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The Hating Game
by
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 ...more
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 ...more
ebook, 2nd Edition, 387 pages
Published
August 9th 2016
by William Morrow Paperbacks
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5 Stars!!
I honestly think 'The Hating Game”' is that kind of book anyone would enjoy – wonderfully written is a very entertaining way, griping from the very beginning and perfect if you love enemies to lovers stories. I’ve read many books with this trope, so trust me when I say Sally Thorne’s debut novel was a great one. More than great actually. It was fabulous! It was fan, entertaining and so refreshing. Needless to say, I devoured this little gem from start to finish.
I honestly think 'The Hating Game”' is that kind of book anyone would enjoy – wonderfully written is a very entertaining way, griping from the very beginning and perfect if you love enemies to lovers stories. I’ve read many books with this trope, so trust me when I say Sally Thorne’s debut novel was a great one. More than great actually. It was fabulous! It was fan, entertaining and so refreshing. Needless to say, I devoured this little gem from start to finish.
“I'm twenty-eig...more
Things that Make Natalie want to Flip a Table:
-Cliches
Cliche A: the hate-to-love relationship

This is a trope that CAN be done well. If there's a fresh spin. And the characters were likable. Josh was *gasp* secretly in love with her all along, but instead of doing something radical like being nice, he embarks on a third-grader's idea of wooing women. He figuratively flicks boogers in her hair and breaks her crayons.
Cliche B: the sick scene from every shoujo manga

Our plucky heroine is dangerous ...more
-Cliches
Cliche A: the hate-to-love relationship

This is a trope that CAN be done well. If there's a fresh spin. And the characters were likable. Josh was *gasp* secretly in love with her all along, but instead of doing something radical like being nice, he embarks on a third-grader's idea of wooing women. He figuratively flicks boogers in her hair and breaks her crayons.
Cliche B: the sick scene from every shoujo manga

