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Hate Me, Take Me
HATE ME, TAKE ME
They say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and in the case of these couples, we’re talking razor thin!
In this hate-to-love duet by Clare James, two couples cross that dangerous line…more than once!
Hate Me
Falling for your sister’s nemesis? Only a low-life dog would do something like that, right? And that ain’t me, not anymore. I’m trying to be a stand-up guy—finally making smart decisions, helping my little sister, and getting my shit together. For once, things are finally going my way.
Until Jenna shows up. As soon as I meet her, I know she’s the enemy. I’ve heard enough to understand that she’s off limits. Banned. Forbidden. But when she moves in next door, it’s impossible to stay away, and I soon discover she’s not as bad as everyone says. Of course, she’s difficult, selfish, and a royal pain in the ass, but she’s also gorgeous, smart, kind, and…well, let’s just say I am that low-life dog. Traitor. Turncoat. And the world’s shittiest brother. Woof. Woof.
Take Me
It's an offer I can't refuse...
He was my best friend. He is my current enemy. Yet he wants me and I want him. And since we’re both stuck in our hometown unattached, we agree to a truce.
Two hours, once a week, no strings attached. But what sounds like the perfect arrangement, turns into so much more…yet not nearly enough.
This hate-to-love duet includes: Never Be Tamed, Two-Hour Truce, and exclusive bonus content.
They say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and in the case of these couples, we’re talking razor thin!
In this hate-to-love duet by Clare James, two couples cross that dangerous line…more than once!
Hate Me
Falling for your sister’s nemesis? Only a low-life dog would do something like that, right? And that ain’t me, not anymore. I’m trying to be a stand-up guy—finally making smart decisions, helping my little sister, and getting my shit together. For once, things are finally going my way.
Until Jenna shows up. As soon as I meet her, I know she’s the enemy. I’ve heard enough to understand that she’s off limits. Banned. Forbidden. But when she moves in next door, it’s impossible to stay away, and I soon discover she’s not as bad as everyone says. Of course, she’s difficult, selfish, and a royal pain in the ass, but she’s also gorgeous, smart, kind, and…well, let’s just say I am that low-life dog. Traitor. Turncoat. And the world’s shittiest brother. Woof. Woof.
Take Me
It's an offer I can't refuse...
He was my best friend. He is my current enemy. Yet he wants me and I want him. And since we’re both stuck in our hometown unattached, we agree to a truce.
Two hours, once a week, no strings attached. But what sounds like the perfect arrangement, turns into so much more…yet not nearly enough.
This hate-to-love duet includes: Never Be Tamed, Two-Hour Truce, and exclusive bonus content.
ebook
Published August 21, 2017
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96 people want to read
About the author
Clare James
34 books633 followersClare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO,MORE, DIRTY LITTLE LIES, TALK TO ME, and JUST LISTEN. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine.
A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.
Find her at:
www.clarejamesbooks.com
@clarejamesbooks
http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor
A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.
Find her at:
www.clarejamesbooks.com
@clarejamesbooks
http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 22, 2017
I want to give this book more than four stars. It deserves more than four stars. For the writing. However, since I'm reviewing the book as a whole, I feel like I have to give it four stars.
Let me get the bad stuff out of the way. Plainly put, the stories are done a disservice when read in the order in which they're presented. When Take Me is read after Hate Me, several things occur.
1. The book (as a whole) ends abruptly, when - if read the other way round - it would have more of a "finished" feel.
2. The main characters in the second story are mentioned frequently in the first one, and it alludes to their HEA. I would've liked to have read that first instead of having it "spoiled".
3. Tristan's financial situation isn't fully explained...
4. There are NO mentions of the first story's couple in Take Me, which becomes disconcerting after all the mentions in Hate Me.
5. Unrelated to the story sequence, there were a few loose threads left hanging, and I would've liked to see them tied up.
So, with that in mind, I couldn't justify 4.5 or 5-stars. That being said, the writing was impeccable, and I never lost interest in the book - characters, story, pacing, themes, etc. Thus the four stars.
Okay, so let's move on to the good stuff. :-)
Hate Me is about a guy who haplessly finds himself attracted to his sister's "mean girl" frenemy. Okay, not so much the "fren" part. Michael has always firmly believed in the whole "Blood is thicker than water" thing, so Jenna should be totally off-limits. But there are two sides to every story, and hers is pretty compelling.
Jenna's life spiralled for a while after a tragedy plunged her into self-hatred and shame. She became someone else, someone that walled off her old crowd, so she became one of the mean girls. It just kinda happened. But when she was away from them, her life was very different. Jenna had a side that wasn't mean at all. And that's the side that Michael fell for.
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In Take Me, Aria is returning home with her son, Cade. She'd never really gotten the life she wanted, and maybe this could be a fresh start. Although moving back in with her mother wasn't a dream come true, it was better than any other alternatives. She didn't count on Tristan though...
Who, in a weird twist of fate, was also back home. Taking care of his ailing father in exchange for a cut of the family business. Tristan gets a rude awakening when he finds out Aria is back, and with a kid in tow. When she got married, he severed all ties and declared a moratorium on all Aria-based news, so he had no clue what had happened to her in the years since they'd last seen each other.
Their attraction is stronger than ever, which leads to a deal that neither one of them wants to call off. Tristan finds himself deeper in Aria's orbit than he wants to be, and LIKING it.
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I'm giving this duology four "Wednesday/Oscar" stars. :-)
August 21, 2017
Hate Me - Never Be Tamed from The Impossible Love Series
This book was a fast fun read for me. I enjoyed the characters and the story line for sure. I did have a few questions about some things that happened in the story but didn't seem to get tied up. This didn't really take away from the book for me though, just left me wondering after.
This book is actually the 6th book in the Impossible Love series and was able to be read as a standalone, however, I think I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the other books first so that I knew more about the back story of the other characters. This book is Michael and Jenna's story but the other characters are mentioned and situations are brought up that I would have understood better had I read the other books first. I loved that the book was told from dual points of view. I always get into the book more when I can understand how the characters are feeling from both sides. Definitely worth the read.
Take Me - Two Hour Truce or also published as Wednesday from the Impossible Love Series
Aria and Tristan get to have their story told in the second half of this duet. We get to hear about them a little bit in the first part because Tristan happens to be good friends with Jenna. However, this book takes us back before everything is going on in Jenna's story to show us how Aria and Tristan went from enemies to lovers. This book for sure was easily able to be read as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading any of the other books first. - By Alisa
This book was a fast fun read for me. I enjoyed the characters and the story line for sure. I did have a few questions about some things that happened in the story but didn't seem to get tied up. This didn't really take away from the book for me though, just left me wondering after.
This book is actually the 6th book in the Impossible Love series and was able to be read as a standalone, however, I think I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the other books first so that I knew more about the back story of the other characters. This book is Michael and Jenna's story but the other characters are mentioned and situations are brought up that I would have understood better had I read the other books first. I loved that the book was told from dual points of view. I always get into the book more when I can understand how the characters are feeling from both sides. Definitely worth the read.
Take Me - Two Hour Truce or also published as Wednesday from the Impossible Love Series
Aria and Tristan get to have their story told in the second half of this duet. We get to hear about them a little bit in the first part because Tristan happens to be good friends with Jenna. However, this book takes us back before everything is going on in Jenna's story to show us how Aria and Tristan went from enemies to lovers. This book for sure was easily able to be read as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading any of the other books first. - By Alisa
August 21, 2017
Hate Me, Take Me is most certainly a Contemporary Romance, but I hesitate to call it a Romantic Comedy. Both stories have their amusing moments, more so in the second book than the first, but there were too many serious issues for me to consider either story a comedy. Jenna and Michael's story, especially, deal with some pretty dark topics. The scenes with the dogs were cute and the pair did find themselves in some interesting situations, but not so much on the funny. I felt more sorry for Jenna than amused by her. Tristan and Aria's tale is much lighter and the interactions between Tristan and Cade were absolutely adorable. There are a few chuckles in this second part of the book, especially where young Cade is involved.
That being said, both stories are very well-written and the pacing and writing style kept me interested and turning pages. I did find Tristan and Aria's tale the more enjoyable of the two, but both stories were engaging and well worth reading. While I may not share the author's idea of what is and isn't comedy, she is talented and I would most certainly read her work again.
That being said, both stories are very well-written and the pacing and writing style kept me interested and turning pages. I did find Tristan and Aria's tale the more enjoyable of the two, but both stories were engaging and well worth reading. While I may not share the author's idea of what is and isn't comedy, she is talented and I would most certainly read her work again.
August 18, 2017
This book has two stories in it. Book 1 was previously published as Never Be Tamed and Book 2 as Two-Hour Truce.
Book One:
From the perspective of Jenna and Michael.
Jenna is a girl who works at a no kill shelter for dogs and a College senior, Michael is a college senior and a trainee police officer.
Michael sister is dating Jenna's ex-boyfriend Noah, so there is animosity between the two.
Book Two:
From the perspective of Aria and Tristian.
Aria is a divorced single mum who moves back home to start her life over, Tristian is the boy who poured his heart to her before she got married and left town.
Four years later they meet at the grocery store.
Both stories are short reads but really good. I cannot wait to read more from Clare James.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for a honest review.
Book One:
From the perspective of Jenna and Michael.
Jenna is a girl who works at a no kill shelter for dogs and a College senior, Michael is a college senior and a trainee police officer.
Michael sister is dating Jenna's ex-boyfriend Noah, so there is animosity between the two.
Book Two:
From the perspective of Aria and Tristian.
Aria is a divorced single mum who moves back home to start her life over, Tristian is the boy who poured his heart to her before she got married and left town.
Four years later they meet at the grocery store.
Both stories are short reads but really good. I cannot wait to read more from Clare James.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for a honest review.
August 21, 2017
I am so in love with this book.
It has everything. There are moments you can't stop laughing because of how funny the scenes are. And there are others where you can't stop swooning because of how sweet they are.
The plotlines are interesting and refreshing. And the characters are amazing. The connections they share with each other are so real and raw. So their interactions make the story even better. Each of them is unique in a way that makes you want to be friends with them.
And that's not everything. Truth is, even though there are many hilarious and sweet scenes, there are also some steamy ones. So yeah, like I said. This book has it all.
The sweet, the fun and the spicy touch.
It has everything. There are moments you can't stop laughing because of how funny the scenes are. And there are others where you can't stop swooning because of how sweet they are.
The plotlines are interesting and refreshing. And the characters are amazing. The connections they share with each other are so real and raw. So their interactions make the story even better. Each of them is unique in a way that makes you want to be friends with them.
And that's not everything. Truth is, even though there are many hilarious and sweet scenes, there are also some steamy ones. So yeah, like I said. This book has it all.
The sweet, the fun and the spicy touch.
August 25, 2017
At the suggestion of a fellow reader, I started with Take Me first and then read Hate Me... Reading it in this order gave me Tristion and Aria's back story, had I read Hate Me first I would have already known the outcome... No fun! What this book doesn't give you is the connection between Tristion and Jenna... I het that they're friends but that's it.. No history...
Both stories were "ok", I wasn't really invested in the characters or the plot... They'd start off interesting and then somewhere along the way the flow would speed up which too much happened in too little time... No character growth or time to get the "feels" for them...
Both stories were "ok", I wasn't really invested in the characters or the plot... They'd start off interesting and then somewhere along the way the flow would speed up which too much happened in too little time... No character growth or time to get the "feels" for them...
August 22, 2017
I could in all honesty only give this book 3.5 stars.
I haven’t read this author before and went in blind with this book, which is a duet of stories previously published under the titles Never Be Tamed and Two-Hour Truce.
I liked both books, they were a quick and easy read even though Hate Me alludes a fair bit to an earlier book in the series and leaves you feeling like something in the story is missing. I was still okay to read though so I pushed through. You’re definitely getting a bargain buying this duet compilation as the books are $2.99-3.99 individually. Worth a read.
I haven’t read this author before and went in blind with this book, which is a duet of stories previously published under the titles Never Be Tamed and Two-Hour Truce.
I liked both books, they were a quick and easy read even though Hate Me alludes a fair bit to an earlier book in the series and leaves you feeling like something in the story is missing. I was still okay to read though so I pushed through. You’re definitely getting a bargain buying this duet compilation as the books are $2.99-3.99 individually. Worth a read.
August 23, 2017
I liked both books, but didn't love them. I found the characters fun and the plots fairly straight forward. Nothing super crazy in a twist aspect, but sometimes a good straight forward book is good to read.
I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
April 5, 2018
2nd star was for the dogs...
August 28, 2017
Hate Me (Never be Tamed)
I just couldn't put it down! The tension, the thrill, the chemistry - this story is big on these! You have to read to understand how the story of Jenna and Michael, the two unlikely pair, is something that will cater to your every book cravings!
Take Me (Two-Hour Truce)
Sexy and angsty! When two people are thrown back together into a small town, it's fate giving them a nudge in the right direction. But what if these two angsty pair is so caught up with their own drama, that they can't commit to more than just one night a week? Will it work in their favor? Read on and find out!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
I just couldn't put it down! The tension, the thrill, the chemistry - this story is big on these! You have to read to understand how the story of Jenna and Michael, the two unlikely pair, is something that will cater to your every book cravings!
Take Me (Two-Hour Truce)
Sexy and angsty! When two people are thrown back together into a small town, it's fate giving them a nudge in the right direction. But what if these two angsty pair is so caught up with their own drama, that they can't commit to more than just one night a week? Will it work in their favor? Read on and find out!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
August 28, 2017
Hate Me (Never be Tamed)
I just couldn't put it down! The tension, the thrill, the chemistry - this story is big on these! You have to read to understand how the story of Jenna and Michael, the two unlikely pair, is something that will cater to your every book cravings!
Take Me (Two-Hour Truce)
Sexy and angsty! When two people are thrown back together into a small town, it's fate giving them a nudge in the right direction. But what if these two angsty pair is so caught up with their own drama, that they can't commit to more than just one night a week? Will it work in their favor? Read on and find out!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
I just couldn't put it down! The tension, the thrill, the chemistry - this story is big on these! You have to read to understand how the story of Jenna and Michael, the two unlikely pair, is something that will cater to your every book cravings!
Take Me (Two-Hour Truce)
Sexy and angsty! When two people are thrown back together into a small town, it's fate giving them a nudge in the right direction. But what if these two angsty pair is so caught up with their own drama, that they can't commit to more than just one night a week? Will it work in their favor? Read on and find out!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews