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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
Audio
Solid 3 stars.
I didnt realize how many places I would recognize in the setting, so that was fun
Story was okay, cute, but seemed like the characters each just had a switch flipped vs actually slowly coming around toward the other ... felt like a big chunk of their interactions was missing for that reason
Solid 3 stars.
I didnt realize how many places I would recognize in the setting, so that was fun
Story was okay, cute, but seemed like the characters each just had a switch flipped vs actually slowly coming around toward the other ... felt like a big chunk of their interactions was missing for that reason
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brynn is a TV star who bad mouths her small town on national tv by accident, she has to go back to make things better and Sebastian a recluse old reporter happens to have put down roots. Righting wrongs, slow burn, friendly banter
I received an audiobook ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Look, it’s just never a good sign when the word “hate” is in a book title, maybe especially when the subtitle is “a love story”. It sets up bad vibes, and it feels like a lie from the start. Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner is a romantic comedy that follows the traditional script and hits all the beats, but the cloud of “hate” over it saps the book of love and spark.
Brynn and Sebastian follows the titular characters as Brynn ends up back in her small, isolated hometown ater slamming said hometown on air in her job as a newscaster. Sebastian is a more recent transplant, having moved in some years ago ater a “shameful” event tanked his own career (the reveal of this event was both a disappointment and a git, as it was not shameful at all and in fact was one of the more human, likable moments from Sebastian). All of the predictable tropes are along for the ride: lovable and obeat small town characters, initial friction, vulnerable situations for Brynn and Sebastian, etc.
Brynn’s character contains many contradictions; she supposedly is friends with celebrities, yet has no connections, she wears expensive clothes, but doesn’t care about her appearance, she capitulates, complaining, to her boss’s controlling orders, yet also likes her boss and can set her own rules. It is unpleasant to spend time in her head, and her shit toward the end is inexplicable and unearned. An event at the end sheds new light on both her career and Sebastian’s, and this was my favorite part. e career decision made more sense and fit the plot better than many rom coms I’ve read recently.
Look, it’s just never a good sign when the word “hate” is in a book title, maybe especially when the subtitle is “a love story”. It sets up bad vibes, and it feels like a lie from the start. Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner is a romantic comedy that follows the traditional script and hits all the beats, but the cloud of “hate” over it saps the book of love and spark.
Brynn and Sebastian follows the titular characters as Brynn ends up back in her small, isolated hometown ater slamming said hometown on air in her job as a newscaster. Sebastian is a more recent transplant, having moved in some years ago ater a “shameful” event tanked his own career (the reveal of this event was both a disappointment and a git, as it was not shameful at all and in fact was one of the more human, likable moments from Sebastian). All of the predictable tropes are along for the ride: lovable and obeat small town characters, initial friction, vulnerable situations for Brynn and Sebastian, etc.
Brynn’s character contains many contradictions; she supposedly is friends with celebrities, yet has no connections, she wears expensive clothes, but doesn’t care about her appearance, she capitulates, complaining, to her boss’s controlling orders, yet also likes her boss and can set her own rules. It is unpleasant to spend time in her head, and her shit toward the end is inexplicable and unearned. An event at the end sheds new light on both her career and Sebastian’s, and this was my favorite part. e career decision made more sense and fit the plot better than many rom coms I’ve read recently.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
🌷The first 30% of the book was a bit difficult to get through because Brynn was not kind and came off very arrogant (obviously we were supposed to not like her) and I didn't like her at all.
🌷After 30%, when we got to the actual story and her being at the town it was sweet, the towns people were amazing and it gave a very homey feeling. Also Sebastian and Brynn's banter/ interactions were great.
🌷It really was just a 3.5 ⭐️ for me because Brynn was hard to like and because the enemies to lovers happened a bit to fast for me.
🌷Spice:0
🌷Language : 0
🌷TW: difficult family dynamics, war violence, grief.
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This chaste enemies to lovers romance also includes a second chance with all the people in her hometown that she left behind when leaving her verbally abusive childhood.
Summary
When a hot-mic snafu slams the brakes on Brynn Cornell’s morning show co-host career, she begrudgingly embarks on an apology tour with only one stop-- the small Colorado town she grew up in. The same one she unknowingly lambasted on air, causing her hometown acquaintances and small towns everywhere to take offense and turn a cold shoulder on Brynn’s apology attempts.
Sebastian Sudworth is an ex-journalist with big time reporting credits attached to his name. A name he’d like to keep quiet since he left the fast-paced life of international journalism. He’s found a home in Adelaide Springs, Colorado and he’ll do anything to protect it and the people he’s come to love.
Brynn & Seb's opposing personalities collide when he’s tasked with guiding her and her camera operator around town. They both have to confront their pasts, their futures, and what it means to live authentically.
Sebastian Sudworth is an ex-journalist with big time reporting credits attached to his name. A name he’d like to keep quiet since he left the fast-paced life of international journalism. He’s found a home in Adelaide Springs, Colorado and he’ll do anything to protect it and the people he’s come to love.
Brynn & Seb's opposing personalities collide when he’s tasked with guiding her and her camera operator around town. They both have to confront their pasts, their futures, and what it means to live authentically.
What We Like
• The FMC - Brynn Cornell - Brynn is a wonderful representation of what it’s like to work in the corporate world as a femme-presenting person. The expectations of sunny personalities and unassuming ambitions juxtaposed with the grit of dogged determination and hard work required to propel a career in a competitive industry are highlighted in Brynn’s experiences with the production studio and her male co-host. She’s relatable, funny, and dynamic. It’s refreshing to see the underbelly of what could be considered a two-faced personality explored through Brynn & Seb’s conversations (and arguments!).
• The MMC - Sebastion (Seb) Sudworth - Seb’s character follows the classic grumpy/secretive past trope, but it’s a classic for a reason! It’s done well, and his empathy and compassion for those around him makes him all the more endearing as those layers get pulled back. It’s easy to root for him and hope they can bring out the best in each other!
• The Banter - The ping ponging of quips, sarcasm, and flirting between Seb & Brynn is goofy-grin-while-you-read good. The writing is smart and there aren’t any moments of frustration where the reader has to question why the characters are so oblivious understanding each others’ communication. You get why they are guarded and why they second guess themselves, so when they finally start opening up it feels like a well-deserved win!
• The Side Characters - They are quirky and fun, you believe the history they have with Brynn, and they have satisfying B character story arcs.
• The Ending - Turner’s ending to the story was a thoughtful wrap-up that was satisfying in that she allowed both characters to grow and retain their identities. It deviates from the typical picket-fence direction so common to the genre. And we love to see it!
• The MMC - Sebastion (Seb) Sudworth - Seb’s character follows the classic grumpy/secretive past trope, but it’s a classic for a reason! It’s done well, and his empathy and compassion for those around him makes him all the more endearing as those layers get pulled back. It’s easy to root for him and hope they can bring out the best in each other!
• The Banter - The ping ponging of quips, sarcasm, and flirting between Seb & Brynn is goofy-grin-while-you-read good. The writing is smart and there aren’t any moments of frustration where the reader has to question why the characters are so oblivious understanding each others’ communication. You get why they are guarded and why they second guess themselves, so when they finally start opening up it feels like a well-deserved win!
• The Side Characters - They are quirky and fun, you believe the history they have with Brynn, and they have satisfying B character story arcs.
• The Ending - Turner’s ending to the story was a thoughtful wrap-up that was satisfying in that she allowed both characters to grow and retain their identities. It deviates from the typical picket-fence direction so common to the genre. And we love to see it!
Real Talk
- Romance Tropes Included -
• Enemies to lovers
• Lovers in denial
• Emotional scars
• Parental rejection
• Sunny/grumpy
• Want different things (career)
• Different worlds (big city/small town)
• Fish out of water
- The Spice - This is a great slow burn story with a sweet, happy ending, but the spice is paprika-low. There’s kissing and that’s it. We still think it’s worth the read and a really well-done romance, but if you’re looking for the bow-chicka-wow-wow, we’ve got other recs for you because you won’t find it here.
• Enemies to lovers
• Lovers in denial
• Emotional scars
• Parental rejection
• Sunny/grumpy
• Want different things (career)
• Different worlds (big city/small town)
• Fish out of water
- The Spice - This is a great slow burn story with a sweet, happy ending, but the spice is paprika-low. There’s kissing and that’s it. We still think it’s worth the read and a really well-done romance, but if you’re looking for the bow-chicka-wow-wow, we’ve got other recs for you because you won’t find it here.
Book Dragon Rating
Turner gives a sweet and compelling story that is easy to get lost in. The spice is low at 1/5, but the enjoyment is high so it rates a 5/5 on the Book Dragon Scale.
Find Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other Here
Find Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other Here
Two tv news broadcaster one trying to renew her connection with her hometown the other escaping to the same town.
I had a very hard time getting through this book. While I only got to 57% and then DNF'd, I have little faith that the storyline would suddenly become great.
First of all, there were way too many pop culture references plugged as an attempt to create atmosphere. Unfortunately, there is a very niche market that would hit all these references and actually gain clarity of the plot from it. If I have no idea who a certain band is or reference to historical figure, the entire thought is mute. On that note, there are a significant amount of background information or references that seem like filler. They add nothing to the plot or character development.
Second, it was frustrating to switch POVs from first to third person. There was really no need for it and could have been written in either all first or all third.
Third, I disliked both the main characters. A lot. At more than halfway through the book, as a reader, I need to connect and relate to someone. These characters fell flat and there was not a chance in my mind that it made sense to turn this story into one where they fall in love.
Finally, there were way too many characters that were mentioned in the first few chapters that didn't appear again in the story. It was name overload.
Two stars because it was grammatically correct and had a clear plot structure.
First of all, there were way too many pop culture references plugged as an attempt to create atmosphere. Unfortunately, there is a very niche market that would hit all these references and actually gain clarity of the plot from it. If I have no idea who a certain band is or reference to historical figure, the entire thought is mute. On that note, there are a significant amount of background information or references that seem like filler. They add nothing to the plot or character development.
Second, it was frustrating to switch POVs from first to third person. There was really no need for it and could have been written in either all first or all third.
Third, I disliked both the main characters. A lot. At more than halfway through the book, as a reader, I need to connect and relate to someone. These characters fell flat and there was not a chance in my mind that it made sense to turn this story into one where they fall in love.
Finally, there were way too many characters that were mentioned in the first few chapters that didn't appear again in the story. It was name overload.
Two stars because it was grammatically correct and had a clear plot structure.