The Hating Game, by Sally Thorne

For months, I heard everyone and their pet poodle praise this book, so I snagged it at some point when it was on sale.

I don’t know how it was that I didn’t realize it’s written in first person present tense–which I do not like. As far as I’m concerned, first person is incredibly difficult to do well, and present tense can be gimmicky. I have enjoyed first person present tense before (Ann Aguirre’s Grimspace books, for example), but it’s very rare.

One of the reasons first person is tricky is that it’s harder to read for the other characters, when you don’t connect with the main character.

I also didn’t realize this is the author’s debut until I looked up the blurb; the writing does not read like a first effort.

The first few pages are smooth and engaging, and I felt myself being pulled into the story. Among the pulls is the fact that the story is set is the offices of two ailing publishing houses merged into one, still failing, company.

Blurb:

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.

2) A person’s undoing

3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

Like I said, the beginning was promising. As long as Lucy was talking about the setup, the impersonal stuff, I was interested. However, as soon as she started going on (and on, and on, and on!!!) about her irrational feud with Joshua, I became increasingly annoyed.

Lucy is self aware enough of just how childish the whole set up is, presumably to encourage the reader to make some allowances, but I’m not sure I am that forgiving. There is a lot of self indulgence on the author’s part, when it comes to Lucy’s childish thought processes. Sadly, my memories of my tween years and middle school are miserable enough not to need a trip back, and the stupid ‘games’ that both Lucy and Joshua indulge in, at work, day after day after day, are excruciatingly infantile.

The thing is, infantile is not necessarily harmless. I work with someone who rejoiced when she thought a female co-worker, who works a late shift alone, had misplaced her car keys. This person rejoiced thinking that our co-worker would find herself stranded, alone in an empty building, late at night. This person even crowed to me that ‘that would teach her!’ (something or other).

Lucy’s antics made me fear that’s where we are heading all through the first four chapters.

Then it got worse, from my (unpopular) point of view.

I am not sure how to articulate this, but here goes nothing: there’s an undercurrent of ‘poor little me’ to Lucy’s thoughts that made it increasingly uncomfortable for me to read more than a handful of pages at a time.

She’s ashamed of her parents–but she loves them–but why would her mother give up her career for a man?–but she loves them–but she lies to them because ashamed–but she loves them–but they don’t actually listen to her/know her–but she loves them, so she doesn’t bust their bubble–but she pities them–but she loves them.

On the work front, Lucy spends the lion share of her time monitoring Joshua, plotting how to undermine him, and both have actually filed multiple complaints with Human Resources over (supposed/perceived/real/who the fuck knows?) harassment.

And then, just after it’s been announced that she’s in direct competition with him for a fairly important promotion–not just money, but the ability to actually do something good for the company–things got worse (for me).

For the past however many pages, Lucy has lavishly recounted how she spends a shit ton of time musing ways to get one over him, how to make him miserable, if not get him fired (see HR harassment complaints, for fucks’ sake!), and then…then! she has sex dreams about him? seriously?

You know how there used to be all these literary anecdotes of young boys throwing rocks at, or putting snakes on the desks, of girls they liked? Am I supposed to pretend filing HR harassment complaints is these two supposedly-adult-people’s version of that mythical, sexist, petty, absurd, immature, thing?

I can’t.

I’ve lived through enough harassment, sexual, gendered, ethnic, and otherwise, at work–let alone the passive aggressive bullshit–to know I’m well past a point where even an author whose voice resonates with me can make this plot work.

Sadly, because I know and respect many readers who adored this book, Ms Thorne’s voice no only doesn’t resonate, it grates on my nerves.

At a few pages into chapter 5, and only 17% in (which is something like 65 to 70 pages in a 380+ pages book), I’m throwing in the towel.

The Hating Game is a DNF for me.

However, because I know this is a case of “it’s me, not the book,” let me point you to three other, much more positive, reviews: Vasiliki’s (https://shallowreader.com/2016/09/14/the-hating-game-with-a-side-of-vomit/) and Keira’s (https://keirasoleore.blogspot.com/2016/10/tbrchallenge-reading-hating-game-by.html), both in English, and Bona’s (http://romanticanorosa.blogspot.com/2016/09/critica-hating-game-de-sally-thorne.html), in Spanish. Added bonus: they all read the whole thing.

