Author: Ella James
Audiobook, Audible
Narrators: Zachary Webber & Ava Erickson
When I finished listening to “Hate You (Not)”, I kind of felt like this was The Book of ALL Tropes. It starts with June “inheriting” her nephew and niece after her sister and her her brother-in-law die in a car accident. Then comes Burke, the billionaire brother of the deceased brother-n-law, who immediately treats her like a country bumpkin that he can “buy “the children from. There you go – instant enemies! He obviously thinks she is superhot before he finds out who she really is and the attraction is mutual – so is the dislike. A few weeks and few incidents later we find out that the hunky evil billionaire is really a tortured soul. I rolled my eyes a little there. When they finally get together, something happens and he completely ghosts her. And… I won’t tell you which other trope we get now, I will let you be surprised. Let’s just say it’s a surprise to everyone. Burke then gets in an accident and he gives her name as his emergency contact.
Don’t get me wrong. If you read up to here you are probably thinking I hated it. I didn’t. I enjoyed listening to it and most of the credit goes to the amazing Zachary Webber and the wonder Ms Erickson. Zachary is always a pleasure to listen to and he’s adorable in his southern twang in this one. So is Ms E. So, as an audiobook it was fun. The story was fine. It was just fine. There were so many plot avenues open that I kept waiting for them to be developed. Burke’s relationship with his father was of an abusive nature but it’s just a big bundle of loose threads that I wish were more developed. The same with June – her relationship with her new wards is never developed in the book, she has two best friends who get zero character development. Same with her father. There is a glimpse of a story that could be interesting when we find out he is romantically involved with her best friend’s mother, but that goes nowhere.
So what I am trying to say is that it feels like it is the first season of a tv show where the main plot is established and the side characters are introduced. And then, the show runners get the news that the show wasn’t renewed for a second season about 2/3 into the season and they rush to wrap up the story of the main characters.
Therefore, yeah, I give all the credit of my enjoyment to Zachary and Ava. Do I regret listening to it? NO. Would I listen to it again? For the story, no. As for my review of this book, the title says it all. I hate it not, but I don’t love it either.
Possible triggers: suicide/death in the family/ car accident/ emotional and physical abuse/ orphaned children
