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Hating You is the Hardest Part
Dear Author,
This pair had a long road in becoming a couple. From the day they first met as kids they were at each other’s throats, either pulling pranks or worse on each other, before coming to blows and starting the process all over again, much to the mixed horror and delight of their friends and the despair of the adults around them. Even after high school/college/adulthood/etc., the pair still did not get along until an authority figure stepped forward to force them to work together. To make matters worse one of the pair is an alpha in waiting and should know better. What are we going to do to get this pair together, safe, sane, and happy?
Photo Description:
Two men embrace one another, while one leans his head against the other one’s shoulder. They’re both smiling, looking happy and content.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
This pair had a long road in becoming a couple. From the day they first met as kids they were at each other’s throats, either pulling pranks or worse on each other, before coming to blows and starting the process all over again, much to the mixed horror and delight of their friends and the despair of the adults around them. Even after high school/college/adulthood/etc., the pair still did not get along until an authority figure stepped forward to force them to work together. To make matters worse one of the pair is an alpha in waiting and should know better. What are we going to do to get this pair together, safe, sane, and happy?
Photo Description:
Two men embrace one another, while one leans his head against the other one’s shoulder. They’re both smiling, looking happy and content.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
193 pages, ebook
First published September 30, 2015
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59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 30, 2015
Jackson and Ashley take the long way around in this enemies to lovers story, and they're pretty harsh to each other for packmates. It's a slow road as they go from spitting mad to swapping spit. Thoughtful with a twist of pain and angst.
3.5 Stars
My thanks to the author for participating in the MM Group's 2015 DRitC event, Love is an Open Road
3.5 Stars
My thanks to the author for participating in the MM Group's 2015 DRitC event, Love is an Open Road
February 15, 2018
Well, I loved every long bit of it. Bite me :D
5 stars
PS the only thing that got on my nerves somewhat was overused "male", but even that isn't enough to chip away at my final rating
5 stars
PS the only thing that got on my nerves somewhat was overused "male", but even that isn't enough to chip away at my final rating
October 2, 2015
This started out strong but then lagged a bit. Instead of answering some of the questions that could have enriched the story , I felt like the story sort of retold what we already knew.
I still liked the characters here. They really did have some issues to work out before their HEA.
I still liked the characters here. They really did have some issues to work out before their HEA.
October 9, 2015
That was draining. The two were so cruel to each other that it hurt me. But then they found love and it was better. It was tough for both of them to stop hurting each other.
The book is about werewolves but that aspect is not emphasized much.
There were also a few typos and confusing sentences, but I managed to get the gist of it.
The book is about werewolves but that aspect is not emphasized much.
There were also a few typos and confusing sentences, but I managed to get the gist of it.
October 15, 2015
This book had a tendency to really lag and just drag on. The story was really good and I enjoyed all the angst and heartbreak it took to get there. I just wish it wasn't so long and more to the point.
October 10, 2015
Usually, I don't read shifters stories.
Why? Because I can't stand them sic et simpliciter.
But I love the "enemies to lovers" stuff, it's just my cup.
So, I gave this story a try.
At first I was really captivated by the relationship between the two MCs. But then the story became repetitive and boring.
it took me a long time to finish this novel, I almost DFN'ed it.
I think that a cut of half the lenght of the story would have been for the best.
Why? Because I can't stand them sic et simpliciter.
But I love the "enemies to lovers" stuff, it's just my cup.
So, I gave this story a try.
At first I was really captivated by the relationship between the two MCs. But then the story became repetitive and boring.
it took me a long time to finish this novel, I almost DFN'ed it.
I think that a cut of half the lenght of the story would have been for the best.
October 1, 2015
I think this started of really nicely. It has an amazing prompt picture and I think we should pause to acknowledge. However, for me, I felt like it started to slip from being a good book to being a "oh c'mon, get on with it already. I'm already tired of reading about you" and that is never a good thing.
November 9, 2020
3.5*
The snark comes and goes between two boys raised as brothers, but the desire to keep reading never fades. And while I am not into shifter stories (in this case human to wolves), I am very much into enemies-into-lovers, and Hating You is the Hardest Part is very much the story of two boys, brought together by the older brother of one, thinking that the boys would complement each other.
What happens instead is a love/hate equation that neither boy as they grow up to be men in their late twenties can seem to acknowledge or reconcile. Consequently, they end up at each other's throats when they aren't avoiding each other. But the leader of the pack is a wise grandmother who recognizes a love story long before the lovers do.
A good read.
The snark comes and goes between two boys raised as brothers, but the desire to keep reading never fades. And while I am not into shifter stories (in this case human to wolves), I am very much into enemies-into-lovers, and Hating You is the Hardest Part is very much the story of two boys, brought together by the older brother of one, thinking that the boys would complement each other.
What happens instead is a love/hate equation that neither boy as they grow up to be men in their late twenties can seem to acknowledge or reconcile. Consequently, they end up at each other's throats when they aren't avoiding each other. But the leader of the pack is a wise grandmother who recognizes a love story long before the lovers do.
A good read.
November 24, 2017
Really good shifter story. Very different from other shifter stories in that while they had alphas, it wasn’t in the overbearing uber-alpha way that most are; demanding constant subservience. Also, they were led by female, Etta, who was just wonderfully sneaky in how she got her way. It was also different in that they didn’t have mates that were determined by some mysterious Fate, but rather by just falling in love.
Both MCs were hardheads but Etta’s scheme worked to break the barriers. Jackson seemed to try harder. I wanted to smack Ashley so many times because he was being so petulant. Glad they had their HEA but the ending was strange. Not sure I understood what that whole bit regarding what to call eachother was about.
The story was a bit long and dragged in places. Lot’s of focus on Ashley’s scars but just when you thought an explanation was about to come, it just led to more confusion.
Both MCs were hardheads but Etta’s scheme worked to break the barriers. Jackson seemed to try harder. I wanted to smack Ashley so many times because he was being so petulant. Glad they had their HEA but the ending was strange. Not sure I understood what that whole bit regarding what to call eachother was about.
The story was a bit long and dragged in places. Lot’s of focus on Ashley’s scars but just when you thought an explanation was about to come, it just led to more confusion.
May 11, 2018
I really liked it. Somewhere around 90% it lost me tbh. I wanted to shake Ashley by the throat.
The title is one of the best I've seen.
The title is one of the best I've seen.
October 6, 2016
I've no idea C.C.Jaz had participated in last year writing event! where the heck are my priorities?! *Runs in circles* ヽ(｀Д´)ノ (д´ノ) ヽ( )ノ (ヽ´△) ヽ(´△`)ﾉ
I totally loved A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules and this book share some similarities between them:
- They're both "enemies to lovers" a genre I personally deeply enjoy, so big win there!
- They're both paused and slow, the relationship grows steadily until the characters at the beginning and at the end are so different, yet keeping their essence and basic characteristics. For me, this is no real problem, I love a slow burn romance with passion, I really enjoy a very dedicated character development. Keep that in mind, and please, don't mind the "Short Stories" tag someone gave this book, that's not true.
- Both are very romance focused and have veeeeeery little sex. Actually, A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules has ZERO sex, and this one has one tiny, scrawny scene.
- Both have the nice addition of female characters not put there for decoration or villainy, so lady cookies for the author!
-Both made me cry :( like real tears, this one made me cry like 4 times,no, is not the hormones, what are you trying to say? yes, I'm menstruating but that's not the point.
This book is about Jackson and Ashley, two weredoggos who hate each other, otherwise this wouldn't be "enemies to lovers", you know?. Jackson is the younger brother of Danny, the prior alpha wolf who died in an accident. Ashley is a disabled, orphan puppo who Danny brought to the pack and adopted as family. Jackson likes to point out how useless and weak Ashley is, while Ashley likes to outsmart Jackson in order to keep some of his pride. By far Jackson and his friend Harvey are way more cruel to Ashley than the other way around.
Then we have adorable Etta, the grandmother of Jackson and current alpha dogo of the pack. She's been trying since forever to mend Jackson and Ashley's relationship, to no avail, the guys are totally fine hating each other and hitting and biting and all that animal stuff werepuppos do to each other. Etta's latest plan is to have Ashley and Jackson work together into searching Danny's old cottage for stuff to be salvaged before demolishing it. After one final confrontation with fists included, both admit they have been acting like asses (again, Jackson so much more than Ashley, is not even comparable!) they start finding the good in each other.
God, I need a sequel of this book, or more books from C.C.Jaz. She presses all my buttons: interesting cast, with protagonist that feel alive and very defined, a simple story revolving around love and the difficulties it brings, lots of drama and tears in my eyes, and a happy, well rounded ending. Wanna give money to this woman, please sell a book so I can give you money!!! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
I totally loved A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules and this book share some similarities between them:
- They're both "enemies to lovers" a genre I personally deeply enjoy, so big win there!
- They're both paused and slow, the relationship grows steadily until the characters at the beginning and at the end are so different, yet keeping their essence and basic characteristics. For me, this is no real problem, I love a slow burn romance with passion, I really enjoy a very dedicated character development. Keep that in mind, and please, don't mind the "Short Stories" tag someone gave this book, that's not true.
- Both are very romance focused and have veeeeeery little sex. Actually, A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules has ZERO sex, and this one has one tiny, scrawny scene.
- Both have the nice addition of female characters not put there for decoration or villainy, so lady cookies for the author!
-Both made me cry :( like real tears, this one made me cry like 4 times,
This book is about Jackson and Ashley, two weredoggos who hate each other, otherwise this wouldn't be "enemies to lovers", you know?. Jackson is the younger brother of Danny, the prior alpha wolf who died in an accident. Ashley is a disabled, orphan puppo who Danny brought to the pack and adopted as family. Jackson likes to point out how useless and weak Ashley is, while Ashley likes to outsmart Jackson in order to keep some of his pride. By far Jackson and his friend Harvey are way more cruel to Ashley than the other way around.
Then we have adorable Etta, the grandmother of Jackson and current alpha dogo of the pack. She's been trying since forever to mend Jackson and Ashley's relationship, to no avail, the guys are totally fine hating each other and hitting and biting and all that animal stuff werepuppos do to each other. Etta's latest plan is to have Ashley and Jackson work together into searching Danny's old cottage for stuff to be salvaged before demolishing it. After one final confrontation with fists included, both admit they have been acting like asses (again, Jackson so much more than Ashley, is not even comparable!) they start finding the good in each other.
God, I need a sequel of this book, or more books from C.C.Jaz. She presses all my buttons: interesting cast, with protagonist that feel alive and very defined, a simple story revolving around love and the difficulties it brings, lots of drama and tears in my eyes, and a happy, well rounded ending. Wanna give money to this woman, please sell a book so I can give you money!!! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅5̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
October 4, 2015
It was the picture prompt that caught my attention. How could those two guys who obviously loved each other so deeply have started out as enemies? It was the story that grabbed ahold of me and kept me invested in these two.
Ashley and Jackson didn't get along from the minute Jackson's brother Danny brought Ashley, the orphaned shifter, to their estate when he was just a child. Their arguments and physical fights were legendary. Either one of them would back down or give in. And neither one would consider the other's pain when they both suddenly lost Danny, Jackson's brother and Ashley's mentor and savior.
Now it's 10 years later. They still go out of their way to rile the other one up, but at least the physical altercations have lessened. Neither one of them like the idea of working together to clean out Danny's cottage on the estate, but when Etta, Jackson's grandmother and the Alpha of their pack ask, they make a half-hearted attempt. Going through boxes that Danny stored bring up memories for both of them, and neither of them handle the painful emotions from them. Contrition and shame finally come to them with Etta's help and they start to see the other in a different light.
But after hating each other for so long, it hard to build trust where such hurt and pain lived. Ashley hasn't had a life where trust is a common thing. It doesn't help when fear and outside forces try to speak louder than the budding emotions growing in their hearts.
I'll admit it. I did NOT like Jackson at first. His arrogance and petty jealousy of Ashley's relationship with Danny seemed juvenile and hurtful. But it's Jackson that makes that first gesture to contrition, fixing something that he shouldn't have destroyed. It was just the opening needed, and Ashley, the one with the big heart, reciprocates. The intensity of their emotions are directed in a completely different direction, and a sexual relationship develops that neither of them really want to define and one that others can't understand after years of contention between them.
And Ashley. *clenches heart* He had a tough childhood, some of which is just alluded to. Orphaned and attacked. No wonder that guy never truly felt safe, thinking that he could never find somewhere he could be. But those fears and his trust issues are always lurking inside him, especially when someone voices their objections to their relationship. Ashley definitely doesn't handle that well. Thank heaven there was Etta, who was my favorite secondary character along with Ollie.
It was definitely a good read for me.
Ashley and Jackson didn't get along from the minute Jackson's brother Danny brought Ashley, the orphaned shifter, to their estate when he was just a child. Their arguments and physical fights were legendary. Either one of them would back down or give in. And neither one would consider the other's pain when they both suddenly lost Danny, Jackson's brother and Ashley's mentor and savior.
Now it's 10 years later. They still go out of their way to rile the other one up, but at least the physical altercations have lessened. Neither one of them like the idea of working together to clean out Danny's cottage on the estate, but when Etta, Jackson's grandmother and the Alpha of their pack ask, they make a half-hearted attempt. Going through boxes that Danny stored bring up memories for both of them, and neither of them handle the painful emotions from them. Contrition and shame finally come to them with Etta's help and they start to see the other in a different light.
But after hating each other for so long, it hard to build trust where such hurt and pain lived. Ashley hasn't had a life where trust is a common thing. It doesn't help when fear and outside forces try to speak louder than the budding emotions growing in their hearts.
I'll admit it. I did NOT like Jackson at first. His arrogance and petty jealousy of Ashley's relationship with Danny seemed juvenile and hurtful. But it's Jackson that makes that first gesture to contrition, fixing something that he shouldn't have destroyed. It was just the opening needed, and Ashley, the one with the big heart, reciprocates. The intensity of their emotions are directed in a completely different direction, and a sexual relationship develops that neither of them really want to define and one that others can't understand after years of contention between them.
And Ashley. *clenches heart* He had a tough childhood, some of which is just alluded to. Orphaned and attacked. No wonder that guy never truly felt safe, thinking that he could never find somewhere he could be. But those fears and his trust issues are always lurking inside him, especially when someone voices their objections to their relationship. Ashley definitely doesn't handle that well. Thank heaven there was Etta, who was my favorite secondary character along with Ollie.
It was definitely a good read for me.
February 16, 2017
V enjoyable
October 3, 2015
I was a beta reader for this story while it was still in its early stages of development, and so my stars are currently based on that.
I WILL read the finalised version at some point very soon though, and will amend my score if I feel I need to.
I really enjoyed this story. The imagery was clear and allowed me to place myself in the scenes with the characters. The way the wolves' village was described made me long for a vacation in the sunny countryside, away from civilisation and the noise of everyday life!
The wolves were wonderful too. The characters were just so lovable. I dont know why, but bad boys with soft centres just seem to float my boat. To see Jackson shed his stony exterior as the the story progressed was what really kept me reading. And I had big <3s for Etta. She sort of reminded me of my own Mama (that's grandmother for those of you who don't speak Yorkshire...). She was cunning, insightful and couldn't help dabbling in the lives of her grandchildren.
I will be returning to read this one soon :)
I WILL read the finalised version at some point very soon though, and will amend my score if I feel I need to.
I really enjoyed this story. The imagery was clear and allowed me to place myself in the scenes with the characters. The way the wolves' village was described made me long for a vacation in the sunny countryside, away from civilisation and the noise of everyday life!
The wolves were wonderful too. The characters were just so lovable. I dont know why, but bad boys with soft centres just seem to float my boat. To see Jackson shed his stony exterior as the the story progressed was what really kept me reading. And I had big <3s for Etta. She sort of reminded me of my own Mama (that's grandmother for those of you who don't speak Yorkshire...). She was cunning, insightful and couldn't help dabbling in the lives of her grandchildren.
I will be returning to read this one soon :)
November 29, 2015
When Ashley was young Jacksons brother danny found him when he was young and injured. During the years Ashely and jackson hatted each other it went on for years even now. It was partly jealously on Jackson side. His brother paid more attention to ashley then him.Danny has died been a while and now its time to heal. the fued is still on Jackson Nana assign both guys to sort out the cottage where danny stayed, Together these guys will fight as well started caring for each other its a slow build up But it gets there. had me reading for hours couldnt put it down till i read it.
November 28, 2016
What a long and painful journey both Ashley and Jackson had to finally get to a place where they both excepted their feelings for each other. I give Ashley a lot of credit because he stayed and took so much abuse from Jackson and Harvey, I was amazed at his backbone and courage. It took quite a bit for Jackson to win me over and then when he did I was ready to throw him back with his unwavering friendship to Harvey even though he knew what a bully his friend was!!! What a long struggle and rocky road this relationship was but that's what made it all the more satisfying at the end.
October 27, 2015
3.5 stars rounded up.
A well written story with enemies to lovers theme that I really enjoyed. I liked the slow pace here and the tension. I admit the ending was a bit too calm for me but I still liked it. I enjoyed the characters and their changes through the story. I'd love to read more in this verse.
A well written story with enemies to lovers theme that I really enjoyed. I liked the slow pace here and the tension. I admit the ending was a bit too calm for me but I still liked it. I enjoyed the characters and their changes through the story. I'd love to read more in this verse.
August 3, 2016
2.5 stars. Nice story but it just went on and on.
October 5, 2015
Exceptionally well-written shifter love story. Lots of drama, angst, and maybe a touch too long, but worth taking the time to read.
October 5, 2015
2.5 to 3 stars
October 16, 2015
Slow build but good!
November 10, 2015
I loved this. I'm pissed it's over. There were some unanswered questions and a bit lacking in the sex department but it had lots of feels.
July 21, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews