The hot nerd English professor and buttoned-up financial auditor reviewing his department have more in common than expected in this short and spicy enemies-to-lovers novel. They hate each other by day but anonymously correspond over his hot and steamy, Shakespearean fanfic after hours, and yes, there are plenty of excerpts from the fanfic site included in the novel.

I enjoyed the epistolary elements, the sizzling chemistry between the two main characters, the authentic representation of the Nashville area, how he supports her dreams, and how they impact each other’s viewpoints and perspectives.

Bonus: There’s even a snowed in moment during this workplace romance.

Do you have to suspend your disbelief some for this one? Sure, but overall, this is a fun and hot diversion of a romance novel.

The audiobook version has dual narration—that’s where a narrator covers the entire chapter from his or her character’s POV—by Cindy Kay and J. F. Harding. I especially enjoyed the chapters narrated by Harding, and, as strange as it feels to say, preferred Kay’s voice for Aidan to her voice for Micah.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Harlequin Audio and HTP Hive. All review opinions are my own.

Much Ado About Hating You
by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Narrated by Cindy Kay; J. F. Harding

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SOOO GOOD, so SPICY!!!

This Lovers to enemy, erotic academia novel was a quick listen, I enjoyed the banter but felt like there could have been a little more conflict and character development.

this was such a cheeky book and even cheekier audiobook. the narrators really did the story justice! I had a lot of fun. I Highly recommend if you're searching for a unique enemies to lovers rom-com! loved the fanfic element,,, I really thought this book brought something fresh to the genre!

I enjoyed this read- Their dynamic? Hot Professor meets Black Cat Girlie? In an academic setting?
Yeah, I was SAT 🪑 Def a fun way to start off AANHPI month 🌶️ I was living for the 🇵🇭 representation- The way her Mom called out to her “Anak” & made sure she had food? (Too much food lol!) Quintessential Filipino Mom lol! I also enjoyed the bonus epilogue at the end, although I wished it was part of the ALC.
Overall, I thought this was a light, spicy read!! Just a bit of junk food for the brain 🫶🏽
Cindy Kay & J.F. Harding did an amazing job narrating thissss, I really enjoyed them!!

This book had me hooked from the beginning! Who knew Shakespeare could be spicy? Not this girl, but I am here for it! The narrators did a fantastic job of bringing this enemies-to-lovers/workplace romance story to life.

Aidan is an English professor who, just for fun, rewrites Shakespeare act into spicy fan fiction. Micha is an auditor. hired to do budget cuts of the department at the college he teaches in, which could potentially include job losses. They get off on the wrong foot from day one, creating a great rivalry and a very toxic work environment. She also just so happens to be a fan of his work. One day she comments on one of his posts and they start a conversation, not knowing who the other is. Did I mention what happens when the supervisor they stay behind in the conference room to work out their differences? You know what they say about a fine line between love and hate? These two danced all over the line!

Well that was quite a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I could not put this down. The hate tension, the clandestine pen pals, the workplace prank shenanigans, the fanfic aspect, the bossiness (iykyk), SO GOOD!

Aidan really is a bit of a bastard, to the point where I almost had the ick, and I really didn’t know if he could redeem himself. But then his alter ego, ShakespeareInLust, stepped up and saved the day, being so kind, supportive and encouraging.

Absolutely loved Micah’s character arch as a budding writer. Can 100% relate to working a soulless analytical career, but secretly being a creative. And of course, since it’s fiction, happy endings are delivered on every level!!

Thank you Net Galley for ARC, this was so fun, short, and spicy.

Picked this up because I thought it would be quick, fun read. I mean, a book about an English professor who moonlights as a spicy Shakespeare fanfic author and a no-nonsense auditor who reads a hell of a lot of fanfiction? Sounds like my cup of tea!

Overall I would say this was good, not great. It had all the makings of an enemies (or rivals) to lovers trope with angst, banter, and spice, but all of the pieces fell just a TEEENY bit short of great. It was still very enjoyable and fun to read though! Honestly I think it could have been much better if it was just a bit longer to flush out some more relationship and character development.

On the audio specifically:
I thought the narrators were well casted for their voices and the pacing was perfect between the two narrators. The only small irk I had was that the female narrator pronounced pancit wrong. It’s a Philippino noodle dish and while I love the Asian representation in the book, I wish she had just looked up how the word was pronounced so it was represented properly in the book. It does not hugely take away from the overall enjoyment obviously as it’s such a small part of the book but a small irk nonetheless. Otherwise I really liked this on audio!

I have been in the mood for an enemies to lovers book with lots of tension and this hit the mark. Aiden and Micah instantly are in "hate" with one another but can't ignore all the sparks that fly as soon as they meet. This has a bit of a You've Got Mail vibe as well and we all know I am all about any book that is a play on that. Throw in an office romance and I am done for. This one brought the SPICE too. So, if you aren't a spice reader.. maybe don't pick this up. I have been in a slump and I FLEW through this audio. Both narrators were great.
Thanks to Harlequin, Netgalley and Sarah Echavarre Smith for an ALC.