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Love or Hate
When Anita has the perfect, movie-worthy coffee shop meet cute, she doesn’t expect for the same hot guy in a suit to evict her from her home an hour later.
As insta-attraction turns into insta-hate, these two will find themselves at odds with each other despite the fact that, no matter how hard they try, they don’t seem to be able to stop kissing…
An enemies to lovers rom-com.
This e-book is only available as a FREE download on my website...
As insta-attraction turns into insta-hate, these two will find themselves at odds with each other despite the fact that, no matter how hard they try, they don’t seem to be able to stop kissing…
An enemies to lovers rom-com.
This e-book is only available as a FREE download on my website...
ebook
First published June 13, 2023
8 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Isley
55 books2,942 followers
Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.
She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you're a vampire, of course.
Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 19, 2025
i will admit, this book was much better than the first one i read (my billionaire grump). they are both definitely stand-alone, but some characters from the first book appear in this one also.
it's a cute, quaint, fast romantic comedy (obviously no spice). how the story played out was super cute and had me so happy for both characters at the end.
i think it's still just a bit 'too sappy' for me.
August 14, 2024
Pleasant, G-rated, romance short story
Twenty-something Anita and Humphrey encounter each other for the first time at a NYC coffee shop. Each is extremely drawn to the other. In addition to the fact that Humphrey is very handsome, and Anita is very beautiful, both are well spoken and friendly to each other.
Humphrey's father is a real estate mogul who has recently bought an apartment complex that was previously rent controlled, and he is tripling the rent. None of the current tenants, many of whom have lived there for decades, can't afford the new rent. Anita is one of the tenants. She inherited the apartment from a beloved relative, and it contains many wonderful memories as well as being one of the few places she can afford to live in exorbitantly expensive NYC.
Humphrey has been assigned to interface with these tenants. He is extremely guilty as he carries out the dirty work of his Snidely Whiplash father, but he feels powerless to do anything to mitigate the situation. His father has convinced him that unless he works for his father's predatory business until his father is willing to let him go (sometime on the other side of never), his father will make sure Humphrey cannot get a loan or rent any property in NYC to start the restaurant that Humphrey intensely wants to create. It is through his strong desire to help Anita that he finally realizes that he does not have to continue to be his father's financial hitman, and he can actually take concrete steps to mitigate the damage that his father is doing to Anita and the other tenants in her building.
These are the things that I liked about this short story:
1. Anita is a smart and principled woman and, as such, is a sympathetic FMC.
2. Humphrey is a sweet, metrosexual, Beta male, who respects Anita's intelligence and ethics and is open to taking her advice. The main focus of this story, and its entire romantic conflict, is Humphrey's psychological enslavement to his narcissistic father. Humphrey is pushed to, at long last, achieve liberation because he loves Anita more than he fears his wealthy, powerful father's ability to destroy his life.
3. This story is written as a traditional romance with the dual POV of both the FMC and MMC, rather than as a chicklit romance with the first-person, single POV of the FMC, which is frequently the case for this author.
4. Though this story has relatively few words, all of the conflicts raised within it are completely and believably resolved by the end of the novel. There is even a short and satisfying epilogue.
5. Though there is no sensuality beyond a few kisses, the author, thankfully, did not avoid including sex by characterizing Humphrey and Anita as asexual robots.
Some things that bothered me about this story:
1. There is no mention of when Humphrey went to culinary school to train to become a chef, and how he paid for it. Given the harsh, controlling nature of his father, I cannot imagine his father would have paid for that schooling. And he would have very likely made a number of cruel threats to prevent Humphrey from getting this training, even if Humphrey had figured out a way to go in debt to pay for it on his own.
2. Humphrey's odd name is rather off-putting, and that situation is not made any better by Anita's frequently referring to him with the grade-school, teasing (utterly unromantic) nickname, "Humpy."
An issue I have mixed feelings about:
The MMC and FMC, George and Lucy, from the novel, My Billionaire Grump, are crucial subcharacters in this story. For fans of that novel (which I decidedly am not, which I have spelled out in my review of that story here on GR), this story serves as a kind of extended HEA epilogue for them, as they are engaged and soon to be married. My issue with including them is that George is utilized as a deus ex machina to finalize Humphrey's escape from his corrupt father's clutches.
