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Hate at First Sight

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"If both of us haven't found the person of our dreams before we're thirty, we have to marry each other."
It could be a sweet pact, but when it's between sworn enemies, it gets less sweet, real fast.


Sparks fly in this game of dare that is set on a collision course. Fueled by a rivalry that spans more than a decade, these two headstrong adversaries might have bitten off more than they can chew.

Meet Emma and Trevor, two fiercely independent individuals whose competitive spirits and sharp tongues have kept them at odds since childhood. Yet, as fate finds them both down on their luck, they make a daring if neither has found true love by the time they turn thirty; they have to marry each other.

The clock's relentless ticking fuels the scorching chemistry simmering beneath their relentless banter. But while Emma opens her heart to the prospect of love, Trevor has a different goal in mind. He finds himself sabotaging her countless attempts at romance, secretly longing for her to remain forever his to claim.

As Emma navigates a whirlwind of disastrous dates, she can't shake the feeling that someone or something is pulling the strings. Will their explosive animosity transform into an passionate love? Or will this dare lead them down a path they never expected?

In this enemies-to-lovers tale, dive into a world of witty banters, intimate revelations, and tempting passions. With every twist and turn in this romantic dance, discover whether their game of dare will ultimately lead to a love that defies all odds.

Audible Audio

Published February 20, 2024

3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

E.M. Jaye

14 books17 followers
E.M. Jaye is a romance and adventure author with four published books at this time. The True Immortal's Series is based on ideas E.M. had in her early pre-teen years. Characters and personalities were formed in her head while she would make up stories to herself late at night.

Her childhood home is full of notebooks with short stories filled with the characters who later evolved into the heroes and heroines of her books. She grew up loving books and the escapes they provide and hopes that her books will help you escape for a while as well.

She dreamed of writing a book for over a decade, but being risk-averse by nature, never pursued it heavily. Then fate intervened, and the only logical next step was to finally give in and let the words escape onto the page. She took the Indie route and is still learning and growing as an author.

While writing (which is always), E.M. can be hard to find but never fear, she always surfaces eventually and responds to any questions or comments sent her way.

Thank you for supporting this Indie author and as always, Happy Reading!

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Sheryl Medina.
75 reviews
April 11, 2024
I really enjoyed the storyline, especially the male seeking therapy to overcome trauma from a difficult childhood. I am not a fan of the AI Narration. The inflection and emotion were off.
Profile Image for Devin.
200 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2023
Thank you to Order of the Bookish and author E.M. Jaye for gifting me with an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hate at First Sight is a cute fast-paced rom-com enemies to lovers story featuring a cast of strong independent characters that you can’t help but root for. The plot of this book had me hooked from the start and I was very intrigued about the concept of a ‘marriage bet’ for lack of better words.

I will say that this book covers a lot of ground in the short 180 pages it has. The book would have greatly benefitted by spending more time on certain scenes and allowing the characters to take more time in their interactions and emotional journeys.

As I read this book, I found myself in the interesting situation of loving and rooting for Emma, while not really liking Trevor at all. It is made very clear throughout the story that Trevor has some anger and impulse issues, which made it hard for me to root for him, but I also think it added an interesting dimension and source of tension and growth to the story.
Profile Image for Jessica.
969 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2023
“I remember every single thing about you from those years. You're the most important person in the world to me.”

If you’re looking for a fast-paced rom-com with a marriage pact and enemies who secretly love each other, Hate at First Sight by E.M. Jaye is the book for you! This book was the epitome of a romantic comedy with hilarious banter, sabotage, and sweet romantic moments.

Both main characters, Emma and Trevor, are extremely relatable. Throughout the book they navigate their feelings for each other and experience extreme personal growth. Trevor experiences the most character development. He recognizes that he needs help and is willing to make changes in himself to be better for Emma.

The plot of this story was absolutely adorable. I just love it when two characters who say they hate each other have secretly loved each other from the start. E.M Jaye did a wonderful job with Emma and Trevor’s story. I highly recommend reading this story!
Profile Image for Krysta.
384 reviews24 followers
October 19, 2023
Trevor and Emma live in a small town and make a bet one night that if they aren't married by the time they are 30 then they will marry each other.

Only, they hate each other.  They have been fighting since high school.  Their friends know that they would be perfect together and try to set them up, but it turns out terrible!!

Their is a happily-ever-after and no 3rd act break-up!

Read this book if you like:
     small town romance
      enemies to lovers
Profile Image for Gina Burney.
189 reviews9 followers
October 27, 2023
A great quick read for any hopeless romantics that love an HEA. Plus it has all the things:

- forced proximity
- push/pull
- enemies to lovers

And more but I don’t want to give too many details away.

There were a few parts that felt a bit repetitive to me and though not a big thing for most it is a pet peeve of mine…

Overall a good read. Plus I definitely want to know more about some of the side characters.
Profile Image for Madhu Singh.
239 reviews5 followers
October 27, 2023
Tropes:- ✨ Book 1 in the Lovers of Beverly series
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Dual pov
✨ Small town romance
✨ Miscommunication
✨ Sabotage
✨ Childhood love

What will happen when you bet with your enemy?
Emma has bad records with relationship. She didn't have any seriously relationship yet. One day she met her enemy Trevor in the bar and both betting to get in relationship before 30 if their don't get relationship they have to marry each other.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
241 reviews6 followers
Read
October 30, 2023
I had high hopes for this book, the plot sounded amazing and like it would be a cute romcom. That is not what I got. I hated Trevor and as much as I was hoping my opinion would change it did not. He became so unredeemable for me, that I couldn’t get past it. That being said the writing was amazing and while the timeline jumped a lot (even mid-chapter), it could be followed.

💙💙💙
Profile Image for Lena Duke.
Author 1 book24 followers
October 18, 2023
As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb I knew I had to read this. Huge thanks to both @orderofthebookish and @e.m.jayebooks for a copy of this book.

Immediately I’m drawn to Emmaline. She’s such a sweet character—supportive, hard working, loving, down to earth. Everything you’d love in your MFC.

Trevor.. whew. You did a number to yourself & Emma. I didn’t like you at first but you grew on me. We love a MMC that shows growth and works on himself.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. I was happy then sad. Then mad. Lots of emotions.

The pictures. I absolutely 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 this gesture. Ugh. 🥹 Such a sweet way to show someone you love them.

Overall I loved the story, the character, the back & forth between Emma & Trevor… also Kate & Trevor.

This was a great enemies to lovers read. Give it a try if you love —

▪️ small town
▪️ one bed
▪️ enemies to lovers
▪️ childhood friends
▪️ character growth
Profile Image for Sam.
242 reviews25 followers
November 21, 2023
Absolutely loved this book so much 😍😍

Might be based on a historical miscommunication of sorts, but goodness is it done well! The ultimate long term enemies to lovers with a beautiful HEA!

The MCs stories and traumas and just everything was just *chefs kiss*
Profile Image for Alberline.
38 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2023
I highly enjoyed this book even though the characters managed to make me mad at them multiple times throughout.

I always love a happy ending but I hated the fact that Trevor and Emma went through so much just to get there because of their own actions.

Trevor has many things that hurt him in the past but he has yet to fight his demons, instead letting them rule his life in most things. The way he reacts to them is what causes most of his and Emma's problems.

Emma also has her own issues in that She is so picky in her dates that she can never stay in a long relationship.

Kate and Mark meant well but I did not agree with how they went about it. Rather than helping the two out, the consequences had one leaving long term and not speaking to each other for even longer.

In terms of readability, it wasn't terrible. There were some sentences that I wish they had used contractions instead. It was a good paced book. I didn't really enjoy the multiple time skips because I would have enjoyed having more info of their lives during that time.

PS Ben is a sweetheart.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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