Dear Hattie

by Cassie Mint

Hattie’s Guide to Crushing on Your Workplace Arch Nemesis:

Rule one: Do not engage. Do not give that doorway-leaning, sinful-smirking jerk the satisfaction.

Rule two: No more late nights together in the office. No more sparks flying by the water cooler. And absolutely no tackling him into the corporate ball pit.

Rule three: Never forget that you loathe each other. Never admit to any squishy feelings. Never let him sense your weakness.

And never, ever, ever become nemeses with benefits.

P.S. STOP BLUSHING.

Dear Hattie is a short and steamy novella, starring two workplace rivals who can’t get enough of each other.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Workplace Romance, Short Stories

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2023

About the author

Cassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.

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Reviews

[Céloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ "I want to grow old together and terrorize our nursing home.” EXACTLY. Wesley gets it.

I'm oddly still smiling over this a day later, so I'm bumping it to 4. It was funny and charming, and I could see myself rereading it sometime when I just want a quick little novella romance. Google-esque coworkers, Hattie & Wesley, are totally oblivious to their passionate-hate-that's-really-a-crush feelings...until they stumble into the same magic nap egg, followed later by a magical ball pit scene. This story has confirmed for me that all workplaces should really be made of Chuck-e-Cheese style play structures for fitting in self-care and romance on your coffee break. 🤭

➳❦ That beautiful witch did something to me back in the nap egg. Maybe not physically, but… inside. I’m knocked off kilter. Sleeping next to her has jumbled up all my innards. “Harriet Fry,” I say again, like repeating her name will conjure her somehow. Where is she now? Working with someone else? Napping with someone else? My chest twists at the thought, and I rub my gray shirt as I frown at my blank screen. Why do I care? I don’t care.

They're just cute dorks messing up, and it's fun to watch. I love it how Wesley calls her Small Fry and finds her so prissy with her little advice column and pencil skirts, while he's like this cool cat podcast wunderkind dude.

➳❦ I’m tired of sabotaging my connection with this man. Tormenting each other was super fun for a while, but I can do that and date him too. Right?

All the "Dear Hattie" letters in between chapters are just the icing on the cake; I think one of them actually ties into another one of her smutovellas.

➳❦ “Why is the bench orange?” I murmur as sleep creeps up on me, muffling my thoughts like cotton wool. It’s warm in here, and the air smells like Harriet’s coconut shampoo. “Orange is not a relaxing color.”
Her voice is soft. Soothing. “It’s the yolk in the egg. Dumbass.” 😂

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one felt like a Buzzfeed exposé 💀.

Anyway, this one wasn't for me- I didn't really like the characters 😭 and the fact that these two were clearly interested in each other for 2 years (and didn't act on it), not to mention the fact that we didn't see any of it, just didn't do it for me.

It just felt a little random to me 🤷‍♀️.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es muy corto. Si hubiera sido más largo y hubiéramos podido leer más sobre sus bromas de oficina, su enemistad, pues me habría gustado mucho más. Pero esa parte pasa rápido y sólo sabemos que llevan años así.

Encontramos el desenlace a una larga rivalidad que no está mal, se dan situaciones divertidas y se resuelve bastante bien. No se siente apresurado, solo me hubiera gustado leer un poco más.

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

Not bad not good either. Idk, the story just didn't click with me. Wesley and Harriet were bickering and aggravating each other for years, two years to be exact. But deep down they were attracted to one another and won't do anything about it. Of course, the time would definitely come for them to actually act on the mutual attraction. And they did, took them weeks to fool around before they finally did the deed.

Overall, still an okay read. Though I felt the ending was rushed. 🤷‍♀️

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can always expect Cassie to bring a fun, quick and cute read. Dear Hattie is her newest romance novella and it's a work nemesis to lovers story that you won't be able stop reading!

I was able to add this book on the last day of August before any wrap-up goes up lmao. I know I was going to enjoy Dear Hattie a lot, because Cassie never disappoints me. I know what to expect and I just truly enjoy and love reading these little stories every month. Her next book is coming up soonish and you bet I'm excited about that one.

I love how she gives you a little bit of the next book in her latest. I remember reading Chef's Kiss which was her latest before Dear Hattie and basically you get a little bit of this one in that one in terms of the Dear Hattie column. So it's very fun to already get excited for the newest story. And in Dear Hattie we get a little letter from the heroine in Husband Skills (the upcoming novella), so I'm definitely anticipating that one already.

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2✨

Not Cassie Mint's best. Characters fell flat overall, as did the story. The hook wasn't hooking like it should, and even Cassie's flair for quick hit smut couldn't make up for it. Just didn't work for me!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Thy Enemy.

I really enjoy Cassie Mint’s books but sometimes she just writes a standout. This is definitely one of those for me. I loved Wesley right off the bat. His love for Harriet totally made this book for me.

Sometimes with enemies to lovers I hate the hero because he’s too mean or the heroine because she’s too whiney and unreasonable. I didn’t get that from either character in this book. It ended up being surprisingly sweet.

The opening in the ball pit? Hilarious and totally relatable. Then later in the ball pit? Yum!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frenemies with benefits... so cute!

This is one of Cassie Mint's best.

Definitely a story I could handle as a whole book.

These two work together and kinda torment each other as foreplay. And when they kinda get together, the book doesn't stop! I don't remember another Cassie Mint that has this. Of course, none of that together time is shown, just mentioned.

Super cute and I really enjoyed these two a lot. I just wish the story had a bit more depth.

[Sarandah chrysalis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

[MerReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safe
No cheating (I am going to assume the H was faithful since meeting h)
No OW/ No OW comparison
No OM
virgin h
No history at all on H
No gross condom use
Sporadic few days separation
HEA
No real drama
Light read
Enemies/lovers
Office place romance
Hattie is sad her friend left to be with her husband and doesn't banter with her boss as much. He is worried and their relationship was cute, some parts made me smile. They start their romantic relationship (mostly dry humping whenever they are alone), and then before they go all the way she asks if they are going to have sex and he is sweet and romantic promising her getting married, having a family, growing old together. He wants everything forever and she is relieved and gives in. It is short, sweet, not much happens but it will put a smile to your face. It is a good palette cleanser read. I recommend it!
Happy reading!

[Lorena ♡ (semi-ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm obsessed. cassie mint did it again.

[Amara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was nothing like the synopsis. I was excited by the synopsis. That would’ve been angsty and emotional. This was flat.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie never disappoints. I enjoy reading her novels.

𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈, 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓊𝓃𝒽𝑜𝓁𝓎 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓇𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝑜𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒸𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒶𝒹𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒.

Hattie is an advice columnist for Dear Hattie and is feeling pretty low. She is missing her one and only best friend, who has moved away to get married. She never thought Welsey, her arch nemesis, would offer to buy her a soft pretzel and some coffee to take her mind off her troubles. She can't seem to shake these feelings for him, and she can't believe after all these years of hating each other that she would start to feel something for him.

With that little teaser at the end of Dear Hattie, I can't wait to read her next book, Husband Skills.

[Krissreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short office romcom 🫶🏼

Harriet and Wesley work together and go from enemies to lovers. This story has good banta making me laugh a few times throughout it and it was a really quick read only being 68 pages BUT it had a start, middle and end, with a bonus epilogue of 3 years!🤪

This had such good potential to be an actual book but for a little novella it was good!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
❤️‍🔥/5
🌶️/5

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[Littlebookishbirdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵: 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘹𝘺𝘨𝘦𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭.”

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
♥︎Frenemies to lovers
♡︎Office romance
♥︎He falls first
♡︎Nemeses with benefits
♥︎He is a bully
♡︎Secret meetings
♥︎Dirty talking

. . . . . .

I think I’m in my office romance era because they are really scratching an itch I didn’t know I had. I’m living for the power dynamic and the grumpy boss who is secretly obsessed. Wesley and Harriet are pretty fun. Their playful hate towards each other was cute but also pretty comical. Now Wesley isn’t technically Harriet’s boss, they work in different departments really. But he has that senior employee vibe, sort of doubles her experience.

I will admit the whole virgin trope doesn’t do much for me. And maybe it’s because of the way society is today, it’s hard to buy into this idea that all these female characters in their twenties are virgins. But both characters play it off cooly, neither makes it a big deal which I prefer.

This is a nice lighthearted novella. I loved their playful banter and even the drama was kind of funny, in a good way. I really loved reading from Wesley’s perspective. He is a great character.

It’s got a little bit of drama but it’s really just about these two finally communicating their feelings. The spice was pretty good and I think it’s a great read for those looking for something to read quickly in between other stuff.


𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝.

Aʟʟ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡs ᴀʀᴇ ʙᴀsᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴍʏ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ᴘʀᴇꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴs

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Hattie
This is a short novella with a workplace Trope and a bit of hate to love vibe

This book follows Hattie and Wesley.. You will find Workplace Trope, Arch Nemesis Trope, Hero and Heroine trying to best each other at work and more

Hattie's job is being an Advice Column Writer because she likes helping people and there are a lot of dear Hattie letters which her best friend helped her with.. Her best friend left the job to go home so now Hattie is working alone.. Her fav thing at work is annoying her co-worker Wesley because she thinks its fun and also because he is her Nemesis at work.. She also have feelings for him but will not say anything

Wesley works in podcast which he finds fun.. He works hard but his fav thing to do at work is annoying his co-worker Hattie because he likes to see how far he can push her and he thinks the more he can push her that she might see him as more than her Nemesis because he has liked her for a good while and has been trying to find a way to see if she feels anything for him

This book is packed full of:
⦁ Heroine is an Advice Column writer
⦁ Hero works in podcast
⦁ Arch Nemesis Trope
⦁ Workplace Romance
⦁ Hate to Love [sort off]
⦁ Nemesis with benefits
⦁ Both have feelings for each other for a while
⦁ Hot steamy kisses
⦁ Office Play [Near end of book]
⦁ Forced Proximity

I liked the romance between Hattie and Wesley because it was sweet.. I am glad that everything worked out and they got a happy ending

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a sweet and funny story about column writer Hattie and Wesley, who also works at The Pretzel Media-company.

Wesley is Hattie’s arch nemesis and they have some funny bickering, whenever they see each other at work.
The heat and flirting are just under the surface - there is a lot of push and pull, but in a fun and sweet way.

Hattie misses her best friend Simone, because she just stopped working with her and moved away. She meets Wesley at a point, where she’s tired, sad and hungry (we’ve all been there….), so she gets vulnerable with him, but quickly sprints away from him, because he gets too close for comfort.

Wesley know she’s embarrassed and trying to ignore him, so he sneaks into her “nap egg” at work (a private resting place with a bed). He tries to tease her, but ends up falling asleep.

But when they finally tries on the heat between them it turns sideways, so Wesley tries to pursue her again - and I won’t spoil the rest. ;)

I’m not completely sure if any - or both - of them are virgins, but there are some things that makes me (hope) think they are.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who would like a safe, quick, fun and sweet book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this one wasn't exactly what I thought it would be.
And I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.
The start of this bo0k I was more annoyed with Harriet (the heroine) because her throwing the depressive tantrum because her best friend moved to be with her husband was a bit juvenile to me. I can understand being sad, but being at your workplace and doing what she was, was just a bit ridiculous to me.
The banter between Wesley and Harriet was entertaining to read about. However, I don't understand why Harriet was so hesitant to embrace the feelings Wesley felt for her. They both participated in the banter between each other, yet she never questioned her "sudden" feelings.
I feel there were things that could have been explained better to make the story more believable and hash out all the inconsistencies with the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Hattie is a short and steamy, OTT, enemies-to-lovers, office romance. Harriet is a smart, sassy, and spunky writer. Wesley is a hunky podcaster and her arch nemesis at the office. Harriet writes the Dear Hattie advice column but can't seem to help herself. Secretly, she and Wesley are crushing on each other, with their verbal sparring their own version of foreplay. When they finally give into their attraction at the office, all bets are off. But Harriet is afraid of being hurt. Can Wesley prove he is all in? First off, I love all of Cassie Mint's crazy stories. She's one of my go-to authors for OTT, instalove, short stories... but I think this is my favorite to date. The witty banter between these two was hysterical. I kept laughing out loud at their interactions, and their chemistry was off the charts hot 🔥. We also get a great HEA after some steamy interactions. I loved it!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet or Hattie is an advice columnist. Things are changing and she just needs a minute. She knows things are bad, because she is talking to Wesley honestly and normally they just throw barbs at each other. When these twi start to grow closer, there are less harsh words and much more kissing, but is this just a game and will Harriet end up getting hurt?

I really enjoyed this one. It was playful, fun, relatable and hot. Wesley is a cutey, a hot, sexy cutie who is intelligent and head over heels for our girl Harriet. Harriet is cute, independent, playful, nervous l, inexperienced and a little lonely but she is fearless in taking the relationship to the next level.

Loved this, was funny, steamy and quick.
Another winner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relationship advice columnist Hattie and recording studio manager Wesley have been each other’s office nemeses, with verbal battles and sparks and whatnot, for two years. And then one prank gone too far, they find they have sparks of a different kind between them. But is it something that only happens in the office or can it be something more? This was such a sweet fun story that I didn’t really want it to end. Both the hero and the heroine were delightful, slightly quirky people, their chemistry was off the charts and the outcome good on all fronts. The writer has such a way of immersing the reader in the story that the people there feel like someone you really know and root for. Solid five stars. Cassie Mint never disappoints!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katy Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hattie” Harriet Fry “Small Fry” and her tall Wesley Tanaka

“Dear Hattie, Would it be bad if I slept with my mom’s ex-boyfriend? You have three days to write back, or I’m doin’ it. -Daddy Issues”. Lollllll!!!!!!!!
Lololol!!!! This is EXACTLY why I should never read Cassie Mint in the middle of the night. I CANNOT LAUGH OUT LOUD. My husband would never understand why he’s being woken up for this. He just doesn’t get why I read all these books all night… it’s not for the… well it is… but the humor is always unexpectedly way more hilarious than I can contain SILENTLY, lololol!!! I can’t wait to read this again a few months from now when I’ve forgotten all the funny stuff and I can lol again!!! It’s why I buy her books, gonna read them over and over, too funny… so much loneliness and angst and longing, great HEA. Side splitting humor. I love Cassie Mint.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute funny workplace rivals to lovers romance between Wesley and Hattie. Hattie is an advice columnist who is feeling really melancholy after her only friend moved away to get married. She can't believe it when Wesley of all people helps her process her feelings. Hattie and Wesley have had a continuous back and forth battle ongoing between them for the past two years. She's his nemesis so then why can't she stop thinking about him? I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this cute funny workplace rivals to lovers romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in a different way and I really enjoyed it. Including Dear Hattie letters in between chapters was a really cool twist. Now I’m hoping for several books to come out of those stories!! Harriett is the Dear Hattie writer and becomes extremely overloaded when her co-writer leaves. This opens the door to Wesley being able to be something other than her nemesis. He has feelings for her but never dreamed they would be reciprocated. I loved these two finding a new balance between feelings and fighting, with the added element of figuring it out within the office.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. These two have been picking at each other for years, but when Hattie accidentally shows a slightly softer side it opens up a whole new world. Though not right away. The book, for how short it is, still gives time for the relationship to develop into lovers who are adversarial in a fun way.

I don't get why the book keeps saying she is short. Five six is at least average. I also don't know why this bugged me...not that I wanted her to be shorter. Or didn't like the nickname. It's more that she is short in comparison to Wesley.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"... never let her sense weakness. The little minx will pounce."

Dear Hattie is a delicious, amusing and sexy story about two rivals at a newspaper who end up not being rivals at all. Harriet "Hattie" Fry is the advice columnist at Pretzel Media. Wesley Tanaka is the wonderkin of the organization when it comes to electronics and he runs the recording booth where the various podcasts and online content is recorded. These two have a banter that made me laugh and smile the whole way through the book, even when they are burning up the pages. I loved this short story, but just wished there was more as I did not want to say goodbye to Hattie and Wes at the end.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cassie Mint and her books. This book was such a good rivals to lovers book. Harriet and Wesley really have great banter between them throughout the whole book. They thrive through their banter. Even when they couldn't see outside of their rivalry their relationship was growing. Soon they couldn't stop thinking about each other and would look for each other at work.
If you love a good rival to lovers romance, you will love this steamy and fun read. The characters are amazing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advice columnist Harriet (h) feels lost when her only really friend moves away to get married, and the last person she expects to help her through her emotions is Wesley (H), her workplace nemesis with who she’s had an ongoing back and forth with for two years. As the two spend time together, the sharp banter that has been masking their feelings for one another gives way and Harriet and Wesley can finally admit the connection they feel for one another. Sweet enemies to lovers workplace romance with a side of heat and humor – the interspersed “Dear Hattie” letters were a cute addition.

[Alex Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4/5
I maintain that you can’t really do enemies or dislike or rivals to lovers in 60 pages. But Wesley was so cute. And I liked that Hattie was buttoned up and gave advise but was clueless about her own.
Another thing that’s hard for me are books where the majority of the relationship/friendship/rivalry is shown off page before the story begins. It makes the buildup feel unreal. I guess I just wish this had been a 200 page book because the premise and characters were great.
Also: so we know Simone from another book? I missed something.

No third act breakup, pregnancy in epilogue