If you are a Leslie North reader, you are going to love The CEO I Hate. This brother's best friend, secret romance is the start of new series by North. Mia and Liam's story makes for a super fun beach read.

The CEO I Hate is a sizzling, sharp, and wildly entertaining romance that proves sometimes the mistakes we swear we’ll never repeat are the ones we can’t seem to resist.

At the heart of the story is a deliciously messy dynamic between fiery, stubborn writer Evie and brooding CEO Liam Lockhart—her brother’s best friend, her biggest heartbreak, and the unintentional muse behind her wildly popular webcomic villain. Two years ago, their unforgettable kiss ended with rejection that still stings, but now, fate (and her brother’s injury) has thrown them back together.

Evie’s dream job—head writer for Liam’s streaming platform—comes with one massive catch: working side by side with the man she’s spent years drawing as a smug, infuriating nemesis. Their chemistry crackles through every page, fueled by sharp banter, lingering resentment, and undeniable attraction. Between secret kisses, stolen glances, and the hilarious addition of a stray dog that seems to adore Liam, their "strictly professional" plan unravels fast.

This book strikes the perfect balance between humor, heart, and heat. Evie is witty and refreshingly self-aware, and Liam’s blend of grumpy charm and hidden vulnerability makes him an irresistible leading man. Their push-pull dynamic is addictive, and the "forbidden" element—hiding their connection from her brother—adds just the right dose of tension.

Full of laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt confessions, and swoony romance, The CEO I Hate is a must-read for fans of enemies-to-lovers, brother’s-best-friend tropes, and messy, complicated love stories with a happy ending. It’s witty, steamy, and absolutely unputdownable.

Wow, I flew through this one. This book was a spicy, easy read. One where you just got caught up in the story and didn't even realize how late you stayed up reading. I hope to see more in this series in the future.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Brother's Best Friend

The CEO I Hate is surprisingly….not filled with a lot of hate. Or at least the first part is, and it’s deliciously banter-y, but that quickly changes once our leads get together. While I felt as though the story really slowed down at that point, this was still an engaging read and a fun contemporary romance. My biggest complaint is the wire characters felt very flat and one-dimensional; I have a feeling subsequent books will focus on some of their stories— it will be interesting to see how North fleshes them out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC Copy of this book for review
Honestly, when it comes down to it, I’m always going to choose the book with the grumpy billionaire who thinks he can fix it all. Spoiler? Maybe. I’ll put a caption on this one just in case. But come on. With the charm the Lockhart brothers have, who WOULDN’T fall for those blue eyes and charming smile? (Oh you mean most people? Yeah, yeah I know. Let me be a hopeless romantic for a second…)

On to the real review.

We follow Mia as she learns her way around the writing room and how to handle her webcomic and handle her brother as he heals from his accident and learns his way around life and her overbearing parents who don’t think her career is real and the workplace drama and… geez. What can’t this girl handle?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely a nice break from the typically heavy stuff I read, and made me laugh, smile, cry, cheer for the bad guy, and make me want to fall in love all over again. The writing was clear and easy to read, and there were few publishing errors that I noticed. While there is typically a pattern to romance novels, I like how Leslie North shook hers up a bit. The ending didn’t feel rushed, and that is something I see in a lot of the typical romance novels I read as well. The whole concept was original, and I loved that as well. The only thing I wish there was more of was there could have been more workplace drama in the second half. It almost felt out of place that there was as little as there was, but then again, I was relieved that there wasn’t more. I really enjoyed reading this author, and can’t wait to read more of her work!

The CEO I Hate is a sizzling, enemies-to-lovers office romance that’s witty, emotional, and steamy.

Liam Lockhart is a grumpy, brooding media executive and unfortunately, also the best friend of the FMC's brother. Two years ago, a single unforgettable kiss between them ended in heartbreak when Liam pushed her away. Now, fate (and her brother’s injury) throws them back together when she’s offered her dream job: head writer for Liam’s streaming platform.

This means working side by side with the man she once turned into the villain of her webcomic. As old sparks reignite and new boundaries blur, the tension between them builds into something neither of them can ignore. But with secrets, sibling loyalty, and professional lines at stake, falling for Liam again could be a disaster waiting to happen.

The CEO I Hate is an easy read. It wasn't to heavy on emotional topics like some other romance books. I was hesitant at first because the clash at the coffee shop made both main characters seem annoying. It was hard to root for them to get together with how much they argued with each other.

What sold me on the book wasn't the romance but the other characters in the book. I loved seeing Liam and Mia life separately from each other. With Mia, her brother and their struggle with their parents made them both repeatable. I enjoyed Mia working with other writers as their dynamic was fun to read. I also like reading Liam interacting with his brothers and how their dynamic was. All in all this was a fun light read that I would recommend to someone in a reading slump.

I really liked this book, such an easy read and the storyline was very easy to follow.

A CEO that isn't overly dominating but actually likeable with his quirky character. I feel like I was very much like Mia, giving the sass back 🤘!

I sometimes felt like the characters needed to just shake Jake, and speak there minds to him but I suppose he just needed to figure it out on his own after going through trauma. Also felt like it was another book where the main character just let their parents walk all over them, maybe it's different in America but in the UK we have open discussions about the way we are treating one another.

All in all a good book, spicy but not too spicy ❤️‍🔥

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️.5

This book surprised me (in a good way). I had never read anything by this author, but I really enjoyed her writing style. I feel like if you enjoy authors like Meagan Quinn or Sally Thorne, you’d enjoy this read.

This is a grumpy x sunshine, brother’s best friend, and workplace romance. The FMC was so lovable and I could feel the sunshine she radiated off the pages. The MMC was a classic grump but not the mean kind (iykyk the difference). The plot was well fleshed out and the journey to their HEA was really well done. There is a third act breakup, but it is warranted (no miscommunication trope here). I was getting nervous the FMC was settling, so the breakup was kind of a relief. This story didn’t have them immediately get back together either, which I appreciated. The dog being included was a huge bonus for me. He was so cute and felt almost like a main character. I enjoyed getting to know more about the FMCs brother too and his struggle with being bound to a wheelchair. I feel like you don’t get a lot of details about side characters in books, especially rom coms like this, so it was refreshing to see.

There were some parts of the book that I felt lost some context. The beginning pages for example: “Got a pass on that script I’d told you about. My agent called to inform me first thing.” When was this phone call? When she said who answers their calls? I’m confused because there was no mention of it. Then in the next chapter with Liam “The only thing more frustrating than Mia Collins was city hall. Barely.” This makes me think he’s at city hall. Not enough information showcasing he’s actually at Jake’s apartment. I had to go back and re read this part because I was confused. Just some things I noticed that maybe is user error on my part.

I wish we got more details on the main characters too. I didn’t feel a full connection with them. I felt like I knew more about writing for a TV show and the ins and outs of that business more than the characters. But there’s only so much you can pack into a shorter book, so that was understandable.

Overall, this was a really funny and enjoyable read. The book would also be a good palette cleanser or something that could get you out of a book slump. It didn’t require a lot of thinking and you can just turn your brain off and enjoy the read. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author after reading this.

3.5 ⭐️This story gave off similar vibes to The Hating Game, while also reminding me of A Deal with the Devil. The banter between the two main characters was sharp and engaging, creating a palpable tension throughout. Although the emotional depth between them wasn't particularly profound, Mia stood out as a relatable, strong-willed, and determined character. I also appreciated how Mia and Liam's struggles reflected those of their friends, which helped them gain a better understanding and empathy for their own relationship challenges. Thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the copy!

OMG this book had me laughing so much!! I was hooked from the very beginning! I listened to Leslie North's Manhattan Bossholes Series last month and really enjoyed those audiobook so when I saw this new release coming up I knew I had to read it. I'm so glad I did because this is a new favorite of mine. These characters were s much fun and I had a blast getting to know them.

Liam is Mia's brother Jake's best friend so Mia has always been off limits. When Jake asks Liam to give her an interview as a writer for his hit show he does it because he wants to make Jake happy. Jake was a firefighter and had a bad accident last year and is now in a wheelchair so he's been struggling. So when Mia shows up for the interview he thinks his team will just blow Mia off like the rest of the people they have interviewed. Well the joke is on him because they end up LOVING her. So now he has to work with her and try to keep his hands off of her because he's secretly liked her for years but won't risk his friendship with Jake.

Mia has always had a crush on Liam and now working with him will definitely make things more challenging. Slowly these two will start becoming friends along the way. Mia also writes a webcomic and one of the characters is named Miles and is based off of Liam. Oh he hates that too and because of that character these two have some good banter over that! I dyed laughing so many times because of it!

You will fall in love with Liam and Mia so easily. The side characters are also amazing. I loved getting to know a little bit about her brother, co-workers, her best friend and Ash (he's a dog that will come along a steal the show). This book will have you laughing like a complete fool, smiling, blushing, and leave you with the perfect ending!! I HIGHLY recommend this book. If you loved the movie The Hating Game and Morning Glory then you will LOVE this book!

Thank you Leslie North, Relay Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

ARC REVIEW - 3.25 stars

Thank you to Leslie North, Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
If you're looking for an easy quick workplace romance, this one is for you.
Mia is working for her brother's best friend and she has had a crush on him since she was a teenager but he's very grumpy.
I'm actually eager to read the story of Connor - as I'm expecting a single dad romance and you know how we feel about those,...
They got together a bit too early in the book so I was certain we were going to have a 3rd act break up.
Liam gave me whiplash with the break up, kinda felt out of character? I would have NEVER forgiven him if it was me but that's just me ahaha
The end felt a bit rushed but mostly I got the ick from the way Liam did something at the very end (don't want to spoil) but the place didn't feel intimate at all, it's my personal nightmare I'm not objective on that part sorry.

Tropes:
- brothers best friend
- workplace romance
- enemies-to-lovers?
- fake-dating
- 3rd act break up

Wow! Liam does come off as a jerk in the beginning of the story. Mia doesn't let it slide either. She calls him out on it in person in front of everyone and then again in her comic book that she writes. She doesn't let him off easily. At that point I started to feel bad for him also we get a little back ground into why he acts this way. The T.V. aspect of the story is intriguing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.5/5 – Smart, Sizzling, and Utterly Addictive

The CEO I Hate by Leslie North is an absolute treat for fans of workplace romance, slow-burn tension, and snappy dialogue. At the heart of this captivating story are Mia and Liam—two characters who spark off each other with such fire and chemistry, it’s impossible to look away.

Mia, an ambitious aspiring TV writer, is witty, sharp, and impossible not to root for. When Liam—her brother’s best friend, the CEO of VeriTV, and a full decade older—offers her the role of head writer on a smash-hit show, the stakes skyrocket. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but it’s complicated by years of simmering tension and an unresolved attraction that neither of them can ignore.

The banter between Mia and Liam is phenomenal—crackling with wit, sass, and that delicious enemies-to-lovers energy that keeps you turning the pages late into the night. Mia’s voice is especially standout: bold, unfiltered, and impossible to top. She challenges Liam at every turn, and watching him fall under her spell (while trying to maintain his CEO composure) is immensely satisfying.

Leslie North delivers a tightly paced romance that balances heartfelt moments with career ambition, family ties, and just the right dose of steam. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is because the ending felt just a touch too tidy—but honestly, that’s nitpicking when everything else hits so perfectly.

If you love intelligent heroines, forbidden-but-irresistible romances, and power dynamics done right, The CEO I Hate is one to move to the top of your TBR.

Yes. Just yes. Leslie North's The CEO I Hate is exactly the fun romance novel I wanted/needed to read. Great chemistry between Mia and Liam and I was very pleasantly surprised when Lyle came back that it wasn't the trainwreck I was anticipating. I can't wait for the other Lockhart brothers books!

The blurb was promising and I was looking forward to reading it. I liked the enemies to lovers trope but I had a little trouble with the execution.
I get that Liam and Mis didn’t like each other (hence the title) but I would have expected them to be a little bit more courteous towards each other. I expected them to gradually view the other person in a better light after getting to know each other better and seeing each other’s good qualities. Instead I felt both of them reacted too aggressive and that the crossed the line in the way they interacted. They might know each other privately but that didn’t give them a free pass to talk to each other the way they did.
For example: the whole coffee debacle which went on and on. Mia being lost on her first day at work and Liam immediately snapping at her and Mia angrily defending herself. Wayyy too hostile, but okay... Then Liam berated her for talking to a colleague and criticized her for the “losers” she’d dated in the past. Again, Mia made it worse by trying to rile him by going into details regarding her sex life - to her boss! It was just all very uncout and unpleasant, let alone unprofessional and disrespectful. If my boss said something like that to me, or said ”Have you finally stopped sulking long enough for us to have a conversation?” I’d immediately quite my job.
So I can confirm Mia indeed did hate the CEO and vice versa. But this hate was so apparent that it made any enemies turned lovers relationship hard to believe. It happened too sudden and in my opinion lacked foundation. The hate part was done very well but the romance part definitely needs a little bit more work.
On the upside: I liked the whole behind the scenes vibe of what’s involved in making a tv series. And the writers were a nice bunch of people.
Trigger warning: secular and religious swearing, depression, disability after an accident.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Banter? Check. Spice? Check. Dislike-to-love that will have you giggling and kicking your feet? DOUBLE CHECK!! The CEO I Hate is a witty story that I couldn’t put down. This book was filled with the best tropes, including brother’s best friend, workplace romances, forbidden romance, and grumpy-sunshine! This dual-POV rom-com set in the world of hit Hollywood TV production was such an enjoyable read.

