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The Romano Sisters #1
The One I Love to Hate
Don’t hate the player…
Achieve lifelong dream of becoming a reporter? Check .
Land dream job working with her idol at the Brooklyn Daily Post ? Check .
Navigate working across the street from her college nemesis?
Okay, yes, hate the player.
But Jessica Romano doesn’t have time to be bothered by the likes of Alex Drake. She’s struck up a fiery online flirtation with a mystery man and—thanks to Alex’s family’s gossip website, competitor Click News—she also has a newspaper to save.
But she is bothered by Alex. She’s bothered by the fact that Click News keeps scooping the Daily Post ’s stories. And by how Alex always gets what he wants.
And she’s really bothered by how she can’t seem to stop staring at his stupid, sexy face.
Or how their competitive banter is starting to sound like familiar foreplay.
Suddenly Jess isn’t just bothered by Alex; she’s hot and bothered. Hot sex and swoony romance are almost enough to make her forget the vast divide between old media and new…and the Romanos from Brooklyn and the Drakes of Manhattan.
The Romano Sisters
Book 1: The One I Love to Hate
Book 2: Love and the Laws of Motion
Book 3: Love Around the Corner
Achieve lifelong dream of becoming a reporter? Check .
Land dream job working with her idol at the Brooklyn Daily Post ? Check .
Navigate working across the street from her college nemesis?
Okay, yes, hate the player.
But Jessica Romano doesn’t have time to be bothered by the likes of Alex Drake. She’s struck up a fiery online flirtation with a mystery man and—thanks to Alex’s family’s gossip website, competitor Click News—she also has a newspaper to save.
But she is bothered by Alex. She’s bothered by the fact that Click News keeps scooping the Daily Post ’s stories. And by how Alex always gets what he wants.
And she’s really bothered by how she can’t seem to stop staring at his stupid, sexy face.
Or how their competitive banter is starting to sound like familiar foreplay.
Suddenly Jess isn’t just bothered by Alex; she’s hot and bothered. Hot sex and swoony romance are almost enough to make her forget the vast divide between old media and new…and the Romanos from Brooklyn and the Drakes of Manhattan.
The Romano Sisters
Book 1: The One I Love to Hate
Book 2: Love and the Laws of Motion
Book 3: Love Around the Corner
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 18, 2019
19 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Weaver
14 books485 followersAmanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.
A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.
A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 16, 2019
Not going to lie, this book was totally a book I picked up because of the cover. It's so pretty and eye-catching. Often times my cover whorish ways can lead me astray, but luckily for me, The One I Love To Hate was a book that was right up my alley. It hit all the right notes for me and it's definitely made me want to pick up more books from Amanda Weaver.
The One I Love to Hate has some fantastic tropes including hate-to-love, rivalry, and relationships developing over texts. All these tropes are total catnips for me so you can imagine just how giddy I was while reading this book. This is the story of Jess, a young journalist working for one of the only old-school newspapers. Jess was a fun character. Her deep love and interest in her career really came through in this book. Jess was also stubborn and I loved that even though her particular job was precarious, she never quite quit dreaming. She had goals she wanted to achieve and she worked hard to achieve them. There is something very inspiring about characters like Jess and she was a good reminder for readers to never abandon your dreams. Jess' nemesis happens to be Alex Drake, who is the son of the owner of a Buzzfeed-like outlet. I really liked Alex's character, as well. There was so much more to him than the confident exterior he gave across. He may have been offered everything on a silver platter, but he also felt a ton of pressure. It was a little sad to see him unable to go after what he really wanted. The guy deserved a hug.
Jess and Alex had a history between them. They met in college and shared an attraction to each other. Unfortunately (or fortunately for us readers), a misunderstanding led to them hating each other. Their rivalry only seemed to intensify their chemistry. The back and forth banter was so witty. I had a permanent grin reading about their interactions. Even through the hate vibes, I could sense their A+ sexual tension. Add to that, their supportive interactions through the message boards (neither knows that the person they are talking to is actually their rival)! When they do get together, the romance was super sweet. It definitely gave me the happy feels. :) I also really loved Jess' bond with her sisters. They were a supportive, funny, and loving bunch. I look forward to Jess' sisters finding love too!
The One I Love to Hate was just the loveliest romance and I recommend it if you enjoy your romances full of snark and sexiness! I am always excited to discover new authors that I like and Amanda Weaver is definitely one of those exciting discoveries for me. I can't wait to read more from her.
March 22, 2019
This was SUPER enjoyable. It's You've Got Mail, only set in the cutthroat world of Brooklyn journalism and there's lots of social media, and I was just super into it. Plus there's going to be a science book and I'm thinking a restaurant one, and this is a series designed to appeal to all of my interests.
Definitely check this out!
Definitely check this out!
November 20, 2019
I found it difficult to settle on a rating because even though the premise/tropes really appealed to me, there were some plot decisions in the latter half of the book that made it really difficult for me to suspend my disbelief.
First, the premise: I picked up this ARC because the blurb sounded right up my alley. Journalism enemies-to-lovers + You've Got Mail retelling? Sign me up. Jess Romano and Alex Drake have had an antagonistic relationship since college, which ended... two years ago. I kinda had to suspend my disbelief that so many 23/24-year olds were running around NYC in high-demand journalistic positions (I *maybe* bought that Jess and Lina could get jobs at a downtrodden newspaper right after college - though really, that would most likely be an internship in real life - but I found it hard to swallow that Chase became the "head of journalism" at ClickNews, even with Alex's connections.). Jess's family business is a bar at Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, but she's escaped the family legacy by pursuing a journalism degree and becoming a reporter at the Brooklyn Daily Post, a local investigative outlet headed by Jess's mentor Mariel Kemper.
Alex Drake is the son of Dan Drake, billionaire and owner of Drake Media. They've recently acquired ClickNews (envision a fictional version of BuzzFeed but without a large journalistic division) and Alex has temporarily been put in charge of the ClickNews HQ in Williamsburg. It just so happens that the ClickNews HQ is across the street from the Brooklyn Daily Post, so Alex and Jess conveniently bump into each other at every coffee run. Unbeknownst to both of them, they also regularly message each other on a social media-esque site for anonymous journalists. Even though "PaperGirl" and "Peabody" don't reveal their identities to each other, they are able to confide about their workplace struggles and secret insecurities.
I really, really dug the premise. I'm a sucker for college rivals, and in this case both of them had secret crushes on each other during college (and one make-out session that didn't go any further due to an eavesdropping misunderstanding). I liked the insecurity Alex faced re: the weight of his dad's expectations and the understanding that he'd eventually lead Drake Media. I also liked Jess's idealistic nature about what journalism can accomplish, and felt sympathetic to her workplace struggles (from battling the "dragon" Lauren to trying to write a more important story about local corruption). Alex and Jess also had great banter and chemistry with each other.
Unfortunately, the things I didn't like outweighed the things I liked.
1) There was an incident where Alex's longtime friend Chase makes a racist remark to Jess's friends, Lina and Hassan, who are respectively Puerto Rican and Pakistani. Chase is Lina's ex and an egotistical asshole. Generally speaking, I'm not of fan of characterizing an asshole by making him casually racist. It seems like lazy characterization, especially when before that incident, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to ship him with Lina or not. I was also *extremely* annoyed by this incident because Alex apologizes to Lina and Hassan, but doesn't actually do anything to hold Chase accountable. He doesn't follow Chase and make him apologize (at least not that I saw in the text). He doesn't end his friendship because his longtime friend is an asshole. What am I supposed to learn from this incident? That Alex is a passive bystander who is willing tolerate racist bullshit? That it's not a friend-ending offense? This is especially infuriating because Alex and Chase come into conflict later on over a separate reason - apparently *that* conflict (which is admittedly very important) is enough to make Alex mad at Chase. Honestly, this throwaway racist remark seemed to have zero purpose except to lazily characterize Chase as an antagonist. I could have gleaned that from Chase's other actions, especially when the incident caused me to have a lower opinion of Alex.
2) Alex and Jess handle their organizations' respective social media accounts and get into a twitter feud. I guess this is supposed to be funny? They basically insult each other under the guise of humor. Well, I didn't find it funny and thought it was hugely unprofessional (who cares if it gained Jess's newspaper more followers? It still doesn't justify the unprofessional behavior).
I was cringing the entire time (and there's so much more). I really, really could have done without this plotline.
The last two reasons are extremely spoilery and spoil a significant plot point in the latter half of the book. I will use spoiler tags to describe the rage-inducing character actions. Don't click if you don't want to know. You have been warned.
I really wanted to enjoy this because the premise was my catnip, but it didn't work out because I just couldn't get over some plot/character decisions made in the latter half of the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First, the premise: I picked up this ARC because the blurb sounded right up my alley. Journalism enemies-to-lovers + You've Got Mail retelling? Sign me up. Jess Romano and Alex Drake have had an antagonistic relationship since college, which ended... two years ago. I kinda had to suspend my disbelief that so many 23/24-year olds were running around NYC in high-demand journalistic positions (I *maybe* bought that Jess and Lina could get jobs at a downtrodden newspaper right after college - though really, that would most likely be an internship in real life - but I found it hard to swallow that Chase became the "head of journalism" at ClickNews, even with Alex's connections.). Jess's family business is a bar at Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, but she's escaped the family legacy by pursuing a journalism degree and becoming a reporter at the Brooklyn Daily Post, a local investigative outlet headed by Jess's mentor Mariel Kemper.
Alex Drake is the son of Dan Drake, billionaire and owner of Drake Media. They've recently acquired ClickNews (envision a fictional version of BuzzFeed but without a large journalistic division) and Alex has temporarily been put in charge of the ClickNews HQ in Williamsburg. It just so happens that the ClickNews HQ is across the street from the Brooklyn Daily Post, so Alex and Jess conveniently bump into each other at every coffee run. Unbeknownst to both of them, they also regularly message each other on a social media-esque site for anonymous journalists. Even though "PaperGirl" and "Peabody" don't reveal their identities to each other, they are able to confide about their workplace struggles and secret insecurities.
I really, really dug the premise. I'm a sucker for college rivals, and in this case both of them had secret crushes on each other during college (and one make-out session that didn't go any further due to an eavesdropping misunderstanding). I liked the insecurity Alex faced re: the weight of his dad's expectations and the understanding that he'd eventually lead Drake Media. I also liked Jess's idealistic nature about what journalism can accomplish, and felt sympathetic to her workplace struggles (from battling the "dragon" Lauren to trying to write a more important story about local corruption). Alex and Jess also had great banter and chemistry with each other.
Unfortunately, the things I didn't like outweighed the things I liked.
1) There was an incident where Alex's longtime friend Chase makes a racist remark to Jess's friends, Lina and Hassan, who are respectively Puerto Rican and Pakistani. Chase is Lina's ex and an egotistical asshole. Generally speaking, I'm not of fan of characterizing an asshole by making him casually racist. It seems like lazy characterization, especially when before that incident, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to ship him with Lina or not. I was also *extremely* annoyed by this incident because Alex apologizes to Lina and Hassan, but doesn't actually do anything to hold Chase accountable. He doesn't follow Chase and make him apologize (at least not that I saw in the text). He doesn't end his friendship because his longtime friend is an asshole. What am I supposed to learn from this incident? That Alex is a passive bystander who is willing tolerate racist bullshit? That it's not a friend-ending offense? This is especially infuriating because Alex and Chase come into conflict later on over a separate reason - apparently *that* conflict (which is admittedly very important) is enough to make Alex mad at Chase. Honestly, this throwaway racist remark seemed to have zero purpose except to lazily characterize Chase as an antagonist. I could have gleaned that from Chase's other actions, especially when the incident caused me to have a lower opinion of Alex.
2) Alex and Jess handle their organizations' respective social media accounts and get into a twitter feud. I guess this is supposed to be funny? They basically insult each other under the guise of humor. Well, I didn't find it funny and thought it was hugely unprofessional (who cares if it gained Jess's newspaper more followers? It still doesn't justify the unprofessional behavior).
@ClickNews @Brooklyn_Daily_Post Yeah, the geriatric crowd loves using twenty words when five will suffice. Explains so much.
@Brooklyn_Daily_Post @ClickNews If you’re implying it’s quality over quantity, first that requires some level of quality.
@ClickNews @Brooklyn_Daily_Post Quality? You’re a paper that covers recycling schedules on the front page
I was cringing the entire time (and there's so much more). I really, really could have done without this plotline.
The last two reasons are extremely spoilery and spoil a significant plot point in the latter half of the book. I will use spoiler tags to describe the rage-inducing character actions. Don't click if you don't want to know. You have been warned.
I really wanted to enjoy this because the premise was my catnip, but it didn't work out because I just couldn't get over some plot/character decisions made in the latter half of the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2019
I really loved this, what a delight! Give me a "You've Got Mail" type story any day, it would be hard to make me not love it. But I fell hard for both Alex and Jess, too; their antagonising and back-and-forth verbal sparring is the type of stuff I'm addicted to.
The supporting characters were great as well, I'm pretty excited for the other two Romano sisters to get their own story.
The supporting characters were great as well, I'm pretty excited for the other two Romano sisters to get their own story.
November 9, 2023
Very generic NA story. I liked the author's historical romances. This one is forgettable.
February 26, 2019
I quite liked this book! I rate it at 3.5 stars.
Jessica works at a newspaper in Brooklyn, fresh from college. She works for her idol, Mariel, who has taken over the paper about a year ago and once helped Jessica's family by publishing an article. One day Jessica bumps into Alex, whom she has met in college and shared a moment with. He works for a rival news outlet (owned by his father), internet based, and so the rivalry starts (again). In the meantime, they both talk to each other (without knowing) on a journalist platform.
So far all the ingredients of the romcom 'You've got mail'. I love the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope so I enjoyed the pseudo-hate and insults. As it was obvious they both have been crushing on each other for quite a while and misunderstandings got in their way.
The reason it did not get full rating for me is the fact I just don't really like journalism-stories so I could not really get into the total dedication of both MC's. I focused on the relationship parts and the banter.
Jessica works at a newspaper in Brooklyn, fresh from college. She works for her idol, Mariel, who has taken over the paper about a year ago and once helped Jessica's family by publishing an article. One day Jessica bumps into Alex, whom she has met in college and shared a moment with. He works for a rival news outlet (owned by his father), internet based, and so the rivalry starts (again). In the meantime, they both talk to each other (without knowing) on a journalist platform.
So far all the ingredients of the romcom 'You've got mail'. I love the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope so I enjoyed the pseudo-hate and insults. As it was obvious they both have been crushing on each other for quite a while and misunderstandings got in their way.
The reason it did not get full rating for me is the fact I just don't really like journalism-stories so I could not really get into the total dedication of both MC's. I focused on the relationship parts and the banter.
September 8, 2019
This book gave me such nostalgia for New York City, to be more precise Brooklyn, and I currently live here. It was such a sweet story of enemies to lovers with a love for the written word on a backdrop of Brooklyn Bridge. The whole story itself gave me the feels of "You Got Mail" and that was one of my favorite movies. This book could not have been a bigger hit in my heart.
Alex and Jessica have history between them that makes it so easy to extend it into a rivalry between them. It just happens they are both working in the same field for two very different newspapers. I couldn't' help but compare it to what is currently happening in Brooklyn; Jessica represents the old Brooklyn and love for old fashioned news published in newspapers and Alex is the gentrified Brooklyn as his "newspaper" is online media publishing.
Even when all the odds are stacked against them their attraction is undeniable. Their sexual tension is palpable through the kindle. I fell in love with the characters and even the secondary characters who provided a variety of different characters who reside in this great city.
There are so many layers to this book especially for a New Yorker like me and I can not wait to read the rest of the stories of The Romano Sisters.
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Alex and Jessica have history between them that makes it so easy to extend it into a rivalry between them. It just happens they are both working in the same field for two very different newspapers. I couldn't' help but compare it to what is currently happening in Brooklyn; Jessica represents the old Brooklyn and love for old fashioned news published in newspapers and Alex is the gentrified Brooklyn as his "newspaper" is online media publishing.
Even when all the odds are stacked against them their attraction is undeniable. Their sexual tension is palpable through the kindle. I fell in love with the characters and even the secondary characters who provided a variety of different characters who reside in this great city.
There are so many layers to this book especially for a New Yorker like me and I can not wait to read the rest of the stories of The Romano Sisters.
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March 19, 2019
I loved this book so much--hidden online identities are my catnip, and this one is perfectly paired with some angsty (and sexy!) Benedick/Beatrice sparring.
The cast of characters is huge and busy and fun, perfect for a New York romance, and it was so fun to get pulled along in the crowd of Alex's and Jess's family and friends. I can't wait for more stories of this group.
Oh, and I tore through it in a day. The writing is so smooth, in a chic Brooklyn street sax blue-note kind of way, the tension perfectly drawn between heartbreak and humor.
Best line: "Oh hell...he had integrity."
The cast of characters is huge and busy and fun, perfect for a New York romance, and it was so fun to get pulled along in the crowd of Alex's and Jess's family and friends. I can't wait for more stories of this group.
Oh, and I tore through it in a day. The writing is so smooth, in a chic Brooklyn street sax blue-note kind of way, the tension perfectly drawn between heartbreak and humor.
Best line: "Oh hell...he had integrity."
May 26, 2024
This was so fun!! A little bit You’ve Got Mail, a little bit The Hating Game - and totally Rory/Logan coded. I loved it! This series promises to be fun as a whole, as the two other Romano sisters introduced in this one were interesting characters. The next book looks like it has Ali Hazelwood vibes which I’m really excited for. I’ll keep an eye out for Amanda Weaver’s releases as I really enjoyed her writing style.
September 21, 2019
This was fun! I was just feeling like a romance that was a quick read, and I generally know a carina press book will hit that mark for me. It was a nice palate cleanser between some longer, more world building-y books that I have going on at the moment.
April 29, 2019
This was extremely charming and even better than I thought it'd be - and I knew I would like it, considering the premise and whose read-shelf I took this from (thank you Jess!). It would've been extremely easy for this to come off as fanfic-y, but it never feels stilted or like there are empty spaces where character work should be - it's very good.
Kudos in particular for the way the You've Got Mail reveal functions - the tension points in this story and this relationship felt just a little different in a way that really worked. Just a quick, super fun read that made the plus-one on my read count list feel like a lot less work than it has been lately.
Kudos in particular for the way the You've Got Mail reveal functions - the tension points in this story and this relationship felt just a little different in a way that really worked. Just a quick, super fun read that made the plus-one on my read count list feel like a lot less work than it has been lately.
March 14, 2019
Smart, sweet - Perfect. You know when you finish a book and you close your eyes and smile, basking in that satisfied feeling? That's what you'll get from The One I Love to Hate. It's the first of three in Amanda Weaver's Romano Sisters series. This one follows the middle sister, Jessica, as she tries to succeed as a newspaper reporter despite the annoyingly perfect Alex from journalism school who works at a rival outlet. I loved that the characters were smart and real; no caricatures here. Even Alex's media mogul father surprised me with his depth. There's a great balance of heat with romance. I even saw the opportunity for a couple novellas about the minor characters. Here's hoping! I'm so glad she's writing contemporary again!
December 23, 2019
While I’m never above reading a predictable book, this one was not only predictable, it was just OK. From the very beginning it was easy to see where things were going, but with books like these it’s more about the journey than the destination. That being said, the journey just wasn’t intriguing enough. The characters didn’t have the build up, nor the palpable chemistry to pull off this hate to love, love story.
March 18, 2019
This was a fun, quick little book. The romance built perfectly. I loved how ‘intelligent’ it felt. It’s a story for grown-ups, for people who want to see adults acting like adults. The MC’s were tough when they needed to be, but tender when it was called for. Some of the circumstances worked out in ways that were a bit too perfect for reality, but fit in the story really well. I feel smarter for having read it.
February 28, 2019
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
I would describe it as The Bold Type meets You've Got Mail - and then sprinkle in a little Gilmore Girls (Rory & Logan at the newspaper). If these are references that resonate with you - don't even read the rest of this review, just GET THIS BOOK!!
Jess is working her dream job at a small paper in Brooklyn - but unfortunately an online media company just moved in across the street, being led Alex Drake who she's known and hated since college.
Jess has an online flirtation with someone she met through a journalism site so she doesn't want to waste time being bothered by Alex...but somehow she still is.
I pictured Jane from The Bold Type as Jess and her boss Jacqueline as Mariel in the book. I loved every minute of reading this book and can't wait until the next book is out in the Romano Sisters series this fall!
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
I would describe it as The Bold Type meets You've Got Mail - and then sprinkle in a little Gilmore Girls (Rory & Logan at the newspaper). If these are references that resonate with you - don't even read the rest of this review, just GET THIS BOOK!!
Jess is working her dream job at a small paper in Brooklyn - but unfortunately an online media company just moved in across the street, being led Alex Drake who she's known and hated since college.
Jess has an online flirtation with someone she met through a journalism site so she doesn't want to waste time being bothered by Alex...but somehow she still is.
I pictured Jane from The Bold Type as Jess and her boss Jacqueline as Mariel in the book. I loved every minute of reading this book and can't wait until the next book is out in the Romano Sisters series this fall!
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 23, 2021
I didn't care for the plot decisions and wasn't on board with how it all worked out with everyone being ok with each other after such huge, life-altering events.
March 23, 2019
Oh, this was a book I couldn't wait to get home from work to read all this week! It's a tale of two young professionals who have some unresolved feelings from their college days. Jessica had a huge crush on Alex back then, and circumstances almost had them hooking up, but it just didn't happen.
When they run into each other a few years later, it's clear from the start that Alex has feelings for Jessica but they still have many hurdles to cross -- especially Jessica's fiery irritation with Alex that masks her true feelings. There are definite sparks flying between these two in the first half of the book and I really loved these pages for their growing sexual tension between Jessica and Alex.
It takes a little while for Alex and Jessica to get on the same page, but when they do, it's sweet and romantic. The book is written mostly from Jessica's point of view, with occasional glimpses into Alex's head which were like little nuggets of gold throughout the book. And I really liked the contrast between Jessica's extended middle class family and Alex's wealthy father. Dan Drake was a very interesting character and the way he loved his son was a refreshing aspect of this story.
This was a book I read whenever I had a free moment at work and I couldn't wait to dig back into it when I got home. It had a good pace, and I liked the issues that lurked beneath the surface like the difference in the main characters economic status and their search for what they truly wanted in their lives.
The One I Love to Hate is a sweet and romantic tale of fated frenemies that kept me interested until the final page. It's a lighter story that had me smiling and left me feeling good. Definitely recommended.
An ARC was provided for review.
When they run into each other a few years later, it's clear from the start that Alex has feelings for Jessica but they still have many hurdles to cross -- especially Jessica's fiery irritation with Alex that masks her true feelings. There are definite sparks flying between these two in the first half of the book and I really loved these pages for their growing sexual tension between Jessica and Alex.
It takes a little while for Alex and Jessica to get on the same page, but when they do, it's sweet and romantic. The book is written mostly from Jessica's point of view, with occasional glimpses into Alex's head which were like little nuggets of gold throughout the book. And I really liked the contrast between Jessica's extended middle class family and Alex's wealthy father. Dan Drake was a very interesting character and the way he loved his son was a refreshing aspect of this story.
This was a book I read whenever I had a free moment at work and I couldn't wait to dig back into it when I got home. It had a good pace, and I liked the issues that lurked beneath the surface like the difference in the main characters economic status and their search for what they truly wanted in their lives.
The One I Love to Hate is a sweet and romantic tale of fated frenemies that kept me interested until the final page. It's a lighter story that had me smiling and left me feeling good. Definitely recommended.
An ARC was provided for review.
March 1, 2019
5 HOT STARS
YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG https://antonellasbookworld.blogspot....
This is an enemies-to-lovers novel and from this I just knew from the start that I would have loved it.
Because, really:
Chemistry? Checked 💓
Hotness? Checked 💓
Feelings all over the place? Checked 💓
Jess Romano is a journalist in the Daily Post at Brooklyn, New York. One day she met her college enemy at a coffee shop, Alex Drake. They worked in the same university newspaper back at school and they never hid their hate toward each other even back then.
And then one day she starts chatting with a mistery man online, Peabody. She doesn't really know who he is. The passion he ooze with his words makes Jess attracterìd to him.
So, what did I like about this book?
First of all, Jess Romano.
She is passionate, idealistic and she doesn't give up on her dream of becoming a top journalist even though she the lest senior one in her paper. Her chemistry with Alex Drake is off the charts and when she realises what she really feels for him she doesn't ran away, she gets in it and she doesn't hid it to him.
Their history was good too. We get to know where all their hate toward each other comes from by getting a glimpse from their past at college.
Alex Drake is an interesting character too. He is one of those people who has two faces, the one who reserves just for Jess, the real Alex who is carefree and passionate, and then there is his stony one who puts on in front of his fater's employees and everyone else.
The book was really interesting, a light read and, most importantly, a story of two people who follow their dreams, of a guy who at the end choose to follow his dream despite his father and his legacy, his big and rich legacy.
With fights, arguments, their hate toward each other and, at the end, their way to support each other and to give their dreams up, this book made me remind so much of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game, another one enemies-to-lovers book that really gave us the feel.
Now that I think about it, it's about time that I re-read it for a third time.
*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG https://antonellasbookworld.blogspot....
This is an enemies-to-lovers novel and from this I just knew from the start that I would have loved it.
Because, really:
Chemistry? Checked 💓
Hotness? Checked 💓
Feelings all over the place? Checked 💓
Jess Romano is a journalist in the Daily Post at Brooklyn, New York. One day she met her college enemy at a coffee shop, Alex Drake. They worked in the same university newspaper back at school and they never hid their hate toward each other even back then.
And then one day she starts chatting with a mistery man online, Peabody. She doesn't really know who he is. The passion he ooze with his words makes Jess attracterìd to him.
So, what did I like about this book?
First of all, Jess Romano.
She is passionate, idealistic and she doesn't give up on her dream of becoming a top journalist even though she the lest senior one in her paper. Her chemistry with Alex Drake is off the charts and when she realises what she really feels for him she doesn't ran away, she gets in it and she doesn't hid it to him.
Their history was good too. We get to know where all their hate toward each other comes from by getting a glimpse from their past at college.
Alex Drake is an interesting character too. He is one of those people who has two faces, the one who reserves just for Jess, the real Alex who is carefree and passionate, and then there is his stony one who puts on in front of his fater's employees and everyone else.
The book was really interesting, a light read and, most importantly, a story of two people who follow their dreams, of a guy who at the end choose to follow his dream despite his father and his legacy, his big and rich legacy.
With fights, arguments, their hate toward each other and, at the end, their way to support each other and to give their dreams up, this book made me remind so much of Sally Thorne's The Hating Game, another one enemies-to-lovers book that really gave us the feel.
Now that I think about it, it's about time that I re-read it for a third time.
*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
March 10, 2020
Romeo and Juliet meet You've Got Mail in this brilliantly woven enemies to lovers romance set in a picture perfect Brooklyn world. I must admit that this trope is not my favourite---but that is often because it is mishandled and one of the two leads is given the short end of the character stick. I was so immersed in Weaver's voice and so besotted by the journalistic world she creates that I was smitten.
As well as a wonderful love story, The One I Love to Hate is a bittersweet look at an evolving media form and how old fashioned conventions and truths are being eaten up by contemporary leviathans: it is there that the Joe Fox aspect of the tale comes in. I loved how the past caught up with our hero and heroine's presents and the little ways we see that life had been sewing them up for each other all along.
As well as a wonderful love story, The One I Love to Hate is a bittersweet look at an evolving media form and how old fashioned conventions and truths are being eaten up by contemporary leviathans: it is there that the Joe Fox aspect of the tale comes in. I loved how the past caught up with our hero and heroine's presents and the little ways we see that life had been sewing them up for each other all along.
February 28, 2021
DNF due to boredom after chapter 2 due to the newspaper stuff being as dreary as an English summer😉.
November 2, 2019
A really strong enemies-to-lovers story. Mostly told through Jess's POV, with a few short chapters from Alex's.
Read
March 2, 2019Miniseries: The Romano Sisters
February 26, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the digital ARC.
The One I Love to Hate by Amanda Weaver is an enemies-to-lovers romance between DeWitt journalism grads Jessica (Jess) Romano and Alex Drake. Having sparred throughout their entire journalism program and competed for internships, Jess and Alex can't believe their unfortunate luck when they discover they're not only working in the same neighbourhood but that they're working for competing news outlets. The sudden close proximity reignites their fiery fights from school and brings them dangerously close to crossing that fine line between hate and love.
Highly entertaining verbal sparring and sizzling sex scenes make The One I Love to Hate a delicious read.
Super sweet bonus: Carina Press gives readers a two-chapter excerpt from the second book in the Romano Sisters series, featuring Jess's second oldest sister Livie Romano. Introverted and inexperienced with the opposite sex, Livie is in for one heck of a ride when she hires brilliant, and ridiculously attractive, computer programmer Nick DeSantis to help her create a computer program to finish her dissertation.
The One I Love to Hate by Amanda Weaver is an enemies-to-lovers romance between DeWitt journalism grads Jessica (Jess) Romano and Alex Drake. Having sparred throughout their entire journalism program and competed for internships, Jess and Alex can't believe their unfortunate luck when they discover they're not only working in the same neighbourhood but that they're working for competing news outlets. The sudden close proximity reignites their fiery fights from school and brings them dangerously close to crossing that fine line between hate and love.
Highly entertaining verbal sparring and sizzling sex scenes make The One I Love to Hate a delicious read.
Super sweet bonus: Carina Press gives readers a two-chapter excerpt from the second book in the Romano Sisters series, featuring Jess's second oldest sister Livie Romano. Introverted and inexperienced with the opposite sex, Livie is in for one heck of a ride when she hires brilliant, and ridiculously attractive, computer programmer Nick DeSantis to help her create a computer program to finish her dissertation.
March 20, 2023
A charming New York romance about college rivals turned journalist rivals (who of course have secretly been into each other the whole time). Like, if you want You’ve Got Mail x Beach Read, this book is EXACTLY THAT. The third person narrative made me feel slightly disconnected from the characters, but it also allowed for some POV-hopping (which actually worked, unlike some authors where it feels like they just forgot who they were talking about). And I’m a sucker for a Carroll Gardens Italian family.
February 25, 2019
If you’re a fan of books like The Hating Game, you’ll enjoy The One I Love To Hate by Amanda Weaver! It’s a cute little romance set during winter in New York about two journalists working at competing companies, who can’t seem to stand one another but keep running into each other. It’s full of witty banter that anyone who loves hate to love/enemies to lovers tropes will swoon over 💕
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Thank you HARLEQUIN - Carina Press & Netgalley for the copy of this ebook for review.
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Thank you HARLEQUIN - Carina Press & Netgalley for the copy of this ebook for review.
August 4, 2019
Never disappointed in her stories
I have devoured all of her books. Each one is delightful and a sweet look into a life. Her characters come off the page and sit next to you throughout the story. By the end you feel like you made a new friend. This book is no different. I enjoyed watching Jess and Alex develop their love. It was realistic and touching. I look forward to more in this series.
I have devoured all of her books. Each one is delightful and a sweet look into a life. Her characters come off the page and sit next to you throughout the story. By the end you feel like you made a new friend. This book is no different. I enjoyed watching Jess and Alex develop their love. It was realistic and touching. I look forward to more in this series.
March 22, 2019
I could not put this book down! From the first chapter, it pulled me in and kept me wanting to read, even when I had to do such mundane things as sleep. Even when I started to get an inkling about how the story might unfold, it kept me enraptured, and still managed to throw me for a loop.
The first half of the book feels a bit like the movie You’ve Got Mail. Two competitors in journalism find themselves running in to each other when their offices are across the street. Jess Romano is a spirited young woman from Brooklyn, who has always had to work hard for her accomplishments. She doesn’t mind, since she’s passionate about her job, and takes pride in making it on her own. She is thrilled to be working for her idol and mentor at an old and established local newspaper, and is working on a story that might launch her career.
Across the street, her nemesis since college, Alex Drake, has taken over a news website in an office building across the street. A staunch supporter of print media, Jess doesn’t think too highly of the website. Having Alex run it only makes it worse, as she now runs the risk of running in to him on a regular basis.
Their animosity and its origins are described in an entertaining and realistic way. I could totally relate to Jess’ dislike for Alex, and her reluctance to see him in a new, more mature light.
Meanwhile, she’s chatting with someone on a journalism forum, and finds herself rather enamored with this anonymous guy. They have quite a bit in common, and she’s hoping he’ll invite her to meet him.
