If you love sharp banter, slow-burn chemistry, and that delicious “I hate you… or do I?” energy, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne absolutely delivers.

Genre

The Hating Game is a contemporary romance with strong rom-com vibes. Think workplace rivalry, forced proximity, and electric chemistry wrapped in witty dialogue.

Brief Synopsis

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to the co-CEOs at a publishing company. They sit across from each other every single day and openly despise one another. Their passive-aggressive “games” (the Staring Game, the Mirror Game, the HR Game) are legendary. But when a major promotion opportunity arises, and they are competing for the same role, their professional rivalry blurs into something much more personal.

Enemies to Lovers Done Right

This is enemies-to-lovers at its finest. Not fake enemies. Not mild annoyance. Real, simmering irritation that gradually reveals deeper layers. What makes it work is that their dislike has history and emotional weight — and when the shift happens, it feels earned.

The Tension? Elite.

The tension in this book is exceptional. The proximity, the lingering looks, the tiny moments of vulnerability — it builds and builds. Thorne stretches the slow burn just enough that you’re desperate for something to happen… and when it does, it hits.

Spice Level

It definitely has some spice, but not overly explicit. The intimate scenes are passionate and meaningful rather than graphic for shock value. If you’re new to romance and nervous about heavy spice (just like I was), this is a very comfortable entry point into the genre.

Why It’s a Great Entry Into Romance

If someone told me they’d never read a romance before, this is one I’d confidently recommend. It has:

• Strong character dynamics
• A clear romantic arc
• Humour that actually lands
• Emotional payoff without melodrama

It shows what the genre can do when it’s done well — chemistry, vulnerability, and character growth all wrapped into an entertaining story.

My Honest Thoughts

I genuinely loved this story. The banter made me laugh out loud, the tension had me flipping pages way past my bedtime, and I found myself surprisingly invested in both Lucy and Joshua. It’s one of those romances that lets you know why the genre is so addictive.

If you’re craving a sharp, funny, tension-filled enemies-to-lovers romance that doesn’t go overboard on explicit content, The Hating Game absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR (to be read) list.

RATING: 4.5 / 5

This was the first enemies-to-lovers romance novel I have read. If this is what the genre has to offer, I’ve clearly been missing out.

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