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I Hate Surprises
Love, Danger, and a Romance That Keeps You Hooked!
Samantha and Jess are the ultimate duo—best friends who have always had each other’s backs. But when an unseen threat begins closing in, their bond is tested like never before. With sizzling chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and heart-stopping suspense, this book has it all!
As their friendship ignites into something undeniable, secrets unravel, danger looms, and every page leaves you craving more. Will Jess be able to protect Sam from the threat lurking in the shadows? Or will their love story be over before it even begins?
If you love suspenseful, spicy, and unputdownable romance, this book is a must-read! This book a thrilling debut, and trust me—you’ll be counting the days until the next book drops!
Tropes You’ll
Friends to Lovers
Small-Town Romance
Protective Hero
Laugh-Out-Loud Banter
Stalker Suspense
Found Family
Just the Right Amount of Spice
(Recommended 18+)
Samantha and Jess are the ultimate duo—best friends who have always had each other’s backs. But when an unseen threat begins closing in, their bond is tested like never before. With sizzling chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and heart-stopping suspense, this book has it all!
As their friendship ignites into something undeniable, secrets unravel, danger looms, and every page leaves you craving more. Will Jess be able to protect Sam from the threat lurking in the shadows? Or will their love story be over before it even begins?
If you love suspenseful, spicy, and unputdownable romance, this book is a must-read! This book a thrilling debut, and trust me—you’ll be counting the days until the next book drops!
Tropes You’ll
Friends to Lovers
Small-Town Romance
Protective Hero
Laugh-Out-Loud Banter
Stalker Suspense
Found Family
Just the Right Amount of Spice
(Recommended 18+)
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2025
8 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 4, 2025
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"He does the book growl" I tell her
"No! He doesn't?!?!" She squeals, bouncing in her seat.
"And let me tell you, it's one thing to read about and an entirely different thing to be on the receiving end of it in real life"
I found this book as a recommendation on a Facebook page and downloaded it from KU so fast. Started it immediately, fell asleep with my kindle on my face and started it again as soon as I had a free moment at the office today.
I love a spicy book with a plot and that is exactly what this was for me. I discovered this is a local author which made the world building so much easier for me. Even if it is a fictional town, some of the specifics of the area were so easy for me to imagine. Very well done.
I think most of us can appricate a smutty smut book with a hint of plot, all well and good here and there.
THIS BOOK IS NOT THAT! The plot is PLOTTING and the spice is just a flavor enhancer.
*Chef's kiss*
Slow burn in the beginning, with perfectly placed twists and turns to keep us engaged and anticipating the next move.
Absolutely looking forward to book two in this series.
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"He does the book growl" I tell her
"No! He doesn't?!?!" She squeals, bouncing in her seat.
"And let me tell you, it's one thing to read about and an entirely different thing to be on the receiving end of it in real life"
I found this book as a recommendation on a Facebook page and downloaded it from KU so fast. Started it immediately, fell asleep with my kindle on my face and started it again as soon as I had a free moment at the office today.
I love a spicy book with a plot and that is exactly what this was for me. I discovered this is a local author which made the world building so much easier for me. Even if it is a fictional town, some of the specifics of the area were so easy for me to imagine. Very well done.
I think most of us can appricate a smutty smut book with a hint of plot, all well and good here and there.
THIS BOOK IS NOT THAT! The plot is PLOTTING and the spice is just a flavor enhancer.
*Chef's kiss*
Slow burn in the beginning, with perfectly placed twists and turns to keep us engaged and anticipating the next move.
Absolutely looking forward to book two in this series.
February 1, 2025
Cassandra messaged me and asked me if I would be able to arc read for her hopefully before release date and I made it! It comes out tomorrow!
This book had me feeling so many feels. I love love LOVE Jess so stinking much!!
This is a friends to lovers romance with a stalker twist in the mix! It will have you on the edge of your seat!
Samantha is a 1st grade teacher right along side her best friend Mel and they have 2 male best friends Chad and Jess. Jess owns his own auto shop, Adam’s Auto🖤.
The trauma Sam went through with her mom, I went through with my dad so I really associated with that and highlighted so much.
If you have seen The Roommate with Leighton Meester, this gives those vibes hard and I was here for it!
This is Cassandra’s debut novel! Definitely recommended! I cannot wait to see what she does in the future!🖤
Tropes:
•Friends to lovers
•He gives her a nickname
•Small Town
•Found Family
•Stalker
•Addict mom
•Raised by single parent
I give it a 3.5 🌶️ it has spice but not as much as I have read but I loved it and the storyline flowed so well!
This book had me feeling so many feels. I love love LOVE Jess so stinking much!!
This is a friends to lovers romance with a stalker twist in the mix! It will have you on the edge of your seat!
Samantha is a 1st grade teacher right along side her best friend Mel and they have 2 male best friends Chad and Jess. Jess owns his own auto shop, Adam’s Auto🖤.
The trauma Sam went through with her mom, I went through with my dad so I really associated with that and highlighted so much.
If you have seen The Roommate with Leighton Meester, this gives those vibes hard and I was here for it!
This is Cassandra’s debut novel! Definitely recommended! I cannot wait to see what she does in the future!🖤
Tropes:
•Friends to lovers
•He gives her a nickname
•Small Town
•Found Family
•Stalker
•Addict mom
•Raised by single parent
I give it a 3.5 🌶️ it has spice but not as much as I have read but I loved it and the storyline flowed so well!
February 16, 2025
Must read 📚
I Hate Surprises is a thrilling mix of love, friendship, and mystery. Engaging characters and unexpected twists keep you hooked. A fantastic start to the Glennbrook series—I can't wait for the second book!
I Hate Surprises is a thrilling mix of love, friendship, and mystery. Engaging characters and unexpected twists keep you hooked. A fantastic start to the Glennbrook series—I can't wait for the second book!
February 10, 2025
SOOOO GOOD!!!!! i was obsessed with Sam from the get go... Jess is such a LOVER BOI!!!!!!!!!
Also for the simple fact of the tease of a twist and then the solution to this twist.. My heart could not handle
Also the way the main characters fall into each other so easily just makes my heart happy for them!!
Also for the simple fact of the tease of a twist and then the solution to this twist.. My heart could not handle
Also the way the main characters fall into each other so easily just makes my heart happy for them!!
January 31, 2025
I loved this book! The slow burn, friends to lovers was EVERYTHING!! this book had my giggling and kicking my feet but also on the edge of my seat with all the twist and turns!!
March 8, 2025
Wow… This book had all the things… I loved it. I love the dynamic between Samantha and Jess and I love the tight friendship they have with Mel and Chad. This was a great story and I absolutely adored the way their friendship evolved into lovers. Then we have the thriller aspect which made this an exciting thriller on top of a spicy romance. I would say the spice level is about a three, which is perfect for the story. I did not expect the thriller/stalker trope. That came as a surprise. I would say this story had everything I was looking for in an exciting romance/thriller… Definitely can’t wait for a book 2 . I can’t wait to see what happens next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 21, 2025
Amazing!! Loved the characters and a great twist!! Can’t wait for the next book!!
February 25, 2025
4⭐️3🌶️
Who doesn’t love a good friends to lovers romance? Add in some smallish town charm, a bit of spice and you’ve got a great book. But what if there was a suspense element with a crazy ex-roommate? Well then you would have I Hate Surprises! The characters were relatable and lovable and I found myself trying to predict the outcome from the first page to the last chapter. As a debut novel, this book has everything a reader could want. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Who doesn’t love a good friends to lovers romance? Add in some smallish town charm, a bit of spice and you’ve got a great book. But what if there was a suspense element with a crazy ex-roommate? Well then you would have I Hate Surprises! The characters were relatable and lovable and I found myself trying to predict the outcome from the first page to the last chapter. As a debut novel, this book has everything a reader could want. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
March 13, 2025
Loved it could not put it down, the suspense was good. Loved....the slow burn til it straight up exploded in ch 30 and 31 😈 in a good way. Never saw the ending coming. Cannot wait for the next book.
February 18, 2025
I came across this book on Threads while asking Indie authors to send me some recommendations. This was one of them.
A great read all around. I was reading it on my lunch break and forced myself to stop at a cliffhanger otherwise I was not going to put it down until I finished it. The pace is great, the editing is great, the story line is great.
What she names her Bronco? I'm dead. Perished. Hilarious.
Jess is so sweet, and the scene where she is learning/remembering how to drive stick shift? SIGN ME UP. kthanks. Will definitely recommend to others.
A great read all around. I was reading it on my lunch break and forced myself to stop at a cliffhanger otherwise I was not going to put it down until I finished it. The pace is great, the editing is great, the story line is great.
What she names her Bronco? I'm dead. Perished. Hilarious.
Jess is so sweet, and the scene where she is learning/remembering how to drive stick shift? SIGN ME UP. kthanks. Will definitely recommend to others.
February 13, 2025
A great new author
I found this book in a local word of mouth page and was reading just to support. I didn't realize how much I would actually end up loving it. The story is great, with just enough spice, twists, suspense, and sweetness, all tying together in the end. Can't wait to read more!
I found this book in a local word of mouth page and was reading just to support. I didn't realize how much I would actually end up loving it. The story is great, with just enough spice, twists, suspense, and sweetness, all tying together in the end. Can't wait to read more!
February 9, 2025
Absolutely amazing
The twist, the turns, the romance, the heat, the passion, the mystery. This book has it all! I could not put it down and found every available moment to read because I had to know what happened next. This book was probably one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait for many more to come from this author!
The twist, the turns, the romance, the heat, the passion, the mystery. This book has it all! I could not put it down and found every available moment to read because I had to know what happened next. This book was probably one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait for many more to come from this author!
February 10, 2025
OMG
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope…mainly because it’s usually so over the top with cringy drama and misunderstandings. That is absolutely not the case with I Hate Surprises! Both main characters were likable and acted their age, the pacing was believable, the setting was easily envisioned, and the conflict was unique enough to keep me engaged.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope…mainly because it’s usually so over the top with cringy drama and misunderstandings. That is absolutely not the case with I Hate Surprises! Both main characters were likable and acted their age, the pacing was believable, the setting was easily envisioned, and the conflict was unique enough to keep me engaged.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
March 30, 2025
This book was so much fun! It takes place in Central Florida, very close to where I live, so I was familiar with the setting. It is a small town romance (friends to lovers) with some stalker/mystery/suspense vibes. It was so good and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. Looking forward to more from this author.
March 24, 2025
This book really held my interest with the friends to lovers romance and plot twists! I can't wait for the second one to come out!
March 31, 2025
Such a cute read! Can’t wait for the second book
May 1, 2025
I can’t recommend this book enough! I read it so quick! I couldn’t put it down!!
May 2, 2025
Great book! Perfect amount of spice! I LOVE Jess! He’s amazing. Great twist and turns I read it in like 4 hours
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews