Last week, Marcus decided he wanted to engineer a robot that could deliver pancakes to the family table. Naturally, this led to a pancake batter explosion and a lively debate about robotic ethics—but also a little extra cleanup duty for Matthew and me. The chaos reminded me how families, just like characters in a book, can surprise you in ways you never expect. Maybe that's why I reached for Enemies on my shelf and found myself instantly hooked by its emotional intensity and addictive drama.
Plot Summary
Enemies by Tijan centers on Dusty, a young woman starting over in Texas after a painful family legacy and severe loss. Her childhood friend Stone Reeves—now an NFL football star and her longstanding enemy—suddenly reappears, bringing tension, unresolved wounds, and sharp banter. Their history is full of old betrayals, heartbreak, and deep resentment that only magnifies when family drama and town gossip collide. Third-person narration reveals Dusty's emotional struggle and Stone's growly charm, while romance slowly heats up beneath all the animosity. This standalone sports romance delivers enemies-to-lovers energy, real angst, and complex emotions.
Why I Love This Book
I love when a story gives characters room to be messy and real. Dusty's journey from isolation to honest vulnerability felt genuine—and Stone's presence was equal parts infuriating and swoon-worthy. The push-pull dynamic never lets you relax, so I stayed up well past midnight rooting for them. The football scenes added spark and the moments of friendship melted my heart. And even the angsty twists delivered just enough suspense to keep me turning pages instead of doing the laundry.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy sports romance, enemies-to-lovers stories, and books packed with high-stakes drama, you'll love this one. Slow-burn tension, found family vibes, and complex emotional healing make Enemies memorable. Readers fond of flawed heroines, possessive athletes, and angsty banter won't be disappointed. Some plot points delve into heavy territory, but the ending is uplifting and deeply satisfying.
⚠️ Trigger warning: grief, parental loss, family dysfunction, explicit sexual content, emotional manipulation, language, mature themes.
Tagged As
sports romance, football romance, enemies-to-lovers, angsty, slow burn, standalone, found family, emotional healing, possessive hero, college, Texas, contemporary, explicit, indie, HEA, complex heroine
Steam Level
The chemistry between Dusty and Stone is white-hot, with explicit scenes woven into their emotional journey. Every steamy moment is integral to the plot, never just for shock value, and the romance stays front and center to the very end.
