Book Review: Hate You, Maybe
Book: Hate You, Maybe
Author: Julie Christianson
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an advanced audio copy.
Hate You, Maybe is an enemies/rivals-to-lovers following two high school teachers, Sayla and Dex. This is an entertaining story with two likable main characters, but most of the book came off as very immature. The main characters are in their late 20s and early 30s, but it would have been more believable if they were in high school instead of high school teachers.
Both Sayla and Dex are competing for grant money to improve their respective departments. Dex thinks the athletic department needs it, and Sayla thinks the drama department needs it. The premise is fine, and I expected some interesting banter and competition, but what happens is that the principal sends them to a retreat at a place called “Camp Reboot” to learn how to work together, and then he will pick a winner. I don’t understand how working together would help pick a winner because it was already disclosed that both departments cannot share the grant. It was just an awkward way to transition this to a closed-door romance.
After the awkward camp, a winner is not chosen. They are told they need to switch roles to walk a mile in each other’s shoes. This is insane. Imagine your kids come home and tell you two teachers just switched classes for some odd competition! This could never happen in the real world.
Yes, I go to books to escape reality and read fake stories that cannot be true, but if you want to make a romance that’s in a grounded, real-world setting, this throws me off.
The immaturity really shows towards the end with Sayla. When she finds herself in a bar talking to the bartender, I was more frustrated with her than feeling bad for her.
Overall, this is a good story, even with the problems I have with it. If you like any of these tropes, then this may be one for you.
Final score: 3/5
