3,000 miles, TWO secrets, ONE man who can change everything.Samantha Smiles and Renee Montgomery have been best friends for over a decade. They’ve shared laughs, secrets, and a mutual hatred for one person: Tristan Montgomery, Renee’s older brother. He was the guy every girl wanted, and every guy wanted to be, and it wasn’t uncommon they’d befriend his little sister just to get closer to him. … closer to him. Which was exactly how Samantha became Renee’s saving grace. She was the only girl Renee could trust not to fall in love with her older brother.
Until the one night Samantha spent with him alone, leaving her questioning everything she’d ever known about the blond headed heart-throb.
Years later, Renee asks Samantha to be her maid of honor. After being one-upped by her boyfriend’s career, and with no other option, Samantha is forced to drive cross-country with the focus of their teenage ire.
He was her first kiss.
Her only secret.
Can Samantha survive the trip cross-country with the reckless Tristan Montgomery? The guy who did what he wanted, whenever he wanted, without worry for tomorrow? Or will she discover a different side of him. One that’s sweet, funny, and maybe a little bit vulnerable. And fall completely and helplessly in love for the first time in her adult life with the one man who could cause her to lose her best friend forever?
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Oh. My. Gosh. This book was SO good! The interaction between Samantha and Tristan was so spot-on. They had just the right amount of tension and attraction to make the entire story delectable, enough flaws to make it believable, and enough sensitivity and vulnerability to make you root for them.
While I generally don’t like narratives that shift time perspectives, this one really worked. The author structured it in such a way as to slowly advance the plot from both the past and the present alongside each other. As we learn more about the past, we begin to understand the current situation better, not to mention the protagonists.
The journey that Samantha and Tristan take together cross-country becomes so much more than just getting from point A to point B. It morphs into the journey of two hearts, very much separated at first, but slowly overcoming the hurt from years past, the disappointments of life in the interim, and coming together to create something beautiful together. Of course, there are obstacles in their way, both some predictable and others unforeseen, but luckily they are able to navigate them successfully and not lose each other for good.
This is an author of whom I will be reading more, and definitely a book that I recommend for anyone who enjoys a delightful contemporary romance.
I loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. I thought the author did a great job stepping into the brain of a 16 year old and her 23 year old self. Making a big deal out of a kiss is something that a 16 year old girl would definitely do. All her actions in the flashbacks were on point. It’s been a long time since I was a sixteen year old girl, but I remember how my brain worked and how I acted. Sams behaviour was typical for a teenage girl. Even at 23, people are sometimes still pretty immature. The only disappointment was the epilogue. Nothing really happened. We didn’t find out what Sam and Tristan had been up to for the past year. No mention of sams career or if there was a resolution to Tristan’s Issue with his Dad. We never found out why he didn’t come to the wedding.
What happens when you drive 3,000 miles with the boy you hate? Samantha’s about to find out. Dramatic and fun with a satisfying ending.
I liked how quick and easy of a read this was. Enjoyed the characters. Cute and sexy story.
Sigh….swoon…and uncontrollable smiles
The Boy I Hate was definitely the best way to start my day. I love the tension, sexual chemistry, and the complete and utter mess. No, I don’t love the mess but more the confrontation of everything that allows the mess to be cleaned up.
Miscommunication, lack of communication, and just sheer stubborn pride, keep this duo in a perpetual state of dislike. It’s not even real dislike it’s forced fake hatred. It’s not wanting to like someone so you pretend not to. Until you can’t pretend anymore.
Sexy, sweet, and an instant connection between them makes it twice as hard to fight. I think you mean The Boy I (Used to) Hate.