Both her professional as well as her personal life end up in upheaval when there appears to be a leak at her job, resulting in stories being scooped by Alex’s website. This sets in motion a chain of events that forces Jess and Alex to come clean on more than one front. They have to face things that happened at college as well as their convictions and preconceived notions.
I loved the enemies-to-friends aspect of this story. Alex and Jess have amazing chemistry and incredibly witty banter. Their passion is easily translated from hate to lust and love. I liked how their connection is intellectual to begin with, as this makes you root for them even more. But the passion… *fans self* boy oh boy, you’re in for a treat!
The supporting characters are a great addition to the storyline. Since it takes place in New York City, it makes sense to have a diverse cast of characters and not focus solely on the main pair. Jess comes from an Italian family in Brooklyn, and the family dynamics are wonderfully described. I could practically smell Gemma’s lasagna!
Both Jess and Alex have a close friend who has known them for years, and knows the other one as well. I liked reading about Jess’ friendship with Lina, as it reminded me of some of my dear friendships. From the start, Chase doesn’t appear to be as true a friend to Alex as Lina is to Jess. Both friends were interesting characters to read.
This is definitely a contemporary romance to pick up, especially if you like a bustling New York City setting, and a leading lady who won’t be messed with.
The first half of the book feels a bit like the movie You’ve Got Mail. Two competitors in journalism find themselves running in to each other when their offices are across the street. Jess Romano is a spirited young woman from Brooklyn, who has always had to work hard for her accomplishments. She doesn’t mind, since she’s passionate about her job, and takes pride in making it on her own. She is thrilled to be working for her idol and mentor at an old and established local newspaper, and is working on a story that might launch her career.
Across the street, her nemesis since college, Alex Drake, has taken over a news website in an office building across the street. A staunch supporter of print media, Jess doesn’t think too highly of the website. Having Alex run it only makes it worse, as she now runs the risk of running in to him on a regular basis.
Their animosity and its origins are described in an entertaining and realistic way. I could totally relate to Jess’ dislike for Alex, and her reluctance to see him in a new, more mature light.
Meanwhile, she’s chatting with someone on a journalism forum, and finds herself rather enamored with this anonymous guy. They have quite a bit in common, and she’s hoping he’ll invite her to meet him.
Both her professional as well as her personal life end up in upheaval when there appears to be a leak at her job, resulting in stories being scooped by Alex’s website. This sets in motion a chain of events that forces Jess and Alex to come clean on more than one front. They have to face things that happened at college as well as their convictions and preconceived notions.
I loved the enemies-to-friends aspect of this story. Alex and Jess have amazing chemistry and incredibly witty banter. Their passion is easily translated from hate to lust and love. I liked how their connection is intellectual to begin with, as this makes you root for them even more. But the passion… *fans self* boy oh boy, you’re in for a treat!
The supporting characters are a great addition to the storyline. Since it takes place in New York City, it makes sense to have a diverse cast of characters and not focus solely on the main pair. Jess comes from an Italian family in Brooklyn, and the family dynamics are wonderfully described. I could practically smell Gemma’s lasagna!
Both Jess and Alex have a close friend who has known them for years, and knows the other one as well. I liked reading about Jess’ friendship with Lina, as it reminded me of some of my dear friendships. From the start, Chase doesn’t appear to be as true a friend to Alex as Lina is to Jess. Both friends were interesting characters to read.
This is definitely a contemporary romance to pick up, especially if you like a bustling New York City setting, and a leading lady who won’t be messed with.
March 18, 2019
4.5 STARS!
Achieve lifelong dream of becoming a reporter? Check.
Land dream job working with her idol at the Brooklyn Daily Post? Check.
Navigate working across the street from her college nemesis?
But Jessica Romano doesn’t have time to be bothered by the likes of Alex Drake. She’s struck up a fiery online flirtation with a mystery man and—thanks to Alex’s family’s gossip website, competitor Click News—she also has a newspaper to save.
But she is bothered by Alex. She’s bothered by the fact that Click News keeps scooping the Daily Post’s stories. And by how Alex always gets what he wants.
And she’s really bothered by how she can’t seem to stop staring at his stupid, sexy face.
I really loved this book! I really enjoyed being inside of Jess's head. She's clever and passionate and caring and exactly the kind of heroine I love to root for!
I also really loved being inside of Alex's mind, because often heroes like Alex tend to have been actual a***holes and the heroines seem to forgive them for everything in like three seconds (SIGH). Alex had some stuff to work on in this book, and it really endeared me to him, I love love love guys with soft spots like Alex.
It takes a lot of work to pull of creating characters such as these without falling into the same trap as other authors (pushover heroine/unlikeable hero) but Amanda really nailed it!
I really don't like giving away plot when I review, so I'm just going to say that Jess kinda deserved a little better (not Alex related) towards the end and let you make what you want out of that.
That being said, I'm so excited to read the next book! Livie intrigued me right away and I'm so excited!
WOULD I READ AGAIN? Definitely!
WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes!
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Achieve lifelong dream of becoming a reporter? Check.
Land dream job working with her idol at the Brooklyn Daily Post? Check.
Navigate working across the street from her college nemesis?
But Jessica Romano doesn’t have time to be bothered by the likes of Alex Drake. She’s struck up a fiery online flirtation with a mystery man and—thanks to Alex’s family’s gossip website, competitor Click News—she also has a newspaper to save.
But she is bothered by Alex. She’s bothered by the fact that Click News keeps scooping the Daily Post’s stories. And by how Alex always gets what he wants.
And she’s really bothered by how she can’t seem to stop staring at his stupid, sexy face.
I really loved this book! I really enjoyed being inside of Jess's head. She's clever and passionate and caring and exactly the kind of heroine I love to root for!
I also really loved being inside of Alex's mind, because often heroes like Alex tend to have been actual a***holes and the heroines seem to forgive them for everything in like three seconds (SIGH). Alex had some stuff to work on in this book, and it really endeared me to him, I love love love guys with soft spots like Alex.
It takes a lot of work to pull of creating characters such as these without falling into the same trap as other authors (pushover heroine/unlikeable hero) but Amanda really nailed it!
I really don't like giving away plot when I review, so I'm just going to say that Jess kinda deserved a little better (not Alex related) towards the end and let you make what you want out of that.
That being said, I'm so excited to read the next book! Livie intrigued me right away and I'm so excited!
WOULD I READ AGAIN? Definitely!
WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes!
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 27, 2019
This is the first in Weaver‘s new series, The Romano Sisters. I was super excited to get a copy from Amanda, and while I’m a bit late to post my review, it doesn’t diminish from how much I enjoyed it.
I feel like Amanda Weaver has a flare for writing contemporary with an aroma of historical flavor in the way she’s styling the story. That’s how I felt reading TOILtH, then thinking back to her previous publications.
Anyway, Jessica Romano is living her dream. She graduated from college and is now a journalist in her dream Brooklyn newspaper working for her longtime idol. What else? her best friend works with her. The only bane to her existence is Alex Drake who seems to appear wherever she goes and manages to get the rise out of her without trying too hard.
Alex Drake, the son of a media mogul in the making, works in his father’s online news website, temporarily. He’s destined to inherit the empire and his father’s legacy. He doesn’t want it, though. He wants Jessica Romano, his college crush.
Unbeknownst to them both, they are also chatting online. Alex is Peabody and Jess is PaperGirl. And they somehow manage to fall in crush via their virtual communication. But when they discover each other’s identities, things pick up in a new direction.
Weaver is no fool, and she has an underlying story that carries this romance through the ringer, and makes the whole thing a lot more interesting and fun.
This book is about a hate (is it?) turns lust turns love in a span of days, but with a foreplay of several years. It’s magnetic and fueling, it’s engaging and swoony, it’s romantic and infuriating and it’s such a fun read.
I feel like Amanda Weaver has a flare for writing contemporary with an aroma of historical flavor in the way she’s styling the story. That’s how I felt reading TOILtH, then thinking back to her previous publications.
Anyway, Jessica Romano is living her dream. She graduated from college and is now a journalist in her dream Brooklyn newspaper working for her longtime idol. What else? her best friend works with her. The only bane to her existence is Alex Drake who seems to appear wherever she goes and manages to get the rise out of her without trying too hard.
Alex Drake, the son of a media mogul in the making, works in his father’s online news website, temporarily. He’s destined to inherit the empire and his father’s legacy. He doesn’t want it, though. He wants Jessica Romano, his college crush.
Unbeknownst to them both, they are also chatting online. Alex is Peabody and Jess is PaperGirl. And they somehow manage to fall in crush via their virtual communication. But when they discover each other’s identities, things pick up in a new direction.
Weaver is no fool, and she has an underlying story that carries this romance through the ringer, and makes the whole thing a lot more interesting and fun.
This book is about a hate (is it?) turns lust turns love in a span of days, but with a foreplay of several years. It’s magnetic and fueling, it’s engaging and swoony, it’s romantic and infuriating and it’s such a fun read.
April 19, 2019
The One I Love to Hate is a pleasant romp through an interesting premise. Two bright young people, toeing the thin line between love and hate for years.
The aspects of Jessica and Alex's story that I loved were that they are both genuinely likable, clever people who come from very different walks of life, but find that they fit together perfectly. This is a multi-layered story, with some complex twists and it all comes together beautifully. I haven't been to New York for many years, but Amanda Weaver does a great job of capturing the cultural diversity of dynamic city life, and creates an interesting back drop for the story to unfold.
There are a couple of areas that needed improvement in this book. First, there is a Twitter-battle, but there aren't an awful lot of the Tweets in the book. I would have liked to have seen more of that interchange. Also, if you are looking for an edgy, angsty tale, this isn't it. I would classify this book as PG-13 on all fronts, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The pace of the story is great, and the multitude of plot and subplots keeps it interesting.
I was cheering hard for Jessica and Alex to make it work! They have to overcome some formidable professional and personal obstacles to find their way to love, and I think you'll enjoy the "hold your breath" moments just as much as I did.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review The One I Love to Hate. This is my honest review.*
The aspects of Jessica and Alex's story that I loved were that they are both genuinely likable, clever people who come from very different walks of life, but find that they fit together perfectly. This is a multi-layered story, with some complex twists and it all comes together beautifully. I haven't been to New York for many years, but Amanda Weaver does a great job of capturing the cultural diversity of dynamic city life, and creates an interesting back drop for the story to unfold.
There are a couple of areas that needed improvement in this book. First, there is a Twitter-battle, but there aren't an awful lot of the Tweets in the book. I would have liked to have seen more of that interchange. Also, if you are looking for an edgy, angsty tale, this isn't it. I would classify this book as PG-13 on all fronts, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The pace of the story is great, and the multitude of plot and subplots keeps it interesting.
I was cheering hard for Jessica and Alex to make it work! They have to overcome some formidable professional and personal obstacles to find their way to love, and I think you'll enjoy the "hold your breath" moments just as much as I did.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review The One I Love to Hate. This is my honest review.*
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