The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Released: August 9, 2016
Contemporary Romance
William Morrow
Reviewed by Mandi
“Lucy,” is all he can seem to say. “Lucy. How am I going to walk away from tonight? Seriously. How?”
I get goosebumps. I’m wondering the same thing. I let my head drop to one side, and we kiss.
I’m hoarse and breathless. “I’m gonna die tonight. Please take your pants off.”
“I want that embroidered on a pillow.”
True story – earlier this week I reviewed the amazing Burn Down the Night by M. O’Keefe and I said it was my favorite book so far in 2016. The very next book I read happened to be The Hating Game by debut author, Sally Thorne….and I have a new favorite book. Yes, two favorite books in a row, which never happens and I’m kind of freaking out and I have that jittery feeling I get after reading excellent books (maybe others get it from too much coffee).
This book is so adorable, so romantic, funny, the best banter, amazing, gut-wrenching sexual tension, I can’t even deal with my life.
(I’m not being dramatic at all!)
The premise – Lucy worked for a quaint, very bookish/nerdy publishing house called Gamin, but they struggled financially. To save their business, they merged with the cold, serious, rigid publishing house called Bexley.
The Bexleys are hard geometrics, the Gamins are soft scribbles.
Lucy is the assistant to Gamin’s CEO and our hero, Josh, is the assistant to Bexley’s CEO. When the companies merged, Lucy and Josh got placed inside the same office and from day one they have hated each other.
I’m never alone in here. Sitting opposite me is the executive assistant to Mr. Bexley. His henchman and manservant. The second thing, the most essential thing anyone needs to know about me, is this: I hate Joshua Templeman.
He’s currently copying every move I make. It’s the Mirror Game. To the casual observer it wouldn’t be immediately obvious; he’s as subtle as a shadow. But not to me. Each movement of mine is replicated on his side of the office on a slight time delay. I lift my chin from my palm and swivel to my desk, and smoothly he does the same. I’m twenty-eight years old and it seems I’ve fallen through the cracks of heaven and hell and into purgatory. A kindergarten classroom. An asylum.
I type my password: IHATEJOSHUA4EV@.
Josh is meticulously organized, has a temper, can kill people with the glares he gives them. He wears the same colored shirts on the same day of the week. He goes to the gym several times a day. He survives on mints. He isn’t human, he never smiles, and Lucy can’t stand him. Lucy is barely five feet tall and Josh is way over six feet – and their height differences makes her feel super short and she hates that.
“Put me down. This isn’t funny.” My feet make little ineffectual spirals. This isn’t the first time a big kid’s thrown his weight around with me. Marcus DuShay in third grade once slung me onto the hood of the principal’s car and ran off laughing. The plight of the little humans. There is no dignity for us in this oversize world.
“Visit me up here for a sec.”
“What on earth for?” I try to slide down but he spans his hands on my waist and presses me against the wall. I squeeze his shoulders until I come to the informed conclusion that his body is extravagant muscle under these Clark Kent shirts.
“Holy shit.” His collarbone is like a crowbar under my palms. I say the only idiotic thing I can think of. “Muscles. Bones.”
“Thanks.”
When a new position is opening up, one they both want, their hate takes on a new level, as they are going to have to compete for this job.
Told all in Lucy’s point of view – the absolute best thing about this book is that you know right from the start that Josh is in love with her. That his surly, bitter attitude comes from being a bit shy (and stubborn) and not being able to admit his feelings. Instead he lashes out around her, because he is a big oaf and Lucy thinks he absolutely hates her. They play stupid games like “The staring game” where they face off glares at each other. They have to completely lock down their desk because they don’t trust the other not to snoop when one walks away from their desk. She has never once seen him smile and it bugs the hell out of her.
But then things start to change. Lucy has a rare date with a co-worker and Josh loses it. Lucy gets ill, and Josh takes care of her for a weekend. Their dynamic shifts into possible and very fragile friends.
A few things I have to point out:
The banter in this book is absolutely adorable. It made me laugh out loud.
When his bedroom door opens and he appears again, I am a mature young woman, legs elegantly crossed, flipping through a medical textbook, sipping my tea. He’s got on some soft black sweats, a black T-shirt, and nice bare feet. Can’t he have a flaw?
He sits on the edge of the couch, his hair damp and ruffled in every direction. I turn the page and unfortunately a lurid diagram of an erect penis glares up at me.
“I am trying to be a bit more normal.”
He looks at the page. “How’s it working out so far?”
It made me smile so hard. It made me not want to put my kindle down and see what was happening on Twitter. That’s big, folks.
The sexual tension in this book made me want to read faster and faster, yet I wanted to savor every word so I read slow.
“What’s with the weird eyes? Relax.”
“I was thinking how big you are.”
I look at our joined hands. He carefully strokes the length of my palm with his thumb. When we look at each other again, his eyes are a little darker.
“I’ll fit you just right.”
It hurt!!! It hurts because you know Josh is so freaking in love with Lucy, yet the author tortures you with this. And even after Lucy realizes what a hot, sexy beast Josh is and she jumps him (at one point she literally hugs him like a koala and he walks around his apartment with her like this doing menial tasks) Josh refuses to get nakey and give her hot sexin’ because he is afraid she will freak out afterwards. He takes things slooooow and I wanted to kill him (and jump him myself).
He catches my hand at the curb and walks across the street with me. When we reach my car, I tilt my mouth up to his. He carefully takes my face in his hands and he kisses me. A simultaneous shocked gasp rocks us. It’s like we haven’t kissed in an eternity. He presses me against the car door and I whimper. Tongues, teeth, breath.
“You taste like my Easter egg.”
“Please, please. I need you so badly.”
“I’ll see you at work tomorrow,” he replies. He turns me in his arms, and presses his mouth against the back of my neck.
The wait is worth it though – I wasn’t sure if this book would go into the bedroom – but oh yes it does.
The end is so, so romantic. The declaration of love is one of the best ever. It goes on and on and it’s so ridiculously romantic I just loved it. I think I highlighted three pages and wanted to paste them into the review – but that would kind of ruin the build-up of the book for you.
This is the type of book that is filled with little things that will be caught on a second read through. (I’ve already started reading it again. I can’t help myself). Little things Josh does – that Lucy doesn’t catch onto but the reader will. It’s a book full of games and competition. A glance from Lucy to a mirror in their office to see Josh can be so big in this book. There are so many little things that say, “Oh – I see what you did there, author.” I could listen to Lucy and Josh bicker and laugh and love each other day after day after day.
Grade: A
** Because this book is priced at $9.99 for Kindle (I WEEP) I know that will turn people away. So I’m giving away two copies (kindle or nook – or I can mail you print if you prefer.). I’ll pick two winners first thing tomorrow morning so you have good weekend reading! Just leave a comment to enter.
Everything about this book is KILLING me with want of reading it! The workplace love/hate dynamic is my catnip.
This book sounds so darn good! I’m ready to fall back in love with chick lit.
Must read this book. I’m so excited.
I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers books! I need this is my life!!
What a terrific review! I definitely have to read it now.
I have heard oat of good chatter about this one.
This book sounds freakin’ fabulous! I would love to win a copy.
I just bought the audio from Audible, so no need to be entered to win. Just want you to know you sold me on it! :)
I want this book basically just because your raving tweets yesterday. (And its everywhere! People talking good things).
I’m not sure if its international but I would like a printed copy (if possible) more worth for that amount.
I REALLY WANT TO READ IT PLEASE.
Great review, I’m always looking forward to read your thoughts on certain books :)
(Fingers, toes and everything crossed!)
I would love to read this book!
This sounds interesting. Thanks for running a giveaway.
Pick me! Pick me! *jumps up and down waving hands wildly in the air*
Gah! This book sounds so good!
This sounds so good! Thank you for doing this.
I’m weeping at the price too! I want it! Thanks for giving it away! Kindle, if it matters :)
Yes, please!
OK I have heard so much gushing about this one–I’m sold!
I have google credits I am going to use to read this. Right after I finish Burn Down the Night. I’m feeling hopeful that I will get two great reads after a string of blahs.
The reviews have been great for this book. I would love to read it.
I cannot wait to read this! Well, I can wait until I don’t have to pay $9.99 for it, but it sounds amazing.
This looks adorable!
Thanks for the post and giveaway. I’m reading lots of very happy reviews on this one.
Oh I want this book! Thanks for hosting the give-away!
Hey Mandi! I read all of your A and B rated books and would LOVE this! Esp since I couldn’t pay 10 bucks, unfortunately. Thank you so much.
Two A reviews on two sites, so I’m definitely intrigued!
So much squee about this book, can’t wait to read it!
Thank you for a great review and the chance to win this book!
This book sounds wonderful!
Yay! I wish listed it hoping that one day it will go on sale!
Oh wow. This was such a great review. I absolutely have to read it now. Got my fingers crossed that I will get picked
What a great review!!! I definitely want to read this!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
This sounds good, thanks for the giveaway.
This review was great and I would love to read this story, thanks for the opportunity :)
You have sold me on this book! I’m in.
Thanks so much for the giveaway.
This book sounds great!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow, haven’t read a negative review yet for this book.
All my catnip!! Must read soon!
I love, love, love a good frenemies story and can’t wait to read this one. It is one my wishlist but I hope *fingers crossed* that might win one of the copies you are offering!
Just the review of this book is amazing and, I will get this. This wait, the longing….can’t get any better than this.
If it’s a print copy, I’ll take it!
Ahhhh-sounds great!!!
I want one!
I love your review. I totally would but the $9.99 stop me from one clicking. Pick me pick me,
This sounds so fun!! I am definitely adding this to my tbr. Great review. And thanks for the giveaway.
This is the second positive review I’ve read for this book. I need a good read ! :)
What a great review! Thanks for this chance to share some boom love. :-)
“Book” love. Geez…my fingers and a touch screen keyboard do not ever get along.
This sounds beyond cute. I can’t wait to read it!
The review definitely has me interested in the book!
This sounds like a fun book!
SOLD! LOL.. I love enemies/adversary to lover trope! This sounds awesome :) thanks for sharing!
Great review! Would love to read it… It sounds like a smart contemporary romance, which would be perfect to read this weekend :)
I know this would be a lovely read and I look forward to it- thank you :)
It sounds like a great story. Thanks for the giveaway!
I keep reading rave reviews for this book and would LOVE a copy! Thank you for hosting a giveaway.
This books sounds amazing! I must have it.
I’ve read a few reviews of this book and each one makes me want to read it more but, you are absolutely right about the price.
Amazon needs to explain $9.99 for the ebook and $8.98 for a actual physical paperback copy! How does that make any sense!
Reviews for this book have inundated the internet this week, and I think I need to add it to my TBR. I also would like Amazon to explain the price for the ebook vs. the price for a paperback. That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
This sounds super cool. Love good banter in a book.
Can’t wait to read! Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope!
Sounds like a good one!!
This sounds so good – but the price is prohibitive. Thank you for doing a giveaway!
I really need a fun book to read right now!
A perfect summer read. Thank you for the giveaway!
Me! Me! Pretty please? :)
Would love to read this one!
I read your review and grabbed on kindle. Then read ALL day Saturday and finished in pretty much one sitting. Loved it. Went and grabbed it in paperback, because book nerd.
Did you give away a copy yet? Sounds like a fabulous read and re read
I did