I have to admit, when I first picked up The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, I wasn’t expecting much beyond a light, fluffy romantic comedy read. It was one of those books that had been sitting on my to-read list for ages, constantly getting pushed aside for weightier literary fiction or non-fiction. But after a couple of intense, heavy reads in a row, I was craving something fun and escapist to reset my brain. That’s when The Hating Game finally made its way to the top of my pile.
From the very first pages, I was hooked by the hilarious rivalry between Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants who share an office and seem to live to torment each other. Their petty games and constant attempts to one-up each other had me laughing out loud. Thorne’s writing is sharp, witty, and utterly delightful in capturing their banter and office hijinks. I found myself eagerly devouring chapter after chapter, always excited to see what new ridiculous situation Lucy and Josh would get themselves into next.
But beyond just being wildly entertaining, what really made The Hating Game stand out for me was the incredible slow-burn buildup of romantic tension between the two leads. With every escalating prank and snarky insult, the crackling chemistry between them was palpable. Thorne is a master at writing the enemies-to-lovers trope, making you desperately root for Lucy and Josh to finally admit their feelings, even as they continue to vehemently insist they hate each other. The sexual tension is off the charts steamy, and when they finally give in to their desires, the payoff is immensely satisfying.
I loved that the book is set in a familiar corporate office environment that felt so relatable. From the obnoxious office mates to the petty politics and power struggles, it all rang so true. Lucy and Josh’s rivalry over the promotion to Chief Operating Officer raised the stakes perfectly and made their relationship feel high-stakes in a way that drew me in even more. Their ambition and drive were inspiring, even as they engaged in some morally questionable tactics in pursuit of the job.
One of my favorite aspects was how well-developed and multi-dimensional the characters were, especially Lucy. She’s whip-smart, blunt, and doesn’t take any crap from the misogynistic men in her office. Her internal monologue and the way she analyzes Josh’s behavior and motivations made her feel like a fully fleshed-out person. I loved seeing an ambitious woman going after the career she wanted without compromising her ethics or values. Josh started off as more of a stereotypical arrogant jerk, but his layers are slowly peeled away to reveal a softer side and depth of character that made him swoon-worthy by the end.
There were so many lines and moments that made me laugh, swoon, or just feel incredibly invested in Lucy and Josh’s story. The elevator scene where they finally give in to their desires? Chef’s kiss Absolutely electric. And the chapter where Lucy gets stuck in a bathroom stall and Josh has to help her out had me dying of secondhand embarrassment and laughter. Thorne has a gift for comedic timing and writing cringe humor in a way that’s more charming than cringeworthy.
While the plot itself was fairly predictable and followed the classic romantic comedy formula, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you just want a book that delivers exactly the delightful, feel-good experience you expect from the genre. The Hating Game checked all of those boxes for me in a supremely satisfying way.
If I had one critique, it would be that the writing style, while excellent at capturing the banter and comedy, did feel a bit simplistic at times. Thorne’s prose is very straightforward and easy to read, which worked perfectly for this book, but part of me craved just a touch more descriptive flair or metaphorical flourish here and there. But that’s a very minor quibble in the grand scheme of how thoroughly I enjoyed this book.
Ultimately, The Hating Game was a breath of fresh air that reminded me how genuinely fun and uplifting the romance genre can be when done well. It’s the kind of book that puts a smile on your face and leaves you feeling giddy and warm. I found myself thinking about Lucy and Josh long after I finished reading, hoping they were off living their best lives as a power couple taking the corporate world by storm.
More than that, though, The Hating Game left me reflecting on the value of allowing yourself to embrace joy, laughter, and pure romantic delight. As much as I love deep, heavy, profound books, there’s something so nourishing for the soul about a story that exists solely to entertain and make you swoon. Reading this felt like a palate cleanser that reminded me not to take myself too seriously all the time.
I can see why The Hating Game has developed such a passionate following and become a hit in the “book tok” world. It’s an absolutely delightful romantic romp from start to finish, hitting all the right notes of banter, chemistry, and steamy romance. I’ll definitely be recommending it to my friends looking for their next fun, feel-good read. Honestly, I could see myself revisiting Lucy and Josh’s story again in the future whenever I need a pick-me-up dose of laughter and swoon-worthy romance. The Hating Game is truly a gem of a book that captures the very best of what makes the romantic comedy genre so beloved.