Reviews

If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting

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bookswithmissy's review

3.0

This book follows Tristan and Beatrix (Rix/Beat). After rage quitting her job, Beatrix finds herself moving in with her older brother and his best friend/roommate/teammate, Tristan. These 3 grew up together and Rix and Tristan have a contentious relationship. One night their fighting turns to hooking up. They decide they will continue to hook up as long as Rix lives with them, as soon as she moves out the arrangement will come to an end.

Do not let this cartoon cover fool you, this book was so much more than a lighthearted romance book. Both Rix and Tristan have childhood traumas that show up throughout the book and that they both have to work through. Rix has food insecurity from growing up poor and Tristan has abandonment issues from his mom leaving when he was a kid. Tristan's trauma manifests in some poor behavior towards Rix especially when he starts to have feelings for her. Those parts were difficult to read, and I'm not sure I would've forgiven him.

This book was also very very very SPICY! These two characters have explosive chemistry. It is quite impressive that Helena was able to add so much spice to this book while also adding so much more to the story. Usually you get one or the other.

Rix's brother was an absolute horrible character! Just the worst roommate, brother and friend. UGH, if he gets a book he has a LONG way to go to redeem himself as a character!

shanadavis's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted

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

2.75

amandaella's review against another edition

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Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Too long. The 'hate' wasn't there. Insta list. Gave into each other way too quickly. This was more smut than I was expecting. Would be an okay palette cleanser apart from the length

kelly_carlson's review

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slow-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

1.5

atobasco's review

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lighthearted slow-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

3.5

maadreads's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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

3.75

Rix and Tristian are a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. They will, then they won't, a lot of back and fourth. I enjoyed the character development and the vulnerability of the characters. There is a good relationship between Rix and her bffs, and I love a good girl gang moment.

🥒 brothers best friend
🥒 dislike to love
🥒 hand necklaces
🥒 spice
🥒 banter