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!

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.