Sometimes you pick up a book and it becomes tough to give it a rating. Usually, I end up with the rating as I work through my thoughts to write the review.
This is not the first book I’ve read by this author, but this new release has given me a lot to think about in terms of the rating. Continue on for my full review.
Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese
Publisher: Berkley (October 10, 2023)
ISBN-13: 978-0593441527
SYNOPSIS:
Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno.
Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.
When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.
Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese Review
I have to say I am somewhat in a love-hate quandary with this story. There are definitely pieces that I really enjoyed and there are pieces of it that I really didn’t like.
I really enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance because I love the friction between the main characters and then the ultimate fall even when it may take a little bit longer than expected.
In this book, however, the friction was pretty extreme, and sometimes even over the top where they would verbally hurt each other. I understand that a lot of that is protection of self because they actually truly care for each other but it is still tough to read sometimes.
These two had a very long and public case of friction, and while the ultimate connections finally started to vibe, there were some other quirks that got to me, especially with a female main character.
The story is entertaining, and I love the boy next door romance plot. He’s damn near a brother connection, and when they finally did get together, it was sweet and steamy. The fact that he cared for her for as long as he did became evident much quicker than her realization of love.
With the author’s depiction of the characters having issues like ADHD and generally being jerks to each other, this is where my love-hate issues come into play. Better Hate Than Never becomes a great story after the halfway mark when the bickering slows, but I hope that Liese dumps the continual negative self-talk that we try to escape in our book choices.
Overall, a simmering romance with intensity all around and a sweet love connection that is a long time coming.
3.5 STARS rolled to a 4.
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.
One thought on “Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese: Review”
This is on my list. You’ve given me something to think about before I read this.