Thank you Netgalley, 8th Note Press, and of course Marina Adair for an ARC!

Pros-
I loved the banter between Summer and Wes in the first half of the book. Great plot/storyline. Quick and easy read. He falls first. Wes was not afraid to standup for Summer. The ending worked out perfectly and rounded up the story greatly.
Cons- You can only have one meet-cute, yet they compare something everyday as their meet-cute. That annoyed me. The sister Autumn was a selfish B, but redeemed herself in the end. It's 3rd person POV. About 30% of the book got on my nerves for the way Summers family was treating her.

This was just so fluffy, cozy, cute, and emotionally healing, and I don’t think I could have enjoyed any second of it more than I already did. This isn’t necessarily anything that hasn’t already been done, but it was a good time nonetheless and it was super easy and fun to read.

I already know that this is going to be a really really really popular book with all of the people that enjoy an enemies to lovers, hate to love, forced proximity, small town romance. Even more so because it is a modern twist on “you’ve got mail” which so many people ADORE.

Did this kind of seem like a checkbox of tropes to me? Yep, but I wasn’t that mad at it. I know sometimes it can be annoying to just obviously see the tropes so plainly, but I never think it hurts in books that are this fluffy and true to the romance genre because you know EXACTLY what you’re getting (and its a great time with very low stakes)

The only reason this didn't personally get a higher rating that 3 stars (3.5) is because while it was easy to read and pretty fun, it was very predictable at times, and some of it felt a bit too far fetched which really jarred me and took me out of the story a little bit, BUT, it was still as enjoyable as any Elsie Silver, Monica Murphy or Elle Kennedy book!

The enemies to lovers was sooo good!! The banter between them and the rivalry between book stores was amazing!
I really enjoyed the twins dating brothers and the fact that they were so different with their personalities. The mmc was so caring and attentive after had started catching dealing for the fmc. Overall this was such ha cute romance, and even better with the fmc loving romance books!

Rating: 3.5
Spice: 3
Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Hate to Love You

A modern twist on the classic “You’ve Got Mail”. Summer Russo has been dreaming of the perfect “meet-cute” with her special someone her whole life. She has had countless “meet-uglies” that end in disaster or with the guy wanting to get closer to her twin sister Autumn. Summer owns a small romance bookstore and when the big box bookstore announces their opening next door she tries to do everything she can to stop it.

This was a quick fun romance read with a good amount of spice. Summer was a lovable, relatable character who is struggling with the change happening in her life. Wes was a hate-able and love-able character throughout the book and as much as I tried, I didn’t really predict how things would shake out in this book. The first kiss scenario was not believable at all. It really took me out of the moment to be thinking “how have they not run out of breath at this point”. Other than that, this was a good book.

I really enjoyed this fun twist on the rom-com movie classic You've Got Mail. Wes is the bigshot billionaire building his big-box bookstore just down the street for Summer's small family-owned romance book shop. Summer's shop is already barely treading water, so Wes moving in on what she sees as "her turf" clearly means war!

I really just wanted to hug both Summer and Wes. Summer has a rather toxic relationship with her twin sister Autumn, and is pretty much a human doormat that puts her own wants and needs aside repeatedly to ease the way for other people - EXCEPT when it comes to Wes! I love that he brings out the feisty, fighting part of her, and helps her learn to use that more in her daily life. And then there's Wes of the Tragic Backstory, who also just needs ALL the hugs. He's so sweet, and I'm so glad this novel is written in a dual POV so we get to see events from his viewpoint as they unfold.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Ooof. Im really sad this book had to come to an end. I wasn’t ready to let these characters go!

Oh the emotions this book had me feeling. The pure rage Wes had me feeling in the beginning was unmatched. I seriously couldn’t comprehend how this was going to turn to love when I hated this guy so much. As concerned as I was, it was definitely surprising when Wes switched up on me and suddenly I loved this guy so much I was taken fictional bullet for him.

Summer grated on my nerves a bit at first, but I certainly learned to appreciate her. The poor girl had no back bone. I’m pretty sure her selfish twin absorbed it in utero. But as much as I wanted to scream at this girl to knock some sense into her sister, I appreciate the author for giving Wes the opportunity to help Summer grow as a person. Where she lacked strength, he stepped him and lent her his. And instead of fighting her battles for her, he stood by her side and showed her that she can stand up for herself. He taught her that she is deserving of love and protection of her own peace.

I seriously can’t praise Wes enough.

If transforming my rage to love wasn’t enough, the story takes a turn and BAM, my heart shatters. It was right at the end too so the fear I felt when I realized I might not get an HEA… omg! The stress! But I’m happy to report, my heart was swiftly mended and I won’t be spending the next three days under the covers in tears. Oh yes, we get our HEA and it did not disappoint!

As for the spice… *chefs kiss*

Our characters finally have physical intimacy well after the 50% point but I’m not upset. I honestly appreciated the timing. With all of the character and relationship building, I would have been seriously pissed had they rushed into a physical connection.

The level of spice is definitely open door but it wasn’t overdone or ghost pepper spicy. Honestly, perfect for those looking for a great story with spice sprinkled in at the perfect times.

As for myself, I would not hesitate to read this book again.

I recommend to anyone looking for an enemies to lovers with a side of family drama. Especially if you are someone who enjoys books that have you falling in love, getting heartbroken, and then having your heart mended.

Love to Hate You was the first novel I’ve read by Marina Adair, and it definitely won’t be the last. The story follows Summer, who owns a small, independent romance bookstore and believes that true love exists for everyone—and that, in the end, love will always prevail. Then there’s Wes, the CEO of a large chain bookstore opening near Summer’s shop. The two are rivals, constantly engaging in witty banter. When Summer heads off on a week-long vacation with her family, who should show up with her twin sister and her boyfriend? Wes, of course.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Love to Hate You from 8th Note Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And here it is:

I absolutely loved everything about this book! It gave me all the feels—exactly what I look for in a great read. I felt for Summer, especially with the way her sister treated her, and I loved how Wes would always stand up for her. The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud. And the enemies-to-lovers trope? Always a winner in my book.

You've Got Mail is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies, so you know I love books and movies about books. This story had the same trope of a wealthy man with a big store coming in and pushing a small, local bookstore out of business. However the whole family summer vacation and competition was a unique part of the plot. With the set up of the book in the beginning I kind of expected one thing from the book and then all the sudden it become this different thing where they all went away for the summer and ended up at the family's house for a family trip, and then when they shifted back to the bookstore setting it felt a bit like two different stories for me. I felt like those two pieces of the story weren't fully working together, so it felt sort of like the beginning and end were a different book than the middle to me? That being said, I really liked the family characters of the aunt and uncle and especially the father. I really struggled against my dislike of Summer's sister, Autumn. Where I felt Randy made up for his more troublesome role a little bit in the way he was willing to sacrifice everything for Summer towards the end, I felt like it was very difficult to believe that Autumn wouldn't see that her actions and behaviors were hurting her sister, if they really were as close as Summer described. While I felt like all of the pieces didn't fully come together for me for this book, I did really enjoy some of those pieces, and this book had lots of tropes I enjoy reading like rival bookstores, forced proximity/there's only one (bunk) bed, rivals/enemies to lovers, they break the bed, and billionaire(?).

a modern take on 'you've got mail' with plenty of banter and chemistry. i love enemies to lovers romance because of the banter and this sure did deliver!

A cute story! It was a nice take on the movie You've Got Mail! I loved how he came through with such a sweet grand gesture. These two were so cute together. I love all stories involving bookstores! Probably because I love book stores so much! Can't wait to read more from this author!

I've read this was a modern day take on "You've Got Mail" - and it's pretty similar and certainly very Hallmark-y but it's a really enjoyable story.

Romantic Summer is a small bookstore owner and Wes is the big box bookstore owner that's building right next to her store. They butt heads a lot but their banter is so fun! Summer's had a rough go - a lot of awful dates and now Wes - she just needs to make it through until her family vacation - which she's been looking forward to, reconnecting with her twin sister. Until her sister shows up with a new finance and his brother......Wes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This was a very cute enemies to lovers romance! I enjoyed the plot of the story and i loved the banter between the main characters! Their chemistry was so good! Summer's sister did annoy me at times but im glad that was fixed! i loved the ending and how they got their happy ending🫶🏻 all in all this was a very cute read❤️ thank you to Marina and netgalley for this ARC!

Love to hate you by Mariana Adair is an adorable romance novel. The book follows Summer Russo who loves love. She sinks her life savings into an independent book store that specializes in romance novels and beach reads.

Just as she's living her indie bookstore dreams, a big box bookstore moves in next door, run by grump Wes Kingston.

Summer tries to take a break from the bookstore battle by going on her family's annual vacation to mystic, CT. Her sister has brought along her boyfriend, who also brought along his brother. Problem with that so the brother is no other than Wes!

Feuding turns to foreplay, but will the battle of the bookstores end in love or heartbreak?

This book is perfect for anyone that loves the movie you've got mail as it definitely has similar vibes. Thank you Mariana for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Arrives in bookstores April 22 2025

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love to Hate You by Marina Adair is a captivating romantic comedy that will take you on an unforgettable journey from rivalry to romance. With its perfect blend of humour, sharp dialogue, and steamy chemistry, this book delivers everything you could want from an enemies-to-lovers story.

The story follows Summer Russo, the independent and spirited owner of a quaint bookstore, and Wes Kingston, a charming British businessman whose corporate chain store threatens her small-town business. Their initial meetings are filled with tension and conflict, with Summer fiercely opposing Wes’s store, fearing it will put her beloved bookstore out of business. Wes, meanwhile, matches her resistance with equal determination, making for a series of entertaining and fiery encounters.

The story takes a surprising turn when Summer and Wes are unexpectedly thrown together at an annual family gathering. Forced to interact in a more personal setting, the two begin to see each other in a new light. Through their interactions, they come to realize that their assumptions about one another were wrong, and what starts as a mutual disdain gradually turns into understanding and, ultimately, affection.

Summer is a relatable and endearing character, fiercely protective of her bookstore and nostalgic about the memories it holds. Her strong sense of independence and devotion to her family’s legacy make her a heroine you can root for from the start. Wes, initially coming across as a cold, business-minded CEO, slowly reveals a more caring and vulnerable side as he falls for Summer. His evolution from antagonist to romantic lead is compelling and adds depth to his character.

The central theme of the book—opening oneself to love—is explored with authenticity and emotion. Summer and Wes’s journey is one of personal growth and emotional vulnerability as they move past their initial misconceptions and allow themselves to trust and love. The family dynamics and the business rivalry add richness to the plot, making their transformation from enemies to lovers feel both believable and rewarding.

Adair adds a refreshing twist to the classic *You’ve Got Mail* formula, weaving in a corporate vs. indie bookstore rivalry with a modern spin. The slow-burn romance, combined with witty banter and a forced proximity scenario, creates a delightful tension that will keep readers hooked. The chemistry between Summer and Wes is palpable, and their witty back-and-forth leads to some truly swoon-worthy moments.

Overall, Love to Hate You is an absolute treat for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance. With its charming characters, sharp humour, and a slow-burn romance that will have you rooting for the couple from start to finish, this book is a perfect read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and fun rom-com.

I love bookish characters and enemies to lovers. This was a great rep for that. I wish there was some more building of the feud with Wes, and Autumn made me angry as heck, but I really liked the ending and enjoyed it overall

This is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that blends humor, heart, and emotional growth. The story follows Summer, a fiercely independent bookstore owner, and Wes, a polished British businessman whose chain store threatens her livelihood. Their initial interactions are full of witty tension and clashes, as both try to protect what matters most to them.

Things take a turn when they’re unexpectedly forced together at a family gathering, leading to meaningful conversations and surprising emotional connection. As they begin to see past their assumptions, mutual respect and attraction grow. Summer’s loyalty to her family and deep connection to the bookstore make her a compelling character, while Wes’s hidden vulnerability and devotion to his brother give him unexpected depth.

The story is filled with warmth, funny family dynamics, and believable emotional development. With themes of vulnerability, second chances, and understanding, Love to Hate You is a satisfying, feel-good romance about learning to open your heart to love—even when it starts with conflict.

This was a really cute read! I loved the banter between Wes and Summer and it was just nice to read an easy to love romance story!
I was hooked from the get go and loved how Summer was such a hopeless romantic. I pictured Wes having his British accent the whole time ♥️

All in all I loved this book!

3.75⭐️3🌶️

Contemporary Romance
Dual POV
Age gap (6 yrs)
Rivals to lovers
Modern twist on You’ve got mail
Family Vacation


Love to hate you was a cute romcom!

While this is marketed as an enemies to lovers, it isn’t. It’s a rivals to lovers with Summer owning an indie romance bookstore and Wes opening a big box book store a few shops over, A la You’ve Got Mail. Because it mentions this in the synopsis I don’t mind that it is mentioned so often throughout the book. But there are many cultural references that put a definite timestamp on the book, like the TS European tour.

This book is as much about the feeling of being the overlooked sibling as it is about romance. The inner competition that the FMC feels for her twin sister is really heavily laid out.

The FMC, Summer, was a great representation of a softer girl who romanticizes romance. It’s her complete focus in life.

The dog is on the cover and was more of a peekaboo pet than a fixed character in the book. I was sad that it wasn’t in the story more.

The ending felt a little rushed and jumpy.


Thank you NetGalley and 8th Note Press for gifting me the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was...just fine. Average run of the mill romance between two bookshop owners, one British and one a nice homely girl. I've read dozens of other books like this and if you really like this then you will enjoy this one. For me the FMC was just kind of giving me I'm still in high-school vibes so much so that I really didn't care for her at all and that leeches the enjoyment from me. So just kind of meh.

Summer is a hopeless romantic who owns a romance-only bookstore that has been in her family for generations. But then a big box bookstore announces it will be opening next door and Summer realizes she needs a plan to save her store. She hopes to come up with fresh ideas during her family's annual vacation at their lake house. But once there, her twin sister, Autumn, surprises everyone by bringing along her new boyfriend. And his brother - who happens to own the big box bookstore that's moving into next to hers.

This was a classic enemies-to-lovers story about business rivals turned into lovers. While this is one of my favorite romance tropes, this story fell a little flat for me. Mostly because I felt like the switch flipped from enemies to lovers to quickly and without a lot of explanation as to why. I also didn't connect with Autumn and her boyfriend Randy and their insta-love story so I wasn't necessarily enjoying that sub-plot.

All-in-all, it was a fun, lighthearted story but not a title that stands out in the genre.

Overall 3/5
Spice: 2/3