Thank you to NetGalley and Tempest for approving my request to read an arc of this book.

Rory Prince knows a great many things. But I think that, aside from the wonders of space, the thing he knows most is what it feels like to be under immense pressure. Since he was five his parents have made him follow a very specific path and been given air tight rules. He must make them proud, must win, must be the best.
Rory has always strived to make sure he never deviated from the path, but when a public melt down causes him to be disqualified, suddenly he’s being sent away to a camp where he must prove to his parents that he can win. But when Luca, the boy who beats him at every contest, and was also on the receiving end of his melt down, also happens to be at said camp, suddenly Rory begins to question if those rules set out by his parents are worth following, or if maybe it’s time to follow his heart instead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written but easy to read and I really liked the cast of characters. This story also has great trans representation too.

Luca and Rory might be academic rivals at a huge competition, but oh they both share a brain cell.

I absolutely loved how clueless Rory could be. Him wanting to be the best at everything made him very dramatic in a way that made his dynamic with Luca VERY funny. Their banter was fun too, and they have many sweet moments. Would have loved to see more of Rory and Luca together towards the end and after BRAIN!

I also really appreciated the secondary characters. Rory's cabin quickly became one of my favourite parts of the book, and by the end they truly felt like a second family to him. The friendships added so much warmth, and they brought great balance to the story (not only because of the main focus on the romance, but also because of Rory's complicated relationship with his parents).

Overall, this was such a super cute, kind of silly at times story. Powars has quickly become one of my comfort YA authors, and But I Hate Him didn't disappoint!