Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman serve as executive assistants to the co-CEOs of Gamin & Bexley, a publishing company formed through an uneasy merger. Lucy maintains a bright, people-pleasing demeanor while Joshua remains cold, rigid, and obsessed with efficiency. Their professional relationship consists of psychological games designed to irritate one another, a conflict that intensifies when they both apply for the same managing director role. Competitiveness turns into confusion as a shared elevator encounter leads to a physical attraction that challenges their mutual hostility.
Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope read this story for its focus on fast-paced banter and workplace tension. The narrative appeals to those who enjoy character-driven humor and the gradual realization that a rival’s behavior may hide genuine affection. Readers walk away with a story about how professional personas often mask vulnerability and how misinterpreting a colleague's intentions can lead to unnecessary conflict. It offers a detailed look at the shift from office resentment to romantic partnership.
Practical, inward-looking, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
Insights from The Hating Game
“I have a theory that hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love.”
Staring matches are just foreplay. You can feel the air change when Lucy and Joshua lock eyes. They aren't trying to win. They're trying to not blink first while their hearts race.
“I’ve been watching you for two years.”
Joshua Templeman remembers every single outfit Lucy wears. That isn't professional rivalry. It is a slow motion obsession disguised as a spreadsheet.
The elevator scene proves that tension is better than the actual act. Small spaces make every breath feel like a confession. It is the most claustrophobic kind of craving.
Lucy’s smurf collection is her armor. She uses whimsy to hide how much she wants to be seen. Joshua is the only one who actually looks at the shelf.
- Published
- 2016
- Publisher
- William Morrow Paperbacks
- Language
- EN
