Hate

Love & Hate #1

by J.J. Dorn

There’s something about a horse barn in the early morning hours that makes my heart full. I love walking into the barn hearing the horses chewing on the sweet alfalfa and feeling their contentment. This is where I feel most like myself, this is where I am no longer Paige Vandenberg, daughter of millionaires or the chubby rich girl. I am just me and I am free.

I have been raised around horses my whole life. My parents own a large horse farm in the picturesque Dutch town of Lynden, Washington. Lynden sits just a few miles south of the Canadian border and truly is a small town. My family is one of the oldest families and we own or have owned practically everything. You can’t drive down the main road and not see Vandenberg scrolled on something. For many people I’m sure this sounds wonderful, but to me it’s a prison. One in which I fully intend to break free of next year when I leave for college. I will miss my family and of course my horses but I will not miss the people, and especially not resident bad boy Cutter Daniels. I hate him.

*Warning contains sexual content and coarse language. Mature audiences only 18+ years old.

Genres: College, Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Amazon, Contemporary Romance

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2014

About the author

J.J. Dorn lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and terrifyingly maniacal cat, Pippa Kiddleton. J.J. also lived in Oklahoma City for six wonderful years where she attended law school and worked as an attorney. She currently owns three American Paint Horses. She has been riding and competing since she was a very young child. J.J. competes on a national level with her horses. When she isn’t spending time at the barn, she is busy working on her next novel. Please visit www.jjdornbooks.com for more info. There are frequent sneak peeks of current projects!

Reviews

[Sahar · Rating 1 out of 5]

[DNF at like 5%] I have never read anything so awful in my life.. I couldn't stand the authors writing style, it sounded like a 12 year old attempting to write a story for the first time. I'm really sorry but this was a very poor execution of what could've been a good book

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books where the chemistry between the lead characters leap off the page and affect me, and Love and Hate did exactly that. Paige is the rich daughter of a couple who own a horse ranch and is a beautiful girl inside and out…even if she isn’t a size 2. She has very loving parents and a good group of supportive friends. So, you would think she had a “perfect” life, right? Wrong…she is the target of Cutter Daniels and his brother, Cooper’s, hateful taunts and name calling. She tries to steer clear of them in their small town which isn’t always easy, so she is looking forward to going away to college. Paige seems to be flourishing at college, making new friends and pledging a sorority. However, it doesn’t last long when she runs into Cutter Daniels. As her luck would have it, he is attending the same college that she is. She again tries to avoid him, but he seems to be seeking her out. A friendship develops between them, but as they spend more time together, Paige finds herself falling for the bad boy. He seems to be falling for her too, but does he have ulterior motives, or are his feelings real?

Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down. The angst and chemistry between Paige and Cutter was mesmerizing. I felt butterflies in my stomach when these two were even close to each other. I started out not liking Cutter very much. He was a jerk to her when she was a child. But, holy crap, he is one fine specimen of a man. There aren’t many women who could resist his sexy charm. By the end, he had me under his spell as he did every other woman in the book. And Paige, one of my favorite female characters EVER! She isn’t your stereotypical rich girl; she has so much substance and such a sweet, loving heart. Her heart is just as beautiful as she is on the outside.

Again, the push and pull between this couple is explosive! It’s not just a romance, but there is a lot of conflict, angst, anger, and tears. It does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, but not a major one that will rock your world. As I write this, I went right ahead, downloaded the second book, Love and Hate Book 2, Love. I am in the middle of reading it right now, and let me say….WOW!!! I am so glad I found J.J. Dorn!
***Book Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not read anything by this author before, and while I liked her flowing writing style I did not think much to the characters. Paige has been bullied by Cutter and his brother for most of her life. The story begins when Paige is off to college, unfortunately for her Cutter is going to the same one. There's certainly a lot of tension between the two of them some of it is sexual. As the story progresses they become closer. But it was Cutter that irked me the most, talk about moody, he would go from friendly to super angry within seconds and without any reason, if it wasn't for the fact he's a man I thought he might have PMT. All the time Paige and Cutter are together it just doesn't feel right, I kept waiting for the real Cutter to step up and be honest with Paige because it's obvious he's holding back with her, like he's hiding something. He just doesn't come across as honest. Paige was slightly less irritating but not by much. I only started this series when both books were published as I hate waiting, because this ends on a cliffhanger. Overall this was okay, but there's so much tension, and high emotions flying about. I had a headache finishing this.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, part 1 of 2.


I actually downloaded this book last year but it was only when I read the synopsis for book 2 that I decided I had to read this book.
If you were to just look Paige Vandenberg you would think she had everything, she's rich, her parents love her, her best friend is great, so is her life perfect! No far from it, she's a little chubby and the Daniels brothers Cooper and Cutter bully her constantly, calling her the piggy princess but it's not just silly bullying there's real malice behind it which is a shame because Cutter is every girls dream, too bad he's such an ass.
Paige is heading towards college and a new life the only real problem is Cutter is heading for the same college...I mean seriously what are the odds.
Once at college Cutter starts to act strange and Paige has no idea what to think, what on earth is going on with Cutter?
This is an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the second and final part.

[Qhuinn (hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contractions, please use them.

[Kim Brewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I liked it, but didn't love it. The characters were young and acted young....too young. But I do want to see what happens

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear diary

This book bounces between her and cutters point of view. It’s told in first person and for a young adult novel it’s is great. I loved the equine side of things, but I didn’t feel connected enough to either character, and a lot of the horse knowledge was missing from a novel told in first person by someone who has been showing for her entire life. I missed that aspect. I wouldn’t mind reading the next installment to find out what happens in the lives of both of them.

[Annette Vallieres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intensely complicated love story

Enjoyed the book my only suggestions would be a spell check, error corrections - missing words and sentence structure. Also, over explanations used for things the average person understands and descriptions needed for average reader to understand terms used in the horse industry

[Amanda Rude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series more than once. I rarely reread books let alone series. I love the chemistry and passion I feel in this book. I might be able to connect a little more to the background because the book is based in my hometown, but the characters make me laugh and I can relate to them enough to get sucked in. They are quick and easy reads. Highly recommend.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and fellow in love with characters

[Kim Howlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate Is book 1 in a 2 book series. This book is short and more like a novella, and the book does end on a cliff hanger, but not a massive cliff hanger where you are begging for more now, but a cliff hanger where you are just left with so many unanswered questions. Book 2 will hopefully be out some time this year.
The story is about Paige. She is a heiress to a very large fortune and reopened horse farm in Washington. Paige has been bullied for years because she has been curvy. Her nickname is " Piggy Princess" and has been taunted for years. The 2 people who mostly bullied her was Copper and Cutter Daniels. All their actions and bullying over the years has just made Zosige want to run away.
Paige finally gets what's she wishes for when she goes off to college. She's leaving all all her nightmares behind and Cutter and Cooper. That is until fate intervenes and Cutter Daniels is also at the same college.
Even though Cutter is now at college Paige still manages to start making a new life for herself, makes new friends and start to be happy for the first time in years. College life does wonders for her and Cutter sees this and starts wanting to be in her life as a friend. Over time they get closer and closer and truths come out and demons that have been hidden also come out.
Reading about Paige ding bullied wasn't nice. Bullying is so common these days and has such a effect in people's lives forever. Watching her go through it, I wanted her to stand up for herself, but standing up to bullying can go either way...scare the bullies off or make the bullying worse. I can understand her insecurities and vulnerability that she has in her lives. She's shy and timid and I was so happy when she went to go to college because you slowly start to see a different side of her even though one of her bully's cutter is going to the same college
Cutter may of bullied Paige with his brother by his side, but when his brothers gone, he's not the same person, Cutter is clearly fighting through his own demons esp when it comes to Paige and you could feel the struggle he's having coming from the Paige's.
Cutter and Paige do come to a truce in their lives as they both pledge bother and sister in a sorority. And when Cutter starts falling behind completly behind in his school work, it's Paige he turns to. Fate keeps pushing them together.
I'm think it must of took a lot of courage to forgive somebody whose been bullying you for years, and for her to forgive him do quickly and whole heartedly showed what a great character she is. She's forgives easily and helps out people who made her life hell, plus start having feelings for her bully. A lot of people couldn't do that what Paige did, so reading about it and reading her journey was amazing.
It wasn't smooth sailing for them, there was a lot of ups and downs along the way, but they fight hard to be together. Unfortunatly there's a call from home and they have to go back together for a emergency. Once home together things quickly fall apart because of Cooper and Paige dose what she knows best and runs.
The story was all about second chances and first loves, I loved watching the development of Paige from the timid, scared girl to the confident, amazing women she turns in to at the end.
Not knowing what to expect from the writer and their writing style, I have to say I was very impressed. The characters were developed very well, the story was predictable, and it flowed well. Over all it was wrote very well.
I can't wait to read book 2 and also read more stories from the authors in the future.
My only down point is the book was to short. The author fit a lot in the short book, but why not just release both books together to make it a full length book? I personal don't understand releasing short books on the same story because if you read a lot of book like I do then you forget what happens, and you don't want to read it again if you only read it recently. I don't have a problem with full length books having a series, that's different, but short books I feel should be put in one book.
Over all a 4 out of 5 stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part one in a 2 part series and although not exactly a cliff hanger, it definitely leaves things unresolved and you wanting more.