Super cute story! I didn't want it to end:)

This isn't just any book with the plot of arch rivals falling for each other, nope. Lucy Hutton HATES Joshua Templeman, hates him with everything inside her and he HATES her equally! Each are Executive Assistants to Co-CEOs each has a different style on how the office should run. He is all business with a side of snide. She is sunshine and joy.

Both are up for a promotion, which happens to be the exact job. What they each is find is maybe, just maybe they don't HATE each other as much as they thought. Who will get the new job and will they get a new relationship as well?

I was shocked to find that this book was written by a debut author, the writing was spectacular!

It is not often that I don't finish a book, but I just couldn't finish this one. The story was really childish and the characters are shallow, uninteresting, and immature. Would not recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this book

When Lucy Hutton met Joshua Templeman it was hate at first sight. Now they spend every day at work sitting across from each other, hating each other and battling in every way possible. Now, they are both after a promotion… the same promotion… and their little games are just the beginning…

I adored this book. Lucy and Joshua have the most hilarious interactions. They are both completely obsessed with each other, and their little games that they are always using to one up the other are so bizarre and funny. It seems like they can’t stand anything about the other person, but even with this mutual hatred, their games start to take an odd turn when Lucy decides to go on a date.

This book was simply amazing. The characters are so well written and the plot was entertaining and engaging. I absolutely love a book with witty banter and love/hate story and Ms Thorne has done these both flawlessly. The writing itself is so descriptive and lovely that I was enchanted throughout. This book is an absolute must read. I was so pleasantly surprised at the perfection of Sally Thorne’s first novel, she is absolutely an author to watch.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

This book was great! The chemistry between Lucy and Josh was perfectly written. I couldn't put the book down. I always love a romance where the two people antagonize each other and then fall in love. I did feel like it dragged a little in the middle. I also could have done without all the detail sex scenes. I like it better when they leave that to the imagination. I don't need all the details. All in all, it was a good book and I will read it again. Looking forward to more from this author!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We meet the shy, loveIorn Josh who shares working space with the beautiful clueless Lucy and get a front seat view of the love-hate relationship that has been brewing over the span of a year. I love the way the author wove humor and somberness into the varying games these two characters enacted. The build-up to the realization of what the meaning behind the games meant was well paced and anticipatory and the love scenes were tastefully done. Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall during the showdown between Josh's father and Lucy. I loved this book so much I read it twice back to back looking for clues the second time around.Supporting characters Danny and Helene should each get a story of their own too. Definitely worth a read.

I loved everything about The Hating Game. Well, maybe I'd like to know more about Josh's feelings, but that's ok. I loved the main characteres, their dinamic and I actually felt really anxious (despite believing they would be together in the end) about things not working out. Great book!

5 stars.
Wonderful, funny, delightfully enchanting and entertaining. I never wanted it to end. Book heaven.
Forgot to mention that I received a free - read now copy from netgalley and I am truly thankful.

5++ FANTASTICALLY FUNNY AND ROMANTIC STARS!!

The Hating Game was rom-com perfection. I truly tire of these cliche' and overused phrases in reviews, but I'm going to say them anyway: "I couldn't put it down!" and "I never wanted it to end!" I can only hope that Sally Thorne's sophomore effort isn't too far down the publishing pike. When I have such an emotional and physical response (irrepressible joy, multiple character empathy, innumerable LOL moments, and dopamine-addled romantic euphoria,) each subsequent book I read pales in comparison. The Hating Game is going on my keeper shelf next to my short list of all-time favorite rom-coms by Penny Reid, Jennifer Crusie, Mariana Zapata, and literary classic, Pride and Prejudice.

This is one of those books that has you casting the actors for the hopefully inevitable movie rendition in your mind. It's just so cute, romantic, well structured, sweet, I can't help recommending it enough. I COULD tell you more about the plot than the blurb does, how you will fall for both Lucy and Joshua and cheer when they finally get together after a wonderful, entirely plausible, slow build-up, but I would rather not spoil your fun and simply strongly recommend you do not miss this incredibly enjoyable debut novel. A must reread. Treat yourself to the best contemporary rom com of the year

5 Fabulous Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved everything about this book!

How do I love thee??
Let me count the ways..

(p.s. I have more than 10 reasons, but let's not go overboard..)

1. Lucy and Joshua's story is a PERFECT example of a slow-burn romance.

2. Lucy has a lipstick called "Flamethrower" -- gimme some!!

3. The author's zany sense of humour...

Exhibit 1: The tenth floor is now a cube of glass, chrome, and black tile. You could pluck your eyebrows using any surface as a mirror – walls, floors, ceiling.

Exhibit 2: I look like a Chihuahua next to a Great Dane.

There are countless similar exhibits peppered throughout the entire story.

4. Joshua looks like Clark Kent - 'nuff sed...

5. The entire episode of Lucy being sick -- WOW... just WOW...

6. How Joshua helps Lucy stand up for herself, which leads to her ultimately...

7. Standing up for him... EPIC scene with this fab dialogue, "I am Lara Croft, guns raised, eyes blazing with retribution."

8. How their entire relationship plays out in these "games" - I'll let you explore all the different kinds by reading the book yourself. The "Or Something Game" is my most favourite.. Followed by the Kissing Game and the Staring game.

9. How Josh kept an origami made by Lucy she once flicked at him during a meeting, and a post-it-note where she had planted a kiss with her famous Flamethrower lipstick and stuck it on the middle of his computer screen.

10. How Lucy's aim for all their games was to make Josh laugh. Josh's? “The same as all the others. For you to love me.”

I have now read this book for the 3rd time, and will probably re-read it countless times in the future.

'Nuff sed...

This was a fantastic enemies to lovers read. The characters had fantastic banter and sizzling chemistry. This was a story where the relationship and characters really develop over the pages and constantly surprise you. This was a book that made me smile but really pulled at the heartstrings also. A definite recommendation.

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.

A debut novel that is nominated for goodreads best romance book!! That says a lot about this amazing, hilarious ridiculously awesome book.

Loved this!! So much ❤️

Slow burn - Yes
Love/Hate - Yes
Arrogant Hero - Yes
Redemption - Yes
Great Banter - Yes
Loveable Heroine - Yes

The Hating Game is about two people who are complete opposites - one bubbly and quirky heroine, and one grumpy and ornery hero. They work together as personal assistants to the head honchos in a publishing house and ever since the first day their two companies merged together as one, they have been at war.

"You've broken me down so completely, I can't even handle it when a guy tells me I'm beautiful."

I can gush for hours about how this book was so perfect for me, and how much I loved all of the elements listed above, especially the redemption part where we get to see Josh's vulnerabilities, and how Lucy slowly realises she loves the man she also hates, but this book can speak for itself. Please, if you love this kind of trope, then you must give this book a go, you won't regret it.

I feel like a fraud giving this book only 5 stars. 5 stars is NOT enough. I was hooked from the first page, Sally Thorne has written an addictive romance that I did not want to end, even when it did all I wanted to do was go back to the beginning and start the book all over again. I want to analyse every pencil mark that Joshua Templeman made in his day planner. I want to scrutinise every move that he makes, every look he gives Lucy, and every comment that comes out of his beautiful mouth. Their office banter is priceless and it would seem after a year of playing their games Josh has finally decided to up the anti, all it takes is a little too much interest from another co worker in Lucy's direction. Told entirely from Lucy's POV we too have no clue what's going through Josh's mind, we can however guess and. Lucy and her antics and thoughts had me laughing out loud. The shirts, just priceless, I love how Lucy's mind worked. There is a fine line between love and hate and this book just proves this point in the most enthralling, funny and entertaining way possible. Describing this book as an enemies to lovers romance is selling it short, it's so much more.

The hating game is an at times laugh out loud story of Joshua and Lucy who now have had to work together when their respective publishing houses merge. Constantly trying to outdo each other with each using the game considerably.
There are many scenes in this book which are really funny and as the relationship develops further they take it to a higher level.
Joshua has had a hard time with his relationship with his father and this attributes to his personality that Lucy so hates.
A good well told tale though at times I was wishing they'd 'just get on with it' I would have liked a bit more of an epilogue to see how the relationship progressed and as Lucy's family were mentioned frequently It would have been a bonus to see how he got on with them.
That said an enjoyable read which left a satisfying smile on this readers face!
Thank you net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book