# The Hating Game

By Sally Thorne

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-hating-game-c0110854/

A publishing merger leaves executive assistants Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman working opposite each other. A promotion could make either the other’s boss, and Lucy’s determination to win gets harder to explain once she starts wanting Joshua’s attention for different reasons.

## What makes it funny?

Lucy and Joshua give everyday office hostility rules and names: they stare, mirror each other and turn HR into another contest. Kirkus singles out Lucy’s private commentary and Joshua’s sharp replies; readers in book groups especially enjoy their workplace sparring.

### The comedy at work

Each exchange invites another attempt to score a point. Once attraction enters the rivalry, Lucy has to interpret the same behavior as a possible insult, a competitive tactic or flirting.

### Try this if…

Readers who enjoy prickly office romances with persistent verbal sparring have plenty to follow here. Book-group readers also describe returning to its light, sweet romance as a comfort read.

### Good to know

The romance has sexual heat. Some readers found Lucy immature or irritating, and others felt the story was too predictable.

## What to expect

- Genre: Romance
- On the shelf: Contemporary romance · Romantic comedy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Situational comedy
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Format: Novel
- Length: 384 pages
- Audiobook: 12 hr 18 min
- Published: 2016

## Questions readers ask

### Is the book worth reading before watching the movie?

Readers recommend reading it before the film and say they found the book funnier.

## Sources & further reading

- Book information: [The Hating Game audiobook by Sally Thorne, Apple Books](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-hating-game/id1441491457)
- Library catalog: [The Hating Game audiobook by Sally Thorne, OverDrive / Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative](https://hcplc.overdrive.com/library/audiobooks/media/2559799)
- Author commentary: [The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, author website](https://www.sallythorneauthor.com/the-hating-game)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sally-thorne/the-hating-game)
- Author commentary: [Author: synopsis and edition](https://www.sallythorneauthor.com/the-hating-game)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/bookrecommendations/permalink/6823076581100430)