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Hating You

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New school. New Hell. New bully.

Samuel has barely been at school a day when the resident bad boy makes it known how much he hates Samuel.

He’s determined to make Samuel’s life hell.

But what he doesn’t know about Samuel is that he gives as good as he gets. And Hunter Reil might have finally met his match. Because Samuel’s not going down easy.

If there's one thing Samuel's good at, it's fighting. And he'll fight back until he literally can't fight anymore.

**Please read the trigger warnings located at the front of the book before reading!

***Previously published as a Hunter’s Target and Samuel’s Darkness. The two books have been combined into this one.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2022

42 people are currently reading
980 people want to read

About the author

West Greene

97 books324 followers
West Greene is a romance author that specializes in short, steamy books and erotic shorts.

All your instalove needs can be found in one of her books, whether you're looking for possessive men, men with no morals, spicy FF romance, a boy just needing his Daddy, a twink just needing love, or even the other woman to get her HEA.

West Greene refuses to be stuck in one trope or type of romance. She loves variety, and she's definitely going to share that variety with her readers.

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5 stars
139 (21%)
4 stars
145 (21%)
3 stars
198 (30%)
2 stars
108 (16%)
1 star
70 (10%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for CC.
243 reviews13 followers
April 25, 2024
DNF 60%

Horrible writing. No plot. I just couldn’t make myself finish it. I haven’t read a book this dismal in a long time…
Profile Image for readingwithmiaa.
273 reviews68 followers
October 29, 2024
2.5⭐️
2.5🌶️



Y’all This Was Just……… I Honestly Don’t Know How To Day This. This Was Fine But Really REALLY Mediocre At Best. But It Did Keep Me Entertained So 2.5 Stars For That🫶💕
Profile Image for ⋆。°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°。⋆.
1,185 reviews235 followers
January 3, 2024


This was a really nice surprise for me. I don't know this author and I'm always down for a bully trope, so I gave it a shot and I have to say the energy of this book was just doing it for me. I'm still smiling. Have no idea why! I just loved these characters and their story.

🔵 Bully trope
🟢 Both MMCs seniors, almost 18
🟡 Gay/not openly gay at school (but open at home)
🔴 Neglect because of being gay
🟣 Heartwarming love story
🌶️ Some spice, a lot off-page (but good); vers

This story can be read in two parts as a duet or this book alone. It's about Samuel, a high school senior who came out to his religious parents at 13 and has been treated like garbage ever since. He's not being fed properly, he's being ignored, he's being bullied by his older brother and blamed for anything that goes wrong inside the house. The part with food really got me, because this guy doesn't get breakfast, lunch money, if he says anything the parents don't like he doesn't get dinner, so he's very, very skinny, almost looking anorexic.

He transfers to a new school, where he meets Hunter, the guy the whole school's afraid of. Nobody knows he went to juvie because he almost beat a guy to death for raping one of their cheerleaders, everyone just knows Hunter's not the one to mess with.

Samuel's attracted to him. Of course he is. Hunter's a jock, he's ripped and hot, but to keep his attraction to Samuel at bay, Hunter starts bullying him, he's doing whatever he can not to get close to him.

"I frowned as I stared down at Samuel, waiting for him to move. Fucker had been taking the god damn tackles and hits like a fucking champ. I hadn't expected it, and I hated that I was even more attracted to him for it."

When Hunter and Samuel share a kiss and Samuel realises Hunter's gay, they start seeing each other in secret. Their chemistry is amazing, they go from being enemies to two guys that really fit. Hunter not only takes care of Samuel, he's offering a big shoulder to lean on. He's letting Samuel know he's not alone in whatever's going on in his life. As emotionally distraught and exhausted as Samuel is, he's moved and touched by Hunter's support, especially considering Hunter's not out at school - and he's going to be, because he doesn't want to hide Samuel and them being together.

"Surprise took over as well as longing - a longing that fucking gutted me. It wasn't a sexual longing; it was the kind of longing a man got when he'd been fighting on his own for far too long. He just wantred someone to truly give a fuck."



These guys just have my heart. Especially Samuel, he's been through so, so much and his familly won't let him be, but at the same time won't let him go find happiness anywhere else, because he doesn't deserve it, in their minds. They're completely vile and when Samuel actually gets kicked out at 18 with no money, nowhere to go and hardly being able to pass his grade, Hunter's there to have his back.

Hunter comes out to his friends and to school, they both come to school as a couple and Samuel starts living with Hunter and his family. They find a way to stay together after high school and in the epilogue Samuel graduates, happy with Hunter and with full support of his family.

The only thing that was missing here was more of the on-page smut. We get a few spicy scenes, but not nearly enough for my taste - and I know, the author wanted to focus more on the story itself, I completely get it, but we're told these two have a crazy sex life, so of course I want to read all about it. Even so, the emotional side is there and it's wonderful.



I hope this book gets another looking into, because I feel we didn't really get that proper ending here, it's more of a HFN. I'd really like to know more about how life is treating them, at least another longer epilogue would be amazing.

Absolutely loved these two.❤️
Profile Image for Anna.
210 reviews7 followers
December 12, 2022
Quick spicy read

Really enjoyed hunter and Samuel's story. I was too short that's forsure I could probably read a few books about those two. There are quite a few TW's so read those at beginning of book. It could have used a bit more editing some of the wording was off but the story was really good.
Profile Image for Jessica.
239 reviews3 followers
November 30, 2025
You know what? I don't care that this was a novella, a bully romance and that the story was kinda whatever. I just love it when one man takes good care of a damaged man with a horrendous, homophobic family that never knew kindness 💗
Profile Image for Courtney Washburn.
84 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2023
I DNFed at 89%. Yes, I did this with 11% left & the novella is only 180 pages. I just could not make myself finish the story.

The cussing was too much & I curse like a sailor at times. You can only use the word “f*ck” sometimes in different ways before you’re tired of seeing it. I get Samuel is angry & has every right to be but damn.

Another problem I had was Samuel went unconscious at school & they had a student pick him up to take him to the nurse. That would NEVER happen. EMS would have been called. Would Samuel’s parents cared their kid was hurt?Probably not but that whole scene was completely unrealistic.

There is drama in stories then there is taking it too far. This novella went too far. The whole last 1/4 of the book between Samuel & his family was too over the top. It seemed like the author was just throwing stuff into the story just to make it so. It could have stopped with them wanting Samuel to leave the home. Got it. Move on.

There was no chemistry between Samuel & Hunter. Not at one point do we really see them get to know each other. One minute it is lust then next part Samuel is telling Hunter his own backstory.

Not worth the price on Kindle Unlimited by any means. Save it your money.
Profile Image for lou.
70 reviews
September 25, 2023
This was so rushed and I feel like the author wanted to put as much drama into this book as possible? If it was maybe two to three hundred pages longer and the plot would develop slower I think I would’ve actually liked this book a lot.
Profile Image for Alex.
190 reviews9 followers
April 19, 2024
This is my second read from West Greene and honestly - I am happy I gave this author another shot.
Was this book the best I ever read? No.
Was it enjoyable for what it was? Yeah.

This book is cheesy, definitely rushed in terms of plot and the characters at times had me setting the book down out of secondhand embarrassment/cringe. But the story itself is like a warm hug, it's like you took a longer version of a novel and cut out all the boring/slow/intense character development parts. And are just left with all your favorite fun/interesting moments. For better *and* worse, that how I've come characterize Greene's writing as a whole.

Definitely give this a shot if the concept interests you, just have fun with it and keep expectations for a groundbreaking novel low.

As a side note - I loved how supportive Hunter's friends were. I was worried they were going to be a problem but turns out they were just true ride or dies; supporting Hunter in everything he does good and bad. I loved to see it.
Profile Image for Gabrielle.
138 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2024
3.7 stars


I saw this book being recommended on TikTok. I thought for sure it would be angsty, despite not being a long book. While it kept me interested from beginning to end, I felt… I’m not really sure. It was fast-paced. Hunter went from being a classic A-hole to suddenly this soft and caring person. Samuel deserved so much better than the hell he was put through. Why didn’t he tell what his parents were doing? It made zero sense that he would be locked up again for staying with another family. So much was unrealistic for the sake of Samuel to go through more hell than happiness. Then they wanted him back at the house just to kick him out like a week or two later. There were also confusing parts that made no sense considering what was stated before. I do understand this is fiction, so maybe the author just wanted to write a fictional book vs. a realistic one.
Profile Image for mah1.
463 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2022
I hate to say this, but this book was badly written.

The flow was all over the place, the turns of phrases were weird (Brad was Samuel’s older brother of two years and Hunter was able to keep his sexuality out of school) and everything went by like a bullet train.

Every other word was fuck, the insanity of Samuel’s family was too much for me (and even though they gave im no food, he had a working phone) and I was unable to feel the love / connection / hate between the main characters.

I’m not saying this book can’t be enjoyable reading for some. There is drama and angst for those who enjoy them and it is a short story.