This is the story of Paige Vandenberg, heiress to a very large fortune and a renowned horse farm in Washington. She is known by her peers as Piggy Princess, and cruelly taunted for being a curvy girl. Her natural instinct when being bullied is to run.

Mercilessly teased by the Daniels brothers for years, Paige finally gets a break, when she heads off to college. The fates it seem have not been kind however, as she finds herself there with one of her tormentors, Cutter Daniels.

We meet Paige and immediately are exposed to the bullying and taunts that haunt her days and nights in the small town she lives. I wish she had been a character with more back bone and that she had taken her bullies head on as opposed to running away. Having said this, I did relate to Paige and her vulnerability.

College life sees Paige break out of her painfully shy shell and she starts making new friends. Suddenly, Cutter is interested in being her friend - and maybe even more.

Cutter quickly becomes a more regular fixture in Paige's life as they pledge for a brother and sister sorority. Away from the watchful eyes of home, Cutter and Paige develop a truce almost to the point of friendship. Cutter discovers himself falling behind in a class and asks Paige to help him. This begins the blossoming of friendship.

It is clear that Cutter is fighting his own demons where Paige is concerned - and you can literally feel his struggle as you read.

As their relationship develops - many hurdles are placed along the way to their happiness. You can feel the emotions between these two and it makes me giddy reading this tale of first love.

A tragic event at home sends them back for the first time as a couple. What happens during their time there will leave you gasping and on the edge for book 2.

The book is filled with the usual college drama's and lots of college parties - all themed as Paige is part of a sorority. I actually really enjoyed that aspect of the book. Once Paige got to college, I liked the fact that she had people around her that supported her.

I did connect with the characters and could definitely feel their chemistry in the pages. Dorn nailed the emotional psyche and over analytical mind of any college aged girl. I really loved reading the things that went through Paige's mind, because I related to them completely.

The book is filled with some really beautiful parts, and I really loved reading the joy and the pain of first love.

“You have no idea do you?” Uh, what? Nope, I think it’s pretty clear I have no clue.
“No idea about what?” I ask angrily.
He exhales deeply. “There is nothing casual about this Paige. I want you and not just for one night.”

“You are both broken, her more than you, but its time you try to heal. You need to let her go."

I do think as Dorn produces more works the books will only improve - and I know in time I will be ranking her along my list of favourite authors.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I really did enjoy it, and I loved the development of Paige throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading what happens to the characters in book 2. They have both been through the emotional wringer in book one and I am hoping that J.J. Dorn gives them the happily ever after they deserve. I will happily recommend this book for anyone looking for an angst filled and sometimes heart breaking short read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Paige lives in a small town in rural Washington. Her last name is synonymous with horses, as their well to do family owns a large horse farm. She attends a private school in the city, away from most of the kids in town, so she lives a little on the fringes of the high school social circle. Her best friend Lacey attends public school and is Paige’s bridge to that life, but there are plenty of reasons why Paige wants nothing to do with that crowd, most namely Cooper and Cutter Daniels.

Cooper especially has antagonized Paige since they were much younger. Paige isn’t your average stick thin teen like most of the girls around her, so Cooper has given her the name “Piggy Princess” which unfortunately is widely known. Cutter on the other hand, has never really felt either way about Paige. She’s simply been someone who is there, however when his brother is unrelenting at a party one night, Cutter jumps in and calls him off.

Paige is eager to graduate and move on to Washington State University, on the complete other side of the state. She is hoping that she will be able to start a whole different life; free of those that have made her life a living hell. What she hadn’t planned on was that Cutter would be attending as well. The strangest thing happens, the two become close and start dating. Cutter though has been keeping a secret most of his life, one that has influenced the way that he and his brother have treated Paige. Just when she thinks her life can’t get any better and Cutter’s secret comes out, tragedy happens, threatening not only her relationship with Cutter, but her life as well.

Hate was a fast, easy read that kept me engaged from the very beginning. The characters were well developed and Ms. Dorn did an excellent job of capturing that angst and awkwardness that is natural in those late teen years. I couldn’t help but root for Paige, knowing she had been an outsider most of her life. The book is relatively short and does end with a cliffhanger, though it’s not one that will leave you tearing your hair out! This was a solid four star read and I’m eager to jump right into the next volume, Love.

And to Ms. Dorn, it’s a well-known fact that all dirt roads lead to Pullman. WOOF! ☺

[Jennifer Shiels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I felt some things were rushed or not given much detail in this book but overall it was pretty good. Paige Vandenberg lives in a small town named Lynden, Washington. They are rich and own about everything in that town. She loves her family and loves to be with the horses on their horse farm. She's ridden for years and loves it, it's pretty much part of her. She's looking forward to going to college though and getting away. Most of the people are rude to her or harass her, especially Cooper Daniels. He has called her Piggy Princess for years because she has some curves on her. His younger brother Cutter doesn't treat her any different and she hates that she is attracted to him. When she goes away to school, it is 6 hours away and Cutter and another girl Laney are the ones that go to that school from home. She wants things to be different and not have to deal with people that have harassed her for years.

Paige is a really great girl who has been harassed for things that had nothing to do with her. She was blamed for being rich or snobby or other things that weren't her fault, when she is a truly good person and cares about others. She's attracted and feels things for Cutter and she doesn't want to. His attraction to her makes her question things and she doesn't know if she can trust him.

Cutter hasn't had a great life. His father died when he was a child and he had worked on the Vandenberg farm. Their mother was so hurt and devastated that she turned to alcohol to hide from the pain. Cutter and Cooper have been close and they didn't really have any parental figures to look up to. Girls throw themselves at him and he just enjoys going from girl to girl. He is attracted to Paige but he fights it all the time. He keeps secrets and lies to Paige sometimes but he doesn't do it to hurt her.

Worth reading. Going to read the next book to see how the story continues.

[Lena Dublin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige and Cutter's story was a roller coaster ride. It took me way up and feeling happy that things were finally happening for the young couple then it drops making me lose my stomach and breaking my heart. This ride is what kept me involved and wanting more.

Paige is a curvy rich small town girl with a love for horses and riding. She grew up being publicly humiliated by Cooper and Cutter Daniels. This is the reason why she has more flight then fight mentality. She cannot wait to go away for college to start over. It all sound perfect until she finds out that Cutter will be attending the same college as her. Cutter is an alpha male in the making. He starts growing into his own when he goes off to college and decides to go for what he truly wants, Paige. He earns his alpha male card when he helps Paige work through her insecurities and gains her trust. I was really routing for these kids. I wanted Paige to be stronger and Cutter to come clean with whatever secret he was keeping. The outcome is not what I was expecting but one I am happy with.

It was a hard book to put down, so I didn't. I cannot wait until the second book is released. This was a great first release by JJ Dorns.

