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Hardy Billionaire Brothers #2
Between Love and Loathing
Fake dating my enemy so I can design my dream bakery should be easy … as long as I don't fall in love with him.
Dominic Hardy might be an award-winning architectural engineer with fancy degrees and considerable accolades, but he doesn’t know a thing about baking.
He doesn’t even like sugar.
So when my late stepfather’s will states that Dominic Hardy is set to inherit the Pacific Coast Resort he’d painstakingly designed, as long as my bakery can be plopped in the middle of it, it’s no surprise he balks.
And my jaw drops when another stipulation requires us to mutually approve plans for my bakery’s design.
His stuffy taste will never mix with my whimsical vibe.
But then Dominic comes to me with a proposal I can’t refuse. He’ll give me everything I want in my bakery as long as I agree to one thing:
Fake date him for five months.
Keep his ex away by pretending we’re in love.
Smile and stare into his piercing green eyes at a gala or two.
Maybe share a kiss.
Nothing extreme.
Five months of acting in love when I really loathe him and his filthy mouth.
Even when he’s using it on me.
This should be a cakewalk.
Except there’s a fine line between love and loathing, and I think I’ve made the colossal mistake of blurring it.
Dominic Hardy might be an award-winning architectural engineer with fancy degrees and considerable accolades, but he doesn’t know a thing about baking.
He doesn’t even like sugar.
So when my late stepfather’s will states that Dominic Hardy is set to inherit the Pacific Coast Resort he’d painstakingly designed, as long as my bakery can be plopped in the middle of it, it’s no surprise he balks.
And my jaw drops when another stipulation requires us to mutually approve plans for my bakery’s design.
His stuffy taste will never mix with my whimsical vibe.
But then Dominic comes to me with a proposal I can’t refuse. He’ll give me everything I want in my bakery as long as I agree to one thing:
Fake date him for five months.
Keep his ex away by pretending we’re in love.
Smile and stare into his piercing green eyes at a gala or two.
Maybe share a kiss.
Nothing extreme.
Five months of acting in love when I really loathe him and his filthy mouth.
Even when he’s using it on me.
This should be a cakewalk.
Except there’s a fine line between love and loathing, and I think I’ve made the colossal mistake of blurring it.
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2023
8332 people are currently reading
64883 people want to read
About the author
Shain Rose
20 books7,308 followersStay connected with Shain and check out her:
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/author.shainrose/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.shai...
Website: https://www.shainrose.com
Shain Rose is an author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She fights for love one word a time. Those happily ever afters can be difficult to get to sometimes!
When she isn't writing, she's spending the days with Doc G, Liv and Gray Gray, and their wild golden retriever. She and Doc G drink way too much coffee, eat way too much candy, and fight like they've been married for hmm how long has it been now?
Life is good when the kids are behaving.
On the off chance she's not writing or spending time with family and friends, she's calling them to talk. And if no one answers.... then she's reading and watching trashy TV.
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/author.shainrose/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.shai...
Website: https://www.shainrose.com
Shain Rose is an author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She fights for love one word a time. Those happily ever afters can be difficult to get to sometimes!
When she isn't writing, she's spending the days with Doc G, Liv and Gray Gray, and their wild golden retriever. She and Doc G drink way too much coffee, eat way too much candy, and fight like they've been married for hmm how long has it been now?
Life is good when the kids are behaving.
On the off chance she's not writing or spending time with family and friends, she's calling them to talk. And if no one answers.... then she's reading and watching trashy TV.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,506 reviews
October 10, 2023
if my man started calling me cupcake or little fighter I would literally kill my self in front of him and change the trajectory of his life
May 13, 2024
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I'm having a hard time with the writing style of this story. The opening scene shows Clara at the doctor's, and then with no transition whatsoever, she's at the reading of a will. We are dropped from scene to scene, without any background information. The same happens with characters - new characters are introduced into scenes without giving the reader any introduction or explaining who they are and how they are there.
I think the biggest issue is that the author fails to paint a proper picture to set a scene and inform her readers about the what, where, and who involved. This shows that the visual that the author has in her head is not correctly translated to page.
The other issue I have is that Clara has no spine whatsoever. I feel like her inner monologues have more of a fighting stance than she does in reality (fiction). The other thing is, Dominic clearly sees this problem, that she never fights for herself, and is frustrated by it (same Dom, same). But he STILL steamrolls over whatever she requests (but doesn't fight for).
Overall, the writing lacks maturity, and the story proved to be more frustrating to me than anything else, so I am dnf'ing.
I'm having a hard time with the writing style of this story. The opening scene shows Clara at the doctor's, and then with no transition whatsoever, she's at the reading of a will. We are dropped from scene to scene, without any background information. The same happens with characters - new characters are introduced into scenes without giving the reader any introduction or explaining who they are and how they are there.
I think the biggest issue is that the author fails to paint a proper picture to set a scene and inform her readers about the what, where, and who involved. This shows that the visual that the author has in her head is not correctly translated to page.
The other issue I have is that Clara has no spine whatsoever. I feel like her inner monologues have more of a fighting stance than she does in reality (fiction). The other thing is, Dominic clearly sees this problem, that she never fights for herself, and is frustrated by it (same Dom, same). But he STILL steamrolls over whatever she requests (but doesn't fight for).
Overall, the writing lacks maturity, and the story proved to be more frustrating to me than anything else, so I am dnf'ing.
October 3, 2023
This was an addictive story that held me hard captivating me consuming me completely claiming me from head to toe it had fire desire and some delicious angst.
I was so CAPTIVATED and CONSUMED by Dom and Clara there chemistry was utterly consuming.. I was so smitten with them these two…
Shain chronic illness representation was beautiful and heartfelt she touched on some subjects that had my heart swooning. And the spice was beyond scorching it would melt a Cassock off of a nun. 🥵
This is another amazingly addictive installment to the Hardy billionaire series I’m in totally anticipation for the next book.
“5 stars!”
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was so CAPTIVATED and CONSUMED by Dom and Clara there chemistry was utterly consuming.. I was so smitten with them these two…
Shain chronic illness representation was beautiful and heartfelt she touched on some subjects that had my heart swooning. And the spice was beyond scorching it would melt a Cassock off of a nun. 🥵
This is another amazingly addictive installment to the Hardy billionaire series I’m in totally anticipation for the next book.
“5 stars!”
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 6, 2023
There’s no way I read the same book as everyone else. This man was legit crazy. I would be so embarrassed if he strolled into every room I was in and started threatening every man in in attendance. Clara had no character development…at all. She bent to whatever he wanted without any thought. I read a lot of romance but jesus, this is one of the worst of the year. I also never leave reviews but I’m so shocked when I saw this had such high ratings. I have so much to say but don’t even know how to word it. 🫢
September 16, 2024
I have read Shains entire backlist, most of them more than once, and I can confidently say this is my favorite book she has ever written. This book is easily in my top 5 reads of the year.
I absolutely love Dominic and Clara. Clara is a people pleaser who has never put herself first and I can relate to that so much. Dominic is rigid and very set in his ways. The two of them challenge each other and drive each other insane and turn each other into the best versions of themselves. I love everything about their dynamic.
Dominic is the ultimate alpha male. And Shain is the queen of dirty talk with her men. Sweet baby Jesus the things that man said make me shiver. He is just everything. If I had to pick one man Shain has written, it would be Dominic. I am in love.
Clara is so relatable and someone you just want to hug and also shake some sense into. This girl is capable beyond belief but she has never been told she is enough. Thankfully Dom puts a stop to that real quick.
Shains representation of chronic illness and invisible disabilities is beautiful. I love that this books climax isn’t actually something to do with this. I love that Clara’s illness isn’t what makes the relationship figure itself out. So many times you see the sick character get sicker and that’s what brings the two together. That was not the case here, and while Dom became more of this over protective self, it really didn’t change their relationship all that much. I really appreciated that Clara wasn’t left being defined by her disease.
This book was everything. Absolutely everything. I loved every single word.
I absolutely love Dominic and Clara. Clara is a people pleaser who has never put herself first and I can relate to that so much. Dominic is rigid and very set in his ways. The two of them challenge each other and drive each other insane and turn each other into the best versions of themselves. I love everything about their dynamic.
Dominic is the ultimate alpha male. And Shain is the queen of dirty talk with her men. Sweet baby Jesus the things that man said make me shiver. He is just everything. If I had to pick one man Shain has written, it would be Dominic. I am in love.
Clara is so relatable and someone you just want to hug and also shake some sense into. This girl is capable beyond belief but she has never been told she is enough. Thankfully Dom puts a stop to that real quick.
Shains representation of chronic illness and invisible disabilities is beautiful. I love that this books climax isn’t actually something to do with this. I love that Clara’s illness isn’t what makes the relationship figure itself out. So many times you see the sick character get sicker and that’s what brings the two together. That was not the case here, and while Dom became more of this over protective self, it really didn’t change their relationship all that much. I really appreciated that Clara wasn’t left being defined by her disease.
This book was everything. Absolutely everything. I loved every single word.
October 1, 2023
"You're the damn light in my world that I didn't want."
This book was as addictive as Clara's cupcakes! Also, who knew Dom would have such a dirty mouth? Wow... 🥵
This book was absolutely amazing! I couldn't stop reading it and I was obsessed with Dom and Clara. These two couldn't be more opposites and it was exactly what both of them needed. I loved every second of it. These Hardy men are elite and I'm a sucker for all their books. I devoured this book and I can't wait to read what comes next...
Shain is my forever go-to author. Anything she publishes, I'll read, it doesn't even matter what lol. I loved every second of this book and I already miss Clara and Dom!
🧁HEAT Empire Hardy Billionaire
♥️Tortured hero and heroine
🧁Sweets and Spice
♥️Opposites attract
🧁Fake dating
♥️Forced proximity
October 6, 2023
DNF..don't fall for the trap of all these five stars reviews, this one is REALLY bad. There's no believable storyline, the characters were probably written back in 2007 when it was cool for the fml to be characterless and the mml is just aggressive and full of ego for no good reason. I mean even the loathing is not there for goodness sake 😂
October 6, 2023
This was not a good book, but my god, I could not stop reading it. He’s a walking red flag and she is genuinely so dumb with the way she handles her health (I have lupus and the way it was presented in this book was JAWDROPPING it’s like the author pulled up a wiki page on it and that’s all the research they did). This was such a bizzare book with bizarre characters but I couldn’t stop reading. It was addicting in the way that wattpad books were addicting when it was 3am and you had school tomorrow. ALSO, BLACK AND WHITE ARE STILL COLORS. AND THE WAY HIS BOOKS WERE ALL SPINE IN ON THE SHELVES SO IT WAS ONLY THE PAGES SHOWING???? GOOD GOD. And the cupcake necklace made me cringe. A lot in this book made me cringe.
May 18, 2024
i have some things to say alright. what in the fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i believe this is the longest review i have EVER written.
i’m so mad y’all have no idea. what we have here is a fucking MAN-CHILD OF AN MMC AND FMC which is… i don’t even have words… the way she just constantly let people walk over her THE WHOLE TIME was driving me crazy.
the way dominic was just so MEAN to clara from the very beginning!!! there’s just no other word to use here—he was just a big big meanie of a damn CHILD!!!!!!!!!! and he’s supposed to have these great parents… yeah, we lost the plot in the meantime. just because you’re some fucking ceo and rich guy doesn’t mean you can get away with having literally NO MANNERS. and what’s up with that fucking bitch rita? what’s your problem? back to the main issue i have with this book—the way he was just constantly putting her down. it was just NEVER ENDING. and what the fuck do you mean it was supposed to teach her some kind of lesson of OWNING HER IDEAS and ENCOURAGING HER TO SPEAK HER MIND? WHERE THE FUCK this idea came from? oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
„And Clara didn’t know how to fight. At all.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, thinking back to how her mother had treated her when I’d dropped her off that day. Clara had been ready to walk right into that messed-up situation just to save her family’s reputation.
She didn’t fight it at all. And it had fucking bothered me more than it should have.”
oh :( ohhhh :( it bothers you :( womp womp :( maybe try thinking of that when you’re literally the NUMBER ONE BULLY OF HER BUSINESS IDEAS AND HER TRYING TO REACH ANY KIND OF COMPROMISE (SPOILER ALERT THERE WAS LITERALLY NONE EVERYTHING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HOW THE LORD AND MASTER WANTED IT TO BE BECAUSE HE WAS A CHILD WHO WOULD THROW A TANTRUM, STOMP HIS FEET AND YELL IF HE DIDN’T GET WHAT HE WANTED) (she kinda got what she wanted, in some way, because of the deal they got, but in the end, to me, that was definitely not enough for what he put her through)
i’m so angry. can you tell that i’m angry? i don’t really think you can tell that i’m angry.
him giving her bakery the things that were considered left-overs from the main restaurant at this resort just because, and i quote, he was sure the bakery won’t be a part of his business for long :(
„Well, Rita has a vision. And she fought for it.”
you damn IDIOT!!!!!!! i’m going to have YOUR HEAD ON A FUCKING PLATTER OR SOMETHING!!!!!!! I LITERALLY OFFED YOU IN MY MIND1!!!!!!!
„God, I knew you were unequipped to run a business, but I didn’t know you were this incompetent.” He shook his head at the wall.
your head just exploded. did you feel it. i sure did. i’m going to claw your eyes out. WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SO FUCKING MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!!!! and anytime i was hoping for her to stand up to him, have a conversation like grown ups they would just have sex. great. amazing. no development whatsoever.
he wanted to buy her a dress and he wouldn’t do that at the store she brought him to, because it was, i don’t know, beneath him :( but bringing her to his ex’s favorite shopping spot and seeing her there wasn’t :( yes, that was a great idea. do you want a cookie? a star sticker? or would you like a good boy sticker instead? and let’s not forget about how, of course, she gave him a blowjob in the store, after his ex pretty much humiliated her, but it’s alright, because it’s not his ex he wants on her knees before him, it’s her. thank GOD for this GIFT!!!!!
„I don’t care how you meant it. You didn’t think about it.” I crossed my arms over my chest. „You ruined what was mine. My mother and sister ruled my damn life, Dominic. You might not understand it, and I’m not going to sit here and cry about it with you, but I left so I could have something that was mine. Just mine! I bought the stuff that went in that apartment, I made it a home, I made it what I wanted, and you fucking destroyed it.”
and sometimes it’s okay not to forgive. i surely did not forgive or forget. and he WHIMPERS in answer to that. get real. but after that, of course, after moving her out of her apartment (without her knowing, BUT what’s important is that hers had mold in it, so i understand some level of concern he managed to muster and moved her—if he was really capable of that) they’re texting, going over the whole situation and, guess what, she goes to him ready to give him a piece of her mind. i was like: yes, finally. but yeah, that doesn’t happen—they end up having sex. because of course.
„I’ve always been a second thought or around when someone doesn’t want me to be. But I won’t be anymore. Not here. I’m not willing to be the person you wished you didn’t like, Dominic. I want someone to enjoy liking me. Love liking me. Or love loving me. And just me. Not the idea of what we could be if you mold me into what you want.”
she said that. i was like: congratulations, we finally managed to speak about what’s going on in our mind. we finally kind of stood our ground. amazing. after that, he doesn’t really have anything to say about what she had on her mind. he goes for manipulation, saying :( you can walk away so easily from me? :( womp womp :( just… OH MY GOD!!!!! AND THEN THEY HAVE SEX AGAIN!!!!!!! and after she voices her opinion on the fact that, as it’s mentioned above, she wants someone who will love loving her, we still, at the end of the book, go with the narrative of how much he loathes loving her :( but that’s how he knows he really loves her :( how do i even… what do i even say about it here.
i think the only thing i liked was when she started to voice her thoughts about how she deserves someone better than him.
„You don’t deserve me if you were trying so hard not to fall for me.”
well. yes. but it all comes back to how he just seemed to be her bully, instead of a man or even a partner. and i know, maybe, it’s not that deep—but i just couldn’t get over the way he spoke to her pretty much, i don’t know, for the first half of the book? who knows. and i’m supposed to believe they love each other. well, i don’t. i’m sorry. (am i?)
this was just too much for me. as you can probably tell at this point.
i’m so mad y’all have no idea. what we have here is a fucking MAN-CHILD OF AN MMC AND FMC which is… i don’t even have words… the way she just constantly let people walk over her THE WHOLE TIME was driving me crazy.
the way dominic was just so MEAN to clara from the very beginning!!! there’s just no other word to use here—he was just a big big meanie of a damn CHILD!!!!!!!!!! and he’s supposed to have these great parents… yeah, we lost the plot in the meantime. just because you’re some fucking ceo and rich guy doesn’t mean you can get away with having literally NO MANNERS. and what’s up with that fucking bitch rita? what’s your problem? back to the main issue i have with this book—the way he was just constantly putting her down. it was just NEVER ENDING. and what the fuck do you mean it was supposed to teach her some kind of lesson of OWNING HER IDEAS and ENCOURAGING HER TO SPEAK HER MIND? WHERE THE FUCK this idea came from? oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
„And Clara didn’t know how to fight. At all.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, thinking back to how her mother had treated her when I’d dropped her off that day. Clara had been ready to walk right into that messed-up situation just to save her family’s reputation.
She didn’t fight it at all. And it had fucking bothered me more than it should have.”
oh :( ohhhh :( it bothers you :( womp womp :( maybe try thinking of that when you’re literally the NUMBER ONE BULLY OF HER BUSINESS IDEAS AND HER TRYING TO REACH ANY KIND OF COMPROMISE (SPOILER ALERT THERE WAS LITERALLY NONE EVERYTHING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HOW THE LORD AND MASTER WANTED IT TO BE BECAUSE HE WAS A CHILD WHO WOULD THROW A TANTRUM, STOMP HIS FEET AND YELL IF HE DIDN’T GET WHAT HE WANTED) (she kinda got what she wanted, in some way, because of the deal they got, but in the end, to me, that was definitely not enough for what he put her through)
i’m so angry. can you tell that i’m angry? i don’t really think you can tell that i’m angry.
him giving her bakery the things that were considered left-overs from the main restaurant at this resort just because, and i quote, he was sure the bakery won’t be a part of his business for long :(
„Well, Rita has a vision. And she fought for it.”
you damn IDIOT!!!!!!! i’m going to have YOUR HEAD ON A FUCKING PLATTER OR SOMETHING!!!!!!! I LITERALLY OFFED YOU IN MY MIND1!!!!!!!
„God, I knew you were unequipped to run a business, but I didn’t know you were this incompetent.” He shook his head at the wall.
your head just exploded. did you feel it. i sure did. i’m going to claw your eyes out. WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SO FUCKING MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!!!! and anytime i was hoping for her to stand up to him, have a conversation like grown ups they would just have sex. great. amazing. no development whatsoever.
he wanted to buy her a dress and he wouldn’t do that at the store she brought him to, because it was, i don’t know, beneath him :( but bringing her to his ex’s favorite shopping spot and seeing her there wasn’t :( yes, that was a great idea. do you want a cookie? a star sticker? or would you like a good boy sticker instead? and let’s not forget about how, of course, she gave him a blowjob in the store, after his ex pretty much humiliated her, but it’s alright, because it’s not his ex he wants on her knees before him, it’s her. thank GOD for this GIFT!!!!!
„I don’t care how you meant it. You didn’t think about it.” I crossed my arms over my chest. „You ruined what was mine. My mother and sister ruled my damn life, Dominic. You might not understand it, and I’m not going to sit here and cry about it with you, but I left so I could have something that was mine. Just mine! I bought the stuff that went in that apartment, I made it a home, I made it what I wanted, and you fucking destroyed it.”
and sometimes it’s okay not to forgive. i surely did not forgive or forget. and he WHIMPERS in answer to that. get real. but after that, of course, after moving her out of her apartment (without her knowing, BUT what’s important is that hers had mold in it, so i understand some level of concern he managed to muster and moved her—if he was really capable of that) they’re texting, going over the whole situation and, guess what, she goes to him ready to give him a piece of her mind. i was like: yes, finally. but yeah, that doesn’t happen—they end up having sex. because of course.
„I’ve always been a second thought or around when someone doesn’t want me to be. But I won’t be anymore. Not here. I’m not willing to be the person you wished you didn’t like, Dominic. I want someone to enjoy liking me. Love liking me. Or love loving me. And just me. Not the idea of what we could be if you mold me into what you want.”
she said that. i was like: congratulations, we finally managed to speak about what’s going on in our mind. we finally kind of stood our ground. amazing. after that, he doesn’t really have anything to say about what she had on her mind. he goes for manipulation, saying :( you can walk away so easily from me? :( womp womp :( just… OH MY GOD!!!!! AND THEN THEY HAVE SEX AGAIN!!!!!!! and after she voices her opinion on the fact that, as it’s mentioned above, she wants someone who will love loving her, we still, at the end of the book, go with the narrative of how much he loathes loving her :( but that’s how he knows he really loves her :( how do i even… what do i even say about it here.
i think the only thing i liked was when she started to voice her thoughts about how she deserves someone better than him.
„You don’t deserve me if you were trying so hard not to fall for me.”
well. yes. but it all comes back to how he just seemed to be her bully, instead of a man or even a partner. and i know, maybe, it’s not that deep—but i just couldn’t get over the way he spoke to her pretty much, i don’t know, for the first half of the book? who knows. and i’m supposed to believe they love each other. well, i don’t. i’m sorry. (am i?)
this was just too much for me. as you can probably tell at this point.
October 7, 2023
After 30% I skimmed, mainly to see what this illness was
I don’t know what everyone else read but I read a complete doormat and an over the top drama king. The first spicy scene came from out of the blue, and made no sense given the story so far.
Not sure why I thought I would like it since I did not enjoy the first one, but given the reviews and how much I saw it on my fyp I gave it a shot…
This book just isn’t for me.
I don’t know what everyone else read but I read a complete doormat and an over the top drama king. The first spicy scene came from out of the blue, and made no sense given the story so far.
Not sure why I thought I would like it since I did not enjoy the first one, but given the reviews and how much I saw it on my fyp I gave it a shot…
This book just isn’t for me.
May 4, 2023
I'm a bitch for these books
October 9, 2023
It’s like someone cleaned up a wattpad book with grammarly. I don’t know how many times it needs to be said but if you cannot show chemistry without sex it’s not good chemistry. I skimmed through the end because I was honestly just so miserable reading it. Also I get that it’s part of a series but the randomly introducing unnecessary characters that add nothing to the plot is annoying asf
October 28, 2023
I read this because of one scene on bookstgram and the scene sucked. I don’t know why I do this to myself. At least improved a little bit.
October 5, 2023
shain really put her authorussy into this oneeeeee, LAWD.
i will never get sick of grumpy sunshine when he's so sassy and broody to her while secretly doing the cutest things for her and being an absolute simp.
this was EVERYTHING, fake dating + forced proximity + grumpy/sunshine + enemies to lovers + jealousy + so much more. i couldn't put their story down. it's hot, a little angsty, but he's also so sweet and ugh i just love them sm.
i will never get sick of grumpy sunshine when he's so sassy and broody to her while secretly doing the cutest things for her and being an absolute simp.
this was EVERYTHING, fake dating + forced proximity + grumpy/sunshine + enemies to lovers + jealousy + so much more. i couldn't put their story down. it's hot, a little angsty, but he's also so sweet and ugh i just love them sm.
January 28, 2024
I might DNF at 65%. There is so much going on. This entire book is all over the place. We start off with
1.Clara at the doctors—>
2.to being at a will hearing—>
3.to finding out she has to build a project with some hottie who supposedly “hates her” —>
4.to spending months without any significant interaction with said hottie —>
5.to being at a party and then getting a bit intimate which then steam rolls to him claiming her —>
6.to them coming to terms of a fake relationship to save his company from a obsessed ex??!?! —>
7. to him doing nice things and her having a problem with it. Or for him being too demanding and her not fighting for herself and having zero boundaries as a grown ass adult with her mom and sister —>
8.I’m literally confused
9.And the obsession!?! Like he went from disliking her and not interacting to kissing her and being obsessed and claiming her like Tarzan did Jane !! Yo like what is the plot? Where is the chemistry??! And all these random ass characters. We got Noah .. Valentino.. Paloma ?!! Hellaaa random !
1.Clara at the doctors—>
2.to being at a will hearing—>
3.to finding out she has to build a project with some hottie who supposedly “hates her” —>
4.to spending months without any significant interaction with said hottie —>
5.to being at a party and then getting a bit intimate which then steam rolls to him claiming her —>
6.to them coming to terms of a fake relationship to save his company from a obsessed ex??!?! —>
7. to him doing nice things and her having a problem with it. Or for him being too demanding and her not fighting for herself and having zero boundaries as a grown ass adult with her mom and sister —>
8.I’m literally confused
9.And the obsession!?! Like he went from disliking her and not interacting to kissing her and being obsessed and claiming her like Tarzan did Jane !! Yo like what is the plot? Where is the chemistry??! And all these random ass characters. We got Noah .. Valentino.. Paloma ?!! Hellaaa random !
September 29, 2023
Between Love and Loathing is simply unputdownable.
Rose has a knack for crafting the dreamiest jerks, and I mean that in the most positive way. I LOVE a good alpha but there’s a fine line between redeemable and irredeemable and some miss. Shain Rose doesn’t miss.
I fell in love with both Dom and Clara very early on. The push and pull. The tension. The STEAM. Sweet baby Jesus, these two were combustible.
They were characters of substance. Characters with real flaws. Characters who grew throughout the pages. Who took you on an emotion-filled journey. These characters made me feel anger and sadness. Pride and elation. I cried and I laughed. I lived and breathed Dom and Clara. And you owe it to yourself to do the same.
Rose has a knack for crafting the dreamiest jerks, and I mean that in the most positive way. I LOVE a good alpha but there’s a fine line between redeemable and irredeemable and some miss. Shain Rose doesn’t miss.
I fell in love with both Dom and Clara very early on. The push and pull. The tension. The STEAM. Sweet baby Jesus, these two were combustible.
They were characters of substance. Characters with real flaws. Characters who grew throughout the pages. Who took you on an emotion-filled journey. These characters made me feel anger and sadness. Pride and elation. I cried and I laughed. I lived and breathed Dom and Clara. And you owe it to yourself to do the same.
October 14, 2023
***ARC Provided by the Author***
DNF at 30%
Looking at the other reviews of this one, this was just me. But I couldn't engage with the story. It felt choppy and a little cliché with some of the drama added in just because it could be added.
There were also no transitions from scene to scene so I was never quite sure where the characters were...literally.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
DNF at 30%
Looking at the other reviews of this one, this was just me. But I couldn't engage with the story. It felt choppy and a little cliché with some of the drama added in just because it could be added.
There were also no transitions from scene to scene so I was never quite sure where the characters were...literally.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
Read
August 2, 2023dev edited this book❤️
November 16, 2025
This was probably 3.5 but RTC!
October 1, 2023
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING I DEVOURED IT!!!!! Let me tell you Shain knows how to write SPICE 🌶️BABY!!!
This kept me so invested from start to finish I couldn’t put it down!!!
This story follows the eldest Hardy brother Dom a richy rich bajillionaire architectural engineer & resort CEO & Clara who is a sunshine baker/bakery owner!!
They don’t like each other at first but there’s forced proximity/workplace romance 😏🤭 since Clara’s new bakery has to be placed in Dom’s new resort due to a stipulation in a will.
-The banter?? The spice???? I ATE IT UP BABY!!
-Also mention of chronic illness.
-OH AND THERE WAS FAKE DATING!!!
And the scenes with chocolate/whipped cream/cupcakes???
Ya this book ATE (and so did Dom heheh😉)
4.75⭐️!!
The only reason I took a .25 ⭐️ off was towards the end the nicknames were a bit repetitive but other than that this was my fav Shain Rose book!!
Thank you Shain for the ARC I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Read
April 27, 2024How do fuq y'all rating this five glowing stars?! 🤔🤔🤔😂😂 so many arc readers I presume.....
I'm trying to read rhis book and I think this is the second book I tried of this author....Her writing is atrocious and hard to follow.
The book starts off with the main h at the doctors office getting some kind of diagnosis....we don't know what the fuvk it is but its kind of bad? Who the fvxk knows. Then the scene switches jarringly to a lawyers office and someone died but I don't really understand who because its not explained really. And the whole time, the H that I think is the H is angry and an azzhole the whole time at her because shes allowed to get a bakery in his hotel that doesn't fit the aesthetic of the hotel. And then they mention something about her mom and sister but we don't know who they are and what's happening in their relationship. NOTHING IS EXPLAINED and its a jumbled mess. Even Jordan silver can explain what's happening better in her books 👀
Why is everyone making a fuss over this book? Its confusing and not well told. I don't know who is who, what is what and there's no character development or anything happening. I know I dnf a lot of books but this ain't shit.
Did not finish this book and will not try another book of this author 🤷😂😂👍
I'm trying to read rhis book and I think this is the second book I tried of this author....Her writing is atrocious and hard to follow.
The book starts off with the main h at the doctors office getting some kind of diagnosis....we don't know what the fuvk it is but its kind of bad? Who the fvxk knows. Then the scene switches jarringly to a lawyers office and someone died but I don't really understand who because its not explained really. And the whole time, the H that I think is the H is angry and an azzhole the whole time at her because shes allowed to get a bakery in his hotel that doesn't fit the aesthetic of the hotel. And then they mention something about her mom and sister but we don't know who they are and what's happening in their relationship. NOTHING IS EXPLAINED and its a jumbled mess. Even Jordan silver can explain what's happening better in her books 👀
Why is everyone making a fuss over this book? Its confusing and not well told. I don't know who is who, what is what and there's no character development or anything happening. I know I dnf a lot of books but this ain't shit.
Did not finish this book and will not try another book of this author 🤷😂😂👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2023
2.75
Spice is hella good, but imo maybe it was a little too much? Can’t they just have a peaceful normal conversation without the MMC being a horndog? The plot could have been executed way better, other than the two always ending up doing it. Points for Clara and Dominic though, they have good chemistry. Also I can’t picture Dominic besides the fact that he’s tall and have green eyes. Errh that’s it. Got a little boring towards the end so yea.
Spice is hella good, but imo maybe it was a little too much? Can’t they just have a peaceful normal conversation without the MMC being a horndog? The plot could have been executed way better, other than the two always ending up doing it. Points for Clara and Dominic though, they have good chemistry. Also I can’t picture Dominic besides the fact that he’s tall and have green eyes. Errh that’s it. Got a little boring towards the end so yea.
July 25, 2024
i need a dominic hardy so bad i’m not joking 🫠
February 21, 2025
This one had a really interesting story but something didn't sit tight with me. I can't pinpoint what it was lacking, maybe the chemistry between them? The back and forth? It dragged repeating itself? I really can't say.
Also who makes a declaration of love saying
"I loathe how much I love you"
"Well I loathe to love you too"
Also who makes a declaration of love saying
"I loathe how much I love you"
"Well I loathe to love you too"
September 30, 2023
Dom and Clara are EVERYTHING!! Clara is the most selfless sweetest, warmest heroine. Now all we need is for her to find herself a backbone. And in comes Dom super Boss, super Dominant, but somehow unable to resist our dear sweet Clara. And he LOATHES it! The rollercoaster of this relationship gives us the Highs and Lows. Plenty of OW drama, but Dom isn’t having it!!! The words that I have for Melinda and Anastasia…. There is no redemption for them whatsoever. I was rooting by for Dom and Clara, and was rewarded with the happiest HEA. I could not put the book down!! Who needs sleep??? Especially now that I have. Book hangover!!!! These Hardy Boys…. They absolutely join the ranks with the Armanellis and Stonewoods (who make their own guest appearances) Did Clara finally find her backbone??? GO READ THE BOOK NOWWWW!!!! You won’t regret it!
October 12, 2023
Overhyped, cringy author. Maybe it’s a cultural thing but I am only able to suspend reality to a certain degree. When the writing is poor and infantile, well the book shouldn’t have been written
February 1, 2025
Between Love and Loathing is entertaining. The slow burn, the enemy to lover trope. I enjoy Dominic. He is certainly a delicious hero. Miss Rose manages to write a engaging banter.
But the drama and the emotional connection is lacking.
4 stars
But the drama and the emotional connection is lacking.
4 stars
March 21, 2024
Well that was fun.
This is a super spicy, insta-lovey, fake dating billionaire romance.
I enjoyed the chronic illness rep a lot. Dom was hot af. There isn’t much plot but I still had a good time.
Thank you page and vine for the gifted copy!
This is a super spicy, insta-lovey, fake dating billionaire romance.
I enjoyed the chronic illness rep a lot. Dom was hot af. There isn’t much plot but I still had a good time.
Thank you page and vine for the gifted copy!
April 12, 2024
this is why I shouldn't let booktok influence me to read books 🙃
December 8, 2023
DNF @ 73%. The FMC, Clara, is the most annoying character I've encountered in awhile. She is petty, entitled, and complains nonstop about the free opportunities she keeps being given. There is no sexy tension between her and the MMC, Dominic, because she complains nonstop about everything and continually whines about how nothing is fair for her. She also talks about baking like it is brain surgery and no one else in the world has ever baked before except her and it's the most important thing in the world. In fact, not only does she act like baking is the most important part of the entire resort but she spends all her time complaining whenever people, who have not been handed everything in life, have any suggestions.
I really tried to force my way through this one but it only got worse and worse. Yeah the MMC had the whole successful alpha male thing going on but he looked like a saint compared to how incredibly annoying and stuck up Clara was the ENTIRE book. She's supposed to be a pushover but instead she's just a bitter dumpster fire of a human with no redeeming qualities and instead of developing as a character her growth is in the way of complaining more and more and becoming basically unmanageable. She even goes on a half million dollar spending spree just because her feelings were hurt and doubles down and says that it was tit for tat because the MMC was off doing some good deed and made her wait. I don't know how this book has such high ratings - I found it infuriating.
Update: I finished the last 27% of the book and it was just as painful as trying to get through the first 73%. Dare I say, this book becomes even worse as Clara continued to be incredibly antagonistic toward Dom in her nonsensical way. It's not hot banter - she literally just seems to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing and is incessant throughout the last of the book.
I really tried to force my way through this one but it only got worse and worse. Yeah the MMC had the whole successful alpha male thing going on but he looked like a saint compared to how incredibly annoying and stuck up Clara was the ENTIRE book. She's supposed to be a pushover but instead she's just a bitter dumpster fire of a human with no redeeming qualities and instead of developing as a character her growth is in the way of complaining more and more and becoming basically unmanageable. She even goes on a half million dollar spending spree just because her feelings were hurt and doubles down and says that it was tit for tat because the MMC was off doing some good deed and made her wait. I don't know how this book has such high ratings - I found it infuriating.
Update: I finished the last 27% of the book and it was just as painful as trying to get through the first 73%. Dare I say, this book becomes even worse as Clara continued to be incredibly antagonistic toward Dom in her nonsensical way. It's not hot banter - she literally just seems to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing and is incessant throughout the last of the book.
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