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manreetkaur's review against another edition
1.0
I am playing a hating game with this book. So much build-up for such a bad ending. I also (spoiler) think Josh is such a creep for painting the colors of his walls the color of Lucy's eyes. I also think Lucy was a bit irritating at times. Just work in peace or get different cubicles. Don't even mention the movie ugggghhhh.
heathermariee33's review against another edition
5.0
Compared to the other romance novels I've been reading, this was so much better. So much more story. I couldn't put it down!
elizabethgonnering's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
renpuspita's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Another book I read that already pass its hype time (the book was released in 2016 and I read it like...8 years later, lel) but I'm glad that I give The Hating Game a chance! I'm LOL'ing, smiling, and smirking reading the "hating games, staring games, how you doing games" between Lucy and Joshua, although it's a no-brainer to guess the trope is more than enemy to lover or grumpy x sunshine. It's more like "he fell first and she fell harder". Not that hard to predict, lol.
I know that the narrative and dialogues can be to immature especially because we read this book from Lucy's PoV, so the hatred feeling is more from her and not Josh. This is the case when I wish I know what Josh thinking about Lucy but hearing his confessions is already confirm my guess. Beside his action also mirroring his feeling, like why bother to nurture your nemesis to health if you hate her guts? Love it is. The witty banters is sure the highlight of the book, I keep laughing and snort while reading the back and forth between Lucy and Joshua. The sexual tension is OMG, TOP OF THE CHART 🔥🔥🔥, and followed by steamy sex scene too. Actually, the sexual tensions itself is already enough, lol.
The first part is hilarious, the middle seems dragging with the tug and pull war between Lucy and Joshua although the sexual tensions are the live saver. The last part is ASTOUNDING. My favorite scene is when Lucy smack talk Josh's father and since his father is a big jerk compared to Josh, he deserve it. I have a "Way to go, Lucy!" moment when she defend Josh and in that time I know that she falling in love so hard to Josh. The first sentence that Thorne write about love and hate is visceral finally come to full circle. Another favorite part I love is the confession part between Lucy and Josh that reveal many things, like how wrong Lucy was about Josh. Heh, both just like kindergarten children who like their opposite gender but decide to go full attack rather than admit it. I know the bantering look immature and childish and I know with the wrong mood or preferences this book might be not for everyone. But I like the way Thorne write it with some humor and cheeky remarks.
However, this book is not without a weakness. Thorne's writing can be too over the top and dramatic. Also hyperbole to the core. Since I'm in a good mood while reading this book, I'm willing to let it slide. Beside, some of the witty banters and Lucy's descriptions are hilarious to read. Like, Lucy is not shy to admit that Josh's body is sexy and I'm now have an urge to browsing man's pictures with macho body, lel. She describe that Josh is so handsome and if I see the actor that portrayed him in the movie, well duh, I agree. Yeah, it was nice to read a female-gaze paragraph that describe how hot the hero was. Is it cringe? Nah, it's depend on your preference. I really have a blast and grinning from ear to ear after finish reading the last page.
The wedding chapter that lead to Lucy and Josh's love confessions now officially become my favorite and I'm afraid I'll reread it for some times. I also praised Thorne to not write about third-act breakup and the angsts are actually pretty tame. For how childish and immature Lucy and Josh act with their "games", I'm surprised and impressed to read how mature they solve their fight toward the end of the book without the need to make it more dramatic or long. While Josh's boss is a lecherous man, I'm glad Lucy's boss, Helene is an example of a good leader. Yeah, reading about Helene support Lucy with her presentation to get the position of COO is like a dream, but it feel nice to read a not toxic boss. Although, the setting is not that clear. I don't know if this book set in America or maybe Australia since Thorne's basically live in Canberra, since the setting of the office, the wedding venue etc is barred of any mention of city. The insight to publishing world is a nice addition, tho.
I will fondly remember The Hating Game if I want to recommend "(not really) enemy to lover" book and I'm also looking forward to watch the movie version.
Also..with how petite Lucy (5 ft, she's basically me) and how TALL Josh (6,4 ft, WTF? No wonder Lucy feel small compared to Josh's huge and macho body! But his stamina when it's come to bed sport is 🔥), I have a slightest idea maybe it's influence some author that love to write their heroine as petite as possible and the hero is basically a giant 🙃, IYKWIM.
I know that the narrative and dialogues can be to immature especially because we read this book from Lucy's PoV, so the hatred feeling is more from her and not Josh. This is the case when I wish I know what Josh thinking about Lucy but hearing his confessions is already confirm my guess. Beside his action also mirroring his feeling, like why bother to nurture your nemesis to health if you hate her guts? Love it is. The witty banters is sure the highlight of the book, I keep laughing and snort while reading the back and forth between Lucy and Joshua. The sexual tension is OMG, TOP OF THE CHART 🔥🔥🔥, and followed by steamy sex scene too. Actually, the sexual tensions itself is already enough, lol.
