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Love & Hate Duet #1
The Boy I Once Hated: Love & Hate Duet
I've always heard there's a fine line between love and hate. No one told me that line could destroy me. Noah Fontaine. King of the school. My living nightmare. The object of my fantasies. My new stepbrother. I did whatever it took to survive him. Every day he took more of me. I just didn’t expect him to take my heart. Because of the boy I once hated, I'd never be the same girl again. The Boy I Once Hated is a M/F, enemies to lovers, stepbrother romance...
394 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2023
1598 people are currently reading
6121 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Jane
96 books5,238 followersI'm a wife, mother, and author! Writing has always been a passion for me, and publishing my first series is a dream come true. I drink too much caffeine, never sleep, and my imagination is always churning out ideas. Eva and her men have been in my head for awhile, and I'm so glad to finally take you with me on this journey!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews
November 26, 2025
The Boy I Once Hated (Love & Hate Duet, #1) by C.R. Jane & Ivy Fox
5/5 stars
Oh my, oh my freaking heart. I loved this one. This is a classic and old school bully romance and I just love those. The Boy I Once Hated delivered on every single front. And yes, I did see the mixed reviews, but hey it's fiction! Not real life. ♥
The book starts with 15 year old Noah sitting beside his sick mother in the hospital. Seeing her wither away in front of his eyes. She has cancer and his father works his hardest to pay all the medical bills and they are in serious debt. Noah loves his mother more than life itself and he is utterly broken when she passes away. It feels like he will never dream again.
Just a few months pass and we meet Skylar. Skylar is a talented writer and she idolizes her sister Daisy. Their mom just started dating Kurt. And Kurt is Noah's father. When they all meet Skylar instantly is drawn to Noah. But he is cruel, unkind and angry. Her body comes alive when she sees him getting a blow job from the waitress. But she keeps her distance.
Noah is angry because he believes his father started dating Skylar's mother before his own mother died. He resents his father. And hates the daughters. Daisy is strong and is able to push back. But Noah thrives on the fact that he is able to humiliate Skylar. She sees him screwing a girl and soon he spreads the rumor she is a stalker and watches people in the dark.
Skylar is humiliated but she can't help but come alive when he whispers she is his little stalker. Noah gets livid when his friend Kyle asks if he can date Skylar. Jealousy consumes them both. And every step they take is a step closer to each other. They provoke each other, they touch each other, make each other burn. And when Skylar finally kisses him he humiliates her again in front of the entire school. And when she finally confronts him about it he is pissed why she didn't tell the truth. He wouldn't have denied it. Why didn't you say I kissed you back?
This book has so much tension, so much lust and so much longing. They belong to each other and I love how fiercely they want to deny it. But the harder the fight the tighter the line between them is strung.
This is a book full of pain, bullying. But it's also a book about a boy who is hurt to his core. And when he finally finds his happiness. It is brutally taken away. My heart bled in the end. This book didn't have a typical ending in a bully romance. And I broke with both of them.
I love how much personality all the characters have. Noah and Skylar burn so bright. I loved how much power Daisy has. And Stacey's vile personality was really vibrant too.
I was constantly reading this book with tension and anticipation in my belly. And I absolutely loved that. I absolutely devoured this book and inhaled it almost in one go.
5 huge, bright and brilliant stars for The Boy I Once Hated!
5/5 stars
Oh my, oh my freaking heart. I loved this one. This is a classic and old school bully romance and I just love those. The Boy I Once Hated delivered on every single front. And yes, I did see the mixed reviews, but hey it's fiction! Not real life. ♥
The book starts with 15 year old Noah sitting beside his sick mother in the hospital. Seeing her wither away in front of his eyes. She has cancer and his father works his hardest to pay all the medical bills and they are in serious debt. Noah loves his mother more than life itself and he is utterly broken when she passes away. It feels like he will never dream again.
Just a few months pass and we meet Skylar. Skylar is a talented writer and she idolizes her sister Daisy. Their mom just started dating Kurt. And Kurt is Noah's father. When they all meet Skylar instantly is drawn to Noah. But he is cruel, unkind and angry. Her body comes alive when she sees him getting a blow job from the waitress. But she keeps her distance.
Noah is angry because he believes his father started dating Skylar's mother before his own mother died. He resents his father. And hates the daughters. Daisy is strong and is able to push back. But Noah thrives on the fact that he is able to humiliate Skylar. She sees him screwing a girl and soon he spreads the rumor she is a stalker and watches people in the dark.
Skylar is humiliated but she can't help but come alive when he whispers she is his little stalker. Noah gets livid when his friend Kyle asks if he can date Skylar. Jealousy consumes them both. And every step they take is a step closer to each other. They provoke each other, they touch each other, make each other burn. And when Skylar finally kisses him he humiliates her again in front of the entire school. And when she finally confronts him about it he is pissed why she didn't tell the truth. He wouldn't have denied it. Why didn't you say I kissed you back?
This book has so much tension, so much lust and so much longing. They belong to each other and I love how fiercely they want to deny it. But the harder the fight the tighter the line between them is strung.
This is a book full of pain, bullying. But it's also a book about a boy who is hurt to his core. And when he finally finds his happiness. It is brutally taken away. My heart bled in the end. This book didn't have a typical ending in a bully romance. And I broke with both of them.
I love how much personality all the characters have. Noah and Skylar burn so bright. I loved how much power Daisy has. And Stacey's vile personality was really vibrant too.
I was constantly reading this book with tension and anticipation in my belly. And I absolutely loved that. I absolutely devoured this book and inhaled it almost in one go.
5 huge, bright and brilliant stars for The Boy I Once Hated!
February 25, 2023
ღ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗬 𝗜 𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 ღ Is the first full length romance book in the 'Love and Hate' duet by authors C.R. Jane & Ivy Fox. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.' Ends on a cliffy.
This started me off on an emotional journey and didn't let me out of its grasp until that very last page. I cried for the boy who loved his mother wholeheartedly and felt the whole blindsided way with a new family moving into his territory. How my heart ached for him.
Imagine losing a parent and what felt like within a blink of an eye the father has moved on, ready to remarry, and along with this new person in his father's life she brings two daughters into the equation.
All the girls wanted to be with him and all the boys wanted to be him, he was king of the school. When these two first met Noah had it out for her, making school life a living hell for her, reigning all the angst he could on her head, '𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝑰 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕, 𝑰'𝒎 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈' but funnily enough he was always there to save her when it mattered. His hatred was toxic, but even though I wanted to hate him at times that young boy that had lost something so dear to him would reel me back in again.
As soon as he set his sights on Skylar it was game over.
Skylar's head was always in the clouds, a introvert preferring to stay with her fictional characters than spend anytime with her peers. ' 𝑴𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌, 𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎. 𝑻𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒘𝒌𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.' She was the polar opposite to her sister Daisy (please let us have her book) she was the popular sister, the outspoken sister and always in Sylar's corner. Skylar felt like an outcast even in her own family.
When these two come together, it combusts, the push and pull gets suspended w=and what's in its place is love in it's most purest form.
This book threw everything at us readers and I for one can not wait for the next book because how this ended has left a hole in my heart.
February 26, 2023
Who is done and I mean done reading : the same ol guy getting a bj and the same ol girl acting out as if she is going to come apart just by unexpectedly catching them doing the tango
Pls if this the standard you are working on. I can already imagine the rest, thank you!
Pls if this the standard you are working on. I can already imagine the rest, thank you!
October 18, 2025
1.3 stars- THIS WAS SO BAD WTH! I am never listening to random booktok influencers again 😡😡😡. They claim this is “underrated,” but it’s just trash and made me truly so angry.
Nothing grosser than a mmc who keeps going back to his psycho ex and constantly treating the fmc like garbage… and his pov was like “ugh the FMC is so toxic.” Yet the FMC was OBSESSED w him !! Absolutely not.
The ex literally physically hurt the FMC and made the FMC bleed, yet the MMC did nothing & stayed w the ex?? Ew ew ewwwww.
Now, onto the FMC… she is quite literally the most doormat FMC I have ever read about. I honestly wanted out of her mind ASAP. She lets this man treat her like garbage but still loves him sooo much… I would never consider giving up all of my dreams for some asshole ?? Gurllll WHY
Also, the random time jumps were sooo annoying. Every few chapters it’d fast forward… and I was like waitttt what?? She’s just out here being treated like shit for years ??
Nothing grosser than a mmc who keeps going back to his psycho ex and constantly treating the fmc like garbage… and his pov was like “ugh the FMC is so toxic.” Yet the FMC was OBSESSED w him !! Absolutely not.
The ex literally physically hurt the FMC and made the FMC bleed, yet the MMC did nothing & stayed w the ex?? Ew ew ewwwww.
Now, onto the FMC… she is quite literally the most doormat FMC I have ever read about. I honestly wanted out of her mind ASAP. She lets this man treat her like garbage but still loves him sooo much… I would never consider giving up all of my dreams for some asshole ?? Gurllll WHY
Also, the random time jumps were sooo annoying. Every few chapters it’d fast forward… and I was like waitttt what?? She’s just out here being treated like shit for years ??
March 27, 2023
CLIFFHANGER?? SURELY NOT!😂
“And in one full stride, I thrust myself deep inside her womb” (Cha.20). WOMB… So, he tore open her cervix and got his dick in her womb (aka:Uterus?) Hmm. It’s almost like that’s impossible because the cervix opening is only big enough to fit maybe a blueberry through it.🙄
-Poorly written
-Cheating by both parties
-Petty, man child hero
-Dumb heroine who’s supposedly so, so smart.
-Many time skips
-Reads like many other books of its kind
-Nothing original to speak of
-BORING asf
First of all, the constant time skips? What was the reason for this? Just to get them to 18? It was so weird. They’d hook up in some way or something big would happen, and then it’d skip a year. And nothing happened between them during that time, especially after whatever big thing happened? Unlikely, but okay…
The bullying was the most childish I’ve seen in a book. Noah seriously told his girlfriend that the heroine, Skylar, kissed him. He let his gf, who he doesn’t even like supposedly, make sure that Skylar didn’t do something like that to him again…😂Aw. Poor baby boy…
What a man!! And this is after him touching Skylar sexually and claiming that her virginity will be his… Huh? Did he change his mind during the time skip and no one thought the reader should know that? Him telling on her was such a little bitch move.
Also, the ending… I’ve seen that exact thing in several books now... WEIRD. But also, Noah is so dumb. He couldn’t just use his words to convince her to go to University? Instead, there’s useless drama at the end to make it seem like they won’t be together, when we know they will. Then, BAM! Read book 2…
Uhm. No, thanks. I’m never reading either of these authors again.
Sharing unique, well written stories < Money🤢
“And in one full stride, I thrust myself deep inside her womb” (Cha.20). WOMB… So, he tore open her cervix and got his dick in her womb (aka:Uterus?) Hmm. It’s almost like that’s impossible because the cervix opening is only big enough to fit maybe a blueberry through it.🙄
-Poorly written
-Cheating by both parties
-Petty, man child hero
-Dumb heroine who’s supposedly so, so smart.
-Many time skips
-Reads like many other books of its kind
-Nothing original to speak of
-BORING asf
First of all, the constant time skips? What was the reason for this? Just to get them to 18? It was so weird. They’d hook up in some way or something big would happen, and then it’d skip a year. And nothing happened between them during that time, especially after whatever big thing happened? Unlikely, but okay…
The bullying was the most childish I’ve seen in a book. Noah seriously told his girlfriend that the heroine, Skylar, kissed him. He let his gf, who he doesn’t even like supposedly, make sure that Skylar didn’t do something like that to him again…😂Aw. Poor baby boy…
What a man!! And this is after him touching Skylar sexually and claiming that her virginity will be his… Huh? Did he change his mind during the time skip and no one thought the reader should know that? Him telling on her was such a little bitch move.
