Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a sweet romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Luca is a man of power and control, and from the start, he fits the mold of the brooding, emotionally detached alpha male. Unfortunately, for much of the book, he veers closer to cruel than compelling. His treatment of Bianca—dismissing her feelings, belittling her intelligence, and ignoring her worth—makes it difficult to root for their reunion. While there is some softening by the end, for readers who value emotionally satisfying redemption arcs, Luca’s transformation may feel too little, too late.

Bianca, on the other hand, is the heart of the story. Initially naive and in love, she suffers heartbreak but refuses to let it define her. Her growth over the years—pursuing education, building confidence, and developing a stronger sense of self—is genuinely admirable. When her circumstances change and she’s thrust into a marriage of convenience with the very man who once broke her, Bianca doesn’t wilt—she challenges him. She’s a well-rounded heroine whose journey is worth following, even when the romance feels lopsided.

The plot offers plenty of dramatic tension: revenge, class differences, a surprise inheritance, and a forced marriage. These tropes are handled with flair, and the writing is clean and immersive. James knows how to keep readers turning pages. Yet for those who prefer mutual respect in their romances, the power imbalance and emotional distance may overshadow the book’s strengths.

Marriage Made in Hate delivers high drama, emotional intensity, and a compelling journey of personal growth. While Luca may challenge readers’ patience at times, his evolution adds depth to the story, and Bianca’s strength and resilience shine throughout. If you enjoy fiery enemies-to-lovers romances with complex characters, layered emotions, and a richly dramatic plot, this one offers a rewarding and memorable read.

Marriage Made in Hate is one of those novels where I’m torn on how I feel about the story or the characters. This isn’t the first book by Julia James that I’ve read, and for the most part, I’ve enjoyed myself getting lost in her stories. I just… Luca is just so unlikable, I kept reading, hoping for something to happen that would redeem him, make him more human and less like the villain in the story. And, yes, by the ending, he was better. Yet, I couldn’t have cared less if he got a happy ending or not, since for most of their story, he belittled, ignored, or insulted Bianca.

Bianca had stars in her eyes when she first met Luca, convinced that they were destined to be together, forever. When, according to Luca, it was time that their fling ended, she was devastated, and any love she once had for this man quickly turned into hate. She spent the next several years remaking herself through education, through personal growth, and in her mind at least, plotted revenge on her former lover. Funny how things work out. With the discovery of an unknown relative, Bianca’s position in life took a sharp turn… into wealth. Yet, every silver lining has some stormy clouds. She’s being “encouraged” to marry a man of her relative’s choosing… Luca.

At its core, I believe Marriage Made in Hate by Julia James is a good story. That I could not fall in love with the hero is on me, not the author. I’m not going to bash an author’s work, their blood, sweat, and tears, simply because I could not like or care about the hero. Any review is really just one person’s opinion; your experience with this story might be vastly different than mine. The only way to know is for you to read the story for yourself and make up your own mind. I wanted to like Luca, but I just couldn’t.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I'm sad to say that I had to give up on this book about a third of the way through. It had a lot of things I like: evocative descriptions, international travel, and OMG-family-drama. Unfortunately, it had one thing I couldn't tolerate: an MMC who is a total jerk to the FMC. By the 30% mark, he'd made so many wrong assumptions about the FMC and expressed them so harshly that, even given that the author gave us insight into his thinking, I found him literally unforgivable. Maybe he improved as the book continued, but for me, I couldn't think of a single thing he could do to redeem himself.

This is an enemies to lovers arranged marriage story with a heroine who unexpectedly finds herself to be an heiress. Bianca is brought to Italy by her newly found great uncle and provided an with a massive inheritance, but there is just one catch... she must marry a man of his choosing. This man just happens to be Luca, a man who cruelly dumped her a few years ago and who Bianca now bitterly hates. As they slowly begin to rebuild their relationship, Bianca realizes that Luca might not be the worst man for her after all. This was a dramatic and emotional romance, and exactly what I would want out of Harlequin book.

One of the best books I've read this year. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down. This book was very intriguing the whole time.

This was your typical Harlequin with a clueless asshole MMC who comes from a rich & privileged background and a poor/destitute FMC who he uses for a time until he hits the road & leaves her angry and devastated. And boy was this FMC angry!
Six years prior, MCs were in a sexual relationship for 3 months where he took her virginity and thought of her as something to pass the time with, while the poor deluded fool thought she hit the jackpot gravy train to the high life and HEA. However, dude brutally sets her right by telling her that they come from different worlds and that it’s over. Over I tell you!! 🫣 🙋‍♂️
“It’s over Bianca! Over! Accept it!”

He then walks away and never gives her another thought while filtering through many other beauties through the years while poor fool freezes with anger & revenge. So FMC realizing that he was just slumming it with her, she spends next 6 years making something of herself and in her head she is sticking it to asshat MMC who didn’t think she was good enough – until she receives a call from a solicitor that she has a long-lost uncle in Italy who is dying and who commands her to marry Loverboy MMC.

Who woulda think it that MMC is also the poor dying Uncle’s Godson who immediately thinks she is using old man to gain his money and is a whore! Oh no he didn’t! 😰 Yep, he DID! 🤬
“Bianca, raised on an East London council estate, is Matteo’s niece? How can she be? It is impossible….surely impossible!”

But the poor fool is set right and heroine gets her first pound of flesh when she gleefully gloats & silently tells him to choke on his foul mouth & beliefs! 💁‍♀️ 👏
Then poor matchmaking uncle pulls the final dose – marry each other or else! 🤦‍♀️And what does the deluded Hero do? Yep, it’s all the temptress fault for she must have put the ideal in poor uncle’s head! 🤦‍♀️(strike 3 loverboy!) 🤣

And the boy just keeps sticking his mouth in his ass throughout the story until of course he finally sees the light and HEA.

Gotta say, I enjoyed this one because of it’s ridiculousness. He poor fool Hero was over the top an asshole but at least we have a feisty heroine who gives it back and holds grudges! Boy, does she ever! No doormat here. 😁

“You were a conceited pig six years ago, Luca – and you’re a conceited pig still!”

The h had an affair with the H six years ago. He broke it off rather brutally. Fast forward 6 years., the h went to university, got her degree and changed the way she spoke and dressed. The h was raised by a bitter aunt. she finds out the she is the niece of an elderly, ill gentleman in Italy.. she goes to Italy and unexpectedly runs into the H , the man who devastated her when he broke up with her, Turns out he is the godson of her uncle.

I received an ARC from Net Galley

There’s something oddly comforting about immersing myself in a story overflowing with emotional turbulence and over-the-top drama.
While this book doesn’t break new literary ground and I’ve definitely encountered more refined narratives, it hit the right spot at the right time for me. I found myself questioning both the storyline and the protagonists’ decisions, but that didn’t stop me from tearing through it.
It’s the kind of indulgent read you know isn’t objectively great—like devouring junk food late at night—yet somehow, it leaves you feeling strangely satisfied.

A digital advance copy was kindly provided by the publisher in return for an honest opinion.

I had forgotten what and how many deep needs I have, are satisfied by a book so full of drama and angst. It is not a masterpiece, and I have read better ones, but right now it is just what I needed. I don't even agree with the general plot line or the behavior of the main characters, but it's like a bag of chips, it is bad for you, but occasionally good for the soul.

Mi ero dimenticata quali e quanti miei profondi bisogni soddisfacesse un libro cosí pieno di dramma e angst. Non é un capolavoro e ne ho letti di migliori, ma in questo momento é proprio quello che mi ci voleva. Non sono nemmeno d'accordo sulla linea generale della trama né sul comportamento dei personaggi principali, ma é come un sacchetto di patatine, fa male, ma ogni tanto fa bene all'anima.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.