2.5/5

as always, thank you netgalley for the opportunity! i’m very sorry to deliver my negative review but this book was not for me, unfortunately.
i thought the premise was extremely interesting! the whole idea of having not only a soulmate but also a soulhate, the person you’re destined to kill, was definitely interesting and something i had never seen before. personally, i think it was not delivered that well. our main couple, Renza and Idris, started talking only after the 50% mark and Renza had almost instantly thoughts about his body and his touch. i also thought that they were going for each other’s throat way more than they actually did in reality, i understand that it was for the sake of the plot but it felt like their soulhate bond was not as relevant as it should’ve been.
the pace was fine, probably a little fast for me. on the other hand, i thought the writing was very much repetitive. not only the sentences’ structure was almost always the same, but it felt like we needed to know some irrelevant details too many times (ex: LIs’ smells).
also, if the author intended to use something from another language (in this case the use of the words “signore” and “signora”) please make sure to use them properly! an italian person would never say “signore Patricelli” but it would be “signor Patricelli”. i know it’s a minute detail but it was still wrong.
as my first approach to a romantasy, it was not successful. i do think people might like it so check it out if the premise interests you.

When I saw this book on Netgalley I was sold. The title alone was enough to get me interested. Of course I requested a review copy and I placed my pre-order for a physical copy of the book. I was really happy that One More Chapter granted me a review copy and when the release date of the book finally came closer it was time to dive in.

There is a lot I really liked about this book. The writing is really nice. The book was easy to read, the dialogues sounded natural and I really flew through the story. I also really loved the politics in the book, although quite some things were very predictable and the finale turned a lot more bloody than I had expected after reading the rest of the book.

However, after finishing the book I also felt slightly unsatisfied. I think that's mainly because I had certain expectations of the story based on the prologue and world building. For some reason I was convinced that this story was about breaking the soul hate and soul mate situation and curse. That didn't happen. The dynamic of the soul mates and soul hates is more of a complicating element of the story, but the plot is not about it and really not about solving the issues.

I also hungered after a little more romance after reading the book. I think the author didn't intend this to truly be a romance, but now the romance also felt like more of a complicating factor instead of a plot in itself. Considering the rest of the story though, I did like how the romantic subplot eventually ended. It fits the characters and their journey.

So, my opinion is slightly influenced by my expectations. If you start the story with the right expectations, it's an amazing one!

This book had a lot of promise, but I just couldn't get past the soulhate urges. I'm a romantic at heart, and this took enemies to lovers too far for me.
I think perhaps if pitched differently, I wouldn't have felt as disappointed by the premise, and maybe been able to immerse myself properly.

Well written, but the story was just not a hit for me.

"At the dawn of humanity there was a couple in love"
It's a sweet and comforting thing to open a story and find it starts no different than the classic fairytales most of us adore. Soul Hate is a amazing written tale and I'm thrilled I got the chance to read and review a early copy of it. I read it in a single sitting, and look forwards to having a phsyical copy at some point. The politics in this book fill pages from the start, well written and the inspiration clearly taken from past civilizations. There is no calm way to explain how much I love it. In short I'm more than a bit feral over this book. It is good to note that as a few others have commented already the romance within the story doesn't constantly take the limelight, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Really this book made me love the soulmate trope all over again.

⭐️ 3/5

Let me just start by saying this was not a fantasy romance, but rather a YA Fantasy with some romantic elements.
I felt like I was reading a different book than what was promoted.

That being said, I still enjoyed it for the debut that it was.

There were some really intriguing and interesting fantasy elements and plot traits that felt new and unique.
This book did have a bunch of fantasy elements mixed with politics and a dash of romance. However, the romance did not feel like a main talking point... and some of the exciting romance scenes weren't with the MMC. Which was a bit of a miss for me.

If you enjoy YA Fantasy, then this is for you.

I loved the concept of finding the opposite of a soulmate! It was truly a great change of pace in current books today. The characters were amazing and well thought-out. I also enjoyed the plot quite a bit and the political intrigue associated with it.

It had potential, but it failed for me the characters were boring and their was no real depth.

The pacing was off too, I just felt like they had one conversation and then immediately fell in love with each other which felt kinda random.

The word building was beautiful I have to admit, but sadly I got bored.

Tw: didn't realize there was spice found it out the hard way
ch15 & half way through 22 I think)

It says YA sooo why we putting explicit content in this genre?! No clue but it should not be in there.

For an adult Romantasy debut with such an intriguing plot I went in very excited. I loved the politics, the solid world building, the soul love/soul hate aspect which was very unique and the tension in the last half of the book was sooo delicious. However it really was one of those worlds that took ages to get into and I did struggle with some of the language. Lots of modern language but also an accent world took me out of the fantasy.

All in all it was an enjoyable read and one for people who love politics over romance in fantasy, but a brilliant debut and would read more from the author.

First I’d like to thank Harper Collin’s UK, One More Chapter and Hannah Kingsley for the chance to read an ARC of this book!

What really drew me to this book was the idea of a Soulhate, in a world full of books on soulmates and fated mates. I needed a break from insta love and faes. This was exactly what I needed. I couldn’t put this book down.
I went into this book not sure how I would like it, I saw a lot of reviewers saying it was heavy on the politics, and I usually prefer an adventure over political storylines. But this one surprised me. The politics didn’t overwhelm the story. They added to it, and made the main characters drive completely believable. She loves her country. And puts it above everything else. I admired that about her. She never wavered or had a second thought other than to do what was best for her people. It was inspiring.
I could see the twist coming from far away, but I liked how it was handled. I hate miscommunication in stories, and I enjoyed how quickly it was discovered and overcome.

This was a really heartwarming story, where everyone comes together flawlessly for the greater good. I loved the tension between the two rivals, Idris and Renza. I really loved that it was not insta love. Their tension was perfect. And I’m here for it. I wish there was more of it, rather than just the last bit of the book. But I appreciate the realness of it. And can’t wait to see what happens next.

If I had one qualm… it would be the use of the word “creamy” to describe stone. It was a little much.

But besides that, I really enjoyed this book and I eagerly await the next one! That ending. I’ll be impatiently awaiting news of the sequel!!

Soul Hate follows our FMC, Renza, as she is faced with her fated enemy and forced to work together, uncovering a plot that would destroy the very city she lives to protect. The idea of being tied by fate to two people, one soulmate and one soulhate, was an incredibly interesting concept to explore. I especially appreciated that the book focused on the flaws of the system, and that lives should not be driven by fate but by one’s own choices.

Renza is a fair and just young woman who has so much love for her city and takes her job in politics very seriously. This was so great to read as she came across as strong and driven by ambition towards her city purely to improve the lives of the people and not from a place of ulterior motives, and not once is this ambition framed as a flaw just because she is a woman.

The cast of characters is filled with compelling individuals of diverse backgrounds, but none are as captivating as Renza’s mysterious soulhate, Idris. I really enjoyed exploring the dynamics of the pair and how they are forced to challenge fate itself from the minute they meet. I found the writing style of this book to flow smoothly and read beautifully, making this a great debut novel all around.

Thank you to Hannah Kingsley and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to give an advance review of this book. I really enjoyed this political romantasy and loved the unique basis the story builds from, gaining a 4/5 star rating!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Soul Hate offered an interesting take on soulmates and what would happen if instead of love you felt intense hate, a premise I was excited to explore.
I did struggle whilst reading this, the writing style wasn't my favourite and I found parts overly descriptive, but this is a debut novel. Overall I'm sure people will enjoy it.

Isn't it funny how facing the truth can bring out the violence in weaker men? They rarely react so viscerally to lies. But the truth? Even if they're afraid to admit it? Oh how they erupt...Violence is the mark of a weak man's truth."

Okay, so Soulhate was definitely not what I expected. And not necessarily in a good way. 😬 I feel like this book was advertised as some deep fantasy with an intense soulmate vs. soulhate dynamic, but… where was it?? 👀 Because what I got was mostly politics. 🏛️📜💼

Like, I barely got any fantasy vibes at all. 🧙‍♂️❌ The whole soulmate/soulhate concept was supposed to be central, but aside from the main characters and their tingling ✋⚡ it was barely explored. It just felt like a cool idea that got pushed aside for government drama. 🏛️🗳️💬

And the ending?? 🤨 It straight-up felt unfinished. ❌📖 I get that there’s probably a second book, but the first one should still feel somewhat complete, you know? 🤷‍♀️ Instead, I was left feeling like I read half a book. 😤📖➡️

Thanks, NetGalley. 👍🏽👀⭐

This debut novel delivers an intriguing premise: political rivals bound by a supernatural curse, destined to destroy each other. Renza di Maineri, the youngest leader in Halice’s history, faces mounting pressure to prove herself—only to discover that her fiercest competitor, Idris Patricelli, is also her Soulhate, triggering a primal urge for violence whenever they’re near. As scandal and distrust spread, Renza must navigate the treacherous world of politics, power, and fate.

The worldbuilding is solid, and the central conflict between duty and destiny creates real tension. Renza is a compelling protagonist, torn between ambition, responsibility, and an almost uncontrollable force pushing her toward destruction. Idris, though formidable, feels somewhat underdeveloped, making their dynamic less impactful than it could be. The political intrigue is engaging, though at times predictable, and the pacing dips in the middle before regaining momentum toward the end.

While the novel doesn’t break new ground, it’s a strong debut with an interesting twist on rivalries and fate. Fans of political fantasy with a touch of the supernatural may find it enjoyable.

🎶The Other Side – Ruelle
🎶Dynasty – MIIA

A fantastically unique concept! What if you didn’t only have a soul mate (someone to truly be the love of your life) but there is also the opposite a soul hate – a person who evokes feelings so visceral that you literally want to kill them with your bare hands! Throw in a murder plot, with some politics, and you have a story that is gripping and packed full of intrigue. Impossible to put down once you’ve started!

Ech... It took me a lot to finish it. I like the idea, soul mate - soul hate, and the story would be great, but.. it wasn't.
For me, this story is a little bit like a draft - nice, but not polished. A little bit too short, some elements are left unsaid and I feel a bit empty and absolutely no engaged.

Ironically, given the premise of this book, I had a love hate relationship with it. It has some really intriguing elements and a great concept overall, but there were some glaring clues (or plot holes) that I struggled to believe the characters wouldn't have seen immediately. We see Renza as this formidable politician, incredibly clever and kind, but expect her to be both a great investigator and completely oblivious in other regards. It really did her character a disservice. I also found it a shame that as a romantasy, the romance we're meant to be rooting for doesn't exist until near the end of the book and instead we watch another romance unfold (complete with spicy scenes) for a good chunk of the book. Why put me through this? I needed to see more of a connection developing between Renza and her soul hate and from earlier in the book. It wasn't given enough attention in the story to truly develop into anything which I found so frustrating.

On the other hand, I thought the development of the plot, with the political intrigue, the overwhelming obstacles, and a great group of characters teaming up was really good. The premise had great potential, there were simply elements that weren't as well crafted which overshadowed it overall but I enjoyed Hannah Kingsley's writing and would be interested to see what she writes in future.

I receive a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I wanted to love Soul Hate. The title, the cover, the premise—it all had so much potential. A city-state ruled by seven elected politicians, a soulhate bond (essentially a fated enemies concept), and political intrigue? Exactly my type of story. Unfortunately, what I got was a painfully predictable storyline, one-dimensional characters, and a main character so oblivious I started questioning how she got elected in the first place.

Let’s start with the plot. Soulhate builds up its betrayals and political schemes as if it’s weaving a masterclass in deception, but the problem is, I saw the ‘big twist’ coming by the 35% mark. And that’s being generous. If I, a mere mortal, can see it, how is it possible that Renza—one of the seven people leading this entire city—remains clueless for over half the book? It made it really difficult to stay invested in her journey when she kept making the most painfully obvious mistakes. And when the twists do arrive, the book rushes through them without giving enough time to properly explore the fallout.

The characters were another struggle. Renza and her powerful, intelligent female allies should have been an amazing cast, but they all blurred together. The villains? As predictable as they come. Idris was easily the best part of the book—his travels, his knowledge, his dynamic with Renza—but he’s barely present until halfway through. Worse, the book completely undersells the soulhate concept. It’s one of the main reasons I picked this up, but by the end, I didn’t feel like I understood it any better than I did when I started. Where’s the depth? The tension? The emotional payoff?

Now, a separate issue: this book contains explicit content, yet it’s categorised as Young Adult. This is a conversation I am tired of having—YA is for teens, and explicit content does not belong there. Romance? Sure. Full-on bed gymnastics? Absolutely not. Please, let’s stop advertising adult content to minors.

Things I did enjoy: the setting. Halice felt vivid and well-crafted, and I really liked learning about Idris’ travels. The writing itself is smooth and descriptive, making it easy to follow. But overall, Soulhate just wasn’t for me. It had so much potential, yet missed the mark with its execution.

Though the story's concept is intriguing and exciting, the execution leaves much to be desired. The ARC is riddled with mistakes, from the spelling switching between American and British English (on the same page) to the incorrect homophones. The FMC, Renza, is frustrating and, despite everyone calling her a genius, utterly blind to the true villain (which, if you're an avid reader, should feel obvious from the story's start). The story would have benefited from switching to Indris' POV, who was honestly the more interesting of the two. There are too many characters in play (it's easy to confuse all of Renza's friends, since they barely stand apart). While the prose is strong and captivating, the descriptions eventually becoming exhausting and unnecessary, especially during would-be fast-paced, action-packed scenes. The cover is the strongest element of the entire novel. Ideal for fans of political intrigue stories, Threads That Bind, and Red Queen.