By Sally Thorne
Pages: 363
Genre: Fiction, Chick-lit, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Rivals to Lovers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¾
The Hating Game was another loaner book from my sister (we do a lot of book swaps). If you like the likes of authors like Sophie Kinsella or Emily Henry, then Sally Thorne will be right up your alley.
A witty and cute office romance that will make you laugh out loud and swoon over the enemies’ rivals-to-lovers trope.
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to the co-CEOs of B&G Publishing. A company that resulted from a merger of two rival firms.
They hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerated. Hate. Their dislike is fueled by a passion to compete for everything, including a promotion to chief operating officer (COO). But when they are forced to work together on a team-building exercise, they discover that there is more to their relationship than mutual loathing. They start to feel an undeniable attraction that leads to some steamy encounters and surprising revelations. But can they overcome their fears and insecurities and admit their true feelings for each other?
This is my first Sally Thorne novel and it was a delightfully addictive read that kept me hooked from the first page to the last.
Sally creates a dynamic but realistic chemistry between Lucy and Joshua. Both are flawed but totally relatable. Lucy is a quirky and charming who struggles with her self-esteem and loneliness, while Joshua is a brooding and mysterious hero who hides his vulnerability and kindness behind a cold facade. Their banter is witty and sharp, their games are fun and clever, and their romance is sweet and sexy.
This book is so much more than a rivals-to-lovers trope. It explores some deeper themes such as family, career, identity, and trust, which add depth and emotion to the story.
If you want a chick-lit, modern office romance, rivals-to-lovers tread, then The Hating Game is for you.
This book made me laugh, smile, and feel annoyed, but ultimately it made me fall in love with the characters. I think we can all see a little bit of ourselves in Lucy & Josh.
The book was made into a movie, but I’m hesitant to watch it, there are been mixed reviews. But I’m going to leave the trailer here anyway.