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But I Hate Him
Study hard. Fall harder. A rivals-to-lovers queer YA romance, from the New York Times bestselling author of And They Were Roommates. Perfect for fans of I Kissed Shara Wheeler and Heated Rivalry.
As the heir to the most successful tutoring company in the world, Rory studies harder than anyone else and he never loses.
Except to Luca - the infuriatingly good-looking hockey player who wins every academic competition without even trying.
When Rory has a public meltdown, he sets his sights set on winning the most cutthroat academic camp in the country to salvage his reputation . . . then Luca shows up. But this time, Rory has a plan: make Luca fall in love with him - and break his heart.
As rivalry turns to romance, will Rory risk losing the competition or losing Luca?
As the heir to the most successful tutoring company in the world, Rory studies harder than anyone else and he never loses.
Except to Luca - the infuriatingly good-looking hockey player who wins every academic competition without even trying.
When Rory has a public meltdown, he sets his sights set on winning the most cutthroat academic camp in the country to salvage his reputation . . . then Luca shows up. But this time, Rory has a plan: make Luca fall in love with him - and break his heart.
As rivalry turns to romance, will Rory risk losing the competition or losing Luca?
Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Page Powars
4 books1,047 followersPage Powars is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Indie bestselling author of And They Were Roommates, The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, and more coming down the line. He was raised by video game lore that requires stringboard analyses to understand. Now, he writes books for teenagers and adults. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
This was so sweet, exactly what I needed.
But I hate him is a ya romance with academic rivals to lovers and it more than delivered. I like the arc the main character goes through and it would only be better if we had an epilogue. I'm serious GIVE ME AN EPILOGUE, I want to see them happy as a couple in their university life it's a NEED.
It was a super quick read and very light-hearted. The conflict was more of the same but that's just a personal preference, I just hate miscommunication and lying. The highlight for me is that it was SO FUNNY. I rarely laugh reading books but I was audibly cackling almost every chapter, the titles killed me, I love them so much.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
This was so sweet, exactly what I needed.
But I hate him is a ya romance with academic rivals to lovers and it more than delivered. I like the arc the main character goes through and it would only be better if we had an epilogue. I'm serious GIVE ME AN EPILOGUE, I want to see them happy as a couple in their university life it's a NEED.
It was a super quick read and very light-hearted. The conflict was more of the same but that's just a personal preference, I just hate miscommunication and lying. The highlight for me is that it was SO FUNNY. I rarely laugh reading books but I was audibly cackling almost every chapter, the titles killed me, I love them so much.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first foray into Page Powers' work, but I was so not disappointed! I love a good hockey romance, especially one rife with representation such as But I Hate Him. There's anxiety rep, loads of queer rep, and even socioeconomic difference rep all loaded within these pages, plus more I'm sure I'm unintentionally excluding. I had a fantastic time with the trials, never mind the yearning slow burn between Rory and Luca. And that ending? Perfection!
high-priority-tbr
October 5, 2025I loved And They Were Roomates, this is immediately going on the "High Priority TBR" lol. Someone tell me when this comes out, because your boy DOES NOT have any mainstream social media LOL
July 24, 2026
Let me tell you, I love a romance between dumb and dumber. Rory and Luca are so incredibly dense for some of the smartest teens in the country. They’re both flirting with a brick wall, completely misunderstanding each other. Rory having the audacity to claim Luca is oblivious, meanwhile he himself is clueless. What a dynamic. They’re actually so adorable.
I was honestly taken off guard by how sweet Rory was. Because of his upbringing, I assumed he would be a more conflicting character. Someone with a superiority complex and an inclination toward ruthlessness. Especially since the entire plot surrounds this plan to break Luca’s heart so he can beat him in the competition. And yet, he can’t even go through with it. Rory has so much pressure placed on his shoulders by his parents, and he feels like he must fill a certain role to make them proud. But he doesn’t actually want any of it. He’s just a boy who loves astronomy and has a hard time connecting with others. However, despite his lack of social skills he ends up becoming a uniting force for his cabin mates. As well as someone Luca can lean on.
Luca is completely mischaracterized by Rory at first, and it was nice to slowly see the truth of him. Luca is an incredibly intelligent kid, but his main love is hockey. He doesn’t come from wealth like Rory and the other campers. He works hard to avoid placing the burden of paying for his future on his mom. Even though they had such a rocky start, I think Luca and Rory bring out the best in each other. Luca really grounded Rory and taught him how to loosen up. And Rory affirmed Luca, assuaging his imposter syndrome.
I love queer and trans joy + love! This was an adorable romance with lovable characters and a heartfelt coming of age focus. I thought the Brain camp element was really unique and fun, making this a great summer read.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the eARC!
I was honestly taken off guard by how sweet Rory was. Because of his upbringing, I assumed he would be a more conflicting character. Someone with a superiority complex and an inclination toward ruthlessness. Especially since the entire plot surrounds this plan to break Luca’s heart so he can beat him in the competition. And yet, he can’t even go through with it. Rory has so much pressure placed on his shoulders by his parents, and he feels like he must fill a certain role to make them proud. But he doesn’t actually want any of it. He’s just a boy who loves astronomy and has a hard time connecting with others. However, despite his lack of social skills he ends up becoming a uniting force for his cabin mates. As well as someone Luca can lean on.
Luca is completely mischaracterized by Rory at first, and it was nice to slowly see the truth of him. Luca is an incredibly intelligent kid, but his main love is hockey. He doesn’t come from wealth like Rory and the other campers. He works hard to avoid placing the burden of paying for his future on his mom. Even though they had such a rocky start, I think Luca and Rory bring out the best in each other. Luca really grounded Rory and taught him how to loosen up. And Rory affirmed Luca, assuaging his imposter syndrome.
I love queer and trans joy + love! This was an adorable romance with lovable characters and a heartfelt coming of age focus. I thought the Brain camp element was really unique and fun, making this a great summer read.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the eARC!
March 26, 2026
Thank you @macmillanusa for the digital copy to review!
This book by @pagepowars was a perfect book to read during the #TransRightsReadathon! Luca and Rory were literally everything to me. I *LOVED* their rivalry and chemistry and banter and cute moments. But also, the initial meeting we see them at had me gasping 😅😅😅.
I also have to say, I still think Page is writing the funniest YA books right now. The chapter titles alone sent me into oblivion. I was reading this while getting my hair done and I couldn’t stop giggling.
The dynamic between Rory, our main character and storyteller, and Luca, his “enemy” and pseudo love interest was so much freaking fun. I *KNEW* about Luca but oh my god was it so great to watch Rory figure it out too. Their ice skating date? The stars? The work on Luca’s project?? I’m so in love with them.
Anyway I don’t want to spoil the goodness but trust me - this one is fantastic. I already preordered my signed copy (you can too!) and can’t wait to tell Page how much I loved it.
This book by @pagepowars was a perfect book to read during the #TransRightsReadathon! Luca and Rory were literally everything to me. I *LOVED* their rivalry and chemistry and banter and cute moments. But also, the initial meeting we see them at had me gasping 😅😅😅.
I also have to say, I still think Page is writing the funniest YA books right now. The chapter titles alone sent me into oblivion. I was reading this while getting my hair done and I couldn’t stop giggling.
The dynamic between Rory, our main character and storyteller, and Luca, his “enemy” and pseudo love interest was so much freaking fun. I *KNEW* about Luca but oh my god was it so great to watch Rory figure it out too. Their ice skating date? The stars? The work on Luca’s project?? I’m so in love with them.
Anyway I don’t want to spoil the goodness but trust me - this one is fantastic. I already preordered my signed copy (you can too!) and can’t wait to tell Page how much I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
💔📚 But I Hate Him 📚💔
This was a cute queer YA romcom!
It’s a fairly short and easy to read romance. The antics between the different teams trying to sabotage each other were genuinely funny. I also really liked the competitive camp setting.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one!
🏳️🌈What to Expect
• Academic rivals
• Queer YA romcom
• Academic camp
• Overachiever MMC
• Hockey player MMC
• Enemies to lovers
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.75 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was a cute queer YA romcom!
It’s a fairly short and easy to read romance. The antics between the different teams trying to sabotage each other were genuinely funny. I also really liked the competitive camp setting.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one!
🏳️🌈What to Expect
• Academic rivals
• Queer YA romcom
• Academic camp
• Overachiever MMC
• Hockey player MMC
• Enemies to lovers
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.75 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 6, 2026
Bit of a letdown, but still cute!
I think this one suffered from being a bit too short and, as a result, literally nothing got the attention and development I thought it deserved. Like the plot of Rory's situation with his parents and how atrocious they were, which is a thread running throughout the book, never got the proper attention or closure that one would hope for. Even the romance fell victim to odd-pacing and very little closure.
That being said, I still really like Page Powars as an author and there's a lot of good about this book. I just wish the good had been expanded.
I think this one suffered from being a bit too short and, as a result, literally nothing got the attention and development I thought it deserved. Like the plot of Rory's situation with his parents and how atrocious they were, which is a thread running throughout the book, never got the proper attention or closure that one would hope for. Even the romance fell victim to odd-pacing and very little closure.
That being said, I still really like Page Powars as an author and there's a lot of good about this book. I just wish the good had been expanded.
September 3, 2026
this was so cute and I read the whole thing in one sitting haha. full review to come
June 3, 2026
Shane and Ilya in a different font and I loved it so much!!
