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I Hate You More
Discover what makes Lucy Gilmore an instant fan favorite with this unforgettably funny enemies-to-lovers romcom starring:
• a grumpy dog show judge
• a determined former beauty queen
• and a Golden Retriever more interested in stealing bacon than winning Best in Show.
Ruby Taylor gave up pageant life the day she turned eighteen and figured she'd never look back. But when an old friend begs her to show her beloved Golden Retriever at the upcoming Canine Classic, Ruby reluctantly straps on her heels and gets to work.
If only she knew exactly what the adorably lazy lump of a dog was getting her into.
If there's one thing veterinarian Spencer Wilson knows in this world, it's dogs. Human beings are an entirely different animal. Especially stubborn, gorgeous women clearly in way over their heads. As judge for the local dog show, Spencer advises Ruby to quit while she still can, but her old fervor for winning has returned―and she wants to show the stern, broody-eyed judge that she's more than just a pretty face. In the end, she'll show him who's best in show.
“AS APPEALING AS A PUPPY.” –Publishers Weekly STARRED for Puppy Christmas
• a grumpy dog show judge
• a determined former beauty queen
• and a Golden Retriever more interested in stealing bacon than winning Best in Show.
Ruby Taylor gave up pageant life the day she turned eighteen and figured she'd never look back. But when an old friend begs her to show her beloved Golden Retriever at the upcoming Canine Classic, Ruby reluctantly straps on her heels and gets to work.
If only she knew exactly what the adorably lazy lump of a dog was getting her into.
If there's one thing veterinarian Spencer Wilson knows in this world, it's dogs. Human beings are an entirely different animal. Especially stubborn, gorgeous women clearly in way over their heads. As judge for the local dog show, Spencer advises Ruby to quit while she still can, but her old fervor for winning has returned―and she wants to show the stern, broody-eyed judge that she's more than just a pretty face. In the end, she'll show him who's best in show.
“AS APPEALING AS A PUPPY.” –Publishers Weekly STARRED for Puppy Christmas
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2021
270 people are currently reading
11383 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Gilmore
13 books919 followersLucy Gilmore is a celebrated novelist in a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, contemporary romance, and cozy mystery. She began her reading (and writing) career as an English literature major and ended as a book lover without all those pesky academic papers attached.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 703 reviews
December 19, 2021
Yes, another great example for enemies to lovers combination with semi- bitchy, ambitious sunshine meets the snarky grump troupe!
A former beauty Queen heroine who always gets her way with bacon lover- exercise hater- a little overweight Golden Retriever ( oh my god: this definition is so close to my husband’s appearance!!!) and grumpy-snarky- controlling- neat freak but also protective, a veterinarian/ dog whisperer hero and his flirty, funny, sassy twin brother who is on probation : is it quiet interesting combination? Absolutely it is!
When I first read the blurb, I didn’t expect to enjoy this story so much. Maybe I expected something lighter and full of cliches but there are some chapters are actually laugh out loud and so impressively funny. And this is truly unique, different, sarcastic, extremely hilarious story!
Emotional depth of the character stories were also resonating and heartwarming.
The parts about Ruby’s relationship with her mother and twin brothers Caleb and Spencer’s complicated dysfunctional relationship dynamics were the most interesting elements of the novel kept me hooked up.
At the opening: we’re introduced: strikingly beautiful and stubborn Ruby who is extra convincing to help lovely and chubby Wheezy’s application process for the Canine Classic competition and she bumps into two identical twin brothers who are characteristically polar opposite of each other. Caleb flirts with her, offering his help to train her dog and Spencer does everything in his power to prevent the dog join the competition as one of the judges.
But Ruby wins the first round and she embraces her inner ultra competitive side she hid when she resigned from racing at pageant competitions.
She already suffered throughout her childhood, trying to hard to be perfect and being valued by her appearance. She also endured painfully problematic relationship with her own mother who was also her coach.
Now she tries her best to help the elder people as one of the nursing assistants of Parkwood Manor. Actually Wheezy is one of the occupants : Mrs. Or son’s dog but when she forgets the dog’s papers before the competition, she takes over to help and now she’s trapped between two brothers who equally share the same house. ( if one of them cross over the line: there are repercussions as like paying it by doing fifty push-ups which may be enjoyable experiment for Ruby to watch two hot men’s sweating! )
As you may imagine Ruby already attracted in grumpy brother Spencer who insistingly pushes her buttons and Spencer cannot resist her charm and smart mouth.
Overall: it’s more entertaining and sweeter, quicker read than I expected. The cover is also fantastic! I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for quick, riveting feel good romance !
I’m giving four in the name of dog lovers, sassy, snarky, stimulating, sarcastic stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
A former beauty Queen heroine who always gets her way with bacon lover- exercise hater- a little overweight Golden Retriever ( oh my god: this definition is so close to my husband’s appearance!!!) and grumpy-snarky- controlling- neat freak but also protective, a veterinarian/ dog whisperer hero and his flirty, funny, sassy twin brother who is on probation : is it quiet interesting combination? Absolutely it is!
When I first read the blurb, I didn’t expect to enjoy this story so much. Maybe I expected something lighter and full of cliches but there are some chapters are actually laugh out loud and so impressively funny. And this is truly unique, different, sarcastic, extremely hilarious story!
Emotional depth of the character stories were also resonating and heartwarming.
The parts about Ruby’s relationship with her mother and twin brothers Caleb and Spencer’s complicated dysfunctional relationship dynamics were the most interesting elements of the novel kept me hooked up.
