The Hating Game: A Spicy Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

FINAL DECISION: This book isn't what I expected from the blurb. I expected a lot of backstabbing and undermining and anger and angst. But this book was such a beautiful romance. I loved both these characters and how their relationship developed. It is a slow-burn romance but not boring -- just wonderful. THE STORY: Lucy Hutton's nemesis is Joshua Templeman. Lucy and Joshua are executive assistants to the co-CEOs of a publishing company. Now they are both competing for the same promotion. Neither is going to back down from the competition, but at that precise moment, Lucy begins to get to know Joshua better. Perhaps neither really hates the other as much as Lucy expected -- or is Joshua playing the long game in winning the competition between them? OPINION: This book was hot several years ago. I have to admit that I wasn't attracted to the book then. I ended up reading it recently for a book club. Unlike many "hot" books, this one was amazing. From the first page to the end, I loved the couple and the story, even though it has many elements that aren't my favorite -- such as it is told in the first person present (by Lucy), and we never get Joshua's perspective other than what Lucy learns. But it worked for me because it ended up being precisely what the story needed to work. Lucy is sweet but surprisingly determined and strong when it matters. Joshua ... no, I can't say any more because it will give the story away. I can say that Lucy's perception of Joshua is that he is a stick-in-the-mud, cold person, and a big jerk. When she finds herself attracted to him, she can't imagine why. What I love about this book is that it takes all the tropes of the office romance from 20-30 years ago and writes in a new and unexpected way. I've read stories like this many times before, but this book never gave the easy, expected answer. It is modern and funny, but it is also sweet and romantic. It wasn't the typical angsty and angry enemies-to-lovers story that I was expecting, but it was definitely worth the reading. WORTH MENTIONING: THE HATING GAME was made into a movie. CONNECTED BOOK THE HATING GAME is a standalone. STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

This was an enjoyable story that hit all the right spots. Josh and Lucy are polar opposites that work opposite each other as executive assistants (something like that anyway) of a publishing house. She's cheerful, popular and excessively nice to the point where her co-workers walk over her. He's brusque, ruthless and feared at the company. Lucy just wants Josh to like her but having given up all hope to ever get along, they play these little inter-office games designed to one up each other and get on one another's nerves. When a lucrative job opportunity arises, it's game on between the two. It was entertaining and a cute take on the enemies to lovers trope with some laugh out loud moments delivered dryly by Lucy. If you're not a fan of insanely positive and upbeat people, Lucy might grind your gears a bit but I really liked her character for the most part. Josh was a tall, cool drink of handsome and was perfect as the love/hate interest. I loved the little idiosyncrasies between the two. There was a bit of repetition from Lucy who's the story teller. Not terrible, but lots of talking about how swoony and fit Josh is and how she just wants him to laugh and like her. As is common with this trope, the plot takes a predictable path and the big build up to a key event where Lucy has to be Josh's plus one to a family event could be picked a mile away. A couple of bits were a bit over the top and made to be more dramatic than they actually were, making it almost a bit of a cringe fest. That being said, it was still a sweet, feel good read with a really happy ending that hit all the right notes to give you that warm, gooey feeling.

"The trick is to find that one person who can give it back as good as they can take it." Best book of 2016 hands down this book was the best of the best. I absolutely adored this novel. I read this in one sitting and then I did something I hardly ever do, I reread it over and over. I can't get enough of this story and its characters. I love it! So Lucy is this short firecracker that you can't help but adore. She's loved books ever since she was little and now she has her dream job - she's working in the book publishing industry, where all the magic happens. However, there is one downside - Joshua Templeman. Joshua is this surely giant who seems to have it out for her. He's constantly poking at her, trying to get a rise out of this short firecracker. Which in turn, makes Lucy absolutely hate him. In fact, the password for her computer is Ihatejoshua. "I type my password: IHATEJOSHUA4EV@. My previous passwords have all been variations on how much I hate Joshua. For Ever. His password is almost certainly IHateLucinda4Eva." However, as the reader, you definitely know that Joshua doesn't hate Lucy. Not even remotely. The big giant is absolutely in love with her and lemme tell ya, it was an absolute joy to read along as he tried to woo her. You start to notice all the little things that Lucy is to oblivious to see. The trouble is, Josh is incredibly shy so he's terrible at trying to get Lucy to notice his feelings. "Shyness takes so many different forms. Some people are shy and soft. Some, shy and hard. Or in Josh’s case, shy, and wrapped in military-grade armor." I got so wrapped up in this book which is something that hasn't happened in a while. I got lost in this story, laughing at all the antics Joshua and Lucy pulled. Their banter was hilarious, I'm pretty sure a book has never made me laugh as much as I laughed during this one. But along with the hilarity, this is an incredibly moving and sweet love story. "I love strawberries. So much, you have no idea." He sounds so kind that I feel a wave of emotion. I can't open my eyes. He'll see I have tears in them. Absolutely loved this! I cannot wait to see what comes next from Sally Thorne!

Lucy Hutton is executive assistant to the Co-Chief Executive Office of Bexley & Gamin, a struggling publisher. As a matter of fact, since the struggle is so real, Gamin Publishing merged with Bexley Publishing about a year ago, and that’s when Lucy met her nemesis, her own personal Newman, Josh Templeman. Let the games (and this review) begin. -Excellent writing: Was rated a “MUST read” by a bestie. When she recommends, I listen. I was NOT disappointed in the slightest. The writing is sharp and flows so well, with excellent banter that allowed the chemistry to crackle and makes you smile throughout. -Lucy is a very likeable fully fleshed out heroine:Told in first person POV through Lucy’s eyes, I found myself really enjoying Lucy's humor and empathizing with her desire to succeed and beat Josh. Lucy is a smart, small funny heroine whose desire to be liked sometimes holds her back from co-workers taking her seriously. Except for Josh. He brings out the worst, and best, in her and it was fun to read. -Workplace romance: There's something about a romance that's set in corporate world, and the inherent humor in that, are some of my favorites and The Hating Game mines that office setting just enough to make the competition between Lucy and Josh believable. The differences between Bexley & Gamin employees from clothing to personalities certainly features in the plot. The promotion angle gives it the impetus for Josh and Lucy’s relationship to shift into another gear and made for an effective long term obstacle, since it's right up to the very end that I was wondering how they were going to resolve it. -Josh, my new BBF: Josh is a mystery at first, and his scenes with Lucy certainly made me understand why they clash the way they do, even if you see their chemistry. Josh's patience and understanding is pretty well balanced with Lucy's occasionally crazy antics, but it's when you start to see his protective veneer peel back to show his feelings for her that I swooned. -Great tension and buildup: The romance is the end all and be all, and that’s just the way I like it. Even their physical differences (at one point Lucy compares them to a Chihuahua and Great Dane) just worked for me on that shallow level. For a debut author, I was very impressed with the way Ms. Thorne handled the pacing. Their relationship ramps up little by little, and it is a slow burn, but the sexual tension is built beautifully. I LOVED the climactic scenes and while yes, there are moments of frustration with Lucy’s trying to fight the inevitable, but the characters are so engaging that I was completely invested in rooting for them to get it right. I’ll admit I was concerned about how it would all work out but tied up beautifully right when I needed it to and when it mattered, both Josh and Lucy showed why they are so perfect for each other. The Bottom Line I adored this debut by Ms. Thorne. She’s created a memorable couple in Josh and Lucy and I look forward to re-reading them for years to come. For more reviews, visit [...]

This is my first book by Sally Thorne. I know there was a lot of talk about it and great reviews, so I thought it would be a great beach read. While I liked the book, I felt it was a little too wordy for me. There were a lot of descriptions that seemed to repeat, so sometimes I just skimmed through them. I like details but some can be too much. I liked the office “hate”. I liked the games they played, “knowing” they both kind of hated each other. The rivalry was great, but it also hinted sometimes that maybe they didn’t hate each other that much. I liked how spunky Lucy was. She was cute, sarcastic & fun. Josh, on the other hand, was a little broody, like he didn’t want to be there most days. He was fun to read about though. I do feel their first schmexy time in the hotel was a bit drawn out with descriptions and chatting between the characters. I wasn’t feeling the connection between them. Maybe because this was her first novel and I’m reading it many years later after reading so many novels where authors have improved their writing from the time they started. I do plan on reading more of Sally’s novels, as this one still had a great storyline.

By far one of my favorite romantic comedies. I have read this book more times than I can count since it was first out. There are few books that actually make me laugh out loud. The Rosie Project, Look the Part, Neanderthal Seeks Human, a few others, and this fabulous work of art. The banter and one liners does not stop. It makes you jealous that you're not able to come up with come backs that are so good. The chemistry is through the roof. I love the slow build with teasers in between. The character development is spot on....I love Lucy and Josh's characters. They are complex and intricate.

REVIEWED BY KINDLE GAL So, I had to see how legit all the hype was for THE HATING GAME... The good news: The hype is pretty legit. This was a fresh, funny, romantic read. It did take me a while to get into the story, though. I wasn't a fan of the many (many!) games the hero and heroine played, most with no obvious goal or purpose. Their feuding felt superficial and juvenile, and I found myself skimming a bit. But then ... THEN ... things got interesting. And then they got good. This is an enemies-to-lovers work romance written in first-person and told entirely from the heroine's POV. Lucy, the heroine, is quirky and eventually grew on me. Josh, the hero, is stoic and impossible to read, which drives people-pleaser Lucy INSANE. They have some really great banter, thanks to some unexpected quips and retorts by both characters, and there were several times I laughed out loud while reading. On the other hand, there were a few things I definitely didn't love (beyond their tiresome games). For example, Lucy nicknamed her nemesis's boss "Fat Little Dick," which I found unnecessarily obnoxious and made her difficult to like at all in the early chapters. I also felt like there wasn't a smooth enough (and therefore, believable) transition between the hating and the lusting. That said, once this story hit its stride, it was very well done. It has some of the best sexual tension I have read, and this is a debut author, you guys! I was seriously impressed! Was THE HATING GAME the best romance I've read this year? No, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what this author does next. Rating: B

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 5 stars!!! “My hostage. My blackmailed, unwilling captive. Stockholm Shortcake.” There is nothing like a good hate/love book to get your reading mojo well and truly pumping and that is exactly what The Hating Game delivered. Sally Thorne captured everything about those office relationships where competition takes on a whole new meaning and to think that this is her debut novel, I was totally blown away. Enemies to lovers is one of those tropes that literally has me salivating. You learn more about a person through their actions in that kind of environment, especially in the work place. It is harder to hate than it is to love and there is often a very fine line between the two. Sometimes there is that genuine hate, because let’s be honest, there are a lot of douches and b****es in the world, but more often than not we hate as a veil of our true feelings and that was definitely the case with these two. “Shortcake, if we were flirting, you’d know about it.” “Because I’d be traumatized?” “Because you’d be thinking about it later on, lying in bed.” Two publishing houses struggling in the economic climate merge to ensure the viability of at least one of them, two CEO’s, two assistants. One male assistant, one female assistant who knock their a**es out week after week to be the best. This was all about one-upmanship. Who could work the longest hours, who was more efficient, who has the best ideas etc.: Their competitiveness was the source of many hilarious scenes, yet so relatable having been in a similar environment myself. But they loved to hate one and other, their inter-office games of “hate” had me laughing so many times and this book was written so well their story effortlessly flowed from page to page. This was an easy read, a real page turner. “The trick is to find someone who’s strong enough to take it. That one person who can give it back as good as they get.” Lucy Hutton was working in a place that she had dreamt of since she was a teenager. For her, publishing had always been her dreams albeit maybe not as a PA to the CEO. Her position had left her friendless because of everyone’s “snitch” mentality and her only source of enjoyment in her working day were her battles with Joshua. These two sat in the same office where daggers were drawn from clock in to clock out. Where juvenile staring competitions were the norm and trying to decipher codes and logins were their speciality. “I feel like your Easter egg.” Joshua was a whizz with numbers, he kept himself to himself and was definitely a closed book. He was an ornery man of rituals and order and was as predictable as they came. But who was Joshua Templeman? With a new position being made as COO, a promotion for Lucy or Joshua, battle lines are well and truly drawn as both know that neither one could work for the other. This was a fight to the death in more ways than one. Lucy begins to see a different side to Joshua when little chinks in his armour are slowly revealed, could this be who Joshua Templeman really is and god forbid Lucy for actually…falling in love. “The energy that usually lashes ineffectively inside each of us now has a conduit, forming a loop of electricity between us, cycling through me, into him. My heart is glowing in my chest like a bulb, flashing brighter with each movement of his lips.” The humour and banter in this book was contagious from start to finish, the dialogue was spot on and the chemistry was seriously off the charts. Even in hate mode you could feel those flickers of electricity and you were constantly on edge just waiting for them to ignite into a raging inferno. These two as enemies were hilarious, as lovers totally swoon worthy. I adored EVERYTHING about this book. I made the mistake of starting this late in the day and then read into the early hours of the morning, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were infectious, the plot was riveting and as each layer of Joshua Templeman was revealed my heart just got mushier and mushier. For those that love enemies to lovers this is a must read and the story will speak for itself. “This is the best game I’ve ever played in my entire life.”

This book was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The story, emotions, and characters stayed with me even after I finished reading. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read!

I loved this book from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down for a second it was just so good. This is like the holy grail of the enemies to lovers trope and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything with this trope that’s written so well. The characters, the plot, the style *chefs kiss*

Principalmente compré este libro porque lo vi tan bien de precio que dije pues por probar tampoco voy a perder tanto. Con lo que no contaba era con todo lo que iba a ganar. WOW. Sigo sin superar este libro, de verdad. La forma que los personajes y la historia te atrapan y no te dejan soltar el libro. Sí que es verdad que al principio el enemies es llevado a un extremo que te quedas ????? Tampoco hace falta. Pero muy rápidamente se rompe la barrera y aunque sigue esa rivalidad se va viendo como los personajes van cayendo (o habían caído ya antes sin darse cuenta 😉) y es algo maravilloso. La forma en la que Josh y Lucy se complementan, se conocen tan bien, como se han dejado absorber por esa rivalidad que realmente era mucho más. Increíble, 100% recomendando. Tanto la lectura como la compra. Si sois fans del romance, del enemies to lovers, este es vuestro libro. Además no es muy difícil de entender (por ser en inglés, que quizá eso pueda tirar para atrás) y el ritmo es muy dinámico y pasan los capítulos que ni te enteras. Los últimos capítulos uf, menuda montaña rusa. Shortcake 🍓♥️

Das war so ein gutes Buch. Ich war erst etwas skeptisch, weil ich den Kleinkrieg der beiden nicht so positiv entgegengeschallt habe aber am Ende war die Umsetzung super. Die Charaktere fand ich beide so toll und die Persönlichkeiten sind super klar geworden. Natürlich war es klar, wie es ausgeht, weil es eben Romance ist, aber die Umsetzung und der Weg dahin ist so gut gelungen. Auch Josh Vergangenheit konnte ich super nachvollziehen. Ich hatte echt das Gefühl, dass ich genau verstehe, wie es ihm geht. Das Buch hat mich so gut unterhalten! Ich will es gleich nochmal lesen :D! An Deutsche, die sich unsicher sind, auf englisch zu lesen: Ich fand die Sprache sehr einfach. Kalt versteht man einige Dinge vielleicht nicht richtig, aber aus dem Kontext wird dann immer alles klar.

it starts off pretty slow but towards the middle gets really juicy. i would give it a 3.5 stars because of how it dragged on a lot until it got into their final connection or communication.Cute ending tho.