On the Corner of Love and Hate
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4.1 • 35 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
For fans of Lauren Layne and Kristan Higgins comes a delightfully “fun bit of fluffy entertainment” (Publishers Weekly) in the first book of a charming new series, in which a young woman is forced to help her old friend revamp his image for the upcoming mayoral elections...and discovers that she might not be as immune to his charms as she once thought.
When Emmanuelle Peroni’s father—and current mayor of Hope Lake, Pennsylvania—suggests she help with Cooper Endicott’s campaign, she’s horrified. Cooper, one of her (former) oldest friends, drives her crazy in every way possible. But he’s also her father’s protégé, so Emma reluctantly launches her plan to help him win the local election.
It’s not as easy as it looks. Cooper’s colorful love life is the sticking point for many voters, and his opponent is digging up everything he can from his past. It seems that every time Emma puts out the flames from one scandal, another one flares up. Emma knows that if Cooper wants to win, he needs to keep his nose clean. The only problem? She might just be falling in love with the one person she promised never to pursue: the mayoral candidate himself.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bocci's diverting debut presents a romantic paradox as Emmanuelle "Emma" Peroni's first-person narrative exposes one version of reality to readers and another to herself. The Hope Lake, Pa., civil servant spends an inordinate amount of time blasting her longtime friend and coworker Cooper Endicott for his lack of focus and follow-through, to say nothing of his flagrant flirtations with anybody in a skirt. Emma grew up as just one of the guys with Cooper and two other male friends, and she's oblivious to her reasons for being so interested in scrutinizing Cooper's love life, even while she laments that her own romantic prospects are nil. When he runs for mayor, Emma's behind-the-scenes management of his campaign broadcasts her profound denial to everyone but her. It takes the intervention of an archnemesis to force Emma to examine the feelings she and Cooper have for one another. Emma's everywoman appeal lends charm to the story, and her self-deprecating humor is a plus. This is a fun bit of fluffy entertainment.
Customer Reviews
✨ It’s Always Been Us ✨
What an amazing start to the Hopeless Romantics series! I really enjoyed this childhood friends to enemies to lovers slow burn romance! On the Corner of Love and Hate will have you laughing out loud one moment and then tearing up the next. It's relatable and heartfelt and I fell completely in love with Hope Lake and its residents.
Emmanuelle (Emma) and Cooper have a complicated history. I couldn't wait to find out what drove these once best friends apart. Sparks fly as they bicker and verbally spar, and I loved every zing of chemistry between them. As the book progresses, readers come to learn about all of their sweet and tender moments (the drawing under the desk!), but also the heartbreaking ones as well. The fates have never quite aligned for these two, and it hurt my heart over how much was left unsaid over the years.
I loved all the relationships in this book so much. From parent to child and friend to friend, I loved how supportive and loyal they all were to each other. The secondary characters were absolutely amazing and I don't think I could have loved Emma's mother, Sophia, more! The Chef Boyardee incident and her fashion sense had me snort laughing every time she was mentioned or on the page. I can already tell that steadfast Henry will be my favorite of the BFF quartet though. How can I not fall in love with a character who isn't concerned with sowing his wild oats everywhere and describes himself as a sexual camel? ;)
Nina Bocci's writing is witty and sharp and I laughed so hard at all the perfectly placed pop culture references. Her voice and heart really jump off the page and had me invested in these characters from the start. The epilogue left me with a huge smile on my face and I can't wait to see what's next for the town of Hope Lake!
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Excellent!!!!
I read an ARC of this and it is fantastic. What a great summer read!!! Highly recommended!!!!!