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kelly_e's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Title: If You Hate Me
Author: Helena Hunting
Series: Toronto Terror #1
Genre: Romance
Rating: 1.50
Pub Date: March 7, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Good Girls PR in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Spicy • Problematic • Excessive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
My new roommates are two pro hockey players. First, my manwhore older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).This was a last resort. No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and ball sweat. But here I am, trying to get my life together.
Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence. He never wears a shirt. We can’t seem to stop fighting. He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation. Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago. I know better than to trust him. I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place. And not accidentally let Tristan rail me into next week.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd read A Love Catastrophe earlier this year by the same author and really liked her writing style. When the opportunity arose to get an eARC of If You Hate Me, the first in a new series, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, this one really just didn't work for me for a whole host of reasons.
Firstly, in this enemies-to-lovers/forbidden romance, the sex completely overtook the entire story, to the point that there wasn't really a plot anymore. It was verging more on the erotica side of things than anything else. Additionally, there was no real relationship development - it's basically just them saying and doing really hurtful things to one another and then having sex, over and over and over again...
Secondly, there is not only one, but TWO third act breakups, which was absolutely ridiculous. It could have easily ended several times and been 100 pages shorter or at least add some more to their actual relationship and backstory. The characters also had solid bones, but the author chose not to development them and really made it all about the sex. Eventually I was more interested in some of the side characters.
I also struggled with the whole hockey culture and puck bunny aspect of the story. Yes, I understand this type of stuff happens, but it is a stereotype that isn't necessarily the norm and that the hockey world is trying to change, so I don't think books like this help. Trip was absolutely ruthless in his treatment of women. It was just ick.
And my biggest issue of all is the author having absolutely no regard for vaginal health. It's quite obvious to me she was going for shock value, as some of the scenes are just absolutely wild and scream 'yeast infection'. I don't need that in my life, nor do I need it in my book - like just no thank you! Additionally, the scene with Tristan's brother where he confides in him about a non-consensual sexual encounter could have been a real plus in the book, but it was simply brushed off and forgotten about.
I appreciated the attention given to money and food anxiety, yet it didn't add up throughout the plot. For example, Trip is out partying every single night, yet he is concerned about his finances? That doesn't add up. Even with Rix there was a lot of discrepancy in what she was saying and what she was doing
The highlight for me was the absolutely hilarious fictionalization of Toronto's professional hockey team being good, having just come off a championship run.
I am not sure I read the same book as all the people giving this five-star. If this is people's example of a healthy relationship than there is definitely a bigger issue here. I kept thinking it would redeem itself, so I kept going, but I should've just given up. It left me with the ick feeling, and it's not a book I would want any young woman entering adulthood to read. I definitely won't be continuing with this series (even though I am curious about some of the side characters). But I also haven't completely given up on Helena Hunting's writing, although I may stick to her traditionally published works going forward.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• unhealthy relationships
• page after page of spice
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Money shouldn't be the thing that prevents you from achieving your dreams."
Author: Helena Hunting
Series: Toronto Terror #1
Genre: Romance
Rating: 1.50
Pub Date: March 7, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Good Girls PR in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Spicy • Problematic • Excessive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
My new roommates are two pro hockey players. First, my manwhore older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).This was a last resort. No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and ball sweat. But here I am, trying to get my life together.
Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence. He never wears a shirt. We can’t seem to stop fighting. He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation. Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago. I know better than to trust him. I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place. And not accidentally let Tristan rail me into next week.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd read A Love Catastrophe earlier this year by the same author and really liked her writing style. When the opportunity arose to get an eARC of If You Hate Me, the first in a new series, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, this one really just didn't work for me for a whole host of reasons.
Firstly, in this enemies-to-lovers/forbidden romance, the sex completely overtook the entire story, to the point that there wasn't really a plot anymore. It was verging more on the erotica side of things than anything else. Additionally, there was no real relationship development - it's basically just them saying and doing really hurtful things to one another and then having sex, over and over and over again...
Secondly, there is not only one, but TWO third act breakups, which was absolutely ridiculous. It could have easily ended several times and been 100 pages shorter or at least add some more to their actual relationship and backstory. The characters also had solid bones, but the author chose not to development them and really made it all about the sex. Eventually I was more interested in some of the side characters.
I also struggled with the whole hockey culture and puck bunny aspect of the story. Yes, I understand this type of stuff happens, but it is a stereotype that isn't necessarily the norm and that the hockey world is trying to change, so I don't think books like this help. Trip was absolutely ruthless in his treatment of women. It was just ick.
And my biggest issue of all is the author having absolutely no regard for vaginal health. It's quite obvious to me she was going for shock value, as some of the scenes are just absolutely wild and scream 'yeast infection'. I don't need that in my life, nor do I need it in my book - like just no thank you! Additionally, the scene with Tristan's brother where he confides in him about a non-consensual sexual encounter could have been a real plus in the book, but it was simply brushed off and forgotten about.
I appreciated the attention given to money and food anxiety, yet it didn't add up throughout the plot. For example, Trip is out partying every single night, yet he is concerned about his finances? That doesn't add up. Even with Rix there was a lot of discrepancy in what she was saying and what she was doing
The highlight for me was the absolutely hilarious fictionalization of Toronto's professional hockey team being good, having just come off a championship run.
I am not sure I read the same book as all the people giving this five-star. If this is people's example of a healthy relationship than there is definitely a bigger issue here. I kept thinking it would redeem itself, so I kept going, but I should've just given up. It left me with the ick feeling, and it's not a book I would want any young woman entering adulthood to read. I definitely won't be continuing with this series (even though I am curious about some of the side characters). But I also haven't completely given up on Helena Hunting's writing, although I may stick to her traditionally published works going forward.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• unhealthy relationships
• page after page of spice
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Money shouldn't be the thing that prevents you from achieving your dreams."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, Mental illness, Classism, Alcohol, and Sexism
food insecurity, money anxietythecajunbookworm's review
fast-paced
4.5
Beatrix just wants one thing in life. To get a job and an apartment so that she doesn't have to mooch off of her brother any more than necessary.
After a disastrous exit from her former roommates and her job, Rix is down on her luck stuck living with her man-whore of professional hockey player of a brother, along with his best friend who is also a hockey player.
Not only is Tristan Stiles unfairly attractive, he and Rix also can't stand each other. I wouldn't say enemies to lovers, but definitely hate to lovers in this one!
I loved that Rix was able to have a group of girls to rely on and call friends (listen we all need support!) and I loved that each of the characters had something that they needed to grow from. By the ending I was cheering on all of their growth. They all definitely needed some therapy in some way shape or form, haha!
I'm super excited about the next book in the series!!
After a disastrous exit from her former roommates and her job, Rix is down on her luck stuck living with her man-whore of professional hockey player of a brother, along with his best friend who is also a hockey player.
Not only is Tristan Stiles unfairly attractive, he and Rix also can't stand each other. I wouldn't say enemies to lovers, but definitely hate to lovers in this one!
I loved that Rix was able to have a group of girls to rely on and call friends (listen we all need support!) and I loved that each of the characters had something that they needed to grow from. By the ending I was cheering on all of their growth. They all definitely needed some therapy in some way shape or form, haha!
I'm super excited about the next book in the series!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ingamama1033's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This author usually writes romantic stories that sometimes edge into erotica. This one goes over the edge. The MC is an emotionally unavailable hockey player with childhood trauma who gets relationship advice from his teammates. His teammates, although blockheads, give amazingly good advice. There is an HEA thanks to that advice but nothing else in the story supports the MC’s revelations. The story has lots of kinky sex but not much hockey. I’m more of a hockey fan so this book didn’t do it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
nicolecurlsuptoread's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ½ [4.5/5]
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ [5/5]
📌 You’ll dig this if you like
» Brother’s best friend
» Enemies to lovers
» Roommates/ forced proximity
» Bad boy/ good girl- with lots of “good girl”
» Hand necklaces
» Hockey players
Bea quit her job and her apartment in the same day and is stuck rooming with her brother Flip and his hot AF roommate, Tristan, who have been best friends since childhood.
Bea and Tristan DO NOT get along.
But… their chemistry is next level 🔥 so maybe hooking up once will get it out of their systems, right? Yeah, right.
It’s been a minute since I read Helena Hunting and If You Hate Me reminded me why I ❤️ her books. The pacing makes sense, the tension and stakes are high enough to stay interested without making it too angsty. And the spice! Oh, the spice 🥵
I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audio while reading along and 😮💨 what an experience! 💯 recommend!
I took off ½ ⭐️ because I thought the grovel at the end could've been better.
📌 What stood out
» So many little love notes to Toronto, I couldn’t help being tickled by the easter eggs.
» So many feelings! From laughing, swooning, and sweating 🥵 😮💨 to rage, I was engaged throughout.
» Their sniping banter was deliciously hilarious foreplay.
» Tristan’s dirty talk! 🏆
📌 Moments
» Tristan’s panic the morning after Flip brings home a bunny and offers him “in”. My heart exploded 💓
» The most delicious 🥒 he’s ever tasted.
» Cake delivery! 🍰 😂 🤣
🚫 CW/TW: child abandonment and food insecurity. Please check trigger warnings.
✨I received an ARC of If You Hate Me from Helena Hunting and Good Girls PR in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
anovelglimpse's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
If you have been missing Helena Hunting's Pucked series, you won't want to miss reading If You Hate Me. Hunting is giving us a whole new hockey world filled with amazing characters starting with Rix and Tristan. I didn't want to put this book down! What was so great about it? Pretty much everything.
* Hunting brought the fun, the humor, the swoon, and the spice to ensure this romance was a very entertaining read. I even teared up a couple of times.
* The tropes in this book were perfection.
* The roommate situation was a great way to put Tristan and Rix in close proximity. The fact that her brother, Flip, was there making things secretive was a lot of fun.
* Tristan's annoyance with his best friend/teammate's younger sister and Rix's anger and frustration with Tristan created tension and chemistry that were palpable. The enemies to lovers trope was strong with these two.
* Rix was easy to love. Life hadn't been the easiest growing up for her and I thought Hunting did a fabulous job portraying the results of years of food insecurity. I always wanted the best for Rix because of how caring she was towards her friends and family.
* Tristan was a wee bit harder to love at times, but I did end up loving his character. His womanizing past was his past and was easy to dismiss. His present on the other hand was a mess. Tristan had his own leftover childhood trauma to deal with, and he didn't do a good job at it for a lot of this book. I did love seeing his growth, though.
* I loved Rix and Tristan together when things were going well. Rix and Tristan's situationship was filled with a lot of ups and a couple of downs. Their agreement to keep things casual and on a timeline went about as well as it always does in romance novels. The feelings got pretty messy. I enjoyed their romantic journey and how they both worked through the issues that came between them.
* I'm already waiting for the side characters to get their own books. Flip was a lovable idiot who I can't wait for to fall in love. Hollis and Roman were teammates who shined. Rix's entire girl gang made me happy, and I want them all to find love as well. I'm super excited that Hollis's book is next!
I only had a few of things that were a little iffy for me in this book.
* The situationship was ultra-spicy. It's hotter than the Pucked series. I didn't mind that for the most part. There were a couple of situations that pushed my boundaries and made me cringe. If you can't stand the heat, I would not recommend this book to you.
* I'm not saying I wanted this book to be shorter, but there was a point where I thought it was about to end and then got put through another emotional upheaval. I didn't hate that, but it did surprise me a bit.
* Rix's name. Or maybe I should say nicknames? Her real name is Beatrix, but she goes by Rix. Tristan calls her Bea or Beat most of the time, while everyone else calls her Rix. She felt more like a Bea to me, but that might have been Tristan's influence. When I was writing this review, I kept wanting to write Bea instead of Rix.
Overall, If You Hate Me was a highly entertaining romance. I loved Rix and Tristan. I wish the next book in the series was already out because I can't wait to read it!
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
If you have been missing Helena Hunting's Pucked series, you won't want to miss reading If You Hate Me. Hunting is giving us a whole new hockey world filled with amazing characters starting with Rix and Tristan. I didn't want to put this book down! What was so great about it? Pretty much everything.
* Hunting brought the fun, the humor, the swoon, and the spice to ensure this romance was a very entertaining read. I even teared up a couple of times.
* The tropes in this book were perfection.
* The roommate situation was a great way to put Tristan and Rix in close proximity. The fact that her brother, Flip, was there making things secretive was a lot of fun.
* Tristan's annoyance with his best friend/teammate's younger sister and Rix's anger and frustration with Tristan created tension and chemistry that were palpable. The enemies to lovers trope was strong with these two.
* Rix was easy to love. Life hadn't been the easiest growing up for her and I thought Hunting did a fabulous job portraying the results of years of food insecurity. I always wanted the best for Rix because of how caring she was towards her friends and family.
* Tristan was a wee bit harder to love at times, but I did end up loving his character. His womanizing past was his past and was easy to dismiss. His present on the other hand was a mess. Tristan had his own leftover childhood trauma to deal with, and he didn't do a good job at it for a lot of this book. I did love seeing his growth, though.
* I loved Rix and Tristan together when things were going well. Rix and Tristan's situationship was filled with a lot of ups and a couple of downs. Their agreement to keep things casual and on a timeline went about as well as it always does in romance novels. The feelings got pretty messy. I enjoyed their romantic journey and how they both worked through the issues that came between them.
* I'm already waiting for the side characters to get their own books. Flip was a lovable idiot who I can't wait for to fall in love. Hollis and Roman were teammates who shined. Rix's entire girl gang made me happy, and I want them all to find love as well. I'm super excited that Hollis's book is next!
I only had a few of things that were a little iffy for me in this book.
* The situationship was ultra-spicy. It's hotter than the Pucked series. I didn't mind that for the most part. There were a couple of situations that pushed my boundaries and made me cringe. If you can't stand the heat, I would not recommend this book to you.
* I'm not saying I wanted this book to be shorter, but there was a point where I thought it was about to end and then got put through another emotional upheaval. I didn't hate that, but it did surprise me a bit.
* Rix's name. Or maybe I should say nicknames? Her real name is Beatrix, but she goes by Rix. Tristan calls her Bea or Beat most of the time, while everyone else calls her Rix. She felt more like a Bea to me, but that might have been Tristan's influence. When I was writing this review, I kept wanting to write Bea instead of Rix.
Overall, If You Hate Me was a highly entertaining romance. I loved Rix and Tristan. I wish the next book in the series was already out because I can't wait to read it!
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
food insecurityfangirlfaction's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
This book is hands down the best Helena Hunting book to date. It is also one of the best hockey romances I have ever read. Wow, this book, ya'll. This book absolutely blew me away and I am starting to feel the book hangover.
Helena Hunting is a Romancelandia queen. She knows her craft well and how to create a god-tier sports romance. I still have not recovered from all the awesome in this book. Hunting's writing style is one of the best in the bookish world. It is relatable and has a unique voice that grabs you right from the start and keeps you locked in. The plot of this book was executed brilliantly. Hunting has a way of bringing my favorite tropes to life that feels fresh and distinct to her brand of romance.
These characters carved out a piece of my heart. Even the secondary characters were incredible. The main characters were easy to connect with and were fleshed out well. They were complex and had a lot of depth. The secondary characters felt just as important as the main couple. I truly fell in love with this cast of characters and I am so eager to know more about the side characters. This book is being marketed as a standalone and doesn't seem to be connected to a series from what I can tell so far but I am hoping that changes so we can get books about the other characters. They legit won over my heart.
One of the things that I absolutely adored about this book was the camaraderie and friendships. The girl friendships that Bea makes are so uplifting and amazing. I wanted to be a part of their girl group so badly! They were all supportive and genuine and it was so positive. It was exactly what Bea needed. I also loved the male friendships in the book. Tristan and Flip's hockey teammates were just as supportive as Bea's friends. The overall theme of friendship in the book really put a smile on my face.
The romance in this book had me so invested. I was so into it. Bea and Tristan start out with an enemies-to-lovers vibe going on, but that soon changes when they start a frenemies-with-benefits situation and they start spending more time together. That morphs into wanting to spend time together in other ways and then the feelings creep up. It's a whole thing. Tristan has a lot of personal hangups to sort out though before he and Bea can get their HEA. I loved the way that Tristan was with Bea. He was sweet and thoughtful and worshipped her. He was a goner for her and it was the cutest thing.
Helena Hunting really stepped up her game with the spice in this book! Holy moly, folks, this spice was lit and I am here for it all day long. While the spice was turned up a notch it didn't take away from the substance of the story or the genuineness of Rix and Tristan's relationship. These two were beyond explosive together. Their chemistry was off the charts and it was compounded by the enemies-to-lovers thing they had going on in the beginning. Whew, I can only hope that the next hockey romances from Helena Hunting have the same caliber when it comes to the spice. I'm going to need a folding fan at the ready to beat back the vapors.
Overall, this book is next level. This book is going to the top of my list of favorite books of 2024. It really had that kind of impact on me. This book just ticked every single box for me. The writing was masterful, the characters were memorable, and the plot kept me wanting more the entire time. The characters in this book were extraordinary and so incredibly special. I don't know how to put it into words the right way but these characters were addicting and they consumed my every thought. This is a book that I will undoubtedly read again in the future. It was that kind of book. One hundred percent re-readable. I am so stoked for Helena Hunting's next release and I am sending all the good vibes into the universe that we will see more of these characters in the future. Pick this one up (and go for the audiobook because it was legit incredible) because you will not regret it!
This book is hands down the best Helena Hunting book to date. It is also one of the best hockey romances I have ever read. Wow, this book, ya'll. This book absolutely blew me away and I am starting to feel the book hangover.
Helena Hunting is a Romancelandia queen. She knows her craft well and how to create a god-tier sports romance. I still have not recovered from all the awesome in this book. Hunting's writing style is one of the best in the bookish world. It is relatable and has a unique voice that grabs you right from the start and keeps you locked in. The plot of this book was executed brilliantly. Hunting has a way of bringing my favorite tropes to life that feels fresh and distinct to her brand of romance.
These characters carved out a piece of my heart. Even the secondary characters were incredible. The main characters were easy to connect with and were fleshed out well. They were complex and had a lot of depth. The secondary characters felt just as important as the main couple. I truly fell in love with this cast of characters and I am so eager to know more about the side characters. This book is being marketed as a standalone and doesn't seem to be connected to a series from what I can tell so far but I am hoping that changes so we can get books about the other characters. They legit won over my heart.
One of the things that I absolutely adored about this book was the camaraderie and friendships. The girl friendships that Bea makes are so uplifting and amazing. I wanted to be a part of their girl group so badly! They were all supportive and genuine and it was so positive. It was exactly what Bea needed. I also loved the male friendships in the book. Tristan and Flip's hockey teammates were just as supportive as Bea's friends. The overall theme of friendship in the book really put a smile on my face.
The romance in this book had me so invested. I was so into it. Bea and Tristan start out with an enemies-to-lovers vibe going on, but that soon changes when they start a frenemies-with-benefits situation and they start spending more time together. That morphs into wanting to spend time together in other ways and then the feelings creep up. It's a whole thing. Tristan has a lot of personal hangups to sort out though before he and Bea can get their HEA. I loved the way that Tristan was with Bea. He was sweet and thoughtful and worshipped her. He was a goner for her and it was the cutest thing.
Helena Hunting really stepped up her game with the spice in this book! Holy moly, folks, this spice was lit and I am here for it all day long. While the spice was turned up a notch it didn't take away from the substance of the story or the genuineness of Rix and Tristan's relationship. These two were beyond explosive together. Their chemistry was off the charts and it was compounded by the enemies-to-lovers thing they had going on in the beginning. Whew, I can only hope that the next hockey romances from Helena Hunting have the same caliber when it comes to the spice. I'm going to need a folding fan at the ready to beat back the vapors.
Overall, this book is next level. This book is going to the top of my list of favorite books of 2024. It really had that kind of impact on me. This book just ticked every single box for me. The writing was masterful, the characters were memorable, and the plot kept me wanting more the entire time. The characters in this book were extraordinary and so incredibly special. I don't know how to put it into words the right way but these characters were addicting and they consumed my every thought. This is a book that I will undoubtedly read again in the future. It was that kind of book. One hundred percent re-readable. I am so stoked for Helena Hunting's next release and I am sending all the good vibes into the universe that we will see more of these characters in the future. Pick this one up (and go for the audiobook because it was legit incredible) because you will not regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Cursing
More...