Hate to Love You by Tijan

Rule
#1: No hot guys.

It might sound ridiculous. I get it. It kind of is, but college was supposed to be
my sanctuary. It was my place to start over. The rumors, the whispers, and the
jealousy I endured through high school would all be gone.

No one would know me at college.


Rule
#2: No drama.

I’d major in pre-law. I’d make a few loyal friends. Everything would be easy
breezy. No one was going to use me or hurt me. I wouldn’t let them.


Rule
#3: New year. New place. New me.

Right?

Wrong.
And all because of Shay Coleman.
Football captain and quarterback, he was the big guy on campus. The cocky guy in my political science class with a smirk. I hated him on sight . . .

. . . and he was about to break all my rules.


MY REVIEW

Hate to love you by Tijan is a sexy contemporary romance & coming of age type story.  Kennedy Carter is a freshman with a plan for exactly how college is going to go.  That is until she meets Shay Coleman, star quarterback who’s just rolling with the college scene in his junior year.  Two very different people, having very different college experiences… throwing them together makes for quite a tale.

Told in first person this book is a fast read – too fast! Funny, sexy, romantic with very serious topics (rape/stalking), this story has a little bit of everything the college experience can be for any one of us.  A story about working so hard to stick to rules made up to protect your heart, rules that end up closing people off in the process.  “Being alone. Not being included, not getting involved, those were my areas. Hanging out with guys and not flirting or dating them too.”  Laugh out loud witty banter, building of loyal friendships (in spite of themselves), unexpected moments that will make you gasp, & heart wrenching moments “Emotional hangovers were a thing…” that all lead to fist pumping in the air for healing & overcoming vulnerabilities, trust issues, brokenness & fears.  Sweet quirkiness, “This was light and fun and sexy and I was forgetting how much I hated the guy.” & oh so sexy “My head was filled with these dark and swirly feelings. Want. Desire. Lust.”  Surprisingly hard core at times “You might want to stop bullshitting yourself.” – to get to the point where you can honestly say “…we could handle anything.”

I love Kennedy’s mini-internal monologs “…I almost groaned. Almost. I held it in.” & the push-pull between these characters - “I still hate you.”…”I know. I hate you too.” We hated each other again. Everything was right again.”  Couldn't get enough of Shay's no BS temperament, the family support, the friendships that were made – the way they shield & protect each other - WOW.  And Casey – can I just throw a high-five out there right now... GREAT supporting character. 

“Shay’s Flashcards of Love…” = total book boyfriend crush.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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