Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Married writing duo Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka (The Breakup Tour) beguile in this empathetic enemies-to-lovers romance. After book marketer Jennifer Worth ends her unsatisfying relationship, she decides to spend a week at an immersive fan experience based on her favorite romantic fantasy series, wanting an escape into a world where love is passionate and real. She's shocked when she arrives to find her work nemesis, Scott Daniels, also in attendance and cosplaying as one of the men of her dreams. As they search for clues through the elaborate themed scavenger hunt, their constant sparring turns to white-hot attraction. Now Jennifer wonders if her own romantic fantasies, which she's long dismissed as unrealistic, might be achievable after all--with the one person she least expected to fall for. The authors convincingly portray Jennifer's romantic angst and Scott's swoony attempts to woo her. A robust supporting cast rounds out the love story as Jennifer makes new friends who are all as obsessed with the series as she is and becomes embroiled in drama brewing among the experience's actors. This is a treat. (Feb.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Romantasy readers won't want to miss this new workplace enemies-to-lovers rom-com from bestselling married author duo Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka (The Breakup Tour). Newly single Jennifer Worth is a huge (somewhat obsessed) fan of the "Elytheum Courts" series of fantasy romance novels. She unexpectedly attends the same weeklong fandom event as her coworker Scott Daniels, a complete romance cynic. The two are drawn into a series of challenges designed to test the fans of a specific series, leading to plenty of forced-proximity tension and secret pining, all with a chance to win a grand prize at the end. While the story moves slowly at times, Laser's outstanding narration more than makes up for it. Laser excels at building tension between the two main characters and voicing both leads and a cast of wide-ranging side characters. VERDICT Despite its somewhat uneven pacing, this contemporary romance is sure to appeal to fans of Sarah J. Maas, those who love books about books, and anyone seeking a swoony romance with a strong woman lead.--Shannon O'Connor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two workplace enemies begin to view each other in a different light when they both arrive at the same weeklong fandom event. Following a breakup she saw coming from miles away, Jennifer Worth books a ticket to a weeklong "immersive experience" for fans of Elytheum Courts, a bestselling romantasy series. She's gobsmacked to see that Scott Daniels, her nemesis at the publishing company where she works, is also in attendance, fully decked out in leather armor. Jennifer distinctly remembers Scott saying he was taking time off to attend a friend's wedding, but when confronted about the lie, Scott tells Jennifer she can leave if his presence is disturbing her. Part of the event is a scavenger hunt, and since Jennifer and Scott are seemingly unable to get out of each other's way--on the grounds, in the communal bathroom--they finally agree to put aside their differences and work together to solve the trail of clues. Jennifer is sick of experiencing swoony romance only in fiction, but she often feels like she's asking for too much in the way of courtship and passion in real life. Curiously, she seems to feel sparks when she's verbally sparring with Scott. This enemies-to-lovers romance taps into the tremendous sense of community that comes with being part of a fandom. Most of the characters are unabashed in their love for Elytheum Courts, and the event gives Jennifer the nudge she needs to walk away from the shame she carries about wanting to be swept off her feet. However, since we only get Jennifer's point of view, the narrative feels one-sided, especially given the many assumptions she makes about Scott and his motivations for attending the experience. The humor and warmth of fan communities feels carefully crafted here, though that care doesn't extend to the central romance. This celebration of fandom will appeal to readers passionately entrenched in similar communities. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
