danny_kearl's review against another edition
3.0
I normally love all of Meghan books, however I feel like this book could’ve finished at 75% and be a good story . There was no need for a third act break up which was resolved within 10 pages- if you’re gonna do a break up then the grovelling needs to be worth it. This just felt a bit short for me.
However I need to read the best friend Maggie book - she deserves her vacation romance.
However I need to read the best friend Maggie book - she deserves her vacation romance.
magnoliapigeonbookblurbs's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️ Meghan Quinn does it again!! ⭐️
Oh my stars this was absolutely fantastic! Meghan Quinn is an auto-read author for me and when I saw the blurb for The Way I Hate Him I was so excited to meet this new cast of characters!
It’s summertime in Almond Bay and things are heating up in more ways than one! We follow Hattie - a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world after a series of heartbreaking events and Hayes - a grumpy jaded rockstar who despite finding fame feels like he is alone in the world. Growing up in the same small town, they used to run in the same circles but lost touch after a rift between Hayes & Hattie’s older brother tore their families apart - leaving Hayes as persona non-grata to Hattie’s family. After a series of mishaps brings Hattie to Hayes’s door, a bargain is struck that brings them back together again - even if it has to be a secret. Making a deal with the town devil isn’t what Hattie had in mind for the summer but she is about to find out that there are two sides to every story.
Let me tell you…this book was an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every single second of it! Full of angst, banter, spice, love, loss and all the tension - this enemies to lovers, age gap, small town, brothers ex-best friend, forbidden love, rockstar romance is one heck of a ride! This was such a great series debut and I can’t wait to see what Meghan Quinn will come up with next!
Method read:
Oh my stars this was absolutely fantastic! Meghan Quinn is an auto-read author for me and when I saw the blurb for The Way I Hate Him I was so excited to meet this new cast of characters!
It’s summertime in Almond Bay and things are heating up in more ways than one! We follow Hattie - a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world after a series of heartbreaking events and Hayes - a grumpy jaded rockstar who despite finding fame feels like he is alone in the world. Growing up in the same small town, they used to run in the same circles but lost touch after a rift between Hayes & Hattie’s older brother tore their families apart - leaving Hayes as persona non-grata to Hattie’s family. After a series of mishaps brings Hattie to Hayes’s door, a bargain is struck that brings them back together again - even if it has to be a secret. Making a deal with the town devil isn’t what Hattie had in mind for the summer but she is about to find out that there are two sides to every story.
Let me tell you…this book was an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every single second of it! Full of angst, banter, spice, love, loss and all the tension - this enemies to lovers, age gap, small town, brothers ex-best friend, forbidden love, rockstar romance is one heck of a ride! This was such a great series debut and I can’t wait to see what Meghan Quinn will come up with next!
Method read:
samr09's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I really enjoyed this up to about 60%, then it became a bit of a slog. I loved Hayes, what a great MMC. It's just a shame that we didn't see more of him as a musician.
Almond Bay was a really cute setting and I'm hoping the sequels will be a bit more fulfilling.
Hattie's storyline with Cassidy and her siblings was sweet and her progress was good to watch.
<Spoiler>I felt Hayes was a bit underdeveloped, his mother was introduced with a storyline that was never really expanded on, nor was his struggles with addiction in his past. The third act breakup also felt really unnecessary and sucked, it could've been solving the issue with his mother together than just breaking up.
Almond Bay was a really cute setting and I'm hoping the sequels will be a bit more fulfilling.
Hattie's storyline with Cassidy and her siblings was sweet and her progress was good to watch.
<Spoiler>I felt Hayes was a bit underdeveloped, his mother was introduced with a storyline that was never really expanded on, nor was his struggles with addiction in his past. The third act breakup also felt really unnecessary and sucked, it could've been solving the issue with his mother together than just breaking up.
rnewk's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cancer, and Grief
mkromas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jessrobs's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
exitbandit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
angie_stl's review against another edition
5.0
As per usual, Meghan has a platinum record level book! This was equally comedic and heartrending, which I didn’t expect. But Meghan writes in a way that you feel the emotions the characters are going through. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but if you’re a fan of Meghan’s, this is a must read!!
Meghan, if you read this, please make Almond Bay a series!! So many unmatched folks left!
Meghan, if you read this, please make Almond Bay a series!! So many unmatched folks left!
taylorw94's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
1lukor_3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0