The chemistry between these two was off the charts. You could almost physically see the sparks flying, along with those verbal barbs, when these two were together. I haven't rooted for a couple to get around their past and find each other as I did with these two.
The was a slow burn, but when Macon and Delilah got over the past and started seeing what was right in front of them it made everything so worth it.
This is a definite must-read. Pick it up quickly!
thebookdisciple
Written on Mar 31, 2020
Dear Enemy by Kristen Callihan drew me right away because I love Kristen Callihan. I was a little leery about premise because I don't really like movie stars or rock stars, but if anyone can make it work for me, its Kristen Callihan.
Dear Enemy starts with a flashback to childhood days when Macon fell in love with Samantha, Delilah's sister. He also began a bitter rivalry with Delilah that continued throughout high school. Now, all are older and have moved on, but Delilah never forgets. Macon and Delilah are forced together to deal with Sam's reckless behavior, and Delilah is still sure Macon Saint is the devil.
I wanted to love this. I didn't. First, Sam and Macon dated all through high school, so the idea of her sister Delilah being with Macon was just weird to me. Had that not been an issue, I probably would have given this 3 stars. Years ago there was a Lauren Layne book where a sister married her sibling's ex husband. I didn't think that would work for me, but in the end, I gave it 3 stars because Layne swayed me.
My next issue in Dear Enemy was the stagnant story. Everything felt so predictable and none of it really GRABBED me. It was just a march toward the very predictable end. Now, I am the first one to say sometimes stories like that are great. But, for me, when combined with the "he dated her sister" and "movie star" trope, I was just not feeling it.
I skimmed most of it because I just kept thinking, "Something is going to happen and surprise me!" but it just never happened. I think other readers will still enjoy Dear Enemy-it has the great characters that Callihan is known for, and its a great enemies to lovers trope for fans of that!
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: enemies to lovers
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes
Sweet Cheeks by K. Bromberg, Make Me Lose by Ember Leigh, The Thing about Love by Julie James ...then you will probably like Dear Enemy!
See full review on The Book Disciple