Let this Do Your Worst book review be your introduction to a fun new novel, whether you’ve been a fan of Rosie Danan since The Roommate or you’re brand new to her steamy stories.
If you fall into the latter category, then you’re in good company because this was my first Rosie Danan story, and let me tell you that it did not disappoint. I was intrigued by the concept of a cursebreaker and a disgraced archaeologist being forced to team up and solve a mystery that might have no logical solutions. The fact that it was also an enemies-to-lovers romance only added to the appeal.
Riley Rhodes is an occult expert who was taught by her grandmother to break curses big and small. This is a family talent, and one they use to help out those who came to them with the kind of trouble they couldn’t solve on their own. But Riley is an enterprising kind of person, and she’s decided to take the show on the road—and for a price, no less.
Her next job is across the pond in Scotland, where an infamous castle has a reputation for being cursed. If she can solve the case in time, it’ll add plenty of legitimacy to her business, and she’ll have no trouble landing new gigs in the future.
Riley thinks things can’t get any better, until she runs into a mysterious man in a bar. He’s dark and brooding, but something about her bright personality gets him to open up. They share a meal, and maybe even a kiss, and promise to meet up again soon. It’s like Riley’s luck has finally turned, and she’s going to do everything she can to take full advantage of it.
But when she walks through the doors of the castle the next morning, she overhears someone trying to get her fired, saying she’s nothing more than a fraud. And, wouldn’t you know it, it’s the same man from the night before, the one that she felt an instant connection with. Only now, all she feels is pure, unadulterated hatred.
Clark Edgeware is in Scotland in a last-ditch effort to save his reputation. With a famous father known for making incredible archaeological discoveries, Clark has always stood in the shadow of his family’s legacy. But one wrong decision led to scandal, and now he’s paying the price. Everything is riding on this job at the castle.
And if there’s one thing Clark doesn’t believe in, it’s curses. Or magic. Or anything of the sort. He’s as skeptical as he is cynical, and he’s not going to let a so-called cursebreaker destroy what little dignity he has left. Of course, he didn’t exactly know that said cursebreaker was the same woman who’d charmed him the night before.
With tensions high and tempers flaring, these two vow to stay out of each other’s way and just get on with their respective jobs. Only, the castle doesn’t exactly allow them to do that. Time and time again, they’re brought together, and neither one is strong enough to deny the chemistry between them, even if they’d do anything not to admit that out loud.
This is a pretty good example of enemies-to-lovers because each one has a legitimate reason to hate the other, and they’re both constantly working to undermine the person they consider to be the one obstacle in the way of achieving the victory they so desperately want. It only complicates things that there’s an obvious attraction between the two of them.
I don’t often read paranormal romance, but I knew as soon as I finished this book, I’d have to write a Do Your Worst book review. This novel would’ve been a great rom-com on its own, but the supernatural elements elevate the story and made it even more complex. Two rivals squaring off was fun enough, but throw in a curse manipulating your thoughts and feelings, and things really start to get interesting.
I liked both Riley and Clark, not only for their individual personalities and aspirations, but because of how they ultimately complemented each other once they got on the same page. It wasn’t easy for them, but Do Your Worst is a quick read, and you’ll find yourself laughing along with all the antics.
I don’t want to ruin any of the major moments, but I can’t sign off on this Do Your Worst book review without mentioning the fact that their sexual tension (and the act itself) plays a major part in their journey to uncovering the truth about the curse—and it’s worth every agonizing second of tension leading up to that moment.
‘Do Your Worst’ hit store shelves on November 14, 2023
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