[iloveladyporn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige is a beautiful curvy girl. She lives a life of privilege, but she isn't snobby. The local hottie and his brother have tormented Paige for as long as she can remember. She has no idea why they hate her, but they do. She has always had a crush on the younger brother Cutter, he just does something to her that she can't explain. When she goes off to college she finds out he is going to be there too, she just hopes he doesn't run into him, ever. Well, one thing leads to another and they start to form a friendship, but every time Paige thinks things are going well Cutter pulls away and says they can't be friends. Not only is she confused but so am I. After a bit of dancing around Cutter, takes the plunge and claims Paige. Things are great, but I am on the edge the whole time waiting for the other shoe to drop. Back home there is a brother that still hates her and her ex that is Cutters best friend so things have a potential to get ugly. When tragedy strikes and they both go home together it causes a shit storm. Things get better to just fall apart again. Things end so badly I can't stand it I have to dive into book two "Love" and hope that they get their HEA that I know they both deserve but it's not looking good. The sex scenes are tame- nothing detailed or raunchy.

[Isa Jones (Jo&Isalovebooks Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE AND HATE two opposites and yet two very strong emotions.

This is the story of Paige and Cutter, well it's the story of a very wealthy and protected girl who has been bullied her entire life by the one and only Cutter Daniels, so when fate throws them together and they end up in the same college you cant help but feel wary of the sudden attraction they feel for each other, is it really possible to move from Hate to Love in such a short time but impossible to Hate from having loved someone so fiercely?
The story had great pace and my only wish is that it would have been made as a standalone. Sometimes the Author takes bog risk ending the story in a cliffhanger as there are so many new books coming out every day, the plot has to be strong enough to withstand the test of time, but I think J.J has done just done and left us desperately waiting for the next instalment. The chemistry between the M and F leads is explosive and cant wait to see what the future has prepared for this two.

Love the secondary characters and I can see them having their own story in the future. A well written debut novel for Ms Dorn.


4 STARS!

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige has been bullied by Cooper and Cutter Daniels all her life and for the life of her, she has no idea what she's done to deserve it. As she gets ready to start college she's happy that she will no longer have to endure their hate. When she realizes Cutter Daniels will be going to the same college and living close to her sorority she makes sure she stays out of his way.

I knew from the beginning that Cutter had feelings towards Paige, yet the hate his family has for her blinded him until he was far away and his eyes were opened. Towards the end when the secret is revealed I felt for Cutter and Paige and I could not believe how it ended!

Ms Dorn, thank you for such an unbelievably amazing story that sucked me in from the beginning and didn't let me go. Need to get my hands on book two because I. Need. To. Know. if they get their HEA!! ~ Kara, 5 Stars

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige Vandenberg is the daughter of millionaires, or how she sees herself ...the chubby rich girl. She cannot wait to graduate and move on to Washington State University, on the complete other side of the state. She is hoping that she will be able to start a whole different life; free of those that have made her life a living hell, i.e. Cooper and Cutter Daniels.

As Paige is heading towards college and a new life, the only real problem is Cutter is heading there with her. Once at college Cutter starts to act strange and Paige has no idea what to think or what on earth is going on between them.

Just as Paige feels they are getting settled another curve ball is thrown and Cutter leaves her stranded and alone and with a lot of Hate.

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great story of Paige finding herself, growing and falling in love.

Paige is a strong, insecure yet learning about herself and independent. She is a great character and has amazing friends to help her.

Cutter is lost, confused and hopeful. Confused from what he knows as to what he feels, Cutter learns to follow his heart. However a secret he knows threatens to jeopardize all he has.

The story of Paige and Cutter is heartfelt, loving, sad and hopeful.

There is no cliffhanger or HEA, however there is hope in book 2.

[Sydnie Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books, I read back to back and were emotional and full of angst. College age, NA romance, about finding your way back to love.

[Renea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but needs edited

The storyline was good but the book definitely needs an editors touch. I'm usually not one to mention errors, but there were so many it was hard to overlook.

[Fria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jan Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Can't wait for book two.

[☆ Aimetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming