Sunday Spotlight is a feature we began in 2016. This year we’re spotlighting our favorite books, old and new. We’ll be raving about the books we love and being total fangirls. You’ve been warned. 🙂
This week’s Sunday Spotlight is a book that I heard such good things about before reading it myself…and then falling in love with it just as much. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne was well received with a lot of the bloggers that I read on a daily basis. I couldn’t read this book fast enough and when I finally got my hands on it, read it and then loved it…I knew I was going to feature the book on Sunday Spotlight.
You guys, this book is a keeper. I really enjoyed this one. I loved the chemistry between Josh and Lucy and I really loved how they grew to love each other. We see their hate for each other turn around into something so much bigger than the both of them and Josh? Gah, loved him.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Released on August 9, 2016 by William Morrow
Buy the Book:
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.
Josh and Lucy spent a huge chunk of the book hating each other. They were always one upping each other and playing games. I’m not normally a fan of game playing between grown ass adults but in this setting and in this particular story, it worked really well. Josh and Lucy played off each other, they inspired each other to do better and they made me laugh so freaking much.
Here are some quotes that worked for me. Some of the reasons this book struck all of my happy buttons.
Quotes
“He did not smile back, and somehow I feel like he’s been carrying my smile around in his breast pocket ever since. He’s one up.”
Ahhh, Lucy. Of course Josh carries your smile around. He l-o-v-e-s you. Ha!
“Watching you pretend to hate the nickname is the best part of my day.”
Haha, of course he’s right!
“I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them. I’ve had a lot of time to compare love and hate, and these are my observations.
Love and hate are visceral. Your stomach twists at the thought of that person. The heart in your chest beats heavy and bright, nearly visible through your flesh and clothes. Your appetite and sleep are schredded. Every interaction spikes your blood with adrenaline, and you’re in the brink of fight or flight. Your body is barely under your control. You’re consumed, and it scares you.
Both love and hate are mirror versions of the same game – and you háve to win. Why? Your heart and your ego. Trust me, I should know.”
Yes!! This was their relationship to a tee. They hated each other so much in the beginning that those feelings had no choice but to turn into love.
“What are you imagining? Your expression is filthy.”
“Strangling you. Bare hands.” I can barely get the words out. I’m huskier than a phone-sex operator after a double shift.
“So that’s your kink.” His eyes are going dark.
“Only where you’re concerned.”
Both his eyebrows ratchet up, and he opens his mouth as his eyes go completely black, but he does not seem to be able to say a word.
It is wonderful.”
Ha, these two are great!
There is so much more but you’ll have to read the book to find out for yourself. It’s good, I promise! Josh and Lucy should be known and you should know them! Enter our giveaway below for a chance to win a free copy of The Hating Game.
Giveaway: We’re giving one lucky winner their choice of one of our Sunday Spotlight books. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for one of this month’s features.
Are you a fan of this book as much as we are? Let us know what other books you’re looking forward to this year!
About the Author
Sally Thorne
Sally Thorne lives in Canberra, Australia, and spends her days writing funding submissions and drafting contracts (yawn!) so it’s not surprising that after hours she climbs into colorful fictional worlds of her own creation. Sally believes that romance readers are always searching for intensity in their next favorite book—and it isn’t always so easy to find. The Hating Game is her first novel.
This week I am looking forward to YA Fantasy realease, Traveler by L.E. DeLano. Thank you for the giveaway!
About the only release that’s on my radar this week is Marie Harte’s new book, Zero to Sixty. This month I’m really looking forward to Pretty Face by Lucy Parker and the new Kowalski book by Shannon Stacey.
I’m another one who enjoyed The Hating Game. I’m looking forward to the new Mary Balogh book, and the Laura Florand book, and ….
I would love to read The Hating Game !!! New releases im looking forward to reading? Crown of Lies and The Knight
This was one of my favorite books from last year. Thinking of re-reading – especially now that Goodreads implemented the whole re-read thing. Now it’ll count in last year’s book count AND this year’s. SUCH a great book for realsies. Anyone who likes a good rom-com should put this on their TBR pile.