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A review by kdafuq
Like Hate by Rachel Leigh
4.0
First things first: “Thank you” to the author for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate it so much!
I will start with an overall review without spoilers and then continue to go into more detail further along. (Section will be marked)
3,5*
I really enjoyed this book!
The storyline is a pretty typical enemy to lover/bully romance and is the third book of the „Redwoods series“, however a standalone. It was my first book of the series and I had no issue whatsoever to follow the plot. If possible, I would still recommend reading in the correct order.
The book and the characters remind me of „Beautiful Disaster“. Even though Axel Thorn is definitely way more bad boy than all-time-favorite Travis Maddox. Axel is described to be looking pretty much like Travis and is also into underground fighting. The fact that this is so similar and the rest of the story is „nothing special“ already cost a star in my rating.
I want to point out the great writing style in this book! Rachel Leigh sure knows how to write! It took me exactly one day to read, which is always good evidence for me that I really enjoyed the story + writing!
He "heat" level was exactly right and equally well written! It didn't seem forced and fit the story very nicely.
I will most definitely read the other parts of the series and hope there are more coming in the future!
*** Spoilers start here ***
I was on an emotional rollercoaster with the characters and which side I would be on.
Reading the Prologue I totally was on Axel's side! This could be because I have experienced the loss of a parent also, and Harper could have been way more sensitive in my opinion. Later in the book, we find out that she didn‘t want to break up with him, which somewhat made the situation better. Still doesn't change the fact that she left him high and dry on the night of his mother's funeral ... Aside of the situation, I think Harper is a very likable and pretty relatable character. I can't really see why in other reviews she gets seen as annoying.
Axel however in the book was always just a biiiit to much. His reaction to his heart being broken was just too extreme. I get that he didn't want to have her around anymore and of course, a "bully" romance must contain a bully, but he was publicly humiliating her on a level. Same with the blackmailing. It was a tad unreal. I do like the character development though where he sees that his actions have been nothing but wrong and he's trying to make amends.
The whole "finding back to each other" was slightly fast-paced. They had a horrible relationship with each other and it took them like a week to fall in love again. On the other hand they never really stopped loving each other as well ...
Like said: really enjoyed the book! I Will read the others!
I will start with an overall review without spoilers and then continue to go into more detail further along. (Section will be marked)
3,5*
I really enjoyed this book!
The storyline is a pretty typical enemy to lover/bully romance and is the third book of the „Redwoods series“, however a standalone. It was my first book of the series and I had no issue whatsoever to follow the plot. If possible, I would still recommend reading in the correct order.
The book and the characters remind me of „Beautiful Disaster“. Even though Axel Thorn is definitely way more bad boy than all-time-favorite Travis Maddox. Axel is described to be looking pretty much like Travis and is also into underground fighting. The fact that this is so similar and the rest of the story is „nothing special“ already cost a star in my rating.
I want to point out the great writing style in this book! Rachel Leigh sure knows how to write! It took me exactly one day to read, which is always good evidence for me that I really enjoyed the story + writing!
He "heat" level was exactly right and equally well written! It didn't seem forced and fit the story very nicely.
I will most definitely read the other parts of the series and hope there are more coming in the future!
*** Spoilers start here ***
I was on an emotional rollercoaster with the characters and which side I would be on.
Reading the Prologue I totally was on Axel's side! This could be because I have experienced the loss of a parent also, and Harper could have been way more sensitive in my opinion. Later in the book, we find out that she didn‘t want to break up with him, which somewhat made the situation better. Still doesn't change the fact that she left him high and dry on the night of his mother's funeral ... Aside of the situation, I think Harper is a very likable and pretty relatable character. I can't really see why in other reviews she gets seen as annoying.
Axel however in the book was always just a biiiit to much. His reaction to his heart being broken was just too extreme. I get that he didn't want to have her around anymore and of course, a "bully" romance must contain a bully, but he was publicly humiliating her on a level. Same with the blackmailing. It was a tad unreal. I do like the character development though where he sees that his actions have been nothing but wrong and he's trying to make amends.
The whole "finding back to each other" was slightly fast-paced. They had a horrible relationship with each other and it took them like a week to fall in love again. On the other hand they never really stopped loving each other as well ...
Like said: really enjoyed the book! I Will read the others!