At First Hate

A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance

By: K.A. Linde

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Joe Arden - epilogue

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

A new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today best-selling author K.A. Linde.... 

Derek Ballentine and I have always been on opposite sides of everything. 

I went to a public Savannah high school. He went to a private Catholic school. I went to Duke on scholarship. He went to UNC as a legacy. When we both end up at Harvard for graduate school, and we’re finally on a level playing field, I think it’s all going to change. 

I was wrong. 

The only thing that changed was ending up in his bed. 

Now my grandma has passed away, and Derek is the attorney helping the people trying to steal her legacy. I’ll do anything to stop that from happening. Even take on my lifetime enemy. 

I hate him at first sight…but I also want him at first hate.

©2021 K.A. Linde (P)2021 K.A. Linde

SORRY.. NOT FOR ME

For fifteen years this story bounces from past days which told how the Marley and Derek became enemies in High School as young Player Derek chased the only girl who ever said no to his smooth talk, his subtle charm, his devastating good looks and his rich entitled persona. To the occasional present days where they are definitely enemies with a long history where Derek is now an Attorney representing Marley's Mother's claim contesting her own Mother’s Will.. a Will that left everything to Marley and her brother. But unfortunately, the past is mainly where it stayed and continued with their teen angst, awkward attraction and emotionally young group dilemmas through their College years.

Worth a credit? Not for me.. I usually love K A Linde romances but this lingered way too long in the YA drawn out past-history for my tastes where it was just awkward and they just never ever seemed to be on the same page and I really didn’t feel the connection between Marley and Derek. Fifteen years, two three or four times they've tried and it failed every time.. and, in the present, it’s teetering on going in either direction. Told from Marley’s POV with only one by Joe Arden :{ boo hoo.

Addictive and wicked chemistry!

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. I will say the first 75% was a true 5 star story, I just think I wanted a little more groveling than was deserved.

This was very addictive. I understood everything the heroine felt. I felt her pain and her longing. I felt the addictive ness of this man. The chemistry, the states and looks I felt that all to my core. Emma MFing Wilder. Holy balls. You gave me absolute chills. That touch of southern drawl when it was called for. Your man voice is my all time favorite of all female narrators. I just want to sink into it. A male narrator is not even missed when you read a story.

I loved this book and overall I’d give it a 4.25 stars. I almost gave a 5 bc I could not stop with it. But in the end I was still a little miffed with Derek the hero. I’m 100% in love with him, but I also kind of still want to stomp on his toes. Sexy times were very nice as well.

Fine line between love and hate

Oh where do I even begin with Marley and Derrek!!! From the moment they met to their first electric kiss, they knew they were both in trouble. This story is full on angst/second (third, fourth, fifth) chance romance. From public vs private school, scholarship vs legacy, scientist vs lawyer and finally just Marley and Derrek, these two had to find the time that was right for them. Their love was so raw and deep, that neither really knew how to navigate the waters, so they did what they knew best.....they hated. The line is there is a thin line between love and hate. The chemistry is explosive but the love really is so sweet. Marley is the only person who truly sees Derrek and this scares him. Can you really fight the power of love? I can not wait for more books in this series!

Epic romance

This is the story Of an epic romance that takes place over decades. There are multiple storylines and lots of angst. I highly recommend this book when you are in the mood for a romance that you have to work for.

Minivan to Mars

Kyla has the ability to write a book in a genre that I do not typically like and make me think twice about my dislike. Derek and Marley story begins and high school and expands into their adult life. They come from two different worlds but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Marley is very determined, smart, hard-working, and is looking to change the world. Derek is following the path of his family and sometimes makes him not my favorite, but through the book he grew on me. Derek and Marley is unlikely pair that was perfect for each other. I loved the development of their relationship over the course of the book. The emotional rollercoaster kept me wanting to know more. I will say that I loved how Kyla was able cameo other characters in this book. If you are a fan of enemies to lover or if you are not, you will enjoy this book! Grab this book and dive in now!