Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (5 Stars)
Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (multiple steamy scenes with description)

Thanks to bloom books for the digital copy!

No spoiler review 👇🏻

I had so much fun reading this book! It’s the first book in the Madison Kate series. After finishing this book I’m immediately starting book 2!

This series is recently being republished by bloom books. I love the new covers!

This is a why choose, enemies to lovers romance. It’s a lot a bully romance. Normally I’m not a huge fan of bully romances but this one was so fun. I found myself grinning so much reading this. Such a fun, steamy, dark romance read. It was fast paced and I couldn’t stop reading! I highly recommend this series if you like a good steamy darker romance!

CW: death, blood, stalking, death of a parent, gore, violence, drug use, gang violence, car accident.

I really liked this book. It’s one of the many RH books I’ve read. MK as the main character was good though I thought she could have more to her but I will just have to read the second book. It’s got the spice!

Personally, it could use a little bit more personal character development but overall I was pleased. I’ve just started reviewing books so I’m not expert. And I’m not an author so I can’t say I’d do much better! But I did enjoy the book!

This all starts on Halloween night when two besties MJ ( our FMC) and Bri ( our main side character) sneak out to an illegal underground MMA fight at the Laughing Clown carnival instead of going to a friend's Halloween party. *tsk tsk* naughty naughty. A bunch of crazy things happen and it all sets up the story line for the book and this will formally be known as Riot night .
It's wild how everything crazy happens on Halloween but some of the best stories do.

Then we sprint forward to present day and this is where we get the slow build up. But hang in there because it's all worth it.
Trust me.

We get to meet our MCs.
Kody, Steele, and Archer.

Right off the bat Kody is my favorite, I have a soft spot in my heart for these types of characters, the goofy golden retriever who's a huge flirt.

Then we have Steele, also flirty but a little rough around the edges, more bad boy but still the fun type , definitely my second favorite.

Then we have Mr. Sunshine himself. Archer D'Ath. The leadsrbof this trio. And I just know I'm going to dislike him for 90% of this series and then he's going to weesle into my heart somewhere. But he's your typical Alphahole grump and I'm waiting for the vein pulsing to explode.

MK is sassy. And I love it, and I also love her friendship with Bri it warms my heart.

Book one is definitely a dip in your toes book , we get a little taste , a little nibble of each character and a little bit of plot. We are left with a lot of questions like. Um who's stalking us? And why are we living with not 1 but 3 hunky bad boys and who are they really?

Thus book had me hooked from page one and I was at the edge of me seat. Also THAT ENDING!? What is happening !?



I definitely recommend this series





* I'm reviewing this after completing the entire series. It's definitely worth sticking through and finishing it. This is a slow burn in the first book but the spicy picks up in the other books and when it does, it's so good. This is probably one of my fave RHs now and I can't wait to see what the other 2 related series has to offer *

First book by Tate James and definitely want to read more! I really loved how the books starts off at a fast pace and is so unique to other story lines I’ve read in the past. A why choose is always a fun read in my opinion and this one did not disappoint, I will definitely be diving in to the rest of the series soon!

I loved this book so much. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I was truly hooked to the revenge she was getting on them.

LOVEDD this book! I was skeptical going into it but this was so fun. MK was such a loveable character and I was obsessed with her right away. The cliffhanger killed me, but I can't wait to see where the story goes!!

Reverse harem, sassy heroine, spicy angst, suspense, and surprise stalker? If any of those buzz words catch your interest this book was be for you. I loved the story set-up and immediately was pulled in. Madison Kate was set up on Riot Night for a crime she didn't commit and sent away by her wealthy father. Upon her return, she finds the leader of the group responsible for her set up is her new stepbrother and has taken over her family home. She is set on revenge and getting her life back on track.

I like the connections Madison has with each guy and how their personalities stand out distinctly. It was fun to see her seek revenge and not immediately push over like other revenge romances. The story is told from Madison Kate's perspective and at times her inner dialogue felt trying to be cool/not like other girls and it wasn't my jam. But other than that I enjoyed the read. I'm excited to continue the series; especially after that cliffhanger!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!! I absolutely loved this book. It was so good and I just want to keep on reading especially after the ending of the book. I’m excited to keep on reading this series so I can see how the relationships grow and evolve.

Entertaining and interesting enough to keep me reading but I am not OBSESSED. The premise, characters and setting of this Why Choose romance are unlike anything else I have personally read! It reminded me of the beginning of the Thanksgiving Horror movie so it kept me really invested. I like that UFC fighting is touched on and the characters are all sporty and into it. It's a culture that I am not personally well versed in so it was interesting to read about. The Why Choose romance however wasn't my absolute favorite, I didn't feel the connections with the characters and Madison Kate was very childish when it came to the boys. Of course, this is the first book and I expect for things to get heavier and more in depth as the books go on! I will be continuing the series.

3.75 stars - Madison Kate was accused of inciting a local gang riot but was later acquitted. She was sent away "for her protection" and upon her return to Shadow Grove, she intended to live with her father. However, she finds that the three men responsible for framing her - Archer, Kodiak, and Steele - are living in her father's mansion. Madison Kate is both driven crazy by them and attracted to all three. The story revolves around a forced proximity, roommates romance with minimal kissing between Madison Kate and the three men. Although the book could use more development, I am hooked and plan to continue reading the series since the book ended with a cliffhanger.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

OH my word. What a book. This was the dark, reverse harem I needed in my life. Full review on my Goodreads.

All the stars.

10/10 I loveddddd this book. I had been seeing so much about this series all over booktok and I knew I needed to read it immediately. I’m a sucker for a why choose romance and this book delivered.

I loved this book, and the cliffhanger at the end made me start the next book immediately. The book keeps you engaged throughout reading it, and the multiple POV was also a nice addition.

This was my first Tate James read. It took me an embarrassing amount of time for me to finally read my first one, and of course I regretted it about 25% into the book. Madison Kate is an absolute icon. There was so much that was happening at all times in this book that I never found myself wanting to put it down, instead I was trying to squeeze in a page here and there when I could. The tension that Tate is able to build in a book is incredible. I absolutely loved it!

A special thank you to Tate James, Sourcebook Bloom Books, and Netgalley for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this has to be one of the most fun reads i've had in a long time. Madison Kate is an icon and we love her for it!!! There was never a dull or boring moment in this book and there is so much that is happening and being uncovered that you couldn't possibly tell me that you don't want to binge read the entire series all at once. I also love how the romance is slow burning a bit. Since this is a four book series, there really is no need to rush the romance and I appreciate that. Especially since there is so much happening plot wise. Overall, I would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes darker romance books that are high spice.

This is my first book by author Tate James and I plan to continue on with the Madison Kate series after finishing book 1, Hate. I received a gifted copy from Bloom Books via NetGalley, but the thoughts & opinions are my own.

I have started leaning into bully romances/dark romances a bit this year to go along with a mini subgenre challenge I'm doing so Hate fit perfectly. Madison Kate was framed for a riot she didn't plan and after being exiled to her aunt for nearly a year, she has arrived home to find her dad & soon-to-be stepmom are off on vacation while she's living in the same house as her soon-to-be step-brother Archer and his friends Kodiac and Steel. These three guys were also there the night Madison Kate went down for the riot and while they could have helped, they didn't and she is out for blood.

Madison Kate is a bitchy FMC who's main goal is to seek revenge on the three guys. The three guys are apart of a gang, but I got confused on the backstory and the rival gang backstory. It's not terribly important yet could have added to the story. Madison Kate also thinks a lot with her vagina, over her head, and is attracted to all three guys so you're in for a reverse harem/why choose meets forced proximity meets bully romance.

The spice is well written; spice isn't a requirement for me to like a book and in some cases it can turn me off from a story, it didn't here so kudos for that. There are nitpicky, clique moments I could call out but if you like the genre then they're easy to ignore. The book ends on a fairly big cliffhanger and while I'm not generally a series reader (because I lack the time to follow through) I've already loaded book 2 into my Libby to continue on---this is what made what may have been a 3 star review jump to the 4th star.

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: cliffhanger
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a parent (recounted on page), violence, murder, stalking, parental neglect/abandonment, emotional abuse, mental health (anxiety attacks, on page), bullying, slut shaming, attempted murder, mentions of suicide, dubcon, PTSD, car accident
standalone: book 1 in the Madison Kate series- cliffhanger endings
final thoughts: this was everything and nothing I expected. Dark, bully, enemies-to-lovers college romance that is SLOW BURN like slow slow with the RH but the imagery from this book didn’t make me miss it (too much anyway). This book is packed with action, twists, and banter and had me on the edge of my seat. Great book but have the rest of the series ready by your side so you don’t get left hanging off that cliff and can jump back into the world of Madison Kate Danvers!
I can’t wait to see how these enemies will become lovers and what other secrets are still hiding!

read this book if you love

😬 angst
🏝️ forced proximity
☠️ “touch her and die”
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
😳 forbidden lovers
🤫 hidden secrets
🥰 nicknames
🌀 plot twists
🔫 mafia but not mafia vibes
🖤 dark romance
❓ mystery
🏉 sports romance (kinda- MMA)
🤜 enemies-to-lovers
🏫 college setting
⚔️ why choose (MFMM)

BRB. I'm about to start 10 days leave and I'll be spending it consuming this series. I'm sorry it has taken so long to find you Tate. I will be making up for lost time. I devoured Hate in a day and I, Emma solemnly vow to binge the rest of the Madison Kate series!

I can describe this book in one word. Tension. and oof it was good. Also that ending! That was a better ending then a lot of thrillers I've read! I was not buckled up for that rollercoaster and yeesh I am glad I don't have to wait for the release of each book. Especially if the cliff hanger at the end of each book is going to be as steep as this one!

In case you hadn't guessed, yes, yes I do recommend this one.

This book was great; banter, spice, and angst - all equally entertaining. This was my first Tate James book and I feel she excited the plot nicely and set up the second book to drop a big bomb. The characters are developing smoothly and they aren’t at all juvenile which I enjoy a lot. I will definitely pick up the second book!

Thank you netgalley and bloom books for the #gifted earc. My opinions are my own. I am not sure this book is what I wanted and was left uninterested in much of the story I will try wnother book by the Author I hear the next book ia better.

3.5/5☆