The first part is hilarious, the middle seems dragging with the tug and pull war between Lucy and Joshua although the sexual tensions are the live saver. The last part is ASTOUNDING. My favorite scene is when Lucy smack talk Josh's father and since his father is a big jerk compared to Josh, he deserve it. I have a "Way to go, Lucy!" moment when she defend Josh and in that time I know that she falling in love so hard to Josh. The first sentence that Thorne write about love and hate is visceral finally come to full circle. Another favorite part I love is the confession part between Lucy and Josh that reveal many things, like how wrong Lucy was about Josh. Heh, both just like kindergarten children who like their opposite gender but decide to go full attack rather than admit it. I know the bantering look immature and childish and I know with the wrong mood or preferences this book might be not for everyone. But I like the way Thorne write it with some humor and cheeky remarks.
However, this book is not without a weakness. Thorne's writing can be too over the top and dramatic. Also hyperbole to the core. Since I'm in a good mood while reading this book, I'm willing to let it slide. Beside, some of the witty banters and Lucy's descriptions are hilarious to read. Like, Lucy is not shy to admit that Josh's body is sexy and I'm now have an urge to browsing man's pictures with macho body, lel. She describe that Josh is so handsome and if I see the actor that portrayed him in the movie, well duh, I agree. Yeah, it was nice to read a female-gaze paragraph that describe how hot the hero was. Is it cringe? Nah, it's depend on your preference. I really have a blast and grinning from ear to ear after finish reading the last page.
The wedding chapter that lead to Lucy and Josh's love confessions now officially become my favorite and I'm afraid I'll reread it for some times. I also praised Thorne to not write about third-act breakup and the angsts are actually pretty tame. For how childish and immature Lucy and Josh act with their "games", I'm surprised and impressed to read how mature they solve their fight toward the end of the book without the need to make it more dramatic or long. While Josh's boss is a lecherous man, I'm glad Lucy's boss, Helene is an example of a good leader. Yeah, reading about Helene support Lucy with her presentation to get the position of COO is like a dream, but it feel nice to read a not toxic boss. Although, the setting is not that clear. I don't know if this book set in America or maybe Australia since Thorne's basically live in Canberra, since the setting of the office, the wedding venue etc is barred of any mention of city. The insight to publishing world is a nice addition, tho.
I will fondly remember The Hating Game if I want to recommend "(not really) enemy to lover" book and I'm also looking forward to watch the movie version.
Also..with how petite Lucy (5 ft, she's basically me) and how TALL Josh (6,4 ft, WTF? No wonder Lucy feel small compared to Josh's huge and macho body! But his stamina when it's come to bed sport is 🔥), I have a slightest idea maybe it's influence some author that love to write their heroine as petite as possible and the hero is basically a giant 🙃, IYKWIM.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Abandonment, and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Fatphobia
michellechien930's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god. I fell completely in love with this book! I bought this book expecting a sweet rom-com, but I got way more than that! After a few chapters, I could not put this book down. I was reading it everywhere- in bed, on the train, and at work. It's been a long time since I've completely fallen in love with characters in a romantic novel- namely Joshua Templeman! How can someone be so perfect?? And the main character Lucy is adorable as well, with absolutely hilarious narration. I'm completely gushing over this book and my heart is bursting with happinesss upon the ending. Well, besides that I feel like crying because I realize nothing half as romantic has ever happened to me. Lol. I would love a second book or maybe even an epilogue of these two adorable freaks. It's just so wonderful! Sally Thorne is so amazing!! Will probably reread this book a hundred times.
withlovenour's review against another edition
5.0
Can I rate this book 6 stars? 10? 100? This has be one one of the best contemporary romance novels I have ever read. It had me hooked from the first sentence and I could not put it down for two days; if it weren't for exams I would have finished this book in less than a day. Lucy is one of my favorite characters of all time, she's so whole and vibrant and real and that scene towards the end at the wedding, girl won my heart right there. I loved the level of communication between Lucy and Josh whilst still maintaining that little spark of tension and the storyline was so well thought out. It had me hooked every step of the way without resulting to the usual format of a Shakespearan play most YA contemporaries follow. The plot was new and fresh and incredibly wholesome. Sally Thorne's writing is so easy to follow and the dialogue will have you giggling like a moron at 3am in your bedroom, like the best contemporary romances do.
poachingeggs's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up ! perhaps i’ve become too used to jasmine guillory’s way of writing romances with dual povs, but i would’ve really enjoyed getting to read josh’s perspective as well, even though both he and lucy were super childish in a way where i was doubtful that they’d be able to make it to the top of their companies with their lack of professionalism. also, i know that the height difference trope is cool, but does the reader really need know how tiny and petite lucy is every other page ?? the constant bringing up of lucy’s height + the way josh’s jealousy was written with words like “animalistic” and “primal” really felt like a middle school wattpad
stephtherose_'s review against another edition
5.0
If you want something fun, sexy and adorable, read this book.