Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
As a book blogger, I often find myself drawn to titles that promise a delightful mix of humor and romance, and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne seemed to fit the bill perfectly. It’s adorned with rave reviews, and I’ve owned a copy since its release—so you can imagine my relief when I finally unearthed it after almost thinking I lost it. I was this close to weeping over a lost book! But alas, instead of happy tears, I’m left with… a rather complex relationship with this title.
Right from the start, I was impatient to dive into the dynamic between our main characters, Lucy and Josh. The “enemies to lovers” trope has such potential! However, when I read that Lucy experiences her first wet dream about Josh just a few pages in, I couldn’t help but feel dubious. If two characters truly hate each other, where’s the depth in that? It felt more like a romantic comedy straight out of a cliché than a biting workplace rivalry. To my irritation, instead of hate, they were already exchanging loaded looks by chapter two.
The humor I expected was notably absent. I’m surprised the book is labeled as a rom-com because, honestly, I found nothing funny about it. The banter that was supposed to crack me up instead sparked nothing but an eye roll. The moments meant to showcase playful tension often fell flat, and even the office scenes felt more like idle staring than anything exciting.
As I scribbled notes throughout my reading, the weaknesses became painfully clear. The infamous elevator scene where Josh kisses Lucy didn’t pack the punch it promised; it felt more like a curious experiment rather than an exhilarating moment of passion. Josh’s actions often veered into jealousy or possessiveness without proper character development, leaving me scratching my head. Why was he acting like a toddler with a crayon when confronted with Lucy’s friendships?
And let’s talk about their "Or Something Game." Rather than depicting a whimsical, flirty dynamic, it often made me cringe. To put it lightly, the romantic tension felt more like a poorly scripted soap opera than a witty exchange between colleagues. When Lucy admits she wants Josh for more than just his body, only to have him say “Glad to hear it,” I wondered if I was missing something. Is this the pinnacle of romantic sentiment?
In the end, my experience reading The Hating Game was largely uninspired. While the book does contain some charming moments, they were overshadowed by a pacing that dragged and a perceived lack of genuine chemistry.
In conclusion, if you’re someone who cherishes a well-crafted romantic comedy filled with engaging banter and character growth, I might suggest looking elsewhere. However, if you’re in the mood for a light read that doesn’t demand much from you emotionally—or if you enjoy watching “enemies” declare their love through dull exchanges—you may still find some joy in these pages. Personally, I expected more from a novel that’s become something of a staple in the genre. Here’s hoping for a better experience next time around!