Let me tell you about the day I discovered the hating game book sitting on a friend’s nightstand during a weekend visit. She caught me eyeing it and practically shoved it into my hands, insisting I had to read it immediately. “It’s about two people who absolutely despise each other at work,” she said with a knowing grin. I remember thinking, how could a story about hatred possibly be romantic? Little did I know, I was about to devour one of the most delightful contemporary romance books I’d ever encountered.
Sally Thorne’s debut novel has become a phenomenon in the romance community, and after reading it twice (yes, twice), I completely understand why. This isn’t just another office romance. It’s a masterclass in witty banter romance, sexual tension, and the kind of enemies to lovers romance that makes your heart race and your face hurt from smiling.
What Is The Hating Game About
The story centers around Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants working side by side for a merged publishing company. Their desks face each other. Their bosses are co-CEOs who used to run competing companies. And Lucy and Josh? They absolutely cannot stand one another.
Every single day becomes a battlefield of passive-aggressive comments, competitive games, and intense staring contests that could melt steel. Lucy keeps a detailed diary of their daily “Hating Game” scores, meticulously tracking every small victory and defeat in their ongoing war.
The corporate romance fiction element really shines here because Thorne captures office dynamics perfectly. Anyone who has ever worked in a competitive environment will recognize the pettiness, the territorial behavior, and the way small annoyances can balloon into major feuds. I worked in a corporate setting for three years, and the accuracy made me laugh out loud more than once.
The plot kicks into high gear when a major promotion opens up, one that both Lucy and Josh desperately want. Suddenly, the stakes are higher, the games more intense, and the lines between hate and something else entirely start to blur in the most delicious way possible.
The Magic of Josh and Lucy Characters
What makes this workplace romance novel absolutely sing is the dynamic between our two main characters. Lucy Hutton is short, bubbly, colorful, and optimistic on the surface. She wears bright dresses, bakes strawberry shortcake, and seems like pure sunshine. But underneath, she’s insecure, anxious, and terrified of confrontation despite her competitive streak with Josh.
Joshua Templeman, on the other hand, is tall, dark, brooding, and wears the same boring suit combination every day. He’s cold, professional, and seemingly emotionless. Lucy nicknames him “Lucifer” in her head because of his icy demeanor and the way he makes her feel like she’s constantly under a microscope.
The beauty of Sally Thorne author’s writing is how she slowly peels back their layers. Josh isn’t actually a robot without feelings. Lucy isn’t as confident as she pretends to be. Their personalities complement each other in unexpected ways, like puzzle pieces that didn’t know they fit together.
I found myself relating so much to Lucy’s internal monologue. Her anxiety about not being taken seriously because of her appearance, her tendency to people-please, and her complicated relationship with her own ambition felt incredibly real. And Josh, once you get past his frosty exterior, is protective, thoughtful, and surprisingly vulnerable.
The Hate to Love Trope Done Right
The enemies to lovers story arc is nothing new in romance novels, but Thorne executes it with such skill that it feels fresh and exciting. The transition from genuine dislike to reluctant attraction to full-blown love happens gradually, believably, and with enough sexual tension to power a small city.
One of my favorite aspects is how the “hating” isn’t mean-spirited or cruel. It’s competitive, yes, and sometimes petty, absolutely, but there’s an underlying respect between them that you can sense even in their worst moments. They know each other’s coffee orders. They notice when the other is having a bad day. The foundation for love was always there, buried under layers of misunderstanding and stubbornness.
The romantic comedy novel elements shine through in their interactions. The banter is sharp, clever, and genuinely funny. I found myself highlighting passages just to reread the zingers they throw at each other. It reminded me of classic romantic comedies where the leads spar verbally before inevitably falling into each other’s arms.
The Hating Game Spicy Scenes
Let’s talk about what many readers want to know. Yes, this book has steam. No, it’s not overwhelming or gratuitous. The intimate scenes serve the story and the character development beautifully.
The buildup is exquisite. Thorne understands that anticipation is everything. By the time Lucy and Josh finally give in to their attraction, you’ve been waiting for it, rooting for it, and practically vibrating with anticipation. The payoff is worth every moment of tension.
Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say the spicy scenes range from sweetly sensual to quite heated. If you’re looking for a romance with closed door scenes, this isn’t it. But if you enjoy well-written, character-driven intimate moments that feel earned and meaningful, you’ll appreciate Thorne’s approach.
What struck me most was how these scenes revealed character. Josh’s tenderness, Lucy’s courage to be vulnerable, and the way they communicate (finally!) during these moments adds depth to their relationship beyond just physical attraction.
The Hating Game Plot Summary Without Spoilers
Beyond the central romance, the book explores themes of workplace dynamics, ambition, family expectations, and finding your own path. Lucy struggles with living up to her parents’ legacy while carving out her own identity. Josh carries baggage from his past that influences how he interacts with the world.
The interview process for the promotion becomes a catalyst for change. Lucy starts seeing Josh in a new light after an unexpected kiss (trust me, the context makes it perfect). What follows is a fake dating arrangement that becomes increasingly real, workplace complications, misunderstandings that actually make sense given the characters’ histories, and a resolution that feels satisfying and earned.
