Nemesis Mine A Romance of Nemeses to Lovers

By: Amy Archer

Published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2026-06-09

A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process--in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Red, White, & Royal Blue and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes.

Fake nemeses. It's a dastardly plan that can't go wrong... until love crashes the act.

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.

Nemesis Mine is a wickedly funny, steamy, and big-hearted rom-com set in a cozy fantasy world, featuring:

• An irreverent take on a fantasy kingdom for fans of Shrek and The Princess Bride
• Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers (M/M)
• A twist on fake hating/fake dating
• Black cat/golden retriever energy
• Dagger to the throat moments
• Falling for the villain
• "Touch him and you die"