This romantic short story is only available in ebook format as a free download from the author's website. I obtained it in audiobook format from Hoopla.
Twenty-something Anita and Humphrey encounter each other for the first time at a NYC coffee shop. Each is extremely drawn to the other. In addition to the fact that Humphrey is very handsome, and Anita is very beautiful, both are well spoken and friendly to each other.
Humphrey's father is a real estate mogul who has recently bought an apartment complex that was previously rent controlled, and he is tripling the rent. None of the current tenants, many of whom have lived there for decades, can't afford the new rent. Anita is one of the tenants. She inherited the apartment from a beloved relative, and it contains many wonderful memories as well as being one of the few places she can afford to live in exorbitantly expensive NYC.
Humphrey has been assigned to interface with these tenants. He is extremely guilty as he carries out the dirty work of his Snidely Whiplash father, but he feels powerless to do anything to mitigate the situation. His father has convinced him that unless he works for his father's predatory business until his father is willing to let him go (sometime on the other side of never), his father will make sure Humphrey cannot get a loan or rent any property in NYC to start the restaurant that Humphrey intensely wants to create. It is through his strong desire to help Anita that he finally realizes that he does not have to continue to be his father's financial hitman, and he can actually take concrete steps to mitigate the damage that his father is doing to Anita and the other tenants in her building.
These are the things that I liked about this short story:
1. Anita is a smart and principled woman and, as such, is a sympathetic FMC.
2. Humphrey is a sweet, metrosexual, Beta male, who respects Anita's intelligence and ethics and is open to taking her advice. The main focus of this story, and its entire romantic conflict, is Humphrey's psychological enslavement to his narcissistic father. Humphrey is pushed to, at long last, achieve liberation because he loves Anita more than he fears his wealthy, powerful father's ability to destroy his life.
3. This story is written as a traditional romance with the dual POV of both the FMC and MMC, rather than as a chicklit romance with the first-person, single POV of the FMC, which is frequently the case for this author.
4. Though this story has relatively few words, all of the conflicts raised within it are completely and believably resolved by the end of the novel. There is even a short and satisfying epilogue.
5. Though there is no sensuality beyond a few kisses, the author, thankfully, did not avoid including sex by characterizing Humphrey and Anita as asexual robots.
Some things that bothered me about this story:
1. There is no mention of when Humphrey went to culinary school to train to become a chef, and how he paid for it. Given the harsh, controlling nature of his father, I cannot imagine his father would have paid for that schooling. And he would have very likely made a number of cruel threats to prevent Humphrey from getting this training, even if Humphrey had figured out a way to go in debt to pay for it on his own.
2. Humphrey's odd name is rather off-putting, and that situation is not made any better by Anita's frequently referring to him with the grade-school, teasing (utterly unromantic) nickname, "Humpy."
An issue I have mixed feelings about:
The MMC and FMC, George and Lucy, from the novel, My Billionaire Grump, are crucial subcharacters in this story. For fans of that novel (which I decidedly am not, which I have spelled out in my review of that story here on GR), this story serves as a kind of extended HEA epilogue for them, as they are engaged and soon to be married. My issue with including them is that George is utilized as a deus ex machina to finalize Humphrey's escape from his corrupt father's clutches.
This romantic short story is only available in ebook format as a free download from the author's website. I obtained it in audiobook format from Hoopla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
Very good, I enjoyed it. It was an easy read, that’s why i picked it up and it was different in a good kinda way. It was lighthearted and just gave me a little bit of nostalgia as tone of the main protagonists was a librarian and only got into reading because of their nana, my nan got me into reading when i was young and it just made me feel the story more.
July 7, 2023
I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series. It's a sweet story. The characters reminded me of my favourite chips, Lay's West Indies Hot 'n' Sweet Chilli. It has a HEA and can be read as a stand-alone. If you're looking for a feel-good book to crush your last-minute reading challenge goals, this is a good pick.
May 31, 2025
Another guilty pleasure book. 🙈. I just love a billionaire romance.
August 5, 2024
I didn't realize the book was so short when I bought it. I listened to the audio version which I enjoyed. However, every single obstacle they faced was resolved within two minutes in the audiobook. There was really no suspense, no conflict, and nothing really interesting in the book. Honestly, it was actually pretty boring. I would not recommend it. Don't waste your time!
January 4, 2026
Love or Hate by Camilla Isley is a light, playful short story about two people whose sharp banter and clashing personalities slowly turn into something more. This was a cute, mindless short story. I laughed out loud at the reference to You and the basement. “If you want to have fun with a peasant, be my guest” absolutely cracked me up, especially since it’s said by the son’s snooty father.
October 25, 2023
3,25/5 stars
It was a cute little read but because of how short it was it felt a little rushed and like there were missing pieces.
It was a cute little read but because of how short it was it felt a little rushed and like there were missing pieces.
July 23, 2023
I absolutely adored it! I fell in love with them immediately
As someone who isn’t a big fan of romance I found it very nicely written and I couldn’t stop reading! (I finished it in an hour or so)
Maybe because it was too short it felt rushed too but it gives Sunday-with-a-cup-of-tea vibes and im here for it!
As someone who isn’t a big fan of romance I found it very nicely written and I couldn’t stop reading! (I finished it in an hour or so)
Maybe because it was too short it felt rushed too but it gives Sunday-with-a-cup-of-tea vibes and im here for it!
June 18, 2024
Average read. Some things felt like way too quick but I guess that is when you read a novella. Love characters that are super passionate about their dreams and it makes me relate to them even more ❤ overall, a good read for when you want to get out of a slump or need a quick refreshing read in between some intense books!
December 29, 2024
This story follows from the previous one and centres around Lucy's best friend Anita.
I enjoyed this story a lot more than the first book. The way Humphrey and Anita interact and their relationship builds was pretty cute. A nice quick little HEA story.
I enjoyed this story a lot more than the first book. The way Humphrey and Anita interact and their relationship builds was pretty cute. A nice quick little HEA story.
July 14, 2023
Het was opzich oke. Jammer dat het zo kort was. Was beter geweest als er minstens 100blz meer was. Het voelde een beetje afgeraffeld. Anders had dat van zn vader er niet bij gemoeten
August 11, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up!
This was a cute novella! I kind of wish it had even been a bit longer. Loved the bookish aspect, as well. And I think it may be the first open-door romance I've read from Isley?? But I would say a cracked-door romance. It was still very mild. A perfect one to read all in one sitting!
This was a cute novella! I kind of wish it had even been a bit longer. Loved the bookish aspect, as well. And I think it may be the first open-door romance I've read from Isley?? But I would say a cracked-door romance. It was still very mild. A perfect one to read all in one sitting!
December 18, 2023
Speed run of You've Got Mail.
January 31, 2024
A lovely romantic short story just thought the end was a bit abrupt wanted more.
March 14, 2024
When I want a cute light fluffy quick rom-com I turn to Camilla Isley. Nothing too serious, deep or earth shattering, but enjoyable like watching a favorite movie you already know the ending to.
March 24, 2024
not exactly an enemies to lovers as it suggested, but still a lovely read
April 19, 2024
Cute, very enjoyable story
May 31, 2024
3.5 🌟
Super fofo!
Super fofo!
June 5, 2024
Cute book. Predictable but a nice, pleasant read. Skip ch 18 to avoid spice.
July 14, 2024
Easy reading. Hard for me to understand how she can differentiate between the guy who evicts her from the guay she met at the coffe shop.
I liked this one more than Grumpy billionaire, same author.
I liked this one more than Grumpy billionaire, same author.
August 4, 2024
Such a great quick read! I honestly love Camilla Isley books, they are just fun reads all around. Humphreys per name was just so cute, lol Humpy! Such a feel good read!
August 26, 2024
3.75 … rounded up
August 29, 2024
It all went a both too smooth maybe but that’s what I think you can expect in a short story and it was what I was in the mood for ☺️
December 20, 2024
Un libro corto, fácil de leer, emocionante. Es un romcom como los que conocemos, sabemos que va a pasar, pero nos hacen enamorarnos de los libros <3
January 30, 2025
This was so cute!
February 15, 2025
Camilla Isley is one of my favorite authors, but this one did not hold my attention.
February 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was just a little too short for my liking and felt rushed.
April 4, 2025
one of the dumbest books I've ever read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews