Hate Me Take Me: A Novel

Obsessively Yours #2

by Laura Bishop

For fans of Lights Out and You, this follow-up to Love Me Stalk Me is a dark rom-com about a woman matched with her fantasy boyfriend by an AI app—unaware he’s actually her ex-husband, back to win her over in disguise.

When Amanda signs up for a beta feature of the Obsess AI boyfriend app—a secretive new match program that claims to pair users with real-life partners who match their fantasy settings—she thinks it’s just another marketing gimmick.

Sure, the guy it gives her is hot. Brooding. Protective. Motorcycle included. But he won’t take off his helmet. Won’t tell her his name. And somehow, he knows things no one else should.

She should be freaked out. She should stop letting him make her feel things. But something about him feels…familiar. What Amanda doesn’t realize is that the man behind the helmet isn’t a stranger at all. It’s her ex-husband. The one who walked away without a word. The one she’s spent years trying—and failing—to forget.

Now he’s back. And he’s not asking for permission. He’ll stalk her. Protect her. And when she begs him to take off the helmet and finally show her who he is? He’ll remind her: She asked for this.

She thought she was falling for someone new. But the truth? She might be falling for the one man who already broke her heart...and this time, he’s not letting go.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Rom Com, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 4, 2026

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulled me in within the first few pages. I wasn't expecting that given all the warnings at the beginning. Not a fan of stalking in my romance books, but this was a bit different. Amanda and Kade had a whirlwind romance - married hours after meeting in Vegas - which was passionate. After a month of bliss, an unthinkable accident happened, and she was in the hospital for a month and he vanished. Eight years later and she still carried the weight of the lost love. She chats with her AI Chad every night. Not realizing Chad was actually Kade. She shared all of her thoughts, dreams, and insecurities with Chad. Then Chad suggested to have her meet the real human Chad. Which was not surprising she finally did. Despite always wearing a motorcycle helmet, she fell for him. The relationship between her and Kade/Chad was hot. And at times sweet. Honestly, I really enjoyed their love story. It had spice, love, passion, and companionship, and I was cheering for them to get back together. Amanda deserved her happily ever after. I had some skepticism about why it took eight years for him to return. Though it was explained to the readers from the beginning. Which I appreciated. I did wonder why she was always carrying her purse. It went everywhere with her. Even when she was working in the department store. That was a bit unbelievable. Her best friend and sister were amazing and so supportive. I loved how they took care of her. I'm hoping for her sister's love story to be next. The ending was adorable, charming, and simply perfect. Overall, this was a sweet, hot, and at times a thoughtful love story. I totally recommend this gem. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC.

[Mary Gosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This was the second in the series, but could also be read as a stand-alone (Amanda is Izzy’s best friend - the first book was Izzy’s story). There are overlapping characters and it was great to see “after” of the first book, but everything relevant to this plot was easily explained throughout the book. Amanda and Kade’s story is similar to Izzy and Cal’s, with lots of stalking, obsessing, and possessiveness, but coming from a place of love (Kade was all green flags for me). I enjoyed how strong yet vulnerable Amanda was, both with her sister and best friend, but also with her AI boyfriend, Chad. The author also perfectly describes all of the emotions that Amanda goes through in her relationships over time - grief & broken trust, putting up walls to keep strength, vulnerability, and daring to love again. I also appreciated seeing Kade’s POV, as he struggled with keeping secrets from Amanda, both in the past and currently.

I love how Amanda and Kade both have such strong friends who love them and would do anything for them. I’m secretly hoping this means that some of these friends will be involved in future books in this series!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. I loved the first book in the series, Love Me Stalk Me, and was super excited to get an ARC of this one as well. This story follows Amanda and Kade. Amanda and Kade had a whirl wind romance and got married in Las Vegas. Not long after, Kade left with no explanation. Years later, Amanda is still strong, independent, and a force to be reckoned with. She has her best friend, Izzy, and a great sister, Raven, who love and accept her for who she is, but has no success with her love life as she is still broken from Kade. To keep it easy and light, she has an AI relationship with Chad. Unbeknownst to Amanda, Chad is Kade. I loved Amanda and Chad/Kade's banter and chemistry. Both Amanda and Kade are such great characters full of heart and grit that keep you invested and wanting to read more. Kade had such yearning to get back into Amanda's good graces and be the man she needs. Amanda is just amazing as she is strong, independent, and feisty. I loved seeing her finally reveal her vulnerabilities to Raven and be brave enough to give Kade another chance. I thought this was a great read as it is a fast paced, well written story full of heart and humor.

[Lesa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Omg this was phenomenal. I loved Amanda so much in Love Me Stalk Me I was stoked to see her get own book. About her and her husband Kade Steele.

I loved having the background of their relationship. Learning where and how learns to shot her pink weapon. Basically learning he taught her to be a badass.

I loved seeing Cal and Izzy. The banter between Amanda and Cal is amazing. Seeing how much Cal and Izzy still love each other was great.

Amanda’s sister Raven I hope she gets a book. Maybe one with Jake???

Chad her AI boyfriend coming to life was a great app development. Seeing how much Kade still knows about Amanda.

The other mystery factor of who tried to ruin Kade and Amanda was done brilliantly. At the start I was like ooo it’s this person then started nah maybe not. But then at 69% I legit send Laura Bishop a message with my final guess and I was right.


I can’t wait for you all to read this.

[SelkieReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but I think I still loved the first book more because I saw myself in my husband in the first books, characters more than I saw in this book.

I did absolutely love the second chance aspect because in general I always feel like as long as there wasn’t abuse, second chance romances are beautiful. Life is not perfect, nobody is perfect and sometimes people need to break apart to be able to put themselves back together again in a healthy way and become better than they were.

I also feel like this book was spicier than the first book because it is a second chance romance, and they had already been together as a couple beforehand so it moves very quickly.

I also enjoyed the action in this one too!
We love a lady who can handle her own business!

[aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank u to netgalley for the arc!

well yes!!! like i can’t lie i was expecting a bit more? i feel like the groveling was too cringe like i didn’t love it he should’ve been on his knees sobbing and crying apologizing but i guess ill take it. plot wise i knew going into this book that i would be getting rage baited and i did but in a good way!! some parts felt like i was missing context but that could’ve just been a me issue. overall, for a book i didn’t even know was going to be a thing (i was perusing netgalley and realized like yes i did read a book by this author before & realized i had gotten an arc or izzy & cal’s book last year), i genuinely enjoyed a lot of this book (except for the groveling. again, i did not like the groveling i do not approve). jake & raven book up next???

[Lisah Frankland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I figured out how to use NetGalley for ARCs and this was my first one. Thank you NetGalley, Lara Bishop and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity.

This book was phenomenal! I loved it even more than the first one. Was it the motorcycle riding Special Ops type of man or Amanda with her pink Glock being a bad bitch? All of the above. The perfect amount of stalking and description of motorcycle riding balanced with emotional vulnerability.

Give me 20 more just like it!

[BookishKB]

🖤 Hate Me Take Me🖤
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

💫What to Expect
• Second chance romance
• AI matchmaking app
• Dark rom com
• Obsessive hero
• Stalking
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
📝 Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Katie Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book, I HAD to read this one. I loved Amanda’s character and how badass and funny she was. I really liked her and Kades relationship and how they were able to mend things despite their messed up past.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!

[Alexis Stankewitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to The Publisher, Laura Bishop and Netgalley for providing me with a E-ARC of "Hate Me Take Me" in exchange for an honest review*

This was super cute and spicy.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Laura Bishop for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.

Hate Me Take Me is book 2 in the Obsessively Yours series. Our FMC, Amanda, is the best friend to Izzy, from Love Me Stalk Me. The MMC, Kade, and the chemistry between Kade and Amanda is out of this world. The character development and world building is delicious. The flow is fast but doesn't feel rushed. The spice is spicing and kinda unhinged. It's a second-chance romance, proving sometimes, there just might be a future in the past.

I highly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book on August 4, 2026.