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Hate To Love You: A Fairview/Spruce Texas Romance
Sometimes the person you hate to love
is the one you were meant to fall for.
Liam has one goal for the get through it.
Then he'll be back on campus where life makes sense.
No drama. No summer job at Gary's Grocers.
And definitely no dating.
Until he matches with a mysterious guy on a new app.
Someone funny, thoughtful, and easy to talk to.
How can sparks fly when you haven't even seen someone's face?
For the first time ever, Liam might enjoy his summer break.
Then in walks the hot new hire at the Teague Jenson.
The thick-headed, overly charismatic, ego-inflated "heart throb" from Liam's high school days.
The one Liam is now stuck training.
The one who seems determined to crack Liam's walls with his dopey lopsided smiles
...and the way he stands too close when asking questions.
But love follows no rulebook.
Neither does hate.
And when the lines blur between the two, Liam finds himself torn
between the anonymous intellect on the app who gets him
and the real-life disaster with a charm he can't seem to get away from.
HATE TO LOVE YOU is a standalone novella set in small-town Fairview and is part of the Spruce Texas universe. Originally included in the Heart2Heart Charity Anthology Volume 6, this version is revised and expanded by over 50% with additional chapters and a new ending, making it a fresh experience even for readers of the original. Expect enemies-to-lovers steam, adorkable rom-com vibes, and surprise cameos from the Spruce Texas Romance series.
is the one you were meant to fall for.
Liam has one goal for the get through it.
Then he'll be back on campus where life makes sense.
No drama. No summer job at Gary's Grocers.
And definitely no dating.
Until he matches with a mysterious guy on a new app.
Someone funny, thoughtful, and easy to talk to.
How can sparks fly when you haven't even seen someone's face?
For the first time ever, Liam might enjoy his summer break.
Then in walks the hot new hire at the Teague Jenson.
The thick-headed, overly charismatic, ego-inflated "heart throb" from Liam's high school days.
The one Liam is now stuck training.
The one who seems determined to crack Liam's walls with his dopey lopsided smiles
...and the way he stands too close when asking questions.
But love follows no rulebook.
Neither does hate.
And when the lines blur between the two, Liam finds himself torn
between the anonymous intellect on the app who gets him
and the real-life disaster with a charm he can't seem to get away from.
HATE TO LOVE YOU is a standalone novella set in small-town Fairview and is part of the Spruce Texas universe. Originally included in the Heart2Heart Charity Anthology Volume 6, this version is revised and expanded by over 50% with additional chapters and a new ending, making it a fresh experience even for readers of the original. Expect enemies-to-lovers steam, adorkable rom-com vibes, and surprise cameos from the Spruce Texas Romance series.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2025
About the author
Daryl Banner
103 books2,016 followersDaryl Banner is a USA Today Bestselling author, composer, and performer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Honors College with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He is happily married to his piano. Theory suggests this is why he writes romance.
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
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Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
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Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 27, 2026
This one kind of threw me off because it was written in third person instead of first like the rest of Daryl Banner's books that I've read!
I vaguely remember reading the short version of it in an anthology, and I'm glad it was expanded. I do hope there'll be more books to come for Fairview though.
I vaguely remember reading the short version of it in an anthology, and I'm glad it was expanded. I do hope there'll be more books to come for Fairview though.
January 30, 2026
A Dating App Demonstrated They Were Destined to be Together.
Daryl Banner deftly constructs enchanting worlds within his Spruce Texas series and the interconnected town of Fairview. In this particular installment, Liam reflects on his dismal high school years, marked by taunts from Teague Jenson, who derided him with the nickname Peanut—a term Liam detested.
When Teague, the former captain of the wrestling team, with the energetic spirit of a Labrador Retriever and strikingly good looks, begins working at the same grocery store where Liam is employed for the summer, Liam is dismayed. He resents the need to instruct Teague on job responsibilities, laments having to give repeated instructions for fundamental tasks, and notes Teague's attractiveness.
Liam has been engaging with an anonymous individual on a dating app, sharing confidences and aspirations. It is, of course, revealed early on that the person is Teague, identifiable by his handle "HateToLoveYou," where he admits he was unaware it was Liam with whom he was communicating.
The two are unexpectedly brought together in almost serendipitous circumstances, compelling them to embark on journeys together, learn grocery store operations from Liam, and undertake other assignments that necessitate their continued collaboration.
This book provides a delightful reading experience. While the ending is anticipated, the journey itself is profoundly enjoyable. The happily ever after transforms everything—including Teague's significant estrangement from his father, and Liam's heartfelt admission that he had long wished to know Teague during high school, despite his initial perception of Teague as an ego-inflated "heartthrob."
For readers familiar with any of the Spruce Texas Romance stories, this book is an essential read. It beautifully captures the charm of these towns and the men who reside within them. I'd love more stories that feature the wide diversity of characters Daryl Banner has created.
Daryl Banner deftly constructs enchanting worlds within his Spruce Texas series and the interconnected town of Fairview. In this particular installment, Liam reflects on his dismal high school years, marked by taunts from Teague Jenson, who derided him with the nickname Peanut—a term Liam detested.
When Teague, the former captain of the wrestling team, with the energetic spirit of a Labrador Retriever and strikingly good looks, begins working at the same grocery store where Liam is employed for the summer, Liam is dismayed. He resents the need to instruct Teague on job responsibilities, laments having to give repeated instructions for fundamental tasks, and notes Teague's attractiveness.
Liam has been engaging with an anonymous individual on a dating app, sharing confidences and aspirations. It is, of course, revealed early on that the person is Teague, identifiable by his handle "HateToLoveYou," where he admits he was unaware it was Liam with whom he was communicating.
The two are unexpectedly brought together in almost serendipitous circumstances, compelling them to embark on journeys together, learn grocery store operations from Liam, and undertake other assignments that necessitate their continued collaboration.
This book provides a delightful reading experience. While the ending is anticipated, the journey itself is profoundly enjoyable. The happily ever after transforms everything—including Teague's significant estrangement from his father, and Liam's heartfelt admission that he had long wished to know Teague during high school, despite his initial perception of Teague as an ego-inflated "heartthrob."
For readers familiar with any of the Spruce Texas Romance stories, this book is an essential read. It beautifully captures the charm of these towns and the men who reside within them. I'd love more stories that feature the wide diversity of characters Daryl Banner has created.
November 30, 2025
Sweet, low angst love story. I wasn’t too sure about Teague, at times he was a bit too much so I could relate to Liam. They still needed to improve on communication, they were still such young boys with lots of time to grow and learn.
The little background character depth was ok but could have been more polished.
The romance flow was a little off at times, too slow at first only to later finally picked up, but maybe a bit too fast to get spice in, the built up needed more fine tuning.
The lovey-dovey afterwards was so cheesy, but well I guess it was two fools in love who didn’t want to waste any another moment which was cute in a way.
“The seconds slow as they tick by, filling each and every one of them with an expanse of anticipation, thick and tense and intimate. Powerfully intimate.”
“I trust you.” The two lock eyes, the humor in them traded for something far more sensitive and intimate.
“I want you to take the lead. Take care of me. Show me how it’s done,”
“I love you. With all my heart. I want us to endure all the years together, like that couple from Spruce. I really want that to be us years from now when we graduate. I … I want to share every single holiday together, just like this one.”
“Liam, forever tongue-tied with Teague, who will forever love to be loved by his Peanut.”
The little background character depth was ok but could have been more polished.
The romance flow was a little off at times, too slow at first only to later finally picked up, but maybe a bit too fast to get spice in, the built up needed more fine tuning.
The lovey-dovey afterwards was so cheesy, but well I guess it was two fools in love who didn’t want to waste any another moment which was cute in a way.
“The seconds slow as they tick by, filling each and every one of them with an expanse of anticipation, thick and tense and intimate. Powerfully intimate.”
“I trust you.” The two lock eyes, the humor in them traded for something far more sensitive and intimate.
“I want you to take the lead. Take care of me. Show me how it’s done,”
“I love you. With all my heart. I want us to endure all the years together, like that couple from Spruce. I really want that to be us years from now when we graduate. I … I want to share every single holiday together, just like this one.”
“Liam, forever tongue-tied with Teague, who will forever love to be loved by his Peanut.”
December 14, 2025
It's extremely rare for me to give a 5-star rating to a novella, but I gotta say: Daryl Banner gave me exactly what I needed and more with this wonderful book. Despite its short length, Banner gets to the heart of the matter between Liam and Teague and their love/hate relationship. As both are unaware the other is on a dating app, when they come face-to-face at a summer job, Teague makes it his mission to find out why Liam dislikes him so much and to get him to soften his stance against him. Both men are adorable and I had to laugh at the antics Teague would do just to get Liam to smile. With Teague's homelife not the best, it was bittersweet that the popular guy on campus only had his faithful dog Rus as his main source of comfort.
The story goes by at a great pace and as Liam is forced to interact with Teague, he starts to see another side of the presumed pretentious jock. With feelings finally shared after a crazy night at a co-worker's party, it made my heart sing that these two finally found their way to each other as one another's perfect match.
With mentions of other couples in both Fairview and Spruce, this is the perfect bridge between the two worlds. Daryl Banner always hits the right spots for me and with Hate to Love You, he's scored big once more.
5 stars!!!
The story goes by at a great pace and as Liam is forced to interact with Teague, he starts to see another side of the presumed pretentious jock. With feelings finally shared after a crazy night at a co-worker's party, it made my heart sing that these two finally found their way to each other as one another's perfect match.
With mentions of other couples in both Fairview and Spruce, this is the perfect bridge between the two worlds. Daryl Banner always hits the right spots for me and with Hate to Love You, he's scored big once more.
5 stars!!!
June 7, 2026
Started strong then just fell apart
The first half of this book was really cute. Written in close third person, I actually got to inhabit the characters, their emotions, their inner world, their experience of every moment. The second half felt as though it was written by someone else entirely. It shifted to an extremely distant, omniscient narrator, purely reportorial, and we lose all access to the emotional life of the story.
You know in the movie, The Princess Bride, when it cuts away from the vivid, transporting world of the story itself back to the kid and his grandfather sitting in the bedroom, and suddenly you’re acutely aware that someone is just reading to you? It was like that. The tone and pacing changed completely, the spell broke, and what had felt like a living world became just words on a page again. The mind-movie was gone.
And look, this critique is probably more cerebral than a silly little romance novel warrants. Even if the writing style had stayed consistent throughout, it wouldn’t have been a masterpiece. But it went from cute and forgettable to actively frustrating to read. That’s the real disappointment: not that it wasn’t great, but that it talked itself down from charming.
The first half of this book was really cute. Written in close third person, I actually got to inhabit the characters, their emotions, their inner world, their experience of every moment. The second half felt as though it was written by someone else entirely. It shifted to an extremely distant, omniscient narrator, purely reportorial, and we lose all access to the emotional life of the story.
You know in the movie, The Princess Bride, when it cuts away from the vivid, transporting world of the story itself back to the kid and his grandfather sitting in the bedroom, and suddenly you’re acutely aware that someone is just reading to you? It was like that. The tone and pacing changed completely, the spell broke, and what had felt like a living world became just words on a page again. The mind-movie was gone.
And look, this critique is probably more cerebral than a silly little romance novel warrants. Even if the writing style had stayed consistent throughout, it wouldn’t have been a masterpiece. But it went from cute and forgettable to actively frustrating to read. That’s the real disappointment: not that it wasn’t great, but that it talked itself down from charming.
