Hey there, bookworms. Again, it’s been a bit since I’ve been on here. The day after I posted my last blog, my dad wound up back in the hospital for another week, so life got crazy as usual.
Anyway, I figured this evening would be as good a time as any to jump into the mountain of back log I have as far as book reviews go. If I’m being honest, not only has it been difficult to find time to blog with everything going on outside of the book universe, but it’s also been pretty discouraging to attempt to keep up with the times. Video content has taken over and algorithms have changed so much since I started this venture that it’s been hard to keep up. I’ve found it frustrating to try to stay afloat and adapt to it all. For now, I’m trying to navigate the waters and decide where I want to go from here.
Until then, let’s get back to the books. Tonight, I’m talking about The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.
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 has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.
Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.
If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.
Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.
To say that I spent a good deal of this past winter obsessed with Josh and Lucy would be a grave understatement. I loved every tense, steamy moment I got to spend in that office (and that elevator) with them. Their rivalry is a classic trope that has been done a million times, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it unfold. Competition and snark transform into this weird gray area that neither want to admit to going, but still – they tread on. Is it curiosity? Temptation? All of the above and then some. As both their work and personal relationships unfurl and intertwine, it leaves them in vulnerable and uncharted waters.
I’m an absolute sucker for this kind of story. I adore how Josh and Lucy were portrayed. Lucy pushes Josh to unclench and let loose and Josh pushes Lucy to realize her true potential, even if they’re fighting for the same promotion. They fail miserably at the tightrope they’re trying so hard to balance on, but once they misstep and fall together, it’s exquisite and gave me all the warm fuzzies I was so desperately seeking.
Sally’s writing style was quick, clever, and had a lot of heart. This was my first book by her and I know for sure that it won’t be my last. I know I’m late to the game having just read this book in 2022 (it was published in 2016), but of course I had to make myself familiar with The Hating Game before the movie came out (which I also swooned over – several times).
If you’re looking for the perfect romantic comedy to throw in your beach bag or accompany you to the pool or on vacation this summer, look no further than this fun and sexy novel. Just remember to take a dip in the water and cool off when things with these two get hot and heavy!
I’m still feeling super rusty jumping back into writing. All of this reads very much like word salad to me, so bear with as I get back into a groove. Until next time, happy reading! xx
