After being framed for inciting a riot involving local gangs, acquitted, and spending months abroad, Madison Kate returns to Shadow Grove, expecting to stay in her father’s new home, but he’s not there. Instead, she finds Archer, Kodiak, and Steele—the three men she blames for framing her—living in the mansion. They drive her to and from college. They shadow her around campus. They are always around.

And Madison Kate cannot stand them.

It’s a forced proximity, roommates romance but not the warm and fuzzy kind.

Archer is antagonistic towards her. She’s antagonistic towards all of them. There’s a lot of anger going around. There’s angst. There are comments that veer into bullying territory.

In spite of her hatred towards them, Madison Kate is extremely attracted to all three of them, and they’re attracted to her.

It’s a dark, new adult, contemporary romance. It kept me turning the pages until the cliffhanger at the end.

The way Madison Kate spoke to the three guys and the way Archer spoke to her was tough to stomach at times. (The book is called Hate, after all, and those two personified it.)

This one sets up the RH for future books in the series. There’s at minimum kissing between Madison Kate and each of the three guys, but no steamy scenes with all of them together.

Of the guys, Steele is my favorite. He seems to have a more vulnerable, artistic side under his tough exterior.

Are there perhaps some areas of the characterization and story that could have used a bit more development? Yes.

Am I hooked and plan to continue reading the series? Also yes.

I received a copy of the ebook from Sourcebooks Bloom Books and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

The book was overall not bad and I was intrigued by the story which is why I finished the book but there were a lot of nitpicky things that I personally didn’t like about the book. Some of them had to do with the actual story and characters, some of them were the structure of the book and then some of them were the dialogue. Here are the things that I just didn’t particularly love about the book:

• I’ve read a few RHs before and they tend to have the same sort of types when it comes to the MMCs. Now I’m not overly upset that the MMCs fit into these stereotypes for RHs but it does get a bit repetitive so I would have liked it more if they deviated from the stereotypes

• I don’t mind that Archer and MK don’t get along for majority of the book but it does get very repetitive. I felt like every scene they had together was copy and paste. I would have also liked to see more sweet moments between them. Anytime they did have a sliver of a cute moment it was always ruined and then they were back to throwing insults at each other again

• I will always be a fan of multi POV over single POV so the fact that this entire series except for the first chapter of book 2, 3 and 4 are in MKs POV is a bit annoying to me. I personally just don’t really like being in the dark all the time. There is so much stuff being alluded to but never explained and it drove me a bit crazy so I can definitely relate to MKs frustration in the book. I just don’t love constantly being out of the loop but that’s probably my FOMO talking

• Because this is single POV there are things that are confusing because the FMC doesn’t know the information and that would be fine if the MMCs filled in the gaps throughout or we had their POVs occasionally but that didn’t happen. Anytime MK asked the guys any questions they wouldn’t answer her or they would give cryptic or half answers and it just became very annoying as the reader, not knowing how the world she created in the book works

• The gang situation isn’t really well explained and just provides a very confusing reading experience. We get the basics, that there are the Reapers and the Wraiths and that the MMCs were involved with the Reapers at one point and Archer’s brother Zane runs the Reapers. What isn’t explained is how Archer and the other MMCs are involved in any of that in the current timeline. It kinda seems like Archer has some territory in the city along side the Reapers and Wraiths despite not showing any signs that he is in charge of any gang. We see this from him telling Dallas that allowances were made for Dallas and not other Wraiths and them breaking the legs of one of the Reapers for “pushing the limits”, what limits did he push, I have no idea 🤷‍♀️It just doesn’t make any sense why Archer has any authority in this situation when we haven’t seen anything to indicate he has his own gang because he is only ever seen around Steele and Kody. We also see that Drew is scared of Archer for some reason, but it is never explained why she would care about him

• Another thing that doesn’t make sense is why the guys are so tight with MKs dad. Yes, Archer’s mom is dating him but that doesn’t explain why he calls them and gets them to do things for him… I also wish they would have explained her dad’s involvement in Shadow Grove more

• In the bonus scene of Riot Night from Kody’s POV, Archer seemed very protective of MK for some reason but that doesn’t really make sense because literally the entire book he is a complete asshole to her and never shows any empathy towards her just the occasional pitying look. I just don’t get it

• I know that RH romances are typically very sexual but both Bree and MK just constantly drooling over the guys and letting their attractiveness affect their judgement got very boring. If she wasn’t having sexual encounters with the guys, she was continuously thinking about having sex with them or how impossibly hot they were… Also her sleeping with Steele after he blabbed about their last sexual encounter to the guys pissed me off. She felt very contradictory. She would talk a lot of game but never backed it up

• My last issue is with her “revenge”. She is supposedly really angry with these guys for ruining her life but then will pull silly petty pranks on them, sleep with them, hangout with them etc. It just felt really underwhelming. The way this book was described had me expecting it to be darker and for her to truly hate them but it just missed the mark. It seemed like she was supposed to be this badass FMC but she barely stood her ground most of the time and in the scene with Drew she just stood there and got slapped twice. I was just overall just a bit disappointed with the energy of the book. The only decent revenge she got was by drugging Archer to get him disqualified but that didn’t even pan out and at the time that it occurred, it just felt kinda wrong what she did because she knows by this point that she doesn’t have the full story of Riot Night but doesn’t actually try to find out what actually happened and just continues on her war path

• There was also quite a bit of cringey language like "did I seriously have the ovaries to go head-to-head with all three of them?" and her making references to books like saying things were overdone tropes or talking about waking up in a romance novel etc. I just don't like when we kinda break the 4th wall a bit with things like that

• I didn’t like that they constantly called her Madison Kate or Madison Kate Danvers, it got a bit annoying over time. I don’t know why they don’t just call her Madison or Maddy or MK or something. I am however a fan of nicknames and pet names so I preferred when they called her Baby, Baby Girl, Hellcat, Gorgeous or Princess. I wasn’t a huge fan of Archer calling her Princess Danvers kinda gives me the same feeling as them referring to her by her full name

I know some of these points could be addressed later on in the series but I just found it really frustrating having absolutely no idea what was going on most of the time since we were in MKs POV and that girl literally has no idea what is ever going on in Shadow Grove.

Now the book wasn’t all bad which is why I gave it 3⭐s because I was still really intrigued by the story and wanted to know what was really going on and most of my critiques were just personal small things that bother me however there were some bigger things that I also had issues with. Overall the characters were entertaining and the story did draw me in but I was just expecting a different vibe from this book. I haven’t decided I’m going to pick up the next book yet because I do feel just from the first book that this story might drag on a bit since there are 4 books in this series and I don’t know if I can go through 3 more books if they don’t start giving me more information so I’m not so in the dark all the time. I do think that my curiosity will get the better of me though and I’m probably going to pick up the next book just probably not right away.

This is such a great first book for a series. I love MK and I love all of the guys. I wasn't sure about the reverse harem thing, but I think I'll actually end up really enjoying it.
✅ Sexual tension and some smut
✅️ Hate/lust relationship (she hates them but lusts after them)
✅ Future RH
✅ Revenge
✅ Strong and driven main character
✅ Some thriller
✅ Good pace and entertaining
✅(🆗) Plot
✅(🆗) Love interests (I like Steele and Kodi, but Archer can kiss my ass, and not in a sexy way)
🆗 Lack of backstory / Plot holes
❗️Mild cliffhanger
❗️Trigger warnings: mention of witnessing a murder (past), claustrophobia, stalker, some bullying/controlling behavior

Tate James blends romance and suspense in a thrilling new way to excite the senses and captivate readers. Madison Kate is an amazingly bada** protagonist with a lot of attitude and thirst for revenge. She finds herself in an incredibly tense new living situation with three men who anger her to the end of the earth, but she secretly lusts after. The tension is off the charts and the plot is so dramatic and the cliffhanger will have you screaming!

I am beyond addicted. I need the rest of this series immediately. It's bully, hot, gangster, vengeful, exciting, and I need more. Huge fan of billionaire mafia but this takes it one step farther and has gangs, fight circles, stalking, and murder.

It is NA, so some may not love that she is 18. But she's 18! So who cares! I loved it.

My only very minor criticism is there were a few times where MK felt a little juvenile with her stubbornness in reacting to the boys.

I love each of the boys. I love how strong and badass MK is. I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite book universes. There is a ton of potential.

Major slow burn on the spice. Hits heavy right at the end.

Hate is book #1 in the Madison Kate series. It follows the story of Madison Kate. Jumping straight into the action with her sneaking into an illegal fight on Halloween and the night ending in her being the scapegoat to a crime and being sent to prison… 👁️👄👁️

Everything changed that night for Madison Kate and she will not let the people responsible get away with it. After being sent away Madison is back and she’s back with a fiery hot vengeance that is set on the three hot men who have moved into her house!

Warning though if you’re anything like me, this book will pull you in. I could NOT stop reading it. As I was nearing the end, the plot is thickening, the action is intensifying and … The book was over and I was left screaming at that cliffhanger.

I was really excited to read the rest of the series and it did NOT disappoint me. Hate is a book that I couldn’t put down the same goes with the rest. Tate James (Author) didn’t hold anything back when writing, and I’m so glad, I devoured this book and the series too!

In my opinion the Madison Kate series gives Dark Romance vibes but in a much softer approach. I loved the action, romance, the character development, the overall storytelling of these books was amazing and I would definitely recommend it.

Saying that though, be careful as there are triggers and as always read safely 🩶


Thankyou to @Netgalley for gifting me the first book as an ARC 💖

Be read for a crazy cliff hanger with this one! I finished reading and immediately wanted the next book.

I wasn't crazy about the amount of hate that she gave the guys when she was more than willing to forgive her "friend". Honestly her friend didn't have to do anything to earn her forgiveness, she just got it.

The banter was fantastic and the tension was crazy! I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2.

I swear I feel like this series is crack, and I'm addicted! Once I got into it, I had such a hard time putting it down. It had some...

• Why Choose
• Enemies to Lovers
• Continuing series

I swear this story completely sucked me in. I flew through the first two books, and I'm currently on the third. I definitely had some late nights because I couldn't put it down.

I love MK! She's snarky as hell, which is my favorite type of fmc. Though I think she definitely could stand to make those boys work a little harder for it.

All the lies and secrets have me dying to know what's going on and what's going to happen next. This series is just ridiculously entertaining.

The books do end on cliffhangers, but this is a completed series, so you can jump right into the next book.

Well done book that will keep the reader interested the whole way through the story. Very well done.

My first intro into the world of Reverse Harem and I loved it! this book was so much fun and entertaining. I know the Madison Kate series is very popular and now I understand why. this book is addicting and I cannot wait to continue the series.

Hate is quick paced, easily devouring and page turning. I really enjoyed the start into the world. friends decide to sneak out and have fun but then you meet three different boys and the fun begins. I think this dynamic was refreshing and fun, you can see the connection she forms and has with each one and how they're all important and don't have a power imbalance. this book has so many twists and turns, you will not bored. this is the perfect book to read to dip your toes and try something new and you will love it! I highly recommend.

The story is a refreshing one, I absolutely love how the MCs are penned down by the author plus the supporting characters too. It was an amazing reading experience for me. I finished it in two sittings and the plotline kept me hooked till the end.
This is my first read from the author's work, so I am definitely looking forward to other works from the same author.

Thank you @bloom_reads for a copy of this book. Madison Kate is framed for a crime she didn't commit and when she is released from prison she finds she must live with 3 guys that put her in jail. She hates them but is attracted to them. I love the tension between all the characters and was so curious who is was going to choose. There's a lot going on with the story and it does end with a cliffhanger. I am ready to go all in with this series.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this book. I really wanted to love this book. There where issues with plot holes throughout the story which made it harder to get through. Not every book is for every reader and this one’s not for me. I don’t see myself rereading or continuing the series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I was quite excited for a different genre to read, and Tate James is a queen for this one. Madison is a rich-beautiful and a badass girl, shackled with a group of young men and they hate each other. But finally, they will know each other and they will be more. The writing was good, easy but not simple. Thank you for the opportunity, I will most certainly finish the series

This why choose romance series is so addicting. I binged the whole book in a morning and am dying to move on to book two. The connection and heat between these characters is so good and you get just enough in the first book to need to know what's happening in their lives and in their romances. It's a fantastic blend of suspense and new adult and steamy, fast paced romance that we crave. Bring on all of the Tate James , please

Madison Kate Danvers went out for a night of fun and MMA fighting. But she ended up arrested and being set up for starting a huge gang war that resulted in Riot Night. After a year away, she finds herself in the same house at the 3 guys that she believes set her up.

This is definitely an enemies to lovers. Why choose.

Fighting the attraction for these 3 and trying to get back at them for setting her up. Some of the pranks are a little juvenile, but they cause a stir.

This book is a good setup for the series. It sets up their individual relationships with MK. The epilouge give you a glimpse of the other side.

It ends on a cliffhanger. And I can't wait to see what is in store for the rest of this series.

I need these in print. My lord I read them out of order but who cares these are amazing. I could not put this one down. The characters and story were so freaking good.

I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Madison Kate once lived a charmed life until she is framed for a crime she didn’t commit. A year later she is back in her hometown ready to get revenge on the people who framed her. The only problem is due to external forces she ends up living in the same house as them. She knows they are hiding something and not being honest with her, but she can’t figure out the what.

I enjoyed the mystery and tense scenes in this book. It kept me guessing and nothing is as it seems. This first book ends on a cliff hanger, so I am excited to jump into the next book.

Five stars

Let me tell you, I am obsessed with this book. It has the perfect enemies to lovers' vibes. I was right there cheering on Madison Kate, being angry and looking for some pay back, because of things that happened in this book. Her character at times came off as childish because of some of the steps she took for vengeance, but after reading the outcome, I wanted more. I can’t leave out all the amazing and extremely hot tension that was happening between the characters. It felt like I flew through this book because it just sucked you in. Along with all the romance building there were so many twists and mysteries around that night Madison got in trouble, the whole plot just sucked me in, and I just needed to go pick up the rest of the books. The main male characters are all very different. I felt we got to know one a lot more than the others, but I do very much like that maintain a shroud of mystery about some of them and things they are involved with. I will definitely be continuing on with this series, I loved this first one. If you are looking for enemies to lovers, why choose story with suspense, tension and great plot, please look into this one.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

This book was very entertaining and unique! I was hooked the whole time and loved the plot. The whole book we are just trying to put piece together and uncovering new things as you read. The characters were also top notch. The female main character is super sassy and independent and I love her. The male main character are all so different but I love them all! We have a broody mmc, golden retreiver mmc, and a mysterious one. The tension in this book was tooooo good! The end of book one had me immediately wanting to pick up book 2. I highly recommend!