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Hallisburg Prep #1
The Boy I Love to Hate
Everyone at Hallisburg Prep worships the ground Sutton Reilly walks on.
Everyone except me.
I hate everything about the school's star quarterback-he's nothing but a cocky, arrogant, class-A jerk.
The type of guy I stay far, far away from.
Until we're caught out of bed together after curfew. And it doesn't look good.
Our punishment? We're forced to work together on a school fundraiser. Ugh.
My only bright light is NeverFret-the sweet, mysterious guy I talk to on the school's messaging app. He's Sutton Reilly's polar opposite, and I think I'm falling for him.
Because I'd never fall for the boy I love to hate.
Right?
Everyone except me.
I hate everything about the school's star quarterback-he's nothing but a cocky, arrogant, class-A jerk.
The type of guy I stay far, far away from.
Until we're caught out of bed together after curfew. And it doesn't look good.
Our punishment? We're forced to work together on a school fundraiser. Ugh.
My only bright light is NeverFret-the sweet, mysterious guy I talk to on the school's messaging app. He's Sutton Reilly's polar opposite, and I think I'm falling for him.
Because I'd never fall for the boy I love to hate.
Right?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2021
671 people are currently reading
1364 people want to read
About the author
Emily Lowry
16 books182 followersEmily Lowry is true romantic. She’s a huge fan of happily ever afters, witty, fun characters and fast-paced sweet romances.
Emily writes from her home in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, baking cakes and paddleboarding.
Discover Emily Lowry’s first series, Rumors and Lies at Evermore High, for perfect sweet romance reads filled with gossip, high school drama & falling in love for the first time <3
Emily writes from her home in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, baking cakes and paddleboarding.
Discover Emily Lowry’s first series, Rumors and Lies at Evermore High, for perfect sweet romance reads filled with gossip, high school drama & falling in love for the first time <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
August 20, 2021
This enemies to more clean YA read is heartwarming and one that just gives you all the sweet feels.
Mia has been sent to Hallisburg Prep for her senior year of high school amidst some family drama at home. While she had planned to just get through the year, she finds herself pleasantly surprised. She likes her fun, welcoming dorm mates and the classes are interesting at this school. What she's not surprised about is that the star QB is a know-it-all jerk that due to a very unfortunate and unlucky initial meeting they are now being punished together by having to plan the school's annual fundraiser. These two just rubbed each other the wrong way almost immediately.
Where Mia just wants to hide, Sutton is popular and fully aware of the expectations that come with it. The banter between these two is kind of snarky, quick and so fun to read! Mia may be interesting to verbally spar with but there's a girl Sutton has been talking to on the school's chat platform that seems to just understand him. The real him since they don't even know each other's names.
This is a super start to this series and I can't wait for more! The characters are likeable, kind and friendly to Mia and that makes them even more endearing. Don't miss out on this easy to love and easy to read enemies to more story.
Mia has been sent to Hallisburg Prep for her senior year of high school amidst some family drama at home. While she had planned to just get through the year, she finds herself pleasantly surprised. She likes her fun, welcoming dorm mates and the classes are interesting at this school. What she's not surprised about is that the star QB is a know-it-all jerk that due to a very unfortunate and unlucky initial meeting they are now being punished together by having to plan the school's annual fundraiser. These two just rubbed each other the wrong way almost immediately.
Where Mia just wants to hide, Sutton is popular and fully aware of the expectations that come with it. The banter between these two is kind of snarky, quick and so fun to read! Mia may be interesting to verbally spar with but there's a girl Sutton has been talking to on the school's chat platform that seems to just understand him. The real him since they don't even know each other's names.
This is a super start to this series and I can't wait for more! The characters are likeable, kind and friendly to Mia and that makes them even more endearing. Don't miss out on this easy to love and easy to read enemies to more story.
August 14, 2021
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐
I loved this story so much. Emily has this beautiful writing style that just flows so well. Every one of her books is incredible. I’ve read them all and want to read them again for sure. This one is part of a new series but I can already spot couples that would be so good together. Sutton and Mia’s story was a super cute one and maybe one of the best that Emily has written.
Sutton had a depth to him. There was a lot more to the jock persona. He was a nice person overall. Mia had every right to doubt Sutton’s good mind even if it was a bit stereotypical. She was such a good heroine. She grew so much throughout this story. I loved her. Sutton and Mia were hilarious together. Whether that was while messaging through the school app or being partners for planning the fall fundraiser. I loved the easy banter and chemistry between the two. I look forwards to the following books in this story.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this story so much. Emily has this beautiful writing style that just flows so well. Every one of her books is incredible. I’ve read them all and want to read them again for sure. This one is part of a new series but I can already spot couples that would be so good together. Sutton and Mia’s story was a super cute one and maybe one of the best that Emily has written.
Sutton had a depth to him. There was a lot more to the jock persona. He was a nice person overall. Mia had every right to doubt Sutton’s good mind even if it was a bit stereotypical. She was such a good heroine. She grew so much throughout this story. I loved her. Sutton and Mia were hilarious together. Whether that was while messaging through the school app or being partners for planning the fall fundraiser. I loved the easy banter and chemistry between the two. I look forwards to the following books in this story.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2022
This book was so freaking wholesome omg. The only reason I rated it 4 stars is because Mia got so fucking annoying towards the end of the book.
November 17, 2021
Cute Quick Read
This story was a cute quick read. I just didn't like how Mia judged and stereotyped Sutton from the jump. I get her experience with her ex wasn't great and she did the same with her friends. I can understand her being cautious even closed off but her being judgmental made me like her Less. Other than that it was a good read
This story was a cute quick read. I just didn't like how Mia judged and stereotyped Sutton from the jump. I get her experience with her ex wasn't great and she did the same with her friends. I can understand her being cautious even closed off but her being judgmental made me like her Less. Other than that it was a good read
January 21, 2022
I was a little annoyed with the "I'm gonna be a poet" talk. No mention of attending a University after graduation, no mention of how bills will be paid...just empty chat about making a life as a poet... But, like, HOW? Unless mom and pop pay your rent, not sure how that works. I know that romance novels are usually forgiven for being brainless fluff, but even for YA Romance, this was kinda stupid. And what the eff is a "poetry internship"?! I want an "eating donuts for free" or "grabbing dollar bills outta thin air" internship, since bizarre internships/jobs are seemingly on offer now.
HOW DOES A HIGH-SCHOOL-GRADUATE "POET" MAKE A LIVING?! Please, enlighten me.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
HOW DOES A HIGH-SCHOOL-GRADUATE "POET" MAKE A LIVING?! Please, enlighten me.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
June 14, 2022
I didn't hate it, I just didn't like it. It was a quick read with nothing special. I probably didn't enjoy it because Mia annoyed me for being so judgmental all the time. Sutton was really nice (to Mia) and didn't annoy me that much. Besides that, I don't have anything else to say.
April 23, 2025
(3/5 cute but took too long to do
August 11, 2022
—𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
☆꧁ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐲 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞꧂☆
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 “𝐌𝐢𝐚” (h) ‘s parents were on the brink of divorce, and home life had become so messy that her parents had agreed to send her off to Hallisburg Prep for a change of scenery. On her first night, she has a run in with the star quarterback and secret musician, 𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 (H) who leaves the party at the same time she did and accidentally spooks her. This results in a faculty members catching them outside after curfew, so they get detention and instantly their hatred for each other arises. With constant bickering, the solution the school has is to partner them to organize the fall fundraiser so they can learn to get along. Only its difficult when they cant set aside their differences, but they are secretly falling for each other as online penpals without realizing each other’s identities.
*•.¸♡ ★·.·´ 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ★·.·´¯`·.·★ ♡¸.•*
Mia was so judgmental and based her entire opinion on jocks from that one encounter with her former boyfriend. When she found out Sutton was her penpal she used information he told her in confidence against him, in front of everyone. I didn’t like how quick she claimed to hate him when he really didn’t do anything to her, she was just mean without a reason. I dont know how Sutton fell for her because she was just rude. They kept calling each other enemies but really it was just a petty argument that started because he reminded her of his ex.
Sutton’s entire personality is hating football and not letting anyone in, and at the end he quits and follows his dreams of being a musician.. go him! Meanwhile, Mia was pursuing poetry.. idk they are an artist couple 🤞🏽 I dont care about them to be honest, they will probably break up eventually.
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥, it is fast-paced and nothing much happens because they hate each other for no reason
☆꧁ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐲 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞꧂☆
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 “𝐌𝐢𝐚” (h) ‘s parents were on the brink of divorce, and home life had become so messy that her parents had agreed to send her off to Hallisburg Prep for a change of scenery. On her first night, she has a run in with the star quarterback and secret musician, 𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 (H) who leaves the party at the same time she did and accidentally spooks her. This results in a faculty members catching them outside after curfew, so they get detention and instantly their hatred for each other arises. With constant bickering, the solution the school has is to partner them to organize the fall fundraiser so they can learn to get along. Only its difficult when they cant set aside their differences, but they are secretly falling for each other as online penpals without realizing each other’s identities.
*•.¸♡ ★·.·´ 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ★·.·´¯`·.·★ ♡¸.•*
Mia was so judgmental and based her entire opinion on jocks from that one encounter with her former boyfriend. When she found out Sutton was her penpal she used information he told her in confidence against him, in front of everyone. I didn’t like how quick she claimed to hate him when he really didn’t do anything to her, she was just mean without a reason. I dont know how Sutton fell for her because she was just rude. They kept calling each other enemies but really it was just a petty argument that started because he reminded her of his ex.
Sutton’s entire personality is hating football and not letting anyone in, and at the end he quits and follows his dreams of being a musician.. go him! Meanwhile, Mia was pursuing poetry.. idk they are an artist couple 🤞🏽 I dont care about them to be honest, they will probably break up eventually.
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥, it is fast-paced and nothing much happens because they hate each other for no reason
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2022
I liked this clean, cute YA.
- Because Mia was a self proclaimed introvert and threatened to have a bad attitude at first, I was worried I’d be dealing with a chick who would be a crappy friend with a chip on her shoulder. Thankfully, she lightened up and proved to be a relatively good friend that was willing to have fun with her dorm girls. Sometimes she was pretty likable, and other times she was too hard and offish to be likable.
- I liked Sutton. He was confident, teasing, and good looking but had a sweet, vulnerable side.
- I loved Mia’s girl friends! and I loved Sutton’s boys, too. All great side characters.
- I really liked text convos in novels, esp if they don’t know each other. That plot device was done alright in this case. (If you’re into that, I’d suggest Kelly Oram’s Cinder & Ella novel.)
- I didn’t like how she publicly humiliated him, airing his vulnerabilities out when he had shared them with her in private. She broke his trust in a moment of anger and I was appalled. But the book spun it like HE needed to apologize to HER for the mere appearance of cat-fishing her when he didn’t even do that! The fact was, SHE was the one who jumped to conclusions and was in the wrong. SHE needed to apologize! I needed her to truly grovel for forgiveness and a page of lyrics with no apology didn’t cut it. But maybe that’s just me. I would have rated this higher if the misunderstanding had been dealt with in the way I was hoping. Thankfully, the misunderstanding wasn’t prolonged.
- The epilogue was sweet.
- The chemistry between them was mediocre.
Content:
Language- no swearing or blasphemy
Sex- no sex scenes or innuendo.
Cover- I love it!
I read this on KU
- Because Mia was a self proclaimed introvert and threatened to have a bad attitude at first, I was worried I’d be dealing with a chick who would be a crappy friend with a chip on her shoulder. Thankfully, she lightened up and proved to be a relatively good friend that was willing to have fun with her dorm girls. Sometimes she was pretty likable, and other times she was too hard and offish to be likable.
- I liked Sutton. He was confident, teasing, and good looking but had a sweet, vulnerable side.
- I loved Mia’s girl friends! and I loved Sutton’s boys, too. All great side characters.
- I really liked text convos in novels, esp if they don’t know each other. That plot device was done alright in this case. (If you’re into that, I’d suggest Kelly Oram’s Cinder & Ella novel.)
- I didn’t like how she publicly humiliated him, airing his vulnerabilities out when he had shared them with her in private. She broke his trust in a moment of anger and I was appalled. But the book spun it like HE needed to apologize to HER for the mere appearance of cat-fishing her when he didn’t even do that! The fact was, SHE was the one who jumped to conclusions and was in the wrong. SHE needed to apologize! I needed her to truly grovel for forgiveness and a page of lyrics with no apology didn’t cut it. But maybe that’s just me. I would have rated this higher if the misunderstanding had been dealt with in the way I was hoping. Thankfully, the misunderstanding wasn’t prolonged.
- The epilogue was sweet.
- The chemistry between them was mediocre.
Content:
Language- no swearing or blasphemy
Sex- no sex scenes or innuendo.
Cover- I love it!
I read this on KU
October 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It contains all the awesome ingredients for a great YA enemies to lovers romance. I loved how each character defies the stereotypes placed on them. There is awesome chemistry. I highly recommend.
April 17, 2022
super cute palette cleanser after reading some tough tomes of a heavy nature. This is your typical young adult romance book - though I like how the author uses the dual perspective of both the girl and boy, nice alternative to one point of view. Also, I thought she did a fairly good job of writing from a boy's perspective or what I imagine teenage boys discuss when they are alone (without girls).
The story is cute and I like how the kids from this prep school are rich but the author keeps them very down to earth - not all Gossip Girl.
Super fast to read, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish - just a nice beach read or something to pick up when you want to escape from the sad realities of the real world. Its totally clean and good for middle school age and up.
The story is cute and I like how the kids from this prep school are rich but the author keeps them very down to earth - not all Gossip Girl.
Super fast to read, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish - just a nice beach read or something to pick up when you want to escape from the sad realities of the real world. Its totally clean and good for middle school age and up.
January 30, 2022
Surprisingly good YA
I have to say this wasn't what I was expecting, but I really liked it. I was surprised that this didn't have so much high school angst. I liked that this was really about two teenagers trying to figure themselves out. This is definitely an enemies to lovers story.
Content: Clean, just some kissing
Language: No language
Religious: No
Happy reading!!
I have to say this wasn't what I was expecting, but I really liked it. I was surprised that this didn't have so much high school angst. I liked that this was really about two teenagers trying to figure themselves out. This is definitely an enemies to lovers story.
Content: Clean, just some kissing
Language: No language
Religious: No
Happy reading!!
July 1, 2023
I really liked this!
Mia and Sutton are such good characters, and even though it had a similar plot to Tweet Cute with the anonymous messaging aspect, it was so unique with the fundraiser and Suttons struggles with identity and what he wants to do.
I will be continuing, and I’m actually so excited for Quinn and Arie’s story. Mostly because I like their names :)
Mia and Sutton are such good characters, and even though it had a similar plot to Tweet Cute with the anonymous messaging aspect, it was so unique with the fundraiser and Suttons struggles with identity and what he wants to do.
I will be continuing, and I’m actually so excited for Quinn and Arie’s story. Mostly because I like their names :)
January 5, 2022
Enemies 2 lovers = irresistible
January 25, 2022
3.5/5 stars
“You wanna know something, newbie?” I asked, smiling.
“Sure.”
“You’re not so bad.”
Mia returned my smile. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sutton Reily.”
“You wanna know something, newbie?” I asked, smiling.
“Sure.”
“You’re not so bad.”
Mia returned my smile. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sutton Reily.”
July 28, 2023
3.25⭐
i'm on the verge of a slump however i did like the book
i'm on the verge of a slump however i did like the book
August 20, 2025
Hermoso, simplemente hermoso, está autora jamás me decepciona ❤️
August 7, 2022
As suspected this book was super predictable but an easy read. Nothing really memorable about this book :/ It was all really predictable so even when a plot twist happened it wasn’t exciting cuz I already knew what was going to happen!
Can’t complain too much tho cuz the two mc ,Sutton and Mia, seem to have good chemistry. The whole book just overall screamed PG 13 and seemed a lil childish but all in all it was quick read that had a cute message so there’s that.
I will say this tho, Mia seemed really relatable and all the characters in the book were likable. Not sure if this matters but that’s all this book really has going for it…
This honesty reminded me of a really cheesy Disney movie and I 100% see this being picked up by Disney and being turned into a movie/series.
Overall mid
enemies to lovers
dual pov
popular jock and new kid trope
Can’t complain too much tho cuz the two mc ,Sutton and Mia, seem to have good chemistry. The whole book just overall screamed PG 13 and seemed a lil childish but all in all it was quick read that had a cute message so there’s that.
I will say this tho, Mia seemed really relatable and all the characters in the book were likable. Not sure if this matters but that’s all this book really has going for it…
This honesty reminded me of a really cheesy Disney movie and I 100% see this being picked up by Disney and being turned into a movie/series.
Overall mid
enemies to lovers
dual pov
popular jock and new kid trope
August 20, 2021
One of my most favorite tropes is the enemies to lovers trope. It is great to see the couples’ feelings change towards each other. I love to read them developing feelings as they get to know each other. Now this trope got justice in this book. The thing I most enjoyed was reading about their banters. It was really funny and clever. They both were really smart people. I loved Rachel and Quinn’s immediate friendship and acceptance with Mia. Emily Lowry has always written about beautiful friendships in her books. I really love to read about that being an introvert myself and not having many friendships.
Mia has recently transferred to Hallisburg Prep for her senior year because her parents were going through a rough road. She doesn’t like this sudden change. But she begins to like HP as she gets to know it better. The only thing that she hates in her whole school is Sutton Reily (Why? Well that’s why you have to read the book, I’m trying really hard not to leave any spoilers here.)
Sutton is the quarterback in Hallisburg Prep. He is constantly pressured by his father to do play better when all he wants to do is play music. Oh and he hates Mia back equally.
They anonymously connect with each other through music in their school’s messaging app, HP Chat and they obviously don’t know who is on the other side. In their physical life, they are forced to plan the HP Fall Fundraiser together so that they could “learn to get along and work together”. Then the rest is history, this history is not boring though it was really interesting.
I loved it so much and there are a lot of potential couples in this series, whose stories I’m looking forward to read. I’ve been waiting to read this one for a very long time. As soon as Emily announced an enemies to lovers story happening in a boarding school with some secret romance I was done for. This was the model book for a YA contemporary romance. Definitely recommend all of Emily Lowry’s books to YA clean romance readers!
There were a few awesome kisses and no swearing or bad language. It was very clean.
I got an ARC (because I'm very lucky) and am leaving an honest review.
Mia has recently transferred to Hallisburg Prep for her senior year because her parents were going through a rough road. She doesn’t like this sudden change. But she begins to like HP as she gets to know it better. The only thing that she hates in her whole school is Sutton Reily (Why? Well that’s why you have to read the book, I’m trying really hard not to leave any spoilers here.)
Sutton is the quarterback in Hallisburg Prep. He is constantly pressured by his father to do play better when all he wants to do is play music. Oh and he hates Mia back equally.
They anonymously connect with each other through music in their school’s messaging app, HP Chat and they obviously don’t know who is on the other side. In their physical life, they are forced to plan the HP Fall Fundraiser together so that they could “learn to get along and work together”. Then the rest is history, this history is not boring though it was really interesting.
I loved it so much and there are a lot of potential couples in this series, whose stories I’m looking forward to read. I’ve been waiting to read this one for a very long time. As soon as Emily announced an enemies to lovers story happening in a boarding school with some secret romance I was done for. This was the model book for a YA contemporary romance. Definitely recommend all of Emily Lowry’s books to YA clean romance readers!
There were a few awesome kisses and no swearing or bad language. It was very clean.
I got an ARC (because I'm very lucky) and am leaving an honest review.
August 20, 2021
Mia and Sutton are both hurting and have their guards up when they meet senior year at the boarding school Mia is sendt to. They resent each other from the first meeting, but are forced to work together. There is a lot of drama and emotional issues to work out for tjem, and I thought the story was, at times, just a little boring.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
-clean/sweet YA romance
-enemies to lovers trope
-You’ve Got Mail vibes
-1st in a series on KU
-enemies to lovers trope
-You’ve Got Mail vibes
-1st in a series on KU
July 15, 2024
This book a typical self-published YA book. Dual, 1st POV, some sort of family drama, enemies to lovers over a very dumb reason, and lots of miscommunication. This one also had the secret identity aspect in it, which was fun but not enough to keep me from DNFing this one.
It opens with lots of telling in the first chapter. Like, the entire chapter was basically telling how FMC got there. The book should've started further in with all of that information woven in throughout. It's very Save the Cat formulaic, in which the formula says you need to spend 1-3 chapters on slice-of-life, setting up the character before the inciting incident happens. (For example, at only 3% into the entire document, you get "I knew Mom felt bad for me. She and Dad were on the brink of divorce, and home life had become so messy that my parents had momentarily banded together to agree on one thing: I was better off out of the picture while they went through the process of dismantling the life they’d built together. The process of dismantling our family.") And because it's Dual POV, that means you get that for BOTH characters. This book should've opened with her at the school already, walking in right before the party she leaves early, maybe even in detention? The starting point set the book up to feel like it was bloated and dragging.
The enemies to lovers aspect was pretty weak too. The FMC had one bad experience with one boy and bases half of her entire personality on how she dated one boy, who happened to be a jock, who happened to move on quickly after dumping her because he didn't want to do long distance. (Instead of being a jerk and stringing her along while she was hundreds of miles away?! The horror...) And of course, our MMC is a jock. So she immediately hates him and judges him because of that. I hate that this is starting to feel standard in self-pubbed YA.
This is 4% into the whole book.
When she meets MMC at 13% in, (13% IN!!!!) she knows nothing about him and immediately judges:
The other half of her personality is how she wants to be a published poet.
That's it.
Not, winning a nobel prize for poetry. Not, anything big in publishing and poetry worlds. Just, be a published poet.
But she has writer's block. Until she starts messaging MMC anonymously. He's a musician who needs helps with lyrics. I didn't hate the music plot, but I also wasn't prepared for it going into this book.
She's also really judgmental about soda???
And then the MMC felt like he had multiple personalities, but his irritation of her seemed to stem from her hating him, and that felt right.
Overall, the book is just a fairly cliched self-published YA Romance that is memorable for maybe not the best aspects. I read this one back-to-back with another enemies to lovers, secret identity YA Romance, and unfortunately for both, neither stood out.
It opens with lots of telling in the first chapter. Like, the entire chapter was basically telling how FMC got there. The book should've started further in with all of that information woven in throughout. It's very Save the Cat formulaic, in which the formula says you need to spend 1-3 chapters on slice-of-life, setting up the character before the inciting incident happens. (For example, at only 3% into the entire document, you get "I knew Mom felt bad for me. She and Dad were on the brink of divorce, and home life had become so messy that my parents had momentarily banded together to agree on one thing: I was better off out of the picture while they went through the process of dismantling the life they’d built together. The process of dismantling our family.") And because it's Dual POV, that means you get that for BOTH characters. This book should've opened with her at the school already, walking in right before the party she leaves early, maybe even in detention? The starting point set the book up to feel like it was bloated and dragging.
The enemies to lovers aspect was pretty weak too. The FMC had one bad experience with one boy and bases half of her entire personality on how she dated one boy, who happened to be a jock, who happened to move on quickly after dumping her because he didn't want to do long distance. (Instead of being a jerk and stringing her along while she was hundreds of miles away?! The horror...) And of course, our MMC is a jock. So she immediately hates him and judges him because of that. I hate that this is starting to feel standard in self-pubbed YA.
Lesson learned: Stay away from the hot, popular guys who know they’re hot. Because guys who have options lining up to date them usually like to keep those options open.
This is 4% into the whole book.
When she meets MMC at 13% in, (13% IN!!!!) she knows nothing about him and immediately judges:
I knew exactly what this guy was all about—the kind of cocky jock who knew exactly how hot he was and how he could leverage his looks.
The other half of her personality is how she wants to be a published poet.
That's it.
Not, winning a nobel prize for poetry. Not, anything big in publishing and poetry worlds. Just, be a published poet.
But she has writer's block. Until she starts messaging MMC anonymously. He's a musician who needs helps with lyrics. I didn't hate the music plot, but I also wasn't prepared for it going into this book.
She's also really judgmental about soda???
And then the MMC felt like he had multiple personalities, but his irritation of her seemed to stem from her hating him, and that felt right.
Overall, the book is just a fairly cliched self-published YA Romance that is memorable for maybe not the best aspects. I read this one back-to-back with another enemies to lovers, secret identity YA Romance, and unfortunately for both, neither stood out.
September 5, 2021
My full review can be read here: bit.ly/38Gw4mf
I couldn’t get enough of her, and the moments we spent together were the best of my life.
After finding her on Instagram, I've had Emily's books on my TBR for a while (mainly the Rumors and Lies at Evermore High Boxset series) and then I heard about her new prep school series (which sounded super fun and cute) so I decided to start with that first! Do I have regrets? Absolutely not!
The tension and chemistry between Mia and Sutton during the whole book kept me so invested lol, I kept wondering IS THIS IT? IS THIS THE MOMENT? And once it finallyyyyy happened, I had ALLLLL the heart eyes!!
Some points that NEED to be shared...
1: The almost-kisses KILLED me, oh my goshhhh.
2: Their little snarkiness going back and forth was just always on point.
3: The poster-making scene was a personal fav of mine.
4: I loved both of their individual friend groups, but toward the end Sutton’s friends just really came through. It was like High School Musical tbh...which was BEAUTIFUL.
As far as content goes: No language and only kissing. They both had some struggles with their parents, but those struggles weren't left unresolved. I honestly can't think of anything else that stuck out to me. I'd say it was "clean read" for sure. 😊
I’m greedy as heck, so I would’ve loved an official epilogue buttttt the last chapter did give me epilogue-vibes so I can’t complain too much lol.
Such a sweet read...a really, really good YA romance. I can’t wait to read more of Emily’s books!!
I couldn’t get enough of her, and the moments we spent together were the best of my life.
After finding her on Instagram, I've had Emily's books on my TBR for a while (mainly the Rumors and Lies at Evermore High Boxset series) and then I heard about her new prep school series (which sounded super fun and cute) so I decided to start with that first! Do I have regrets? Absolutely not!
The tension and chemistry between Mia and Sutton during the whole book kept me so invested lol, I kept wondering IS THIS IT? IS THIS THE MOMENT? And once it finallyyyyy happened, I had ALLLLL the heart eyes!!
Some points that NEED to be shared...
1: The almost-kisses KILLED me, oh my goshhhh.
2: Their little snarkiness going back and forth was just always on point.
3: The poster-making scene was a personal fav of mine.
4: I loved both of their individual friend groups, but toward the end Sutton’s friends just really came through. It was like High School Musical tbh...which was BEAUTIFUL.
As far as content goes: No language and only kissing. They both had some struggles with their parents, but those struggles weren't left unresolved. I honestly can't think of anything else that stuck out to me. I'd say it was "clean read" for sure. 😊
I’m greedy as heck, so I would’ve loved an official epilogue buttttt the last chapter did give me epilogue-vibes so I can’t complain too much lol.
Such a sweet read...a really, really good YA romance. I can’t wait to read more of Emily’s books!!
August 19, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
I don’t really have the words to do this incredible book justice, but I’m going to try anyways!
I loved Mia and Sutton! At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to or not with how they first interacted with each other, but they completely blew me away!
Mia transferred to Hallisburg Prep for her last year of high school due to an upcoming divorce between her parents that they wanted her to be away from. Then when she wants to make her relationship with her popular jock boyfriend work despite the distance, he dumps her and starts dating another girl two days later.
Sutton is the popular jock of Hallisburg prep, which is the exact type of person Mia has sworn herself to stay away from. No matter how cute he is in person. So unfortunately, she acts rudely towards him to push him away before either of them even get the chance to get to know each other. And though Sutton thinks Mia is cute, he does not like her rude behavior … nor the fact that she got them caught being out after curfew despite him trying to help her get back to the dorms.
But as her bickering with Sutton progresses in the following days, so does their punishment. They need to work together on a project, which takes a lot of planning. As well as a lot of time together without the bickering so they can get it done. Both Mia and Sutton begin to fall for each other, but are still holding themselves back by their previous thoughts about each other.
During this time, Mia also meets a boy anonymously through their school’s app and begins talking with him about his music, her writing, and random other get to know you things. And she starts to fall for the mysterious stranger.
How can she choose between the person that gets her and the boy she loves to hate?
I don’t really have the words to do this incredible book justice, but I’m going to try anyways!
I loved Mia and Sutton! At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to or not with how they first interacted with each other, but they completely blew me away!
Mia transferred to Hallisburg Prep for her last year of high school due to an upcoming divorce between her parents that they wanted her to be away from. Then when she wants to make her relationship with her popular jock boyfriend work despite the distance, he dumps her and starts dating another girl two days later.
Sutton is the popular jock of Hallisburg prep, which is the exact type of person Mia has sworn herself to stay away from. No matter how cute he is in person. So unfortunately, she acts rudely towards him to push him away before either of them even get the chance to get to know each other. And though Sutton thinks Mia is cute, he does not like her rude behavior … nor the fact that she got them caught being out after curfew despite him trying to help her get back to the dorms.
But as her bickering with Sutton progresses in the following days, so does their punishment. They need to work together on a project, which takes a lot of planning. As well as a lot of time together without the bickering so they can get it done. Both Mia and Sutton begin to fall for each other, but are still holding themselves back by their previous thoughts about each other.
During this time, Mia also meets a boy anonymously through their school’s app and begins talking with him about his music, her writing, and random other get to know you things. And she starts to fall for the mysterious stranger.
How can she choose between the person that gets her and the boy she loves to hate?
May 31, 2024
So yeah. This book had SO much potential it could have been so good, the story, plot line, everything was good, however, the entire time I was reading it I was thinking of my absolute favorite YA romance PS I Like You by Kasie West that book has my entire heart and it had a lot of similarities with them both not liking each other in the beginning and then meeting each other through a different sort of profile and then connecting and learning each other on a deeper level but this book made everything so surface level. The whole writing was glazing over everything like we were told about how they were connecting on the HP chat but they didn’t show us the messages and same with the music, I was upset that we didn’t get to see the lyrics when she sent it to NeverFret (however I wasn’t super upset about it when she did reveal it later in the book). Same with their hatred, I understood that they hated each other but in my opinion the hatred didn’t really stay there for that long the turmoil between them didn’t last very long which I felt like could’ve lasted longer, I also like felt she could’ve added more dialogue or given us more time to really connect with each of the characters rather than just the beginning introduction. I understand that the books later in the series are the other guys stories but it would’ve been nice to have a glimpse of all of their stories but we didn’t really get a lot. Overall this book has so much potential but quite honestly because they are both really similar I would recommend skipping this book and if you cleans a book with this kind of plot line to read PS I Like You by Kasie West.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
Interesting plot, but poor story
Ugh, what is it, the second heroine in a row I didn't like. She was judgey and quickly jumped to conclusions. Oh, drama, she dated her previous boyfriend for entire month and after he dumped her it so much stirred her up that she lost every last hope in humanity (strike that) jocks. Okay let's use some of her smart thoughts.
"I’d made unfair assumptions."
"Maybe I needed to check myself and stop being so judgmental." Yeah, girl, you should.
"He was so much more than what I'd given him credit for. I’d misunderstood him so completely."
Unexpectedly, hero was very sweet and unrealistically good. I think he had no flaws at all. And in comparison to heroine it was... Eh... Annoying. And his drama was so exaggerated. Hey, you star athlete? What, you self-taught yourself to play guitar? Wow. You wrote a song? No way, it's so cool. Wait, what? You think it's lame for some reason and everyone would judge you? (Well heroine definitely would, because she kinda like this). But seriously wtf? Since when playing guitar is something you might be ashamed for? Sigh.
Also I think it was attempt hate-to-lovers, but hero didn't hate heroine, he was snarky, but very kind to her all the time. Well, till the time he ghosted her.
Anyway, ending was so quickly wrapped up, we didn't see them like a couple (almost) the conflict with parents was resolved instantly. They had their hfn (because they teenagers), so why I feel so unsatisfied?
Oh, and probably YA not my thing, they kissed very pg at the end of the book and that was it.
Ugh, what is it, the second heroine in a row I didn't like. She was judgey and quickly jumped to conclusions. Oh, drama, she dated her previous boyfriend for entire month and after he dumped her it so much stirred her up that she lost every last hope in humanity (strike that) jocks. Okay let's use some of her smart thoughts.
"I’d made unfair assumptions."
"Maybe I needed to check myself and stop being so judgmental." Yeah, girl, you should.
"He was so much more than what I'd given him credit for. I’d misunderstood him so completely."
Unexpectedly, hero was very sweet and unrealistically good. I think he had no flaws at all. And in comparison to heroine it was... Eh... Annoying. And his drama was so exaggerated. Hey, you star athlete? What, you self-taught yourself to play guitar? Wow. You wrote a song? No way, it's so cool. Wait, what? You think it's lame for some reason and everyone would judge you? (Well heroine definitely would, because she kinda like this). But seriously wtf? Since when playing guitar is something you might be ashamed for? Sigh.
Also I think it was attempt hate-to-lovers, but hero didn't hate heroine, he was snarky, but very kind to her all the time. Well, till the time he ghosted her.
Anyway, ending was so quickly wrapped up, we didn't see them like a couple (almost) the conflict with parents was resolved instantly. They had their hfn (because they teenagers), so why I feel so unsatisfied?
Oh, and probably YA not my thing, they kissed very pg at the end of the book and that was it.
August 10, 2022
Talk about a roller coaster. Oh man. The ups and the downs of the feelings. I love it. The story line was great. Had such a sad beginning with her parents fighting which caused her to be transferred to boarding school at Hallisburg Prep, and then knowing just knowing that the main man, the quarterback of the football team, the jock that shall not be named, is who Mia ends up falling in love with is just sweet. I love that they have that bickering back and forth thats my favorite about some books when the main characters have that funny banter and just not take each other serious. Beautiful story, I love that they found someone that can be there for them and be honest about everything, even if it started off behind a screen and then slowly started in the real world. I could not put it down because I just wanted to know what was next, read it in about a day to a day an a half. I started halfway through yesterday and finished it at lunch today. Such a good love story. Can't wait to continue on the trilogy!
May 13, 2024
2.75 Still good, though!
While I liked this book, I noticed it was a bit outdated for what I’m currently enjoying reading. I think the main reason I picked this one up was because I wanted something mindless and easy to read, and while this book definitely delivered that, one of my main thoughts while reading this was that I would have enjoyed it so much more, had this been two or three years ago. I think the main reason I felt this way was because of how the storyline didn’t leave me thinking deeply about the meaning of the book, or of the characters in specific. This was, probably, for me one of those shallow dabbles into romance books for younger tweens. There were a few parts about it I enjoyed, such as the way text messages were incorporated, and the positive outcome, however it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. Overall, this was more of a cliched storyline and expectation of a younger child’s fantastical depiction of love.
While I liked this book, I noticed it was a bit outdated for what I’m currently enjoying reading. I think the main reason I picked this one up was because I wanted something mindless and easy to read, and while this book definitely delivered that, one of my main thoughts while reading this was that I would have enjoyed it so much more, had this been two or three years ago. I think the main reason I felt this way was because of how the storyline didn’t leave me thinking deeply about the meaning of the book, or of the characters in specific. This was, probably, for me one of those shallow dabbles into romance books for younger tweens. There were a few parts about it I enjoyed, such as the way text messages were incorporated, and the positive outcome, however it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. Overall, this was more of a cliched storyline and expectation of a younger child’s fantastical depiction of love.
May 1, 2024
Started as a typical Y/A enemies to lovers romance but it devolved into nonsense. See, Mia assumed her secret pen pal is this guy Derek just because he sang Wonderwall by Oasis. I will completely accept it, if this song is so deep underground that only few people would like and appreciate it but come on, it's Wonderwall by Oasis, a cult classic. I'm not a fan of Oasis or their genre of music but even I know this song, that is how popular it is. The way she acted as if her and her secret Penpal was the only ones who still listen to this song at this day and age is kinda embarrassing.
Also why was Mia so mad at Sutton that he didn't tell her he was her pen pal? Wasn't it her idea to hide their identities?
The third act conflict was lacking in creativeness department and it ruined the whole book series for me.
Also why was Mia so mad at Sutton that he didn't tell her he was her pen pal? Wasn't it her idea to hide their identities?
The third act conflict was lacking in creativeness department and it ruined the whole book series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2021
The Boy I Love To Hate by Emily Lowry is so good. I really enjoyed the story and I cannot wait for more in the series. From the start, the characters are determined to hate each other and their banter because of it is gold. Both the main characters were likeable, despite being hated by the other. The writing was great and flowed nicely. My only complaint, and it is a minor one and likely a "it's me, not you" one, is the insta-friends among the girls. I am a very withdrawn person, so this felt unrealistic to me, but I know for others it wouldn't be. Regardless, this did not take anything away from the story or the characters and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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