⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️ 3/5

I am so glad this book was selected as the Booked with Babes January pick! It brought up such great discussion on the different ways people handle grief. The way it was portrayed in PS: I Hate You was so heartbreaking and so REAL. The author did a great job!

My heart went with Maddie and Dom as they traveled together to the states Josh never had the chance to visit. With each letter they opened, I laughed and let my heart break by their sides.

I loved to see the relationship between Maddie and Dom grow and start to repair with each adventure they went on, but found myself frustrated when their past miscommunications came to light.

All in all, this was a beautiful and moving romance starring two people learning to cope with the loss of a brother and a best friend. It was wholly and completely devastating, but I really loved every moment. I can’t wait to read more from Lauren Connolly!

Thank you @berkleyromance for the advanced copy!

As a longtime Lauren Connolly fan I am so happy for her big traditional publishing debut. This book didn't disappoint and was filled with the heart and joy that I get from reading my favorite Folk Haven books.
While this is a bit darker in nature than some of her other books, Connolly does a magnificent job of balancing the real handling of grief and all its tender and raw feelings with the humor and joy that I want from a romance novel. Someone called it RomCom with a side of emotional damage and that is 100% the best way to sum up this book (and subgenre) - a book that will make you FEEL A LOT.
Maddie and Dom both brough such depth and character to this book that they seemed to leap out of the book and demand your attention. The banter between the two was next level fun and between that and both characters growth this book has so much more to offer than just the blurb.
I highly recommend to anyone who likes their romances to make them laugh AND cry.

5 STARS!!

"PS: I Hate You" by Lauren Connolly is one of the best books of 2024. It is absolutely one of the most gut-wrenching and simultaneously life-affirming stories I have ever read. It is emotional, loving, caring, painfully funny, tender, and sad as heck, but equally cathartic and humbling and raw and brilliant. The characters are spectacularly written and feel realistic and lived-in. I adored Maddie and Dom so, so much. I even loved Josh from the grave with his meddling and scheming. The banter is tremendous, some of the best I've ever read. The situations, the traveling, the tension, the fights, the make-ups, the concept... every single thing about this book is sheer perfection. One of the most beautiful reads I've had the pleasure of picking up. Please, please, PLEASE read this book, especially if you have lost someone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Connolly, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Do you love the movie P.S. I Love You? Do you enjoy your Rom Coms with a side of emotional damage? Did Abby Jimenez's Just For The Summer hit all of your favorite contemporary romance beats?

Then this book is 100% for you.

This book really is so amazing. I feel like the cover art does not do this powerful book justice, so if that is turning you off from giving it a chance, I'd recommend reading it anyway. Yes, there is a lot of fun in this book, but the journey that these characters go through together really is so beautiful.

I love that the FMC has asthma and that it is represented so well in the story. It made me feel seen as a lifelong asthmatic. The MMC is so mindful of her asthma as well, and I feel like that was just all really well done.

This road trip with her deceased brother's best friend was well done too. I loved that it took place over more than two years, start to finish. I loved the FMC's journeys towards trust, self love, embracing her own power, and accepting others into her life and learning to open up to them and let them in. I loved the supportive MMC. I felt he was dynamic and played a more active role than the love interest takes in the story sometimes.

Just an overall wonderful book of hard I truly recommend with my whole heart.

Content: language, childhood trauma (neglect, verbal abuse), explicit s*x, morbid humor

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own

I was not expecting to be this emotional! This story really tugs at your ehartstrings - it's so much more than a typical romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!

I really liked this enemies to lovers romance - one of my favorite tropes! And then you add in the road trip and fun travel aspect and I couldn't get enough of this story!

I liked the way that Connolly wove the grief into the story and that she allowed the main character to really focus on herself toward the end, before officially committing to the romance. There was some miscommunication, but I still loved the way this one played out!

This book made me feel all of the feels! Definitely one of the best romances I’ve read in a long time and one I can’t stop thinking about.

When Maddie’s brother Josh dies she doesn’t anticipate that his dying wish will be for her to spread his ashes with the one man she can’t stand. Dominic was like a brother to Josh and for one summer he was close to Maddie as well. Now all these years later, Maddie can’t help but still feel betrayed by Dom, but there is no way she’s not going to let him spread Josh’s ashes on his own. Maddie and Dom travel to eight different spots that Josh laid out for them, and as they say goodbye to the brother they loved, Maddie and Dom work out their own issues from the past.

I don’t always love second chance romances, but this one was done so well. Maddie’s grief over losing her brother and the anger at having to see Dom again at the beginning is so palpable it hurts to read. Since they are forced together not once or twice, but eight times we really get to see them begin to communicate better and work on opening up to each other. I really loved both main characters and how different they seemed. Maddie is rather goofy and snarky, but Dom is just so serious. He really lightened up around her and they brought out the best in eachother. I can’t wait to read from this author again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a review copy.

Maddie has always had a thing for her brother Josh's friend, Dom. When Josh dies of cancer and leaves Maddie and Dom instructions on how they must come together to spread his ashes, they are both forced to confront their feelings about the past and their pain over losing Josh.
Despite the cutesy cover, this book deals with some heavy subject matter and deals with grief and loss in a very realistic way, just don't expect a lighthearted beach read. The banter between the two main characters is great and I loved the road trip aspect of the story so you're taken along for the ride as Maddie & Dom explore America and fulfill Josh's wish.

Many thanks to Berkley & Netgalley for the ARC.

OH MY GOSH, this book was absolute perfection. I LOVED the characters, the witty banter, the "hate filled" LOVE. It was so deeply moving, and resonated with me so much as I also lost a brother to lymphoma, It made me laugh and cry.

Thank you netgalley and berkleypub for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, this was a wonderful love and loss story that touched my heart. Connelly created a story that was at times humorous, touching, and heartwarming by skillfully balancing romance, loss, and humor. I totally liked this one-of-a-kind and beautiful story.

So bummed to say despite all the buzz this was not my favorite! I wasn’t a fan of the FMC and I know grief hits everyone differently but her attitude was so frustrating. Early reviewers have been absolutely gushing about this so I was determined to finish but it took me over a month to read and I really should’ve called it quits, especially because I was so annoyed by the finale!

Would definitely read another book by this author in the future! This one might’ve just hit a bit too close to home!

Way too explicit. The plot has possibilities, but it was a DNF for me.. I appreciate the advanced reader copy.

When her brother Josh dies, Maddie is forced to spread his ashes with Josh's best friend and the man who broke her heart, Dominick. Along the way, they learn some things about Josh and themselves as they honor Josh's last wishes, heal, and fall in love.

This BOOK! From the very beginning, I knew I was going to have a good time. This story was had multiple road trips, a bit of unfinished business between Maddie and Dom, and a TON of emotions. I felt everything as I read this book, and I loved every second of it.

I feel like some readers may not give Maddie a chance because she can seem kind of harsh, but people - there are reasons. She wore her humor and sarcasm as a shield which she needed to combat her massive abandonment issues. One must understand that she lost the only person in the universe who didn't abandon her and this broke my heart.

After everything transpired with Dom, Maddie fled. She never really got answers or closure. This was her chance for both. I impatiently waited to get some answers. I will say that I guessed at a few of the reveals but not at all of them, and heck, it all hit me hard in the feels.

There was just so much history between Maddie, Dom, and his family. She lost a lot when they fell out with Dom as his family was the only real, kind, and loving family she had ever known. I was sad her brother died but I was grateful that Maddie had this chance to reconnect with some very important people in her life. It was kind of beautiful that Josh was still looking out for her, making sure she would not have to grieve on her own.

And let me tell you, if you do any sort of state base reading challenge (like I do), this book is a bonanza for some of those hard-to-check-off states. The story takes us to Dom's home state of Pennsylvania, Maddie's home state of Washington, as well as Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Alabama, Arizona, and Kansas which are all part of the farewell tour. Not only did Maddie and Dom visit those states, but they did something interesting in each one. I loved that I had a sort of unique experience with each stop as I have not personally visited most of those states.

Overall, this was a beautiful story of love and loss which touched my heart. Connelly did an incredible job balancing grief, romance, and humor to produce a tale that was part heartbreaking, part heartwarming, and at times, hilarious. I am so grateful I had the chance to accompany Maddie and Dom as they said goodbye to Josh and found their way back to each other.

🧩P.S. I Hate You🧩
Pub Date: 3/3/24

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow…this book gives you all the emotions 🥹I laughed and cried so many times throughout this beautifully written story.
Maddie loses her brother but is determined to keep his last wishes to spread his ashes over 8 different destinations, even if it is with his best friend Dominic Perry. Maddie and Dominic have a complicated past so she is not happy to have him along for this ride.
I loved learning of Maddie’s past and how it affected her life. This was sad and had so much grief yet brought so much light and I enjoyed the witty banter while Maddie and Dom continued on this journey. I cried every time they read Josh’s letters 🥹 This was such a unique and beautiful story that I absolutely loved 🥰

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

Loved this one! The book is a second chance romance. I was not expecting to feel so emotional! I was emotional from the start! But the book is heartwarming and full of such great life lessons. The Hero and heroine had such amazing banter - that really made the story for me. I'm a huge fan of strong FMCs and the FMC in the book was headstrong, independent, and sassy! Highly recommend this one!

Thank you so much, Berkley Romance, for the complementary book in exchange for my honest review! 4.5⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Heartwarming Journey of Grief and Healing

"PS: I Hate You" captivated me to the point of an all-nighter – a rare feat for me! This poignant story beautifully explores the themes of grief and finding love amidst loss.
Following the tragic loss of their beloved brother, Josh, to cancer, Maddie and his lifelong best friend, Dom, embark on a cross-country journey to scatter his ashes across eight states he yearned to visit. This unexpected adventure forces them to confront their past, heal old wounds, and ultimately discover a newfound connection.

Lauren Connolly masterfully portrays the complexities of grief, capturing the raw vulnerability and the unexpected moments of joy that arise from honoring a lost loved one. Maddie and Dom are realistically flawed characters grappling with their own personal struggles while navigating this challenging journey together. Their interactions are a captivating blend of humor, tension, and undeniable chemistry, making their evolving relationship both heartwarming and believable.

"PS: I Hate You" is a poignant and uplifting read for those who enjoy stories of second chances, found families, and the power of human connection. It's a reminder that even in the face of immense sadness, love and hope can always find a way to shine through.

⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #berkelywritesstrongwomen #psihateyou #laurenconnolly #botm #bookofthemonth

lauren connolly you will pay for your crimes. I sobbed for hours over this. maddie's beloved, adventurous older brother josh's dying wish was for her and his best friend to scatter his ashes in 8 places he never got the chance to see and he writes them letters for each trip that rip my heart out and also her brother's best friend broke her heart when she was 19 so she hates him but he's so stoic and serious but also so sickeningly sweet and loves so deeply and she's so broken and damaged and he loves her anyways and I need everyone to read this book

After Maddie’s brother dies, she finds that he’s left her a list of 8 places he’s never gotten to go that he wants her to visit and leave his ashes. Alongside his best friend, Maddie’s childhood crush, and the man that once broke her heart. As they visit these 8 states together, the feelings Maddie has always held come rushing back no matter how hard she tries to control them.

I loved this book. The premise, while heartbreaking, was incredibly sweet and I loved getting to travel with Maddie and Dom. Getting glimpses into Josh’s character with the letters they read at each location was truly special, and there was a slight twist in the end that I wasn’t expecting.

Maddie had a lot of baggage she brought into her life with enormous feelings of not being worthy enough and at times I found her a bit annoying, but at the same time, understood her feelings and actions. This love story, filled with grief, hope, and found family, was one that I won’t soon forget.

This title jumped out at me because of my love for PS: I Love You. It definitely did not disappoint. Lauren Connolly brought a novel that measures up in all the best ways. Maddie Sanderson and Dominic Perry are forced to go on an eight state tour after her brother Josh dies from cancer. Josh wanted the two of them to have a preplanned adventure in each state and spread some of his ashes in each place. The problem is that Maddie and Dom had a past. Will they be able to work through that past and accomplish the goal. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

somewhere between 4-4.5 stars! ⭐️

I love a romance book that packs an emotional punch!! This was such a bittersweet and beautiful story! I had so much love for both Maddie & Dom but the secondary characters felt so well rounded and lovable too!

Thank you to Berkley Pub & Netgalley for the ARC!

This is my first review of a Berkley title, so let me introduce myself a bit more:
My name is Emily, and I'm a 28-year-old book lover based just outside of Boston, MA. On my Instagram account @bookworm.in.boston, where I have just under 1,300 followers, I share content primarily focused on romance books. In the past 30 days, my posts have garnered over 23k views.

I review books—including ARCs—on my Instagram, Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/145345368-emily), and have recently started posting on StoryGraph (https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/bookworminboston).