At the opening: we’re introduced: strikingly beautiful and stubborn Ruby who is extra convincing to help lovely and chubby Wheezy’s application process for the Canine Classic competition and she bumps into two identical twin brothers who are characteristically polar opposite of each other. Caleb flirts with her, offering his help to train her dog and Spencer does everything in his power to prevent the dog join the competition as one of the judges.
But Ruby wins the first round and she embraces her inner ultra competitive side she hid when she resigned from racing at pageant competitions.
She already suffered throughout her childhood, trying to hard to be perfect and being valued by her appearance. She also endured painfully problematic relationship with her own mother who was also her coach.
Now she tries her best to help the elder people as one of the nursing assistants of Parkwood Manor. Actually Wheezy is one of the occupants : Mrs. Or son’s dog but when she forgets the dog’s papers before the competition, she takes over to help and now she’s trapped between two brothers who equally share the same house. ( if one of them cross over the line: there are repercussions as like paying it by doing fifty push-ups which may be enjoyable experiment for Ruby to watch two hot men’s sweating! )
As you may imagine Ruby already attracted in grumpy brother Spencer who insistingly pushes her buttons and Spencer cannot resist her charm and smart mouth.
Overall: it’s more entertaining and sweeter, quicker read than I expected. The cover is also fantastic! I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for quick, riveting feel good romance !
I’m giving four in the name of dog lovers, sassy, snarky, stimulating, sarcastic stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
May 16, 2025
[2.5/5]
I was surprised to see how low the rating for this book was at first because the book started well, but I do understand the sentiment now. And for one, this book is pretty forgettable. However, even though this book is not entirely the best, it's not the worst either; especially when it involves dogs!
I Hate You More is a classic enemies-to-lovers story elevated by Gilmore's passion for dogs and people. Plotwise, I'd give it to the author because I haven't read anything like this from the romance department, which is indeed original. But what I like the best about I Hate You More is the percipience of the characters — I appreciated that each of the MCs seems perfect from the outside but has insecurities of their own.
As the story goes, the romance between Ruby and Spencer came in between their skepticism and judgment; in which you can see both of them having to work on their complexes to make it work. That is to say, it didn't buy me. They shift from hate to lust far too early in the book, and the steamy scenes came out of nowhere when the build-up was still far from progressing.
Both characters needed more time and seasoning to make that shift into a full-fledged romance. I had a hard time understanding how much Ruby felt attracted towards Spencer when he treated her badly in the beginning. I wished the author would make Spencer redeem himself more and earn that attraction as they went from enemies to lovers. The second half felt more realistic and better, though it didn't make any difference in what I think of the couple.
The conflict towards the end was perplexing because it erupted out of thin air, especially after Spencer had forgiven Ruby for lying, only for her to misinterpret his remarks and abruptly cutting things off. Another realization that I've come to conclude from the book is that: as much as I love beautiful things/people in general, the "problems of being beautiful" are not something I could find myself relating to.
I was looking forward to reading this and while there were some great parts to this book, there were also some things that just didn’t work for me. The pacing is notably uneven, and the characters as well as the romance could do a lot more work. Nevertheless, it has its funny moment, sexy times and can be cute and a light romance. Foremost, Wheezy is definitely the star of the show and what made this book better!
I was surprised to see how low the rating for this book was at first because the book started well, but I do understand the sentiment now. And for one, this book is pretty forgettable. However, even though this book is not entirely the best, it's not the worst either; especially when it involves dogs!
I Hate You More is a classic enemies-to-lovers story elevated by Gilmore's passion for dogs and people. Plotwise, I'd give it to the author because I haven't read anything like this from the romance department, which is indeed original. But what I like the best about I Hate You More is the percipience of the characters — I appreciated that each of the MCs seems perfect from the outside but has insecurities of their own.
As the story goes, the romance between Ruby and Spencer came in between their skepticism and judgment; in which you can see both of them having to work on their complexes to make it work. That is to say, it didn't buy me. They shift from hate to lust far too early in the book, and the steamy scenes came out of nowhere when the build-up was still far from progressing.
Both characters needed more time and seasoning to make that shift into a full-fledged romance. I had a hard time understanding how much Ruby felt attracted towards Spencer when he treated her badly in the beginning. I wished the author would make Spencer redeem himself more and earn that attraction as they went from enemies to lovers. The second half felt more realistic and better, though it didn't make any difference in what I think of the couple.
The conflict towards the end was perplexing because it erupted out of thin air, especially after Spencer had forgiven Ruby for lying, only for her to misinterpret his remarks and abruptly cutting things off. Another realization that I've come to conclude from the book is that: as much as I love beautiful things/people in general, the "problems of being beautiful" are not something I could find myself relating to.
I was looking forward to reading this and while there were some great parts to this book, there were also some things that just didn’t work for me. The pacing is notably uneven, and the characters as well as the romance could do a lot more work. Nevertheless, it has its funny moment, sexy times and can be cute and a light romance. Foremost, Wheezy is definitely the star of the show and what made this book better!
November 27, 2021
This was a cute little enemies to lovers book that lost its way towards the middle for me. At first, it reminded me a lot of Well Met, with the grumpy guy in charge of an event that could be “ruined” by this woman, and so they clash sometimes but also there’s banter. This started to shift for me when the pacing went all over the place - such as their first ever even admitting of potential feelings ends in a mutual masterbation scene?! Later followed by a kind of out of place visit to his parents? And yet another book where the miscommunication trope and act 3 breakup just does not make a ton of sense and brings the book down for me. Cute premise but not executed well.
November 1, 2021
I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore
Contemporary romantic comedy. Enemies to lovers troupe. Sunshine / grumpy troupe.
Ruby is determined to have Wheezy the Golden Retriever in the local canine competition. Judge Spencer knows Wheezy doesn’t have a chance but his twin brother Caleb jumps in and offers to train the slightly overweight and overindulged dog for the show.
Caleb is charming and a handful but it’s Spencer that has caught Ruby’s interest.
I loved the banter between Ruby and Spencer as well as between Spencer and Caleb. The story was fill with heart, the adorable and lazy Wheezy, and some family dynamics that made the brothers real. Doesn’t every sibling have a bit of rivalry that is encased in love? There was also more heat and risqué than I expected from a romcom.
Lots of bumps and resolutions and sentimental titillation.
🎧 the audiobook is narrated by Alex Knox and Macy Sterling. These two did an amazing job with the audio performance. Alternating chapters had each doing more than one voice that were clear and easy to follow. I was enamored with Alex Knox, sure that he was a local newscaster. Nope. I looked him up and tracked down a photo from his website. I will watch for him in the future. I listened to this at 1.2 which is my preference. It would have also been fine at 1.4 or 1.0 depending on the situation.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media.
Contemporary romantic comedy. Enemies to lovers troupe. Sunshine / grumpy troupe.
Ruby is determined to have Wheezy the Golden Retriever in the local canine competition. Judge Spencer knows Wheezy doesn’t have a chance but his twin brother Caleb jumps in and offers to train the slightly overweight and overindulged dog for the show.
Caleb is charming and a handful but it’s Spencer that has caught Ruby’s interest.
I loved the banter between Ruby and Spencer as well as between Spencer and Caleb. The story was fill with heart, the adorable and lazy Wheezy, and some family dynamics that made the brothers real. Doesn’t every sibling have a bit of rivalry that is encased in love? There was also more heat and risqué than I expected from a romcom.
Lots of bumps and resolutions and sentimental titillation.
🎧 the audiobook is narrated by Alex Knox and Macy Sterling. These two did an amazing job with the audio performance. Alternating chapters had each doing more than one voice that were clear and easy to follow. I was enamored with Alex Knox, sure that he was a local newscaster. Nope. I looked him up and tracked down a photo from his website. I will watch for him in the future. I listened to this at 1.2 which is my preference. It would have also been fine at 1.4 or 1.0 depending on the situation.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media.
January 11, 2023
An adorable feel-good with a badass heroine and a grumpy, but thief-of-your-heart hero. I loved every page!
December 12, 2025
Dog Lovers would Love this! The initial chapters of the book are fun. But, after a while, they become somewhat tiresome.
The romance was okay. As for comedy, as I've written earlier, humorous scenes are majorly all in the first half of the novel as well.
The romance was okay. As for comedy, as I've written earlier, humorous scenes are majorly all in the first half of the novel as well.
November 1, 2021
Rating 3 This is a cute romcom with an adorable dog story mixed in. Full Review to come.
April 17, 2021
I Hate You More was such a fun romcom! You know I eat up any book with cute doggies and this one right here had one of the CUTEST!!! Wheezy my man my chonky Golden Retriever is everything to me. He really steals the spotlight in this book, he has such an amazing personality and if you're just like me, you would want Wheezy to be real in order to hug him forever.
This book is about Ruby, a former pageant queen, and Spencer, a grumpy veterinarian, who meet when Ruby goes to sign Wheezy up for this dog show and Spencer is the judge of it. Since the beginning, they really get very competitive towards each other. They love a good challenge! They bicker constantly and it's so funny to see everyone just thinking "pls just kiss already".
There is this one scene where Ruby challenges Spencer to last more than 140 strokes to himself. IN FRONT OF HER. He's "watch me" quickly, but then Ruby is all ready to do it too after watching him for a while, so yeah mutual masturbation scene where it starts as a challenge between them lmao they also do not touch at any moment and it's GLORIOUS. Spencer is def not lasting that long LOL.
This book is about Ruby, a former pageant queen, and Spencer, a grumpy veterinarian, who meet when Ruby goes to sign Wheezy up for this dog show and Spencer is the judge of it. Since the beginning, they really get very competitive towards each other. They love a good challenge! They bicker constantly and it's so funny to see everyone just thinking "pls just kiss already".
There is this one scene where Ruby challenges Spencer to last more than 140 strokes to himself. IN FRONT OF HER. He's "watch me" quickly, but then Ruby is all ready to do it too after watching him for a while, so yeah mutual masturbation scene where it starts as a challenge between them lmao they also do not touch at any moment and it's GLORIOUS. Spencer is def not lasting that long LOL.
July 12, 2024
Despite leaving the pageant world behind, Ruby is facing the spotlight again … by entering the West Coast Canine Classic dog show. And let me say, Wheezy the golden retriever was the star of this story. With his lazy attitude and ability to be lured by cheeseburgers, he’s easy to love.
Once introduced to the rule-following judge Spencer Wilson, Ruby begins the undertaking of attempting to transform Wheezy into winning material. And oh my! It’s funny.
On the outside, Ruby was such a resilient heroine, determined to succeed. I loved the unraveling of her pageant upbringing and how it shaped her current insecurities. Combined with the complicated relationship Spencer shared with his twin brother (who I’d love a story about!), this romance included some great family dynamics.
With that said, while I loved both of them separately, the chemistry between Ruby and Spencer felt oddly developed to me. There was one scene in particular that felt out of place—I truly thought I missed a page. The buildup beyond their attraction wasn’t completely there for me, but I still thought this was very cute.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review.
Once introduced to the rule-following judge Spencer Wilson, Ruby begins the undertaking of attempting to transform Wheezy into winning material. And oh my! It’s funny.
On the outside, Ruby was such a resilient heroine, determined to succeed. I loved the unraveling of her pageant upbringing and how it shaped her current insecurities. Combined with the complicated relationship Spencer shared with his twin brother (who I’d love a story about!), this romance included some great family dynamics.
With that said, while I loved both of them separately, the chemistry between Ruby and Spencer felt oddly developed to me. There was one scene in particular that felt out of place—I truly thought I missed a page. The buildup beyond their attraction wasn’t completely there for me, but I still thought this was very cute.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review.
October 15, 2021
Funny premise but a little...boring?
I though the dog show backdrop was really original and funny, but I quickly found myself struggling with the *human* characters.
Ultimately okay and light.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review
I though the dog show backdrop was really original and funny, but I quickly found myself struggling with the *human* characters.
Ultimately okay and light.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review
November 24, 2021
✨I don't understand why books keep handing me hot doctors while having the audacity to make them fictional✨
I definitely enjoyed this book, it was a fun, easy, short read that I think any lover of the enemies to lovers trope will enjoy.
Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- great chemistry & banter
- strong heroine
- grumpy, hot veterinarian hero
Before I even begin the review, there is a group of old women in here who read erotica. If that doesn't have you picking up this book, I don't know what else to say to you.
I had initially requested this book because I love the artist who made the cover and I will read any of the books she illustrated. I am so glad I picked up this book.
It is a great slump buster. I have been in an awful book slump because I just keep getting sick and I have been having a really rough college semester. So when I picked up the audiobook for this, I really needed a pick me up. this book gave me exactly that.
It is chalk-full of humor and wit while also being emotional a real a times.
I loved all the animals in this book. They were so stinkin adorable.
Ruby was such a wonderful character. Normally, I am very apprehensive about reading about stunningly perfect white women as main characters because they are so different from who I am and everyone around them is always singing their praises that it honestly begins to pluck at my insecurities. But Ruby was so self aware and so badass. I never felt out of place or insecure when I read this book. I loved her as a main character.
And Spencer. Ooooh Spencer. His forearms and grumpiness had me blushing. I love emotionally constipated men who learn how to open up and be loved.
I enjoyed the steam in this book, it definitely made it more enjoyable when I was listening to it on audiobook.
While I did enjoy the book, I will admit that the book had many meh parts. I think I enjoyed this book because I really just needed a simple, uncomplicated book. It definitely was boring at some points. There were some subplots and conflicts that I felt were unnecessary as well.
I would definitely recommend this book, just keep in mind that it can get a little meh sometimes.
If you can pick up the audiobook, I would suggest that route of reading the book as it certainly made the book more entertaining for me.
⭐⭐⭐.5/stars | 🌶🌶.5/ 5 steam
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley, and Lucy Gilmore for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️
I definitely enjoyed this book, it was a fun, easy, short read that I think any lover of the enemies to lovers trope will enjoy.
Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- great chemistry & banter
- strong heroine
- grumpy, hot veterinarian hero
Before I even begin the review, there is a group of old women in here who read erotica. If that doesn't have you picking up this book, I don't know what else to say to you.
I had initially requested this book because I love the artist who made the cover and I will read any of the books she illustrated. I am so glad I picked up this book.
It is a great slump buster. I have been in an awful book slump because I just keep getting sick and I have been having a really rough college semester. So when I picked up the audiobook for this, I really needed a pick me up. this book gave me exactly that.
It is chalk-full of humor and wit while also being emotional a real a times.
I loved all the animals in this book. They were so stinkin adorable.
Ruby was such a wonderful character. Normally, I am very apprehensive about reading about stunningly perfect white women as main characters because they are so different from who I am and everyone around them is always singing their praises that it honestly begins to pluck at my insecurities. But Ruby was so self aware and so badass. I never felt out of place or insecure when I read this book. I loved her as a main character.
And Spencer. Ooooh Spencer. His forearms and grumpiness had me blushing. I love emotionally constipated men who learn how to open up and be loved.
I enjoyed the steam in this book, it definitely made it more enjoyable when I was listening to it on audiobook.
While I did enjoy the book, I will admit that the book had many meh parts. I think I enjoyed this book because I really just needed a simple, uncomplicated book. It definitely was boring at some points. There were some subplots and conflicts that I felt were unnecessary as well.
I would definitely recommend this book, just keep in mind that it can get a little meh sometimes.
If you can pick up the audiobook, I would suggest that route of reading the book as it certainly made the book more entertaining for me.
⭐⭐⭐.5/stars | 🌶🌶.5/ 5 steam
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley, and Lucy Gilmore for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️
December 14, 2023
When I found out this is about dog competition I make this book a priority to read. Just so you know people there is not a lot about competition as I wanted which is sad. I liked Ruy and Spencer. They just fit with each other. Ruby did pageant before and is now an assistant nurse for older people and for one of her patients is asking her to train her dog and win a dog competition with that dog. Just so you know that dog doesn't listen to any commands at all. There she meets twins Caleb and Sebastian. One is a dog trainer and the other is a dog competition judge and vet. She hired Caleb and end up spending a lot of time with Spencer who she is attracted to.