We follow Mia, who is desperate for her big break in her scriptwriting career, struggling to manage her parents’ expectations of what a “stable” career should look like, countless job rejections, and her own webcomic. Enter Liam: her brother’s best friend, her long-time crush, and her New Year’s kiss two years ago that she can’t seem to rid herself of. When Liam is desperate for a new head writer, he (very reluctantly) needs Mia to swoop in and save the day. Liam knew working with Mia was a bad idea, but he didn’t expect to catch feelings on top of everything else! Liam has enough going on in his life, constantly trying to put out fires (no pun intended) at his production company, with his family, and with Mia’s brother Jake, who was recently in an accident. But Mia is only adding fuel to the fire of his attraction and desire.

Watching these two characters argue, fall in love, and argue some more was a roller coaster of giggles, gasps, and tears. While Mia and Liam couldn’t be more different, they also work so well together in the best way possible.

I appreciate how articulate and expressive Mia is; she is the type of heroine that you can relate to and admire at the same time. She was so good at holding her own and fighting for what she needed—such a girl boss! Liam was a grump with a heart so big it fit everyone in his life and more. His grouchy exterior was offset by his caring actions—though sometimes not great—they were always well-intentioned.

While this book had me giggling, it also gave me room for reflection, as it dealt with real-life realities surrounding friendship, family, and workplace dynamics. I loved the idea of the show, and this book made me wish End in Fire was a real show—I would definitely binge a hot firefighter show!

I think part of what made this book fun to read were the side characters that added depth and dimension to the story. Reading about Jake’s relationships and recovery experiences was really eye-opening. Sophie is definitely one of my favorite book besties, and Ash honestly deserves his own reality TV show.

Leslie North is undoubtedly a talented writer. I was thoroughly impressed with the plot progression. Overall, her writing style genuinely resonated with me; it allowed me to breeze through this book. My only gripe is that I wish there had been more context to some of the issues we were presented with. I think a flashback scene to New Year’s would have allowed the reader to better conceptualize the impact of the kiss on Liam and Mia and better empathize with the build-up of feelings the characters had toward each other. I also would have enjoyed more scenes of the romantic relationship between Mia and Liam that led to the larger issues within their dynamics. More examples of their frustrations and strife would have added even more emotion to the last ¼ of the book and given the audience a better grasp of Mia’s overall struggles in her relationship.

In sum, this was an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to read Conner and Finn’s books next!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes
* Workplace romance
* Enemies to lovers
* Brother’s best friend
* Forced proximity
* He’s her boss
* Dating in secret

Thank you to NetGalley, Leslie North, and Relay Publishing for this eARC! I really enjoyed it and liked all of the tropes and how well they blended together in this book.

I really enjoyed the dual POV of Mia and Liam’s perspectives. Lots of banter and quips back and forth as they annoy and turn each other in simultaneously, which makes it a fun read! The angst and tension was great, and seeing him squirm while he keeps trying to resist her was fun to read.

When he does give in to his lust, it’s steamy and spicy!! Their relationship is troubled, though, and their problems make sense since there are so many layers that make it complicated. Those issues lead to the same types of problems they had as enemies: misunderstanding each other and miscommunication. So it was lovely to see them work those out and come out it with a beautiful relationship! His grand gesture at the end was meaningful and showed he understood where he went wrong and how he could make things right by her.

I also enjoyed her bond with her brother Jake. He has his own problems, and seeing how they support each other while both dealing with heartbreak was a nice addition to this story.

Finally, I liked the subplot with them writing a script for a tv series. The other writers were fun and kind to Mia, and her issues with Damien added to the tension and issues that are a reality for many women in that industry. It made this book well rounded and a great read!

The CEO I Hate is your classic enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s little sister, workplace romance. This one was enjoyable, but didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

It was a quick and easy read with a relatable FMC that had you rooting for her. The MMC, however, came across more mean and immature rather than charming or endearing, which made it hard to connect with the romance.

While the setup hinted at tension and banter, it never quite delivered and left me wanting more. The emotional connection between the leads felt underdeveloped, and the tension that should drive the enemies-to-lovers plot just wasn’t quite there.

Despite this, the story and writing kept me engaged until the end! Readers looking for a quick, spicy, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s little sister, workplace romance will enjoy this one!

Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I went into this book sceptical due to just finishing a book that I adored. I was truly surprised by how fast I got into it and finished the book. I haven’t read a contemporary romance in a long time and I found this enjoyable, well paced and the characters likeable. I was looking for breadcrumbs to see if I could figure out who the next book would be about but I have been left clueless! Just have to wait until August to find out!