This is an unexpected gem! A workplace romance is usually obvious, and insta-love but this book holds so much more than that.

It’s an emotionally complex novel dedicated to the highs and lows of life and love, the easy relationships (Mia and Sophie) and the more difficult (Gabrielle and Jake).

The characters were so beautifully written, each character added personality and stood out individually, and when brought together, the connections between them felt natural. The writing team dynamic was particularly sweet as they championed and supported each other, especially when Lyle and his group came into the mix.

There’s a third act breakup, usually they turn me off and leave me frustrated but it actually made me love this book even more, Liam needed to understand how relationships need compromise, it can’t be all about one of them all the time, there needs to be give and take. Liam having the revelation of “Fear” and how it can hold you back from committing was so real, and his “grand gesture” was perfectly simple but so loud - supporting Mia in exactly the way she needed, not with cliche flowers and words, but with something meaningful and worthy.

The pacing of the story was brilliant, I’ve invested a Sunday into reading it and I’m so glad I did.

I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2 & 3!

I’d also love to see a backstory/future of Gabrielle and Jake’s story, and Sophie too!

I really enjoyed the storyline. While the book had a bit more smut than what I prefer, I could see this being a good vacation read for the right audience. Dual POV was a nice touch.

NetGalley ARC Review✨
Goodreads review posted on: 07/05/2025

This story was full of ups and downs and included a slow burn romance between Liam and Mia. In traditional enemies/to-lovers, Liam is Mia’s brother’s best friend and she is pining for him while simultaneously plotting ways to murder him. Mia struggles to navigate a difficult home life with her parents while Liam has demons of his own between his brothers and mom.

This story was adorable and I loved the banter between Liam and Mia. She is a strong FMC and Liam takes some time but definitely turns into the golden retriever boyfriend in the end. This story ends in a HEA but does have some ups and downs to navigate through before! Overall, 4/5 ⭐️ and loved reading The CEO I Hate!

The CEO I Hate by Leslie North is a refreshing and engaging romantic comedy that blends witty banter, unresolved tension, and heartfelt emotion into a thoroughly entertaining read. Centered around two characters who share a long, complicated history, the story explores the thin line between love and hate with charm and humor. Their dynamic is electric, often hilarious, and grounded in genuine affection that grows more evident with each chapter. North does a fantastic job adding depth to what could have been a standard enemies-to-lovers trope, layering the narrative with emotional complexity and meaningful backstory. This is far more than a simple office romance—it’s a smart, layered love story with a satisfying mix of heart and heat.

Firstly thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

*Spoilers ahead*


So this book was actually really good. I really enjoyed the storyline and the past history. Brother's best friend is one of my fave tropes but I liked that this story was quite different given Jake's situation. I enjoyed the concept of Lyle returning and him actually turning out to be okay after the issue with the other writer. I loved the scene where Jake admitted he knew about Mia & Liam and she didn't realise - it really made me laugh. The proposal at the Emmy's was a bit cringe though and it ruined it for me a bit. I thought that was unnecessary in the main plotline, but I was happy they were together. Overall I look forward to the next 2 books in the series which must cover Finn & Connor.

Steamy, addictive, and full of delicious tension 💼🔥. The CEO I Hate delivers everything you love in an enemies-to-lovers office romance—sizzling chemistry, sharp banter, and irresistible slow-burn passion. Leslie North crafts bold, fiery characters and a fast-paced plot packed with heat and heart. I adored the workplace drama and the undeniable spark between the leads. Perfect for fans of steamy romances with high stakes and even higher emotions.

“The CEO I Hate” is a romance book by Leslie North. This book is the first in a series. This book follows Mia, who is a writer, and her brother’s best friend, Liam. The book is told in both of their POVs, which I felt really helped this book. Mia has spunk and was likable - and I found myself cheering her on through the book. Knowing nearly nothing about screenwriting and the television industry from a production view, I found the discussions about plots, lining up permits, and all that pretty interesting. Plus, I have to admit, I loved Mia’s room mate, Sally. Liam, both the love interest and Mia’s brother’s best friend, I felt was a bit too much of a “helper/fixer” person, but since I know people like that I got. It, but at the same time I felt like saying to him “You can’t fix everything and listen when people say they don’t want you to fix this!” I felt the 75% way into he book breakup was badly handled by Liam - Mia was right, she was being professional and dealing with it and Liam was not sympathetic to what she needed right then. This book definitely had spice! For me, this book was a quick and enjoyable read - and I look forward to the continuation of this series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of the CEO I Hate.

This is the story of Mia who is a writer but struggles to find a job that brings her joy. However, when her brother’s insufferable best friend is looking for a writer for his show, Mia’s brother recommends her to him.

I really enjoyed this book! It was easy to read, not too long, and it just flowed. The relationship between Mia and Liam was cute and fun to read. I liked that she speaks her mind- most of the time- and cares for those she loves.
Ash was also such a nice addition to the story!
One of the scenes that I enjoyed the most was probably the café scene at the beginning. It was also great that it was hinted at throughout the story as I was smiling when reading this scene.

This book ended up being a fun read with some emotional turns. Mia and Liam just sizzled on the page. Their banter and interactions were perfect. Mia's parents were total, ugh!!

I loved how Mia walked away from Liam, even though he was awful to her. Way to stand for what you think works for you, Mia!!

This was a fast read, cannot wait to see what's in store for the other Lockharts.

#netgalley # TheCEOIHate

I really enjoyed The CEO I Hate. My only critique is that I wished so badly for a reckoning with the horrible parents in this book. Their awful, sometimes neglectful, behavior is kind of just dismissed as "just how they are", and I think the growth of our main characters suffered a bit because of that. That said, this was a wonderful, lighthearted read for the most part that I enjoyed enough to rate as highly as 4 stats. If there is a bit more cohesion in the next book, I'll be a long term fan of Miss North.

A lovely clear read. Liam is Mia’s older brother’s best friend and is sexy and hot. He is also a grump and a control freak so when they end up working together it is not going to be plain sailing. The whole group of characters around the couple are fun and real. The brother is great and does an excellent job as a big brother with feelings and who cares for Mia and both their lives. Mia’s friends are the best! Her best friend is the best friend we all want, a bury the body with you kind of friend and that kept me reading on to see what her response would be to what went on. The absolute star of the book is a mutt called Ash, who is the cutest dog ever and takes over with his personality without ever saying a word.

I love a good office romance. I also love a good enemies-to-lovers. So THE CEO I HATE was close to being a pretty good read.

I think I struggled with Mia. I see in the reviews some didn't like Liam. It was just something about Mia that put me off. I think perhaps she was too whiny? Too immature at times?

I also lost interest once they got together before the halfway mark in the book. I like a slow burn and while they had burned for each other for years - we didn't get to read about it. So, it seemed too soon for the big love scene.

There was too much focus on the show and the other writers making the enemies-to-lovers plot taking a backseat at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Relay Publishing for an e-copy of THE CEO I HATE to review.

I rate THE CEO I HATE three out of five stars.

I am the person who loves an office romance and this one did not disappoint! it had me from the very first page and until the very end! I did love the grumpy meets sunshine pairing they had going! I loved how she didn't let him bring her down and used him for material. it was 100% BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN

The CEO I Hate is book one in The Lockhart Brothers series by Leslie North.
And oh my goodness! This book was such a great read!
The characters were well-written, and the story kept me hooked.
North’s writing is spot-on, effortlessly blending humor and romance while keeping the emotional stakes grounded. The characters are relatable and endearing, pulling readers into their story and making you root for their happily ever after. The romance is filled with the playful banter and heartfelt moments that fans of rom-coms crave.
I can’t wait for the second book.

this was SUCH a pleasant surprise. you never know hat you’re gonna get when you read an author for your first time, and I know now I’ll be reading more leslie north.

Mia was such a great fmc and I loved her hustle and dedication to her dream career. I loved all the side characters like sophie and jake and even ash the dog. Dogs in books make everything better.

I also loved how lyle ended up not actually being a bad character. Because in real life, that’s how it works. Sometimes you work with someone who’s a little bit of an asshole, but you find ways to get along and move forward. I like that he didn’t end up like some sort of evil cartoon villain. He was just a real person with flaws, but him and Mia found ways to work together and respect one another. He’s such a minor part of the plot it probably seems weird to fixate on this, but it was honestly really refreshing.

The romance was cute, I do wish we got a little more info on the new years kiss and maybe a little more groveling from Liam. I’m not sure I fully got over how he handled the Damien situation, but I still loved him for Mia.

If you are looking for a spicy and quick read this might be the book for you. Especially if you aren't looking for something too deep and just need something to keep you entertained for a bit.

Tropes:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Brothers Best Friend
🥵Enemies to Lovers
💼Workplace Romance

Plot: Our FMC Mia is a struggling writer looking to land her first big script writing gig. As a favor to Mia's brother, our MMC Liam offers her a job on the production of one of his TV shows. Now working so closely together they have to fight their long standing attraction to each other.

My Thoughts: Mia was an amazing character who was very relatable and had you cheering her on the whole book. Mia’s brother was also a great character who had so much depth that it makes you want a book about him as well. Liam on the other hand was not my cup of tea. The way he treated Mia was not the greatest and he could have shown her more respect. What really sold me on not liking him was the third act breakup. The breakup was out of sheer stupidity and lack of empathy on his part. I really enjoyed seeing Mia and her team write the TV show and got me wanting it to be an actual TV show.

Thank you to the author, Relay Publishing, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun ride! I found myself laughing out loud frequently and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. The characters were witty, the banter perfection, and the spice was not over the top.

I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment!

Mia Collins es una guionista frustrada que intenta abrirse camino en el competitivo mundo del entretenimiento. Su única válvula de escape es su exitoso webcómic "Heart and Hustle”, donde ha canalizado toda su frustración contra Liam Lockhart, el CEO arrogante que una vez la rechazó... y quien es el mejor amigo de su hermano. Dos años atrás compartieron un beso ardiente, pero Liam la alejó como si fuera un error. Desde entonces, Mia lo convirtió en el villano de su historia (literal y metafóricamente).

El destino vuelve a cruzarlos cuando Liam, tras una crisis en su plataforma de streaming, le ofrece a Mia una oportunidad única: ser la guionista principal de una de sus series más importantes. Aceptar el trabajo significa convivir con él diariamente, tratando de ignorar la tensión, el resentimiento... y la química explosiva que sigue encendiéndose cada vez que están juntos.

Lo que empieza como un campo de batalla verbal, se transforma en un juego peligroso de atracción contenida, besos no planeados y secretos que no deben salir a la luz (especialmente frente al hermano de Mia). ¿Podrán mantenerlo profesional o caerán otra vez en el desastre del deseo?


-

Me desespero Liam en los últimos capítulos, quería sacudirlo.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

The first in a new series. Are you.kiddin.me? How will I cope. Firstly how because of how blooming good this was so wow am I ready for more? And two what if by some unlucky lucky I dont get to read the others!? Heartbreaking right?
But for now I'll calm myself to tell you all to read this book. If you picked it up,read the blurb and thought yeh OK...then you will looooove it. Love it. Love.it.
Mia and Liam needed to be together.but theu both have their own stuff going on and stuff brought from the past that gets in their way. Oh.and of course Liam is a no-go because he's her brother best friend. Aaaand because the small(sorry huuuuge) part of where they kissed and he ghosted her leaving her hurt. She won't ever let the horrid man do that again. But then Liam holds the key to her success. He's has a perfect job offer for her. And for herself and her bro she needs to do this. And so she will, she does and she knows it needs to be done with stealth and brutality towards anything that man brings her way. Oh but Liam. Why does Liam do the things Liam does to her.
These two are wonderfully intense. Bookable brilliance.
Liam enoughof treating our gal with the hot and cold act...
But Liam your heart is so dear. And guarded. But then Oh so vulnerable.
Excellent book. Excellent start to a series.

this was a cute read, but the dialogue really needed some work. it felt like a rough draft, but i liked the plot