Book Review: If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
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Looking for your next steamy, brother’s best friend, hockey romance? You’ve come to the right place!
I first read Helena Hunting’s Shattered Truth and loved her writing style! When I saw her new book being released, I couldn’t wait to jump in!
If You Hate Me is a brother’s best friend, forbidden romance between Tristan and Beatrix (with tons of steam).
I read this book on Kindle Unlimited and these are my honest opinions.
My new roommates are two pro hockey players.
First, my manwhore older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).
This was a last resort.
No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and ball sweat.
But here I am, trying to get my life together.
Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence.
He never wears a shirt.
We can’t seem to stop fighting.
He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago.
I know better than to trust him.
I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place.
And not accidentally let Tristan rail me into next week.
Summary: If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
Beatrix finds herself in a bit of a pickle and ends up crashing with her hockey-playing brother and his best friend, Tristan Stiles – a guy she’s known practically forever.
They still hate each other even though sparks seem to fly. And to add a little spice to the mix, Tristan seems to have missed the memo on wearing shirts in their shared space!
Living under the same roof, Beatrix and the smooth-talking hockey player can’t seem to go a day without butting heads. With her sights set on finding a new place, Beatrix has to keep her cool and resist any impulses to get cozy with Tristan.
My Thoughts: If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
Whew, right off the bat: Helena Hunting has written one of the spiciest reads on my 2024 book list! If You Hate Me also took me out of a book slump!
From the first time Beatrix and Tristan are together on page, the fight never stops. I laughed out loud at their antics and their bickering.
I loved the way Tristan goes from fighting her to being overly protective of her then right on over to being jealous. It’s the push and pull between accepting his feelings for her and pushing her away because of his own insecurities.
Beatrix has always had a crush on Tristan, so it didn’t take long for the lines to blur for her. I felt for her when Tristan always seemed to be teetering back and forth.
I loved that Beatrix was able to find a friend base when her best friend moved away and she moved in with her brother, Flip, and Tristan.
I did think there were a few too many repeats of cucumbers and cakes throughout the story. Towards the end, I felt that both Beatrix and Tristan should have dealt with their insecurities earlier in the book so they could have been more maturewith how they handled their feelings, especially Tristan.
The steam can also be a little too much for some readers (ahem 🥒), but Helena Hunting has written some steamy scenes that I haven’t read before.
I also didn’t appreciate Tristan’s playboy ways being flaunted all around Beatrix, nor her brother bringing in strings of women day and night.
Overall, I laughed out loud, got teary eyed, and enjoyed the ride with Helena Hunting.
Final Thoughts: If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
If You Hate Me can be a controversial book just based on the steam alone. However, I enjoyed the plot and how Helena Hunting weaved their story.
I would highly recommend adding If You Hate Me to your TBR if you’re looking for an enemies to lovers, close proximity, sports romance!
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