💕 Slow Burn Spotlight: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

-

Nemesis (n.)

  1. An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome;

  2. A person’s undoing;

  3. Joshua Templeman.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman don’t just dislike each other—they hate each other. As executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company, they’re locked in a daily game of ritualistic banter and petty sabotage. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s uptight, joyless ways, and Joshua is equally perplexed by Lucy’s quirky, sunshine-bright personality.

Now, both are up for the same promotion, and their battle of wills has never been higher. But amid the competition, something unexpected brews—chemistry. Lucy starts to wonder if maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua after all… and maybe he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

🌹 The Setup

A workplace rivalry between two polar opposite personalities: quirky, colorful Lucy vs. meticulous, broody Joshua. Their desk-to-desk standoffs are sharp, hilarious, and set the stage for one of the most delicious enemies-to-lovers romances.

🔥 The Tension

As their games escalate, so does the chemistry. Every glare, every “accidental” brush of hands, every sharp-tongued remark hides a flicker of attraction. That elevator scene? Pure, pulse-pounding proof that hate and desire are two sides of the same coin.

💋 The Payoff

When the rivalry finally boils over into romance, it’s explosive. After all that anticipation, their kisses hit harder because we’ve been waiting, page after page, for the slow burn to finally ignite.

☕ Scene to Sip Pairing

Cinnamon Mocha Latte—rich, bold, and spiced just right. It mirrors Lucy and Josh’s dynamic: sweet and sharp, cozy and fiery, impossible to resist.

📚 Trope Tags

  • Enemies-to-lovers

  • Workplace romance

  • Rivalry banter

  • Forced proximity

  • Slow burn payoff

💌 Favorite Quote

“I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them.”
This line captures the heart of the book: the thin line between rivalry and romance, and how both fuel the fire.

✨ Coffee Rings Rating

  • 🌟 Romance: ★★★★☆

  • 🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️

  • ⏳ Slow Burn Factor: ⏳⏳⏳⏳

📖 If You Liked This, Try…

  • Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood → academia rivals with banter + swoon

  • The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas → enemies + fake dating + slow build payoff

💬 Let’s Chat!

Do you love a good slow burn like Lucy & Josh? Or do you crave that instant-chemistry spark? Share your favorite enemies-to-lovers romance in the comments below!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

📖 Favorite Friday: My Top 5 Romance Reads (So Far This Year)

-
Image
📖 Favorite Friday: My Top 5 Romance Reads: (So Far This Year) 💘 1. Betting on You by Lynn Painter Why I loved it:  I loved how this book felt like a full-on rom-com, it was funny, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. Bailey and Charlie’s relationship completely won me over, especially the way he truly saw her & her little nickname for her "Glasses" . With so many twists and turns, I devoured it in just a few hours! Favorite Quote:  “When you’re in the room, every single cell in my body – every nerve, every muscle, every breath – is lost in you.”  💘 2. Throttled by Lauren Asher (One of My Favorite Authors! Also #1 in Series) Why I loved it: This was my first Formula 1 romance, and I know there probably aren’t many out there! Noah is kind of a mess, but he’s got such a good heart. He’s also Maya’s brother’s teammate (and not exactly his biggest fan), which makes things very complicated. Everyone warns her to stay far away, but of course, she can’t. Watching their r...
Read more

📚☕ Two for Tuesday: Tropes That Bring the Heat

-
Image
Let’s talk about two romances that bring enemies, lies, and longing to a whole new level. If you’re into emotional chaos (with a happy ending, of course), these two belong on your TBR: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 💘 Enemies with Benefits / Forbidden Romance 📖 Twisted Hate by Ana Huang Rating : 5/5 ⭐ 💭 I read Twisted Hate in one sitting—couldn't put it down. Josh Chen is pure chaos and I loved every second. Jules and Josh can’t stand each other—but they also can’t stay away. She’s a fiery law student. He’s a cocky future doctor (and her best friend’s brother 😬). When they agree to a no-strings “enemies with benefits” arrangement, things get messy fast . Sharp banter, sizzling tension, and surprising emotional depth make this one totally unputdownable. Favorite Quote: "You drive me crazy, Red." He cupped my face, his voice low and rough. "But I'd go insane wi...
Read more

A Second Chance at Love: Love and Other Words Review

-
Image
  This book made me cry in public. Twice. If you believe in second chances and soulmates, Love and Other Words will leave a mark. Title: Love and Other Words Author: Christina Lauren Genre: Contemporary Romance Pages: 450 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Some books don’t just tell a love story — they take your heart, break it, and carefully stitch it back together. Love and Other Words did exactly that. If you’ve ever had a first love you couldn’t forget, or wondered what might’ve happened if things had gone differently... this one’s for you.  After more than a decade apart, childhood sweethearts Macy and Elliot reconnect by chance. As they slowly rebuild trust, they’re forced to revisit the heartbreak that tore them apart — and the love that never really went away. Told in a dual timeline style, this story explores the power of words, memory, and unfinished love. I adored how strong Macy and Elliot's feelings for eachother were. Their connection from friendship to young love was be...
Read more