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Hate by Proxy
She was everything he was looking for without knowing.
Love was the last thing on Sophie’s mind, until it wasn’t.
After the death of her parents, all she wanted to focus on was bringing her university grades back up. That would have been easy, if she wasn’t assigned the person she couldn’t stand the most as her Leo Russell.
An irritating thorn in her side ever since they met at the age of fourteen, but to her surprise there was no hateful mocking this time. Sophie saw a different side to Leo, an understanding one, and couldn’t help questioning everything she thought she knew about him.
Leo only wanted to return the favour after Sophie Grayson inadvertently helped him heal from his own grief when they first met. Though, the distraction from his parents’ divorce was a welcome bonus. There was nothing else to it, no matter what their mutual friends believed. A small part of him hoped she would see him differently, because he wanted to help, but could she let him?
An unexpected kiss is all it takes for both of them to spiral into hesitation and uncertainty, leaving them to wonder if new love would ironically bloom out of a dying marriage, or if death would be too much of a shadow to overcome.
Love was the last thing on Sophie’s mind, until it wasn’t.
After the death of her parents, all she wanted to focus on was bringing her university grades back up. That would have been easy, if she wasn’t assigned the person she couldn’t stand the most as her Leo Russell.
An irritating thorn in her side ever since they met at the age of fourteen, but to her surprise there was no hateful mocking this time. Sophie saw a different side to Leo, an understanding one, and couldn’t help questioning everything she thought she knew about him.
Leo only wanted to return the favour after Sophie Grayson inadvertently helped him heal from his own grief when they first met. Though, the distraction from his parents’ divorce was a welcome bonus. There was nothing else to it, no matter what their mutual friends believed. A small part of him hoped she would see him differently, because he wanted to help, but could she let him?
An unexpected kiss is all it takes for both of them to spiral into hesitation and uncertainty, leaving them to wonder if new love would ironically bloom out of a dying marriage, or if death would be too much of a shadow to overcome.
328 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2025
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 5, 2026
This became a rage read
I knew from the first few chapters of info dumping that I was not going to enjoy this book and usually I would’ve stopped but I thought to give it a chance.
The only reason it even got two stars was because it was coherent and had a beginning, middle and end.
It was plot hole galore with major character development being completely dismissed. Sophie was just as annoying at the beginning as she was at the end and honestly don’t understand what Leo saw in her. She is selfish and childish and did not grow in any capacity. 40 pages of her refusing to communicate like an adult was the worst of it.
I disliked how death was misused in this book, it was like people needed to die to advance the plot. One of the characters was terminally ill and again this was only so he could die later and give Sophie a reason to travel and stay at a hotel with one bed with Leo.
She starts off being terrified of being in a car but after 1 day when she sat in the car for all of five minutes she can now drive.
She is obsessed with her scar on her chest for half the book then all of a sudden it’s not all that important because Leo doesn’t see it.
The lack of developmental editing in this book made it exhausting to go through. This felt like reading a first draft where the author is telling herself what the story is going to be. Significant editing was required before this was published.
The third act break up was beyond disappointing. There was no actual resolution either. There was no growth, nothing to take away and then they moved in together when she bailed at the first argument?? It’s actually disrespectful to expect readers to believe this. I skimmed the last 50 pages because I just wanted it to be over and in all fairness I could’ve just stopped and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
This is an example of it is important to invest in your craft and get an editor.
I knew from the first few chapters of info dumping that I was not going to enjoy this book and usually I would’ve stopped but I thought to give it a chance.
The only reason it even got two stars was because it was coherent and had a beginning, middle and end.
It was plot hole galore with major character development being completely dismissed. Sophie was just as annoying at the beginning as she was at the end and honestly don’t understand what Leo saw in her. She is selfish and childish and did not grow in any capacity. 40 pages of her refusing to communicate like an adult was the worst of it.
I disliked how death was misused in this book, it was like people needed to die to advance the plot. One of the characters was terminally ill and again this was only so he could die later and give Sophie a reason to travel and stay at a hotel with one bed with Leo.
She starts off being terrified of being in a car but after 1 day when she sat in the car for all of five minutes she can now drive.
She is obsessed with her scar on her chest for half the book then all of a sudden it’s not all that important because Leo doesn’t see it.
The lack of developmental editing in this book made it exhausting to go through. This felt like reading a first draft where the author is telling herself what the story is going to be. Significant editing was required before this was published.
The third act break up was beyond disappointing. There was no actual resolution either. There was no growth, nothing to take away and then they moved in together when she bailed at the first argument?? It’s actually disrespectful to expect readers to believe this. I skimmed the last 50 pages because I just wanted it to be over and in all fairness I could’ve just stopped and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
This is an example of it is important to invest in your craft and get an editor.
December 9, 2025
This was a adorable read I’m not even gonna lie. You could say its a enemies to lovers but I wont. I’m saying theyre both in denial (well the FMC more than the MMC). From the jump you can just see the level of care and love he has for her and its so sweet.
They’re forced to be around each other with him tutoring her, and both grieving in different ways. Her the death of her parents and her almost losing her own life, and him the divorce of his parents.
That unexpected kiss?? Heyyy, trust it to always change everything and leave them wanting more. Its got the smut you want and the pet names you’ll love. Sunshine being one of them.
You’ll probably cry too, especially if you’re like me haha. A sap at heart.
Its a solid read so definitely give it a go!! Xx
They’re forced to be around each other with him tutoring her, and both grieving in different ways. Her the death of her parents and her almost losing her own life, and him the divorce of his parents.
That unexpected kiss?? Heyyy, trust it to always change everything and leave them wanting more. Its got the smut you want and the pet names you’ll love. Sunshine being one of them.
You’ll probably cry too, especially if you’re like me haha. A sap at heart.
Its a solid read so definitely give it a go!! Xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. The way the character's emotions shine through makes for such a deep and compelling story that's both relatable and thought-provoking. I really loved seeing the different ways the characters processed grief, and of course, the push-pull of their dynamic was also incredible 😍 I am just such a sucker for the kinda-can't-stand-each-other-but-kinda-like-each-other-and-are-forced-to-spend-time-together dynamic lol. Plus... SPICE. The story and characters really pull you in and make you want to hang out with them longer... imperfections and personal histories and all. And for that, I can't wait to see what other amazing stories we get from V. Clarke!!!
December 9, 2025
5 stars all around.
Frenemies to lovers. Check
Spice. Check
Did I cry? Check.
Ps. There’s a cat.
Leo and Sophie will be in my mind living rent free. Leo is a protective, smarty pants and quick with him comebacks when bickering with Sophie. (He also punches her ex TEEHEE)
Sophie is a soft hearted, sad girl struggling with grief. She too is a smart pants and throws bananas at Leo.
I genuinely loved this story so much. It was well written both MC’s had an incredible backstory. The author clearly put a lot of working into it.
Frenemies to lovers. Check
Spice. Check
Did I cry? Check.
Ps. There’s a cat.
Leo and Sophie will be in my mind living rent free. Leo is a protective, smarty pants and quick with him comebacks when bickering with Sophie. (He also punches her ex TEEHEE)
Sophie is a soft hearted, sad girl struggling with grief. She too is a smart pants and throws bananas at Leo.
I genuinely loved this story so much. It was well written both MC’s had an incredible backstory. The author clearly put a lot of working into it.
November 22, 2025
An incredible book by an incredible new author! The 2 MCs are adorable and the spicy scenes are *chefs kiss*. If you love a cute frenemies-to-lovers story with engaging characters and fantastic storytelling then this is the book for you! This is “book one” so I can’t wait for more stories from Clarke to come out. I really hope she grows into being a household name amongst the book girlies and instagram reels/booktok scene.
December 29, 2025
This book had me absolutely hooked from the get-go. The characters are believable and have a lot of depth, and the story itself was gripping and had me on an emotional rollercoaster the entire time!
This was a really strong debut novel, and I'm really excited to see what this author releases next!
This was a really strong debut novel, and I'm really excited to see what this author releases next!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews