The Hating Game

A Novel

By: Sally Thorne

Narrated by: Katie Schorr

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love. 

Nemesis (n.)
1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person's undoing
3) Joshua Templeman 

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She's charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual. 

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (ok, 50 or 60) hours a week, they've become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There's the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can't let Joshua beat her at anything - especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking. If Lucy wins this game, she'll be Joshua's boss. If she loses, she'll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua and dressing for work like she's got a hot date? 

After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth-shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she's got Joshua Templeman all wrong. 

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn't hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe he doesn't hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game. 

©2016 Sally Thorne (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Slow Burn!

Very enjoyable SLOW BURN! Loved the writing style and the story line. The characters were fun and realistic and the love story was sweet. Very light on sex and the one sex scene is very PG. The narration is not bad, It would have been better as a dual narration.

Listen Again

This book was unexpected for me. I love that it wasn't all about a blooming love. It was more complex and sweet and frustrating than a normal romance book. I love the office setting. This is the first audible book that I have wanted to listen to again.

Didn't want it to end!

What did you love best about The Hating Game?

Sally Thorne has done it -- a rare 5-star review from me. But, because everyone is looking for something different in a read, I'll describe why I loved it. Her pacing of the book is deliciously excruciating... the story arc builds slowly and credibly, with depth and realistic scenarios. The characters are flawed and believable. The "steam" factor is hot not because of crude language and hyperbole, but because of her descriptions and ability to capture the eroticism of their inner thoughts. The narrator did an excellent job of voicing Lucy -- I think she was the perfect pick to capture Lucy's inner monologues. She did a nice job with Joshua's voice, but it was hard at times to distinguish between what he was saying and what he was thinking. Overall, it was a fantastic listen, and I will be on the lookout for her next book.

What other book might you compare The Hating Game to and why?

The buildup between Joshua and Lucy was similar to that of Dex and Rachel's in 'Something Borrowed' by Emily Giffin.

Have you listened to any of Katie Schorr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

n/a

LISTENED 3 TIMES!!!

Don’t let the book’s title, or first couple chapters fool you! This book was a perfect combination of witty banter, sexual tension, and the dilemma of life choices, wrapped up into a entertaining romantic comedy!
The narrator was so good, and hope to hear more from her!

Super fun book

Any additional comments?

What a great story with fantastic male and female lead characters. I loved it from page one to the last page. In fact I listened to it all in one sitting. It is a good thing I am retired because I listened all night! It really is funny and sweet. I got aggravated at the male lead from time to time but eventually fell in love with him. I don't see how you can go wrong choosing this book. I is well worth the credit - I would even give two credits for it in retrospect. The performance was excellent. The reader does great male and female voices. You forget that she is the reader because she does not get in the way of the story - she just lets you live it.

Sweet and Funny Romance

Loved the romance. The tension is just right for the enemies-to-lovers trope mixed with a good amount of humour. The narration was a bit frustrating because most of the time I couldn't distinguish between Josh's and Lucy's voices so it could get confusing. Having said that the narrator has a pleasant voice so I'd still give the narration 4 stars. The story itself definitely deserves 5+ stars. I'd highly recommend it.

Do not read negative reviews! This was a new favorite!

I have listened to 100s of audiobooks and the was by far one of my favs! Well written, interesting characters and story. I will not forget Josh and Lucy anytime soon! Treat yourself to a funny, cute, lovable story with a fantastic narrator! This one will be hard to follow!

Disappointing

Would you try another book from Sally Thorne and/or Katie Schorr?

Not from Sally but I like Katie as a narrator and would listen to her books again.

What could Sally Thorne have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Would have liked more focus on the hating aspect of their relationship. Thought this would have been a hate to love relationship but Lucy and Josh seemed to be in love from the beginning. Would also like more dialogue in the first part of the book. Too much narration and way to much horny, sex talk for my liking.

What about Katie Schorr’s performance did you like?

Perfect voice for Lucy. Exactly how I would picture her voice to be.

Was The Hating Game worth the listening time?

No

Any additional comments?

Very heavy sex talk and description. Be warned. Also lots of foul language.

Need more from this author!

Immediately upon finishing this I was like "more please" and was shocked to find out it was her debut novel - wow! Wonderful, original story with great characters that were quirky yet believable. Thorne builds up the sexual tension in a great way and the story never drags.

Not enough plot

Too repetitive and it draaaaags on until it is boring. I wish I could find a redeeming aspect to this book.