The Hating Game

Overall, I think this book was way over-hyped for me. I was disappointed with how much I didn't love it. A majority of my dislike stems from the fact that I could barely tolerate Lucy. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between Lucy and Joshua.

Swoon!

*4.5 stars

Yes, I've read this book three times.

Yes, I will probably read it again.

Believe the hype. I don't even like the “I love you so I must act like I hate you” trope, but debut author Sally Thorne utilizes it with such charming energy that the book is irresistible. Her dialogue is snappy without quite oozing over into snarky, and the sexual chemistry between Lucy and Joshua is off the charts. Plus while Josh is grouchy and surly, he's never mean and it's obvious from the beginning that he's a goner; and while Lucy is little and adorable, she's competent and strong-minded without any ditziness. Can't wait to see what Thorne comes up with next.

I devoured this book and was only disappointed when I reached the end and there was no more Lucy and Josh. Ultimate enemies-to-lovers story–highly recommended.

–Reread December 2021–
I didn't realize a movie was being made. Reading again before watching. <3 Josh.

Such a fun read with lots of laugh out loud and swoon-worthy moments! You can feel the tension between the two MCs as they go from being office enemies to something more. Think Rachel and Gavin from Friends. I loved all of Lucy's quirks and how Josh just accepted her for them. I loved everything about this story and I'm excited to read more from this author! Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2016!

Pardon me while I fan myself, because this book is sizzling! How to describe The Hating Game? It's fun, it's hilarious, and it's full of the type of sexual tension that makes the pages smolder. Insta-love and I have never been friends. Give me a struggle, and an awkward love story though, and I'm yours forever. Sally Throne has written my absolute favorite type of story right here. The one where supposed hate turns to steamy love, and the whole ride is just too enjoyable for words.

First off, Lucy is absolutely adorable. At a toppling 5 feet tall, Lucy is just a ball of gawky and lovable energy. She's the type of character that has no problem making people adore her, but unfortunately craves that attention. Which means she gets stepped all over a fair amount of the time. That just endeared her to me all the more though. I could see the lioness within, and I was so rooting for her. Enter Joshua, her nemesis, and the exact yin to her yang. Joshua is perfectly polished. He's proper, and cold. He's the type of character that people actually fear disappointing. So what happens when you put these two in close quarters? So much. So, so much.

The banter was my absolute favorite portion of this whole book. Watching Lucy and Josh banter, watching the delicious sexual tension slowly unfurl between them, was just wonderful. This whole book is a slow burn. It has perfectly paced romantic moments, interspersed with struggles, to make this a much deeper book than I expected. Lucy and Josh don't just get one another. They have to fight. They argue. They're petty. At the end of the day though, it's still that slow burn towards the ending. I can't express enough how perfectly paced this romantic comedy is! I laughed, I cried, I smirked. So many emotions.

There were a few small things about this story that made it fall just shy of a perfect five star rating. Josh's personality, while absolutely necessary to the story, could be a bit grating at certain times. I'm so glad he had Lucy to set him back on the right track. Overall though, I can promise you that this book is the whole package. The Hating Game is a ton of fun to read! It's well worth a spot on your reading list.