Our plucky heroine is dangerous ...more
Sep 19, 2017
Skyler Autumn
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
not-worth-the-hype,
loath
1 Stars
Warning I'm about to swear a whole fucking lot!
I am so pissed at this book and at all the people who got this book a average 4.24 rating on Goodreads. How!?! Is the author bribing people? Has she held your loved ones hostage!?
The novel follows the relationship of Lucy and Josh rivals in life and the "workplace." I put workplace in brackets because the two leads rarely do anything but stare at each other and play immature games in the same vain as 2 year old boy pulling the hair of a g ...more
Warning I'm about to swear a whole fucking lot!
I am so pissed at this book and at all the people who got this book a average 4.24 rating on Goodreads. How!?! Is the author bribing people? Has she held your loved ones hostage!?
The novel follows the relationship of Lucy and Josh rivals in life and the "workplace." I put workplace in brackets because the two leads rarely do anything but stare at each other and play immature games in the same vain as 2 year old boy pulling the hair of a g ...more
Is there, like, a German word for “the experience of when something is not extremely disappointing, but it is the eleven millionth small disappointment in a year of disappointments of varying sizes and thus threatens to topple your well-being entirely”?
Sound off in the comments below.
Because, in the scheme of things, this book going from a 4.5 star read rounded up to a 3 star read is not all that consequential.
And yet it may be the end of everything, for me, personally, on a personal level.
I DON ...more
Sound off in the comments below.
Because, in the scheme of things, this book going from a 4.5 star read rounded up to a 3 star read is not all that consequential.
And yet it may be the end of everything, for me, personally, on a personal level.
I DON ...more
Dec 13, 2016
Chelsea (chelseadolling reads)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2021,
favorites
Re-read 10/8/21: I have nothing to add that I haven't already said lol. Lucy + Josh + me forever
Re-read 3/17/20: This book never fails to ease my anxieties and I love it with all of my heart. Forever indebted to this book for making me smile through the roughest times. Also, Lucy and Josh can both, like, get it
Re-read 5/25/19: Realized I hadn't re-read this in 2019 and obvs had to remedy that. I love this book so damn much that I could probably recite it in my sleep. Swooney swoon swoon.
Re-read ...more
Re-read 3/17/20: This book never fails to ease my anxieties and I love it with all of my heart. Forever indebted to this book for making me smile through the roughest times. Also, Lucy and Josh can both, like, get it
Re-read 5/25/19: Realized I hadn't re-read this in 2019 and obvs had to remedy that. I love this book so damn much that I could probably recite it in my sleep. Swooney swoon swoon.
Re-read ...more
Reread x4. My feelings for this are still as intense as the first time I read it. It’ll always be one of the best stories I’ve read.
I’m so emotional. 😪
--------------------
ORIGINAL REVIEW.
I'm currently at work and I cannot, for the life of me, stop thinking about this book. It's only been a day, but I thought about it constantly before I went to bed, whilst in bed. I thought about it on my way to work and now, whilst I'm at work.
It is safe to say that this book will be going on my all-time favou ...more
I’m so emotional. 😪
--------------------
ORIGINAL REVIEW.
I'm currently at work and I cannot, for the life of me, stop thinking about this book. It's only been a day, but I thought about it constantly before I went to bed, whilst in bed. I thought about it on my way to work and now, whilst I'm at work.
It is safe to say that this book will be going on my all-time favou ...more
reread to renew my vows because it has been way too long.
_______________________________
if i could marry a book and spend the rest of my life with it, it would be this one. this makes me happy on so many levels.
i promise to have and hold this book (often taking it off the bookshelf and flipping through it pages), from this day forward, for better or worse (when other books may tempt me or try to lead me astray), for richer or poorer (when i can afford new books, i will reread this first), i pro ...more
_______________________________
if i could marry a book and spend the rest of my life with it, it would be this one. this makes me happy on so many levels.
i promise to have and hold this book (often taking it off the bookshelf and flipping through it pages), from this day forward, for better or worse (when other books may tempt me or try to lead me astray), for richer or poorer (when i can afford new books, i will reread this first), i pro ...more
5 stars!!!
What did I love about The Hating Game? Everything. I loved everything about this book. There is nothing better than finishing a book by an author you’ve never read and having this flying high feeling. I feel freaking giddy right now. I listened to the audio and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I got asked why I was in such a good mood more than once over the few days I listened to it. That, my friends, is an epic book!
What do you do when you’re the nice girl at the office w ...more
What did I love about The Hating Game? Everything. I loved everything about this book. There is nothing better than finishing a book by an author you’ve never read and having this flying high feeling. I feel freaking giddy right now. I listened to the audio and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I got asked why I was in such a good mood more than once over the few days I listened to it. That, my friends, is an epic book!
What do you do when you’re the nice girl at the office w ...more
Warning: This review will have lots of quotes and (?) maybe spoilers, I guess.
The Hating Game gets all the praise in the world. I wanted to see what's up, why is this book so popular, why does everyone love it so much. I found out it had a hate/love relationship plus an enemies to lovers trope as well. I loved those ones so so much.
But The Hating Game became The Problematic Game.
First of all: Since the very first start, our main protagonist, Lucy, comes off as very fatphobic. And she is, you f ...more
The Hating Game gets all the praise in the world. I wanted to see what's up, why is this book so popular, why does everyone love it so much. I found out it had a hate/love relationship plus an enemies to lovers trope as well. I loved those ones so so much.
But The Hating Game became The Problematic Game.
First of all: Since the very first start, our main protagonist, Lucy, comes off as very fatphobic. And she is, you f ...more
This is somehow a magical blend of adult Sarra Manning + Sarah Mayberry + Jennifer Crusie. It's funny and sharp and serious, with seething workplace rivalry and career drama coupled with crazy great chemistry and delicious banter. It also has unbelievably sweet and tender moments (view spoiler), though you'll easily laugh a minute after that! It captures that weird obsessive behavior you can't help when you first fall in love,
...more
THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!
This is another one of those books I've owned since it (almost) came out but I never got around reading it. Funny story: I almost bought another copy of this because I thought I lost my copy of it. I'm embarrassed to admit that I almost cried. Books are expensive. I'm so glad I found my copy and didn't buy a new one though, or I would have been crying but they wouldn't be happy tears.
The elevator scene. I don't get it. When you say two characters truly hate each other, I expect hate, but this w ...more
The elevator scene. I don't get it. When you say two characters truly hate each other, I expect hate, but this w ...more
Normally I hate chick-lity romance, but this is one of those fantastic exceptions that makes me want to reconsider my usual reluctance to read this genre.
In fact, I loved it so much I started to wonder:

Apparently, I'm really late to The Hating Game party.
Did my friends just not tell me about this one, or did this come out while I was undergoing all that laser hair removal? Dark times, dark times...
At any rate, I ran across this in my ongoing quest to find funny romances that make my heart go pi ...more
In fact, I loved it so much I started to wonder:

