What do you think?
Rate this book
A Gamble on Love Mom-Com #2
A Hate Like This
A Hate Like This (A Gamble on Love Mom Com, Book 2)
Single mother Moira Bishop hates when her family interferes in her love life. If life as a young widow isn't hard enough, just add three boys, a slew of unruly pets, and ownership of Gamble Alaska's only diner. The last thing she needs is a man to look after too.
Entertainment lawyer to the stars Ethan Caplan hates his clients. There's only so much coddling and placating a man can do in a lifetime. He's finally decided he's had enough, so he escapes to the tiny no-horse town of Gamble to work on the novel he's always wanted to write.
Positive that Alaska will be distraction-free, Ethan's sure he can pen a bestselling legal novel. That is until he lays his eyes on Moira Bishop. Suddenly he finds himself having five meals a day at the diner, just so he can talk to her for a few minutes.
When Moira's son wins tickets to a Dodgers' game in L.A., Ethan jumps at the chance to play host to the family. He's sure he can win her over by showing her how glamorous life could be with him. With the help of his friends, he plans the date to end all dates, hoping one incredible night will change her mind about giving love a second chance.
Will Moira open her heart to Ethan? Will Ethan do what it takes to prove that he can be the man Moira and her boys need in their lives?
Find out in the deliciously fun second installment in the Gamble on Love Momcom series.
Single mother Moira Bishop hates when her family interferes in her love life. If life as a young widow isn't hard enough, just add three boys, a slew of unruly pets, and ownership of Gamble Alaska's only diner. The last thing she needs is a man to look after too.
Entertainment lawyer to the stars Ethan Caplan hates his clients. There's only so much coddling and placating a man can do in a lifetime. He's finally decided he's had enough, so he escapes to the tiny no-horse town of Gamble to work on the novel he's always wanted to write.
Positive that Alaska will be distraction-free, Ethan's sure he can pen a bestselling legal novel. That is until he lays his eyes on Moira Bishop. Suddenly he finds himself having five meals a day at the diner, just so he can talk to her for a few minutes.
When Moira's son wins tickets to a Dodgers' game in L.A., Ethan jumps at the chance to play host to the family. He's sure he can win her over by showing her how glamorous life could be with him. With the help of his friends, he plans the date to end all dates, hoping one incredible night will change her mind about giving love a second chance.
Will Moira open her heart to Ethan? Will Ethan do what it takes to prove that he can be the man Moira and her boys need in their lives?
Find out in the deliciously fun second installment in the Gamble on Love Momcom series.
300 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2022
136 people are currently reading
3149 people want to read
About the author
Whitney Dineen
66 books808 followersWhitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.
She's a USA Today Bestselling & multi-award-winning author of romantic comedies, non-fiction humor, thrillers, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016, 2019.
Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.
Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017, 2019
Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards and Top Shelf Book Awards, 2017
She's a USA Today Bestselling & multi-award-winning author of romantic comedies, non-fiction humor, thrillers, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016, 2019.
Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.
Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017, 2019
Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards and Top Shelf Book Awards, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
March 16, 2024
Another title that doesn't fit the story!
I liked Moira though! I thought she was written pretty realistically. She was written as a good mom trying to raise three boys. I liked how she was reasonable about accepting help for things around the house. She has a good support network. I thought it was a sweet romance. They both had troubles they had to work through. I didn't really, really care for the conflict at the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I liked Moira though! I thought she was written pretty realistically. She was written as a good mom trying to raise three boys. I liked how she was reasonable about accepting help for things around the house. She has a good support network. I thought it was a sweet romance. They both had troubles they had to work through. I didn't really, really care for the conflict at the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
September 10, 2022
My emotions barely survived book one, so I should have been expecting the roller-coaster ride this story took me on. I should have, but I didn’t. The emotional turmoil Ethan and Moira go through while getting to know one another and falling in love was as much a surprise this time as when I witnessed Harper and Digger trying to navigate what was happening between them. I’m not sure if the authors were going for a Cinderella feeling, but I found lots of those vibes in this book. However, in this case, “Cinderella” was a whole lot resistant to her prince charming and more than a little ungrateful. But, I get it. Independent women learn fast that leaning on someone often has catastrophic results. Ethan was just about perfect book boyfriend material to my mind. Don’t get me wrong, he still makes mistakes, but I think those made him more relatable and caused me to fall just a bit deeper in love with him. (Considering I was almost all the way there when the first book ended, that’s saying something.) Now, I don’t have the least clue what the authors are planning to delight us with next, but it’s safe to say I already can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I received a complimentary copy of this story through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this story through Booksprout.
September 7, 2022
I don’t usually love a single mom story but I meet I had to read Moira. I loved Moira in the first book. She was a hard-working mom who was doing the best she could. She lost her husband at a young age and has go ribs three boys. Ethan wants a break from his being a lawyer to the rich and famous.
He is going to write a book in Alaska and take a break from a job he no longer loves. We had some sparks in the first book so I was ready for the sparks
While it was a sweet and super cute romance between Moira and Ethan however, I was there was a good sex scene. I feel like this story needed some spice. The big conflict in the end was a little to manufactured ..both parties were totally wrong but they could have cleared it up with a conversation. Instead it was made into a thing for a couple of chapters.
A good cute read thou, the kids were cute and they were written their age.
