Mari Loves Books Blog
This is not an easy read in terms of angst. There is lots but the story flows so well and keeps you on your toes. I never knew what was going to happen because the author has you going from past to present and in between. I loved it! We get to see Marley and Derek through the years and see their growth. I wanted to slap him at times and then I would swoon. What a great read!
Marina Skinner
At First Hate gives you veritable whiplash with the past and present alternating through different chapters. We learn why Marley hates Derek. Why she has an underlying love for him and vice versa. This is a long book delving into both timelines. Its told mostly through Marleys POV. The push and pull between the characters made me in certain parts, want to slap them. Annoyingly so. In all honesty this book threw me for a loop and took me a while to get through it and I wondered if or when Marley would be happy in her life. Can the girl from the wrong side of the tracks get the rich boy after all? An enemies to lovers romance where the bets, the uncomfortable moments, the hurt, the snark and the memories all play a part in Marley and Derek’s story! It was a good read.
Jenn
Marley and Derek have been at odds since their first meeting in high school. Marley and her twin brother, Maddox, were abandoned at two years old by their mother, and raised by their grandparents. They have no money, and Marley has come by all of her schooling via scholarships. Derek is the opposite. He has grown up surrounded by wealth, never struggled to make ends meet or get what he wants, and is every bit the entitled, rich, bad boy. Despite how opposite they are, they have an intense chemistry and seem to be drawn to each other. This is an enemies to lover, second chance romance. This is a standalone, but I recommend reading the first book. I actually had missed that this was the second book in the series, and so was slightly confused by what was occurring with some of the side characters – which now I realize is because their story is explained in the first book. Despite this, you can easily follow along with what is happening with Derek and Marley. This book starts in the present day, just after Marley’s grandmother has died. She quickly learns that her mother is suing her brother and her to contest her grandmother’s will, and Derek is now the lawyer representing her. We go back and forth between present and past as we learn of Derek and Marley’s complicated and complex history from high school, through college and after until present day. This is full of a lot of what I love in my romance – angst. The chemistry between Derek and Marley is intense and when they finally get together it’s downright steamy. I loved their story, but was irritated by Derek a fair amount throughout the story, and honestly would have enjoyed some more grovel or backbone on his part. However, if you love enemies to lover, second chance or angst this is definitely for you! I received an Advance Reader Copy and have voluntarily left an honest review.