September 6, 2026
i would say these are hours of my life im never getting back. but i listened to the audiobook of this so thankfully at least i was able to do something while listening. i dont know if i would be able to read this word by word with my full attention without giving it up.
two stars feels a bit generous, but one stars seems unfair because there are definitely worse books out there. so let’s say 1.5 stars.
first of all, rory was insufferable. i get the character who is obsessed with school and doing well because i was like that too, but the main character has to have SOME sympathetic traits. rory didnt really have much, so i couldnt find it in me to root for him. i know the author was probably trying to make him dislikeable so we would grow to like him, but in the end there was nothing to like. luca was fine, although his character felt a little flat.
some other things i had an issue with. why were the characters acting like luca was the only one who deserved to win? like what if other characters were poor and we didnt know lol or had some other issue. we only had cabin omega’s backstories really. also why were we acting like luca’s reasons for wanting to win the medal noble or something? at the end of the day, nobody NEEDS to get into an ivy league lol. ofc, i do think he deserves it more than the the other chars we learned ab it in terms of needing the scholarship, but needing an ivy league specifically is just not necessary. and we don’t seem to ever address that.
the characters had no chemistry. tbh i see the argument for rory/benedict more. but still, i dont feel ANY friendship was developed well between ANY of the characters.
plot felt tighter than and then they were roommates, so i’ll give it that. but at the end of the day, the plot was BORING. even for me, a former academic overachiever
one small thing that doesnt affect my rating, but that i must say as a programmer — i get the comedy of the scene where the robot is accidentally named luca, but i promise u if they were able to code all of that, it’d be super easy to code a name override
two stars feels a bit generous, but one stars seems unfair because there are definitely worse books out there. so let’s say 1.5 stars.
first of all, rory was insufferable. i get the character who is obsessed with school and doing well because i was like that too, but the main character has to have SOME sympathetic traits. rory didnt really have much, so i couldnt find it in me to root for him. i know the author was probably trying to make him dislikeable so we would grow to like him, but in the end there was nothing to like. luca was fine, although his character felt a little flat.
some other things i had an issue with. why were the characters acting like luca was the only one who deserved to win? like what if other characters were poor and we didnt know lol or had some other issue. we only had cabin omega’s backstories really. also why were we acting like luca’s reasons for wanting to win the medal noble or something? at the end of the day, nobody NEEDS to get into an ivy league lol. ofc, i do think he deserves it more than the the other chars we learned ab it in terms of needing the scholarship, but needing an ivy league specifically is just not necessary. and we don’t seem to ever address that.
the characters had no chemistry. tbh i see the argument for rory/benedict more. but still, i dont feel ANY friendship was developed well between ANY of the characters.
plot felt tighter than and then they were roommates, so i’ll give it that. but at the end of the day, the plot was BORING. even for me, a former academic overachiever
one small thing that doesnt affect my rating, but that i must say as a programmer — i get the comedy of the scene where the robot is accidentally named luca, but i promise u if they were able to code all of that, it’d be super easy to code a name override
Read
September 2, 2026A rivals to lovers queer YA rom-com with a very messy protagonist who behaves badly along the way. Rory is a nerdy trans boy with big dreams and a ton of pressure from his brilliant parents. So when he loses to the smart but easygoing Luca, he loses it in a very public way and subsequently loses the opportunity to attend a prestigious summer program. Trying to save face, his parents send him to an academic camp where who should show up? None other than his rival Luca. But this time, Rory is determined to win at any cost, even tricking Luca into falling in love with him...
I applaud the author for having such a messy protagonist, though for some readers the bad behavior might be a little much for him to come back from with a romantic interest. I'm a little on the fence about it, but I also think teens make mistakes and it's good for them to see the potential for repair. The audio narration is done pretty well. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. all opinions are my own.
I applaud the author for having such a messy protagonist, though for some readers the bad behavior might be a little much for him to come back from with a romantic interest. I'm a little on the fence about it, but I also think teens make mistakes and it's good for them to see the potential for repair. The audio narration is done pretty well. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. all opinions are my own.
August 27, 2026
Sweet and charming YA novel!
“I always liked you because of who you are when you think I’m not watching,” Luca goes on. “And what you tried to hide when you knew I was.”
But I Hate Him has all the elements of a Page Powars novel! It's got the effervescent charm of a YA story, the journey of self-discovery and growth, and a sweet romance to top it all off!
I love the way this book was set in a camp that removed the outside world to get to the core of who these characters were. Without his parents around or a phone to keep him connected to the public, Rory is finally able to just be himself. He doesn't have to perform for an audience and he gets to stumble and make mistakes and figure out exactly who he is.
This was a slow, methodical unraveling of Rory's carefully constructed, public image and what we end up with is a flawed, real human who's so relatable. Through science projects, pranks and just teenage shenanigans, Rory builds a community around himself that he never would have found otherwise. This mishmashed group was the heart of this story but it wouldn't be what it is without Luca.
After years of rivalry, Rory finally gets to see Luca for exactly who he is. A passionate, lovable human who has an epic crush on Rory. From stargazing to hockey, these two found ways to combine their interests and truly connect with one another. Though this is primarily Rory's story, his love for Luca is really what brings this story full circle.
I adored this story so much! The only thing that would have made this better is an epilogue but I still like the way this ended. This is a sweet, charming story of finding yourself and learning to love who you are, even if it's not the perfection you imagined it'd be.
“I always liked you because of who you are when you think I’m not watching,” Luca goes on. “And what you tried to hide when you knew I was.”
But I Hate Him has all the elements of a Page Powars novel! It's got the effervescent charm of a YA story, the journey of self-discovery and growth, and a sweet romance to top it all off!
I love the way this book was set in a camp that removed the outside world to get to the core of who these characters were. Without his parents around or a phone to keep him connected to the public, Rory is finally able to just be himself. He doesn't have to perform for an audience and he gets to stumble and make mistakes and figure out exactly who he is.
This was a slow, methodical unraveling of Rory's carefully constructed, public image and what we end up with is a flawed, real human who's so relatable. Through science projects, pranks and just teenage shenanigans, Rory builds a community around himself that he never would have found otherwise. This mishmashed group was the heart of this story but it wouldn't be what it is without Luca.
After years of rivalry, Rory finally gets to see Luca for exactly who he is. A passionate, lovable human who has an epic crush on Rory. From stargazing to hockey, these two found ways to combine their interests and truly connect with one another. Though this is primarily Rory's story, his love for Luca is really what brings this story full circle.
I adored this story so much! The only thing that would have made this better is an epilogue but I still like the way this ended. This is a sweet, charming story of finding yourself and learning to love who you are, even if it's not the perfection you imagined it'd be.
August 5, 2026
A rivals to lovers sabotage of the heart.
This, like and they were roommates, is a sweet queer YA novel. It's light-hearted, funny, full of shenanigans and clueless boys who haven't a clue when it comes to feelings.
Luca is a part time hockey player part time genius, Rory, is academic royalty and the face of his families tutoring brand. They have been rivals for years, and Rory 'hates' Luca, or so he thinks. When the two end up competing for a prestigious award at summer camp, they both have differing motives but the same goal.
The sabotage attempts, found family rep, and growth in this book were wonderful to read. We see Rory come to terms with what he wants, rather than what's expected from him.
A lovely YA novel with a splash of hockey. (there's a scene where they're on the ice together that I loved). I found this funny, wholesome and enjoyable to read. The audiobook was brilliant and the narrator did a great job at delivering the characters.
Thankyou to the publisher for an ALC and EArc!
This, like and they were roommates, is a sweet queer YA novel. It's light-hearted, funny, full of shenanigans and clueless boys who haven't a clue when it comes to feelings.
Luca is a part time hockey player part time genius, Rory, is academic royalty and the face of his families tutoring brand. They have been rivals for years, and Rory 'hates' Luca, or so he thinks. When the two end up competing for a prestigious award at summer camp, they both have differing motives but the same goal.
The sabotage attempts, found family rep, and growth in this book were wonderful to read. We see Rory come to terms with what he wants, rather than what's expected from him.
A lovely YA novel with a splash of hockey. (there's a scene where they're on the ice together that I loved). I found this funny, wholesome and enjoyable to read. The audiobook was brilliant and the narrator did a great job at delivering the characters.
Thankyou to the publisher for an ALC and EArc!
April 28, 2026
Cuuuuuute.
The relationship felt a tiny bit forced but other than that I liked it a lot! Rory and Luca are full of miscommunication but adorable el.
A huge fan of the trans man x cis man relationship, I need more!
The relationship felt a tiny bit forced but other than that I liked it a lot! Rory and Luca are full of miscommunication but adorable el.
A huge fan of the trans man x cis man relationship, I need more!
July 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Page Powars for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this up because the premise screamed rivals-to-lovers, and I was excited to dive into a messy, emotional romance. While I enjoyed parts of the story, it didn’t quite deliver what I was expecting.
My biggest issue was that the rivalry felt very one-sided. Rory spends so much of the book disliking Luca, while Luca is mostly just…existing. Because of that, the romance never fully clicked for me. There also weren’t enough meaningful moments between the two of them, so when their relationship finally progressed, it felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. I also found myself much less invested whenever the focus shifted to Rory’s camp friends and the secondary romance.
That said, I did appreciate the humor, the summer camp setting, and the discussions around identity and self-discovery woven throughout the story. Even when I wasn’t completely invested in the romance, those moments gave the book heart.
The audiobook was definitely the highlight for me. Joshua Waters gave a wonderful performance, bringing personality and emotion to the characters, and his narration kept me engaged even during the slower parts of the story.
Overall, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me, but I can absolutely see why so many readers are connecting with it. If you’re interested in a YA queer romance with themes of identity, friendship, and growth, it’s still worth checking out—especially in audiobook format.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Page Powars for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this up because the premise screamed rivals-to-lovers, and I was excited to dive into a messy, emotional romance. While I enjoyed parts of the story, it didn’t quite deliver what I was expecting.
My biggest issue was that the rivalry felt very one-sided. Rory spends so much of the book disliking Luca, while Luca is mostly just…existing. Because of that, the romance never fully clicked for me. There also weren’t enough meaningful moments between the two of them, so when their relationship finally progressed, it felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. I also found myself much less invested whenever the focus shifted to Rory’s camp friends and the secondary romance.
That said, I did appreciate the humor, the summer camp setting, and the discussions around identity and self-discovery woven throughout the story. Even when I wasn’t completely invested in the romance, those moments gave the book heart.
The audiobook was definitely the highlight for me. Joshua Waters gave a wonderful performance, bringing personality and emotion to the characters, and his narration kept me engaged even during the slower parts of the story.
Overall, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me, but I can absolutely see why so many readers are connecting with it. If you’re interested in a YA queer romance with themes of identity, friendship, and growth, it’s still worth checking out—especially in audiobook format.
September 22, 2026
WHY DIDN'T I READ THIS EARILER THIS YEAR?! I had an arc of this from Yallwest which was in april and holy moly this was such a quick and fun read! I love a good summer camp setting as well as a book with short chapters!! These two characters are perfect for each other enemies to lovers trope! Yes plz. I'm over here kicking myself for not reading this sooner but happy I did because it's my own book club pick for September! A solid 4 star read! Happy I bought a finished copy already!!
August 18, 2026
Got an arc through Libro.FM
Page Powars has done it again! I love his books, I know they’ll be the exact fun I need to laugh until I almost cry and this delivered. Also, I’m so glad kids are gonna have a book like this because if it hit this hard for me at my grown age of 30, I know it’s gonna hit harder for teenagers actively in the throes of intense academic and personal/familial pressure. To those kids I say, you are worth so much more than what your parents want you to be, so come over here, take a break, and have a laugh with Big Papa Huge Time, the rat who steals the show in every chapter he’s in.
Page Powars has done it again! I love his books, I know they’ll be the exact fun I need to laugh until I almost cry and this delivered. Also, I’m so glad kids are gonna have a book like this because if it hit this hard for me at my grown age of 30, I know it’s gonna hit harder for teenagers actively in the throes of intense academic and personal/familial pressure. To those kids I say, you are worth so much more than what your parents want you to be, so come over here, take a break, and have a laugh with Big Papa Huge Time, the rat who steals the show in every chapter he’s in.
September 5, 2026
oh to be the heir to a tutoring franchise and forced to go to smart kid camp with your rival and your roommates are a hand model and two gay girls and a rat named big papa huge time
March 20, 2026
I went into this already knowing I love Page Powars writing And They Were Roommates completely had my heart last year and somehow this one still surprised me. But I Hate Him was everything I wanted and more. I literally binged it in a day because I could not put it down.This story follows Rory, who is basically academic royalty. He’s been raised to be perfect top of his class, no mistakes, always winning because anything less means disappointing his parents. And for the most part, he does win except when it comes to Luca Melendez. Luca is effortlessly good at everything, including beating Rory in every academic competition, and it drives Rory insane. After a very public meltdown (yes involving a smoothie), Rory’s reputation takes a hit, and he becomes determined to win it all at this elite academic camp called BRAIN.But when Luca shows up too, Rory decides on a new strategy: make Luca fall for him and then break his heart before the final competition.And obviously, things do not go the way he plans.What I loved so much about this book is how it takes that classic rivals to lovers energy and adds so much more to it. It’s not just tension and banter (though there’s plenty of that) it’s also about pressure, identity, and what it means to be seen for who you really are outside of expectations. Rory’s need to be perfect and the way that slowly unravels felt so real, especially when mixed with feelings he doesn’t want to admit.
Also, the chemistry was insane. The banter, the slow shift from enemies to something softer, the emotional moments that sneak up on you it all just hits. I was rooting for them so hard even when Rory was being well, Rory.And I think it’s really important to talk about why books like this matter especially during something like the trans rights readathon. Stories like this center queer and trans joy, messiness, growth, and love in a way that feels human and relatable, not just “issue based.” Seeing characters exist fully being competitive, petty, soft, ambitious, and in love matters. It reminds people that trans stories deserve to be celebrated in every genre, including romcoms.This book isn’t just fun (though it absolutely is) it’s meaningful. It gives space for identity, for self acceptance, and for complicated emotions, all wrapped in a story that will have you hooked from start to finish.I loved this so much. if you read And They Were Roommates, you need to pick this one up.LOVED.
Also, the chemistry was insane. The banter, the slow shift from enemies to something softer, the emotional moments that sneak up on you it all just hits. I was rooting for them so hard even when Rory was being well, Rory.And I think it’s really important to talk about why books like this matter especially during something like the trans rights readathon. Stories like this center queer and trans joy, messiness, growth, and love in a way that feels human and relatable, not just “issue based.” Seeing characters exist fully being competitive, petty, soft, ambitious, and in love matters. It reminds people that trans stories deserve to be celebrated in every genre, including romcoms.This book isn’t just fun (though it absolutely is) it’s meaningful. It gives space for identity, for self acceptance, and for complicated emotions, all wrapped in a story that will have you hooked from start to finish.I loved this so much. if you read And They Were Roommates, you need to pick this one up.LOVED.
August 31, 2026
If there’s truly a thin line between love and hate, then this book is the prime example. Rory, by his own definition, has been programmed by his parents to only succeed for the benefit of their company and Luca Melendez has been his direct competition for the past three years, always managing to take the first place. After an unfortunate incident at JSHS involving Luca and Rory’s smoothie, the only place that would allow Rory to attend is BRAIN for which at the end, the winner of the Medal of Victory wins admission to the Ivy of their choice and scholarship money. There’s only one problem, Luca is also there, charming as ever and everyone’s camp crush.
Rory and Luca are in miscommunication central. Rory, in his competitive bubble, completely misinterpreted every single compliment and flirtation Luca sent his way and poor Luca has just been yearning from a distance. At first, their interactions were so awkward and adorable. I loved the typical romance movie scenes included in the book, with special mention to when Rory understood Luca’s sport exclusively through physics and it brought me so much nostalgia for the movie Ice Princess. I would love a bonus chapter or epilogue of their relationship in college.
Christiana, Jade and Benedict made for an amazing found family. Christiana and Jade and their push and pull with their attraction and relationship had my heart. I’m very glad that, along with Rory, they were able to recognize their privilege and understand that some people were in camp for more than just contacts or bragging rights but that they actually needed the assistance.
I have always been intrigued by Page Powars’ books, the covers are always so beautiful. I’m so glad that But I Hate Him was the first one I read and will now go on to read his past publications and will be sure to look out for his next books.
Thank you to Page Powars, Macmillan and Colored Pages Book Tours for providing me with an eARC and a physical ARC.
Rory and Luca are in miscommunication central. Rory, in his competitive bubble, completely misinterpreted every single compliment and flirtation Luca sent his way and poor Luca has just been yearning from a distance. At first, their interactions were so awkward and adorable. I loved the typical romance movie scenes included in the book, with special mention to when Rory understood Luca’s sport exclusively through physics and it brought me so much nostalgia for the movie Ice Princess. I would love a bonus chapter or epilogue of their relationship in college.
Christiana, Jade and Benedict made for an amazing found family. Christiana and Jade and their push and pull with their attraction and relationship had my heart. I’m very glad that, along with Rory, they were able to recognize their privilege and understand that some people were in camp for more than just contacts or bragging rights but that they actually needed the assistance.
I have always been intrigued by Page Powars’ books, the covers are always so beautiful. I’m so glad that But I Hate Him was the first one I read and will now go on to read his past publications and will be sure to look out for his next books.
Thank you to Page Powars, Macmillan and Colored Pages Book Tours for providing me with an eARC and a physical ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2026
I had high expectations for this book, but I was disappointed in its execution. I love an unlikable main character, but Rory was just so self centered and whiny. I kept on hoping that at some point the narrator would switch POVs just so that I didn’t have to be in his head any longer. On the flip side, Luca is such a ray of sunshine that he didn’t feel like a real person. It felt like Powars put no effort into developing his character, or giving him his own internal world or motivations.
The side characters were also incredibly underdeveloped and unrealistic. This book feels like it’s supposed to have themes of found family, but there was no chemistry between Rory and his cabin mates. They don’t seem to grow together as friends or aid in each other’s character growth.
Luca forgives Rory wayyy too quickly. Rory spends weeks committing psychological war crimes, as well as REAL CRIMES against Luca and then he forgives him for literally NO REASON. It was hard to root for the two of them because Rory was so unlikable that it didn’t feel like he deserved Luca. Though I don’t think this book needed to be any longer, I wish the third act conflict went on for a little bit longer so that Rory could have a chance to earn Lucas forgiveness and grow as a character.
I also took issue with the way that Rory’s transness was portrayed. As a trans person, I don’t see myself in his character at all because his transness is barely spoken about or explored. I don’t know how Rory feels about being trans, I don’t know how it works into his identity or sense of self. It’s spoken about so little that it feels like the trans label was just slapped onto this character for the sake of representation, with no thought given to how this would impact him as a person. Just another example of how little effort was put into developing any of these characters and making them feel like real people with their own rich inner worlds.
The side characters were also incredibly underdeveloped and unrealistic. This book feels like it’s supposed to have themes of found family, but there was no chemistry between Rory and his cabin mates. They don’t seem to grow together as friends or aid in each other’s character growth.
Luca forgives Rory wayyy too quickly. Rory spends weeks committing psychological war crimes, as well as REAL CRIMES against Luca and then he forgives him for literally NO REASON. It was hard to root for the two of them because Rory was so unlikable that it didn’t feel like he deserved Luca. Though I don’t think this book needed to be any longer, I wish the third act conflict went on for a little bit longer so that Rory could have a chance to earn Lucas forgiveness and grow as a character.
I also took issue with the way that Rory’s transness was portrayed. As a trans person, I don’t see myself in his character at all because his transness is barely spoken about or explored. I don’t know how Rory feels about being trans, I don’t know how it works into his identity or sense of self. It’s spoken about so little that it feels like the trans label was just slapped onto this character for the sake of representation, with no thought given to how this would impact him as a person. Just another example of how little effort was put into developing any of these characters and making them feel like real people with their own rich inner worlds.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Super fun YA romance with a trans protagonist and a competitive summer camp!
I had a lot of fun with this book. Rory is a genius, regularly takes part if academic/science competitions, and he is the face of his parents' tutoring business. The one thing in his life that doesn't align is how Luca keeps beating him at the competitions they both go to. When Luca also shows up at the lastest science competition summer camp that is Rory's last resort after a humiliating loss, Rory is ready to do anything to make sure he wins this time, including sabotage and manipulation.
Following the shenanigans at the camp, the pranks/sabotages and how oblivious Rory was in regards to how the people around him view him was very entertaining and really well done. It also got quite real in regards to parental expectations and privilege at times, even though I wouldn't say this was a heavy or dark book. That said, I think it could have gone a bit more in depth in those aspects, and the ending was a bit short too.
The romance was quite lovely, and I think Rory was being just obstinate and oblivious enough to create tension but never veered into the too much territory.
Rory being trans was never a plotpoint or center of conflict, which I found refreshing.
Overaall a lovely animosity-to-lovery YA romance!
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I had a lot of fun with this book. Rory is a genius, regularly takes part if academic/science competitions, and he is the face of his parents' tutoring business. The one thing in his life that doesn't align is how Luca keeps beating him at the competitions they both go to. When Luca also shows up at the lastest science competition summer camp that is Rory's last resort after a humiliating loss, Rory is ready to do anything to make sure he wins this time, including sabotage and manipulation.
Following the shenanigans at the camp, the pranks/sabotages and how oblivious Rory was in regards to how the people around him view him was very entertaining and really well done. It also got quite real in regards to parental expectations and privilege at times, even though I wouldn't say this was a heavy or dark book. That said, I think it could have gone a bit more in depth in those aspects, and the ending was a bit short too.
The romance was quite lovely, and I think Rory was being just obstinate and oblivious enough to create tension but never veered into the too much territory.
Rory being trans was never a plotpoint or center of conflict, which I found refreshing.
Overaall a lovely animosity-to-lovery YA romance!
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 26, 2026
Okay this is a really cute book that I liked way more than I expected too going in! As an adult reading YA I know I’m not the target audience but this one is so funny, cute, and swoon worthy.
Rory Prince has always been the Picture Perfect Child to his parents and the face of their business, but puts his whole future at risk when he loses his cool in a competition against his arch rival, Luca (who is also a great hockey player, NBD). With no recourse left to stay Ivy League Bound, Rory agrees to go compete in an elite academic competition, only to find Luca is also there.
A funny queer love story with trans rep that is centered around two lovable characters and funny moments. Definitely will appeal to anyone who (like me) was once into any type of competitive academics (former mathlete right here). Thanks so much to Colored Pages Book Tour for the gifted copy!
Rory Prince has always been the Picture Perfect Child to his parents and the face of their business, but puts his whole future at risk when he loses his cool in a competition against his arch rival, Luca (who is also a great hockey player, NBD). With no recourse left to stay Ivy League Bound, Rory agrees to go compete in an elite academic competition, only to find Luca is also there.
A funny queer love story with trans rep that is centered around two lovable characters and funny moments. Definitely will appeal to anyone who (like me) was once into any type of competitive academics (former mathlete right here). Thanks so much to Colored Pages Book Tour for the gifted copy!
August 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
But I Hate Him is the cutest queer (MM + trans MC, with a sapphic side romance) YA academic rivals to lovers romance.
Rory & Luca were both brilliant MMCs. I loved how they were both so different to each other, but complimented each other so well.
One of my favourite things in YA stories is when teenage characters actually act like teenagers, and this book didn’t disappoint.
The characters were messy and chaotic, and I was so here for it.
This was such an easy read, I got stuck in so quickly and then was basically unable to put it down until I was done 🤣 this was such a fun read, definitely one I’d recommend 🤍
September 7, 2026
Reads like a wattpad original but its cute
But actually I find it kind of tragic that this is some of the only explicitly trans lit ive been able to find. Characters are reduced to tropes and the plot is super predictable. I appreciate that this author is writing queer literature but its incredibly inconsequential to the plot or character motivations. Not that all queer stories have to be tragic, especially as the few pieces of trans media that have been recognized at all are typically within the horror genre(like I saw the tv glow) and queer people deserve some happy endings in thier media but it feels like those are the only options. Either the most gut wrenching thing you've ever seen or meaningless fluff. Is it wrong of me to want some actual substance in my romance? For the fact that the main character is trans to mean something seeing as its, like, the whole of the books marketing campaign? Idk, I feel like all of the queer books ive seen advertised lately are like this with the queer aspect more of a marketing gimmick than something inherent to the work. It just kind of sucks that this is the best representation these communities get.
But actually I find it kind of tragic that this is some of the only explicitly trans lit ive been able to find. Characters are reduced to tropes and the plot is super predictable. I appreciate that this author is writing queer literature but its incredibly inconsequential to the plot or character motivations. Not that all queer stories have to be tragic, especially as the few pieces of trans media that have been recognized at all are typically within the horror genre(like I saw the tv glow) and queer people deserve some happy endings in thier media but it feels like those are the only options. Either the most gut wrenching thing you've ever seen or meaningless fluff. Is it wrong of me to want some actual substance in my romance? For the fact that the main character is trans to mean something seeing as its, like, the whole of the books marketing campaign? Idk, I feel like all of the queer books ive seen advertised lately are like this with the queer aspect more of a marketing gimmick than something inherent to the work. It just kind of sucks that this is the best representation these communities get.
September 6, 2026
where is the rest of the book. page powars i want more book. seriously tho this ending felt so abrupt that i was confused for a whole 5 minutes that yes, i actually finished the book. that's the only criticism i have because i loved it so much. i love how powars writes his characters to be annoying teenagers that are pissing me off so bad but i can't help loving them at the same time. amazing give me 14 of those. i can't wait to see what the author does next because you will always catch me reading a ya romcom if it was written by this man.
March 9, 2026
Another excellent book by Page Powars! Thank you NetGalley for approving my request for this ARC! I am such a huge fan of Page Powars and have been dying to get my hands on this book. I read it in one sitting. Such a great read!
Everything about this book was chef’s kiss! The chapter titles were my absolute favorite. The characters in this book are so lovable and so unique. The pacing was great and the end was satisfying! I must say though, I need an epilogue! It simply cannot end like this! Also, the dedication… just yes.
I can’t wait for Page Powars’ next book!
Thank you again to NetGalley for the ARC! <3
Everything about this book was chef’s kiss! The chapter titles were my absolute favorite. The characters in this book are so lovable and so unique. The pacing was great and the end was satisfying! I must say though, I need an epilogue! It simply cannot end like this! Also, the dedication… just yes.
I can’t wait for Page Powars’ next book!
Thank you again to NetGalley for the ARC! <3
Did Not Finish
July 30, 202621% in DNF
I can already tell where this is leading and it’s similar to And They Were Roommates where the main character is “rivals” with the other MMC but it’s honestly just one-sided and he’s mean to the love interest when the love interest literally hasn’t done anything 😀 and the main character already seems pretentious as hell so I KNOW he’s gonna piss me off, especially at a CAMP
I can already tell where this is leading and it’s similar to And They Were Roommates where the main character is “rivals” with the other MMC but it’s honestly just one-sided and he’s mean to the love interest when the love interest literally hasn’t done anything 😀 and the main character already seems pretentious as hell so I KNOW he’s gonna piss me off, especially at a CAMP
August 26, 2026
Page Powars was nice to me exactly one (1) time, and that made me vow to read all of his books (which I was already doing before he was nice to me, but still). Despite the copious amounts of second-hand anxiety/embarrassment this book gives you, it is entirely so cutesy. Oh to be a boy in love at a glorified summer camp.
August 22, 2026
But I Hate Him is a fun, queer, YA, rivals-to-lovers rom com, but what really stuck with me was Rory’s character development.
I loved the way Page Powars explored Rory’s anxiety and the pressure he feels from both his family and himself. He’s complicated, messy, and sometimes frustrating, but it all felt very real. I also really appreciated how naturally Rory being trans was woven into the story. It’s an important part of who he is, but it’s never treated like the only interesting thing about him.
The one thing keeping this from being a 5⭐️ read for me was Luca. Rory felt so layered and fully developed that Luca seemed a little flat in comparison. I liked their chemistry and enjoyed them together, but ended the book feeling like I didn’t really know anything about him or his POV.
Overall, this was a fun YA romance with way more emotional depth than I expected going in.
Thank you to Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC.
I loved the way Page Powars explored Rory’s anxiety and the pressure he feels from both his family and himself. He’s complicated, messy, and sometimes frustrating, but it all felt very real. I also really appreciated how naturally Rory being trans was woven into the story. It’s an important part of who he is, but it’s never treated like the only interesting thing about him.
The one thing keeping this from being a 5⭐️ read for me was Luca. Rory felt so layered and fully developed that Luca seemed a little flat in comparison. I liked their chemistry and enjoyed them together, but ended the book feeling like I didn’t really know anything about him or his POV.
Overall, this was a fun YA romance with way more emotional depth than I expected going in.
Thank you to Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC.
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