Following a devastating break-up with his fiancé, Adam moves from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles back to his hometown of Chicago in the hopes of mending his broken heart and starting a new life. Adam quickly learns that being single and living alone means having to become self-reliant. With each moment of self-reflection and self-discovery he begins to rebuild his life.
As Adam attempts to adjust mentally and emotionally, he meets his new neighbor, Jake, a tall, rugged man, who seems hell bent on making Adam’s life miserable. As the two men enter into an epic battle of the wills, they desperately and sometimes hilariously try to outwit the other. Is Jake truly as terrible as he seems or is this a rouse hiding something much deeper? Which neighbor will come out on top or will they finally learn that they are better when together?
Matthew Dante is a Canadian Indie Author who writes MM Dark Romance and MM Contemporary Romance. He is an avid reader, world traveler, lover of all things Marvel and DC, and a romantic at heart.
You can follow Matthew on: Instagram at MatthewDanteBooks Facebook at Matthew.dante.73
“Meeting you has been exhilarating and humbling. Even the days you drove me crazy were the best days of my life! I want each day to be filled with your laughter, your dancing, and your love.”
My heart broke with Adam when his fiancée and his best friend did the unthinkable. He didn’t just lose the love of his life, but also his friend that night.
He tried to move on and struggled along the way. But with Jake’s help and love, he was able to find himself again.
Matthew Dante did an amazing job weaving a story and developing likable characters in a short period of time.
If you’re looking for a quick read- (I mean quick read - I finished this in less than two hours) that will make you cry, laugh and swoon, this is for you. I’m officially adding Jake to the list of my favorite leading men.
This was a sweet story. Rather clean, too. It didn't have much drama to speak of and I liked all the characters. The happy ending made my day so I'm glad I read it. There's too much craziness in the world so this made for a welcomed escape.
This is the second book I've read by this author I discovered via Instagram. I plan to read more of his books!
Tropes: neighbours, enemies to lovers Feels: 3/5 Steam*: 1.5/5 Kinks: no Angst: low HEA: yes Pairing: MM Triggers/potential icks: cheating ex
Adam is 26 and was with his ex-fiance for 6 years. His ex cheats on him with his best friend, breaking his heart. Adam returns to his hometown for a change of scenery and to lick his wounds. He ends up clashing with his neighbor Jake. They parry back and forth ticking each other off. Then they get to know each other and like each other.
This book was a novella. I'm notorious about having a hard time really enjoying novellas. This book was okay, it was a light read, low angst, sappy, had a bit of a battle of wills that was entertaining. I did think that it was a little too formal in its dialogue, it made it a bit choppy. And it was a little too kitschy at times.
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
4.5 stars It's a novella, 100ish pages. It's super sweet, emotional and funny. We can read a lovely relationship's beginning, and if you don't mind insta love it's kinda the perfect read for a relaxing afternoon. Plus, enemies to lovers is my weakness and the transition is funny and endearing. First book by this author for me, and I think it won't be the last 😉
After his heart being broken by his fiancé, Adam returns to his hometown to start his new life. It's hard for him because after 6 years spending his life with his fiancé and depending on him in so many ways, starting his independent life is difficult and he needs some adjustment and having an asshole neighbor doesn't help him at all.
Adam seems to always have an argument with his neighbor, Jake and both of them are refuse to back down even an inch. One simple thing turns Adam's life upside down, finally he can sees the real Jake. Beneath his rugged exterior lies a man with an amazing heart, very caring and prioritize his family above anything else and a romantic at heart.
One mean word sending Adam away and the efforts Jake put to win Adam's heart back is so romantic and sweet. It showed how Jake really care for Adam and how they are made for each other.
One bad thing in this book is I need more of Jake and Adam, this is too short, ugh!!!
Jake and Adam had a slow burn sassy romance. The snark they gave off was delightful and witty. The secondary characters were fun and Adam's mom was just nosy enough to be loved. I really enjoyed the plot and the happily ever after. I'm excited to see what comes next from Matthew Dante.
I think this was one of the most boring books I have ever read. It started off good with 2 neighbors fueding and then just went down hill from there. I felt no real connection to either MC and the connection b/w them was almost nonexistent. The "fights" kind of came out of no where and I'm not sure why some stuff was even said. And the writing seemed like English is bot the author's first language. It doesn't feel natural or flow right.
Great Gay Romance. The two main characters had a really fun "back and forth" that the author paced out really well. The playful "revenge schemes" were a delight to read. What I really appreciated is that it wasn't overly sappy. There were some real moments of heartbreak and affection but nothing felt melodramatic. The characters were well written--I know an Adam! Recommend highly!
Adam Miller, has everything, a luxury condo, a great job as an assistant chef, and a very successful fiance. Adam has been living with Scott for six years and became recently engaged. Adam had worked hard to be patient and not rush the love of romance. They were living the high life in the fast paced world of Los Angeles. Having a rare chance to be home earlier, Adam has thoughts of his lover and having some much needed alone time. As usual, there was always housework chores for him to clean up. Scott had always done the “fix it” work and let Adam know constantly, he wasn’t capable of anything but housework. The thoughts of time with his lover are destroyed. Adam can’t believe what he walks in on. Stunned he turns around and never looks back. He goes back home to Chicago in hopes for time and much needed space to get his life back in order. Even though his mother want’s him to come home, she helps him find a place of his own. Adam knows it’s better for him to be isolated and work through what he believes are his flaws.
A trip to the grocery and the last bottle of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Red wine, has Adam facing the “Wine Thief” who is now the enemy. Adam having made the decision to stand up for himself confronts the “wine thief”. Adam never get’s that bottle of wine, but he questions himself as he’s judgmental and snobbish when it comes to his thoughts about the man.
Jake “wine thief”, unbeknownst to Adam is his neighbor. Adam doesn’t know anything about Jake but a war starts between them. Jake is somewhat gruff and snarky. He’s also a life saver to his sister and her two boys. He gave up much of his life to help her during a rough time and has been there for them ever since. He own’s his own business but is able to do some work while home. He also get’s “Jake Days” several times a month to have the house to himself and have friends over.
Can Adam and Jake outsmart each other? Who will win the battle of the neighbors?
Matthew Dante creates a wonderful romance with “Love to Hate You”. It’s a quick, well written, easy read, with emotional moments and humor. It’s also a story of abuse, not physical but mental and how much just words can cause a person to believe and act from what’s stressed to them constantly. There’s many moments of self-examining for Adam, also.
Dante is really clear in presenting his characters, Adam and Jake both are very likable. Along with them the secondary characters bring a sense of warmth to the story: Erin, Jakes sister and his nephews, Josh and Blake. Adam’s mom and dad, Joan and Phillip and the realtor Lisa.
Family, friends, kids, bikes, clay, cupcakes, boxes and wine, make for a delightful story from Matthew Dante!
This book had me hooked since the beginning. I don't know why but I just couldn't stop reading.
This story put a big smile on my face so many times. Matthew created extremely likeable characters that their sassy personalities..were killing me 🤣. I just couldn't have enough of Adam making Jake's life difficult and the other way around 🙈
Adam is a sweet man that moved from L.A to Chicago after he broke up. His fiance cheated on him with Adam's best friend and well..poor Adam. He was devastated after their betrayal so he wanted to go away. He returned back to his home town and the house he chose to live was actually next to a very "grumpy" man, Jake.
I don't think that Jake was grumpy at all to be honest. I believe that Adam was just looking for any excuse to call him names because Jake took that fucking wine from him the first day they met..I told you..these two are cracking me up. And no Adam was not over reacting..he REALLY needed that wine.
The two heroes loved to push each other. When one of them did something then the other one was answering back immediately. They were challenging each other constantly and that didn't help their relationship at all. When one had his walls down then the other had his walls up. And the other way around.
Somehow though, through their ups and downs..they realized that they had feelings for each other and they reached their HEA.
I really liked this book. It may be short in pages but the story that it tells is definitely worth reading. If you are in the mood to read a romantic and at the same time sweet and funny story of two great guys then definitely give this a try. I can assure you that this book will make you smile a lot. ❤️
Matthew Dante you old romantic you! Reading your other books with murder, violence and guys with a dark edge I was taken completely by surprise with this sweet romance.
Enemies to lovers has always been my kryptonite and the banter between Adam and Jake was very amusing. Poor Adam, his kind and gentle nature and the way he was trying to come to terms with finding his fiancé of six years in bed with his best friend was a gut punch and endearing as he tried to rebuild his life. Scott had made him feel insecure and useless and trying to cope with life and home projects on his own for the first time, well, Adam felt out of his depth.
Jake was a gorgeous big muscular guy who came over brash but had a kind heart underneath, family was everything to Jake. Their first meeting did not go well and he loved baiting Adam and looked forward to their verbal clashes and Adam’s sharp come backs as they tried to outwit each other.
Is Adam ready to open his heart again and can Jake stop being so stubborn and pig headed and be the romantic that Adam craves?
This was a quick and enjoyable read and I’ve checked twice now to make sure it definitely has Matthew’s name on the cover!
A romantic live story about "annoyed" sparks some "passion" & the fun begins.
A romantic story of falling in live - "what you think is love" to discover the lying, cheating....you know the story. From betrayal to starting over. it is a great story of 3 adults all starting over and the friendship & for two life be. Family by choice is always hear warming. V1, S1 M M romance (would be considered clean romance except for the "cheating scene"). More reviews please join us @my2centsbooklover thanks!
This is a new new author to me, a fellow Canadian. This was a sweet story, well after the horrible experience Adam went through at the start anyway. Jake is grumpy, Adam is bitter, they clash, again and again. It's a fun read at times but below it all is Adams searing pain and we feel that through the authors words. A nice tale, shortish but nice.
REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love to Hate You by Matthew Dante is an amazingly charming enemies to lovers romance that is sure to capture a reader’s heart. After catching his fiancé and his best friend in bed together, Adam decides to leave LA life behind and return to his hometown of Chicago. Determined to begin a new chapter of his life, Adam finds a house, only to discover a neighbor, Jake, who seems hell bent on making his life miserable. The two men desperately, and sometime hilariously, try to outwit the other. Is Jake really as awful as he seems or are his actions masking something much deeper? Could this stubborn, yet distracting handsome, man next door actually help heal Adam’s broken heart?⠀ ⠀ This story is the perfect melding of sweet, touching and fun. Matthew Dante has breathed new life and originality into an often used trope. His works are always populated with richly developed and entrancing characters who never fail to engage and entertain. And when his characters finally find love the fireworks are nothing short of explosive. Love to Hate You will make the perfect read for those long afternoons as summer surrenders to the autumn. ⠀
This is very different in tone to other Matthew Dante books I’ve read. Lighthearted and low angst it’s not going win any prizes for complexity but is a cute, quick read.
💕 An utterly sweet little story that gives you wholesome family feels. Jake and Adam don’t exactly hit it off, throwing digs at each other at every opportunity. It’s fun watching them banter and try to outdo one another.
I love how Adam spends a good chunk of the book thinking the horridly annoying Jake is married to the kind, loving woman next door with the rambunctious kids. I love how Adam connects with said woman and kids all while his feud with Jake continues. Spending time with the family forces him to get to know Jake and maybe see that he isn’t so bad.
If you’re looking for a wholesome book with no spice, this is definitely a sweet one that I truly enjoyed. A love that grows slowly and quietly.
Love To Hate You is a heartfelt romance about a gay man living a fast-paced lifestyle in Los Angeles who, when betrayed by his fiance, returns to his hometown of Chicago to try and pick up the pieces of his life and start again.
I really enjoyed these characters—especially our main protagonist, Adam. I felt his pain of betrayal, and, dare I say, I was even angrier than he was. The playful contest of spiteful one-upmanship between Adam and Jake, the hunky love interest, was delightful to experience—I didn't know which one at any given moment to root for. That's one of Dante's strengths: creating characters that can be both likeable and insufferable at the same time. This cozy m/m romance is a new favourite of mine, and I hope for a sequel.