Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Hating Game

I watched the movie, multiple times, before I knew it was based on a book. So, of course, I had to read it! Although I love the movie, the book goes into detail about how their relationship develops.

Lucy was such a sweet person and I couldn't understand why Josh couldn't stand her being nice to everyone,

until much later when you realize people just walk all over her because she's nice and wants people to like her.

I definitely did a lot of awhing and laughin for a hate-to-love relationship!

I wasn't ready for the book to end, I wanted to see some more interaction with Lucy's parents, they seemed so sweet!

Content Warnings

bbyseokie's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

I liked this book. Some tropes are a bit cliche like Lucy harping on about how she's so tiny and more quirky than other women, and how Josh is so huge. The fact that he's always rubbing her up and down even opposite his family once they get together is a bit odd. Edward Cullen vibes. The ending is super rushed, i would have liked to read a little on how the promotion worked out.

Content Warnings

epeolatrist's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75

Content Warnings

skeeball's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

sotnasck's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

The thing with this book was that at first I liked everything but the male character, which was a problem considering he was the love interest. I liked the protagonist and I could relate to her, I liked her family and her story and her boss, I really liked her boss. But I haven't felt this exasperated with a male protagonist since I've read Mara Dyer. Oh boy, was this frustrating. And setting aside my dislike for the character, I could talk about his relationship with Lucy, who was such a cool character, that became needy and possessive and that's not the type of romantic relationship I'm here for.

Content Warnings

blackferrum's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Ini buku romansa yang nggak banyak bikin mikir. I mean, konflik besarnya nggak bikin senewen atau malah ngubah mood jadi sendu. Kaget waktu disuguhi adegan yang di buku lain bisa ada di halaman kesekian (kalau halamannya 400, bisa jadi di halaman 200-an, lah), eh di sini beneran langsung kayak wow. Pace-nya sendiri juga cepat, kok, dan aku beneran enjoy sama alurnya.

Karakter Shortcake, eh maksudnya Lucy ini punya layer. Tinggi badannya memang jadi concern buat dia, tapi nggak lantas Lucy jadi rendah diri. Justru yang aku lihat dia malah pede, memaksimalkan diri buat jadi cantik versi dia. Kepribadiannya yang periang (kecuali kalo berhadapan sama Joshua) bikin dia jadi sasaran buat dimanfaatkan orang lain karena Lucy susah buat bilang nggak. Walaupun di luar dan ketika sedang berhadapan dengan Joshua kelihatan kayak kecil-kecil cabe rawit, di dalamnya dia ngerasa lemah. Sikap garangnya buat nutupin kesulitan dia, biar orang-orang nggak bisa lihat sedihnya gitu, terutama orang tuanya.

Joshua juga punya banyak layer. Cerita masa lalu dan isu keluarganya itu jadi sub-plot yang kuat, sih, kayak kenapa dia ditakuti sama orang-orang kantor dan kenapa dia cuma bisa bersikap beda kalau ada Lucy (di luar konteks romansa juga). Alasan kenapa warna cat kamarnya itu aduh, Josh, sayang kamu cuma karakter fiksi :'(

Banyak celetukan-celetukan lucu dan berharap banget bisa lihat Joshua mengunjuki perkebunan stroberi, sih (kalau beneran). Ini ending-nya masih kurang aaaa, gimme more!

Dan serangkaian reviu di atas bisa kurasakan lebih nyata kalau aja terjemahannya "nggenah". Idk, apa memang bahasa aslinya seperti ini atau bagaimana? Bener-bener nggak pas dan astaga mau nangis sama beberapa terjemahan yang harusnya aku terharu atau fluttering di salah satu bagian, tapi malah berakhir jengkel. Jadi, yah alih-alih emosi, justru rasanya agak hampa ketika baca ini. Semoga bisa dicetak ulang dengan terjemahan yang lebih proper dan enak dibaca.

Content Warnings

ahen's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

More...