Overall book is good. But I don't understand something why it's like that and even though it's about the competition we don't get a lot of that I do understand that dog was is hard to train and doesn't listen but I still feel it's really poorly done on that department.
Overall book is good. But I don't understand something why it's like that and even though it's about the competition we don't get a lot of that I do understand that dog was is hard to train and doesn't listen but I still feel it's really poorly done on that department.
October 30, 2021
4.5 stars
This was so cute! I loved this book a lot and I feel like it has a ton of potential to get really popular. It has a ton of super cute tropes like forced proximity, judge x competitor, and grumpy sunshine. Wheezy was super cute and I found the romance to be really natural. It was the perfect amount of slow burn and I couldn't help but root for the main characters to get together. Overall, this was a super fun read and I'd recommend it to romance readers who are fans of the tropes and writing style popular right now. Specifically, if you liked Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer, this book is super similar and I feel like you'll like it as well.
This was so cute! I loved this book a lot and I feel like it has a ton of potential to get really popular. It has a ton of super cute tropes like forced proximity, judge x competitor, and grumpy sunshine. Wheezy was super cute and I found the romance to be really natural. It was the perfect amount of slow burn and I couldn't help but root for the main characters to get together. Overall, this was a super fun read and I'd recommend it to romance readers who are fans of the tropes and writing style popular right now. Specifically, if you liked Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer, this book is super similar and I feel like you'll like it as well.
January 9, 2022
4/5⭐️
3/5 🌶
Puppies, hot veterinarian and mutual Masturbation, need I say more ?
This is a super cute, fun and rom com. I enjoy the heck out of it. Ruby was a very confident fun heroine, she is fierce and feisty. Spencer takes himself and his job very seriously but the dynamic between him and his twin brother is really funny.
3/5 🌶
Puppies, hot veterinarian and mutual Masturbation, need I say more ?
This is a super cute, fun and rom com. I enjoy the heck out of it. Ruby was a very confident fun heroine, she is fierce and feisty. Spencer takes himself and his job very seriously but the dynamic between him and his twin brother is really funny.
November 10, 2021
I laughed out loud, I had my heart broken and I also swooned so much while reading this story. It’s perfect for any romance lovers with a great characters and banter, family,friends and life as it is.
Read it and I hope you’ll love it as much as I did.
Read it and I hope you’ll love it as much as I did.
September 7, 2022
This was cute. It has its moments. And Wheezy, the dog, was the star of the show in this romcom!
January 12, 2022
I thought that this book was okay
October 26, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy of the audiobook of I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore!
I really enjoyed this book and thank god that I did because I have read some real flops in the last week. This was great! Super cute fun enemies to lovers romcom. There are cute dogs and wild old ladies. The spice was 🔥🔥. I was listening to this AT WORK. Good thing that my desk faces the wall because I was BLUSHING during the first spice scene lol. Totally would recommend reading the book or listening to the audiobook the narrators were good.
I Hate You More comes out in one week on 11/2! I think I might order a copy as a birthday present for myself 🥳
My reviews are copied from my Instagram posts @katebrownreads
I really enjoyed this book and thank god that I did because I have read some real flops in the last week. This was great! Super cute fun enemies to lovers romcom. There are cute dogs and wild old ladies. The spice was 🔥🔥. I was listening to this AT WORK. Good thing that my desk faces the wall because I was BLUSHING during the first spice scene lol. Totally would recommend reading the book or listening to the audiobook the narrators were good.
I Hate You More comes out in one week on 11/2! I think I might order a copy as a birthday present for myself 🥳
My reviews are copied from my Instagram posts @katebrownreads
December 24, 2021
3.5 stars
I Hate You More is a cute, funny rom-com with an unforgettable golden retriever at the center.
Ruby is no stranger to competition. She was a pageant girl, trained and pushed by her mother, who served as her coach. But she couldn’t get out of that world fast enough, and when she turned 18, she was done.
When a friend asks Ruby to show her beloved golden retriever at the West Coast Canine Classic, she agrees to get back into the competitive spirit. But she didn’t realize Wheezy isn’t quite competition-ready: he’s lazy and not too interested in following commands.
And if that’s not enough, she faces another obstacle in Spencer, the handsome veterinarian and dog show judge. He is determined to keep Ruby—and Wheezy—out of the show. But even though Ruby has felt adrift since quitting pageants, she’s still a force to be reckoned with when she sets her mind to it. And she’s determined that Spencer will eat crow when Wheezy wins.
I thought I Hate You More was a cute story and Wheezy is one of my favorite dog characters!! I can always go for an enemies-to-lovers rom-com, and this has some added emotional weight, as well as identical twins.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
I Hate You More is a cute, funny rom-com with an unforgettable golden retriever at the center.
Ruby is no stranger to competition. She was a pageant girl, trained and pushed by her mother, who served as her coach. But she couldn’t get out of that world fast enough, and when she turned 18, she was done.
When a friend asks Ruby to show her beloved golden retriever at the West Coast Canine Classic, she agrees to get back into the competitive spirit. But she didn’t realize Wheezy isn’t quite competition-ready: he’s lazy and not too interested in following commands.
And if that’s not enough, she faces another obstacle in Spencer, the handsome veterinarian and dog show judge. He is determined to keep Ruby—and Wheezy—out of the show. But even though Ruby has felt adrift since quitting pageants, she’s still a force to be reckoned with when she sets her mind to it. And she’s determined that Spencer will eat crow when Wheezy wins.
I thought I Hate You More was a cute story and Wheezy is one of my favorite dog characters!! I can always go for an enemies-to-lovers rom-com, and this has some added emotional weight, as well as identical twins.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
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November 7, 2021
3.5
Former beauty pageant queen Ruby Taylor has been asked by one of the residents of the retirement community where she works as a nurse assistant to bring her golden retriever to participe in a prestigious canine competition. Things are about to become challenging for our heroine because 1-Wheezy is not a good student at all and the stubbornest dog Ruby ever met and 2- she's starting to get feelings for the veterinarian judging the show and like all the men, he seems to underestimate her.
The beginning had me worried for a few chapters that this romcom would be a love triangle but thank god it wasn't. Unfortunately, I didn't quite believe in Ruby and Spencer's chemistry. I also thought we'd see more about the dog show and it's preparation. From the title, I thought we'd get a nemesis or hate-to-love romance, but this is not the vibe I got from this story. But I love that this heroine not suffer fools and speak her mind. I also think that Spencer and his brother's living arrangement was the oddest but funniest I've ever read.
Former beauty pageant queen Ruby Taylor has been asked by one of the residents of the retirement community where she works as a nurse assistant to bring her golden retriever to participe in a prestigious canine competition. Things are about to become challenging for our heroine because 1-Wheezy is not a good student at all and the stubbornest dog Ruby ever met and 2- she's starting to get feelings for the veterinarian judging the show and like all the men, he seems to underestimate her.
The beginning had me worried for a few chapters that this romcom would be a love triangle but thank god it wasn't. Unfortunately, I didn't quite believe in Ruby and Spencer's chemistry. I also thought we'd see more about the dog show and it's preparation. From the title, I thought we'd get a nemesis or hate-to-love romance, but this is not the vibe I got from this story. But I love that this heroine not suffer fools and speak her mind. I also think that Spencer and his brother's living arrangement was the oddest but funniest I've ever read.
January 17, 2022
✰✰.75
“I only tranquilize people. Never animals”.
➯ Cute rom-com, something new, including dogs?? Sign me up🙋🏻♀️
This book gave me motivation to keep fighting for the things I want to achieve in life.
We have our smart and hard-working MC Ruby, who is amazing.
“Mayonnaise”.
➯ 70% of the time reading this, I was laughing (maybe it’s bc I laugh at everything but not the point..). The romance felt a little bland for me. They’re cute but the chemistry wasn’t there always. I wanted to see more about the dog’s pageant.
“Everyone always seemed to want a shortcut in life”.
➯ Rosemary is the main character, idc. She’s so charismatic and reads smut at her ¿60 years? I think her age was never mentioned... anyway. The way they played Harry hahaha.
“I only tranquilize people. Never animals”.
➯ Cute rom-com, something new, including dogs?? Sign me up🙋🏻♀️
This book gave me motivation to keep fighting for the things I want to achieve in life.
We have our smart and hard-working MC Ruby, who is amazing.
“Mayonnaise”.
➯ 70% of the time reading this, I was laughing (maybe it’s bc I laugh at everything but not the point..). The romance felt a little bland for me. They’re cute but the chemistry wasn’t there always. I wanted to see more about the dog’s pageant.
“Everyone always seemed to want a shortcut in life”.
➯ Rosemary is the main character, idc. She’s so charismatic and reads smut at her ¿60 years? I think her age was never mentioned... anyway. The way they played Harry hahaha.
January 20, 2024
2.5 Stars
This book wasn't horrible. There were some funny and cute moments, but at the same time, it wasn't the best. For one, I didn't care for the protagonist. Her reasoning is quite questionable at times, especially at the end of the novel. Second, the "love" felt forced and untrue. Lastly, the flow of the novel also could have been better.
This book wasn't horrible. There were some funny and cute moments, but at the same time, it wasn't the best. For one, I didn't care for the protagonist. Her reasoning is quite questionable at times, especially at the end of the novel. Second, the "love" felt forced and untrue. Lastly, the flow of the novel also could have been better.
November 5, 2021
Beyond the cute cover, this was a rather lackluster book. The dog stole the show!
December 13, 2021
No fuí fan de la escritura y me aburri, cuando leo una comedia espero reirme, pero casi nunca pasa, creo que me río mas con el darkromance,lol.
October 30, 2021
A huge thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5⭐️ 4🌶
I loved this so much!!! The adorable cover first attracted me to requesting it but I’m so glad I did because this was everything from swoony to heartfelt to dog lovers’ heaven!
I love the premise of this former beauty pageant queen turned nursing assistant helping out her old friend in signing up her overweight, untrained yet adorable golden retriever in a dog show competition. Things become complicated when a grumpy veterinarian/dog-show judge tries to stop them from ruining the competition by deeming them unqualified. Being competitive all her life, she’s determined to prove him wrong.
I’m obsessed with the characters in this both main and side! Firstly, I loved Ruby! She was such a strong, determined and relentless heroine. Despite the regret she felt from competing in beauty pageants most of her life, she took what she can from those experiences and used it to prove herself. Her friendship with Mrs. Orson and the rest of the nursing home residents was so wholesome but I especially loved seeing her work hard with bby Wheezy! Also, her continuous relationship with her mom despite all the complications was proof of how maturely she’s dealing with her past.
Then we have Spencer Wilson whom I loved the moment I met him! (I may be biased towards grump heroes and animal lovers 🙈) Not only did I enjoy seeing his wholesome relationship with animals especially dogs but his relationship with the people around him was equally interesting namely his twin brother, parents, friends/co-judges and especially Ruby! I loved his character arc especially towards the end, it was hard not to fall in love with him (seeing him do 100+ push ups may be one of the reasons too 🤣)
The grumpy/sunshine trope was everything!! I love those moments when they would make fun of Spencer for being the serious, broody character from the way he talks, acts and even dresses 🤣 There was also a forbidden feel in their relationship with Spencer being a dog-show judge and Ruby being an entrant in his competition. I loved their chemistry, banter and the tension between them! I enjoyed the deliciously steamy scenes as well!
What surprised me was all the heart tugging scenes that had me tearing up especially towards the end! Both the main leads’ issues as well as Mrs. Orson’s and Caleb’s made it so easy to relate to them and love them more than I already did. I also enjoyed those scenes when the characters would read and talk about the erotitca/romance novels they were reading 🙈
I personally just wish there was more build up in Ruby and Spencer’s relationship before that first kiss and I was hoping for more dog show scenes!
Overall, it was hard not to fall in love with this book especially with all the dog content, steamy romance, memorable characters and heartfelt moments! I highly recommend this and I’ll definitely be on the look out for more from Lucy Gilmore.
4.5⭐️ 4🌶
I loved this so much!!! The adorable cover first attracted me to requesting it but I’m so glad I did because this was everything from swoony to heartfelt to dog lovers’ heaven!
I love the premise of this former beauty pageant queen turned nursing assistant helping out her old friend in signing up her overweight, untrained yet adorable golden retriever in a dog show competition. Things become complicated when a grumpy veterinarian/dog-show judge tries to stop them from ruining the competition by deeming them unqualified. Being competitive all her life, she’s determined to prove him wrong.
I’m obsessed with the characters in this both main and side! Firstly, I loved Ruby! She was such a strong, determined and relentless heroine. Despite the regret she felt from competing in beauty pageants most of her life, she took what she can from those experiences and used it to prove herself. Her friendship with Mrs. Orson and the rest of the nursing home residents was so wholesome but I especially loved seeing her work hard with bby Wheezy! Also, her continuous relationship with her mom despite all the complications was proof of how maturely she’s dealing with her past.
Then we have Spencer Wilson whom I loved the moment I met him! (I may be biased towards grump heroes and animal lovers 🙈) Not only did I enjoy seeing his wholesome relationship with animals especially dogs but his relationship with the people around him was equally interesting namely his twin brother, parents, friends/co-judges and especially Ruby! I loved his character arc especially towards the end, it was hard not to fall in love with him (seeing him do 100+ push ups may be one of the reasons too 🤣)
The grumpy/sunshine trope was everything!! I love those moments when they would make fun of Spencer for being the serious, broody character from the way he talks, acts and even dresses 🤣 There was also a forbidden feel in their relationship with Spencer being a dog-show judge and Ruby being an entrant in his competition. I loved their chemistry, banter and the tension between them! I enjoyed the deliciously steamy scenes as well!
What surprised me was all the heart tugging scenes that had me tearing up especially towards the end! Both the main leads’ issues as well as Mrs. Orson’s and Caleb’s made it so easy to relate to them and love them more than I already did. I also enjoyed those scenes when the characters would read and talk about the erotitca/romance novels they were reading 🙈
I personally just wish there was more build up in Ruby and Spencer’s relationship before that first kiss and I was hoping for more dog show scenes!
Overall, it was hard not to fall in love with this book especially with all the dog content, steamy romance, memorable characters and heartfelt moments! I highly recommend this and I’ll definitely be on the look out for more from Lucy Gilmore.
November 15, 2021
A quirky enemies to lovers romance about a former beauty pageant winner falling for a grumpy dog show judge. This reminded me of “Best in Show” with a twin twist. Full of snarky humor and lots of animal mishaps, it’s a story about dreaming big and being brave. Even with the slow start, I ended up really enjoying this one.
Ruby, nudged by her elderly friend and client to enter the Canine Classic, will stop at nothing to win best in show, especially when the judge and veterinarian Spencer Wilson tells her she could never win with the Golden Retriever Weezy. So to prove him wrong, Ruby hires Spencer’s twin brother Caleb to train Weezy in hopes of changing the lazy and adorable dog. Every day of training Spencer and Ruby battle it out and they can’t help their growing attraction.
This romance felt like two completely different books, the whole first half explaining Ruby and Spencer’s backstories and the second half full of flirting and steam. The rivalry between the twins made the storyline a lot more fun and even though it was rough for the first thirty percent, it’s worth it to finish this one! Now we just need Caleb’s love story!
Ruby, nudged by her elderly friend and client to enter the Canine Classic, will stop at nothing to win best in show, especially when the judge and veterinarian Spencer Wilson tells her she could never win with the Golden Retriever Weezy. So to prove him wrong, Ruby hires Spencer’s twin brother Caleb to train Weezy in hopes of changing the lazy and adorable dog. Every day of training Spencer and Ruby battle it out and they can’t help their growing attraction.
This romance felt like two completely different books, the whole first half explaining Ruby and Spencer’s backstories and the second half full of flirting and steam. The rivalry between the twins made the storyline a lot more fun and even though it was rough for the first thirty percent, it’s worth it to finish this one! Now we just need Caleb’s love story!
October 2, 2021
3 🌟
First thing: when I started this book I thought the story was completely different (rom-com, competition, enemies to lovers) but...
Sure I enjoyed so much this funny rom com book, I had a very good time reading but I was expecting a little more (maybe?). The plot is very funny: Ruby wants to participate and win a canine contest with Wheezy, a friend's dog, but it is not exactly in line with the competition rules!
So here comes Caleb, who presents himself as a dog trainer and offere to train Wheezy to try to win the competition... even if he believes it's impossibile. There's also Spencer, Caleb's twin, one of the judges of the competition, who tells her that she can't win. And here we go: Ruby is ready to change his mind and then accepts Caleb's offer.
Ruby although she knows very well that winning this competition is impossible, she tries (almost to piss-off Spencer). On the other hand we have the twins Spencer and Caleb and one of the trope that I liked the most :the relationship between brothers but even more precisely between twins. It's one of those dynamics I like to read about! Caleb is the classic bad boy with a soft heart, the soul of the party and with whom you can never feel comfortable, Spencer, instead is the quieter and more reserved part.
Here, there is my biggest problem, and I say it in a positive way because I just didn't understand: I thought that the love interest was another. Already. No love triangle, quiet, but I just got carried away by the wrong character.
Oh oh well, apart from at this point in the end the book is nice and I admit to having devoured the second part.
What doesn't convinced me is the beginning because I did 't understand who the love interest was, and the enemies to lovers issue. He is more of a can't stand you to lovers, because the two protagonists are his two opposite sides but not that much, he is a super simp after five seconds like.
So in the end the title can be a bit contradictory but broadly speaking it fits!
So nothing, an enjoyable, fun, yes, and super smooth read at the end!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
First thing: when I started this book I thought the story was completely different (rom-com, competition, enemies to lovers) but...
Sure I enjoyed so much this funny rom com book, I had a very good time reading but I was expecting a little more (maybe?). The plot is very funny: Ruby wants to participate and win a canine contest with Wheezy, a friend's dog, but it is not exactly in line with the competition rules!
So here comes Caleb, who presents himself as a dog trainer and offere to train Wheezy to try to win the competition... even if he believes it's impossibile. There's also Spencer, Caleb's twin, one of the judges of the competition, who tells her that she can't win. And here we go: Ruby is ready to change his mind and then accepts Caleb's offer.
Ruby although she knows very well that winning this competition is impossible, she tries (almost to piss-off Spencer). On the other hand we have the twins Spencer and Caleb and one of the trope that I liked the most :the relationship between brothers but even more precisely between twins. It's one of those dynamics I like to read about! Caleb is the classic bad boy with a soft heart, the soul of the party and with whom you can never feel comfortable, Spencer, instead is the quieter and more reserved part.
Here, there is my biggest problem, and I say it in a positive way because I just didn't understand: I thought that the love interest was another. Already. No love triangle, quiet, but I just got carried away by the wrong character.
Oh oh well, apart from at this point in the end the book is nice and I admit to having devoured the second part.
What doesn't convinced me is the beginning because I did 't understand who the love interest was, and the enemies to lovers issue. He is more of a can't stand you to lovers, because the two protagonists are his two opposite sides but not that much, he is a super simp after five seconds like.
So in the end the title can be a bit contradictory but broadly speaking it fits!
So nothing, an enjoyable, fun, yes, and super smooth read at the end!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
November 4, 2021
thank you netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ⭐️ 🌶/5
the premise of this book was really intriguing, a rather grumpy dog show judge and a former beauty queen that is determined to win a dog pageant with a crazy golden retriever named Weezy.
I have never read a book liked this before, with such a big focus on dogs. I really enjoyed it!
this book was a good enemies-to-lovers book, with a lil bit of ✨spice✨ added into the mix!!! i liked this book, however after around the 60% mark i felt a bit bored and wasnt as invested in the book as much - hence the 3.5 rather than 4 ⭐️ nonetheless, definitely do recommend this book! i did enjoy it ☺️
3.5 ⭐️ 🌶/5
the premise of this book was really intriguing, a rather grumpy dog show judge and a former beauty queen that is determined to win a dog pageant with a crazy golden retriever named Weezy.
I have never read a book liked this before, with such a big focus on dogs. I really enjoyed it!
this book was a good enemies-to-lovers book, with a lil bit of ✨spice✨ added into the mix!!! i liked this book, however after around the 60% mark i felt a bit bored and wasnt as invested in the book as much - hence the 3.5 rather than 4 ⭐️ nonetheless, definitely do recommend this book! i did enjoy it ☺️
November 1, 2021
Ruby grew up in the pageant world. Now, she’s back in it again—trying to enter Wheezy, a golden retriever, into the West Coast Canine Classic. Wheezy belongs to one of the residents of the facility she works at as a nursing assistant.
According to Spencer Wilson, dog show judge and veterinarian, Wheezy is not fit to compete. Ruby is determined to prove him wrong.
This is a cute, light romance. It has its funny moments, sexy times, gorgeous twins and a very lovable dog. Wheezy is definitely the star of the show in this romcom!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
According to Spencer Wilson, dog show judge and veterinarian, Wheezy is not fit to compete. Ruby is determined to prove him wrong.
This is a cute, light romance. It has its funny moments, sexy times, gorgeous twins and a very lovable dog. Wheezy is definitely the star of the show in this romcom!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
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