I loved everything about this book the dogs as part of the story was super sweet. Spencer's meeting with Ruby was sweet. Ruby seems like the kind of friend I want helpful, kind, and just a good person willing to help her friends.

A charming dual perspective enemies to lovers romance set in the world of competitive dog shows. This was a fun, quick read with a bit of steam, quirky characters and twin brothers. Recommended for fans of Accidental beauty queen. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes you just need to read a stupidly cute book, and this was adorable and ridiculous and fun. A love story centered around a golden retriever and a dog show? Say no more. Reading this was a blast; I adored Ruby and her drive and I loved watching her grow into herself over the course of the book. Caleb, too, was an unexpected plus of the book--he was just an interesting and fun character with both charm and hidden depth, and here's me not-subtly wishing for a sequel starring him. In general, I did really like Spencer, but his inferiority complex got on my nerves sometimes; however, I really liked how the author dealt with it and how the people who loved Spencer forced him to face it.

As for the audiobook itself, it was just so so well done. Romances are always perfect for audiobooks, in my humble opinion, and this was a great example of that. Both narrators were excellent and I always looked forward to my next drive so I could listen to more. I particularly appreciated that there were two narrators; when there are point of view changes, it really helps so much when the narrator changes too, so this was perfect. Sometimes, I get annoyed by some of the voices narrators give to characters, but even when voicing the other characters' dialogues, I had none of those problems here.

Overall, whether in audiobook form or not, I Hate You More was a cute, fun, and quick little romance read and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley for sharing an early copy of this audiobook. Both narrators are wonderful, and I thought it was a great choice to have a different narrator for Ruby and Spencer’s POVs.

This is probably more of a 3.5⭐️ book, but i’m rounding up because I had fun reading this adorable, puppy-filled rom-com. I HATE YOU MORE is a fun contemporary romance between an uptight dog show judge and the former pageant queen competing in his contest (with a lazy, unqualified golden retriever, of course). Due to the main couple’s dynamic, I would recommend this read to fans of Tessa Bailey’s IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER.

Tropes and high points include:
-The grumpy/sunshine dynamic
-Idiots-to-lovers (enemies-to-lovers lite™️)
-Himbo golden retrievers
-Cute kids and soft puppies
-Lovable side characters
-Two excellent steamy scenes
-Strong solo character arcs for both POVs

My main qualm with this book was how the main character Ruby lied to Spencer about something and it wasn’t addressed until the third act break up near the end. Because this was supposed to be a love story about Ruby accepting love as she is, this on-going white lie made some interactions between our lead couple feel less genuine. I was ultimately rooting for them and enjoyed how Ruby and Spencer brought out the best in one another, but I think this plot line could have been executed better.

Additionally, that there could have been more tension in the first half of the book as the pair went from enemies/rivals to lovers. I appreciate that they always had mutual respect for each other, but the transition between I-am-at-war-with-this-person and I’m-crushing-on-this-person happens QUITE FAST for both leads. Hence, this is why I (kindly) deem this an idiots-to-lovers story more so than enemies-to-lovers.

That said, I still had a great time reading this soft, cozy rom-com. I loved how often dogs and puppies played a part in I HATE YOU MORE. I did overall really enjoy rooting for Ruby and Spencer as a couple.

Enemies to lovers trope, a dog show, twin brothers, a former beauty queen, a disobedient dog, many competitions, and a few small lies. What more could you want in a rom com? I listened to this one as my walking book and got a few strange looks as I giggled. I must admit I’m usually a thriller reader, but I do love a good rom com and this one was a good one.

Ruby meets Caleb and Spencer as she tries to add the dog of one of the nursing home residents where she works to a dog show. And as you’d expect in a romcom, the sparks fly. Caleb hits on her and Spencer tries to block the entry. There's a little bit of who will Ruby end up with at the start of the book, but that quickly melts away.

This was a fun listen. I always knew where the book was headed, but enjoyed the journey. As narrators, Alex Knox and Macy Sterling just added to the fun. The book loses just a little bit of its playfulness at the end, but not enough to stop you from listening. And just so we’re clear, while this one isn’t too steamy, it is a little spicier than a Hallmark movie.

I really think this one will be enjoyable to anyone who loves a fun romcom.

This book has a feisty former beauty queen, a pair of handsome twins, an adorable yet lazy dog, steamy sexual tension, and a group of snarky elderly ladies; what more could you want in a book?

Ruby is our former beauty queen turned nursing assistant at a home for the elderly. She is tired of everyone looking at her and deciding that she only can get by with her looks. One of the elderly ladies at work, manipulates her into her entering a not quite purebred Golden Retriever into the local dog show for her, and there we meet one of our handsome twins. Spencer is a grumpy veterinarian who holds the local dog show every year and is one of the judges. Caleb is part two of our twin set, and he is a dog trainer. Something that Ruby desperatly needs if she has any chance of getting this dog through the show.

First, I loved the two narrators of the audiobook. They were each engaging and enjoyable to listen to. The book itself was very fun and had great characters. I loved Ruby's snark, and Caleb's charm. There were so many funny moments in this book. Between the poor dog who is overweight and has no interest in being a showdog, Spencer and his competiveness with his brother, and Ruby's insistence of seeing the dog show through to its end; ther were a lot of madcap moments that were laugh out loud worthy. There were also great moments of personal growth among all of the characters, and of course amazing chemistry.

I loved everything about this book and would recommend it to anyone!

Thanks so much to Dreamscape media for supplying me with an advanced copy of the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Very fun and enjoyable romcom audiobook! I love the grumpy/sunshine trope - add it some cute dogs and a meddling old lady with good intentions for the win. Ruby is asked to enter a Wheezy into a dog show but he is disobedient, overweight and likely not a pure-bred dog. When she meets Spencer, the dog show manager, who doubts her and Wheezy, she is determined to give it her all. They have instant chemistry but their competitive natures lead to some banter and fun scenes between them. Overall, a fun read and I’d loved the side characters and would love to see more with this group.

Thank you @NetGalley and @DreamscapeMedia for the opportunity to read and review this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
This was so cute! I loved this book a lot and I feel like it has a ton of potential to get really popular. It has a ton of super cute tropes like forced proximity, judge x competitor, and grumpy sunshine. Wheezy was super cute and I found the romance to be really natural. It was the perfect amount of slow burn and I couldn't help but root for the main characters to get together. Overall, this was a super fun read and I'd recommend it to romance readers who are fans of the tropes and writing style popular right now. Specifically, if you liked Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer, this book is super similar and I feel like you'll like it as well.

📖 Book review 📖

I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore
4 ⭐️

Ruby, an ex beauty pageant contestant is basically forced to enter in her residents chubby, misbehaving dog into a prestige dog show. One of the judges, Spencer, quickly becomes an “enemy” to her but they obviously both are attracted to each other. Ruby and Spencer have their own insecurities as to why they don’t want to give in at first but they soon start to have a cute little relationship! If you like enemies to lovers, spicy romance, and dogs, you’ll love this adorable novel! Comes out November 2nd!

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did unfortunately. The audio was great & I loved the dual perspective voiced by a female & male narrator. However, the book just fell a little flat for me. It seemed like it was enemies to lovers but with an insta-love flavor thrown in that just wasn’t for me. Wheezy the dog was adorable however & I think for the right person this book would easily be 5 stars, just sadly not for me.

This was good! I really enjoyed it.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my gifted audiobook.

What I Loved-

*The Audio- I Hate You More is narrated by two narrators.
Alex Knox (Spencer ) and Macy Sterling (Ruby).
This was my first time hearing either of these narrators and I think they did a fantastic job.
With a book that is told in dual perspective with a male and female lead I appreciate that two narrators were used.
Alex Knox and Macy Sterling entertained me and kept me engaged in the story.
This book was an easy listen. I was able to listen and multitask effortlessly.

*The Cover- The cover of this book is adorable. A+ for marketing!

*The Characters- I enjoyed all of the characters.
I loved how feisty and determined Ruby was to win the dog show.
I enjoyed Spencer and loved that he was a vet.
I was rooting for Wheezy!
If I had to pick a fave it would be Ruby.

*The Steam- This romance had the perfect amount of steam. I would categorize I Hate You More as a sweet and spicy romance.

Where This Book Lost a Star-

*The Conflict and Ending- I absolutely hated the conflict. I cannot relate to pretty people problems but also there is the fact that Ruby was lying to Spencer through out this whole book. When it is revealed he immediately forgives her but she can't forgive him for something that she is triggered by. I'm trying not to spoil anything. It was just frustrating.

Overall- Recommend. I'll definitely be reading more by this author.

✨I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore✨

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Strangers to Enemies to Lovers
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Steam Rating: 🥵🥵🥵
📚: 272 Pages
🗓Release Date: November 2nd, 2021
📖: 89th read of 2021


🐶a grumpy dog show judge
🐶a determined former beauty queen
🐶a Golden Retriever more interested in stealing bacon than winning Best in Show
🐶Quirky nursing home gals

Ruby Taylor walked away from the parent circuit a decade ago, we find her working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, friendly with the residents content with life. That is until her favorite resident asks her to enter he beloved, yet lazy chunk, Wheezy in the local dog show and it flips her life on its head. Ruby has gone through her whole life with people treating her a certain way based on her beauty and assuming she is nothing but an empty headed blond. Ruby was one of my favorite characters I have read this year in my romances. She was strong, determined, stuck to her guns, and refused to give up when she was told something was impossible.

Spencer Wilson is a hot, grumpy veterinarian who runs the dog show. He is impatient, honest to a fault, rule follower and quite honestly the perfect person to balance Ruby. Hot on one page, awkward as heck on the next, it made him feel more human and real versus the typical male romance character who is strong/sexy all the time.

This book has everything: Cute twins who couldn’t be more different, Chonky pup named Wheezy, Badass/Determined Former Beauty Queen, an enemies to lovers story entwined with puppies on puppies on puppies. I Hate You More was such an entertaining romantic comedy! I flew through this in a day and loved every page! The cover immediately drew me in and then the blurb solidified my need to read this ASAP!


👏Thank you NetGalley/Sourcebooks Casablanca/Dreamscape Media for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review

🏷 #IHateYouMore #LucyGilmore #NetGalley #ARC #AdvancedReaderCopy #DreamscapeMedia #OctoberReads #NovemberRelease #EarlyReader #ContemporaryRomance #DogShow #EnemiestoLovers #steamyreads #SourcebooksCasablanca

Classic enemies to lovers trope. Ruby agrees to show her friend’s golden retriever at an upcoming dog show and is determined to whip this lovable pup into dog show shape if only to prove to the broody judge, Spencer, that she can.

The audiobook was a great listen! I loved hearing the multiple viewpoints. Sparks were flying! With a side of puppy cuddles, does it get any better?? Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love the cover and the synopsis had me intrigued. A romantic comedy with a dog ?
Sign me up.

I enjoyed the audiobook.

It was a cute, easy read with a bit of spice. Spencer and Ruby were believable love interests with great banter. I also loved the fact that Ruby was a CNA( I used to be one) with a self love story arc.

I feel like the story could have been a little more fleshed out and a little more plot heavy. I am giving this one 3 stars because while I liked it, I found it to be lacking something.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the chance to listen.

This book was really cute. I liked the characters and the romance was great. I really loved the animals in this book. The dogs were so cute and I really liked the dog show angle of this book as well. This was just a great and adorable romance.

Ruby's about to step back in the judge's sight. After giving up pageant life when she was 18, she's making a reappearance... in a dog show. Though her star dog is not so keen. One of the judges, Spencer, tries to warn her not to compete but her mind is set.

I Hate You More is a fun rom-com for dog lovers. Wheezy might be the laziest dog but he stole my heart with his antics. Ruby wanting to be known for anything but her beauty was so sweet, especially with Spencer loving her personality more than anything. Her absolute drive was inspiring, even though she knew Wheezy had no chance, she was stubborn enough to keep going. I love how the book wasn't just about the couple's relationship, but also dealt with Spencer and his brother. The narrators of the audiobook were great and made the characters feel real. I always like when there's a male and female voice since sometimes when it's just one person it's hard to tell who's talking. For me, this was a 4/5.

If you like adorably stubborn dogs, equally as stubborn women, and a golden retriever man willing to do whatever, this is the one for you.

I received a copy of this audiobook free from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars!

I really enjoyed this one. It’s hard not to because wellllll dogs.

It definitely has a unique premise- dog show romance and also has lots of tropes that I enjoy- enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine- so I knew it was a must read.

We are introduced to Ruby while she is attempting to register Wheezy (not her dog) for the West Coast Classic Dog show at the behest of a very manipulative (but in a cute way) elderly patient at the nursing home she works at. She meets Spencer and Caleb and hilarity ensues.

I just thought that all of the characters had rich back stories and relationships and were so clever. The smutty nursing home book club- here for it!

Ultimately- I’ll leave it to you to read and find out who Ruby falls for and who wins the crown!

Narration for this audiobook was spot on and I really appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Thank you Netgalley And Dreamscape Media for the opportunity!

There are so many tropes in this rom-com, but thankfully the ones I enjoy. Enemies to lovers, dogs, a meddling old lady, etc...

Ruby enters Mrs. Orsen's dog, Wheezy, into a dog show. Only Wheezy isn't exactly show dog material. He is basically the farthest thing from it. Spencer, the founder of this dog show, isn't pleased.

Wheezy is the best character I've read in a long time. A disobedient, lazy, overweight, golden retriever of questionable lineage. Mrs. Orsen was also a riot. I found both Spencer and Ruby relatable. Overall, a cute story then went by quickly.

I listened to the audio version of the book. There are two narrators- one for Ruby's POV and one for Spencer's. For the most part, both narrators do fine. Sometimes I could get slightly lost in the dialogue.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I Hate You More was such a fun read! It follows Ruby, an ex beauty pageant winner turned nursing assistant determined to help one of her elderly patient’s dog win the local dog show, and Spencer, a vet and judge of the dog show. These two are such wonderfully flawed and looking to be better. Spencer and Ruby are both working through their own insecurities—Spencer, battling the feeling people love his brother more than him no matter how he tries, and Ruby, working every day to be seen as more than the beauty queen she used to be. Each of their personal growth was so lovely to see and their constant challenging each other makes for such a fun read. Weezy the golden retriever is also such an adorable touch to the story, bringing together all these quirky characters. While Spencer and Ruby have amazing chemistry, the side character also shine! They are such a wonderful family, related or not. I loved Ruby’s tenacity and her fight to earn what she gets. And Spencer is so giving and sensitive, he’s just so sweet! I loved this book had both points of views to add to the character developments. I loved seeing how they came together as both a couple and individuals. For the audiobook, with two narrators, I do wish it was more of a first person than third person but I loved the touch of having a narrator for each perspective. Such a fun, sweet read!

I really enjoyed this book and thought the premise was super cute. The overweight golden retriever, who may not be a purebred, and is stubborn as all get out, competing in a dog show. Ruby, the determined and beautiful, training the dog with Caleb, the twin brother of the extremely handsome and by the book, Spencer. It was a fun read!
I loved the characters, Ruby was someone that I wanted to be, extremely caring and determined! Spencer was the opposite, he was confident when it came to dogs, but not when it came to himself, especially around Ruby. I loved that this book was told from both Ruby and Spencer’s POV. It helped me to get to know both characters better and understand their thinking. However, after learning about both characters, it was surprising how their first sexual encounter occurred. It was very strange. After that, they basically fell in love without much growth after that. With this being said, I still very enjoyed the book and was satisfied with the ending.
I loved that the audiobook had 2 narrators, one for Ruby’s POV and one for Spencer’s POV! It really makes the audiobook special! I wasn’t super impressed with the quality of the audiobook though, I had a hard time listening at 1.75x the audio at that speed made it sound like my headphones were glitching, it was worse when it was Ruby’s POV. I usually listen at 2x but it sounded absolutely robotic that fast.