Also, the ending… I’ve seen that exact thing in several books now... WEIRD. But also, Noah is so dumb. He couldn’t just use his words to convince her to go to University? Instead, there’s useless drama at the end to make it seem like they won’t be together, when we know they will. Then, BAM! Read book 2…
Uhm. No, thanks. I’m never reading either of these authors again.
Sharing unique, well written stories < Money🤢
March 11, 2023
This book took my beating heart, pulled it out of my chest and threw it in boiling water 🔥
DARK ROMANCE FANS, please do me a favour and have your heart ripped out by this book, like me, so we can rage together 😈
This is a 18+ TABOO stepbrother bully romance with dual POV 🥵 the hate-to-love is angsty and full of a burning desire that both of them try to deny. These two go at each others throats, specially Noah, who is truly villainous for most of the book.
As their passion for one another increases, we also get to see how each of them is dealing with their own internal struggles. Both of them are hurting and I loved that they were the only ones that could see the pain inside each other. The ending absolutely killed me! Now I need the 2nd book asap 😭
DARK ROMANCE FANS, please do me a favour and have your heart ripped out by this book, like me, so we can rage together 😈
This is a 18+ TABOO stepbrother bully romance with dual POV 🥵 the hate-to-love is angsty and full of a burning desire that both of them try to deny. These two go at each others throats, specially Noah, who is truly villainous for most of the book.
As their passion for one another increases, we also get to see how each of them is dealing with their own internal struggles. Both of them are hurting and I loved that they were the only ones that could see the pain inside each other. The ending absolutely killed me! Now I need the 2nd book asap 😭
March 2, 2023
***5+ "Little Stalker!!!" stars***
"The only thing worse than a boy who hates you, is a boy that loves you." -Markus Zusak, The book Thief
I have no words of this masterpiece that I've read!!!
Yes, I have read a ton of bully, forbidden and stepsiblings' romances, but for a reason, this book have made a great impact to me!!!
Ivy and C.R, with this story, have spoken to my heart and from the very first moment, I was enslaved by everything Skylar and Noah related!!!
This story gave me so many intense feelings, it brought too many tears to my eyes, and it squeezed my heart in its brutal fist since the beginning...
It is definitely my number 1 book for 2023!!!!
"Who would have thought that hate could taste this sweet?"
Skylar and Noah had broken my heart over and over again!!!
There was so much intensity between them that I could taste it even when they were just in the same room...
Their story was very complicated and forbidden...
The pain they were carrying and their insecurities was cutting me deep inside...
These two kids started with so much hate, but at the end, they have earned something unique and once in a lifetime...
But still... it was impossible for them to be together and I just broke down with them...
Gawd!!! I just need to stop crying every time I am thinking about them!!!
"Sky, just stay away from Noah... okay? He's not good for you. He's broken, and broken things are only happy when everything else around them is just as broken as they are."
I don't really want to say much about this story, other than it is a story that you need to experience by yourselves for you to realize exactly what I mean...
Skylar and Noah had left their signature on my heart with permanent marker and I doubt if they will ever be erased from there!!!
Sky reminded me so much of myself that it was kind of scary... And Noah, even though he was acting like a jerk many times, he had a kind heart that was a little bit broken... He needed Sky to make a difference in his life... and...
Damn it, that ending had broken me and I don't know how to survive until the next book will come into my hands!!!
“Your heart belongs to me now.”
“Promise?”
“Always. You have all my forevers, remember?”
Ivy Fox and C.R. Jane cowrote an incredible story full of hate and love to the extreme degree!!!
Noah and Skylar were remarkable creatures and their love story was one of epic proportions, even though it was cutting very deeply!!!
But except these two beautiful creatures, there was another one girl that had stolen my heart with her fiesty personality, her loyalty and the unbelievable love and protectiveness that she had for her sister and that was Daisy...
And I believe that Daisy's story needs to be heard too. Don't you think???
God, I really don't know how to move on from this heartache that this story brought to my heart!!!
"I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.
And she’s going to hate me just as long."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"The only thing worse than a boy who hates you, is a boy that loves you." -Markus Zusak, The book Thief
I have no words of this masterpiece that I've read!!!
Yes, I have read a ton of bully, forbidden and stepsiblings' romances, but for a reason, this book have made a great impact to me!!!
Ivy and C.R, with this story, have spoken to my heart and from the very first moment, I was enslaved by everything Skylar and Noah related!!!
This story gave me so many intense feelings, it brought too many tears to my eyes, and it squeezed my heart in its brutal fist since the beginning...
It is definitely my number 1 book for 2023!!!!
"Who would have thought that hate could taste this sweet?"
Skylar and Noah had broken my heart over and over again!!!
There was so much intensity between them that I could taste it even when they were just in the same room...
Their story was very complicated and forbidden...
The pain they were carrying and their insecurities was cutting me deep inside...
These two kids started with so much hate, but at the end, they have earned something unique and once in a lifetime...
But still... it was impossible for them to be together and I just broke down with them...
Gawd!!! I just need to stop crying every time I am thinking about them!!!
"Sky, just stay away from Noah... okay? He's not good for you. He's broken, and broken things are only happy when everything else around them is just as broken as they are."
I don't really want to say much about this story, other than it is a story that you need to experience by yourselves for you to realize exactly what I mean...
Skylar and Noah had left their signature on my heart with permanent marker and I doubt if they will ever be erased from there!!!
Sky reminded me so much of myself that it was kind of scary... And Noah, even though he was acting like a jerk many times, he had a kind heart that was a little bit broken... He needed Sky to make a difference in his life... and...
Damn it, that ending had broken me and I don't know how to survive until the next book will come into my hands!!!
“Your heart belongs to me now.”
“Promise?”
“Always. You have all my forevers, remember?”
Ivy Fox and C.R. Jane cowrote an incredible story full of hate and love to the extreme degree!!!
Noah and Skylar were remarkable creatures and their love story was one of epic proportions, even though it was cutting very deeply!!!
But except these two beautiful creatures, there was another one girl that had stolen my heart with her fiesty personality, her loyalty and the unbelievable love and protectiveness that she had for her sister and that was Daisy...
And I believe that Daisy's story needs to be heard too. Don't you think???
God, I really don't know how to move on from this heartache that this story brought to my heart!!!
"I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.
And she’s going to hate me just as long."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
February 28, 2023
I don’t think I’ve ever finished an eArc this quickly.
HOLY MOTHERFORKING SHIRTBALLS
The angst, the hate, the twisted mess of it all- I devoured this!
Falling for your step brother is one thing, falling for your step brother who hates your guts and makes years of your life a living hell is another! All the gasps. All the feels🤌🏻
This book has it all!
✨Enemies-to-lovers
✨Forbidden romance (stepbrother)
✨Fierce sister who kicks ass for Skylar
✨Angst
✨SMUT galore
✨No one can torture her but me
✨Scares away all other suitors
Initially the story starts of and you can feel the hate bubbling, and damn are you rewarded at the end.
This was HOT. Also seeing both of them tear down their walls- priceless. The last CR Jane book I read- Ruining Dahlia made me get a tattoo, and after reading this book I remembered why! Those gut punching one-liners are pure gold.
“Your heart belongs to me now.”
“Promise?”
“Always. You have all my forevers, remember?”
THAT ENDING! WHAT THE HELL.
I need book two like tomorrow
“The only thing that keeps me going, day by meaningless day, is that she’s living her dream.
Even if all my dreams are now dead.
I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.
And she’s going to hate me just as long.”
HOLY MOTHERFORKING SHIRTBALLS
The angst, the hate, the twisted mess of it all- I devoured this!
Falling for your step brother is one thing, falling for your step brother who hates your guts and makes years of your life a living hell is another! All the gasps. All the feels🤌🏻
This book has it all!
✨Enemies-to-lovers
✨Forbidden romance (stepbrother)
✨Fierce sister who kicks ass for Skylar
✨Angst
✨SMUT galore
✨No one can torture her but me
✨Scares away all other suitors
Initially the story starts of and you can feel the hate bubbling, and damn are you rewarded at the end.
This was HOT. Also seeing both of them tear down their walls- priceless. The last CR Jane book I read- Ruining Dahlia made me get a tattoo, and after reading this book I remembered why! Those gut punching one-liners are pure gold.
“Your heart belongs to me now.”
“Promise?”
“Always. You have all my forevers, remember?”
THAT ENDING! WHAT THE HELL.
I need book two like tomorrow
“The only thing that keeps me going, day by meaningless day, is that she’s living her dream.
Even if all my dreams are now dead.
I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.
And she’s going to hate me just as long.”
April 17, 2023
1 star is beyond generous btw. This book was awful awful awful. Needs desperate editing. Needs a coherent plot, research was clearly not done right. There was no buildup, things just happened to happen for no reason. We just jumped from one personality to the next when it came to character “development” but overall this was so…ooof I had to skim once I reached 70 something % in and still understood what happened. It did not need to be this long.
Supposedly this book was written by two grown women. Feels like it was written by 13 year olds who had just discovered the concept of sex
Also the amount of 5 stars……..يعني لهدرجه فيني شي؟؟؟ ماقاعده استوعب ذوق الناس I picked up the book cuz someone said this is the best thing she’s ever read 😭😭😭 I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis. In conclusion I need to stop
Supposedly this book was written by two grown women. Feels like it was written by 13 year olds who had just discovered the concept of sex
Also the amount of 5 stars……..يعني لهدرجه فيني شي؟؟؟ ماقاعده استوعب ذوق الناس I picked up the book cuz someone said this is the best thing she’s ever read 😭😭😭 I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis. In conclusion I need to stop
April 29, 2023
I liked Daisy's character the most. Dk what to say about the main couple's toxic proximity 🗿
March 7, 2023
While this was primarily a romance book, it also dealt with some pretty heartbreaking things. I thought Noah’s reaction to his family’s tragedy was incredibly relatable and made complete sense. Who could blame him for how he was feeling? I also really enjoyed Sky as a FMC. As booknerds, we can all relate to her personality. It’s always fun to see introverted bookworms as FMC!
This is an enemies to lovers forbidden romance that’s the first in a duology. This one ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, so I’m def curious to see what happens to our FMC and MMC in book two! 🥲
Thanks to the authors for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is an enemies to lovers forbidden romance that’s the first in a duology. This one ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, so I’m def curious to see what happens to our FMC and MMC in book two! 🥲
Thanks to the authors for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 27, 2023
This was teenage angst to the max. I enjoyed it. Clearly none of the smut scenes were realistic for the characters' ages tho. No 16-18 year old is having the kind of experienced sex that Noah was. I still enjoyed the story, would've liked the forbidden aspect of this to be more of a conflict with the parents. I loved the sisterly bond between Skylar & Daisy. Hoping to see some character growth with Skylar in the next part of the duet
October 11, 2023
So so good!! If you love enemies to lovers, bully and stepbrother then look no further. As much as I wanted to hate Noah my heart hurt for him instead. Skylar and Noah took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride with this book. I knew I shouldn’t expect a happy ending with it being a duet, but damn that cliffhanger ripped my heart out. I cannot wait until book two comes out.
