The Hating Game: A Novel

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This bestselling, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy is an unmissable treat, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren’s UNHONEYMOONERS or Emily Henry’s BEACH READ. The romance element is there, sure enough. This book is a trope encyclopedia. And though I am not the best at rating spice, I guess a 2/5 seems adequate. But the -com is pretty weak. None of the scenes are particularly funny. Only once did I actually find the dialogue moderately so. And speaking of scenes, that elevator scene is a red flag central. So much so, that after finishing the book I watched the trailer for the film adaptation to try and figure out whether it’s as underwhelming as the book (according to the Guardian, yes it is) and I noticed that they made some pretty significant changes to that scene in the film, so clearly it can’t be just me who found it problematic. The characters are incredibly one dimensional and cliched. Not necessarily awful, but flat. There is a lot of emphasis on their physical appearance. I mean, I get that the MMC is hot, but do we really need to hear about how ripped he is from working out again and again AND AGAIN throughout the book? And aren’t we all a bit tired of FMCs who are 5ft tall, quirky white girls in their 20s? And seriously, who makes their stature their whole personality? Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game. ​​ Bottom line: Can someone lend me a megaphone? I want to emit a piercing shriek and I want everyone to hear it.

They're in the house. He stays the weekend, cooking for her and feeding her medicine and changing her clothes. As a bonus, he cleans her house too. Still caught in the impossible state of feverish delirium, she starts telling him things she'd never tell him in real life. A brilliant, biting, hilarious new voice. THE HATING GAME will take the rom-com world by storm. One of the best I’ve read, ever.”— Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author I honestly think 'The Hating Game”' is that kind of book anyone would enjoy – wonderfully written is a very entertaining way, griping from the very beginning and perfect if you love enemies to lovers stories. I’ve read many books with this trope, so trust me when I say Sally Thorne’s debut novel was a great one. More than great actually. It was fabulous! It was fan, entertaining and so refreshing. Needless to say, I devoured this little gem from start to finish.

Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Josh then tells Lucy he wants her to have her date with Danny and kiss him and that he wants to know if it was good. He says the Or Something Game cannot proceed until she tells him. He then says if the kiss isn’t as good as his (Josh), she can’t kiss him (Danny) again. I’d have to be a thousand years old to forget the way he kisses me. It’s the fresh new bud of something that could one day be something remarkable…” Gawley, Paige (November 4, 2021). " 'The Hating Game' Trailer: Watch Lucy Hale in the Novel Adaptation (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight . Retrieved November 4, 2021. Re-read 3/17/20: This book never fails to ease my anxieties and I love it with all of my heart. Forever indebted to this book for making me smile through the roughest times. Also, Lucy and Josh can both, like, get it

Koehler, Mimi (January 2, 2022). "Movie Review: The Hating Game". The Nerd Daily . Retrieved January 3, 2022.And guess what? The most romance-y novel I found agreeable was a book with the title The Hating Game. Dawson, Angela (December 7, 2021). "Lucy Hale And Austin Stowell Connect In 'The Hating Game' ". Forbes . Retrieved June 14, 2023. The smut in this book is unparalleled in terms of me being able to read it without blushing and skipping to when it’s over (and I’m no prude - I just truly hate reading words including but not limited to girth / member / length / etc.). And I do have gushy heart-swell-y moments while reading it.