Thorne doesn’t rely on manufactured drama or miscommunication that could be solved with a simple conversation. The conflicts arise naturally from who these characters are and what they’ve experienced. Even when I wanted to shake them both and tell them to just talk to each other, I understood why they couldn’t.
The supporting cast adds richness to the story. Lucy’s best friend provides comic relief and solid advice. The co-CEOs have their own interesting dynamic. Even minor characters feel three-dimensional and purposeful rather than just filling space.
Is The Hating Game Worth Reading
Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. But let me be specific about who will love this book most.
If you enjoy sharp dialogue and characters who can verbally spar like Olympic athletes, you’ll devour this. The witty banter romance is top-tier. I found myself wishing I could come up with comebacks as quickly as Lucy and Josh do.
If you appreciate slow-burn romance where the tension builds gradually until you’re practically screaming at the pages, this delivers. The pacing is perfect. Not too slow that you get bored, not too fast that the relationship feels rushed.
If you like your romance novels with humor, heart, and characters who feel like real people with real flaws, Sally Thorne has crafted something special. I laughed, I swooned, and yes, I may have gotten a little misty-eyed toward the end.
However, if you prefer fantasy romance or historical settings, this contemporary office setting might not be your cup of tea. If you need constant action and plot twists, be aware this is a character-driven story focused on relationship development.
The Hating Game Movie vs Book
The 2021 film adaptation starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell brought the story to screen, and as someone who both read the book and watched the movie, I have thoughts.
The movie captures the basic premise and hits the major plot points. The chemistry between the leads is decent, and visually, it’s a pleasant watch. But here’s the thing about book-to-movie adaptations: they can never quite capture the internal monologue that makes a first-person narrative so compelling.
So much of what makes the hating game book special is Lucy’s internal voice. Her anxieties, her observations about Josh, her running commentary on their games—all of this gets lost or simplified in the movie. The depth of both characters feels reduced to fit a two-hour runtime.
The book also has more nuance in the secondary characters and subplots. The movie streamlines everything, which is understandable but loses some richness.
My recommendation? Read the book first, then watch the movie as a fun companion piece. Treat them as separate entities rather than expecting the movie to recreate your reading experience perfectly.
Books Similar to The Hating Game
If you loved this enemies to lovers romance and want more, I’ve got recommendations that capture similar vibes.
“The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang offers a different dynamic but equally compelling chemistry and character development. “Beach Read” by Emily Henry delivers witty banter and two writers who challenge each other. “You Deserve Each Other” by Sarah Hogle takes the concept of a couple who can’t stand each other and flips it brilliantly.
For more workplace romance novels with that competitive edge, try “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren. If you specifically loved the grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Josh and Lucy, “Act Your Age, Eve Brown” by Talia Hibbert is delightful.
“Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston has similar banter energy, though in a completely different setting. And if you want more Sally Thorne author content, her follow-up novel “99 Percent Mine” and “Second First Impressions” are both worth reading, though neither quite reached the heights of her debut for me personally.
Where to Buy The Hating Game Book
You can find this contemporary romance book basically everywhere books are sold, which speaks to its popularity. Major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million all stock it in both physical and digital formats.
If you prefer supporting independent bookstores, Bookshop.org is a fantastic option that helps local shops. Your local bookstore can also order it if they don’t have it in stock.
The audiobook, narrated by Kirby Heyborne, is excellent if you’re an audio reader. The narrator captures Lucy’s voice perfectly, and hearing the banter out loud adds another dimension to the story.
Many libraries also carry it, both physical copies and digital versions through apps like Libby or Hoopla. If you’re unsure whether this book is for you, borrowing it first is a risk-free way to test the waters.
The Hating Game Book Review Final Thoughts
Revisiting this book for this review reminded me why I fell in love with it initially. Sally Thorne created something that feels both familiar and fresh. The office rivals story has been done before, but never quite like this.
What resonates most is the emotional honesty. Lucy’s journey toward self-acceptance, Josh’s struggle with vulnerability, and their joint discovery that the person who challenges you most might be exactly who you need—these themes are universal and deeply human.
The book isn’t perfect. Some readers find Lucy’s internal monologue too neurotic or Josh’s transformation too convenient. Fair criticisms exist. But for me, the strengths far outweigh any weaknesses.
This is comfort reading at its finest. The kind of book you return to when you need something warm, funny, and hopeful. It reminds you that love can bloom in unexpected places, that first impressions can be completely wrong, and that sometimes the person who drives you absolutely crazy is the one who understands you best.
Whether you’re a longtime romance reader or someone dipping their toes into the genre, the hating game book offers an accessible, entertaining, and genuinely romantic experience. It’s been years since I first read it, and I still recommend it regularly to friends looking for their next great read.
So grab a copy, settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare to fall completely under the spell of Lucy and Josh’s hating game. Just don’t blame me when you finish it in one sitting and immediately start searching for something that captures the same magic. That’s the curse of a truly great romance novel—nothing quite compares once it’s stolen your heart.
