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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 β’ W O R D S
Spicy β’ Problematic β’ Excessive
π 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 canβt seem to stop fighting. Heβs 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.
π 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.
π R E A D β’ I F β’ Y O U β’ L I K E
β’ unhealthy relationships
β’ page after page of spice
π F A V O U R I T E β’ 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 β’ W O R D S
Spicy β’ Problematic β’ Excessive
π 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 canβt seem to stop fighting. Heβs 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.
π 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.
π R E A D β’ I F β’ Y O U β’ L I K E
β’ unhealthy relationships
β’ page after page of spice
π F A V O U R I T E β’ 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 anxiety
More...