April 6, 2024
4 stars ✨
I was in desperate need of a bingeable, angsty, drama filled teen romance like this. These type of books used to be the only ones I would read around two years ago, and in all honesty, I missed them.
I wasn’t expecting it to be mind blowing, just enough to keep me gripped (which it absolutely did) and to fill that gap that’s been slowing down my reading.
I really felt for Noah regarding the situation with his mum. It was heartbreaking to see him so vulnerable at times. I DEEPLY related to Skylar. Frighteningly so. I am her, she is me.
I sped there this one, I live for the dram so I hope we get much more in book 2……now I’m going to going and read it!!!
I was in desperate need of a bingeable, angsty, drama filled teen romance like this. These type of books used to be the only ones I would read around two years ago, and in all honesty, I missed them.
I wasn’t expecting it to be mind blowing, just enough to keep me gripped (which it absolutely did) and to fill that gap that’s been slowing down my reading.
I really felt for Noah regarding the situation with his mum. It was heartbreaking to see him so vulnerable at times. I DEEPLY related to Skylar. Frighteningly so. I am her, she is me.
I sped there this one, I live for the dram so I hope we get much more in book 2……now I’m going to going and read it!!!
April 18, 2023
On paper this is everything I love in a book. Step-brother, bully, angst and OW to boot. So why oh why did this not hit the mark?
The answer is simple. The chapters were too drawn out and Skylar, she was too much.
There’s a fine line between a character who’s so unpopular that you feel sorry for them and them being a ‘woe is me’ style victim. And in this case, Skylar was the latter. It made it an uncomfortable read because Skylar was simply a simpering blob of mush at all times. The girl had literally no backbone.
If you’ve ever read Fox’s The Society series you’ll know she writes kick ass females so this was a blow to me as I adored that series and the girls that were part of it.
My other issue was Noah, yes I get he was hot but Jesus what about him screamed he was worth it? Yes he was a little broken but not enough that I fell for him. And also what in the ever loving hell did he even see in Stacey? I like a little OW drama but this missed the mark for me. The whole blackmail plot just made me a bit meh.
I think I was hoping for something to wow me, but because I was reminded that Skylar is a romance writer (and has been since she was 16 yrs old) 972 times throughout the book, it took the focus away from the emotional potential that this book had. Because let’s face it, a bad boy who’s broken and acting out because he’s hurting meets shy introverted girl who ends up being his step sister and decides to bully her because he likes her - it should have been a recipe for success. Sadly, it wasn’t for me.
The answer is simple. The chapters were too drawn out and Skylar, she was too much.
There’s a fine line between a character who’s so unpopular that you feel sorry for them and them being a ‘woe is me’ style victim. And in this case, Skylar was the latter. It made it an uncomfortable read because Skylar was simply a simpering blob of mush at all times. The girl had literally no backbone.
If you’ve ever read Fox’s The Society series you’ll know she writes kick ass females so this was a blow to me as I adored that series and the girls that were part of it.
My other issue was Noah, yes I get he was hot but Jesus what about him screamed he was worth it? Yes he was a little broken but not enough that I fell for him. And also what in the ever loving hell did he even see in Stacey? I like a little OW drama but this missed the mark for me. The whole blackmail plot just made me a bit meh.
I think I was hoping for something to wow me, but because I was reminded that Skylar is a romance writer (and has been since she was 16 yrs old) 972 times throughout the book, it took the focus away from the emotional potential that this book had. Because let’s face it, a bad boy who’s broken and acting out because he’s hurting meets shy introverted girl who ends up being his step sister and decides to bully her because he likes her - it should have been a recipe for success. Sadly, it wasn’t for me.
November 24, 2025
Little Stalker
This one broke my heart in so many ways I don’t even know where to begin. Skylar is beauty and brains but is also living within the shadows. Noah lost his mother to cancer and his relationship with his father is complicated. Grief and heartbreak was the main theme but also the story is relatable. Small town woes but Skylar has big dreams of people reading her words. Noah was just existing until she came along. Bullying and enemies to lovers trope was heavy. I would recommend this book to anyone who had to break their own heart. I gave this book 5 stars because of the emotional roller coaster and turmoil this book put me through.
This one broke my heart in so many ways I don’t even know where to begin. Skylar is beauty and brains but is also living within the shadows. Noah lost his mother to cancer and his relationship with his father is complicated. Grief and heartbreak was the main theme but also the story is relatable. Small town woes but Skylar has big dreams of people reading her words. Noah was just existing until she came along. Bullying and enemies to lovers trope was heavy. I would recommend this book to anyone who had to break their own heart. I gave this book 5 stars because of the emotional roller coaster and turmoil this book put me through.
October 11, 2023
Did I read this in 24 hours?! Yes, yes I did.
My hurt hearts with that cliffhanger!
These two Authors wrote something so heartbreakingly beautiful that sucks you in from the start. You are wrapped into Thatchers Bay feeling EVERY. SINGLE. EMOTION that these characters felt.
Masterpiece…freaking trying to wrap my head around this book because I loved it all while it ripped my freaking heart out.
I can’t wait for the conclusion to this duet.
My hurt hearts with that cliffhanger!
These two Authors wrote something so heartbreakingly beautiful that sucks you in from the start. You are wrapped into Thatchers Bay feeling EVERY. SINGLE. EMOTION that these characters felt.
Masterpiece…freaking trying to wrap my head around this book because I loved it all while it ripped my freaking heart out.
I can’t wait for the conclusion to this duet.
