Behind Frenemy Lines

The Must-Read Workplace Fake Dating Romance from Zen Cho

By: Zen Cho

Narrated by: Daniel York Loh, Vera Chok

Sparks fly when an ambitious rules-bound lawyer clashes with a maverick new hire who threatens his chances of partnership—and the walls he's built around his heart.

When Kriya follows her boss and joins a new law firm, she’s looking for a fresh start after a messy break-up. Sharing an office with her work nemesis was not what she had in mind.

Charles has always played by the rules, and had clear boundaries until Kriya crashed into his space. A few too many unfortunate professional encounters has him convinced this attractive girl can’t stand him, and things only get more awkward as they are forced to work so closely together . . .

But just as they’re figuring out how to navigate this frenemy relationship, Kriya needs Charles’ help: pretend they’re dating so her boss will stop hitting on her. As they have to keep up the facade in front of those closest to them, it soon becomes less clear whether they're enemies, friends – or something else.

Award-winning author Zen Cho delivers a sparkling and witty rivals-to-lovers romance reminiscent of Sally Thorn's The Hating Game and Sajni Patel's The Trouble with Hating You.

Critic reviews

Zen Cho’s The Friend Zone Experiment is a witty and heartwarming exploration of friendship and romance. This is a succession style K-drama that is perfect for a beach read . . . Cho’s humour and observations on modern relationships offers a fun and easy read.

A beautifully soapy second-chance romance set in modern-day London. The romance buzzes like a live wire. Ket Siong’s quiet care gives weight to Renee’s drive, and her quickness lightens the emotional burdens he’s been concealing

Cho is a marvel. Her deft observations go down like a charm, but their emotional power will leave you deeply moved . . . The Friend Zone Experiment is a story so intensely real that you’ll wonder later if it happened to someone you knew (Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun)

Reminiscent of classic Kdramas with a touch more reality, Cho perfectly balances a friends-to-lovers romance with familial tensions and business-world intrigue. Easily one of my top reads of the year! (Simone Soltani, author of Cross the Line)

Amazing Narration and Story

I love reading about 2 Malaysian (technically Charles is half-Malaysian kan?) lawyers having sexual tension with eachother smack in a big law firm in London. Zen Cho plsplspls write more Law-centered books because i genuinely love reading/listening about it throughout the book.

And the narrators are incredible. They captured both the character's quirks and I love how they nailed the Malaysian accent of Kriya's gang djhzhsjsj. LOVE. Daniel pls narrate more romance novels I'd pay you with my life if you do.