Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Hating Game

I want to put a disclaimer that I read this book directly after reading The Spanish Love Deception and I'm 100% sure that it affected my reading experience, and will therefore affect my review.

I am going to start by saying that if you liked this book you'll also like The Spanish Love Deception and vice versa. Cue my problem. It was for the most part the same book. Short girl, super tall guy, a wedding where they go as fake dates to not be embarrassed in front of family members and ex, a work environment where they met and consequently don't get along, the male character having daddy-issues . . . Just take my word for it that a lot of the aspects are the same. By that, I'm not saying that it's a word-for-word match or anything, since the actual plot of this book does focus on different things than The Spanish Love Deception despite having a bunch of similar scenes and settings, and this doesn't take away from the fact that it's still a good book but I had to mention it. I also don't read a ton of contemporary romance novels (I'm more of a fantasy reader) so it is very possible that all books in the genre have this same premise and that I'm complaining about nothing.

That being said, I liked the relationship between Lucinda and Joshua and the book was entertaining. It's just overall creativity causing me to knock a few stars down. As I said, it was a good contemporary romance but it didn't blow my mind as I was hoping it would. Still, a worthwhile read though because Lucy and Josh are adorable.

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the_paperbackprincess's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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loonieslibrary's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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readwithde's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was sorely disappointed by what many claim to be the pinnacle of enemies-to-lovers romance.

First, there is not a single minute where they seem to be true enemies. They annoy each other, play games like The Staring Game and other elementary school variations on flirting. They may both be guarded and competitive, but not enemies. Their early interactions walk the line of flirting and annoyance, and the backdrop of the office and co-workers make it work.

When Lucy gets sick, we see chemistry and connection between the two, especially as Josh does so much to care for her. His protectiveness and possessiveness is obvious, as well as his interest and jealousy.

They really could have moved into a friends-with-benefits situation, or even a decision to just be friends, but they continue to ride the line between sexual tension and indecision.

Lucy stalks him, and at one point literally throws herself at him, constantly asking for kisses and sex. Then, when it is time for them to go away for his brother's wedding, she is nervous and upset about the possibility of sex. Which she then tries to have as soon as they arrive. Josh is just as hot and cold, claiming to need days and weeks for their "one time only" while waiting until the last minute and constantly putting her off.

There are so many red flags -- like him admitting women have used him for his body, then her bringing up his looks repeatedly. While some of these are marginally addressed, it is hard to believe Lucy is in love when she spends most of the book trying to learn about him. It just feels fake and unreal.

On top of all this, there is no plot climax, just a series of emotional speed bumps. The entire narrative spins around the promotion they are fighting for, but that is resolved in a few sentences at the very end of the book.

Josh's plan doesn't even make sense -- he has all the time in the world to get her to love him without the promotion and HR between them.

The steamy scenes were excellent, but not enough to distract me from the narrative train wreck. Everything else worth reading was skipped over in the epilogue.

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tiitu's review against another edition

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funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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