We love to see a good fake rivalry enemies to lovers queer romance. And Nemesis Mine delivers a story about misconceptions, illusions, and taking a stand. Keep reading this book review of Nemesis Mine for my full thoughts.
Summary
Nobody is more surprised than Cyrus to learn that he’s no longer considered the greatest villain in the land of Athaca. Sure, he’s lying about the fact that his magical power is making flowers grow. And maybe lately he’s spent more time embroidering pillowcases than tormenting the locals. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be yesterday’s evil news.
Enter the hero Maximillian: the realm’s golden boy, complete with a blinding smile, chiseled abs, and an infuriating habit of spreading hope and joy. (Gross.) If Cyrus wants to be taken seriously, he’ll have to take this guy down.
But Maximillian isn’t quite as perfect as he seems. When he proposes a scheme to fake an epic rivalry and increase their fame, Cyrus can’t resist. Stage the battles, soak up the spotlight, share the spoils—it’s a villainously good marketing plan.
There’s just one hitch. Pretending to hate your nemesis becomes a lot harder when you start falling for them instead.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Nemesis Mine is a romance with this superhero enemies to lovers. But it’s about the roles we are forced to play. To be reluctant good guy and a bad guy with a good heart. The tropes, the character moves, the rivalries and actions we are forced into. All the ways these boxes chafe, constrain and contain us. But nothing is ever clear cut like this. Nemesis Mine is about breaking free of these limits, this false illusion of good and bad, of sides. With this fake rivalry PR scheme, it brings this light this lightness to this illusion and calculated moves. We begin to think about the ways in which these roles are decided for us.
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Performance and reality come to a head when we are asked what we really stand for. Who we will really be at the end of the day when it’s just us, no one else, and the mirror. This was an enjoyable read I just wish at some points it slowed down a bit more to establish their relationship. But if you’re looking for queer superhero romance, this certainly has to be on the list! Find Nemesis Mine on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.