What do you think?
Rate this book
Coastal Chronicles #2
At First Hate
Derek Ballentine and I have always been on opposite sides of everything.
I went to a public Savannah high school. He went to a private Catholic school. I went to Duke on scholarship. He went to UNC as a legacy. When we both end up at Harvard for graduate school and we’re finally on a level playing field, I think it’s all going to change.
I was wrong.
The only thing that changed was ending up in his bed.
Now my grandma has passed away, and Derek is the attorney helping the people trying to steal her legacy. I’ll do anything to stop that from happening. Even take on my lifetime enemy.
I hate him at first sight… but I also want him at first hate.
I went to a public Savannah high school. He went to a private Catholic school. I went to Duke on scholarship. He went to UNC as a legacy. When we both end up at Harvard for graduate school and we’re finally on a level playing field, I think it’s all going to change.
I was wrong.
The only thing that changed was ending up in his bed.
Now my grandma has passed away, and Derek is the attorney helping the people trying to steal her legacy. I’ll do anything to stop that from happening. Even take on my lifetime enemy.
I hate him at first sight… but I also want him at first hate.
334 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2021
89 people are currently reading
5553 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Linde
90 books11.2k followersK.A. Linde is the New York Times, USA Today, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wren in the Holly Library. She is prolific in both romance and fantasy and loves the blend of the two.
She has a Masters degree in political science and bachelors in philosophy from the University of Georgia. In her previous life, she was a head campaign worker for a presidential campaign and the coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, and son.
She has a Masters degree in political science and bachelors in philosophy from the University of Georgia. In her previous life, she was a head campaign worker for a presidential campaign and the coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, and son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
August 25, 2021
4 stars
If you love K.A. Linde's angsty reads, you need this book in your life! At First Hate was such a great second chance/enemies to lovers romance with loads of angst.
Marley and Derek meet in high school. Marley goes to public school and lives with her grandparents and twin brother, whereas Derek lives in the rich part of town and goes to an all boys private school. It's obvious from the start that these two have loads of chemistry, but Derek is young and dumb, and Marley is on track to do great things.
This book takes place through a bit of their high school years, college, grad school, and then after that. It spans at least a decade and we get to see the ups and downs in both of their lives, as well as their relationship. I loved seeing the character growth and watching the romance unfold. Going back and forth from the past and present I never knew what was going to happen and how things would work out.
Marley is a character you can't help but love. She's determined, hard working, and is someone I would want to be friends with. Derek, well, by the end I absolutely loved him but through the book there were times I wanted to slap him. One of the best things about this book were all the fun cameos from some of our favorite Linde books. I loved that so much!
If you're looking for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, that's high angst, and has a great romance and great character development, then check this one out!
If you love K.A. Linde's angsty reads, you need this book in your life! At First Hate was such a great second chance/enemies to lovers romance with loads of angst.
Marley and Derek meet in high school. Marley goes to public school and lives with her grandparents and twin brother, whereas Derek lives in the rich part of town and goes to an all boys private school. It's obvious from the start that these two have loads of chemistry, but Derek is young and dumb, and Marley is on track to do great things.
This book takes place through a bit of their high school years, college, grad school, and then after that. It spans at least a decade and we get to see the ups and downs in both of their lives, as well as their relationship. I loved seeing the character growth and watching the romance unfold. Going back and forth from the past and present I never knew what was going to happen and how things would work out.
Marley is a character you can't help but love. She's determined, hard working, and is someone I would want to be friends with. Derek, well, by the end I absolutely loved him but through the book there were times I wanted to slap him. One of the best things about this book were all the fun cameos from some of our favorite Linde books. I loved that so much!
If you're looking for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, that's high angst, and has a great romance and great character development, then check this one out!
Audio book source: Soundwise (audio arc)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Emma Wilder & Joe Arden
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 10h 15m
September 7, 2021
Nonsense.
“Well, let me tell you, Derek,” I said, “I’m not like any other girl you’ll ever meet.”
Proceeds to give her first kiss to the guy she just met.
Spoilers Ahead!
The only thing I know about Derek (H), is that he is hot, that’s basically his entire personality trait. Lmao. Thanks for the input Marley. However, the few of my brain cells that are currently working have come with it’s own conclusion and that’s Derek is just a spineless, selfish jerk.
The plot was a mess, made zero sense. For fifteen years both of them have being playing this weird cat and mouse game with Derek being the big reason for them to actually not be together and Marley forgiving him the next time they meet because he is Derek.
I didn’t move. I should have, but I didn’t. I was mad at him for all the things that had happened. For going off and marrying someone else. For hurting me. For helping my mom. I just wanted him to be exactly what I needed and wanted in every way, and instead, he was Derek Ballentine. Wonderful and insufferable and a mix of contradictions.
Btw Derek gets married to someone, and a week before his marriage he and Marley almost even kiss but he was like nope sorry I can’t I’m marrying someone next weekend LOOOOOOOOL.
A butterfly whacked against my stomach as I worked up the courage to look up into his handsome face. He met my gaze. A wanton, pained look in those hazel eyes. He wanted this as much as I did. So, I reached up on my tiptoes to claim the kiss that was within reach. For a second, I could almost taste the brush of his lips. Then, he sighed and dropped his forehead onto mine. “I can’t.”
“Marley,” he said, reaching for me.
“It’s fine.”
“Fuck,” he spat. He turned back out to the water. He was silent a handful of breaths. “I’m getting married.” It felt like a punch to my gut. I actually gasped, stepping away from him, as if he’d been the one to hit me. I couldn’t even form words. “Next weekend.”
I jerked another step away from him at the words. “Holy shit, Derek! What the fuck are you doing here with me? What the fuck is this?”
“I don’t know.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I didn’t intend for it to happen.
“You told me to wait! You could have let me walk away.”
“I planned to. I wasn’t going to go after you.”
“But you did!”
“I know. I… I couldn’t just let you walk away.”
Don’t worry he still went and married the OW and only divorced her because she was spending all his money like crazy and went psycho when he tried to get her help. Lol.
Also with reference to Derek helping Marley’s mom, basically Marleys grandma passed away and left everything to her and her twin brother so their mom sued them and Derek is the assigned lawyer….. He took the case because his father said he would promote make him partner.
Derek knew how much this would hurt Marley, he knew her mother was not a good person but he still took the case because his father asked him too. And even had the audacity to meet Marley after so many years not to pay his respect or be there for her because her grandma just died but to give her an envelope that says her mother his suing her.
Can someone please tell me what is love at this point? Because I’m just so done.
But it’s okay Marley still forgives him for everything because he is Derek and hot.
So again not like other girls?, yes actually I’m sure you are not like other girls because those other girls are way better than you. And Derek I have no words for him.
“Well, let me tell you, Derek,” I said, “I’m not like any other girl you’ll ever meet.”
Proceeds to give her first kiss to the guy she just met.
Spoilers Ahead!
The only thing I know about Derek (H), is that he is hot, that’s basically his entire personality trait. Lmao. Thanks for the input Marley. However, the few of my brain cells that are currently working have come with it’s own conclusion and that’s Derek is just a spineless, selfish jerk.
The plot was a mess, made zero sense. For fifteen years both of them have being playing this weird cat and mouse game with Derek being the big reason for them to actually not be together and Marley forgiving him the next time they meet because he is Derek.
I didn’t move. I should have, but I didn’t. I was mad at him for all the things that had happened. For going off and marrying someone else. For hurting me. For helping my mom. I just wanted him to be exactly what I needed and wanted in every way, and instead, he was Derek Ballentine. Wonderful and insufferable and a mix of contradictions.
Btw Derek gets married to someone, and a week before his marriage he and Marley almost even kiss but he was like nope sorry I can’t I’m marrying someone next weekend LOOOOOOOOL.
A butterfly whacked against my stomach as I worked up the courage to look up into his handsome face. He met my gaze. A wanton, pained look in those hazel eyes. He wanted this as much as I did. So, I reached up on my tiptoes to claim the kiss that was within reach. For a second, I could almost taste the brush of his lips. Then, he sighed and dropped his forehead onto mine. “I can’t.”
“Marley,” he said, reaching for me.
“It’s fine.”
“Fuck,” he spat. He turned back out to the water. He was silent a handful of breaths. “I’m getting married.” It felt like a punch to my gut. I actually gasped, stepping away from him, as if he’d been the one to hit me. I couldn’t even form words. “Next weekend.”
I jerked another step away from him at the words. “Holy shit, Derek! What the fuck are you doing here with me? What the fuck is this?”
“I don’t know.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I didn’t intend for it to happen.
“You told me to wait! You could have let me walk away.”
“I planned to. I wasn’t going to go after you.”
“But you did!”
“I know. I… I couldn’t just let you walk away.”
Don’t worry he still went and married the OW and only divorced her because she was spending all his money like crazy and went psycho when he tried to get her help. Lol.
Also with reference to Derek helping Marley’s mom, basically Marleys grandma passed away and left everything to her and her twin brother so their mom sued them and Derek is the assigned lawyer….. He took the case because his father said he would promote make him partner.
Derek knew how much this would hurt Marley, he knew her mother was not a good person but he still took the case because his father asked him too. And even had the audacity to meet Marley after so many years not to pay his respect or be there for her because her grandma just died but to give her an envelope that says her mother his suing her.
Can someone please tell me what is love at this point? Because I’m just so done.
But it’s okay Marley still forgives him for everything because he is Derek and hot.
So again not like other girls?, yes actually I’m sure you are not like other girls because those other girls are way better than you. And Derek I have no words for him.
September 6, 2021
I was able to listen to an arc of the audiobook and I really enjoyed it. The narrator did a fantastic job. Emma Wilder knocked it out the the park.
This story had some tons of great enemies to lovers moments. The push and pull was for sure dominate in this one. The chemistry was strong and explosive.
Marley and Derek grew up in different worlds. He came from money and she came from almost nothing. He went to one of the best high schools in the area and she didn't. One random Halloween party set everything into motion for what was to come. She didn't want to go, but eventually gave in to her friend. That night she met the one and only Derek Ballentine. The heartthrob, the playboy, the boy that would set her world into chaos.
This story goes from past to present pretty much the entire book. I usually don't like that, but it was needed for you to really understand the dynamics of Derek and Marley's relationship, sometimes the lack of it as well.
Over the course of HS and College they run into each other numerous times. Sometimes it was heated, sometimes it was steamy, sometimes you wanted to pull your hair out because of what they were doing to each other. Sometimes, you basked in the present (or the past) and waited patiently for the moment. The one moment that would change the game for them.
Once again they meet, but this time claws are out and words are vicious. After returning to her hometown the last person she expects to see on her doorstep is Derek. She can't believe the reason he is there. She just can't. He wouldn't do this to her... Would he?!
This was a great enemies to lovers read! You sometimes had a hate/love relationship with characters so it all worked.
This story had some tons of great enemies to lovers moments. The push and pull was for sure dominate in this one. The chemistry was strong and explosive.
Marley and Derek grew up in different worlds. He came from money and she came from almost nothing. He went to one of the best high schools in the area and she didn't. One random Halloween party set everything into motion for what was to come. She didn't want to go, but eventually gave in to her friend. That night she met the one and only Derek Ballentine. The heartthrob, the playboy, the boy that would set her world into chaos.
This story goes from past to present pretty much the entire book. I usually don't like that, but it was needed for you to really understand the dynamics of Derek and Marley's relationship, sometimes the lack of it as well.
Over the course of HS and College they run into each other numerous times. Sometimes it was heated, sometimes it was steamy, sometimes you wanted to pull your hair out because of what they were doing to each other. Sometimes, you basked in the present (or the past) and waited patiently for the moment. The one moment that would change the game for them.
Once again they meet, but this time claws are out and words are vicious. After returning to her hometown the last person she expects to see on her doorstep is Derek. She can't believe the reason he is there. She just can't. He wouldn't do this to her... Would he?!
This was a great enemies to lovers read! You sometimes had a hate/love relationship with characters so it all worked.
September 2, 2021
Emotional seesaw…
Ahh, this author knows how to write high drama, drown in the angst amazing reads! Derek and Marley’s story was an enemies to lovers saga that spanned decades and all spaces on the emotional wheel…
From the minute they met, they were at odds with each other. Rich vs not poor but not rich. UNC vs Duke. Basketball vs everything else. Their animosity was legendary but didn’t quiet disguise the fact that they had chemistry. And that was going to flavour ever interaction they had. From teenagers to college students and even as mature adults, they could only do two things – argue or make up…
Wow, this was a roller coaster if ever there was one! They couldn’t agree on pretty much everything and yet they couldn’t deny there was something more, some spark that said they could never be done with each other. I had my doubts about Derek, I have to honest. The things he said, the things he did. And when Marley got into it too, well, I figured all was going to be lost. Yet, through the tears and anger, the regret, there was always that emotion cracking the facades… With the great ensemble supporting characters bring their own spin on things – including a shoulder to cry or a cold mug of beer (whichever was needed in the moment) - Derek and Marley had all the help they could ask for…
Be prepared for a timeline that swung backwards and forwards with dizzying abandon that finally brought it all home in a hard-fought happily ever after… ~Diane, 4 stars
Ahh, this author knows how to write high drama, drown in the angst amazing reads! Derek and Marley’s story was an enemies to lovers saga that spanned decades and all spaces on the emotional wheel…
From the minute they met, they were at odds with each other. Rich vs not poor but not rich. UNC vs Duke. Basketball vs everything else. Their animosity was legendary but didn’t quiet disguise the fact that they had chemistry. And that was going to flavour ever interaction they had. From teenagers to college students and even as mature adults, they could only do two things – argue or make up…
Wow, this was a roller coaster if ever there was one! They couldn’t agree on pretty much everything and yet they couldn’t deny there was something more, some spark that said they could never be done with each other. I had my doubts about Derek, I have to honest. The things he said, the things he did. And when Marley got into it too, well, I figured all was going to be lost. Yet, through the tears and anger, the regret, there was always that emotion cracking the facades… With the great ensemble supporting characters bring their own spin on things – including a shoulder to cry or a cold mug of beer (whichever was needed in the moment) - Derek and Marley had all the help they could ask for…
Be prepared for a timeline that swung backwards and forwards with dizzying abandon that finally brought it all home in a hard-fought happily ever after… ~Diane, 4 stars
September 19, 2021
2.5 stars
the perfect example of a book that starts out really strong and progressively devolves.
rtc.
the perfect example of a book that starts out really strong and progressively devolves.
rtc.
September 8, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.At First Hate by K. A Linde is the second book in the Coastal Chronicles series. I had a good time with book one Hold The Forevers, and so I was pleased to learn the author was giving her fans another book in the series.
I am always on the lookout for an enemies to lovers romance and Linde delivered with At First Hate. This installment gives us Derek and Marley’s’ story. They both come from different worlds. He came from money, while she lived a simple life. Their love hate relationship started from high school and spilled over into their adult years.
The story, told mainly from Marley’s POV, moved between the past and the present, giving readers a look into how their relationship began and its development over the next fifteen years. Their chemistry leapt from the pages, but they never could get it right. Derek’s immaturity and Marley’s fears played a huge part in their many attempts of getting it right. At the point when all seems it may go well, they mess it up. Derek with his hurtful actions and Marley with her lack of trust. Talk a bout a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite the push and pull, the makeup and the break-ups, they clearly loved each other and one could not help but root for them.
The story featured an array of secondary characters, some of whom appeared in the previous book in the series. However, no need to read the previous book to enjoy this one, as it works well as a standalone. Cameo appearances were made by characters from the Seasons series. Readers will adore Marley’s relationship with her grandmother and the bond she shared with her twin brother. Her mother, on the other hand, was a disaster waiting to happen, and that’s the diplomatic description.
Conclusion /Recommendation
At First Hate delivered a passionate and angsty romance, which fans of enemies to lovers trope will enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
I am always on the lookout for an enemies to lovers romance and Linde delivered with At First Hate. This installment gives us Derek and Marley’s’ story. They both come from different worlds. He came from money, while she lived a simple life. Their love hate relationship started from high school and spilled over into their adult years.
The story, told mainly from Marley’s POV, moved between the past and the present, giving readers a look into how their relationship began and its development over the next fifteen years. Their chemistry leapt from the pages, but they never could get it right. Derek’s immaturity and Marley’s fears played a huge part in their many attempts of getting it right. At the point when all seems it may go well, they mess it up. Derek with his hurtful actions and Marley with her lack of trust. Talk a bout a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite the push and pull, the makeup and the break-ups, they clearly loved each other and one could not help but root for them.
The story featured an array of secondary characters, some of whom appeared in the previous book in the series. However, no need to read the previous book to enjoy this one, as it works well as a standalone. Cameo appearances were made by characters from the Seasons series. Readers will adore Marley’s relationship with her grandmother and the bond she shared with her twin brother. Her mother, on the other hand, was a disaster waiting to happen, and that’s the diplomatic description.
Conclusion /Recommendation
At First Hate delivered a passionate and angsty romance, which fans of enemies to lovers trope will enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
October 11, 2021
Marley & Derek were high school enemies who came from completely different worlds. Marley, raised by her grandmother & attending public school. Derek, born with a silver spoon in his mouth & attending an all-boys private school. Parting ways after high school, Marley & Derek thought they wouldn’t be seeing much of each other, but that’s where they were wrong. Although they went to different colleges, Marley & Derek somehow ended up in each other’s lives constantly, sabotaging each other’s love lives & inevitably ending up in each other’s beds. But Derek broke Marley’s heart when she was her most vulnerable and Marley vowed to never forgive Derek.
Several years later, Marley’s grandmother has passed away and during her time of grief, she discovers her mother is contesting her grandmother’s will. And her mother’s lawyer is none other than Derek, here to wreak havoc on Marley’s life yet again. Except this time, Marley is smarter & wiser, protecting her heart. But when it comes to Derek, Marley can’t ward off his charms, no matter how hard she tries.
At First Hate by KA Linde is book 2 in the Coastal Chronicles series. This is an enemies to lovers meets second chance romance & enjoyed this one a lot. I’ve mentioned this time & again, but to make second chance romances feel believable to me, I need flashbacks of some sort and the alternating past/present chapters in At First Hate definitely helped this romance to feel authentic. It’s full of angst and enough back & forth to make you want to strangle one or both characters from time to time. I wanted this to be dual POV though and I felt that not getting Derek’s POV (outside of a singular chapter), prevented me from loving this romance. I am still looking forward to reading book 3 in the series! 4/5 stars.
Several years later, Marley’s grandmother has passed away and during her time of grief, she discovers her mother is contesting her grandmother’s will. And her mother’s lawyer is none other than Derek, here to wreak havoc on Marley’s life yet again. Except this time, Marley is smarter & wiser, protecting her heart. But when it comes to Derek, Marley can’t ward off his charms, no matter how hard she tries.
At First Hate by KA Linde is book 2 in the Coastal Chronicles series. This is an enemies to lovers meets second chance romance & enjoyed this one a lot. I’ve mentioned this time & again, but to make second chance romances feel believable to me, I need flashbacks of some sort and the alternating past/present chapters in At First Hate definitely helped this romance to feel authentic. It’s full of angst and enough back & forth to make you want to strangle one or both characters from time to time. I wanted this to be dual POV though and I felt that not getting Derek’s POV (outside of a singular chapter), prevented me from loving this romance. I am still looking forward to reading book 3 in the series! 4/5 stars.
September 7, 2021
4 stars!
At First Hate, the second book in the Coastal Chronicles by K.A. Linde, features Marely and Derek, and it is a roller-coaster ride spanning more than fifteen years. Full of feels, angst, and growth, this enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance will break your heart before finally piecing it back together. It’s emotional and angsty, and I loved it.
Marley and Derek meet in high school and immediately start off on the wrong foot. They are opposite in so many ways but there is an attraction that is undeniable. After sharing a kiss that shifts her world, Derek ends up ruining everything. Years pass and they bump into each other over and over again. Each time they are at odds with each other but the spark burns brighter with every interaction. They come together only to be ripped apart and Marley can only take so much heartache.
Now, she’s back in town for her Gran’s funeral when she runs into Derek again. What makes the situation even worse is that he is the attorney representing the party who is trying to take what is rightfully Marley’s. She tries to stay away even though her heart can’t seem let him go. It’s easy to fall back into each other but can they truly be together or will they be torn apart once again?
This story is full of ups and downs and my heart really went out to Marley. She is such a great character and has a huge heart. She is smart, funny, and so personable that I couldn’t help but love her. It took longer to warm up to Derek. He is a smooth talking, charming guy who with one look can make you melt. However, it takes him a while to realize what he wants and to figure out how he can be deserving of Marley. There is no denying that Marley and Derek have smoking hot chemistry. From the banter to the steam, these two are awesome together. I felt the buildup each time they were together and it was all believable!
They are hot and heavy and then ice cold when hearts break and I was along for the ride. I was so mad at Derek and I hurt for Marely but I think that each time the growth that both experienced is what finally leads them back to each other.
The ending is slighted rushed but because of their history, it was still believable and I love how everything turned out. I enjoyed the secondary characters and am excited to get more of Lila. Poor Ash though. That was rough.
Overall, At First Hate is a well-developed enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance that will make you laugh, cry, swoon and fall in love. It’s a fantastic addition to the series and I can’t wait for more!! I need Josie and Maddox’s story!!
*ARC generously provided by the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions*
At First Hate, the second book in the Coastal Chronicles by K.A. Linde, features Marely and Derek, and it is a roller-coaster ride spanning more than fifteen years. Full of feels, angst, and growth, this enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance will break your heart before finally piecing it back together. It’s emotional and angsty, and I loved it.
Marley and Derek meet in high school and immediately start off on the wrong foot. They are opposite in so many ways but there is an attraction that is undeniable. After sharing a kiss that shifts her world, Derek ends up ruining everything. Years pass and they bump into each other over and over again. Each time they are at odds with each other but the spark burns brighter with every interaction. They come together only to be ripped apart and Marley can only take so much heartache.
Now, she’s back in town for her Gran’s funeral when she runs into Derek again. What makes the situation even worse is that he is the attorney representing the party who is trying to take what is rightfully Marley’s. She tries to stay away even though her heart can’t seem let him go. It’s easy to fall back into each other but can they truly be together or will they be torn apart once again?
This story is full of ups and downs and my heart really went out to Marley. She is such a great character and has a huge heart. She is smart, funny, and so personable that I couldn’t help but love her. It took longer to warm up to Derek. He is a smooth talking, charming guy who with one look can make you melt. However, it takes him a while to realize what he wants and to figure out how he can be deserving of Marley. There is no denying that Marley and Derek have smoking hot chemistry. From the banter to the steam, these two are awesome together. I felt the buildup each time they were together and it was all believable!
I’d denied myself this for so long. Ignored every single part of me that said I didn’t want him. I didn’t want this. And now, we were here, and I could feel every single lie break down and dissolve into nothing.
I wanted Derek Ballentine. I wanted him more than anyone else in my entire existence.
They are hot and heavy and then ice cold when hearts break and I was along for the ride. I was so mad at Derek and I hurt for Marely but I think that each time the growth that both experienced is what finally leads them back to each other.
I hated him for our past, but somehow, I still felt exactly the same for him as I always had.
The ending is slighted rushed but because of their history, it was still believable and I love how everything turned out. I enjoyed the secondary characters and am excited to get more of Lila. Poor Ash though. That was rough.
Overall, At First Hate is a well-developed enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance that will make you laugh, cry, swoon and fall in love. It’s a fantastic addition to the series and I can’t wait for more!! I need Josie and Maddox’s story!!
*ARC generously provided by the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions*
August 28, 2021
I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
3.5 Stars
As a huge fan of KA Linde's, a great lover of angst, and as someone who adores the back and forth of timelines to draw an entire picture, it pains me to say At First Hate didn't work for me. I "wanted" to love it. While the premise was an engaging one, the execution and "voice" is what tore me from the story itself.
This is Marley & Derek's angsty tale, as told by Marley in several time spans. High School, the cheerleader from public and the rich boy from a rival private school, butting heads and love-hating one another in the past and in the present.
High school Marley is directly influenced by her mother's life choices- the teen mom of a pair of twins, dumping the toddlers on her own mother's doorstep, their grandmother, and never to parent again. Gram is exacting in the morality department, refusing to allow her grandchildren to repeat the parenting mistakes she made with her own daughter, and the mistakes her daughter made. This shapes Marley, creates a hard-working, people-pleaser, who is very innocent, sheltered, and world weary.
College Marley is still just as socially reserved as High School Marley, the same innocent voice.
In the present, Grams has passed away, and the twins are fighting tooth and nail for their inheritance (their ancestral home important to them outside of monetary value) against their mother and their aunt, neither good daughters which is why Gram didn't leave the home to them in the will.
Derek is your classic bad boy, rich boy, using girls as tissues boy. He gets beneath Marley's skin, irritating, aggravating, and making her blood boil in several ways. They begin a dance, Marley an active participant.
The past and the present collide when Derek serves Marley with a lawsuit, acting on behalf of her mother and aunt. Former crush, past aggravator, current enemy.
All of this sounds amazing. The plot deliciously angsty, ripe for love-hate, push-pull, and witty repartee. Except it felt forced to me. Very force, very fast, and not fully fleshed out into a whole story due to the back and forth timeline, something in which Linde usually excels.
Marley's voice does not change over the years. The sheltered teen who sounded years younger than her age, she still sounded like that in college, and as a grown adult in the now. It's hard to explain, as juvenile doesn't fit, as she's not silly and empty headed. Merely a beyond sheltered mindset for someone who had been out in the world, been to college, and is an adult. Her "voice" never changes, while Derek's matures as he ages. It was off-putting, as if Derek was dating a girl from junior high.
To be quite honest, I felt the shifting timelines chaotic, the introduction of nobody characters that fit into Marley's life at the time, the setting barebones as it was of little consequence. I felt as if they were just scenes woven together. Yes, it created a tapestry, but they felt incomplete, more focused on mundane daily trivialities than the actual plot. Characters were introduced, like a current boyfriend the reader only knows for a handful of paragraphs, what was to be a fun and angsty situation lessened because the scene itself is just a few short pages with no true depth, fun on the surface but emotionless. A few sentence summary, I could have just written them out in a linear timeline and understood the story but at the expense of experiencing the journey.
On the surface, At First Hate was a fun book. If you're an empathic person, if I told you Marley's grandmother died and her mother was suing her for the inheritance, you'd get the feels just from that statement. You could read between the lines. That was my problem, with the execution and the rapid way the back and forth scenes were written, I'm unsure if the story itself captivated me or if I was merely empathizing with the summary of the plot, since I never felt as if it was fully developed on the pages. The events were all there, but I never felt as if I was experiencing them.
I wanted to like At First Hate. I adored the premise. I just felt it wasn't actually on the pages. I overthought things, and that's entirely on me. Fans of Linde will no doubt adore the novel. If I had read it fast, not thought too deeply, moved on to the next portion without mulling over anything, I'm sure I would be in the 5-Star camp. But my mood was contemplative, and that in and of itself affected my entertainment value. While it was partially my mood's fault, it doesn't erase the fact that these issues did exist within the novel itself.
Commentary on the twins' behavior and Gram: (the "lying" about being at practice punishment)
Marley was dealing with her reputation being in tatters. All she did was wish to go see Derek after school in person for like five minutes, for him to put it to rights. All across the board, Gram would have been disappointed in Marley, when it was completely innocent, and not at all deserving of being in trouble. Marley lied because Grams was unreasonable in her treatment of the twins. At her age, with the level of trust she should have earned, with her loathing of her mother's behavior (teen behavior, outside of the abandonment) no way was Marley deserving of being treated as a small child on a leash at Disney.
To be honest, High School Marley was too respectful, too sweet, too perfect when dealing with her grandmother. While entirely deserving of trust, Gram treated her as an extension of her mother, to what I felt was an abusive degree. One of the twins just rolling over after being treated with zero trust I could understand, but both Marley and Maddox acted as if they had to toe the line or risk being tossed out. No backtalk from both teens ever. Not wanting any actual explanation, Gram grounds them both, taking Maddox's car away (side note: I also felt it odd and slightly misogynistic how the male twin got his license and a car first, while Marley was grounded from getting her license due to "lying". Why wasn't she allowed when Maddox got his?) They both shrugged, said okay, and just went about their lives and never even said a "That's not fair" to the other, as if they had to act like robots to make sure Gram still loved them, as if the love was conditional on them acting nothing like their mother.
I understand the twins were loved and well cared after by their grandparents. I'm hinting at the emotional mindset of Marley, judging by her behavior, as if she had to behave a specific way to apologize for her mother's behavior, as if she had to pay Gram with flawless behavior instead of being herself, an autonomous being with independent thoughts and feelings that she should be allowed to voice.
I'm not stating this is how Gram would have thought or felt, just how this dynamic creeped me out, how both had the voice of small children but neither acted like a teenager. As their grandmother, Gram should take care of them if she's capable and a good person, not act as if they have to repay her by acting like well-behaved 10-year-olds fearing their grandmother will toss them on the streets, well after the fact they become adults. I know this wasn't how it was meant to come across, but I read that scene three times, and all three times it creeped me out more and more.
Most will see it as a pair of loving twins respecting their sweet grandmother, a grandmother wishing to raise them right, but all I saw were two kids terrified of being tossed for acting like teenagers, paying the price for their mother's behavior (a mother Gram raised to behave as she did, seeing as how both of her daughters later sued the twins- I'd say Gram was a crappy mother overdoing it as a grandmother)
3.5 Stars
As a huge fan of KA Linde's, a great lover of angst, and as someone who adores the back and forth of timelines to draw an entire picture, it pains me to say At First Hate didn't work for me. I "wanted" to love it. While the premise was an engaging one, the execution and "voice" is what tore me from the story itself.
This is Marley & Derek's angsty tale, as told by Marley in several time spans. High School, the cheerleader from public and the rich boy from a rival private school, butting heads and love-hating one another in the past and in the present.
High school Marley is directly influenced by her mother's life choices- the teen mom of a pair of twins, dumping the toddlers on her own mother's doorstep, their grandmother, and never to parent again. Gram is exacting in the morality department, refusing to allow her grandchildren to repeat the parenting mistakes she made with her own daughter, and the mistakes her daughter made. This shapes Marley, creates a hard-working, people-pleaser, who is very innocent, sheltered, and world weary.
College Marley is still just as socially reserved as High School Marley, the same innocent voice.
In the present, Grams has passed away, and the twins are fighting tooth and nail for their inheritance (their ancestral home important to them outside of monetary value) against their mother and their aunt, neither good daughters which is why Gram didn't leave the home to them in the will.
Derek is your classic bad boy, rich boy, using girls as tissues boy. He gets beneath Marley's skin, irritating, aggravating, and making her blood boil in several ways. They begin a dance, Marley an active participant.
The past and the present collide when Derek serves Marley with a lawsuit, acting on behalf of her mother and aunt. Former crush, past aggravator, current enemy.
All of this sounds amazing. The plot deliciously angsty, ripe for love-hate, push-pull, and witty repartee. Except it felt forced to me. Very force, very fast, and not fully fleshed out into a whole story due to the back and forth timeline, something in which Linde usually excels.
Marley's voice does not change over the years. The sheltered teen who sounded years younger than her age, she still sounded like that in college, and as a grown adult in the now. It's hard to explain, as juvenile doesn't fit, as she's not silly and empty headed. Merely a beyond sheltered mindset for someone who had been out in the world, been to college, and is an adult. Her "voice" never changes, while Derek's matures as he ages. It was off-putting, as if Derek was dating a girl from junior high.
To be quite honest, I felt the shifting timelines chaotic, the introduction of nobody characters that fit into Marley's life at the time, the setting barebones as it was of little consequence. I felt as if they were just scenes woven together. Yes, it created a tapestry, but they felt incomplete, more focused on mundane daily trivialities than the actual plot. Characters were introduced, like a current boyfriend the reader only knows for a handful of paragraphs, what was to be a fun and angsty situation lessened because the scene itself is just a few short pages with no true depth, fun on the surface but emotionless. A few sentence summary, I could have just written them out in a linear timeline and understood the story but at the expense of experiencing the journey.
On the surface, At First Hate was a fun book. If you're an empathic person, if I told you Marley's grandmother died and her mother was suing her for the inheritance, you'd get the feels just from that statement. You could read between the lines. That was my problem, with the execution and the rapid way the back and forth scenes were written, I'm unsure if the story itself captivated me or if I was merely empathizing with the summary of the plot, since I never felt as if it was fully developed on the pages. The events were all there, but I never felt as if I was experiencing them.
I wanted to like At First Hate. I adored the premise. I just felt it wasn't actually on the pages. I overthought things, and that's entirely on me. Fans of Linde will no doubt adore the novel. If I had read it fast, not thought too deeply, moved on to the next portion without mulling over anything, I'm sure I would be in the 5-Star camp. But my mood was contemplative, and that in and of itself affected my entertainment value. While it was partially my mood's fault, it doesn't erase the fact that these issues did exist within the novel itself.
Commentary on the twins' behavior and Gram: (the "lying" about being at practice punishment)
Marley was dealing with her reputation being in tatters. All she did was wish to go see Derek after school in person for like five minutes, for him to put it to rights. All across the board, Gram would have been disappointed in Marley, when it was completely innocent, and not at all deserving of being in trouble. Marley lied because Grams was unreasonable in her treatment of the twins. At her age, with the level of trust she should have earned, with her loathing of her mother's behavior (teen behavior, outside of the abandonment) no way was Marley deserving of being treated as a small child on a leash at Disney.
To be honest, High School Marley was too respectful, too sweet, too perfect when dealing with her grandmother. While entirely deserving of trust, Gram treated her as an extension of her mother, to what I felt was an abusive degree. One of the twins just rolling over after being treated with zero trust I could understand, but both Marley and Maddox acted as if they had to toe the line or risk being tossed out. No backtalk from both teens ever. Not wanting any actual explanation, Gram grounds them both, taking Maddox's car away (side note: I also felt it odd and slightly misogynistic how the male twin got his license and a car first, while Marley was grounded from getting her license due to "lying". Why wasn't she allowed when Maddox got his?) They both shrugged, said okay, and just went about their lives and never even said a "That's not fair" to the other, as if they had to act like robots to make sure Gram still loved them, as if the love was conditional on them acting nothing like their mother.
I understand the twins were loved and well cared after by their grandparents. I'm hinting at the emotional mindset of Marley, judging by her behavior, as if she had to behave a specific way to apologize for her mother's behavior, as if she had to pay Gram with flawless behavior instead of being herself, an autonomous being with independent thoughts and feelings that she should be allowed to voice.
I'm not stating this is how Gram would have thought or felt, just how this dynamic creeped me out, how both had the voice of small children but neither acted like a teenager. As their grandmother, Gram should take care of them if she's capable and a good person, not act as if they have to repay her by acting like well-behaved 10-year-olds fearing their grandmother will toss them on the streets, well after the fact they become adults. I know this wasn't how it was meant to come across, but I read that scene three times, and all three times it creeped me out more and more.
Most will see it as a pair of loving twins respecting their sweet grandmother, a grandmother wishing to raise them right, but all I saw were two kids terrified of being tossed for acting like teenagers, paying the price for their mother's behavior (a mother Gram raised to behave as she did, seeing as how both of her daughters later sued the twins- I'd say Gram was a crappy mother overdoing it as a grandmother)
September 7, 2021
2/2.5 Stars
I'll keep my review short, because although I really like this author's books, this book has failed to capture my attention, as well as previous ones. Although the synopsis was promising, I found the development of going back and forth a bit confusing and I couldn't connect with the characters.
But that's my personal take on the book, and don't let that stop you from giving this story a chance.
I Received an unreleased copy of this book
➖➖➖
Eu vou manter a minha resenha curta, pois embora eu goste muito dos livros dessa autora, esse livro não conseguiu cativar minha atenção, assim como anteriores. Embora a sinopse fosse promissora, achei o desenvolvimento de ir e voltar ao passado um pouco confuso e não consegui me conectar com os personagens .
Mas essa é minha opinião pessoal do livro , e não deixe que isso impeça você de dar uma chance a essa história .
I'll keep my review short, because although I really like this author's books, this book has failed to capture my attention, as well as previous ones. Although the synopsis was promising, I found the development of going back and forth a bit confusing and I couldn't connect with the characters.
But that's my personal take on the book, and don't let that stop you from giving this story a chance.
I Received an unreleased copy of this book
➖➖➖
Eu vou manter a minha resenha curta, pois embora eu goste muito dos livros dessa autora, esse livro não conseguiu cativar minha atenção, assim como anteriores. Embora a sinopse fosse promissora, achei o desenvolvimento de ir e voltar ao passado um pouco confuso e não consegui me conectar com os personagens .
Mas essa é minha opinião pessoal do livro , e não deixe que isso impeça você de dar uma chance a essa história .
October 1, 2021
This was long and I didn’t like the H. He was an Ahole right through that got what he wanted consistently and was just nonchalant about it. The h was no better because she took back the H time and time again always calling herself a fool. I understood when they were younger but after the 1000 breakup I wanted out of that toxic love story.
September 27, 2021
Derek: asshole.
Mars: doormat. For someone supposedly so smart she was an idiot.
Mars: doormat. For someone supposedly so smart she was an idiot.
September 9, 2021
3.5 Stars
At First Hate is book two in Linde's Coastal Chronicles series and can easily be read as a standalone. I honestly forgot it was part of a series until I updated my Goodreads status and saw it was part of the series. LOL
As much as I wanted to love this book, something was missing for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it til I went to write this review. While I enjoyed the premise and the concept of this book, I found myself struggling to grasp onto it. Everything just felt surface level.
The story is told in Linde's classic past and present perspective but it lacked depth. Marley's "voice" does not grow over time. It’s not that she sounds like a teenager, it's just that her thoughts and actions stayed the same. Whereas you can see the other characters grow, it feels that all Marley does is age with the same mindset.
As I said the premise for this book is great. I loved it. But the plot and all the characters were surface level. Everything moved at a fast pace (which is fine) but there was no depth to it. Everything that happened, I could understand, but I wasn't experiencing it at the character level. I hated that.
The characters were unique but nothing memorable. There were far too many friends that were introduced in the story that had me trying to remember who was who and how they were connected. I understand that people will make new friends throughout their life, but they did not add much to the story or the main characters themselves.
There is a lot that goes on in this book. A lot that felt could have been fleshed out more and given more depth so readers could actually experience everything. Don't get me wrong, many readers will love this book. I just wanted more from the story and the characters than what I got.
At First Hate is book two in Linde's Coastal Chronicles series and can easily be read as a standalone. I honestly forgot it was part of a series until I updated my Goodreads status and saw it was part of the series. LOL
As much as I wanted to love this book, something was missing for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it til I went to write this review. While I enjoyed the premise and the concept of this book, I found myself struggling to grasp onto it. Everything just felt surface level.
The story is told in Linde's classic past and present perspective but it lacked depth. Marley's "voice" does not grow over time. It’s not that she sounds like a teenager, it's just that her thoughts and actions stayed the same. Whereas you can see the other characters grow, it feels that all Marley does is age with the same mindset.
As I said the premise for this book is great. I loved it. But the plot and all the characters were surface level. Everything moved at a fast pace (which is fine) but there was no depth to it. Everything that happened, I could understand, but I wasn't experiencing it at the character level. I hated that.
The characters were unique but nothing memorable. There were far too many friends that were introduced in the story that had me trying to remember who was who and how they were connected. I understand that people will make new friends throughout their life, but they did not add much to the story or the main characters themselves.
There is a lot that goes on in this book. A lot that felt could have been fleshed out more and given more depth so readers could actually experience everything. Don't get me wrong, many readers will love this book. I just wanted more from the story and the characters than what I got.
September 8, 2021
Oh my how I love a enemies to lovers angsty read and that is exactly what At First Hate brought to the table. Derek and Marley meet in high school, they are rival schools and it is hate from the get go. Marley does not like entitled snobs and that is exactly what Derek seems to be. Derek is drawn to her classic beauty but her mouth and opinion of mostly him always shine through. So what happens when you are literally drawn to the man you can't stand? How will you move past this when you constantly find yourself in his space? This is a story that will have you the reader going from past to present and that will give you the background that you need for this unlikely couple. It is now ten years later and Marley is called back to her home town after the death of her grandmother, the woman that raised her and her twin brother. She finds that the will has been contested by her mother, who is a self centered person that gave no regard to her children or her own mother. It only gets more hairy when she realizes that Derek has been place as her mother's attorney. This has become more than personal now. Now grown and having moved on they once again find themselves face to face with one another.
This couple has immense physical attraction, chemistry, sarcastic witty banter and when they are together so much heat.
~~Michele McMullen ~~
This couple has immense physical attraction, chemistry, sarcastic witty banter and when they are together so much heat.
~~Michele McMullen ~~
September 7, 2021
At First Hate by KA Linde was a second chance, enemies to lovers story. It was filled with great characters, witty banter and some angst moments that you have come to love from Linde.
Marley comes home after being away at school to take care of her grandmother’s house after her passing. Filled with memories from the past, both good and bad. She had a great, caring grandmother who raised her and her brother after her mother was non-existent. The one person she doesn’t want to see or deal with is the one she has to. Her past love Derek.
Derek is now a lawyer and his dad’s firm is representing Marley’s mom in a case to get her grandmother’s house.
The two have so much chemistry, and I loved how Linde goes between the past and present so you experience their relationship and how they got to their current place.
I really enjoyed this book and story. I loved both characters and what they represented and overcame to get to this point in their lives and know what they want. And who isn’t a sucker for a good second chance romance!
I definitely recommend this book.
Marley comes home after being away at school to take care of her grandmother’s house after her passing. Filled with memories from the past, both good and bad. She had a great, caring grandmother who raised her and her brother after her mother was non-existent. The one person she doesn’t want to see or deal with is the one she has to. Her past love Derek.
Derek is now a lawyer and his dad’s firm is representing Marley’s mom in a case to get her grandmother’s house.
The two have so much chemistry, and I loved how Linde goes between the past and present so you experience their relationship and how they got to their current place.
I really enjoyed this book and story. I loved both characters and what they represented and overcame to get to this point in their lives and know what they want. And who isn’t a sucker for a good second chance romance!
I definitely recommend this book.
November 23, 2024
This author never disappoints
September 11, 2022
Would have liked more push/pull in the present day. The angst would have been amazing considering all the drama from their college days. Decent read.
September 26, 2021
4 stars
I think this might be one of my favorite KA Linde books that she's written in a while. It has the classic angst that Linde is known for. This story is about Marley and Derek and it spans from high school to their adult life - so well over a decade. We get to see all their ups and downs, get to see them grow as a person and as a couple and you can't help but fall in love with them and the story.
I really liked the way everything was written and how well the story flowed. The side characters really brought the story together. I can't wait to read more books by Kyla!
I think this might be one of my favorite KA Linde books that she's written in a while. It has the classic angst that Linde is known for. This story is about Marley and Derek and it spans from high school to their adult life - so well over a decade. We get to see all their ups and downs, get to see them grow as a person and as a couple and you can't help but fall in love with them and the story.
I really liked the way everything was written and how well the story flowed. The side characters really brought the story together. I can't wait to read more books by Kyla!
August 2, 2021
Absolutely unputdownable! Derek and Marley have so much chemistry, tension, and passion that you can feel it in every chapter. From start to finish, this one will be tugging on your heart. And don’t EVEN get me started on all of the cameos and Easter eggs hidden throughout from all of our favorite Linde books. O. M. G. You don’t want to miss this one.
September 2, 2021
I love K.A. Linde and her books but this one missed the mark for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading it and it was decent but there were things I did not care for that happened in the book.
Let's start with what I liked. The premise of the book was interesting. The enemies to lovers trope is always a favorite of mine. There was this rivalry and competition between Derek and Marley that I enjoyed. That was probably the part I liked best. The high school to college competition and bet they had going on. They definitely had chemistry.
Now, onto the things I didn't like. I usually like the back and forth from present to past but the way this book was formatted felt choppy and it just left me more confused. There were various different times from her past and it felt like I had to remember exactly what had already happened. There were random characters throughout college that were not important to the storyline and various names thrown in the book that it felt like information overload.
The writing was decent. I did feel like there was a lot of explaining of previous characters in her other books so it could be read as a standalone. But I just found them repetitive. I thought the way Marley and Maddox adored their Grams was sweet but from the flashbacks she just seemed overly strict at times and then sweet the next. It seemed very contradicting. There were just some inconsistencies throughout that might have been because so much was happening in the past and present. There was one moment where she wasn't going to drink because she had to work or be at the lab the next day but she still ended up drinking. I might have misread it but it didn't make sense in my mind.
I also found the whole fight between Derek and Marley ridiculous. I didn't care for their reasons for breaking up or why she didn't care and might "hate" Derek. I say the hate in quotes because she really didn't hate him. It was like she couldn't resist Derek whenever she saw him throughout the years and would just repeat the same mistakes. I just found it repetitive and no growth in her character.
Overall, it was a decent read. I enjoy the moments where Derek and Marley were together. I liked seeing previous characters in this book. But it was not one of my favorite books by K.A. Linde. I'm still a fan and would definitely read her other books. I'm curious to read more about Josie and Maddox. I also feel like there might be something between Ash and Amelia.
Let's start with what I liked. The premise of the book was interesting. The enemies to lovers trope is always a favorite of mine. There was this rivalry and competition between Derek and Marley that I enjoyed. That was probably the part I liked best. The high school to college competition and bet they had going on. They definitely had chemistry.
Now, onto the things I didn't like. I usually like the back and forth from present to past but the way this book was formatted felt choppy and it just left me more confused. There were various different times from her past and it felt like I had to remember exactly what had already happened. There were random characters throughout college that were not important to the storyline and various names thrown in the book that it felt like information overload.
The writing was decent. I did feel like there was a lot of explaining of previous characters in her other books so it could be read as a standalone. But I just found them repetitive. I thought the way Marley and Maddox adored their Grams was sweet but from the flashbacks she just seemed overly strict at times and then sweet the next. It seemed very contradicting. There were just some inconsistencies throughout that might have been because so much was happening in the past and present. There was one moment where she wasn't going to drink because she had to work or be at the lab the next day but she still ended up drinking. I might have misread it but it didn't make sense in my mind.
I also found the whole fight between Derek and Marley ridiculous. I didn't care for their reasons for breaking up or why she didn't care and might "hate" Derek. I say the hate in quotes because she really didn't hate him. It was like she couldn't resist Derek whenever she saw him throughout the years and would just repeat the same mistakes. I just found it repetitive and no growth in her character.
Overall, it was a decent read. I enjoy the moments where Derek and Marley were together. I liked seeing previous characters in this book. But it was not one of my favorite books by K.A. Linde. I'm still a fan and would definitely read her other books. I'm curious to read more about Josie and Maddox. I also feel like there might be something between Ash and Amelia.
January 16, 2023
Imagine my surprise when I realize that this book is an offshoot of Hold the Forevers! The heroine in this story is Marley, Lila’s best friend, and here she has her own story of heartbreaks and second chances. KA Linde really killed it with this book! There are also mentions or cameos of loved characters from other books, so it felt like a class reunion of sorts, so lovely!
This story was a beautiful saga that comprised fifteen years of Marley and Derek loving each other but having bad luck staying together. It all started when they met, as high school students, Derek from an elite boys’ private school and Marley public school in Savannah. Derek was cocky and Markey snarky, so the playboy got bitten and rejected. The attraction was strong but something always happened. It felt so easy between them, they fit together so seamlessly, but most of the time Derek said something douchey and Marley took exception to what happened, or they hooked up and Derek didn’t want to get attached because he had goals and was leaving. I never saw a male character apologize so much!
The action took us all over, from Savannah, to North Carolina, to Boston, New York and back to Savannah. It felt like they would meet by serendipity, feel the attraction, have such a strong desire to be together, then wham! Something happened to separate them again. Eventually they get their HEA but not without a lot of frustration from the reader and a lot of yummy scenes from the characters. I could feel the love and the desire to be together but also felt that their time had not arrived yet.
Marley has a twin brother and together they inherited their Gram’s house; and they are being sued by their deadbeat mother who abandoned them as babies. Now she wants to steal their legacy and they are embroiled in a legal battle where Derek is also involved. There’s hate and there’s love between them, but for me, the hate was just frustration because they couldn’t be together.
It was such a wonderful angsty love story, and I loved that it revisited characters from other books. Once I started the book I couldn’t but it down, it was just so enthralling!
This story was a beautiful saga that comprised fifteen years of Marley and Derek loving each other but having bad luck staying together. It all started when they met, as high school students, Derek from an elite boys’ private school and Marley public school in Savannah. Derek was cocky and Markey snarky, so the playboy got bitten and rejected. The attraction was strong but something always happened. It felt so easy between them, they fit together so seamlessly, but most of the time Derek said something douchey and Marley took exception to what happened, or they hooked up and Derek didn’t want to get attached because he had goals and was leaving. I never saw a male character apologize so much!
The action took us all over, from Savannah, to North Carolina, to Boston, New York and back to Savannah. It felt like they would meet by serendipity, feel the attraction, have such a strong desire to be together, then wham! Something happened to separate them again. Eventually they get their HEA but not without a lot of frustration from the reader and a lot of yummy scenes from the characters. I could feel the love and the desire to be together but also felt that their time had not arrived yet.
Marley has a twin brother and together they inherited their Gram’s house; and they are being sued by their deadbeat mother who abandoned them as babies. Now she wants to steal their legacy and they are embroiled in a legal battle where Derek is also involved. There’s hate and there’s love between them, but for me, the hate was just frustration because they couldn’t be together.
It was such a wonderful angsty love story, and I loved that it revisited characters from other books. Once I started the book I couldn’t but it down, it was just so enthralling!
October 7, 2021
At about 50%, I realized that this book was the second book in a series. Oh, well, I wasn't going to read the first one anyways (it's a love triangle, and I hate those).
At First Hate was ok, I guess. But there were a few things that I really didn't like. For example:
a. There were a few sexist remarks. I remember, in Part I, that Marley thinks something like this: my friend should pay more attention to her boyfriend, he is so gorgeous, that some girl will probably steal him away. I mean, seriously? Beautiful people equals cheaters? And how come does it sound like it isn't the boy's fault if he cheats, as if he lacks self control?
b. Both main characters, Marley and Derek, went from hot to cold in a minute. At first, she hates him so much, but then, like two chapters after that, all that anger and hate simply disappears. Please, don't do that! Don't be angry in chapter 1, only to say in chapter 2 that everything is fine, and to go out in some sort of date in chapter 3! What is wrong with you, people!! (actually, it was more like, she was mad in chapter 1, but not anymore in chapter 4; the book is full of flashbacks).
c. I also didn't like how unethical is Derek's behavior in the present. As a lawyer, it bothered me way too much.
d. I didn't really like the rest of the characters, they didn't really contribute to the story. Also, given that the story is set in, like, 5 different timings, it got kind of confusing (there are friends of high school, friends of college, friends of postgrad, friends of Harvard... so, you see, lots of friends).
e. This one is a bit of a spoiler.
That's pretty much it. I'm fairly certain that I won't be reading any other book in this series, and probably will stay away from this author, at least for a while.
At First Hate was ok, I guess. But there were a few things that I really didn't like. For example:
a. There were a few sexist remarks. I remember, in Part I, that Marley thinks something like this: my friend should pay more attention to her boyfriend, he is so gorgeous, that some girl will probably steal him away. I mean, seriously? Beautiful people equals cheaters? And how come does it sound like it isn't the boy's fault if he cheats, as if he lacks self control?
b. Both main characters, Marley and Derek, went from hot to cold in a minute. At first, she hates him so much, but then, like two chapters after that, all that anger and hate simply disappears. Please, don't do that! Don't be angry in chapter 1, only to say in chapter 2 that everything is fine, and to go out in some sort of date in chapter 3! What is wrong with you, people!! (actually, it was more like, she was mad in chapter 1, but not anymore in chapter 4; the book is full of flashbacks).
c. I also didn't like how unethical is Derek's behavior in the present. As a lawyer, it bothered me way too much.
d. I didn't really like the rest of the characters, they didn't really contribute to the story. Also, given that the story is set in, like, 5 different timings, it got kind of confusing (there are friends of high school, friends of college, friends of postgrad, friends of Harvard... so, you see, lots of friends).
e. This one is a bit of a spoiler.
That's pretty much it. I'm fairly certain that I won't be reading any other book in this series, and probably will stay away from this author, at least for a while.
January 25, 2023
Although I enjoyed the push and pull between Mars and Derek, the constant flashbacks became confusing and annoying.
Way too many characters to keep track of and then to keep up with the past and present component, as well, soon became way too much for me!!!
Way too many characters to keep track of and then to keep up with the past and present component, as well, soon became way too much for me!!!
September 5, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the second book in a related series, but stands alone.
If you like books which slip backwards and forwards in time, then this is for you. I am generally not a great fan, as it takes a lot of skill to develop a character over time and so dealing with three points in time is particularly complicated. I thought Derek showed change over time, but Marley less so. Admittedly her upbringing by her grandparents had been carefully controlled, so that she did not become like her own mother. She is now a tenured professor who had taken a sabbatical to be with her beloved Gram, who sadly died before she had a chance. Now she has another task, to save the house with her twin brother, from her mother and aunt, who are keen to realise its value.
When it turns out that her nemesis from school, Derek is going to represent her mother, she cannot believe it. The chemistry between them however is strong, and the line between professional and personal is blurring. We learn more about how intense their pasts have been, which add depth to how they see things differently. In principle this could have led to more angst than it really did - but I enjoyed the push and pull between them and the reasons that they never made it before this time.
What I think worked very well was the use of nicknames, which flowed through the story, and sometimes were terms of endearment, but other times were a weapon. It was really clever how we learned which was which, and how powerful a word can be when wielded in anger, or in love.
Definitely a good read, with a very satisfying ending.
This is the second book in a related series, but stands alone.
If you like books which slip backwards and forwards in time, then this is for you. I am generally not a great fan, as it takes a lot of skill to develop a character over time and so dealing with three points in time is particularly complicated. I thought Derek showed change over time, but Marley less so. Admittedly her upbringing by her grandparents had been carefully controlled, so that she did not become like her own mother. She is now a tenured professor who had taken a sabbatical to be with her beloved Gram, who sadly died before she had a chance. Now she has another task, to save the house with her twin brother, from her mother and aunt, who are keen to realise its value.
When it turns out that her nemesis from school, Derek is going to represent her mother, she cannot believe it. The chemistry between them however is strong, and the line between professional and personal is blurring. We learn more about how intense their pasts have been, which add depth to how they see things differently. In principle this could have led to more angst than it really did - but I enjoyed the push and pull between them and the reasons that they never made it before this time.
What I think worked very well was the use of nicknames, which flowed through the story, and sometimes were terms of endearment, but other times were a weapon. It was really clever how we learned which was which, and how powerful a word can be when wielded in anger, or in love.
Definitely a good read, with a very satisfying ending.
August 26, 2021
I love all things K.A. Linde, and I love a small town enemies to lovers romance, so of course I adored everything about this book! At First Hate made me irritated, made me blush, made me swoon, and made me completely fall in love with Marley and Derek!
Marley and Derek have quite the complicated history. They seem to love each other one minute, and hate each other the next. Their attraction is magnetic, and they always seem to find each other wherever they are. Their on and off again relationship is explored in this book through various flashbacks starting with their relationship in high school, (Private and Public schools) to college (UNC vs. Duke), to graduate school together at Harvard, and then finally to present day. (Savannah, GA) I especially love the chapters about their time at UNC and Duke because this rivalry is so real, and being a Carolina girl myself, I made so many connections! You can't help but to fall in love with Marley and Derek, however their timing to be together has never worked out until Marley finds herself back in Savannah after her beloved Gran passed. Will these two finally get it right this time, or will something else stand in their way.
Emma Wilder narrates this audio, and she is perfection as Marley! Emma is super talented, and I adored the way she portrayed Marley's passionate, determined, and fierce personality. I loved that Marley knew what she wanted to be in life and went for it! Emma's performance just drew me in and left me completely consumed in all things Marley and Derek. Plus, I always love her gravelly, sexy male voice! Joe Arden performs the epilogue as Derek, and is his charming, swoon-worthy self!
Overall, I loved everything about this story and audiobook! I always look forward to more from K.A. Linde!
Marley and Derek have quite the complicated history. They seem to love each other one minute, and hate each other the next. Their attraction is magnetic, and they always seem to find each other wherever they are. Their on and off again relationship is explored in this book through various flashbacks starting with their relationship in high school, (Private and Public schools) to college (UNC vs. Duke), to graduate school together at Harvard, and then finally to present day. (Savannah, GA) I especially love the chapters about their time at UNC and Duke because this rivalry is so real, and being a Carolina girl myself, I made so many connections! You can't help but to fall in love with Marley and Derek, however their timing to be together has never worked out until Marley finds herself back in Savannah after her beloved Gran passed. Will these two finally get it right this time, or will something else stand in their way.
Emma Wilder narrates this audio, and she is perfection as Marley! Emma is super talented, and I adored the way she portrayed Marley's passionate, determined, and fierce personality. I loved that Marley knew what she wanted to be in life and went for it! Emma's performance just drew me in and left me completely consumed in all things Marley and Derek. Plus, I always love her gravelly, sexy male voice! Joe Arden performs the epilogue as Derek, and is his charming, swoon-worthy self!
Overall, I loved everything about this story and audiobook! I always look forward to more from K.A. Linde!
September 4, 2021
At First Hate by K.A. Linde is a love story truly spreading across the ages and spaces. This soulful love story grows as the characters do. So many emotions. So many ups and downs. And still they end up together after a heartaching journey.
Marley aka Mars has come to her home town for the final rites of her grandmother who is everything to her. She is grieving and the last thing she needs is Derek Ballantine at the door of her grandmother's house, with legal papers informing that her good for nothing mother and aunt are contesting her grandmother's will. Derek and Marley has a long history of romance and heartbreak. And the time was never right. Is it their final chance? Or is it the final goodbye?
This story goes back and forth in time as it tracks Marley and Derek through high school, college and present time. Marley was the sassy and sweet girl with smarts who didn't fall at feet of rich and gorgeous Derek. And that was first a challenge to him that later became the fascination. They were enemies and then friends and then enemies and then lovers and then enemies..so on and so forth. Their chemistry is nuclear hot but hearts have issues. They both had highly demanding and ambitious career and their emotions always clashed. Derek wasn't ready for a final step and he hurt Marley over the years and when he was ready, Marley isn't ready to give in. It was a beautiful rollercoaster with an amazing range of emotions. The story has an enormous caste of secondary characters and I admit, I was lost many times. Also the story is told from Marley's POV and I feel seeing some parts from Derek's POV was necessary.
At First Hate by K.A.Linde grabbed my attention with the unique storytelling, great characters and deep emotions.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Marley aka Mars has come to her home town for the final rites of her grandmother who is everything to her. She is grieving and the last thing she needs is Derek Ballantine at the door of her grandmother's house, with legal papers informing that her good for nothing mother and aunt are contesting her grandmother's will. Derek and Marley has a long history of romance and heartbreak. And the time was never right. Is it their final chance? Or is it the final goodbye?
This story goes back and forth in time as it tracks Marley and Derek through high school, college and present time. Marley was the sassy and sweet girl with smarts who didn't fall at feet of rich and gorgeous Derek. And that was first a challenge to him that later became the fascination. They were enemies and then friends and then enemies and then lovers and then enemies..so on and so forth. Their chemistry is nuclear hot but hearts have issues. They both had highly demanding and ambitious career and their emotions always clashed. Derek wasn't ready for a final step and he hurt Marley over the years and when he was ready, Marley isn't ready to give in. It was a beautiful rollercoaster with an amazing range of emotions. The story has an enormous caste of secondary characters and I admit, I was lost many times. Also the story is told from Marley's POV and I feel seeing some parts from Derek's POV was necessary.
At First Hate by K.A.Linde grabbed my attention with the unique storytelling, great characters and deep emotions.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
September 3, 2021
***ARC Provided by the Author***
4.5 Stars
Oh, K. A. Linde does so enjoy torturing us readers...and it's a good thing, as I enjoy being tortured by her books.
Marley and Derek have known one another since high school, where his reputation caused her issues and started their feud...which was less of a feud than it was neither of them wanting the other to be with anyone else, while being afraid to admit that they wanted to be together.
I loved both of these characters and I especially loved how Linde let them be human and even cruel. Yes, Derek was cruel, it was intentional, and it took me a while to forgive him, just like it took Marley some time. But I also think, for the story to work, that he had to be cruel, even though it broke my heart right along with Marley's.
So much about this book worked and worked well. It draws you in, you care, you feel for the characters and you feel their emotions. You really can't ask for much more.
The glimpses of other characters from other stories was a lot of fun, and poor Ash... please give him his own story. I want to see him happy.
This is the 2nd in the series and while it's a complete standalone, the backstory of a couple of the supporting characters gives a lot of depth to this one, and I recommend reading the first of the series before this title.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
4.5 Stars
Oh, K. A. Linde does so enjoy torturing us readers...and it's a good thing, as I enjoy being tortured by her books.
Marley and Derek have known one another since high school, where his reputation caused her issues and started their feud...which was less of a feud than it was neither of them wanting the other to be with anyone else, while being afraid to admit that they wanted to be together.
I loved both of these characters and I especially loved how Linde let them be human and even cruel. Yes, Derek was cruel, it was intentional, and it took me a while to forgive him, just like it took Marley some time. But I also think, for the story to work, that he had to be cruel, even though it broke my heart right along with Marley's.
So much about this book worked and worked well. It draws you in, you care, you feel for the characters and you feel their emotions. You really can't ask for much more.
The glimpses of other characters from other stories was a lot of fun, and poor Ash... please give him his own story. I want to see him happy.
This is the 2nd in the series and while it's a complete standalone, the backstory of a couple of the supporting characters gives a lot of depth to this one, and I recommend reading the first of the series before this title.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
August 30, 2021
*ARC provided for an honest review*
At First Hate is an enemies to lovers, second chance and small town romance that I absolutely enjoyed…even if it put me through so many emotions!
The blurb really caught my attention so I was excited to receive an early copy!! Derek and Marley have an insane history together. So many ups and downs, desire and heartbreak that has pushed them to be apart, now having one last chance to do things right in the present. I really liked the way this book was written. The chapters go by the different times (then/now) of their lives and present time. It made connecting with the characters easy and feeling for them whenever something happened. Derek and Marley’s chemistry is absolutely everything!! All their moments together were interesting and I couldn’t stop reading.
This book brought out all the emotions for me and I loved that. Derek and Marley’s story was written really well. I loved the cameos from other characters in previous books!! I also enjoyed the side characters and how intriguing they were. All in all this was an enjoyable read with characters whose love was worth giving another chance.
At First Hate is an enemies to lovers, second chance and small town romance that I absolutely enjoyed…even if it put me through so many emotions!
The blurb really caught my attention so I was excited to receive an early copy!! Derek and Marley have an insane history together. So many ups and downs, desire and heartbreak that has pushed them to be apart, now having one last chance to do things right in the present. I really liked the way this book was written. The chapters go by the different times (then/now) of their lives and present time. It made connecting with the characters easy and feeling for them whenever something happened. Derek and Marley’s chemistry is absolutely everything!! All their moments together were interesting and I couldn’t stop reading.
This book brought out all the emotions for me and I loved that. Derek and Marley’s story was written really well. I loved the cameos from other characters in previous books!! I also enjoyed the side characters and how intriguing they were. All in all this was an enjoyable read with characters whose love was worth giving another chance.
September 6, 2021
4 star Review of At First Hate (Coastal Chronicles #2) by K.A. Linde
At First Hate is a second chance, enemies to lovers story about Marley and Derek. Told predominantly from Marley’s point of view, it spans approximately ten years. It is a story that is told in the past and the present and I admit that at times I was lost. I felt as though I was watching a tennis match, turning each way continuously.
There was a great deal of angst reading this book as it follows Marley and Derek from high school, through the ups and downs of their love and hate. I was frustrated with both characters at times and wanted to slap some sense into them. Marley is from the wrong side of the tracks, whilst Derek is from a wealthy family . Can these two put aside the past and in doing so find happiness together or are they destined to remain apart?
There is no denying the chemistry that sizzles between Marley and Derek but is there more to build a relationship on? Both characters thankfully grow a lot throughout the story. At First Hate was well written and I was on the edge of my seat whilst reading. The push and pull of their relationship will test you whilst reading, I know it did me.
At First Hate is a second chance, enemies to lovers story about Marley and Derek. Told predominantly from Marley’s point of view, it spans approximately ten years. It is a story that is told in the past and the present and I admit that at times I was lost. I felt as though I was watching a tennis match, turning each way continuously.
There was a great deal of angst reading this book as it follows Marley and Derek from high school, through the ups and downs of their love and hate. I was frustrated with both characters at times and wanted to slap some sense into them. Marley is from the wrong side of the tracks, whilst Derek is from a wealthy family . Can these two put aside the past and in doing so find happiness together or are they destined to remain apart?
There is no denying the chemistry that sizzles between Marley and Derek but is there more to build a relationship on? Both characters thankfully grow a lot throughout the story. At First Hate was well written and I was on the edge of my seat whilst reading. The push and pull of their relationship will test you whilst reading, I know it did me.
September 11, 2021
Two words: DEREK BALLENTINE
« Derek Ballentine could very easily be the most addictive substance on the planet. »
I devoured this story and I want more words… I want to know what’s next for Josie and Amelia!
I LOVED THIS STORY TO MARS AND BACK!!!
Derek and Mars story is kismet!
The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty
The ways KA Linde wrote a story that is absolutely stunning and her writing is so full of emotion. You. Feel. Everything and GOSH…. Emotional rollercoaster!!
KA Linde showed us that being in love is not pain free , she showed us that the truest about love is that you have no control over it. Minivan thought she could choose who she loved but she couldn’t hide from love or ignore it.
You will fall in love with Mars and Derek and it won't take long before you feel like you have known them your whole life.
All the secondary characters are endearing and play a key role in the story.
Gran is my favourite and I’m definitely going to try to make Sidecars.
One kiss changed everything.
“You’re always the upgrade, Mars,”
KA Linde is a master at capturing the infinite small heartbreaks of love and loss and grief.
A must read
« Derek Ballentine could very easily be the most addictive substance on the planet. »
I devoured this story and I want more words… I want to know what’s next for Josie and Amelia!
I LOVED THIS STORY TO MARS AND BACK!!!
Derek and Mars story is kismet!
The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty
The ways KA Linde wrote a story that is absolutely stunning and her writing is so full of emotion. You. Feel. Everything and GOSH…. Emotional rollercoaster!!
KA Linde showed us that being in love is not pain free , she showed us that the truest about love is that you have no control over it. Minivan thought she could choose who she loved but she couldn’t hide from love or ignore it.
You will fall in love with Mars and Derek and it won't take long before you feel like you have known them your whole life.
All the secondary characters are endearing and play a key role in the story.
Gran is my favourite and I’m definitely going to try to make Sidecars.
One kiss changed everything.
“You’re always the upgrade, Mars,”
KA Linde is a master at capturing the infinite small heartbreaks of love and loss and grief.
A must read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews