Release date: April 7, 2026
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
From the author of Partners in Crime, comes a sparkling new adventure rom-com where a con woman and a lawman team up on an epic cross-country road trip to save their families…and each other.
Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama’s calculating brain, her daddy’s quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she’s spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who’s set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.
Krish Anand never mastered the fine art of being a bad boy…he would take a book over bullets any day. But when his FBI agent brother goes missing, he has no choice but to suit up for the adventure of a lifetime. Certain that someone in Sejal’s little crime family is behind the disappearance, a desperate Krish manages to convince the beautiful thief that his brother’s badge is actually his.
The deal is simple: help him find his brother, and Krish and the law will leave Sejal be. With an up-to-no-good ex also hot on her trail, Sejal reluctantly agrees. As they wind their way across the country on planes, buses, and automobiles, sparks ignite, and what began as a fragile temporary truce starts to look more and more like a partnership.
Falling for the enemy? So cliche, but so good…if only they can survive long enough to chance a happily ever after.
TROPES
Enemies-to-Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Love
Adventure Rom-Com
Review:
Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai delivers a fresh, high energy twist on the rom com space by leaning into adventure without tipping fully into romantic suspense. This was such a fun surprise, think action packed and chaotic in the best way, but still grounded in banter, chemistry, and emotional payoff. The story follows Sejal and Krish, two layered, secretive characters whose complicated pasts make them instantly intriguing. Their forced partnership sets the stage for a fiery dynamic that slowly reveals unexpected depth, and watching that shift unfold is where the magic really happens.
What stood out most is how seamlessly the story balances tone. It has moments of real tension and danger, but never feels heavy—instead, it keeps things playful, zany, and fast moving, especially with the road trip element adding a sense of unpredictability. The slow burn romance works beautifully here, fueled by sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and just enough spice to keep things sizzling. Sejal and Krish both have compelling reasons for their guardedness, which makes their emotional progression feel earned rather than rushed.
Also worth noting: this reads perfectly well as a standalone, even though it’s technically the second in a series. If you’re looking for something that sits in that sweet spot between rom com and light adventure—with a little chaos, a little danger, and a lot of sparks—this one absolutely delivers.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 