USA Today Bestseller!
Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love.
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. … 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.
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I know it’s only February, but when I finished The Hating Game, I knew I found one of my favorite books of the year, and possibly ever. Sally Thorne’s debut novel is about two coworkers who sit across from each other and spend their working hours trying to make the other crack, either by laughing or crying. Lucy and Josh have been enemies since their first day on the job, and now that they are up for the same promotion, tensions can only rise, right?
Wrong. This book is so smartly written, funny, and let’s be real about it — adorable, that you will fly through it. I will admit that I read this twice in one week, and this is coming from someone who NEVER rereads anything (except Harry Potter). I didn’t want to read anything else, and I already know I’m destined to read it again over the summer.
If you’re in the market for a cute, funny read, look no further, but prepare yourself for the book hangover that will definitely follow!
An office enemy romance that’s one of my new all-time favorite books! An absolutely charming read and Sally Thorne is genuinely FUNNY.
After their publishing companies merged, Lucy and Joshua are executive assistants to co-CEOs…. and they hate each other. They volley so much witty banter back and forth from their desks all day that you’ll feel like you work there with them. And now Josh and Lucy are fighting each other to be promoted to a new COO position — but they also might be falling in love?
This was completely original and delightful. Would recommend.
I finally got on the Sally Thorne train. I have heard so much about this book – it’s a romantic comedy with two perfectly matched characters. I adored it.
Loved this book so much that when I finished, I flipped back to page one and read it again. Unique, heart-tugging, and charming, I adored this portrayal of two flawed and funny characters falling for each other despite their best intentions.
I really enjoyed this book 🙂
A work of pure happy heart magic. One of my all time favorite books.
I don’t read a ton of chick lit, but this is definitely one of my favorites that I’ve read.
ALL THE STARS!
I’m such an idiot. I must say. I have finally read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and my life is forever changed because of it. I will never look at strawberries the same again . I feel so empowered being short, and its all thanks to one Lucinda Elizabeth Hutton. She’s my bestie. Talking about besties, I must thank mine for pushing me to read the book (again). She’s been patiently waiting (love you!) Lol.
You guys!! I’m on cloud freaking nine after reading this wonderful piece of literature. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I can’t even function. What is life . Joshua Templeman is a God and Lucy a Goddess. This book will forever be a favorite. It lives in my memories and is imprinted on my heart and soul. Thank you, Sally Thorne.
My favourite romance novel of the year so far. I totally loved it and Josh is my new book boyfriend (“4 eva”)! Josh and Lucy work alone together in a glossy office on the top floor of their publishers’ building – and they hate each other. The story starts with the Mirror game, where Josh keeps subtly copying everything Lucy does – sharpening a pencil, lifting his hand to his face, opening his diary. Lucy’s password is “I hate Joshua 4 eva”. There is also the Mirror game and the HR game, and when they both are up for the same promotion the hate games intensify, but one hot kiss in the elevator reveals there’s more than games at stake. After this, the sexual tension fairly sizzles off the page. I adored this book and the hero and heroine, and their hating games were laugh out loud funny. This is Sally Thorne’s first book, and I can’t wait for her next!
This was an utter, unexpected joy to read (listen to-audiobook)!
A well-written hate to love with a sour, introverted grump and a need-to-be-liked-by-everyone extrovert. There were glorious twists that were so fun to watch unfold, especially since the main character, Lucy, couldn’t see them coming.
Yes, Joshua is grumptastic and kind of a dick, but some people are, and that doesn’t exclude them from finding love. I think that was the most enjoyable part about the book—no one needed to change who they were in order to get their happy ending.
Recommended for lovers of hate to love, grump vs. chipper mains, and competitive workplace romance.
This was a vacation read for me and I found VERY difficult to put down when I had to interact with fellow humans instead of merrily sit by the pool with my nose glued to my kindle. Great writing, hilarious LOL office romance. Fun characters. Sexy, to-die-for hero. This book had it all! Highly recommend.
Totally late to the party, but WOW what a delightful book! Couldn’t put it down.
***My favorite 2019 Book*** I read over 300 books a year, all categories, but this is my favorite !! It’s cute, easy to read, and i literally laughed aloud.
I’m late in the worship Sally Thorne’s writing club. As a lover of RomCom this just did me in right from page one. Her writing is a masterclass in everything a romance comedy should be. Laugh out loud banters, swoony hero who says all the right things. One of the best written heroines in forever. I borrowed this book from the library and I had to buy two print copies–one to underline everything perfect about it (sorry if that makes you cringe), and the other one will remain in all its new book glory. Thank heavens she has a new book because I would’ve been starved. Don’t delay. Read it now.
I absolutely adored this book! I expected so many tropes, but from start to finish, The Hating Game was a funny, frothy romp that sparked off the pages and kept me completely engaged and totally charmed. The voice was strong and smart and silly and real, and I already know this is one of those feel-good romances I’ll pick up again and again!
I loved this book so hard. OMG, the WIT. I loved the games Lucy and Josh played with each other. I’M IN LOVE WITH JOSHUA TEMPLEMAN. Hands down the best book boyfriend I’ve met in a long time. What’s amazing about t this book is that Thorne did this in first person, single POV, so everything I knew about Josh was through Lucy’s eyes, and Lucy was deep deep in denial, so to allow the reader to see Josh while through the clouded lens of Lucy’s POV…masterful. This book is a must read.
Had to see what all the fuss was about, and I did enjoy this one! I had a couple of issues with Josh’s and Lucy’s characters, but overall it was a very hatefully sweet love story. Sexual tension was an understatement here! I mean just WOW! And can I just say that if Josh was half as gorgeous as he was made out to be, well….oh my!
This is a fantastic read! Great writing + great story from beginning to end. Laugh out loud funny in some parts. I see that this will be made into a movie and can’t wait to watch. I’m placing this on my all-time-favorite bookshelf, it’s that good.
Well, hi there, Sally Thorne! *Shannon waves excitedly* You’ve got yourself a new fan! (It’s me, I’m the new fan!)
What a cute and utterly addicting slow burn! I thoroughly enjoyed this debut, and loved the snarky banter between Lucy and Josh. I even caught myself chuckling out loud several times.
My one critique is that I think this would’ve benefited from dual narratives—I would’ve loved to hear Josh’s perspective, but overall it was a really solid debut and an enjoyable read!
I look forward to the movie adaptation and more from Ms. Thorne!
“The trick is to find that one person who can give it back as good as they can take it.”
This book has been on my TBR for ages now , and finally I got to read it!
I can just say W O W !
This book , this story , this characters were phenomenal !
I never had so much fun reading a book. Now I understand why this story has turned into a movie . It’s simply terrific .
The dynamics between Lucy and Joshua are everything .
All their games are the biggest foreplay ever !
They couldn’t be more different . Lucy is kind , generous , always smiling and on the other hand Josh is all numbers and no fun .
“Shyness takes so many different forms. Some people are shy and soft. Some, shy and hard. Or in Josh’s case, shy, and wrapped in military-grade armor. “Josh,”
Since the first day it was hate at first sign , or that’s what It same like . They were always looking for a way to make the other uncomfortable . But they can’t help it. It’s a new game every day , a game they became addicted to.
But then something changed , the rules of their game weren’t the same anymore. A line was surpassed and there was no going back .
The chemistry , and the passion between them was like fireworks .
Love and hate are on the opposite side of the same medal , but what if what you always felt was love all along ?
“When you get so little of someone, you take what you can get.”
It was a real page turner , I can’t wait to see it on the big screen with Lucy Hales .
I gave it absolutely 5 stars.
I hope you’ll enjoy it like I did!