He is going to write a book in Alaska and take a break from a job he no longer loves. We had some sparks in the first book so I was ready for the sparks
While it was a sweet and super cute romance between Moira and Ethan however, I was there was a good sex scene. I feel like this story needed some spice. The big conflict in the end was a little to manufactured ..both parties were totally wrong but they could have cleared it up with a conversation. Instead it was made into a thing for a couple of chapters.
A good cute read thou, the kids were cute and they were written their age.
September 2, 2022
Moira is a single mother of three rowdy boys. Ethan is an entertainment "lawyer to the stars" They are also two people who have been badly hurt by people in their past. So when Etan takes Moira to his home in LA for a fabulous vacation, she doesn't trust that she's "good enough" for him. And when she tells him as much, he thinks she doesn't love him enough! It's ok-they get their "happy ever after" in the end. But the characters were so real and relatable to me! (I particularly loved Ethan's parents-typical busy-body Jewish mother and his Dad, who told poop jokes with the boys!) Melanie and Whitney are a great team, and they've penned another hit!
September 6, 2022
The countdown is on! Two short days until A Hate Like This comes out, and I could not be more thrilled. :)
Fiesty diner owner/single mom is about to meet her match in entertainment lawyer to the stars, Ethan Caplan. He's in town to pen his first bestseller/escape Hollywood drama llamas. She's about as far from an entitled diva as you can get.
Can these two find a way to fit each other into their polar-opposite lives?
Fiesty diner owner/single mom is about to meet her match in entertainment lawyer to the stars, Ethan Caplan. He's in town to pen his first bestseller/escape Hollywood drama llamas. She's about as far from an entitled diva as you can get.
Can these two find a way to fit each other into their polar-opposite lives?
August 29, 2022
What a precious love story. Exciting and in depth. The story makes you to want to read the next one and I certainly will.
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.
September 13, 2022
Alaska is my dream destination so this was a major draw card for me but I was rewarded with so much more when I took a gamble on Gamble and it’s people …..
When you laugh so hard that you choke on your coffee and you get drawn in within the first frw paragraphs of a read you know you have a gem !
So Moira lost her husband to a hosting accident and is now trying to be mom and dad to her 3 boys while trying to run her diner and I have so much respect for her and she has an amazing support system but as she said to Ethan in a conversation they had , she misses the companionship, her person to bounce ideas off , her person to do things with , her person to bounce ideas off , her person to console her ….
Ethan is an entertainment lawyer and he needs a break from his world so he heads to Gamble for a sabbatical of sorts , to write a novel and spend time with his best friend who is now happily married to Moira’s brother ❣️
I really laughed hard but there was also real heart to this read , its relatable, you get so list in living this read ❣️📕it’s a mom trying to do the best she can and she loves her boys fiercely but she deserves another chance at love and so does Ethan , I can’t believe how his heart got broken but these 2 people really deserve each other and what a privilege it was to be part of their journey , their story , their town , their lives and their friends !
See you soon people of Gamble ❣️
When you laugh so hard that you choke on your coffee and you get drawn in within the first frw paragraphs of a read you know you have a gem !
So Moira lost her husband to a hosting accident and is now trying to be mom and dad to her 3 boys while trying to run her diner and I have so much respect for her and she has an amazing support system but as she said to Ethan in a conversation they had , she misses the companionship, her person to bounce ideas off , her person to do things with , her person to bounce ideas off , her person to console her ….
Ethan is an entertainment lawyer and he needs a break from his world so he heads to Gamble for a sabbatical of sorts , to write a novel and spend time with his best friend who is now happily married to Moira’s brother ❣️
I really laughed hard but there was also real heart to this read , its relatable, you get so list in living this read ❣️📕it’s a mom trying to do the best she can and she loves her boys fiercely but she deserves another chance at love and so does Ethan , I can’t believe how his heart got broken but these 2 people really deserve each other and what a privilege it was to be part of their journey , their story , their town , their lives and their friends !
See you soon people of Gamble ❣️
September 4, 2022
A Hate Like This is the second book in A Gamble on Love Mom Com. We first met Moria Bishop in No Ordinary Hate; she is Digger's little sister, a widow with three young boys; Wyatt, age ten, and twins Colton and Ash, age seven. Moria's husband Everett died in a boating accident when she was pregnant with the twins, and Wyatt was only three years old; she's been alone even before he passed away, and now she thinks it may be nice to allow her heart to open to a new love.
Ethan Caplan is actress Harper Kennedy's best friend. When she ran away to Alaska with her children while her ex was vacationing in Mexico with the nanny, Ethan was there for her, not because he's an entertainment lawyer. After fifteen years of practicing law, he's decided to take a sabbatical and write his novel. He believes that Alaska is the perfect place to write. Harper plays a matchmaker between her future sister-in-law and her best friend. Will Ethan and Moria date? Fall in love?
I'm a huge fan of Whitney Dineen's outrageous stories, and together with Melanie Summers, their writing brings social issues to the forefront, making them emotional.
Ethan Caplan is actress Harper Kennedy's best friend. When she ran away to Alaska with her children while her ex was vacationing in Mexico with the nanny, Ethan was there for her, not because he's an entertainment lawyer. After fifteen years of practicing law, he's decided to take a sabbatical and write his novel. He believes that Alaska is the perfect place to write. Harper plays a matchmaker between her future sister-in-law and her best friend. Will Ethan and Moria date? Fall in love?
I'm a huge fan of Whitney Dineen's outrageous stories, and together with Melanie Summers, their writing brings social issues to the forefront, making them emotional.
September 7, 2022
This is the 2nd book in this series, and this talented duo of authors have done a wonderful job in weaving this tale. Moira is a widow, and now single mom to 3 rowdy boys, unruly pets, and is the owner of the only diner in their small town. Ethan is an entertainment lawyer to the stars, and when he has had enough of pandering to clients, he heads to the small town to write a novel which he has always wanted to do. Ethan is enamoured with Moira, and he is in the diner at any excuse, and when her son with a ticker to a Dodgers game in LA, he jumps at the chance to host her family, and hopefully win her over. Ethan and Moira are opposites, but they complement each other perfectly. This is a well written story which is fun, and entertaining, with family, friendships, humor, witty banter, and love, which leads to a heartwarming and compelling page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Wildfire Marketing Solutions and the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Wildfire Marketing Solutions and the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2022
4.5 stars
Okay the first 60% of the book made me smile so hard 😭 it was amazing.
I guess after that, the plot kinda moved really fast, and it spiralled into the third act breakup in a disastrous way, lol. I was like "wait, what? They were good all along, and now they're being super mean to each other and wait, now they've ended the relationship?". I would have liked more wholesome relationship development and actual talking between the MCs rather than the whirlwind plot that led to the break-up. The final love confession was nice though, so it mostly made up for the intermediate sadness. All this being said, I'm definitely gonna go back and read book 1 of this series, as well as book 3 when it gets out!
TWs - husband/parent who died at sea, parent who left and died of drug overdose, parent who was an alcoholic, death of a grandparent/parental figure, mentions of cancer
~~ Thank you to the author, Xpresso Book Tours, and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
Okay the first 60% of the book made me smile so hard 😭 it was amazing.
I guess after that, the plot kinda moved really fast, and it spiralled into the third act breakup in a disastrous way, lol. I was like "wait, what? They were good all along, and now they're being super mean to each other and wait, now they've ended the relationship?". I would have liked more wholesome relationship development and actual talking between the MCs rather than the whirlwind plot that led to the break-up. The final love confession was nice though, so it mostly made up for the intermediate sadness. All this being said, I'm definitely gonna go back and read book 1 of this series, as well as book 3 when it gets out!
TWs - husband/parent who died at sea, parent who left and died of drug overdose, parent who was an alcoholic, death of a grandparent/parental figure, mentions of cancer
~~ Thank you to the author, Xpresso Book Tours, and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
September 8, 2022
What can I say? Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers have locked me down with this series.
A Hate Like This may be the name, but love is all you are going to feel while reading this story. This is book 2 in the “A Gamble on Love Mom Com” series and I can say the wait was well worth it. If you have read the first book, there were feelers out there that left me hanging to begin with. But I could not figure out how book 2 would unfold. BTW that is a good thing.
Moira Bishop is the epitome of strong, not because she wants to be most of the time, but because she has to be ALL of the time. Her day-to-day life is the making of a movie…if you wanna see what it means to go from wake-up to laying down at the end of the day with no spare time in the middle…that many would recognize immediately. Let it be said, she has no time for anything or anyone else in her schedule. Or does she?
Ethan Caplan is anything if not successful. His claim to fame may sit well in the big city and big lights, but in Alaska…not so much. But when his life took a personal daunting turn, he realizes a change can do ya good. Prior travels have him meandering back to a spot that left a warm feeling within. But was it the location only that had him warm?
Talk about battles, passions, humor, angst, conflicts and so much more, this story has them all. Our authors left no stone unturned. I was kept on edge till the very end, and what a great ending it is. Sometimes taking that leap is definitely worth it. Our two characters happily found that and more.
With this story, all the stars are not enough, cause this one Pops! Great job! Now I gotta wait for the next installment, and that is going to be even harder than the last time.
A Hate Like This may be the name, but love is all you are going to feel while reading this story. This is book 2 in the “A Gamble on Love Mom Com” series and I can say the wait was well worth it. If you have read the first book, there were feelers out there that left me hanging to begin with. But I could not figure out how book 2 would unfold. BTW that is a good thing.
Moira Bishop is the epitome of strong, not because she wants to be most of the time, but because she has to be ALL of the time. Her day-to-day life is the making of a movie…if you wanna see what it means to go from wake-up to laying down at the end of the day with no spare time in the middle…that many would recognize immediately. Let it be said, she has no time for anything or anyone else in her schedule. Or does she?
Ethan Caplan is anything if not successful. His claim to fame may sit well in the big city and big lights, but in Alaska…not so much. But when his life took a personal daunting turn, he realizes a change can do ya good. Prior travels have him meandering back to a spot that left a warm feeling within. But was it the location only that had him warm?
Talk about battles, passions, humor, angst, conflicts and so much more, this story has them all. Our authors left no stone unturned. I was kept on edge till the very end, and what a great ending it is. Sometimes taking that leap is definitely worth it. Our two characters happily found that and more.
With this story, all the stars are not enough, cause this one Pops! Great job! Now I gotta wait for the next installment, and that is going to be even harder than the last time.
September 3, 2022
A Hate Like This is book two in the Gamble on love series by Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers. We met our couple, Moira and Ethan in book one, but you could definitely read this as a stand-alone.
Moira is a widowed mom of three who runs Gamble’s diner, Ethan is an entertainment lawyer from LA looking for a change. As the unlikely pair consider a relationship the whole town is watching and in Gamble there’s no hiding. I love the characters and seeing Harper and Digger again. I laughed and I wiped away a few tears too. This was a charming romance and I look forward to the next one!
Thank you to the authors for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Moira is a widowed mom of three who runs Gamble’s diner, Ethan is an entertainment lawyer from LA looking for a change. As the unlikely pair consider a relationship the whole town is watching and in Gamble there’s no hiding. I love the characters and seeing Harper and Digger again. I laughed and I wiped away a few tears too. This was a charming romance and I look forward to the next one!
Thank you to the authors for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 16, 2022
A book filled with life, with love, with two adults trying to overcome their fears and learn to trust again, and finding love along the way. Moira has spent so long being the only adult in her life that she has a hard time believing she can rely on someone else for a change. Ethan has been burned before, but finds himsef falling fast and hard for Moira and her kids.
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.
September 12, 2022
I was so excited to read this since I fell in love with Gamble, AK in the last book with Harper and Digger. This one did not disappoint, although in true romance fashion, I wanted to smack both of them over the head for the problems they caused for themselves; a true sign that a book is so well written that it gets you completely caught up in the characters' lives and you want to smack them! I loved Ethan's parents and want a little more about them - maybe a prequel? Looking forward to the next in the series, which has already been announced so hopefully I won't have to wait too long.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
January 14, 2023
This one served its purpose, but I felt like Moira was just too wishy washy. She was in, she was out, she was in… I love these authors and their easy reading books, but I’m going to find a new series. 📚
October 22, 2023
More like 2.5 but I rounded up. The title makes no sense. There is no hate in this book at all. They like each other right off the bat.
October 16, 2023
What a lovely fun book this is! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the Alaska and LA scenes, and the love story feels very real. The way they talk about their feelings is unusual for a romance, but the romance is even more special after they work through the issues. 4.5 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
November 2, 2022
In this book, we have Moria a single mom with three boys whose husband died while she was pregnant with her twin boys, and her one son was three. Now she has picked up the pieces and runs her diner and with the help of family and friends, she is making it in a small town in Alaska.
Enter Ethan who has decided to put his career as an entertainment attorney on hold and write a book. He decides to do it in Gamble Alaska since that is where his friend is and where she will be getting married soon to Moria’s brother. When he enters her dinner he is attracted to her and decides to rent a table from her while he is there. Which helps him write but also gets him a close-up of the action that takes place with her and the people and her sons. He then helps her brother with working on her home and wanting to be in her and the boys' life. Not knowing what they are doing they agree to practice dating. He has told her he is not looking for a relationship because his last one ended badly. This for me again is where everything goes wrong with the story. When her son wins tickets for a Dodger game in L.A. they all go she pays for herself and her twins and they stay at Ethan’s place which is grand. They have a good time and when one night she makes a move toward him he shuts her down. Now afterward when they go to the game Ethan flirts with another woman a model and by the time they get back to his place and then leave for Alaska they are not talking. Of course, everyone is blaming Moira at least that is the way I took it but he still never spoke to her about his feelings for her. Even days later when she decides to call him he does not answer his phone yet this is all still her fault at no time does he really say anything it is like she does all of the talking and apologizing I am sorry my daughters would have told him to kick rocks. Then the story wraps up as everyone would imagine. I just think a woman like her would want more communication from him especially when he said earlier in the story he did not want a relationship, I even went back and re-read it a few times to make sure. Sorry, as much as I liked the characters I did not like the ending. I received this book from Netgalley.com
Enter Ethan who has decided to put his career as an entertainment attorney on hold and write a book. He decides to do it in Gamble Alaska since that is where his friend is and where she will be getting married soon to Moria’s brother. When he enters her dinner he is attracted to her and decides to rent a table from her while he is there. Which helps him write but also gets him a close-up of the action that takes place with her and the people and her sons. He then helps her brother with working on her home and wanting to be in her and the boys' life. Not knowing what they are doing they agree to practice dating. He has told her he is not looking for a relationship because his last one ended badly. This for me again is where everything goes wrong with the story. When her son wins tickets for a Dodger game in L.A. they all go she pays for herself and her twins and they stay at Ethan’s place which is grand. They have a good time and when one night she makes a move toward him he shuts her down. Now afterward when they go to the game Ethan flirts with another woman a model and by the time they get back to his place and then leave for Alaska they are not talking. Of course, everyone is blaming Moira at least that is the way I took it but he still never spoke to her about his feelings for her. Even days later when she decides to call him he does not answer his phone yet this is all still her fault at no time does he really say anything it is like she does all of the talking and apologizing I am sorry my daughters would have told him to kick rocks. Then the story wraps up as everyone would imagine. I just think a woman like her would want more communication from him especially when he said earlier in the story he did not want a relationship, I even went back and re-read it a few times to make sure. Sorry, as much as I liked the characters I did not like the ending. I received this book from Netgalley.com
September 18, 2022
Tired of dealing with his whiny, entitled clients, Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney Ethan Caplan has decided to take a 6-month sabbatical to pursue his lifelong dream of writing a novel. He'll be spending that time in the small town of Gamble, Alaska, the new home of his best friend, actress Harper Kennedy. He's sure there won't be anything to distract him in the tiny town - that is, until he meets Harper's future sister-in-law Moira Bishop. Between running the local diner, caring for her three young boys, and ensuring that their fixer-upper of a house doesn't fall down around them, single mom Moira has more than enough on her plate. The last thing she needs is a man to take care of too, though her brother seems determined to find her a date. Ethan, too, is determined to avoid relationships after his last girlfriend humiliatingly turned down his marriage proposal. He can't help being drawn to Moira and her boys, however, so when the opportunity to host them in Los Angeles presents itself, Ethan jumps at the chance. He hopes to show Moira that there's a chance for them to start a new life together as a family. Will he succeed, or will the glitz and glamour of his life in California prove to be too much for her?
I loved the way Ethan and Moira's relationship evolved from a sort of easy, teasing friendship into something more. They made an adorable family unit with her three sons, whose relationship with Ethan was also a highlight of the book. When everything started to go wrong while they were in California, it was honestly crushing. While I understood Moira's fears, I wish she hadn't been quite so mean and insulting in her rejection of Ethan. It's no wonder he was hurt and angry; he just wanted to do something nice for her and the boys and she threw it back in his face. That said, Ethan was stubborn too. He and Moira both needed to get over their fears and figure out a way to compromise in order to move forward together.
Overall, I loved this super cute, funny, and sweet story and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the authors via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the way Ethan and Moira's relationship evolved from a sort of easy, teasing friendship into something more. They made an adorable family unit with her three sons, whose relationship with Ethan was also a highlight of the book. When everything started to go wrong while they were in California, it was honestly crushing. While I understood Moira's fears, I wish she hadn't been quite so mean and insulting in her rejection of Ethan. It's no wonder he was hurt and angry; he just wanted to do something nice for her and the boys and she threw it back in his face. That said, Ethan was stubborn too. He and Moira both needed to get over their fears and figure out a way to compromise in order to move forward together.
Overall, I loved this super cute, funny, and sweet story and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the authors via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 21, 2022
Tropes:
-Found Family
-Single Mom
-Small town
-Widow
The Good: I love each and every character in this book The dialogue is amazingly written, leaving me caught in an eternal state of either melting or dying of laughter. This book brings me so much joy, I think it might be my new comfort book.
The Not-So-Good: This is just based on my personal opinion, but Considering it’s not all that wrong, I’d say that's a good sign.
Overall: This book was cracking me up. This book is just filled with life. The characters are not without their faults or their trials, but they still live. They make the most of their lives. Life isn’t perfect and love isn’t perfect, and I think this book shows that very well. It felt like we were growing with Moira, and with Ethan too. It felt as if we were experiencing life with them. Quickly this became one of those books that make you forget you are reading. I didn’t get to read the first book of this series yet, but I honestly can’t wait to read more from this author.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I think it would make a lot more sense if you read the other book first.
Pace: Nicely paced. I would say medium?
Hero Rating: Honestly, I want an Ethan Caplan. He is a 4 star man for me. Ethan is the man we all want. He’s kind, loving, loyal, patient and so much more. Ethan treats her with so much respect. He has raised my standards so high. He is definitely going to be a new book boyfriend.
Heroine Rating: Moira Bishop rated at 3 stars for me. She is a tired single mom doing her best. I thought she was really well written. We can really see her grow throughout the book, and I imagine readers who read the first book will see even more of a change. The pacing for her growth was done very well, not too rushed. I was happy to see her
Triggers: Not really.
Diversity: Yes. Prisha Choudree. Also Native American (Sugpiaq culture).
POV: Dual
Spice Level: 0/5 a clean book
Thank you Netgalley for sending me this ARC to for an unbiased review.
-Found Family
-Single Mom
-Small town
-Widow
The Good: I love each and every character in this book The dialogue is amazingly written, leaving me caught in an eternal state of either melting or dying of laughter. This book brings me so much joy, I think it might be my new comfort book.
The Not-So-Good: This is just based on my personal opinion, but Considering it’s not all that wrong, I’d say that's a good sign.
Overall: This book was cracking me up. This book is just filled with life. The characters are not without their faults or their trials, but they still live. They make the most of their lives. Life isn’t perfect and love isn’t perfect, and I think this book shows that very well. It felt like we were growing with Moira, and with Ethan too. It felt as if we were experiencing life with them. Quickly this became one of those books that make you forget you are reading. I didn’t get to read the first book of this series yet, but I honestly can’t wait to read more from this author.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I think it would make a lot more sense if you read the other book first.
Pace: Nicely paced. I would say medium?
Hero Rating: Honestly, I want an Ethan Caplan. He is a 4 star man for me. Ethan is the man we all want. He’s kind, loving, loyal, patient and so much more. Ethan treats her with so much respect. He has raised my standards so high. He is definitely going to be a new book boyfriend.
Heroine Rating: Moira Bishop rated at 3 stars for me. She is a tired single mom doing her best. I thought she was really well written. We can really see her grow throughout the book, and I imagine readers who read the first book will see even more of a change. The pacing for her growth was done very well, not too rushed. I was happy to see her
Triggers: Not really.
Diversity: Yes. Prisha Choudree. Also Native American (Sugpiaq culture).
POV: Dual
Spice Level: 0/5 a clean book
Thank you Netgalley for sending me this ARC to for an unbiased review.
September 9, 2022
This is the second book in the Gamble on Love Momcom series and it fully stands on it's own against No Ordinary Hate, Book One. Its hard to find a Book Two that is equally good to a 5 Star Book One, but A Hate Like This truly stands on it's own Five Stars. Dineen & Summers give enough background in this novel that it truly is a Stand Alone; however, like any good series, if you read Book One first you'll happily find your favorites returning and see how the interconnectivity of Small Town Life is capitalized on.
With great dialogue, good sexual tension, a diner full of patrons and interfering family and friends this book will make sure to leave you craving Book Three. Moira's three boys are total scene stealers and it's no wonder why and how Ethan fell under this one parent family's spell. They are the perfect blend of childhood innocence, precociousness, and caring that showcase the kind of woman Moira is and highlight the value she has put on her family. And Moira is a wonderful mother who is doing her best despite the strain it puts on her to "do it alone". For Ethan, this is not just Insta-Family but all the best of what his life as an LA Entertainment Lawyer has been missing -- and he's willing to show Moira all he can offer her and all she has to offer him. Because at the end of the day, that is what she is looking for this time around, an equal in love, laughs, and forever.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With great dialogue, good sexual tension, a diner full of patrons and interfering family and friends this book will make sure to leave you craving Book Three. Moira's three boys are total scene stealers and it's no wonder why and how Ethan fell under this one parent family's spell. They are the perfect blend of childhood innocence, precociousness, and caring that showcase the kind of woman Moira is and highlight the value she has put on her family. And Moira is a wonderful mother who is doing her best despite the strain it puts on her to "do it alone". For Ethan, this is not just Insta-Family but all the best of what his life as an LA Entertainment Lawyer has been missing -- and he's willing to show Moira all he can offer her and all she has to offer him. Because at the end of the day, that is what she is looking for this time around, an equal in love, laughs, and forever.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 8, 2022
It's always a good idea to grab a book by these two writers, they create these incredible characters in their worlds so real that they end up opening and breaking my heart
.
.
Moira is the single mom of three rambunctious children, owner of the only Dinner in Gamble Alaska. After losing her husband four years after getting married, life has been hard for her and her children, all her time, effort and money is devoted to keeping the old farm house where they live from falling apart. After his brother Digger meets the woman of his life, everyone begins to think that she must be next
.
Ethan Caplan came to Gamble to be close to his best friend and nephews before the wedding but also to take a sabbatical to write a novel. Meeting Moira and her children on a daily basis is a plus until they begin to fill their days and the chemistry between the two is impossible to avoid
.
Moira broke my heart, a single mom trying to stay afloat when everyone has opinions about her life. Both Ethan and Moira have their walls high and are afraid to let go of their defenses but they are perfect together
.
I did not like the third act or conflict and I thought the resolution was a bit fast, I would have wanted another reaction from Ethan to make him a perfect book boyfriend
.
I loved all the characters in the book, but the kids always get the best parts
.
.
.
Thanks to Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
.
.
Moira is the single mom of three rambunctious children, owner of the only Dinner in Gamble Alaska. After losing her husband four years after getting married, life has been hard for her and her children, all her time, effort and money is devoted to keeping the old farm house where they live from falling apart. After his brother Digger meets the woman of his life, everyone begins to think that she must be next
.
Ethan Caplan came to Gamble to be close to his best friend and nephews before the wedding but also to take a sabbatical to write a novel. Meeting Moira and her children on a daily basis is a plus until they begin to fill their days and the chemistry between the two is impossible to avoid
.
Moira broke my heart, a single mom trying to stay afloat when everyone has opinions about her life. Both Ethan and Moira have their walls high and are afraid to let go of their defenses but they are perfect together
.
I did not like the third act or conflict and I thought the resolution was a bit fast, I would have wanted another reaction from Ethan to make him a perfect book boyfriend
.
I loved all the characters in the book, but the kids always get the best parts
.
.
.
Thanks to Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
September 8, 2022
🏞Just love those irrepressible sons!😀
4.5🌟 stars
The kids are what draw me time and again to stories with single parents and this series, written by two of my go-to romcom authors, is a perfect example of what makes them so work for me. Moira, a widow with three energetic sons, is weighed down by her life and then Ethan, the good friend of her future sister-in-law, comes to town for an extended stay. He's so good with her boys I just can't see how she could hold him off! As to her sons, they are loud, messy, rambunctious, frank and lovable to the nth degree, drawing every last drop of enjoyment out of life.
This is an opposite lifestyles warring with attraction story: sweet, lively and humorous with some great supporting characters like Ethan's retired showbiz parents. I think I liked the first book in the series a tad more (I will not easily forget the earlier book's wild fishing and camping expedition😄), but it's another strong story with a sweet but not saccharine climax and epilogue. Just enough conflict to make it interesting and not angstful. And the main characters from the first book are back in supporting roles but this book can stand on its own.
Looking forward to more of the romance and antics Dineen and Summers come up with for small Gamble, Alaska.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5🌟 stars
The kids are what draw me time and again to stories with single parents and this series, written by two of my go-to romcom authors, is a perfect example of what makes them so work for me. Moira, a widow with three energetic sons, is weighed down by her life and then Ethan, the good friend of her future sister-in-law, comes to town for an extended stay. He's so good with her boys I just can't see how she could hold him off! As to her sons, they are loud, messy, rambunctious, frank and lovable to the nth degree, drawing every last drop of enjoyment out of life.
This is an opposite lifestyles warring with attraction story: sweet, lively and humorous with some great supporting characters like Ethan's retired showbiz parents. I think I liked the first book in the series a tad more (I will not easily forget the earlier book's wild fishing and camping expedition😄), but it's another strong story with a sweet but not saccharine climax and epilogue. Just enough conflict to make it interesting and not angstful. And the main characters from the first book are back in supporting roles but this book can stand on its own.
Looking forward to more of the romance and antics Dineen and Summers come up with for small Gamble, Alaska.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 9, 2022
You know it's going to be a fun read when a character states that behaving like a native from Gamble means letting your leg hair grow out! A Hate Like This is about clashes. A clash of cultures, a clash of economic disparity and a clash of the elite versus the everyday. She's a single mother living in a remote Alaskan town with three rambunctious boys in a house that is a money pit. She's barely making ends meet despite being a successful business owner. She's so overwhelmed that even the thought of dating is too much. He's a successful Tinsel Town entertainment lawyer who's burned out from having to bail out and babysit entitled A-listers and entertainers. He has enough money to take a six month sabbatical and try his hand at writing a novel. Having been burned badly in the romance department he's definitely not looking for love. Despite all of their "so called" objections Ethan Caplan and Moira Bishop can't deny their attraction and developing feelings for one another. He's determined to ease her burdens but his plans backfire. She knows absolutely that she does not belong nor will she ever fit into his world. The problem is they are miserable without one another. Friends and family finally break through the stalemate with keen observations and sage advice but ultimately it's Ethan and Moira who must find their common ground.
September 20, 2022
So good. I love Dineen and Summers’ collaborations and this book was just so good!
A Hate Like This brings us Ethan and Moira, two people who are coming to terms with the loneliness that they didn’t know they were experiencing. They’ve been through it all, one was devastated by a failed proposal and a stale job, the other has known disappointment after disappointment and loss. They think the worst is always going to happen so they fail to give things a proper chance. But now, they’ve finally met the one who could possible change their life for the better, but are they willing to try?
I absolutely loved these characters. After being first introduced to them in the first book of the series, I knew Ethan and Moira were going to be a great couple. I also really loved the family aspect of this book. It was an incredibly supportive family and it was just really nice to see. I also love seeing these blended families. The idea of someone taking over a parental roll after a loss or a divorce the way Ethan and Digger did was just really wholesome and heartfelt.
Love, love, loved this book and I’m always looking for more from Dineen and Summers, either as a collaborations are solo. I always find joy in their books and always recommend them to other romance readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
A Hate Like This brings us Ethan and Moira, two people who are coming to terms with the loneliness that they didn’t know they were experiencing. They’ve been through it all, one was devastated by a failed proposal and a stale job, the other has known disappointment after disappointment and loss. They think the worst is always going to happen so they fail to give things a proper chance. But now, they’ve finally met the one who could possible change their life for the better, but are they willing to try?
I absolutely loved these characters. After being first introduced to them in the first book of the series, I knew Ethan and Moira were going to be a great couple. I also really loved the family aspect of this book. It was an incredibly supportive family and it was just really nice to see. I also love seeing these blended families. The idea of someone taking over a parental roll after a loss or a divorce the way Ethan and Digger did was just really wholesome and heartfelt.
Love, love, loved this book and I’m always looking for more from Dineen and Summers, either as a collaborations are solo. I always find joy in their books and always recommend them to other romance readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
September 8, 2022
Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers are fairly new to me but after reading single mum Moira Bishop and Ethan Caplan’s story, i’m going to get checking out other work by this talented pair.
I love small town romance and once you add in a single parent that’s a win win for me and I have to say this book was everything I expect in a five star read. The writing was strong, the banter was witty but it was the description of Gamble, Alaska that took me there and captivated from the first few pages and didn’t let me go until I had read the final word.
Ethan has escaped his hectic life in LA to the small town of Gamble to hopefully write his first novel what he didn’t expect was to fall hard and fast for single mum Moira and her three adorable boys. But Moira has issues with relationships and it going to take a lot of patience to get her to open up her heart. So is Ethan the man for the job…..one click and find out.
I loved everything about this book, I swooned, I sighed, I laughed and at times I wanted to bang Ethan and Moria’s heads together but what made this a very special read was the relationship Ethan built with three little boys who after losing their father only want a man’s love. This is a fun, quirky read that will steal your heart as well as your time.
I love small town romance and once you add in a single parent that’s a win win for me and I have to say this book was everything I expect in a five star read. The writing was strong, the banter was witty but it was the description of Gamble, Alaska that took me there and captivated from the first few pages and didn’t let me go until I had read the final word.
Ethan has escaped his hectic life in LA to the small town of Gamble to hopefully write his first novel what he didn’t expect was to fall hard and fast for single mum Moira and her three adorable boys. But Moira has issues with relationships and it going to take a lot of patience to get her to open up her heart. So is Ethan the man for the job…..one click and find out.
I loved everything about this book, I swooned, I sighed, I laughed and at times I wanted to bang Ethan and Moria’s heads together but what made this a very special read was the relationship Ethan built with three little boys who after losing their father only want a man’s love. This is a fun, quirky read that will steal your heart as well as your time.
September 14, 2022
Opposites Attract in Small Town Alaska With All the Laughs and All the Feels - So Fun!
Definitely take a "gamble" with this book and win in every way. Moira and Ethan are opposites in every way - he is an LA entertainment lawyer who grew up wealthy with loving parents while she is from a tiny town in Alaska and was abandoned by her parents, raised by grandparents and widowed young and left with 3 small boys to raise on her own while running a diner and struggling to make ends meet. Their differences become even more apparent when they Moira and the boys win a trip to LA and a Dodgers game but Ethan adds days, opens his home to them and adds all of the tourist attractions and makes it a trip of a lifetime. Needless to say, despite their chemistry and ability to communicate as friends because of their past hurts neither can believe the other can have "true" feelings and the misunderstandings and pain ensue. The townspeople, their friends and families are all wonderful characters and I couldn't put this book down hoping for them toe get their HEA. I can't wait for the next escape to Gamble! Note: this is part of a series and can be read as a standalone, although many of the characters do repeat and it is better if you read the earlier book first - easy to do if you have KU.
Definitely take a "gamble" with this book and win in every way. Moira and Ethan are opposites in every way - he is an LA entertainment lawyer who grew up wealthy with loving parents while she is from a tiny town in Alaska and was abandoned by her parents, raised by grandparents and widowed young and left with 3 small boys to raise on her own while running a diner and struggling to make ends meet. Their differences become even more apparent when they Moira and the boys win a trip to LA and a Dodgers game but Ethan adds days, opens his home to them and adds all of the tourist attractions and makes it a trip of a lifetime. Needless to say, despite their chemistry and ability to communicate as friends because of their past hurts neither can believe the other can have "true" feelings and the misunderstandings and pain ensue. The townspeople, their friends and families are all wonderful characters and I couldn't put this book down hoping for them toe get their HEA. I can't wait for the next escape to Gamble! Note: this is part of a series and can be read as a standalone, although many of the characters do repeat and it is better if you read the earlier book first - easy to do if you have KU.
October 5, 2022
This is one of those books that will catch your attention as soon as you start reading and will essentially keep you glued all the way through. It's a heartwarming story that will also put a smile on your face and make you laugh. Moira is a widowed, hard-working mom with 3 boys. Ethan is an entertainment lawyer and is looking for a little respite from his world. He decides to head to Gamble for a break and spend time with his best friend who is married to Moira's brother, and also try maybe writing a novel. Ethan is immediately attracted to Moira and wants to get to know her. When the opportunity presents itself, he jumps at the chance to host Moira and her family in LA and get to know her better. Both have been hurt in the past and it was wonderful to see their relationship evolve and for them to learn to overcome their doubts and fears trust each other.
I absolutely loved the characters, well-developed and endearing and you can't help but fall in love with them. Their interactions and witty banter simultaneously melted my heart and made me laugh. Adorably fun and cute, this was the perfect addition to a great series. Highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I absolutely loved the characters, well-developed and endearing and you can't help but fall in love with them. Their interactions and witty banter simultaneously melted my heart and made me laugh. Adorably fun and cute, this was the perfect addition to a great series. Highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
October 31, 2022
Moira was such a relatable character! The stress, constantly looking out for your kids, overwhelming exhaustion, and just trying to get through another day, this is what most working moms deal with. Throw in the fact that she’s a widow who owns and works at her diner, and it’s clear where she’s coming from. She’s more than deserving of a break!
Ethan needs his own break from his life in Cali. Being an entertainment lawyer in L.A. has lost its luster. Maybe Gamble can bring him a fresh start like it did for his best friend, Harper. He’s hoping to write a book, one good enough to jumpstart a career as an author.
Moira and Ethan both think it’s not wise to start something up, especially since Ethan plans to go back to L.A. But sometimes, plans should be broken, especially when the heart wants something else.
I liked Ethan an Moira together. They had a real connection. I loved that Ethan was making an effort and growing close to the boys. Moira frustrated me! She was intent on self sabotage rather than talking things through with Ethan. I also wish he had been more patient and understanding and not have assumed or expected that she would just drop everything to be with him.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
Ethan needs his own break from his life in Cali. Being an entertainment lawyer in L.A. has lost its luster. Maybe Gamble can bring him a fresh start like it did for his best friend, Harper. He’s hoping to write a book, one good enough to jumpstart a career as an author.
Moira and Ethan both think it’s not wise to start something up, especially since Ethan plans to go back to L.A. But sometimes, plans should be broken, especially when the heart wants something else.
I liked Ethan an Moira together. They had a real connection. I loved that Ethan was making an effort and growing close to the boys. Moira frustrated me! She was intent on self sabotage rather than talking things through with Ethan. I also wish he had been more patient and understanding and not have assumed or expected that she would just drop everything to be with him.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
September 9, 2022
They weren't looking for love. He was only looking for a change, hating the life he had, and wanting to follow his dreams of being an author. She may want more in her life, like a partner to share it with, but her hands are full between a house in need of two many repairs, the only diner in town, and her three sons. Besides, there aren't any eligible bachelors in town for her. Even with Ethan there, she doesn't believe he would stay in a small town in Alaska after his life in LA. And when she really sees how much different his life has been, she pushes him away, worried he'll just leave eventually anyway. I seriously couldn't stop the tears at that point- even though at the end, they were happy tears.
Ethan, Moira, and her three boys are wonderful and I loved their story!
I've loved these two authors in the past, yet I had actually skipped the book before this because it's not something I usually gravitate to- after reading this one, I definitely want to go back and read Harper (Ethan's best friend) and Digger (Moira's older brother) story!
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
Ethan, Moira, and her three boys are wonderful and I loved their story!
I've loved these two authors in the past, yet I had actually skipped the book before this because it's not something I usually gravitate to- after reading this one, I definitely want to go back and read Harper (Ethan's best friend) and Digger (Moira's older brother) story!
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews