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Hating Him
Seducing the wrong guy has never been so right...
Jake Kane only sees Mandy as his “little sister’s best friend,” no matter that she is twenty years old. After finally building up the confidence to seduce him, Mandy finds herself in his dorm room wearing nothing but a trench coat and heels…when his totally hot roommate walks in instead.
Rules for
1. Make sure to leave the light on, so you don’t mistake the sexy stranger/roommate for the one you were waiting for.
2. Never see him again even if he was the best kiss you’ve ever had and his incredible body is like something out of an erotic fairytale.
3. Do NOT fall in love with the self-centered, pompous, unbelievably sexy stranger.
Sadly, Mandy has broken all of these rules.
For Mandy Cross, an art major who only paints in black and white, cocky athlete Brandon Gage adds a dangerous splash of color to her life.
“King of Campus” Brandon is used to getting what he wants, so he won’t give up his pursuit of her—despite her telling him she has loved his roommate Jake since high school. After a sports injury, Brandon becomes her patient at the university health clinic where she works and hatches his own plan to make Mandy forget about Jake and fall for him instead. But he soon learns that pretending to date her only makes him want her more.
She says he pushes her buttons, but all he wants is to undo them.
The more Mandy gets to know the real Brandon, the more she realizes maybe she doesn’t hate the player. Maybe she just hates the way he makes her feel—tingly, out of control, utterly head over heels, and vulnerable to heartbreak.
*This novel was originally published in 2018 by The Wild Rose Press. This is a newly revised version. As a new adult romance novel, the story contains mature situations and sensual scenes.
Jake Kane only sees Mandy as his “little sister’s best friend,” no matter that she is twenty years old. After finally building up the confidence to seduce him, Mandy finds herself in his dorm room wearing nothing but a trench coat and heels…when his totally hot roommate walks in instead.
Rules for
1. Make sure to leave the light on, so you don’t mistake the sexy stranger/roommate for the one you were waiting for.
2. Never see him again even if he was the best kiss you’ve ever had and his incredible body is like something out of an erotic fairytale.
3. Do NOT fall in love with the self-centered, pompous, unbelievably sexy stranger.
Sadly, Mandy has broken all of these rules.
For Mandy Cross, an art major who only paints in black and white, cocky athlete Brandon Gage adds a dangerous splash of color to her life.
“King of Campus” Brandon is used to getting what he wants, so he won’t give up his pursuit of her—despite her telling him she has loved his roommate Jake since high school. After a sports injury, Brandon becomes her patient at the university health clinic where she works and hatches his own plan to make Mandy forget about Jake and fall for him instead. But he soon learns that pretending to date her only makes him want her more.
She says he pushes her buttons, but all he wants is to undo them.
The more Mandy gets to know the real Brandon, the more she realizes maybe she doesn’t hate the player. Maybe she just hates the way he makes her feel—tingly, out of control, utterly head over heels, and vulnerable to heartbreak.
*This novel was originally published in 2018 by The Wild Rose Press. This is a newly revised version. As a new adult romance novel, the story contains mature situations and sensual scenes.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2023
5 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Hale
8 books56 followersAlso known as Meredith Hale
Romance Writer. Romance Reader. Comedian.
M. K. Hale writes romance novels starring dirty-talking heroes and the witty women who leave them tongue-tied. She specializes in romantic comedies and has dabbled in comedy for years, including standup, improv, and sketch comedy. She believes laughter is the best medicine, except for, you know, actual medicine.
She obtained her English degree from the University of Maryland and spends her free time reading as many romance novels as humanly possible. If you enjoy paranormal reverse harem romance with an abnormal amount of heat, she also writes under M. K. Kate.
Follow her on social media: @mkhaleauthor
Facebook Fan Group: “M. K. Hale’s Hotties”
Join her newsletter:
http://www.mkhale.com/contact.html
Romance Writer. Romance Reader. Comedian.
M. K. Hale writes romance novels starring dirty-talking heroes and the witty women who leave them tongue-tied. She specializes in romantic comedies and has dabbled in comedy for years, including standup, improv, and sketch comedy. She believes laughter is the best medicine, except for, you know, actual medicine.
She obtained her English degree from the University of Maryland and spends her free time reading as many romance novels as humanly possible. If you enjoy paranormal reverse harem romance with an abnormal amount of heat, she also writes under M. K. Kate.
Follow her on social media: @mkhaleauthor
Facebook Fan Group: “M. K. Hale’s Hotties”
Join her newsletter:
http://www.mkhale.com/contact.html
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 10, 2025
Hating Him is a fun, sizzling, and emotionally satisfying new adult romance that delivers equal parts humor, heat, and heartfelt character growth. M.K. Hale takes a classic trope the best friend’s older brother meets the unexpected, irresistible third party and injects it with wit, charm, and crackling romantic tension that keeps readers hooked from the first page.
Mandy Cross is a refreshingly relatable heroine: creative, vulnerable, and determined to take control of her love life, even when her plans go hilariously off-track. Brandon Gage, the campus king with a reputation, becomes far more than the “wrong guy” once their chemistry ignites. Their banter is sharp, their emotional connection builds authentically, and their slow-burn transition from friction to passion is handled with a deft balance of playfulness and depth.
Hale excels at weaving laugh out loud moments with swoon-worthy intimacy, all while grounding the story in themes of self-discovery, trust, and learning to let go of old fantasies in order to embrace unexpected love. With its irresistible dynamic, character-driven heart, and sensual tension, Hating Him is a standout choice for fans of new adult romance, college settings, and opposites-attract, “he annoys me but I can’t stop thinking about him” relationships.
Mandy Cross is a refreshingly relatable heroine: creative, vulnerable, and determined to take control of her love life, even when her plans go hilariously off-track. Brandon Gage, the campus king with a reputation, becomes far more than the “wrong guy” once their chemistry ignites. Their banter is sharp, their emotional connection builds authentically, and their slow-burn transition from friction to passion is handled with a deft balance of playfulness and depth.
Hale excels at weaving laugh out loud moments with swoon-worthy intimacy, all while grounding the story in themes of self-discovery, trust, and learning to let go of old fantasies in order to embrace unexpected love. With its irresistible dynamic, character-driven heart, and sensual tension, Hating Him is a standout choice for fans of new adult romance, college settings, and opposites-attract, “he annoys me but I can’t stop thinking about him” relationships.
August 24, 2024
Would like to give 3.5 stars. It’s a super cute and quick read.
October 31, 2024
Light and silly but not my favorite, I think I just prefer older characters and not "new adult"
August 19, 2025
This was fun and fast paced. Just what I needed. Good writting style.
Maybe not exactly 5 stars but sooo close. The story flowed nicely. My first book from this author.
Maybe not exactly 5 stars but sooo close. The story flowed nicely. My first book from this author.
December 2, 2023
THIS BOOK!!!! I LOVED this book, the characters, the chemistry, everything! This was such a fun read and the main characters were very likable. The banter and the chemistry that these two had was unreal. I can't wait to pick up another book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews