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sarah_oliver's review
5.0
‘Then Hate Me’ picks up right where the authors left off in ‘The More I Hate’. There are also some chapters written from the POV of Luc and Amelia from book 1, therefore it would be best to read this series in order. The relationship between Marksen and Olivia was very complicated, twisted and nuanced. Marksen’s single minded pursuit of revenge and poor treatment of Olivia vs his growing feelings for her made for a very interesting read. I loved Olivia’s fire and independent spirit and enjoyed how Marksen recognised, appreciated and ultimately adored this about her. The chemistry between them was scorching with many steamy scenes to enjoy. The author’s finish with a short epilogue from Harrison’s POV - I can’t wait for his story next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
monstersbulliesandtriggers's review
5.0
I wasn’t sure how Marksen was going to redeem himself, but I was kicking my feet when Olivia got her man. I loved the balance of Olivia submitting to the man she’s had her eye on since she was young and fighting the man he had allowed himself to become.
Once she had a string on getting her power back she paused only to take a breath before yanking and untying the knot that formed between two powerful families. I cannot wait for Harrison’s story!
Once she had a string on getting her power back she paused only to take a breath before yanking and untying the knot that formed between two powerful families. I cannot wait for Harrison’s story!
jadejulissaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
I hadn't read the first book, but I wasn't lost; it explained what happened in the first one and why things escalated the way it did. Of course, I'= would have been given more of the story but thank God for a quick refresher on what was happening and why.
Marksen and Olivia's story was a roller coaster of emotions, from Olivia's kidnapping to Marksen attempting to retaliate against Luc through Olivia. There were times when I thought Marksen had gone too far and Olivia would no longer feel the same way about him, but love comes in many forms. The storyline alone piqued my interest, and the book is fast-paced, so everything happens at breakneck speed, yet you can still grasp everything that is going on in the story.
I wanted Olivia to make Marksen pay a bit more instead of just leaping in with him, but as I already stated, I knew they endgame from the beginning and was happy that they were, but he needed to do some serious groveling first. She is a strong woman, and she has demonstrated this repeatedly about herself, her business, and her ability to do things that a guy would not ordinarily do in her position. Aside from that, this was a very good book, and I enjoyed everything about Olivia, Marksen, her brother, and Amelia.
Marksen and Olivia's story was a roller coaster of emotions, from Olivia's kidnapping to Marksen attempting to retaliate against Luc through Olivia. There were times when I thought Marksen had gone too far and Olivia would no longer feel the same way about him, but love comes in many forms. The storyline alone piqued my interest, and the book is fast-paced, so everything happens at breakneck speed, yet you can still grasp everything that is going on in the story.
I wanted Olivia to make Marksen pay a bit more instead of just leaping in with him, but as I already stated, I knew they endgame from the beginning and was happy that they were, but he needed to do some serious groveling first. She is a strong woman, and she has demonstrated this repeatedly about herself, her business, and her ability to do things that a guy would not ordinarily do in her position. Aside from that, this was a very good book, and I enjoyed everything about Olivia, Marksen, her brother, and Amelia.
mom2three's review
5.0
Dare I say that this one was even better than the first? OK, maybe not better, but just as good in a different way. This one was spicier in the kink department. The family dynamic for Olivia is also different from Amelia's so that gave the story a different feel. Marksen was just as much of a morally gray man, but he was willing to take things to a whole other level.
Olivia is a strong woman who atill has insecurities and vulnerabilities and Marksen toys with all of them. Marksen is also a strong character who's own insecurites ahines through. I loved their broken-ness. I loved the passion between them and the fire. I loved that neither of them really backed down. I loved that there's a history between the characters made some of the reactions to different situations easier to understand, and how it helped me feel more sympathy for both of them.
The story is fabulously written. It's a seamless colab and i have no idea where one author's work ended and another's picked up. The flow is fantastic. It has a high level of angst and feel of danger. And i really didn't expect that ending.
I'm excited to read the next one and I hope these authors continue to release books together.
Olivia is a strong woman who atill has insecurities and vulnerabilities and Marksen toys with all of them. Marksen is also a strong character who's own insecurites ahines through. I loved their broken-ness. I loved the passion between them and the fire. I loved that neither of them really backed down. I loved that there's a history between the characters made some of the reactions to different situations easier to understand, and how it helped me feel more sympathy for both of them.
The story is fabulously written. It's a seamless colab and i have no idea where one author's work ended and another's picked up. The flow is fantastic. It has a high level of angst and feel of danger. And i really didn't expect that ending.
I'm excited to read the next one and I hope these authors continue to release books together.
chaptersofapril's review
1.0
I may have discovered that I am not a fan of dark romance. Or maybe (MAYBE) this book is romanticizing rape, sex without consent, crazy mood swings, invalidation of women, possessiveness… I dunno, too crazy. Most of the times I was like: what the hell. She lacks decision but she built her own empire?, he lacks a heart but oh, suddenly he feels sorry and wants to protect her. It was all too incoherent and disorganized.
joburnsreads's review against another edition
I just don't think this book was for me.
originalbooknerd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Hate Me - Gilded Decadence 2 - Review
Author: Blake Hensley
Couple: Olivia & Marksen
Tropes: captive romance, enemy to lovers, dark romance, forbidden romance, family rivals, abduction, Hades & Persephone vibes, opposites attract
Review: Then Hate Me blew my mind with the chaotic and lustful web these two spin! I loved continuing this series of dark romance stand alones and seeing the next couple fall hard was perfect. Olivia and Marksen are complete opposites and the book felt a lot like Hades and Persephone reimagined!
The way the build up was created between the two of them was explosive and similar to how dynamite goes off in confined spaces. I enjoyed Olivia's presumed naivety but also adored how she was able to be her own version of strong. Marksen was also the villain in the story but his POV provided so much inner commentary that we truly saw who he was. When he began to open up I fell in love with his character and the inner turmoil he had to overcome to be with Olivia!
Rating: 5/5, a perfect enemy to lovers captive romance!
Author: Blake Hensley
Couple: Olivia & Marksen
Tropes: captive romance, enemy to lovers, dark romance, forbidden romance, family rivals, abduction, Hades & Persephone vibes, opposites attract
Review: Then Hate Me blew my mind with the chaotic and lustful web these two spin! I loved continuing this series of dark romance stand alones and seeing the next couple fall hard was perfect. Olivia and Marksen are complete opposites and the book felt a lot like Hades and Persephone reimagined!
The way the build up was created between the two of them was explosive and similar to how dynamite goes off in confined spaces. I enjoyed Olivia's presumed naivety but also adored how she was able to be her own version of strong. Marksen was also the villain in the story but his POV provided so much inner commentary that we truly saw who he was. When he began to open up I fell in love with his character and the inner turmoil he had to overcome to be with Olivia!
Rating: 5/5, a perfect enemy to lovers captive romance!
under_covers_smut_lover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
(Advance Readers Copy)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I didn't know how I'd feel about Marksen after the first book and then kidnapping his enemies little sister/childhood friend. It took a while for him to grow on me, but oh boy, was he one foul-mouthed, kinky man.
I felt like once he began to have feelings for Olivia, he should have grovel at her feet and made her feel like the queen she was. Olivia was a strong MFC, and after everything she went through, to come out the other side and all want to be with him... she deserves an award!
This book was well written by the authors, and I have really enjoyed this series so far. I can't wait for Harrisons' book next. These men are so dominant and powerful. The authors really do know how to write some great books.
Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Kidnapping
- Body Betrayal
- Praising
- Virgin Heroine
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I didn't know how I'd feel about Marksen after the first book and then kidnapping his enemies little sister/childhood friend. It took a while for him to grow on me, but oh boy, was he one foul-mouthed, kinky man.
I felt like once he began to have feelings for Olivia, he should have grovel at her feet and made her feel like the queen she was. Olivia was a strong MFC, and after everything she went through, to come out the other side and all want to be with him... she deserves an award!
This book was well written by the authors, and I have really enjoyed this series so far. I can't wait for Harrisons' book next. These men are so dominant and powerful. The authors really do know how to write some great books.
Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Kidnapping
- Body Betrayal
- Praising
- Virgin Heroine
ashreads11's review against another edition
4.5
Marksen DuBois and Olivia Manwarring. This book picks up where book 1 left off only with a different couple. Marksen is still mad about what he believes his ex best friend, Luc Manwarring and his family are doing. He believes after stealing his fiancé and stealing some deals out from under him, the best revenge is stealing Olivia out from under him. They end up fighting the attraction but tensions are high and they are forced to be together.
The spice was spicing in this one. Marksen makes a ver VERY public claiming and I loved it. He was extra possessive of her.