December 31, 2025
3.5-4 ⭐️
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a highschool MF book, and it was full of the typical teen drama. Main male character, Noah the 17yr old sex god… yeah I call BS. I didn’t realise this was a duet, and I really hoped it was going to finish strong, but now I need to decide if I want to commit to The Girl I Once Loved. Positive note in reading the second book, the main characters are no longer in highschool, and Noah slightly redeemed himself at the end of book one.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a highschool MF book, and it was full of the typical teen drama. Main male character, Noah the 17yr old sex god… yeah I call BS. I didn’t realise this was a duet, and I really hoped it was going to finish strong, but now I need to decide if I want to commit to The Girl I Once Loved. Positive note in reading the second book, the main characters are no longer in highschool, and Noah slightly redeemed himself at the end of book one.
March 9, 2023
Enemies to lovers and forbidden romance? I was hooked from the beginning of this angsty romance. I absolutely adored Noah, even though my heart broke for him.
If you are in the mood for a tension filled romance, with plenty of smut, I highly recommend this series! But I need the next book now!
If you are in the mood for a tension filled romance, with plenty of smut, I highly recommend this series! But I need the next book now!
March 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 The Boy I Once Hated- C.R.Jane & Ivy Fox
“Who would have thought that hate could taste this sweet?”
Go get this book ASAP because it was phenomenal.
I was grateful enough to receive an ARC of this and it did not disappoint.
I’m not usually one to enjoy high school romance, but it didn’t bother me one bit with how good this book was.
It brings out ALL the emotions. I was angry, I cried, I was giddy like a teenager, and now I’m just feeling desperate to get my hands on the next one😩 (yes, I think the wait is going to kill me).
That ending absolutely wrecked me and I’m at such a loss about how the next book is going to go, but I have no doubts that it will be just as good.
There are a few time leaps in this one which I didn’t always love because it made me wonder what events took place between the characters in them, but that was just a minor thing and personal preference!
If you’re into high school bully romance, step-brother trope, with lots of spice but with great emotional connection, this one’s for you!!
Blurb:
When Skylar and her sister up and move to Thatcher’s Bay to live with their new step dad and step brother, the last thing Skylar expected was to be instantly drawn to Noah; needless to say living across the hall from him wasn’t looking so bad.. or was it?
Noah makes it his new mission to make Skylar’s life a living hell and he succeeds, until his motives turn from bully to protector.
“But I can’t muster up the courage to go somewhere she’s not.
Not even in death.
The only thing that keeps me going, day by meaningless day, is that she’s living her dream.
Even if all my dreams are now dead.
I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.”
Talk about guy wrenching🥹🥹 They make me believe that soulmates are real
“Who would have thought that hate could taste this sweet?”
Go get this book ASAP because it was phenomenal.
I was grateful enough to receive an ARC of this and it did not disappoint.
I’m not usually one to enjoy high school romance, but it didn’t bother me one bit with how good this book was.
It brings out ALL the emotions. I was angry, I cried, I was giddy like a teenager, and now I’m just feeling desperate to get my hands on the next one😩 (yes, I think the wait is going to kill me).
That ending absolutely wrecked me and I’m at such a loss about how the next book is going to go, but I have no doubts that it will be just as good.
There are a few time leaps in this one which I didn’t always love because it made me wonder what events took place between the characters in them, but that was just a minor thing and personal preference!
If you’re into high school bully romance, step-brother trope, with lots of spice but with great emotional connection, this one’s for you!!
Blurb:
When Skylar and her sister up and move to Thatcher’s Bay to live with their new step dad and step brother, the last thing Skylar expected was to be instantly drawn to Noah; needless to say living across the hall from him wasn’t looking so bad.. or was it?
Noah makes it his new mission to make Skylar’s life a living hell and he succeeds, until his motives turn from bully to protector.
“But I can’t muster up the courage to go somewhere she’s not.
Not even in death.
The only thing that keeps me going, day by meaningless day, is that she’s living her dream.
Even if all my dreams are now dead.
I’m going to love Skylar Ames…forever.”
Talk about guy wrenching🥹🥹 They make me believe that soulmates are real
February 28, 2023
I’m speechless. Ivy and CR have left me speechless. This book WILL pull all your feels. My heart hurts for Sky and Noah, don’t get me started.
They did a phenomenal job and making emotional while reading. This book will keep you sucked and you won’t want to put it down!!
Skylar and Noah’s chemistry is just *chefs kiss* the push and bull and hate are everything to this story. I can not wait till book two!!
3/5 🌶️
They did a phenomenal job and making emotional while reading. This book will keep you sucked and you won’t want to put it down!!
Skylar and Noah’s chemistry is just *chefs kiss* the push and bull and hate are everything to this story. I can not wait till book two!!
3/5 🌶️
March 31, 2023
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4 / 5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : Yes
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 5/10
Overall Opinion :
I have read both these authors Individually but nothing could have prepared me for the utter perfection they would deliver with bought together!! This book checked all the great things I love like second chances , enemies to lovers ,high school bullies and so much more. The ending had me sobbing and now I want the next book so bad.
Ivy and Cr Jane have done an amazing job with these characters and the angst was good as well. It was not that dark although there are some triggers for you guys that you need to check before picking this one up.
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
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November 18, 2023
“If you kiss me in any way, shape, or form right now, Sky, you won’t leave this room with your cherry intact. I’ve tasted its sweetness and it’s taking everything in me to not steal it from you. So be a good little girl and go to bed. Final warning. I won’t give you another one.”
Oh my heart hurts!!! 💔💔💔
I adored Skylar and Noah! I honestly don't know how I'm going to make it until the sequel releases. Their story is far from over...
Oh my heart hurts!!! 💔💔💔
I adored Skylar and Noah! I honestly don't know how I'm going to make it until the sequel releases. Their story is far from over...
October 23, 2023
Reread: October 17-October 22
Since book 2 will be out in a few hours, I need to reread it again to refresh my memory. And yes it is just as good as the first time I read it. I am so excited for tomorrow!
Book 2 is coming out October 23rd!!
Reread: September 15th
I had to reread this. I missed Noah and Sky! Book 2 needs to come soon. That cliffhanger broke my heart. :(
June 26 - I need book 2!
Since book 2 will be out in a few hours, I need to reread it again to refresh my memory. And yes it is just as good as the first time I read it. I am so excited for tomorrow!
Book 2 is coming out October 23rd!!
Reread: September 15th
I had to reread this. I missed Noah and Sky! Book 2 needs to come soon. That cliffhanger broke my heart. :(
June 26 - I need book 2!
March 8, 2023
This story takes you through so many emotions. Even when Noah is at his worst it's so hard to hate him. I loved these characters, each has their own heartfelt story and leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for the next book!
April 4, 2023
the only character i actually liked was Daisy she deserves the world tbh.
the MC's are annoying & skylar was dumb af regarding her college decision like girl you want to be a writer so bad but did that & she barely wrote i cannot.
the parents can get fucked idc
the MC's are annoying & skylar was dumb af regarding her college decision like girl you want to be a writer so bad but did that & she barely wrote i cannot.
the parents can get fucked idc
December 28, 2023
Good but not good enough to continue the duet.
That’s unnecessarily dragging it so ‘I quit’
That’s unnecessarily dragging it so ‘I quit’
August 11, 2023
Dieses Buch ist so unfassbar ungesund.
Ich weiß, dass diese Art von Geschichte eine große Sparte hat und ich wahrscheinlich einfach zu 0.0% die Zielgruppe bin. Ich will hier auch nicht sagen, dass solche Geschichten keine Daseinsberechtigung haben, aber ich denke es ist trotzdem wichtig darüber zu sprechen, wie problematisch die Datstellunhsweise in diesem Buch ist.
Ich sollte vorab sagen, dass ich kein riesen Fan von ,,enemys to lovers" bin, weil ich einfach finde, dass die Charaktere teilweise so respektlos und unmenschlich miteinander umgehen, dass ich persönlich einfach nicht nachvollziehen kann, wie man einige Aktionen verzeihen kann. Auch hier ist nichts verwerflich daran, wenn jemand das mag und es al Unterhaltung sieht.
Die Tatsache, dass in diesem Buch jedoch ein 17 jähriges Mädchen gemobbt wird und das ganze soweit geht, dass Fotos, die sie praktisch ,,nackt" zeigen aufgehangen werden und niemand was unternimmt, schockiert mich. Das Ganze ist ein Problem in der Gesellschaft und die Tatsache, dass ihr keiner der Lehrer/innen oder Mitschüler/innen hilft, entspricht ja sogar (leider) der Realität.
Was ich jedoch äußerst fragwürdig finde, ist die Tatsache, dass die Autorin uns durch die Unterhaltung mit Noah versucht zu vermitteln, dass sie selbst dafür verantwortlich ist, gemobbt zu werden. Wo leben wir bitte?
Die Tatsache, dass das Menschen lesen könnten, die sich möglicherweise in einer ähnlichen Situation befinden und diese Botschaft möglicherweise verinnerlichen, macht mich einfach nur krank.
Ich könnte mich jetzt auch über den Rest der Handlung aufregen und wie unfassbar das Verhalten von Noah und Co ist, aber ich habe mich selbst dazu entschieden das hier zu lesen.
Abgesehen davon bin ich mir sicher, dass es Menschen gibt, die 1000% mal besser analysieren können, warum diese Buch mehr als nur problematisch ist und auch sicherlich schon getan haben.
Das Buch endet mit einem Cliffhanger und normalerweise würde ich schon aus Prinzip den 2. Teil lesen, nur um zu wissen, was passiert, aber ich passe.
Ich hoffe einfach (und das wird die Version sein, die ich mir merken werde), dass Skylar ihren Wert erkennt und Noah nie, nie wieder zurück in ihr Leben lässt. Dass sie einen Partner oder eine Partnerin findet, die sie mir Respekt behandelt, oder einfach gesagt, wie ein Mensch.
Oder vielleicht wird sie auch alleine glücklich, soll mir auch egal sein. Solange sie sich nie wieder so ein ekelhaftes, abwertendes Verhalten antun muss, wie das, was sie die Jahre davor von Noah und gefühlt jedem anderen in diesem Buch erfahren musste. Keine Aktion oder kein ,,aber ich habe es gemacht, weil ich die liebe", entschuldigt diese Art von Verhalten.
Ich weiß, selbst, dass die beiden wahrscheinlich wieder zusammen kommen werden, aber ich werde es nie erfahren und daran glauben, dass sie eine selbstbestimmte Frau wird, die ihren Wert kennt
Ich weiß, dass diese Art von Geschichte eine große Sparte hat und ich wahrscheinlich einfach zu 0.0% die Zielgruppe bin. Ich will hier auch nicht sagen, dass solche Geschichten keine Daseinsberechtigung haben, aber ich denke es ist trotzdem wichtig darüber zu sprechen, wie problematisch die Datstellunhsweise in diesem Buch ist.
Ich sollte vorab sagen, dass ich kein riesen Fan von ,,enemys to lovers" bin, weil ich einfach finde, dass die Charaktere teilweise so respektlos und unmenschlich miteinander umgehen, dass ich persönlich einfach nicht nachvollziehen kann, wie man einige Aktionen verzeihen kann. Auch hier ist nichts verwerflich daran, wenn jemand das mag und es al Unterhaltung sieht.
Die Tatsache, dass in diesem Buch jedoch ein 17 jähriges Mädchen gemobbt wird und das ganze soweit geht, dass Fotos, die sie praktisch ,,nackt" zeigen aufgehangen werden und niemand was unternimmt, schockiert mich. Das Ganze ist ein Problem in der Gesellschaft und die Tatsache, dass ihr keiner der Lehrer/innen oder Mitschüler/innen hilft, entspricht ja sogar (leider) der Realität.
Was ich jedoch äußerst fragwürdig finde, ist die Tatsache, dass die Autorin uns durch die Unterhaltung mit Noah versucht zu vermitteln, dass sie selbst dafür verantwortlich ist, gemobbt zu werden. Wo leben wir bitte?
Die Tatsache, dass das Menschen lesen könnten, die sich möglicherweise in einer ähnlichen Situation befinden und diese Botschaft möglicherweise verinnerlichen, macht mich einfach nur krank.
Ich könnte mich jetzt auch über den Rest der Handlung aufregen und wie unfassbar das Verhalten von Noah und Co ist, aber ich habe mich selbst dazu entschieden das hier zu lesen.
Abgesehen davon bin ich mir sicher, dass es Menschen gibt, die 1000% mal besser analysieren können, warum diese Buch mehr als nur problematisch ist und auch sicherlich schon getan haben.
Das Buch endet mit einem Cliffhanger und normalerweise würde ich schon aus Prinzip den 2. Teil lesen, nur um zu wissen, was passiert, aber ich passe.
Ich hoffe einfach (und das wird die Version sein, die ich mir merken werde), dass Skylar ihren Wert erkennt und Noah nie, nie wieder zurück in ihr Leben lässt. Dass sie einen Partner oder eine Partnerin findet, die sie mir Respekt behandelt, oder einfach gesagt, wie ein Mensch.
Oder vielleicht wird sie auch alleine glücklich, soll mir auch egal sein. Solange sie sich nie wieder so ein ekelhaftes, abwertendes Verhalten antun muss, wie das, was sie die Jahre davor von Noah und gefühlt jedem anderen in diesem Buch erfahren musste. Keine Aktion oder kein ,,aber ich habe es gemacht, weil ich die liebe", entschuldigt diese Art von Verhalten.
Ich weiß, selbst, dass die beiden wahrscheinlich wieder zusammen kommen werden, aber ich werde es nie erfahren und daran glauben, dass sie eine selbstbestimmte Frau wird, die ihren Wert kennt
March 5, 2023
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 4/5
Oh my heart is shattered… this definitely has a ton of emotions if that’s the kind of book you’re in the mood for!
At first it’s pretty slow paced in my opinion and you get quite a bit of backstory and build up in the beginning. I will say that it did take me a little while to really get drawn into the story. I don’t know if that was due to the pacing or that it wasn’t exactly what I was in the mood to read at that particular moment. (One reason being a mood reader can kind of suck lol) I pushed past it though and I’m really glad I did. It wasn’t long after that things picked up and suddenly I had sat up until 4am just to finish it. So don’t give up on it if you feel like it’s going too slow because you won’t be able to put it down later.
Part of the reason why is the tension. From pure hatred for each other, to stolen and risky moments together, to fighting their feelings for each other the tension is solid. The spice has this extra level of heat to it as well due to all of the angst that leads to these secretive and passionate moments that just make you drool. As they get closer to each other we get to see who Noah is beyond the rough and grumpy exterior he keeps up for everyone to see. I can assure you that this guy will have you swooning just as much as he will have you panting and cussing. 😅
Sky, our “little stalker”, man do I feel this girl in my soul. I saw so many things in her character that I can relate to so I felt very connected to her and invested in her happiness. The authors may not have intended for her character to have a diagnosis of any kind to explain her mental state but I absolutely saw some factors that lead me to believe she could possibly be neurodivergent. She obviously suffers from some severe anxiety but I have a feeling there’s more there. I’m interested in seeing if the second book sways my mind on this.
The last little bit of this boom had me all in my feels though in more ways than one. I’m angry, I’m proud, I’m heartbroken… not going to lie I’m kind of sick to my stomach over the way things went down just now. It’s got me both excited and nervous for how most of this next book is going to go that’s for sure.
I suggest check TW before reading if you have any triggers since there are a few things in the content I could see being triggering. Over all I felt the triggers were low compared to what I’ve previously read from these authors but still each person is different so don’t skip them if you normally need them.
Spice: 4/5
Oh my heart is shattered… this definitely has a ton of emotions if that’s the kind of book you’re in the mood for!
At first it’s pretty slow paced in my opinion and you get quite a bit of backstory and build up in the beginning. I will say that it did take me a little while to really get drawn into the story. I don’t know if that was due to the pacing or that it wasn’t exactly what I was in the mood to read at that particular moment. (One reason being a mood reader can kind of suck lol) I pushed past it though and I’m really glad I did. It wasn’t long after that things picked up and suddenly I had sat up until 4am just to finish it. So don’t give up on it if you feel like it’s going too slow because you won’t be able to put it down later.
Part of the reason why is the tension. From pure hatred for each other, to stolen and risky moments together, to fighting their feelings for each other the tension is solid. The spice has this extra level of heat to it as well due to all of the angst that leads to these secretive and passionate moments that just make you drool. As they get closer to each other we get to see who Noah is beyond the rough and grumpy exterior he keeps up for everyone to see. I can assure you that this guy will have you swooning just as much as he will have you panting and cussing. 😅
Sky, our “little stalker”, man do I feel this girl in my soul. I saw so many things in her character that I can relate to so I felt very connected to her and invested in her happiness. The authors may not have intended for her character to have a diagnosis of any kind to explain her mental state but I absolutely saw some factors that lead me to believe she could possibly be neurodivergent. She obviously suffers from some severe anxiety but I have a feeling there’s more there. I’m interested in seeing if the second book sways my mind on this.
The last little bit of this boom had me all in my feels though in more ways than one. I’m angry, I’m proud, I’m heartbroken… not going to lie I’m kind of sick to my stomach over the way things went down just now. It’s got me both excited and nervous for how most of this next book is going to go that’s for sure.
I suggest check TW before reading if you have any triggers since there are a few things in the content I could see being triggering. Over all I felt the triggers were low compared to what I’ve previously read from these authors but still each person is different so don’t skip them if you normally need them.
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