Love to Hate You

by Pippa Langhorn, Elizabeth Stevens

From Elizabeth Stevens, writing as Pippa Langhorn, comes...
A brother's best friend, a seven-minutes-in-heaven dare, and the secret that changed everything.

Skye Deveraux is off-limits. Teammate's ex. Best friend's little sister. She hates the soccer team and everything they stand for. And did I mention she hates me the most of all?
Plus, she's uptight, obsessed with her books, always reminds me what's wrong with me, and needs to get seriously laid. Did I mention I'd do anything to be the one to give it to her?
But I've got secrets. The kind to leave a mark on a person's soul. And I won't let them hurt her. Until she kisses me and then all bets are off. One taste and I'm too weak to resist.
We might be at each other's throats, but she's the only one I'll ever love…to hate.

River Torres is freaking gorgeous. He wears confidence like it was made solely for him. Partying, fighting, and wetting his dick in anyone willing. He's the worst kind of idiot.
I despise him, but our physical chemistry has been insane for years. As a joke, he calls me Gaol-bait. In return, I dare him to seven minutes in heaven on my eighteenth birthday.
Call it morbid curiosity. A drunken lapse in judgement. The biggest – or best – mistake of my life. But I've kissed him and now my body craves more. It needs him and no one else.
He might be a total player and an arse, but he's the jerk I will always love…to hate.

A darker, big brother's best friend, frenemies to lovers, romantic comedy.
This book is set in Australia and therefore written using Australian English. This will affect the spelling, grammar and syntax you may be used to. It might come across as typos, awkward sentences, poor grammar, or missed/wrong words. In the majority of cases (I won't claim it's infallible, despite all best efforts), this is intentional and just an Aussie way of speaking (it took my US beta readers a bit to get used to). I can't say 'the' Aussie way, since we seem to differ even within the same state. Just think of us as a weird mix of British and US vernacular and colloquialisms, but with our own randomness thrown in. I still hope you enjoy it, though!
Contains possible triggers.

Genres: Sports Romance

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.

First, let's just say that Elizabeth...er, Pippa...delivered another winner with this story. I was hooked from the start and did not want to put it down. As is trypical with her characters, they were relatable/likable and were well developed, including the side characters. (I definitely would be on board with them getting their own stories). Besides, who doesn't love a good damaged maybe-not-so-terribly-bad boy whose life is altered when he encounters his match in a spunky female? Follow along with Skye and River in this dual POV tale and find out if they can overcome the odds that seem so stacked against them.

This hits a lot of the great tropes: best friend's sister, college/new adult romance, and sports romance. A touch of humor, spice, and battle of wits all wrapped up in a nice package.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ BBF University Soccer
~ Reformed playboy/nerdy little sister
~ witty banter
~ humor
~ sensible characters

☑️ reference to past trauma

🚦no cheating, ow drama, sharing, MC death


I enjoyed this story. It’s a low angst classic tale of brothers best friend and little sister giving into the attraction they’ve both felt for years. There’s quite a few things I loved, the first being the sassy heroine Skye and witty intelligent banter between her and River. Neither deny the sexual chemistry they feel towards one another, in fact they flirt and lean into it, all under the guise of frenemies. I love this type of fun sexual tension building.

While River is your typical manwhore, there’s a scene at a party with him pulling a girl into a bathroom and Skye betting how long until it’s a different girl, Skye isn’t an innocent nerd and goes on dates and has previous boyfriends. Thank you author.

After a drunken dare where they finally kiss, neither can deny themselves anymore and they embark on a secret relationship. I love how River is all in right away and we don’t get jealous ex hook ups as gratuitous drama. That’s saved for Skyes ex, which comes out of nowhere because he wasn’t actively trying to win her back, so that’s a weak plot device. I prefer OM over OW and it was short lived so I didn’t lower my rating for this.

There were some continuity errors towards the end in my Notes, and I thought the drama surrounding the secret was overdone since it really wasn’t that bad. The smut was good and I would have been happy to read more.

Overall 3.5 stars, great banter and equal standards when it came to sex for both characters. I’d love Ajaxes story next and of course Taylor’s.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention the entire time. I loved the banter between River and Sky. They knew how to push each others buttons and took great pleasure in doing so but they also knew where to draw the line and not go to far, even when they pissed the other one off. They definitely had that frenemy going on but you could tell that they were actually close as well. River is Sky's brother's best friend and there sexual tension and chemistry is off the charts but they have both always been in denial about acting on it though both have thought about it and others seen their banter as part flirty as well as frenemy territory and can feel the chemistry but most don't think anything is going to happen. I loved watching Sky's best friend meddle just enough that River and Sky finally kissed and things were off from there. I loved watching them build a relationship and take that chance. They knew what was at risk and while things were definitely hot with the chemistry and tension they've had for years, they wanted to make sure they went about things the right away and really gave themselves a shot a making it work. I was engaged with the story and these characters the entire time. They were highly entertaining and also brought the feels and some cheese factor. It was great. I can't wait for more stories here at Chester and with the Chasers.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

#friendtolovers #Brothersbestfriend
Skye always loved her brother's best friend/soccer teammate River but they never got along. They had love/hate relationship. Skye enters her brother's college early (she is still junior and 17 years old) and has been hanging out with brother's soccer team. They couldn't stand each other and always badgering each other. Everyone knew their relationship until things turn.
They might act like they hate each other but they actually love each other except they really didn't know.
It started as friends with benefit and keep it a secret from everyone. However, it becomes more and they will have to figure out how to deal with all the other issues that comes being together. Also River is hiding a big secret from Skye.
Skye and River does argue often and their banters are great. It was bit weird having Skye (still underage in the beginning) hanging out with college kids. Other than that, it seems like typical college love story. Setting is not US so there are British expressions and spellings. Overall I did enjoy reading.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic brother, little sister, brother's bff secret relationship scenario. Bro code and team code (they're both uni soccer players) prevents them from going public, etc. This is a university setting but it also includes 11th & 12th grade high schoolers (she's in 12th grade but does eventually turn 18). Everyone, no matter their age, is very *sexually mature.* I don't know why they can't all be college students and not throw high schoolers in the mix.

It was just okay for me but sorta disappointing. I've read many books by this author (real name, not new pen name) and they've been better - less cliched, less shallow, less rushed. It's alright, no one can be 100% 100% of the time.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems)

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was predictable but written well and was entertaining. It was not as angsty as I thought it was going to be. Both River and Skye tried to fight their feelings for each other, but their chemistry was just too strong. Arguing and teasing each other was their love language. It took a dare for their world to flip upside-down.

I seriously loved all the characters in this book. I would love to explore Chester University Chasers more and see them all get a happy ending.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

Okay so this booked sucked me in and spun me around. I absolutely loved both characters! The big thing for me was they saw each other for who they were and were accommodating and supportive. He had a rough past, but I loved seeing him blossom and start to look toward the future. I loved how she knew about his past ways but never held it against him. Excellent read and cannot wait to read the next one in this series!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romance storyline with witty banter, a contentious relationship that morphs into something completely different once their feelings are acknowledged. There are secrets, drama, repercussions, and finally a possible HEA. The MCs are defined, realistic, and have attraction, and chemistry. I liked this entertaining and engaging read. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Reggaewoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

River and Skye have had a love-hate relationship for a long time. They are both in love with each other but try to suppress the attraction. One day, they decide to reveal how they feel about each other, but there is a club rule that if a player dates a girl, another player can’t date that girl. However, they decided to take the chance; however, once their relationship was revealed, there were consequences. Hot read.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked River and Skye’s story. It was a darker, big brother's best friend, frenemies to lovers, romantic comedy. Book is set in Australia and therefore written using Australian English. It was an interesting read. And am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Brooke H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tbh I wish the trauma history had been more developed rather than a side story that inevitably caused an issue
I really loved how the heroine reacted when she learned the truth, though

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you may have guessed from the title, this is a enemies to lovers romance, but not really. They have known each other for many years and have always had that hate thing going, but it was mostly an act. Kinda like when little boys pull girls hair because they like them... yeah it's like that. He is best friends with her brother, so he was always around their house and she knew him quite well, except for that little secret he's keeping from her. He calls her Gaol-Bait (translation: Jailbait,) and she calls him Pond Scum... affectionately of course. ;) She is also known as Mini-Dev in the house where her brother and his soccer teammates all live, and where she is also the honorary team mascot, and adored by them all. There is lots of fun banter between the two. There are moments when this is a light hearted read, but there are also moments filled with heaviness. There is quite a bit of sexual content, not suitable for younger readers. The characters are all written well, including the side characters. There are no dull moments in the book. It alternates POVs. It is written in Australian English, so keep this in mind when reading. (IE. 'Gaol-Bait'... I had to look that one up.) :D There were a few editing errors in my copy, but I received an ARC copy, so I'm assuming these will be cleaned up in the official release copy.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the banter between Sky and River. The plot was good. I was glad they both finally got out of their own heads and way to reach their HEA. Their chemistry was off the charts. While I had to look up some of the slang, it didn’t take away my enjoyment I.e. gaol means jail in the US. I technically should have figured that out with bait being immediately after. Again didn’t take away my enjoyment at all. I loved that River was all in from the get go-willing to violate the Bri and team code for their relationship. Jax’s jealousy kind of came out of nowhere especially since it had been a year or two since their breakup. If he had been trying to get her back during all of this it might have made more since to me. A very enjoyable read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate To Love You is my first read by this author and it's a great enemies to lovers (sort of), forbidden, brothers best friend read.
River "Senor Pond Scum" Torres, "He’s a freaking Adonis. He’s sinfully delicious, wickedly cocky." He’s the one that stays on her mind constantly.
Skye "Gaol Bait" Devereaux is Rivers best friends younger sister. She's the one he can't seem to get his mind off of. The one he knows he can't have. Afterall, he's her brother Taylor's best friend and he wouldn't want to damage that friendship.
All of these hese characters are larger than life, main characters as well as side characters. It's going to be an exciting journey seeing where this author takes these guys and girls.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read! This debut novel for Elizabeth Stevens' pen name Pippa Langhorn was a quick read that I couldn't put down. I love the chemistry between Skye and River, as well as their playfulness throughout the book. Skye and Taylor's sibling relationship really makes you feel like you are in the middle of their love fueled yelling matches.