Maybe it just reminded me too much of Surviving Elite High.
Profile Image for Mitchell Dufrin.
198 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2024
“Hating You” by West Greene

“I could have you begging on your knees for me”

“Samual,” I said quietly, “you wear his fucking collar well.”

For a bully MM romance, holy crap is all I have to say. I saw this book on TikTok and had to buy it right then and there. Short novella, one day read easy. I could not put the book down! Let me tell you the beef turned romance between Sam and Hunter. Holy crap. Bad boy Hunter a bad boy because he’s just something else but damn he has a heart of gold. Sam, god Sam my heart broke over and over again when it came to his personal life, his family is terrible, they are just terrible. There are trigger warnings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏳️‍🌈
Profile Image for Julie.
1,143 reviews4 followers
November 24, 2024
enemy to lovers high school romance

This was an emotional book as It involves bad parenting, homophobia, homelessness and years of abuse. Both mcs are in their final year of high school. One has suffered years of mental and physical abuse from his brother and parents and then starts to get bullied yet gain when they move to a new school.

The other mc is actually gay but hides it from his friends until a new boy starts at the school and his attraction is too strong to ignore.

They fight for each other and are supportive of each other finally getting their hea.
23 reviews
June 6, 2023
Only need one person to believe

This was a fantastic read. Poor Samuel had been put through so much in his life from those who should have had his back. This book shows us not all family is blood. I couldn't put it down, was heavy on angst, but throughout the whole book you have hope for a better future. The worst thing about the book was a quick read, would like to spend more time with Sam and Hunter.
Profile Image for Annissa Owens.
91 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2023
Bully to Lovers Romance. Samuel has had a horrible life since coming out to his parents, when he first meets Hunter he already knows what to expect. What he doesn’t expect is that his bully will end up being his protector and lover. My only complaint is that the story wasn’t longer. This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be reading more.
21 reviews
March 17, 2024
Love this book it's a must read !!!!

I love this book. I read alot about 2 books a day and I recommend them to people who love to read and this one is in my top 5 I love how he comes from a broken hom and thinks it's him against the world but finding love makes him see the brighter side of life.
423 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2025
I really enjoyed seeing how much these guys cared for each other, once they got past caring what anyone else thought. I also loved how much stronger they are together especially being in a gay relationship in front of the world. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance stories with some homophobia issues that are dealt with correctly. Thanks
134 reviews
December 27, 2025
The only reason I finished it is because it's a novella and so short.

It honestly reads like an outline than an actual story.

Theres minimal plot, no flow, an over use of phrases and the F word the spice is terrible and there's zero character development.

Normally I'm nicer but this has to be my worst read of 2025.
11 reviews
December 12, 2022
It was 🔥

I saw the one star review and had to read it, I liked it alot. The writing was good, there was chemistry between Hunter and Sam from the start and even though it was a short book it didnt feel rushed. Worth the read😈👍
8 reviews
July 25, 2023
This book was ok! The characters and the plot had a good baseline. However, I felt like a lot of the story was rushed. I would have loved it to be longer in some areas so that there was more angst before the reward of good things happening. It is a good read if you want a quick mm romance!
Profile Image for Pixie 🧚‍♂️ Dust ✨.
30 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2023
Pretty good read. Definitely read the TW’s first, this is the first book I’ve read from the author and I enjoyed it. It ended the way it should have for sure, no cliffhangers and the spice was at a 3/5 for me. Quick read-read it in an afternoon. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Ainura.
176 reviews
July 31, 2024
1.5*
I think the author has potential, but unfortunately I don't think this book was ready to be published. There was a lot of repetition in sentences and the language was very weak. Hopefully, with some time and practice, the author can hone their skills.
Profile Image for Sammy Standing.
449 reviews5 followers
May 26, 2025
I absolutely devoured this audiobook in one sitting, I did enjoy this book and enjoyed these characters. I really felt for Samuel throughout this story, he really suffered and I absolutely loved the HEA.
22 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2023
don't even bother reading this lol. the pacing is off, the writing is off, it reads very much like a 12-year-old girl's wattpad story from 2014. can't believe i wasted my money on this.
Profile Image for Veronica.
219 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2023
incredibly poor writing and writing skills
7 reviews
August 1, 2023
I can’t even believe this got published. I’ve read better written/paced novels on wattpad.
4 reviews
September 4, 2023
Just Bad

It started off bad, continued to get worse, and ended awfully. The charters just made life altering decisions with no hit of development. It’s just awful
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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