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Hate You to Love You
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26A heartwarming queer romance debut about two exes forced to work together on a whirlwind book tour, from a beloved bookseller and influencer – for fans of Cara Bastone, B.K. Borison and Alexis Hall.
Carlos Reyes is having a quarter life crisis. Once a hopeless romantic who believed in the power of the romantic comedy, Carlos is struggling to find anything about his life romantic or comedic. Maybe it’s because he lost his dad recently. Or because the love of his life broke his heart.
But then he gets the professional opportunity of a follow blockbuster author and recent recluse Claudia Leighton on her upcoming book tour and write the tell-all piece her fans have been dying for. Carlos wants to jump at the opportunity, but there’s a problem – Claudia’s publicist, Elliot Simpson. He’s arrogant, insufferable and the man who broke his heart. And if he takes this job, Carlos will be stuck with him for weeks.
Spanning Sydney, Dublin, Edinburgh and London, Hate You to Love You is a moving love story about nostalgia and yearning for what once was, and what it means to lose yourself in order to find yourself.
Carlos Reyes is having a quarter life crisis. Once a hopeless romantic who believed in the power of the romantic comedy, Carlos is struggling to find anything about his life romantic or comedic. Maybe it’s because he lost his dad recently. Or because the love of his life broke his heart.
But then he gets the professional opportunity of a follow blockbuster author and recent recluse Claudia Leighton on her upcoming book tour and write the tell-all piece her fans have been dying for. Carlos wants to jump at the opportunity, but there’s a problem – Claudia’s publicist, Elliot Simpson. He’s arrogant, insufferable and the man who broke his heart. And if he takes this job, Carlos will be stuck with him for weeks.
Spanning Sydney, Dublin, Edinburgh and London, Hate You to Love You is a moving love story about nostalgia and yearning for what once was, and what it means to lose yourself in order to find yourself.
- GenresQueer
35 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 27, 2026
As a book lover obsessed with movies and a movie lover obsessed with books, this novel absolutely fed my soul.
I’ve been anticipating Josh’s novel for a long time, and it delivered exactly what I wanted. It’s the perfect combo of fun and breezy while still having just the right amount of depth and seriousness. Truly the BEEEEEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
I think what I loved most wasn’t even all the movie talk (though I did love that), but the Sydney references. There’s something so fun about recognising places you know, it adds an extra layer of enjoyment as a reader.
I’ve been anticipating Josh’s novel for a long time, and it delivered exactly what I wanted. It’s the perfect combo of fun and breezy while still having just the right amount of depth and seriousness. Truly the BEEEEEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
I think what I loved most wasn’t even all the movie talk (though I did love that), but the Sydney references. There’s something so fun about recognising places you know, it adds an extra layer of enjoyment as a reader.
March 14, 2026
Such a well written, cosy romance! My heart feels so warm reading Carlos and Elliot’s story. Full thoughts to come once published, but you need to pre-order this now!
April 26, 2026
Lovers of rom coms LOCK IN I have the BOOK for YOU
Such a lovely reflection on the importance yet also the difficulty of nostalgia, and wanting to hold onto things in life that inevitably will change! Friendships in particular are touched on so well
As a publicist some of this was too real lol I love it
The love story was gorgeous!!! Carlos and Elliot!! I am not a fan of second chance romance so trust me when I say this ate
And it’s also such a love letter to Sydney as well, I loved all the references to bookstores/bars I know and love!!!
So anyway everyone read this because obviously!
Such a lovely reflection on the importance yet also the difficulty of nostalgia, and wanting to hold onto things in life that inevitably will change! Friendships in particular are touched on so well
As a publicist some of this was too real lol I love it
The love story was gorgeous!!! Carlos and Elliot!! I am not a fan of second chance romance so trust me when I say this ate
And it’s also such a love letter to Sydney as well, I loved all the references to bookstores/bars I know and love!!!
So anyway everyone read this because obviously!
Review of advance copy received from Author
An absolute love letter to rom-com movies and books. I am so incredibly proud of Josh in getting this out and f-ing around with my poor heart. LOVE!!!
Thank you so much to Josh and Atria/Simon for this beautiful ARC.
Thank you so much to Josh and Atria/Simon for this beautiful ARC.
May 7, 2026
The day has finally come where I can share my review of this stunning debut novel. Joshua Hortinela is a reader, bookseller and friend known to many, and if anyone has the pleasure of following him, you’ll know that he is the perfect person to write such a feel-good love story.