November 16, 2025
Liam and Teague went to high school together, and the first summer back home from college finds them both working at Gary's Grocers in their small town. Liam is tasked with showing Teague the ropes, the fact he finds unbearable because he can't stand Teague. Apparently, Teague was a popular jock in their high school days and he certainly still seems well bellowed by everyone, except Liam. TO make matters worse it seem that Teague doesn't share Liam's animosity and is intent on making Liam like him by the end of the summer.
I didn't really understand why Liam disliked Teague so much, as he seemed like a pretty decent person and a nice guy. Liam's hateboner was quite honestly baffling to me and didn't really help me get into the story. There was the secondary plot with Liam finding a possible match on a dating app. Except it was so underdeveloped that it didn't really bring anything to the story.
Themes: dual POV, enemies to lovers, coworkers, small town, dating app
I didn't really understand why Liam disliked Teague so much, as he seemed like a pretty decent person and a nice guy. Liam's hateboner was quite honestly baffling to me and didn't really help me get into the story. There was the secondary plot with Liam finding a possible match on a dating app. Except it was so underdeveloped that it didn't really bring anything to the story.
Themes: dual POV, enemies to lovers, coworkers, small town, dating app
November 17, 2025
An online moniker ‘Hate2LoveU’ starts a fun romantic comedy
Author/composer Daryl Banner graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. His writing includes new adult romance, M/M romance, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and dystopian. According to his brief biography he is ‘most inspired by the smart and unlikely hero, but urges you (the reader) not to fall in love with them; they may deceive you with their innocence.’
This is a new novel in Daryl’s always excellent Spruce Texas Romance series, this time he incorporates that at times challenging concept of online dating with Liam, finding just what he needs (he thinks) and has to focus his real time attention on a buff new contact Teague: is choosing between the two a question? As Daryl writes, ‘when the lines blur between the two, Liam finds himself torn between the anonymous intellect on the app who gets him and the real-life disaster with a charm he can't seem to get away from.’ Always in top form, Daryl once again makes Texas romance sizzle!
Author/composer Daryl Banner graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. His writing includes new adult romance, M/M romance, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and dystopian. According to his brief biography he is ‘most inspired by the smart and unlikely hero, but urges you (the reader) not to fall in love with them; they may deceive you with their innocence.’
This is a new novel in Daryl’s always excellent Spruce Texas Romance series, this time he incorporates that at times challenging concept of online dating with Liam, finding just what he needs (he thinks) and has to focus his real time attention on a buff new contact Teague: is choosing between the two a question? As Daryl writes, ‘when the lines blur between the two, Liam finds himself torn between the anonymous intellect on the app who gets him and the real-life disaster with a charm he can't seem to get away from.’ Always in top form, Daryl once again makes Texas romance sizzle!
April 28, 2026
'Hate to Love You' (A Fairview/Spruce Texas Romance) written by Daryl Banner (Kindle)
I kind of jumped into this book without having read anything else in this series (actually need to check that, as sometimes I space out what I've read, lol). Now I feel compelled to read more in this series!
I was pleasantly surprised with this young adult book; it was a cute storyline and although I'm not usually drawn to "cute", although obvs sometimes, as this book caught my attention.
Well-written tale of a M/M romance that starts with an intriguing question on an online hookup app.
I enjoyed watching the evolution of Liam thinking he hated this guy, Teague...the one he felt was his high school nemesis...watching it morph into questioning his feelings, then begrudgingly, liking him.
Fun read!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
I kind of jumped into this book without having read anything else in this series (actually need to check that, as sometimes I space out what I've read, lol). Now I feel compelled to read more in this series!
I was pleasantly surprised with this young adult book; it was a cute storyline and although I'm not usually drawn to "cute", although obvs sometimes, as this book caught my attention.
Well-written tale of a M/M romance that starts with an intriguing question on an online hookup app.
I enjoyed watching the evolution of Liam thinking he hated this guy, Teague...the one he felt was his high school nemesis...watching it morph into questioning his feelings, then begrudgingly, liking him.
Fun read!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
November 18, 2025
"Liam, forever tongue-tied with Teague, who will forever love to be loved by his Peanut."
I just loved this book.
It had just a touch of angst to keep you wondering if these two will find out that they have actually been talking to each other on a dating app.
Teague had been smitten with Liam since high school, but all Liam saw in Teague was someone who demanded attention. But was that really all Teague was about.
This is one total must read. Don't put it in on your TBR, read it NOW!!
I just loved this book.
It had just a touch of angst to keep you wondering if these two will find out that they have actually been talking to each other on a dating app.
Teague had been smitten with Liam since high school, but all Liam saw in Teague was someone who demanded attention. But was that really all Teague was about.
This is one total must read. Don't put it in on your TBR, read it NOW!!
January 9, 2026
Returning to Spruce felt like coming home
I’ll read anything and everything related to Spruce. This was a wonderful love story. I was so happy to see some of my favorite characters from Spruce. My only complaint about this is I wish it were longer. I would love to read more in the future about this sweetly adorkable couple.
I’ll read anything and everything related to Spruce. This was a wonderful love story. I was so happy to see some of my favorite characters from Spruce. My only complaint about this is I wish it were longer. I would love to read more in the future about this sweetly adorkable couple.
April 20, 2026
Hate to Love You
I really felt this story. Everyone has that one person from school that rubbed you the wrong way. Just so happened that Liam's wanted to getvloser to him, because he had a crush. I lov s d how it played out and how t uh rh finally came together. I loved this book and would love to see a few more books from Liam and Teague's friends from the grocery store.
I really felt this story. Everyone has that one person from school that rubbed you the wrong way. Just so happened that Liam's wanted to getvloser to him, because he had a crush. I lov s d how it played out and how t uh rh finally came together. I loved this book and would love to see a few more books from Liam and Teague's friends from the grocery store.
November 15, 2025
What a Treat
I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting...well, there was a small pancake break, but a girl has to eat! I love these two boys, and I love their story. The cameos were really fun. I only wish it was a full length book so I could love it longer!!!
I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting...well, there was a small pancake break, but a girl has to eat! I love these two boys, and I love their story. The cameos were really fun. I only wish it was a full length book so I could love it longer!!!
December 2, 2025
Daryl knocks it outta the Park Again
Thank you Daryl for sharing your amazing brain. Teague and Liam are adorable complex and beautiful characters. You have a knack of bringing characters and locations to life. I'm feeling the Texas heat in a Minnesota winter.
Thank you Daryl for sharing your amazing brain. Teague and Liam are adorable complex and beautiful characters. You have a knack of bringing characters and locations to life. I'm feeling the Texas heat in a Minnesota winter.
Read
December 26, 2025Love
High recommendation. This story is super sweet. The safe space of Spruce just needs to be real somewhere. I am swept up by HEA and love reading queer characters who are just as human as anyone and just want to love and be loved.
High recommendation. This story is super sweet. The safe space of Spruce just needs to be real somewhere. I am swept up by HEA and love reading queer characters who are just as human as anyone and just want to love and be loved.
November 20, 2025
3.8 - shorter.
November 24, 2025
Teague and Liam's story is sweet and eye-opening for them. I enjoyed the crossover with Spruce and how it influences Fairview.
December 15, 2025
i really enjoyed the story and all the spruce Texas books.
December 15, 2025
Not very good.
December 24, 2025
Banner does it again. Sweet loving Romance where two different people fall in love.
February 2, 2026
Just Fun!
An amusing and heartfelt story, with lots of “nearly angst” emotions and a touch of nearly drama. Ends with enough smiles to go around.
An amusing and heartfelt story, with lots of “nearly angst” emotions and a touch of nearly drama. Ends with enough smiles to go around.
February 2, 2026
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews