That was such a fast fun read! Liam and Mia were super relatable and the conflict helped move the plot along. I even found myself kind of liking Lyle by the end which I wouldn’t have called at the 50% mark. Definitely will be picking up book two in the series!

Workplace romances are my jam and I've enjoyed a few from Leslie North. I've shared in the past that her CEO/Billionaire ones have a lighter quirky element than Annika Martin's (another author I like), so it made me smile that the name Annika was used randomly in this book. >> If that's a hint that the writer of this one is the same, please drop me a message ;) because I certainly find it impossible that 1 person writes under the Leslie North name.

This one, though, even had a moment that made me think of Louise Bay's An American in London where a coffee shop and barista played a role. BTW, I also typically like Bay's books, too.

Collectively, from North to Bay to Martin, all those books are fine ways to pass the time if you're looking to escape with something not too deep a read.

This was a quick, fun read. The plot was well paced for the most part, although there were parts of the romance which felt a little rushed. The characters were mostly well developed, I enjoyed the dynamic between Mia and Jake, but I felt like Liam’s character could have been better developed or had his motivations and behaviour explained a little better. That being said I’ll definitely be reading the next two books in this series, I’m intrigued by the Lockhart brothers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enemies-to-lovers sparks, a broody CEO, and a sunshiney writer with something to prove—Leslie North delivers a fast-paced, chemistry-packed office romance that’s as smart as it is steamy.

Mia Carter is finally getting her shot. As the new head writer at a rising streaming company, she’s ready to prove herself in a cutthroat, male-dominated industry. But her new role comes with one massive complication: her boss is none other than Liam Lockhart—the CEO of the company, her brother’s best friend, and the man who kissed her years ago… then promptly vanished without a word.

From the very first scene, Mia and Liam’s dynamic sizzles with unresolved tension. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and their mutual stubbornness makes for a delicious slow burn. Leslie North does a fantastic job layering in both characters’ vulnerabilities beneath their tough exteriors. Mia is ambitious and driven, but also deeply loyal and protective of her creative vision. Liam is all polished control and simmering frustration, with just enough cracks in his armor to show that he’s more than just the company’s icy CEO.

What really stands out is the emotional arc. This isn’t just a story of workplace flirtation—it’s about two people learning how to trust again, how to confront their past mistakes, and how to build something real in a world that rewards keeping things professional and impersonal. The stakes are personal and professional, and every scene pushes the relationship—and the characters—forward in meaningful ways.

There’s also a delightful subplot involving a stray dog, which softens Liam’s edges and adds a heartwarming touch to the tension. And while the romance builds slowly, once it ignites, it really ignites. Expect toe-curling kisses, almost-confessions, and a few moments of “just one bed” proximity that will have you flipping pages into the night.

If you’re a fan of:

Enemies to lovers

Brother’s best friend tension

Workplace romance with real emotional stakes

A brooding hero softened by love and a dog

Smart, capable heroines who refuse to back down

Then The CEO I Hate will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a quick read with strong romantic payoff and just enough angst to keep things interesting without tipping into melodrama. A perfect pick for fans of Lucy Score, Lauren Layne, or anyone who loves a smart romance with heat, heart, and humor.

This wasn’t the most intriguing book I’ve read, but the story was okay overall. The pacing was a bit slow and not a ton happened, but I did manage to finish it without skipping any parts, so it held my attention enough to get through.

I really appreciated seeing the female main character stand up to bullies and find her voice, and the male lead was sweet, kind, and loyal - definitely a bright spot in the story. Their relationship had some heart, even if the plot itself felt a little underwhelming.

Not something I’d rave about, but not a bad read either. Solidly average.

It took me a bit to get into the story, but the second half was much better. The romance, though, lacked tension, especially for a brother’s best friend setup, Jake’s reaction felt too low-stakes. Some side plots, like family drama and the ex-professor, didn’t really go anywhere. I also wish Mia and Liam’s relationship had more early development, the breakup didn’t hit as hard, and the ending needed a bit more effort from Liam to feel earned.

It took me a bit to get into this one, but I ended up liking the second half a lot more than the first.

The behind-the-scenes look at TV production was super interesting, and I liked seeing Mia's creative side come through. That part felt fresh and fun.

I just wanted a bit more tension and build-up, especially with the whole office romance and brother’s best friend setup. SPOILER: Jake’s reaction to finding out felt way too chill—like, "It’s fine if you hook up with her, just don’t break her heart." It kind of took the drama out of it.

There were also a few things that got brought up but didn’t really go anywhere. Mia and Jake’s parents, the random creepy ex-professor, and Liam’s family (especially his mom) all felt like they could’ve added more to the story if they were fleshed out a bit more.

Mia and Liam’s relationship needed a little more development early on, too. When they broke up, I wasn’t heartbroken—I actually agreed with Mia. The ending was sweet, but I was hoping for a bit more grovel from Liam.

Thanks to Leslie North, Relay Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

"The CEO I Hate" by Leslie North
Rating: 3/5

Great read, it flowed for me, even had a touch of suspense in it. I usually don’t like these the ceo or the books because there isn’t much to them, but this one was different. Hard to explain but just read for yourself!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

This book had me feeling a range of emotions! From our first introduction to Liam "the Line Cutter", you wanted to hate him yourself. And Mia certainly makes her feelings known!

Turns out, they actually KNOW each other!

I really enjoyed the CEO I Hate and read it in almost one sitting. The characters were likeable, except Liam didn't grovel enough for my taste, and Ash was the star of the show.

I can't wait to read more about the Lockhart brothers!

This book definitely delivered on the romcom promise—some of the banter genuinely made me giggle. That said, a few moments did feel a bit over the top, especially early on when the “hate” dynamic between the main characters bordered on too much. Still, the story wrapped up with a satisfying ending, which made the bumps along the way feel worth it.

Let’s talk about Liam. He was a tough sell at first. For someone pushing 40, his decision-making often felt immature. But not all book boyfriends are perfect, and I appreciated that he was written as deeply flawed—human, even if frustrating. His arc was slow to win me over, but I was genuinely glad he got there. For once, I actually rooted for the third-act breakup. It needed to happen!!!!

As for the “forbidden” brother’s-best-friend angle, it didn’t feel particularly high-stakes or necessary in their situation, but it’s understandable; I just wasn’t sold on it. And their transition from hate-banter to romance happened a bit too quickly for me. That said, the timeline made sense overall, especially since their post-breakup reconciliation wasn’t immediate. Liam really had to earn it, and I respected that.

Mia, though, was the highlight. She’s smart, funny, kind, and held her ground in all the best ways. I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes moments with her and her colleagues—it made the story feel grounded and fun. While Liam’s behavior wasn’t always charming, their dynamic slowly grew on me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!I

I think this promised to be the start of a great new series. The CEO I Hate is book one in the Lockheart Brothers series by Leslie North who is a new to me author.

If you like enermies to lovers or work place romances this is the book for you. Mia gets a job working for her brothers grumpy and very hot best friend Liam. She has been in love with him for years but he has always kept her firmly in the friend zone because of her brother Jake, despite his growing feelings for her. The pair start working closely together and cannot deny their attraction any longer.

I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting, the characters are really likeable and I look forwards to learning more about them in furture books. There is plenty of humour and spice in the book. And Ash was a lovely addition. There are also various side stories going on it the book, Mia's successful comic book series, her brother Jakes rehabilitation and relationship struggles after an accident at work where he was a firefighter. Making me even more invested in the outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#CampNetGalley

Mia never planned to fall for Liam Lockhart a second time. He’s her brother’s best friend, a decade older, and the inspiration behind the villain in her wildly popular webcomic. After one unforgettable kiss ended in heartbreak, she turned that pain into art, and swore she was done with him for good. But when her brother gets injured, Mia is offered the writing job of her dreams at Liam’s streaming company. Now she’s stuck working side by side with the man who ghosted her, trying not to strangle him, or kiss him senseless. With stolen glances, late nights, and a stray dog only complicating things, staying professional is harder than it sounds. Kissing Liam again might be the worst decision she ever makes… or the one that changes everything.

3.75 stars

I want to start by thanking NetGalley and especially author Leslie North for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The book had such an easy, natural flow. Even though it felt a bit long at times, the story moved along beautifully. The writing was clear and precise—I always knew exactly where the plot was heading, which made the experience so enjoyable.

The characters were great, and I absolutely loved Mia. She was such a relatable character—fierce and strong, yet sensitive. I admired how she followed her dreams even when her parents weren't supportive. Liam was a very intense character, and I appreciated how the book took time to explain his behavior and background.

That said, the book was incredible and very enjoyable—I read it all in one day! Leslie, I hope you have an amazing career ahead because your writing and storytelling are truly impressive.

Very strongly written. Plot does not contain any holes and is a great read! The characters have such a strong relationship that makes it so easy for the readers to connect.

Mia has always had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Liam. Liam is intrigued by Mia, but stays away because of loyalty to her brother, who was in an accident and is now in a wheelchair and having a hard time coming to terms with his new life. There is too much chemistry to avoid, so they decide to see each other in private. As we all know, that comes with a whole new bag of problems, so watching the story evolve after that was such a fun read.

This book gave me similar vibes as The Hating Game, which is one of my favorite books of all time. The banter between Mia and Liam had me in knots waiting for the eventual kiss. Though it was an extremely slow burn romance, it was worth the wait. I really enjoyed everything about this book, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Tropes- workplace romance, secret dating, brother’s best friend.

Love and hate balance on a thin line that could be easily crossed. In THE CEO I HATE, Leslie North crafts a compelling romance blending irresistible tension with open vulnerability. Mia swears off kissing her brother's best friend, Liam Lockhart. A mistake she made two years ago. As a heartbroken writer, it was only sensible to turn him into a villain in her webcomic. In a twist of fate, after her brother's intervention, Liam offers her a position as a head writer in a hit show. Working together should be easy, but it becomes a challenge when trying not to devour each other.

The best part for me about this book was how it doesn't keep revolving around one thing. It's fast-paced. I didn't find it lacking in any area. This supposedly enemies-to-lovers romance is compelling and intriguing. Romance readers are sure to enjoy this familiar trope.

The CEO I Hate by Leslie North is a romcom with the enemies-to-lovers and brother's-bestfriend tropes. I love the romantic buildup and the character development. I look forward to reading the rest of the Lockhart brothers' series.
I got the complimentary copy of this book from Relay Publishing via Netgalley. This is my honest review

Amazing book loved the characters abd plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. Ii loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

A brother's best friend is getting together with the younger sister. This works, though, from the start when Mia is busting his chops for cutting in line at the coffee shop as if he is the only person. It just gets better from there, especially when you find out that he ghosted her two years ago after they kissed. It comes full circle, though, when she walks out on him. A good with excellent characters.

Mia and Liam are attracted to each other, but because she is his best friends younger sister, Liam keeps blowing hot and cold. But a twist of fate has Mia working with Liam and the close proximity makes ignoring the attraction that much more difficult for Liam.
This was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the banter and the sizzle between Mia and Liam. It was fun watching the push and pull. Ash was a wonderful addition, nothing shows a grumpy persons soft side than a furry friend.
Overall a fun read !