3.5 stars

This book immediately caught my attention and I did have such a fun time with it. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this definitely gets the job done.

Naomi and Luca became pen pals in fifth grade, and they kept sending each other mean-spirited letters through the years, until they didn't. When Naomi suddenly receives a new letter with no return address two years after she last heard from him, she is determined not to let Luca have the last word.

I will admit I feel like I underestimated the "hate" part of the title a little bit, and I was a bit taken aback when the letters started showing up in the story, but the more I got into it, the more I actually enjoyed them and found myself cackling at each new one. While I did find the plot predictable, it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

When it comes to the characters, I did connect with Luca more than I did with Naomi, but they both were overall pleasing enough to follow. I didn't particularly care for any of the side characters, but they all had their good moments every now and then, which was nice.

Even though I did see the conflict coming from miles away, it did make me mad for a second there, but I did really like the way it was allowed time to be sorted out, rather than being rushed just for the sake of bringing the couple together as soon as possible. It definitely was one of those rare occasions where I didn't mind the third act at all, and actually thought it made sense.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it had a pretty unique concept and a very romcomy feel to it which I very much love in a romance novel. It was very easy to overlook those little things I didn't really like on account of how much fun I had reading this.

A huge thank you to One More Chapter & Netgalley for providing me with the eARC for this book in exchange for my honest review

Naomi and Luca have been pen pals since 5th grade. It was love at first hate. While their classmates stopped writing to their pen pals, they continued writing until Luca sends a letter about his upcoming marriage. Naomi never hears from Luca again until two years later she receives hate mail from her number one fan at the new station. Determined not to let her penemy (pen pal enemy) escape, Naomi relives the past trying to figure out where Luca could be.

This book will make your heart melt while also tearing it apart at the same time. The letters from fifth grade Naomi and Luca will make you laugh. Reading through the letters with the characters are some of my favorite parts of the book. Anne and Namoi’s friendship and adventures are also funny and entertaining. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy.

Thank you One More Chapter, Harper Collins UK & Netgalley for an ARC.

From the very first page, 'Hate Mail' exceeded all my expectations! Donna Marchetti has crafted a delightful narrative that seamlessly weaves romance, humor, and touching moments into a compelling story that will leave readers yearning for more.

Naomi and Luca's journey began in fifth grade, where their correspondence was characterized more by acerbic banter than friendly exchanges. However, what started as a series of hate-filled letters gradually blossomed into a deep and meaningful friendship, spanning years and distances. Yet, just as their bond seemed unbreakable, the letters abruptly ceased, leaving Naomi reeling from the silence for two long years. When a surprise envelope lands on her desk at the local news station, Naomi is determined to reclaim the connection she thought lost forever, refusing to let Luca have the final word.

I have always been drawn to narratives featuring the penpal trope, and Marchetti's execution of it in 'Hate Mail' is nothing short of brilliant. The evolution of Naomi and Luca's relationship, from bitter rivals exchanging cutting remarks to steadfast friends and more, was portrayed with such authenticity and charm that it captured my heart from start to finish.

One aspect of the book that particularly stood out to me was Marchetti's masterful use of dual POV. Rarely have I encountered such a skillful handling of this narrative technique in contemporary romance. The juxtaposition of timelines, starting in different places yet converging at the peak of emotional tension, was executed flawlessly, keeping me thoroughly engaged and invested in the characters' journey.

'Hate Mail' is a heartfelt and captivating tale that left an indelible mark on my heart. Marchetti's skillful storytelling and memorable characters make this a must-read for fans of romance and contemporary fiction alike. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a story that will tug at their heartstrings and leave them yearning for more.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Ok , but I devoured this! This was exactly what I needed! I didn’t know what to expect but the author definitely delivered and them some! I stayed up late because I couldn’t stop reading it !Perfect fun and lighthearted epistolary romance with a dash of enemies to lovers . I can’t recommend this enough! Love ! Love ! Love! 5 stars!

this one was everything I had been looking for and MORE!

I love love love the pen pal sub-trope and getting to know Luca and Naomi through their funny/mean letters sets you up from the beginning to inevitably fall for them too! I would 100% recommend this one for anyone looking for a funny/happy rom com with some funny moments and some moments that leave you swooning 🥹❤️🫶🏼

I’m actually obsessed with this book… such an easy and fun read AHH. The characters are so loveable, the plot is so cute and the banter is PERFECT!? such a fun experience I enjoyed every second.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti.
I LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. It was an enjoyable fast-paced read. As a former 5th teacher who had my students write penpal letters I could totally relate to the premise of the book. I would have loved to find out later that any of my students had carried on the letter writing over extended years. Naomi and Luca are well-written characters whose chemistry is off the charts. I loved their banter and reading through all the "hate mail" letters through the years was so enjoyable. The book was filled with heartfelt moments that tugged on my heart strings and humorous moments that had me laughing out loud. My only problem would be a bit of a stretch on the timeline of the story, but other than that it is a perfect romcom read.
I would highly recommend this book to others.

I am literally so obsessed with this book. I couldn't put it down and squealed and giggled too many times to count. I loved Naomi and Luca's friendship so much and I couldn't help staying up all night reading it. An absolute 10 out of 5 stars. Will be immediately purchasing in every form

5/5 stars! I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day. This might be one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I highly recommend reading this book when it gets released Mar 14, 2024. Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, Donna Marchetti and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

I really tried to enjoy this book, especially because the cover was so cute. Unfortunately, this book did not end up being a five-star read, even four. It began to get repetitive; maybe it’s on me for assuming the hate mail wouldn’t be so... hateful? It was, even as they grew older. The plot was so easy to assume, and the miscommunication between them was so hard. Don’t get me wrong, it did have some nice chapters, but it just felt long and repetitive, and these characters actions confused me.

this was a super unique romance book! i was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. The characters felt flushed out. The story was sometimes a little unrealistic and move like a movie, but i enjoyed it.

dnf'd at 37%.

i mainly wanted to read this book because of the cover but i couldn't get into it at all. it was a cute idea but not executed well. the fmc's actions felt a bit odd at first (particularly when it came to travelling/flying) & when the reason behind that was explained, it became even weirder & made the mmc unlikeable because how is that a way of "winning" against someone? also, anne's character was reason enough to dnf this because she was so pushy and insufferable & the fmc just went along with it?

thank you to netgalley and the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Omg I LOVED this book! I could not put it down and read it in 24 hours.

Naomi and Luca have been pen-pals since fifth grade. Their letters are a battle of wits through insults and verbal sparring. However, what initially began as a series of hate-filled letters gradually evolved into a cross-country friendship spanning several years. That is, until one day, without warning, the letters ceased altogether. It has been two years since Naomi received any letter from Luca. That is until a letter shows up at her work, with no return address.

This is the perfect enemies to lovers romance. I loved the premise of Naomi and Luca being pen-pals. The Grade 5 letters were so fun to read and made me laugh out loud multiple times. I can’t wait for this to release in March so I can buy my own copy!

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK & One More Chapter books allowing me to read and review this ARC. This is the best ARC I have read in a while!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book follows two pen pals who have been exchanging mean letters to each other for most of their lives until they stopped for 2 years. Then a letter comes out of the blue from Luca to Naomi without a return address, and Naomi refuses to let Luca have the last word, so the search is on to find Luca's current address.

The 5th grade letters were mean yet hilarious -- is it weird that I snort-laughed at them? It was interesting to see how the tone of the letters shifted as each of the characters were going through their own struggles, and Naomi and Luca became each other's support system/comfort through their letters.

I was able to figure out the plot twist and ending halfway through the book, but I still enjoyed the reading journey to the end. But it still didn't make sense to me how it could have gone this far in the present without either of them saying anything about it (trying not to put any spoilers).

At times, I felt that the FMC, Naomi, was a little naive and silly, even hypocritical, and I didn't really connect with her character. I also didn't really like the role of Anne's character. I felt like she was there solely to ask about Naomi's love life and that was it. There wasn't really any more to her character.

Overall, I thought it was a cute read with great humor.

This was a very cute read! I was a bit confused throughout the story, not by the writing, but by Jake and Luca, who seemed very suspicious.

Hate Mail is a nice enemies-to-lovers story with a touch of mystery. I really enjoyed the letter exchanges, especially when it is hate mail! Given their supposed age, it was a very fun read!

I loved this book. I find very few 'rom-coms' genuinely hilarious, but the letters Luka and Naomi sent each other throughout the years had me in stitches. I couldn't wait to read the next one. 

The dialogue is super sweet and I really appreciated the dual POVs, otherwise I don't think I would have liked Luka as much as I did. It was nice seeing his vulnerable side.

As much I loved these characters, without giving too much away, they were both frustrating as hell at times. I just wanted to bang their heads together, but this just made the ending even more satisfying.

I have to admit, I did find this book a little predictable, but I still adored it regardless. It was really cute, well-paced and funny. I'm still smiling thinking about it. Definitely my favourite romance book of the year so far and I can't wait to buy a physical copy once it's released.

3.5 stars

I did genuinely enjoy reading this book. If you’re looking for a quick and low spice read, this will get the job done.

I was just left feeling a little unsatisfied. I wish we could’ve had the resolution earlier so I could’ve basked in those happy ending moments for longer.

I also feel like I don’t know enough about Luca. I’m perfectly capable of taking a man at face value, but this guy went from being a little rat kid to a very sweet man practically one chapter later. I feel like we didn’t get enough background on him and we only talked about his past relationships. Also his career path felt so incredibly out of left field. Felt like there was no good reason he chose what he chose and it felt a little shallow.

Naomi was cool. Not overly exciting, but I’m not asking for super deep. I enjoyed that we got some insight as to why she decided to pursue meteorology.

Do I agree with how these characters handled their issues? No, but it worked out for them in the end so it’s whatever I guess.

Also we never got explanation of why Joel would frown at Naomi and Jake every time they walked by…. Wtf was that about?

Was super excited that this book had a playlist included, but I wish it could’ve been part of the story.

As much as there are some things that don't add up, the letters Naomi and Luke wrote to each other remain unforgettable highlights. An extra star for the laughs I got.

Per quanto ci siano delle cose che non mi tornano, le lettere che si scrivevano Naomi e Luca restano degli highlights indimenticabili. Una stella in piú per le risate che mi sono fatta.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

4🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tropes:
💌pen pal
💚enemies to lovers
💌letters
💚banter
💌rom com
💚never met
💌dual pov
💚HEA

This was such a cute story. This is my first read from this author and for the most part I enjoyed this book If you're looking for a book to blow you away this is not it. What this is a cute, fun book, filled with banter and some funny moments. This is the story of Luca and Naomi.

Luca and Naomi are in the fifth grade when they are first given an assignment for class to be each other's pen pal. While Naomi is excited for this Luca thinks it's lame and is often mean. But Naomi is a spunky kid and she gives it right back to him.

This goes on for years until Luca just stopped writing back. There's a bit of a gap, and now Naomi works as the local weather gal and receives a letter at work. And they start writing again. Luca never puts a return address on letters now so she's only gotten clues to his whereabouts.

Naomi decides she wants to track Luca down. She meets an ex military friend, his ex girlfriend but never finds Luca. The letters are now coming to her apt but again no address n no post mark. She also meets Jake, who is her neighbor upstairs, who works as a marine veterinarian. She starts having conflicting feelings about both.

This story was super cute. You do get flashes of both timelines the student years, and the current letters Luca is sending.
About 50% through I had my hunches on what was going on but to keep this spoiler free not gonna say. All in all a really cute pen pal book. Thank you to NetGalley n Harper
For allowing me an advance copy.

I had so much fun reading this book. Like SO MUCH FUN. It had me in my feels, remembering my childhood, my teenage years, what it feels like to slowly fall for someone.

This is a fun rom-com about a weather girl and her childhood penemy (pen pal enemy). And I loved it. I found myself laughing at their hostility, I found myself smiling at the way the story developed.

While others might think the way Naomi and Luca interacted was childish, I disagree. I know what it feels like to not be able to put what you’re feeling in to words and have to resort to something immature. I’m not saying it’s right or healthy, but it’s more honest than most. And yes, there’s a lot of immaturity in their letters, but there’s a reason they kept writing. Even if what they said was mean and not true, it was probably the most genuine connection either of them had.