Beckett. Let me count the ways I loathe him.1.He’s the bane of my existence. 2.A thorn in my side. 3. I’m pretty sure he’s the devil in disguise Or he at least has him on speed-dial.So why am I standing here, bouquet in hand, about to become his wife?He calls it a business proposition.I call it blackmail.He says our fighting is foreplay.I say he should be on meds.He says he has the power to … foreplay.
I say he should be on meds.
He says he has the power to destroy my company,
I say with a husband like him, who needs enemies.
But I can survive this six-month calamity.
All I have to do is keep hating him . . .
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One of the things I love about Alam’s books is the humour, my giddiness and falling in love with the hero. This book does not disappoint.
Olivia and Beckett were a dream to read. Olivia is looking for an investor to for her company when she stumbles and falls at Beckett’s feet. Another chance meeting sees her going to dinner with him. Then another meeting sees him proposing marriage and an investment into her company that’s just about to go into the black, and he needs a wife for a business deal and he’s set his sights on her.
From the offset, these two throw barbs at each other constantly and is definitely foreplay to them. They are witty, clever and I found myself laughing at them many times.
Olivia is one of my favourite heroines I’ve read in a long time. She’s smart, sassy, knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to speak up to Beckett who often needs brought down a peg or two.
Now Beckett, he’s moody, controlling, demanding and the type of hero I love. While reading, although he has commanding ways and others may think he’s a bully, I seen a vulnerable man who was also a romantic and loved every minute of being married.
We know Alam brings humour but she also brings the heat, and boy does she go for it in this novel. Olivia and Beckett had sexual tension pouring out them and were all hot and delicious, they couldn’t keep their hands of each other!
This was the perfect easy read with little drama and an easy flowing story that kept a smile on my face while I devoured it in one sitting. I cannot recommend it enough for any romance lover out there.
*An ARC received for an honest review*
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene @ 51%
POV – Duel
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
To have and love!
I think I have read every single Donna Alam book written since her 1st HOT SCOT hit my Kindle a few years ago, long before I joined Goodreads. I have loved each one and jump on every new release the minute her newsletter alerts me. Never been disappointed by one single story and have spent many a long night into the wee morning hours reading her unputdownable novels. She is so bingeworthy!! Quite frequently in her series, previous characters spend time hanging out in each others books and will keep popping up to let me know just how they are doing at any given moment. The sexy times are always off the charts (and very welcome ) and the humor and banter between some of her couples and their friends is enough to make you die laughing. The men are too damn hot and their ladies know just how to keep right up with them!
This particular book, newly released, seems to be a standalone so far unless Donna decides to expand this world to include some friends of either Beckett or Olivia in the future…by all means, please continue, I’m all for it!
Beckett, venture capitalist, is one sexy Brit, upper class and so alpha..almost a bit of a bastard but I just loved him exactly as he was, much more simmering under the surface to discover about this guy.
Creative, hard working dating app developer Olivia, is determined to find a backer to take her company to the next level. She was so much fun, loved her sassy mouth that doesn’t discriminate on who gets targeted by her annoyance, wrath or truth giving! She’s really just a sweetheart under all that bluster. Beckett has a proposition for her that she struggles to resist, but when the inevitable happens, let the fireworks fly!
Told in my favorite way, dual points of view, this marriage of convenience…I’ll call it aggrevators to lovers romance, is just too good, super steamy, whew and full of some crazy, witty comebacks as they try to get to know each other, annoy each other just because they can. Both Olivia, who doesn’t want to bend and Beckett who has to be in control and also doesn’t want to bend, have a wild ride ahead of them as each tries to get what they want and need out of this marriage.
I love the marriage of convenience trope and this one in my opinion was really well done and kept me all in from start to finish, even messing with my plans as reading this book took over my morning. Sometimes, adulting just has to come in second to a great story.
I’m going to say- recommend! For those who haven’t read anything from this author, pick a series or start with this one and just enjoy. Those who have read a Donna Alam book, this one is another winner!
I absolutely LOVED this book!
A fake and arranged marriage or a real marriage? To Have and Hate hits both questions spot on.
Donna Alam is one of my favorite authors, her Scot series is fabulous and sexy, now we get to meet a whole new cast of characters. Alternating views with both Olivia and Beckett even though we don’t really get to see into the mind of the reasons behind Beckett intentions, it’s still a great storyline. As always with any Donna Alam story, you get a bit of the sweet and lots and lots of heat…yikes!!!
Their falling in love storyline was so easy to follow, it draws you in and doesn’t want to let go. And, their back and forth and push and pull, Beckett has such an uber alpha vibe, but Olivia is determined to find his softer side. Lots of surprise and loads of tension make for another hit from Ms. Alam, thanks for sharing these two with us.
Witty, steamy, STEAMY!!!
I think I’ve read everything Donna Alam has written, and To Have & Hate is a standout, standalone novel that I absolutely loved. Every book has a fresh take on relationships and romance, and T.H.A.H. provides a lot of freshness…fresh, cheeky, searing banter, that is! Bolivia’s (Beckett and Olivia’s) relationship is less give-and-take and more pursuit/reluctant submission, served up with heated innuendo and enough steamy heat to curl wallpaper. Although these are entirely new characters, I really hope Ms. Alam expands Beckett & Olivia’s world and makes this the first in a new series.
I received an advance reader copy of To Have & Hate and am offering a voluntary review. I absolutely loved it and bought copies for me and a friend.
The wait was long for this book, but it was worth it. Beckett and Olivia are quite the pair. Fierce strong and determined and that’s just Olivia, although she does give a bit too much thought to what others have to say or think about her.
Beckett is so hot. That damn smile will get him out of so much trouble. Even though it started as a love hate relationship these two knew what the wanted in the end.
The passion was true and the chemistry of the scales. I loved every minute of this sexy story. Grab your copy today and enjoy the fight.
Donna Alam is one of my favorite authors; I loved her tales of Scots, then her Australians. Now she’s back in London with an American, Olivia, who came here to go to college and stayed to work on her app, E-volve, which facilitates relationships, not hookups. She runs across Beckett as she presents to JBW to hopefully merit an infusion of investment money as she’s about to use up her inheritance. As usual, this author gives us an easy reading romance with an antihero, with lots of laughs and tears while using a large vocabulary. Recommended! I volunteered this review after reading an ARC.
In this fake marriage, enemies to lovers romance, there is a huge amount of chemistry between Beckett and Olivia. Beckett is icy cool but still attractive to Olivia, who gets off on annoying him. I enjoyed the characters and their need to be together-the sizzle was intense. There is lots of push-pull in this one. I almost missed their falling in love, it was so natural and inevitable, and once they realise what is happening, the fight against it. I loved their flirtiness, their fun side, and laughed at the snarkiness. I really enjoyed Beckett watching Olivia and his early morning musings. I felt like I was on their journey to love together with them.
⇨ R E V I E W ⇦
New to me author & books, BUT definitely made it on my 2019 TOP list because this book was everything I love about a HERO & HEROINE in a Office-enemy-to-lovers romance! All happening in London and part New York!
Let’s start with Olivia the heroine who is not only sassy but willing, strong and soft under it all. She is the perfect heroine when it comes to characters and story. Opinionated, stubborn, sassy, beautiful and loving. Now our hero Beckett who is tall, sexy, broody, mysterious, well spoken, comes form old money and one of the HOTTEST HERO’S in 2019! He might be beautiful and sexy but he has a mouth on him. Equal part to Olivia, because their bickering and back and forth is honest foreplay for any heart.
[He waves off my protest. ‘The companies on the thirty-fifth floor all deal in business finance some sort. Meanwhile, we’ve also determined that I’m on first-name terms with Satan, that I think you’re rather lovely, and that I might like to kiss you.’]
Olivia runs her own company, one it involves the world of the rich and of course, suits. So when she goes on her dream-date with a man she’s been waiting to be available, things kind of go south…well for her it happens a lot…literally. The girl can’t keep her balance for shit, it’s actually how she met Beckett, at his feet. Olivia’s tardiness knows no bound but also it’s not fully her fault as everything seems to always happens o her no matter where she is off to. Meet Cute? Not so much cute, but sexy more like it.
When she is propositioned someone that not even in her dreams she would accept, she isn’t left of much with option, therefore being the sassy strong-headed woman, she jump in. But I will warn you this is not the normal office romance type, and you’ll see. Things are more THERE and HAPPENING. After all, she did marry the one man she loaths in lots of different ways.
I can’t say more but it’s a ride YOU WANT TO TAKE. The feelings I usually chase when reading ARE DEFINITELY HERE & SOME. Something about their duo was fantastic, side characters also, the time line lined up perfectly and the transitions were very smooth! I will briefly touch on the sexy scenes and say that hands down THIS AUTHOR HAS IT DOWN!!
‘Your skin is like moonlight,’ he whispers, his voice rasping and raw.
‘And your freckles are constellation.’ His words are almost pondering as his hand trails across my collarbone, his eye following.
‘And I’m going to cover them in cum.’
I am leaving THAT at THAT. Very sizzling, the chemistry and romance very beautiful. The only thing that was wrong with all this, I NEEDED MORE! I feel like a 2,3 or 4th epilogue is necessary please!! Front start to end, this book will keep you engaged, on your toes, angry, scared and happy!! All the feels for sure!
TOP 2019 MUST READ LIST!
Rating:
Steamy:
Recommended: HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦
MY FULL BLOG REVIEW & MORE -> https://tgtrnbookreviews.wordpress.com/2019/08/11/r-e-v-i-e-w-%e2%9e%a0-to-have-and-hate-by-donna-alam/
I dont know who I love more, Olivia or Beckett. They are both so funny, so prickly and sexy. Their story is unexpected, laugh out loud funny, touching and steamy. I couldnt put the book down but hated for it to end! I could read about Olivia and Beckett forever. I voluntarily reviewed this advance reader copy.
To Have and to Hate by Donna Alam a five-star read that you will want to have and hold. This is such an amazing read it was a little slow to start with, but ne it got going it was a hundred miles an hour. I swear this novel would burn if I took it into church, it would go up in flames quicker than you can imagine. Beckett is a hard man to get around, but he proves his worth by the bucket full. The one thing in this one was that it had my Spidey senses going crazy when one character was first brought in, and I don’t want to spoil but aggghhhh I wanted to make sure Olivia didn’t make a mistake. This proves once again what a talented author Donna Alam is, she writes hot and steamy with twists that will surprise you.
This was one of the best enemies to lovers books I have read and is my new favorite Donna Alam book! I floved it! I loved the humor and witty banter between Olivia and Beckett. Their chemistry was hot AF! It was well written and the storyline drew me in from page one and I couldn’t put it down until the end.
Entrepreneur Olivia Welland has spent her inheritance keeping her dating app afloat but needs a cash injection to keep going. The only option available is the business proposition put forward by the devilishly handsome but arrogant Alexander Beckett III … cash and help in exchange for being married to him for 6 months. Can Olivia go through with this, and what happens when Olivia starts falling for Beckett?
To Have and Hate is a funny, angsty and steamy story that will suck you in
Never thought I’d fall in love with Bolivia!!
OMG, this book! I adore Bolivia! Olivia is strong, passionate, fiery, determined, and a bit too worried about what everyone else might say but when she gets out of her own way, she’s phenomenal. And Beckett…delicious, sexy, smirky, hot and cold, determined to control ever Beckett. Their love & hate, back & forth, can’t keep away from each other passion is mesmerizing. This story has all my favorite things about romance. Donna does it again. I think Bolivia are amazing. Two people who don’t want to accept they are the missing piece in each other’s hearts. So good. I think Donna may have given us a book as great as her others but also more. I may need recovery time from this one. I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This was an awesome read! I am a sucker for enemies to lovers romance and this little gem ticked the right boxes.
It had humor, intense heat, and tension and the familiar push and pull between the two main characters. It’s the push and pulls that always grabs at me and this book was full of it.
Olivia and Beckett were one of a kind. The sexual tension between the to was thick and you could cut it with a knife, the witty banter and overall chemistry were through the roof, fighting or fucking these two were on fire, and the way their personalities bounced off each other was perfect. They were a very unlikely couple yet they were perfect for each other. Beckett came across as an asshat, to begin with, if I’m honest, but in no way did that make the story any less amazing. If anything, I am a dead set sucker for an asshole male character, but as you get deeper into the plot I start to see more than one side to him and it made me fall for this man even more. He has his demons, he has his hangups and he has his struggles, he’s become a very guarded man, and I think that is what Olivia could see in him from the start and though they started out as enemies, that changes fast and the passion, lust, heat, and chemistry between the two of them was consuming and even though this book was full of heat, it still had light-hearted moments where I was in stitches from laughing so much.
This story had it all in my opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s my first book by this author, but it will not be my last!
5 Stars
Explosive and at the same time endearing characters
I loved this excellent and very well written story that is fascinating thanks to the unusual characters.
The heroine, Olivia, does not always know how to react, but she is always fighting against a Beckett who is definitely a very good villain. Their verbal fights are as edgy and hot as their melee.
Olivia needs funds to finish launching her app and thinks to succeed thanks to her friend Luck. However, after falling because of a stranger and Luck announced to her a news that stops the future she may have had with him, she finds herself invited by chance by the same stranger, Beckett, who had made her fall that morning. They get closer although he is arrogant direct and unbearable, but he leaves when it starts to get a little hot, annoying even more Olivia who has a strong temperament. 2 days later, she finds Beckett in a position that disconcerts her because he did not tell her and offers her a deal that outrages her: getting married so that she has her money and that he can take possession of the company in which he works at the expense of Luck and his father-in-law.
When Olivia is more and more indebted and understands that she was manipulated by Luck, then Beckett’s unacceptable agreement becomes possible, despite her conditions.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Love this snarky, funny tale of total opposites attracting, even if it’s just for show…at first! Olivia needs funding for her business and Beckett needs a wife to further his business interests. He uber dominate and she wants no part of him, but she relents when she realizes she is out of options. They argue with such sexual tension and passion that you wonder if they will make it through their proposed marriage, or will she bail? Such a great story like with characters you can’t help but love, and hate at the same time!!!
This is a top notch romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud no matter where you are as you won’t be able to help yourself the repartee between the two main characters is so top notch that it will draw you in until you turn that last page
This is the story of Olivia and Beckett. She needs money to invest in her match making app he is a member of an investment group who needs a wife so that he can take sole charge of the investment group . He offers six months of fake marriage and he will invest in her app. As they banter back and fro and take mini potshots at one another deciding if they will go ahead with the scheme they don’t realise that they are actually building something between them Will they stay together or at the end of the sic months will they go their separate ways You will have to read to see.
ONE INDUBITABLE EXPERIENCE!!!
Hold on tight! You get it all with this riveting bad boy. One chaotic ride with a bounty of swirling emotions bursting into play front and center. Dealing with all the trials and tribulations, along with a few twists and turns catapults this little jewel together sleek, shiny and tight. An impressive storyline and gripping plot with all the frills, spills and a good dose of humor wraps this baby up for one fun filled adventure. A multitude of hapless surprises and a bevy of daunting events that take you on the ride of your life. The main characters chemistry is intense and palpable. The characters traits and qualities are well balanced and blended with enough spice to add flavor to the mix. 100% spot on with amazing scenarios that are so colorfully described its like you’re living it with them instead of on the sidelines. Fabulous job Donna, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Deliciously Funny and Romantically Steamy!
Donna Alam has a special gift for writing romantic comedies and To Have and To Hate is another example of that gift.
The main characters, Olivia and Beckett, reminded me somewhat of Katherine and Petruchio of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew fame. Olivia is in financial need for her matchmaking app and has turned to a financial investment group. Beckett is a part of this group. He proposes that if she marries him for six months he will make all her financial problems go away and he will take sole ownership of the investment group.
They battle, its tug of war, it’s a game of wits and words. Oh did I mention this takes place in London? There is so much passion they exude it’s like their foreplay to them. She agrees to six months of marriage. Will it last, or will one of them walk away?
I loved, loved, loved this story. It was written in such a way that to me there was a rhythm to how it flowed from chapter to chapter.
I’m definitely recommending this book for your reading enjoyment and pleasure.
I received this ARC from “Bad Boy Update” for my honest review so I’m leaving this for your consideration. Peace.