The Hating Game
the TikTok sensation! The perfect enemies to lovers romcom
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4.4 • 1.4K Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
'Charming, self-deprecating, quick-witted and funny' The New York Times
'The Hating Game is bursting at the seams with love (and hate) and heart' Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners
Now a film starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell, globally bestselling author Sally Thorne's hilarious workplace comedy is all about the fine line between love and hate.
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman sit across from each other every day . . . and they hate each other.
Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. HATE. Lucy can't understand Joshua's joyless, uptight approach to his job and refusal to smile. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy's overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and desire to be liked.
Now they're up for the same promotion and Lucy, usually a determined people-pleaser, has had enough: it's time to take him down. But as the tension between Lucy and Joshua reaches its boiling point, it's clear that the real battle has only just begun . . .
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.
'Funny, sexy and instantly unputdownable' Paige Toon
'The next Sophie Kinsella' Bustle
'A smart and funny modern romance' Good Housekeeping
'Acerbic and sexy and filled with tension . . . a wicked, witty romance that will capture readers' hearts long before Joshua manages to capture Lucy's' Sarah MacLean, Washington Post
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
We love it when a rom-com pits two bitter rivals against each other when we just know they’re hiding a secret attraction. Romance queen Sally Thorne offers an utterly charming take on this beloved trope. The Hating Game centres around Lucy, an executive assistant at the Bexley & Gamin publishing house. Lucy is an eternal optimist—at least when her mood isn’t being fouled by her joyless workplace nemesis, Joshua, whom she hates. With a passion. The pair’s low-simmering rivalry boils over when the two start competing for the same promotion, unexpectedly revealing the steamy romantic desires hiding beneath their aversion to each other. Lucy and Joshua’s heated banter is irresistible, and being inside Lucy’s head as she dives into this secret office romance is a sweet, funny and very sexy trip. We recommend you read Thorne’s book before you see the movie adaptation!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Since the day Lucy Hutton began sharing an office at her publishing company with Joshua Templeman, he's been the bane of her existence. Every day is a constant parade of one-upmanship and mind games. Now there's a huge promotion on the line, and they're both up for it. Lucy knows she couldn't keep working there if Joshua winds up becoming her boss, so she pours everything she has into a project to dazzle her superior but at the same time, she's suddenly gotten to know Joshua on a new level, and she's realizing very quickly that the lines between attraction and hatred are not as clear as she thought. After they acknowledge the heat between them and begin to do something about it, Lucy's paranoia sets in: is Joshua stringing her along in hopes that he'll gain the upper hand and the promotion? The denouement feels slightly off, and though Lucy and Joshua initially have chemistry to spare, the resolution of their story is a little bit too neat. Still, Thorne is skilled at creating Hepburn-and-Tracy-esque banter and an appealing heroine.
Customer Reviews
Couldn’t put it down!!
I have a 9 month old baby so sleep is the most precious thing and yet this book consistently made me stay up late past my bed time reading. I couldn’t put it down! When I finished (in 3 days) I felt a sense of loss not knowing what to do with my spare time anymore. I really enjoyed this book.
Second read review: 3 years on I decided to revisit this book but I regretted it! I LOVED it the first time but to my surprise didn’t enjoy it as much this time around! The first 1/4 or so is written so well, witty and funny. From around the paint balling chapter, things go downhill. What bothered me most is how jealous and possessive the main male character is. He gives strong red flags. There is an unspoken undertone of domestic violence that I just don’t appreciate. Talk of wanting to strangle the other, the main female character flinching when the male raises his hands, thinking he was going to kill her in their first kiss scene, no consent check in that first kiss. It just really made me feel like it was uncomfortable to read sometimes.
Urgh I wish I just kept the memory of loving this book untouched and safe!
Fun read!
Loved this book!
I loved this book!
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous tension, laugh out loud and a little bit sexy.