Publisher: Piatkus
Publication Date: August 9th 2016.
My rating: 4 stars.
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.
The hype and positive reviews surrounding The Hating Games seriously had me super excited, I love my hate to love tropes and I’d heard so much by how good of a job Thorne had done with it that I wanted to dive right in. Within the first 100 pages I honestly thought I was going to be the black sheep with this book, I liked the banter between Josh and Lucy and how quick witted they both were, but I really wasn’t getting anything from them romance-wise and I wanted, no needed more of that. I also needed more of Josh; he just came across as some iceman with no feelings whatsoever. I needed connections with these characters and I needed passion, I’m pleased to say the second half of this book certainly delivered that.
Josh was an entirely different person in the second half of the book; I have to say I was a huge fan! I was slowly beginning to understand why he came across as some big scary guy that was constantly looming over everyone. The Josh that we got to see beneath the iceman defences, had vulnerabilities like everyone else, and once you really got to know him he was totally adorable (seriously though some of his lines totally cut to my heart at times). Lucy was also another fantastic character, she was bubbly, straight to the point and so full of energy, her short problems reminded me of myself at times, (I’m only 5ft 2 and a half, us hobbits have to stick together!). I didn’t know whether Thorne would be able to win me over with the romance between Josh and Lucy, but she totally convinced me with the sexual tension and constant heat! Also how they were just there for one another when they had no one else there for them, I knew they would be the perfect fit!
Thorne really created a wonderful read in The Hating Game, it was full with a delicious build up to one of the best relationships I’ve seen in a while and the funny witty remarks littered throughout I was a huge fan of too. I honestly can’t wait to see what Thorne has up her sleeve next; I would gladly welcome anymore Joshua Templeman-like characters with open arms.
11 comments:
It is so nice to see Josh's transformation, though, eh? Sorry the first half did nothing for you, Jas. But I'm glad you stuck through it. This is one of my favourites this year!
I'm so happy you liked this one! I definitely agree that the first half didn't particularly feel all that romantic, but I loved Josh's growth slowly. This book ended up killing me with all the feels!
I've been trying to find more books like this one and I got some recs from Twitter, so I'll keep you updated!
Lovely review, Jasprit!
I definitely need to read this book. You, Nereyda, Nick, Tessa Bailey... everyone loves this book. I had my doubts because it's been so hyped, but I think I would love the book. Josh seems lovely. <3
Wonderful review, Jasprit!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
So glad you loved this! I also agree... Josh did a total transformation and I loved how authentic it felt. He didn't just become a big mush because hormones. lol
Great review, Jasprit! I'm glad to see you enjoyed this book - I loved it! Can't wait for the author's next book!
Glad to hear the romance won you over despite some issues in the first part. I’m looking forward to read this book. It seems ALL of my friends loved it, and I’m definitely in the mood for such story. Wonderful review, Jasprit!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one - sorry the first half had you a bit confused, but it seems like the second part more than made up for it and that's great you learned to like Josh! Thanks for sharing. :)
I felt very similarly about this, Jasprit! I wasn't overly impressed with the first half and though the second half picked up a lot for me, I was still not entirely won over as a fan. Still, I'm so glad that you enjoyed this one by the end and I'm eager to see what else this author comes with! Fantastic review, Jasprit!
I loved this, it was so much fun and reminded me of classic chick lit!
Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
Great review! I am so with you - I was unimpressed by the first half but then it took off and I loved Josh and Lucy so much! Such an awesome debut!!
Awesome review Jasprit :D I have seen so many love this book, and ohh, so glad you liked it a bunch too :) But aw, I'm sorry that the beginning wasn't all that awesome :\ That's disappointing. But so happy you loved the rest of the book :)
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