After loving the first book in this duology, The Irresistable Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the sequel. I’m happy to share, I think it’s even better! There is more romance in this one, along with intrigue and magic, and less world building, which I liked. It also has two of my favorite tropes, enemies to lovers and forbidden love.

Osric is from the Fyren Order of Assassins, and he has a problem. He has a seith (magic) degenerative disease and his magic abilities are weakening. He needs help from Aurienne, a healer, but she is a member of his enemy’s order, the Haelens. He secretly goes to see her to ask for her help.

Aurienne desperately needs funding for her research to find a cure for a terrible pox that is making their children very sick. Osric agrees to fund her research if she will cure him of his disease. They are forced to spend time together and they are smitten with each other. At first they fight their attraction because they think it’s impossible for them to be together.

When Osric discovers there is an enemy behind the Haelens’ Pox he and Aurienne work together to discover the true villains. They each have unique skills. Osric has Shadow-Walking magic and can move through shadows unseen while Aurienne uses her medical skills and research including old folk magic. I struggled a little with the political subplot and some of the names and language but I loved the slow-burn romance.

I enjoyed Aurienne and Osric’s snarky banter, especially in the beginning when they are fighting their attraction. There are also funny moments like when he tells her parents he’s not really a scalpel merchant. It feels a bit flowery at times, but I didn’t mind. This book is steamier than the first one. I also appreciated it included a recap of the first book, a glossary, map and a description of the orders which made it easier to read as a standalone.

My favorite quote captures the heart of the story: ‘Two unsuitable fools and the beautiful possibility of it all’. It really was exquisite.