Hate to Love You: Alex, Approximately; Starry Eyes

by Jenn Bennett

Hate-to-love romance takes center stage in Jenn Bennett’s contemporary novels, Alex Approximately and Starry Eyes, now together in one incredible package that’s perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson.

When the guy you’re meant to be with is your worst enemy, things can get a little…complicated. Especially for Bailey in Alex, Approximately after she falls for a sensitive film geek she only knows online as “Alex.” It also just so happens that Bailey is moving to California—to the same coastal town as her online crush—and yet she is too afraid to tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job where she’s being tormented daily by her coworker: smart-alecky yet irritatingly hot surfer boy Porter Roth. But what Bailey doesn’t know is that Porter isn’t just any local surfer dude. Porter Roth is Alex…approximately.

Trapped in the wilderness with the boy who broke your heart isn’t an ideal situation for anyone. And in Starry Eyes, it was definitely not what Zorie had planned for a camping trip. Abandoned by her friends with only her ex-boyfriend Lennon for company, the two have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But as the duo travels deeper into California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. Turns out the magic of the twinkling stars might be the key to getting Zorie and Lennon back together—or the last straw to tear them apart for good.

Jenn Bennett’s popular hate-to-love romances are here to prove that sometimes the one person you can’t stand is actually the person of your dreams—you just might not know it yet.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Summer Reads, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

832 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Jenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books for children and teens, including: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; and GRUMBONES. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and have been included on annual Best Book lists for both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She lives in a haunted house near Birmingham with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.

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Reviews

[Syahira (syhra_azhm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 : 𝒜𝓁𝑒𝓍, 𝒜𝓅𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓍𝒾𝓂𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎 (5⭐️)

I love love it!!! This book was so hyped up when I first join bookstagram & now I understand why. It’s so cute & sweet! The fact that readers know that the whole time it’s Porter being Alex is exciting. The waiting game to see what will happen when Porter tell the truth to Bailey about him being Alex is painful😩! I especially love when Porter annoy Bailey😂The way they pretend to hate each other while actually falling for each other, arghhh💘Porter is so cute & the fact that Bailey fall for him doing that is perfect! Both Bailey & Porter been through a painful experience hence when the author makes them both fall in love is such a great story! I truly recommend yall to read this one❤️

Book 2 : 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓇𝓎 𝐸𝓎𝑒𝓈 (5⭐️)

Woahh I really didn’t see it coming! This book is such a roller-coaster read for me. So many feelings when I read it. The “hate to love you” trope is definitely there & I love it everytime Lennon appears and Zorie feel awkward about it. Arghh I swear I love both of them a lot😫! From hating to loving each other to infinity♾arghh! Lennon is someone that’s so ego but he’s actually not,he’s the sweetest one actually. This book is just not about love but also about family & friendship. This book is definitely one of my fav✨!

[Karalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely obsessed with the romance and still am, could not put the book down!! The fights and imperfections Jenn Bennett included in both couples made them more realistic. The endings were absolutely adorable, I’m in love with the maps included towards the end of starry eyes!! The plot for both books were awesome, I was walking around reading half my day!! Both books included in the set were incredible. :)

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two book were so good.

[s · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really love the way the book was written, i love the concept, the cover, and all. but it's just simply not my type. i really enjoyed it, but it's hard to keep up the enjoyment for me. but i do recommend this book because it's definitely worth the time to read.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

Both stories were predictable but wonderfully so. :)

I didnt want any one of them to end.

One side note: I was ready to fight Regina or what ever her name was in the second book. Her face would have been seriously rearranged after she did what she did. SMH. Zorie was too nice and forgiving.

Bret was annoying but I got him.

[Paula Kowalewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Jenn Bennett’s writing is super easy to read. You just fly through the pages. It all just fits. It’s the perfect happy story while dealing with real life issues. Highly recommend!!

[Mikayla Temple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into both of these stories completely blind and I think that made them all the more fun! I had zero expectations but I loved both so much. Overall, I really enjoyed this authors writing style and plan to pick up more of her stuff in the future!

[Andrea]

both books were amazing. i loved them

[Kathryn K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these books a lot. They didn't require too much thinking and were feel-good books.

[Kendall Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex, Approximately 5⭐
Starry Eyes 4.5⭐

[MELISSA · Rating 3 out of 5]

It includes Alex, Approximately and starry eyes I enjoyed it but would not reread it was ok probably enjoyable for highschool age or early 20s

[Maggie Ashline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes were super cute. I would give the first 4.25 stars and the second 4 stars!

[Mayra Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

cutie book

[Ava Mantle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3