Apparently, I'm really late to The Hating Game party.
Did my friends just not tell me about this one, or did this come out while I was undergoing all that laser hair removal? Dark times, dark times...
At any rate, I ran across this in my ongoing quest to find funny romances that make my heart go pi ...more
I feel so conflicted about The Hating Game. It was like I was playing out my own version of the love/hate game with the book while reading it.
Lucy and Josh work in the same office, but cannot stand the sight of each other. They trade daily barbs and insults, fueled by their mutual hate and dislike. Or, could it be the hate is a mask for something else?
There is so much I enjoyed about this book. I blew through the first two-thirds in the blink of an eye. Josh is adorable, brooding and silent on t ...more
Lucy and Josh work in the same office, but cannot stand the sight of each other. They trade daily barbs and insults, fueled by their mutual hate and dislike. Or, could it be the hate is a mask for something else?
There is so much I enjoyed about this book. I blew through the first two-thirds in the blink of an eye. Josh is adorable, brooding and silent on t ...more
4.75/5 ⭐
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
I’ve been debating so hard on rating this book because I am really not into chick-lit novels (like, almost at all) and I feel conflicted every time I have to rate one, even though I read the bloody book on my own free will.
But, Jesus, I’m busted now, so what’s the point in hiding behind a finger?
I enjoyed this so fucking much that I just can’t deny it.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me one day, I woke up normally, had an online course that ...more
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
I’ve been debating so hard on rating this book because I am really not into chick-lit novels (like, almost at all) and I feel conflicted every time I have to rate one, even though I read the bloody book on my own free will.
But, Jesus, I’m busted now, so what’s the point in hiding behind a finger?
I enjoyed this so fucking much that I just can’t deny it.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me one day, I woke up normally, had an online course that ...more
Heartwarming (adj.):
Causing pleasant feelings of happiness (and silly, stupid tears you can't stop).
By all means, it was not a sad book. On the contrary, The Hating Game was a funny, sweet, adorable, intoxicating office romance about two sworn enemies that fell in love. And I'm crying because it filled me with so much joy, and hope and love my body can barely contain!

Josh is ...more
Causing pleasant feelings of happiness (and silly, stupid tears you can't stop).
By all means, it was not a sad book. On the contrary, The Hating Game was a funny, sweet, adorable, intoxicating office romance about two sworn enemies that fell in love. And I'm crying because it filled me with so much joy, and hope and love my body can barely contain!

“Both love and hate are mirror versions of the same game-and you have to win. Why? Your heart and your ego.”
Josh is ...more
Feb 10, 2017
Navessa
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Navessa by:
Bonnie
"I wish I could use my thumbs to pull his mouth into a huge deranged grin. As the police drag me out in handcuffs I'll be screeching, Smile, goddamn you."
Imagine being so riled by someone that you end up thinking things like the above on a near-hourly basis. That is the kind of relationship the male and female lead in this book have with each other. They're the executive assistants to the joint heads of their company, and are forced to share cubicle space right outside their offic ...more
Nov 28, 2016
Gabby
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
fans of rainbow rowell + office romances
Recommended to Gabby by:
Stephanie Sprinkle
I just reread this book for a third time, it's still an all time favorite. See my reaction here: https://youtu.be/2OknqgHLvIE
I just finished reading this book for the second time and aklsjdlakjsa. It was SO GOOD. Lucy and Josh are literally the cutest and I listened to the audiobook this time (which was absolutely fantastic by the way) and ALKSJDLKAJS. THIS STORY IS SO CUTE. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading and I love their witty banter and the fact that they work in publis ...more
I just finished reading this book for the second time and aklsjdlakjsa. It was SO GOOD. Lucy and Josh are literally the cutest and I listened to the audiobook this time (which was absolutely fantastic by the way) and ALKSJDLKAJS. THIS STORY IS SO CUTE. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading and I love their witty banter and the fact that they work in publis ...more
"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.
Oh, boy did I love those two!! XD
I mean who wouldn’t enjoy reading banter like that? It was amazing and I couldn’t wait to read more about them! I swear their conversations were addicting and I loved the way Lucy narrated the story. I mean seriously! THAT GIRL!!! *lol*
“I’m huski ...more
"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.
Oh, boy did I love those two!! XD
I mean who wouldn’t enjoy reading banter like that? It was amazing and I couldn’t wait to read more about them! I swear their conversations were addicting and I loved the way Lucy narrated the story. I mean seriously! THAT GIRL!!! *lol*
“I’m huski ...more

🎧 6th Read, November 2021 — 5 Stars
🎧 5th Read, October 2021 — 5 Stars
🎧 4th Read, July 2021 — 5 Stars
🎧 3rd Read, September 2020 — 5 Stars
🎧 2nd Read, February 2020 — 5 Stars
📚 1st Read, August 2017 — 5 Stars
My fangirling might make you cringe, but please don’t rain on my parade. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH I COULD CRY. And I’m shamelessly admitting that I literally did. The last chapter was so sweet I smiled so big my cheeks hurt. I didn’t mean to get all corny and mushy, but I JUST FEEL LIKE MY HEART ...more
Oct 11, 2016
TheCrazyWorldOfABookLover
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
favorites,
let-me-have-your-babies
AMAZING NEWS!!!!!!!!! The Hating Game is coming to the big screen! https://deadline.com/2018/07/the-simp...
MY DREAM CAST 😍

I didn't love this. No. I need a stronger word than love.
Obsessed? Infatuated? Giddy? Whatever, take your pick. But Oh My Joshua, I am crazy for everything about this book. The writing, the humor, the lust, the sexual tension, the emotion, the slow delicious burn. This is probably the best enemies to lovers story I have ever read.

Lucy Hutton and Josh Templeman work ...more
MY DREAM CAST 😍

I didn't love this. No. I need a stronger word than love.
Obsessed? Infatuated? Giddy? Whatever, take your pick. But Oh My Joshua, I am crazy for everything about this book. The writing, the humor, the lust, the sexual tension, the emotion, the slow delicious burn. This is probably the best enemies to lovers story I have ever read.

Lucy Hutton and Josh Templeman work ...more
Apr 02, 2018
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Leigh Kramer
Shelves:
library
4.5 STARS
I've been seeing The Hating Game plastered across my Goodreads feed for well over a year now and avoided it solely due to my phase of being constantly disappointed by the majorly hyped books. I could just about slap myself silly for pushing this aside for so many months, because it was worth the hype and much more. While a little slow in the first few chapters, the story quickly takes off once the scene is set and I'm forced to admit something-I have a serious obsession with love to hat ...more
I've been seeing The Hating Game plastered across my Goodreads feed for well over a year now and avoided it solely due to my phase of being constantly disappointed by the majorly hyped books. I could just about slap myself silly for pushing this aside for so many months, because it was worth the hype and much more. While a little slow in the first few chapters, the story quickly takes off once the scene is set and I'm forced to admit something-I have a serious obsession with love to hat ...more
Mar 19, 2018
Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?]
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-absolute-favorite

“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.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sometimes (but rarely) when I finish a book, I think:
I’d love to read this again.
Like, right now.
Is it too early to already start a reread?
Yes?
Well, but I want to.
(My tbr-shelf is probably hating me right now)
But... It was so freaking perfect. ♥️
If you want to have a feel-nice-boo ...more
me: I hate cliches
the book: he's grumpy and shes sunshine but he's soft for her
me: OHMYGOD HES GRUMPY BUT SOFT FOR HER STOP IT IM CRYING ...more
the book: he's grumpy and shes sunshine but he's soft for her
me: OHMYGOD HES GRUMPY BUT SOFT FOR HER STOP IT IM CRYING ...more
01/22/18:...more
Even better the second time reading. Josh and Lucy are too cute and so much fun to hang with. Sigh.
Initial Review
There's a new kid on the Rom-Com scene and her name is Sally Thorne. Holy molly!
This book...aww...this book.
Firstly, the dialogue was insane. Freaking insane. No word was misplaced or unwarranted. All were perfectly placed.
Secondly, the plot. Simple yet riveting. Two colleagues who seemingly can't abide each other but ah.. Thorne makes the premise so fresh you can't but cheer
Re-read #3 (4/14/2020) Reread again because it’s my birthday and I’d rather spend it with no one but Joshua and Lucy. There’s no explainable reason why I love this book so much. It’s just that when all goes down, I can always count on this book to make it all okay. This book make me so freakin happy!!
Re-read #2 (9/2/2019) Hands down the best rom-com book I’ve ever read!! This book brings joy to my life.
I LOVE IT SO FREAKIN MUCH!!
5 shortcake stars!

”I should mention that the ultimate aim of all ...more
Re-read #2 (9/2/2019) Hands down the best rom-com book I’ve ever read!! This book brings joy to my life.
I LOVE IT SO FREAKIN MUCH!!
5 shortcake stars!

”I should mention that the ultimate aim of all ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❀The Never-ending...: The Hating Game- Starting April 13th | 9 | 36 | Apr 13, 2022 08:46AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: please add page count | 2 | 12 | Mar 20, 2022 08:49PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne - Restarting February 2nd 2022 | 417 | 477 | Feb 10, 2022 03:56PM | |
| Any books with similar but more emphasis on the heroine? | 5 | 179 | Jan 18, 2022 09:14AM | |
| review | 1 | 7 | Jan 12, 2022 12:36PM |
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Sally Thorne is the USA Today bestselling author of the office rom-com The Hating Game (2016). It is her debut novel that has sold in over twenty-five countries and is being made into a major motion picture, directed by Peter Hutchings and starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell. Filming wrapped in December 2020. It was named in the top 20 romance novels of 2016 by the Washington Post and was a top
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“Books were, and always would be, something a little magic and something to respect.”
—
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“The trick is to find that one person who can give it back as good as they can take it.”
—
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