Hate You to Love You is what it feels like to rush to your bed and under the covers on a freezing cold night, it’s a warm embrace that even a guy like me who only watched most of the classic rom coms in the last year can get around.
Carlos and Elliot are the perfect characters for this memorable love story. They are complex yet familiar and the way they interact with the world around them has a charm that is hard to come by these days. There’s a reason why so many people rewatch all the classic rom coms, and Josh has delivered that same magic with Hate You to Love You.
I can’t wait for this to become a bestseller and then for the blockbuster film to be announced with a star-studded cast.
Hate You to Love You is what it feels like to rush to your bed and under the covers on a freezing cold night, it’s a warm embrace that even a guy like me who only watched most of the classic rom coms in the last year can get around.
Carlos and Elliot are the perfect characters for this memorable love story. They are complex yet familiar and the way they interact with the world around them has a charm that is hard to come by these days. There’s a reason why so many people rewatch all the classic rom coms, and Josh has delivered that same magic with Hate You to Love You.
I can’t wait for this to become a bestseller and then for the blockbuster film to be announced with a star-studded cast.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Where do I even begin? I don't think I've felt this way about a romance book in a very long time, a romance that has made me laugh and made me cry. I've become an annotator too, apparently.
"No one looks down on science fiction or fantasy like they do rom-coms."
As a lover of all things romance books, this felt like a love letter to those who love the genre.
'Elliot?'
'I'm here.'
'You didn't say anything.'
'I was listening.'
Carlos, my sweet Carlos. Can I hug you? This boy had me crying by page 63. Everything he went through with his father and the constant need for nostalgia. Change is scary; it's scary watching the people in your life moving forward while you feel stuck and lost. Watching Carlos try to chase how it used to be was so real and vulnerable, and I saw myself in his character.
And Elliot, my budget Hugh Grant. Putting up a brave face, throwing yourself into your work, because it's what you want, until you realise, is that all you have? I just, I have no words. How can these two amazing, complicated characters be such beautiful representations of what it feels like to be in your 20s?
I loved the emphasis on friendship and the complexities of maintaining relationships when things change. Life is complicated and messy, and it doesn't always work out how you planned. And sometimes it feels like you're watching from the outside, even when you're included, which was so strongly shown through Carlos' character. Jones, Addie, Sal, Laney, and even Patrick, I love you guys. Group hug?
'So, what happens next?'
'We're happy.'
'Forever?'
'Forever.'
Safe to say, I need Josh to write 10 more books so I always have one to read.
Thank you so much, Josh and Simon and Schuster for letting me read this wonderful book that I will cherish with all my heart <3
"No one looks down on science fiction or fantasy like they do rom-coms."
As a lover of all things romance books, this felt like a love letter to those who love the genre.
'Elliot?'
'I'm here.'
'You didn't say anything.'
'I was listening.'
Carlos, my sweet Carlos. Can I hug you? This boy had me crying by page 63. Everything he went through with his father and the constant need for nostalgia. Change is scary; it's scary watching the people in your life moving forward while you feel stuck and lost. Watching Carlos try to chase how it used to be was so real and vulnerable, and I saw myself in his character.
And Elliot, my budget Hugh Grant. Putting up a brave face, throwing yourself into your work, because it's what you want, until you realise, is that all you have? I just, I have no words. How can these two amazing, complicated characters be such beautiful representations of what it feels like to be in your 20s?
I loved the emphasis on friendship and the complexities of maintaining relationships when things change. Life is complicated and messy, and it doesn't always work out how you planned. And sometimes it feels like you're watching from the outside, even when you're included, which was so strongly shown through Carlos' character. Jones, Addie, Sal, Laney, and even Patrick, I love you guys. Group hug?
'So, what happens next?'
'We're happy.'
'Forever?'
'Forever.'
Safe to say, I need Josh to write 10 more books so I always have one to read.
Thank you so much, Josh and Simon and Schuster for letting me read this wonderful book that I will cherish with all my heart <3
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Atria Books for an arc of Hate You to Love You.
Hate You to Love You is the ultimate heartwarming and heartbreaking romance novel. A love letter to 2000s rom coms and Sydney, this was a particular niche missing in my life that I never knew I needed. This book is about so many things, growing and moving through grief, change and moving on. HYTLY was easy and effortless to read, it was pure escapism that tugged at my heart strings. One of my favourite things about this book were that the characters felt vibrant but believable, all with their own struggles and aspirations, I feel like I could drop into a bar in Newtown and find everyone around a bar table. I often find enemies to lovers unbelievable but the trajectory of Carlos and Elliot's relationship felt authentic, they both have things that they are struggling with.
I loved this book, just pick it up please when it comes out in September, I think you will see it everywhere.
Hate You to Love You is the ultimate heartwarming and heartbreaking romance novel. A love letter to 2000s rom coms and Sydney, this was a particular niche missing in my life that I never knew I needed. This book is about so many things, growing and moving through grief, change and moving on. HYTLY was easy and effortless to read, it was pure escapism that tugged at my heart strings. One of my favourite things about this book were that the characters felt vibrant but believable, all with their own struggles and aspirations, I feel like I could drop into a bar in Newtown and find everyone around a bar table. I often find enemies to lovers unbelievable but the trajectory of Carlos and Elliot's relationship felt authentic, they both have things that they are struggling with.
I loved this book, just pick it up please when it comes out in September, I think you will see it everywhere.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t read a lot of romance but I knew I wanted to pick this up, even with my little knowledge of the genre Josh’s passion for it shines through and really makes the book.
I was periodically crying through most of the second half of the book. Carlos and Elliot trying to meet each other where they’re at now and finding their way back to each other is just so heart warming.
This is just such a beautiful book, truly so entrenched in love, both platonic and romantic. It also touches on the loneliness in feeling like all of your friends are moving ahead without you and wondering how you could possibly fit into their new lives. Wanting to stay in the past with the nostalgia but knowing you’re somewhat stagnant and pushing past that.
Anyways! you should all read this, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry but most of all you’ll love it (and that’s a threat).
I was periodically crying through most of the second half of the book. Carlos and Elliot trying to meet each other where they’re at now and finding their way back to each other is just so heart warming.
This is just such a beautiful book, truly so entrenched in love, both platonic and romantic. It also touches on the loneliness in feeling like all of your friends are moving ahead without you and wondering how you could possibly fit into their new lives. Wanting to stay in the past with the nostalgia but knowing you’re somewhat stagnant and pushing past that.
Anyways! you should all read this, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry but most of all you’ll love it (and that’s a threat).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
So, what happens next?
We’re happy.
Forever?
Forever.
💌
This second-chance romance left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. It follows Elliot and Carlos; two people who hold so much love for each other, yet find themselves on very different paths.
When the very thing that pulled them apart brings them back together, they’re forced to navigate the ever-changing tides of life and confront the lingering hurt they thought they’d left behind.
Elliot, the realist, stole my heart. It’s so often the strong ones who carry the heaviest weight; and hide it the best.
This story is filled with nostalgia for all the things we loved growing up (and still do), and reads like a love letter to Sydney, Edinburgh, London, and Dublin.
You made me believe in magic.
Congratulations, Josh, on your beautiful debut. You’re a star. ⭐
We’re happy.
Forever?
Forever.
💌
This second-chance romance left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. It follows Elliot and Carlos; two people who hold so much love for each other, yet find themselves on very different paths.
When the very thing that pulled them apart brings them back together, they’re forced to navigate the ever-changing tides of life and confront the lingering hurt they thought they’d left behind.
Elliot, the realist, stole my heart. It’s so often the strong ones who carry the heaviest weight; and hide it the best.
This story is filled with nostalgia for all the things we loved growing up (and still do), and reads like a love letter to Sydney, Edinburgh, London, and Dublin.
You made me believe in magic.
Congratulations, Josh, on your beautiful debut. You’re a star. ⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
did i finish this book or did this book finish me? this book is so beautiful & so moving - the different kind of love stories (platonic, romantic etc) carried through are done so well, and i was so invested in every one !!! i did cry multiple times, but i also laughed, had my heart warmed, was shocked and enraptured the whole time. soooo many amazing references, and despite not having seen most classic rom coms, i could feel their meaning and understand the significance. as a (largely) non romance reader, this was such a hit for me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’m going to review fully once released, BUT what I will say in the meantime is this…
You know those easy rom-com movies that bring so much reassurance, comfort and wrap you up when the world is too much and it feels like coming home so you’ve watched them a million times over and will never get sick of them?
Yeah.
THAT feeling is inside this book.
I will never not love this book.
You know those easy rom-com movies that bring so much reassurance, comfort and wrap you up when the world is too much and it feels like coming home so you’ve watched them a million times over and will never get sick of them?
Yeah.
THAT feeling is inside this book.
I will never not love this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Books, bars, travel, pop culture and PLENTY of heart. This queer rom-com is everything you'd expect from full-time romantic, best human and beloved bookseller, Josh Hortinela and SO much more. A truly magic debut.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews